they call the States till it should be otherwise ordered by the King who for some time doubted whether he should allow that form of Goverment or no. For Gregory the thirteenth who had mutually agreed with King Philip to assist the Queen of Scots then a Prisoner being to nominate a Generall for that expedition for it was undertaken in the Popes not the Kings name lest it might distast the Rivalls of the Spanish Greatnesse his Holinesse made choice of Don Iohn of Austria famous for Sea victories And therefore advised the King by Ormanetti who was trusted in the transaction of that businesse to send his Brother into the Low-countreys wanting at that time a Governour who would be in great esteem with the Low countrey men that honoured the memory of his Father Charles the fifth and might from thence passe with a Fleet into England where he if any man might exspect success He likewise articled with King Philip that the Queen of Scots if it pleased God they freed her from captivity should be married to Don Iohn with the Kingdome of England for her dowry which would be a fair title to the Island for the House of Austria to ground a Warre upon The King disliked it not though he more approved of the Expedition then of the Generall but instantly resolved and promised the Nuncio to send his brother into the Low-countreys But his Majestie thought it not amisse to protract his Brothers going for a while that he might see how the Low-countreymen would govern the Low-countreys moved hereunto by Ioachim Opper a Low-countrey man his Secretary for the Netherlands who delivered his opinion that the Low-countrey Lords would no doubt be infinitely carefull of the Common-wealth and would now themselves apply to the evill that remedie for which they had so often solicited the King Who by confiding in them would for ever oblige the hearts of the Low-countrey men Especially in that his Majestie well knew the Principall Senatours Duke Areschot the Counts Mansfeldt and Barlamont and the President of the Senate himself Viglius Zuichom were men of most undoubted Religion and Loyaltie But to govern by a Committee that I may not accuse the Kings prudence from the event was then unseasonable For in the most troubled State the most present remedy is for one man to rule Truly this indulgence of the Prince did more hurt to the Low-countreys then all his severity as appeared by the immediate ruine of the Provinces For the people freed from a Spanish Governour would not acknowledge a new one in the Senate or rather greatly feared not a power divided and diminished among many And the Lords despised the government of their Peers and easily deluded their discordant Votes and Orders Some enemies to the Spaniard desirous of revenge fomented this difference of the Lords especially the Burgesses for Brabant and Haynolt whom Requesenes had larely called to Bruxells For these as they were chosen under-hand by means of the Prince of Orange in regard of the Authority wherewith those Provinces intrusted them hugely distracted the Senate And though both parties pretended the Kings name and cause yet their Designes and Counsels were so different that some of them were vulgarly called Spaniards others Patriots or Protectours of their Countrey And as the word Countrey infinitely takes the People with a counterfeit and deceiving image of Libertie it was not to be doubted but in case of a Warre the major part of the Low-countrey-men would adhere unto this party Nor was occasion long wanting to mature the mischief For when they had taken Ziriczee after Requesenes his death the Germans and Spaniards clamouring for their pay for that Island had afforded very little money it was resolved on by the Senate for easing the Low-countreys of the burden of forrein Souldiers to pay and cashiere the regiment of Hannibal Count de Altempse because there having lately been a breach between him and the Governour of Antwerp Frederick Perenot Lord of Campin about the Garrison it was feared lest publick mischief might ensue In the mean time the Spaniards that took Ziriczee under Colonell Mondragonio when they saw themselves passed by and the many moneths pay which was promised them issued out to others interpreting not falsely as some said that it was done out of malice to their Nation and they thereby necessitated to an Insurrection First as if he looked not into their business they threatned Mondragonio then hearing of the complaints made in the Senate of Bruxels by Count Altempse who publickly affirmed that he was casheired not for any danger to the Town of Antwerp nor with relation to his fouldiers importunity for pay which he himself a fortnight longer was able to have satisfied but only by the subtilty spleen of the Lord Campin that excluded souldiers faithfull to the King and so weakning the Spanish partie intended to betray the citie to the Prince of Orange Whereupon the Spaniards troubled at the publick danger and the more exasperated by their private injury in regard they demanded but what was due to their extraordinary labours and unprendented courage in wading through the sea seized upon their Captains and chose themselves a Generall in Mondragonio's place Whereto they were animated by the example of the horse and recruited by the accession of Valdez his Regiment They sent letters therefore to the Senate at Bruxels threatningly petitioning for their money Nor did the Senate deny it the major part being Royallists But the Burgesfes of Hoynolt and Brabant long since bought as I said with the Prince of Oranges money interceded in the name of their Provinces pretending publick necessitie And whilst the Senate partly affrighted with their protestations partly intangled in crosse votes deferred their payment the Spaniards thinking their menaces contemned took up their Colours in furie crying Away for Brabant And having left Ziricze guarded with a few Wallons quitting Schelt and Duveland Islands they had conquered with so much glory to their Nation they ran up and down Brabant threatning but not resolved upon any determinate design the Cities generally trembling and in amazement exspecting where that storm would fall But having first rejected the conditions which Count Mansfeldt meeting them near Asc brought from the Senate then sending away Iuliano Romero who for the same cause came from the Spaniards without so much as hearing him speak afterward shaking their swords and presenting their muskets against Francisco Montesdocha they commanded him to come no nearer and lastly on a sudden possessed themselves of Aelst a town in Flanders not farre from Bruxels hanging the King Officer that opposed them before the Gates openly professing they meant to keep Aelst as a pledge till their Arrears were paid When this news came to Bruxels with addition but false that they had plundered the Town and put the People to the sword the minds
of the citizens were so incensed as that searching the Town for Spaniards by chance they met a servant of Hieronimo Boda a Spanish Senatour whom the Low-countreymen hated above all the rest because he had in many things been the Governour Requesenes his instrument and at that time stoutly spake for the King in Senate this poor Servingman they slew fouly mangling his body and would have fallen upon Roda himself Alphonso Vargas and Iuliano Romero if they had not presently instructed by the danger retired to Court In like manner iâ— being reported that the Spaniards bragged they would march from Aelst and storm Bruxels unlesse they were paid by order of the Senate the Lords for they said the multitude would not otherwise be appeased declared the Spaniards that kept Aelst Rebells and enemies to the King and State permitting the people of Bruxels to take up arms in defence of their City By which example many Cities of Brabant and Flanders because they pretended to be in like fear of the Wallons and Germans in Garrison among them by like indulgence of the Senate and incouragement from the Burgesses took arms But the Spanish Commanders fearing this to a generall conspiracie of the Provinces against their Nation whilst they busied themselves in preparing for a warre suspected and no lesse suspecting on both sides the causes of mutuall hatred were increased and each party looking upon the other as an enemie they became enemies indeed For when Sancho Avila who was the ablest souldier and greatest man among them being Governour of the Fort at Antwerp by letters directed to the Senate complained that the Cities were in arms and tumults under the colour of remedie fomented and the Senate in like manner returned answer that Avila without making his addresses unto them had increased his Garrison and therefore Required him to slight them in a short time they broke out into open hostilitie For it was by a new Edict of Senate decreed that no man should presume to assist the seditious Spaniards at Aelst with any kind of help or councell notwithstanding Avila though he was offended with their mutinie yet for fear they might be circumvented by the Low-countreymen furnished them with powder and three field-pieces But very opportunely at the same time Charles Croi Marquesse of Harve Brother to Duke Areschot returned from Spain with the Kings letters to the Senate wherein he promised very suddenly to send them Don Iohn of Austria their Governour Which not a little retarded the beginning of the civill Warre especially since both the parties laboured to avoid that imputation and therefore severally strove by speedy messengers to prepossesse the mind of their new Governour Yet forasmuch as the Royal party in the Senate knew this truce could not long continue being opposed by the Burgesses after Iohn Baptista a Boscho whom they had sent post into Spain they carefully dispatched away Maximilian Rassinghem and Francis Vasseur protesting to his Majestie That the Authoritie of Senate could not bridle the hatred of the people so much inraged that scarce a Tradesman in the Town or a Ploughman in the Countrey but spent his time in buying armour and muskets Nor was the multitude kept in order by the Garrison-souldiers who wanting pay and allured with hope of plunder by pillaging Towns through the whole Countrey and threatning all the Provinces unmeasurably increased the Tumults That in the Treasury was not money enough to pay them That they themselves had received from his Majestie by the hand of the Marquesse of Havre seventy thousand crowns and a little while before as many but this sum which was all that in six moneths could be got from Spain to supply the Low-countreys would not serve for one moneths pay Howsoever they themselves had to that day as well as they could maintained the Commonwealth relying upon his Majesties promises and the late hope of Don John's coming Who if he staid a while longer no doubt the mischief would break forth into a publick and irrevocable ruine For hitherto they had governed the weather-beaten State and stopt the leaks whilst they were but one or two Now if whole planks were sprung it was to be feared that the Ship splitting all the Masters care will come too late This free expression of the Senate though it moved the King to send Don Iohn post into the Netherlands yet as it is commonly the fortune of all Spanish hast he arrived too late to the destruction of the Publick For in a violent sicknesse there is not a more certain sign of death then if remedies be applyed sparingly and out of time especially if there be somewhat from without which by fanning the inward humours poisoned with immoderate heat instead of cooling more inflames them For the Prince of Orange who conceived there could not be a happier opportunitie for him then the present discord of the Kings Governours used all his industrie and by frequent letters and messengers from Holland he that was ambitious to govern courted the Senatours and Governours of Provinces with the usuall word that signifies nothing Libertie They say his Emissaries moved Duke Areschot that he being the greatest person in the Senate for when the King gave the Senatours their Commission for the Government of the Low-countreys Areschot was first named as Prince of the Senate would use that greatnesse for the benefit of his Nation and opportunely lay hold of the honourable Title of his Countreys Deliverer Nor would there be any great difficulty in the enterprise if they two united themselves and to strengthen the tie of friendship should confirm it with a double marriage Count Buron eldest sonne to the Prince of Orange marrying the daughter of Duke Areschot and his eldest son the Prince of Cimace the eldest daughter to the Prince of Orange It was likewise conceived that Areschot from that time deserted the Spanish partie But howsoever it is evident that diverse Noblemen and many Senatours that were formerly Neuters moved by the late proceedings of the Spaniards at Alest for they had taken the Fort of Likerch near to Bruxels entered into a league with the Prince of Orange which presently appeared in Senate that upon news of the Spaniards threats and approaches united themselves with the Burgesses of Brabant and Haynolt For when some delivered their opinions that such frequent mutinies of the Spaniards and their late menaces against the Royall Senate should be chastised with arms and others voted on the contrary that they should rather be appeased with the money due unto them that there was no fighting with such men as would sell their skins at a dear rate that the Spanish Commanders which held most of their Forts would not suffer their Countreymen to be cut off by such a combination nor themselves and the King to loose the strength of so many old souldiers nay that the King
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-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
apart But though I read the other almost in all writers yet what the words of the Charter should be whereby the King obliged himself so as that he could not augment the number of Bishops I find in no Historian For what some write that the King swears at his Coronation not to encrease the State Ecclesiasticall is not an ingenuous allegation because the Prince onely swears to that kind of encrease whereby he promises not to suffer the Clergy to receive the goods of Laymen which they call Mortmains but upon certain conditions This is far from the point in controversie therefore I held it fit to march further into their records where I found one Clause that seems to make against the increasing the number of Bishops Which condition of their priviledges unless I had resolved to be a faithful Historian I might safely have concealed because they themselvs do not mention it that have I am sure written many things in mere malice to the Spaniard For King Philip being created Duke of Brabant by his father Charles the fifth among divers Priviledges which in the Act of the Ioyfull Entry he bestowed upon that Province inserts this clause That hereafter he will not suffer any to entrench upon the Offices Lands or Goods of Abbots Bishops or other religious persons within the Dukedome of Brabant under the name of a Commendum But whilst by the Kings procurement Bishops were entituled to the reversions of Monasteries after the Abbots deceases the Brabanters seemed to have their Priviledges broken and the people had occasions offered that the proceedings which every one hated for his private benefit they might all in publick fairly declaim against by the name of Breach of Priviledge Some therefore wondered what was in the Kings mind or counsel to bring in new Bishops make a thing displeasing of it self far more distastfull and odious by taking their estates from the Monasteries And therefore they further said That if the King proceeded to violate the Propriety and Liberty of the Subject the Brahanters had cause to defend themselves and that the Prince ought to remember that when he made their Charter he articled They should pay him no subjection or obedience if he entirely performed not to them his Oath and Protestations Yet some there were of a contrary opinion and by how much they saw the King endeavour it with lesse benefit and greater danger to himself so much the more they commended his sincere religion who in this business looked upon nothing but the good of his people And indeed What was there apparent that men could justly blame the encrease of the number of the Bishops or of their maintenance As if the Bishop of Rome might not do that in the Low-countreys which he had done in Germany and in France between which two Nations in the middle lieth the Netherlands Did not Boniface Bishop of Mentz Legate for the See Apostolick in Germany when the multitude of Christians abounded in some places by the authority of the Popes Cregory the third and Zachary adde three new Bishops to the former The very like cause there was among other reasons for doing the same in the Low-countreys But what motive was in France the sacred jurisdiction of the Bishop of Tholouse was so large that one Pastor could not possible see the faces of all his Diocese and therefore it was divided into five Episcopall Sees by Iohn the 22 not onely no care taken of the Bishops of Narbon Bourges or Cahors out of whose estates both the Church of Tholouse and some of these new ones were endowed but the Bishop of Tholouse must of necessity loose much of his revenues by the division of his then rich Diocese That the neighbour Bishops ought not to have been called to Rome and heard in a business of this nature their reasons for it being onely their own profit and power is sufficiently apparent Nor were the grievances of the Lords built upon a much better ground that is they were discontented that they should be limited in their bold disputes about Religion and Monarchy by the unwelcome presence of the Prelates whom they ought to honour as Fathers and Princes of the Church and to fear them as Revengers of Sacriledge For when they alledged that they doubted the Bishops would be evil Counsellours and bandy against the King it was a pretence to cozen children with they doubted themselves that if they should appear against the King they should have these men for witnesses and adversaries that had received and hoped for more from his Majesty then ever the Abbors did Then the complaints of the Abbots and Monks were somewhat more then became them It was not without precedent that a Bishop should succeed in the place of an Abbot Let them look upon France they shall find that Iohn the xxii indowed the Bishops of Condom Vabrince and Lâ—mbere to name no more with Monastery lands And if there should want an example yet when it was granted to a Prince by the Pope that may command the Monks they might have been so modest as to teach others obedience to his Holiness They might have remembred most of their Mannors and Lordships were the bounty of the Belgick Princes which made it seem more just so as the King not making his own use or advantage of the profits thereof but onely employing them for the good and benefit of those Provinces the Abbots themselves ought to have been as willing as the Prince and contributed to the necessity of the people by so much more freely by how much that Care is more proper to a religious life and not with unseasonable exclamations have corrupted a good designe stirred up the people and alienated the Popes and the Kings mind from their patronage For the great grievance that the King had broke their Priviledges First they did not sufficiently understand the difference between a Commendum and the Annexion of Church-livings A Commendum being in the nature of a thing deposited the other given as to an absolute Lord. And therefore Commendums if the possessour die revert to the depositor as the Lord Paramount unless they be passed over to another by a new Commendum but such as are annexed do not revert but remain for ever to the Successour in that Office to which they are appendent For which reasons there is no more taken from Monasteries by annexing then was by giving them in Commendum because that which is annexed doth no more revert to Monasteries then that which was commended forasmuch as what was once commended is conferred again from one to another by the Pope to whom it reverts Nay whereas Church-livings may be commended to non-residents that cannot which is annexed to a Bishoprick For herein Religion requires the Bishops presence farre more then a Commendum so as what might have come by a Commendum to a forreiner by Annexion was retained in the
requires When the greatest and wisest men consider the Government of the Low-countreys questionlesse they cannot but hink it absolutely managed by Cardinall Granvel which hath made so deep an impression in the hearts of the Low-countreymen that it cannot be hoped the opinion will be blotted out so long as he lives among them Therefore we humbly desire that for our fidelity which Sir you have ever acknowledged to speak nothing of our services you will not be displeased to take into consideration how much it concerns your Majesty to ease the common complaints and grievances of your people For again and again we beseech you to believe that the businesse of the Low-countreys will never have an happy end so long as it is ordered by the man they hate Nor should we presume to write thus much unlesse we had the mischief in our eyes to which if your Majesty apply not present remedy the whole state will certainly be indangered Wherein if ever your Majesty gave credence to our words or actions we beseech you now to credit our hands This indeed was the cause why so many of the Lords and Governours of these Provinces with a multitude of others desired to have it signified to your Majesty that our imminent destruction may be timously prevented and your Majesty will prevent it as we hope and the merits of so many Low-countrey men and their prayers for the safety of the publick will be more valued by your Majesty then that for one mans sake you will reject the petition of so many of your Majesties obedient subjects Especially since none of all this number but is so far from complaining of the Governess that we give your Majesty immortall thanks for so prudent a Princess And that your Maiesty may not think as some perhaps will suggest that we have plotted this out of an ambition that we our selves may govern we all of us earnestly intreat to be removed from the Councel-table and affairs of State it being neither consistent with your Maiesties interest nor our own reputation that we should come any more to Councel with the Cardinal But touching Religion which is now a thing of greatest Concernment we promise in our own names all that can be justly exspected from good Subjects and Catholicks such as we professe to be And truly if the Lords had not looked into it Religion had not been in that tolerable condition wherein now it is the minds of the Common people being infected with Heresie a disease hardly curable by the Cardinals authority or example Lastly that we may no longer trespass upon your Majesties weighty occasions we humbly beg you will please favourably to interpret what we have signified no less out of duty and alleagiance to your Majesty then out of fear that hereafter you might blame us if any misfortune should befall the Low-countreys Thus we humbly kiss your royall hands and pray God long to preserve and blesse your Majestie From your City of Bruxels the last of March 1563. LAMORALL EGMONT WILLIAM NASSAU PHILIP MOMORANCY These Letters thus signed by the Triumviri Count Egmont secretly sent into Spain to Charles Tisnac a Low-countrey man and the Kigns Procuratour in Spain for business of the Low-countreys But before the Dispatch was made the Governess understanding what they had writ pre-acquainted the King Nor was the intelligence she gave concealed from the Conspiratours Count Egmont charging the discovery upon Count Aremberg as if he were fallen off especially because there was difference between him and the Prince of Orange But he seriously denied that ever he had spoke of it to any man living nor needed their project a discoverer which they themselves in every place vain-gloriously divulged Yet Count Egmont insisting upon it replied That a friend of his had assured him it could not be revealed by any but himself Aremberg growing into a rage And I said he assure you he lyes who ere he be that fathers this upon me which I am ready to make good with my sword The Governess writing this passage to the King forgot not to complain of Count Egmont that he whom his Majesty had accounted faithfull above the rest could so far ingage against him as publickly to solicite and encourage others to joyn their minds and endeavours for their Countreys benefit and liberty And now after three moneths the Kings Letters came from Spain written by the hand of Charles Tisnac wherein his Majestie answered the demands of the Triumviri in this manner That he had received their Letters and doubted not but that they signified these things out of sincere affection to their Prince and Countrey For they had given many sufficient proofs of their fidelity and service But since they had not yet given particular reasons for Granvels removall and that it was not his custome to change any of his Ministers of State without proof against them He should therefore take it well if some one of them would come over to Spain and make him understand the matter for by how much they affirmed there needed the greater remedy by so much the lesse ought the business to be agitated by absent persons Besides these Letters the King wrote privately with his own hand to Count Egmont that he should be glad to hear from the Count himself the causes that were not inserted in their Letters His Majesty likewise acquainted the Governess what answer in common he makes to all three and what particularly to Egmont that he invites one of them to divide them and wishes it might be Egmont because he separated from the rest might be easily wrought upon new moulded and so brought again to himself and his right reason But neither Count Egmont nor any of the rest could be brought to go the journey perhaps thinking it below them to undertake so great a voyage to accuse Granvell perhaps their guilty consciences durst not trust themselves in Spain Yet in their answers to the King they laid the cause of their stay upon their neighbours the French who having souffled up a kind of Peace at home it concerned them to watch whether they would use their Arms abroad and while the people continued in that Jealousie and fear they held it impious to leave their Countrey to inform against any man Notwithstanding if the King pleased to send for them upon other terms they would immediately obey his Maiesties commands In the mean time they would forbear the Councel-board lest they should meet there to countenance Granvels Actions In all things else they would never be wanting to their Prince and Countrey The like auswer was made particularly by Count Egmont who likewise humbly thanked his Maiesty for his speciall grace and favour to him Whilst this was in agitation Granvell tottered at Court For 't is hard to stand long in a slippery place if a man be iustled by many specially when a Prince is made jealous as if his servants
nearly concerned to preserve Religion then greatly indangered in France and they very well affected to the cause had laid their designes the Queen Regent by the by propounded some Marriages wherein she would have ingaged her Daughter but the Queen of Spain and the Duke of Alva returned thereunto no absolute answer reserving the finall determination of all things to King Philip. Lastly upon occasion of an Embassadour sent from Soliman the Turkish Emperour to renew the league between King Charles and him the French spake of renouncing the said League and that their King should joyn with King Philip and the Emperour against the common enemie But this though it was opportune took no effect the Queen of Spain declining all overtures but onely concerning Religion which she at the Duke of Alva's earnest motion again commending to them after they had imbraced and kissed they took their leaves The Hereticks that guessed at their intentions exceedingly fearing lest by the meeting of these Princes as by the conjunction of malevolent Starres was portended some fearfull storm that would fall upon their heads And indeed that great massacre of the Hugonots which seven years after was acted at Paris was they say plotted at this meeting which I will neither denie nor affirm Though I am rather inclined to believe that the mutuall succours which since this time we see have been often sent by the French into the Low-countreys and from thence into France against the Rebells to Religion and their Prince together with the marriage five years after solemnized by King Charles and Elisabeth daughter to the Emperour Maximilian were concluded at this conference For King Philip in the fore-mentioned letter gives an intimation of mutuall assistance to be from thenceforth given to expell heresie out of their Kingdomes and plainly faith the Queen had not directly declared her self against the marriage but left a door open to a new consulation since in regard of their tender years the young Prince and Princesse he being but fifteen and Princesse Elisabeth eleven might very well stay a good while before they married In the beginning of March Count Egmont came to Madrid contrary to the exspectation and command of his Majestie who would have had his journey put off I suppose because the Governess had informed him that the Count was willing to go in hope of his private advantage Yet the King received him very graciously answerable to the quality of so noble a person and so great a Generall famous for many victories and often with good approbation heard him move for relief to the publick necessities of his Countrey Nay when he descended to his particular affairs the King granted his suit almost in every thing Finally his Majestie gave him large instructions in writing for answer to the Governess and that he might resolve upon more certain grounds he advised in that which concerned Religion with Divines which to that purpose waited on him In that Assembly of learned men I have heard one that was present say The pietie of the King was admirable For having summoned the greatest Schoolmen and Casuists and demanding their opinions touching the Libertie of Conscience which some Low-countrey Towns so earnestly petitioned for when many of them considering the present condition of the Low-countreys said That for the avoiding of a greater evil much to be feared in Cities ready to revolt and shake off Obedience to their Prince and to the Orthodox Faith his Majestie might without offending God allow his subjects the free exercise of their Religion He replied That he sent not for them to instruct him whether such a Permission were lawfull but whether it were necessary And when they told him they saw no necessity then the King in their presence kneeling before a Crucifix And I said he pray and beseech thy Divine Majestie thou King of all men O God that thou wilt please to keep me alwayes in this mind that I may never care that the men which deny thee for their Lord may either be or be called my Subjects and then he opened his determination concerning Religion in those Letters which I told you were delivered to Count Egmont But before he had his dispatch the King dealt plainly with him That he was not a little offended at the last conspiracie of the Lords when they gave the Coats and Cognizances wherein they aenigmatically threatned Cardinal Granvel that especially Egmont reputed the Authour of that invention might therein have shewn if not more fidelity at least more discretion But Count Egmont faithfully assured his Majesty that it was mere mirth and childish sport at table to make a jest to laugh at in their cups not to be feared by any man that done he omitted not to accuse the Cardinall as the principall cause thereof because he daily mustered those of his faction against the Nobility and therefore deserved to be requited with the like Assemblies Yet in these meetings and this he often confirmed by oath they did not so much as think of any thing contrary to their sincere Allegiance to his Majesty Nay if he had found any of their party an Enemy to the King he himself would have been first though he were his own brother that should have stabbed him to the heart This Discourse having passed between the King and Count Egmont of all which the King by a private Letter certified the Governess Instructions were given to the Count thus indorsed Instructions of those things which thou Prince of Gavera Count of Egmond our Cousen and Counsellour in affairs of the Empire art commanded in our Name to communicate to Our Sister the Dutchess of Parma The summe of his large Instructions was this At his arrivall in the Low-countreys after he had saluted the Governess from the King and returned her his royall thanks for her good Government of those Provinces and for sending into Spain the fittest man to negotiate for the Low-countreys he was to deliver her this answer from his Maiesty That in the first place he was struck with unutterable grief to hear of the growth of Heresie and that he was firmly resolved and would have the whole world know that he would not suffer it within his Dominions though he were to die for it a thousand times Therefore he desired the Governess to call a Senate extraordinary to which divers Bishops should be summoned particularly Rythovius Bishop of Ipres with the like number of Divines and such Counsellours as stood best affected to Religion and their Countrey The pretended occasion should be to examine the Councel of Trent but the reall meaning to find out an Expedient how the people might be kept in their ancient Religion how their children might be virtuously bred up at School how to proceed in punishing Hereticks by some other course that might take off the odium not that he meant to pardon them for that he neither resolved to
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
on to discover the Enemy that lay three miles from the Towne At his returne leaving the Duke of Brunswick to keep the City by day-breake for it was time to be quick he marched against the Enemy His Foot were almost 12000 his Horse 3000 most of his Captaines and Officers old Souldiers and Commanders Nassau had as many Foot but was weaker in Horse and hearing of the Duke's Approach had retreated six miles and intrenched himselfe with suddaine workes cast up in a watrish Ground The Duke followed him and commanded Gaspar Robbley Lord of Bill to take 1200 Spanish and Wallon Musketteers and Dragoones and fall upon the Campe at two severall Quarters not so much in hope to beate them out of their Trenches as to try their Strength and hold them play till Cressonerius brought up the Cannon But such was the Fury of the Musketteers or rather such was the Cowardice of the Enemy especially being puzzled with a Mutiny of the Germans that running away on both sides from their Cannon they stroue who should fly fastest The rest firing their Carriages retired and many while they retreated observing no Order nor Command either sunke with their Horses in the Bogges and ditches or basely casting away their Armes were trampled upon by such as followed the Chase. Above 300 of them were slaine of the King's men but nine and doubtlesse the Execution had been greater if the Duke had not sounded a Retreat fearing lest in that darke weather his Souldiers by an errour not to be repaired might be ingaged in blind cosening holes and pits which the Countrey was every where full of But five dayes after his Excellence compleated his Victory For commanding Caesar Davalo Brother to the Marquesse of Piscario and Curtius Comes Martinengo with some Horse to chase the Fugitives he himselfe with his Army returned to the Groine about one a clock at night and before it was day the Duke that could not sleepe out an opportunity marched againe into the Field and on the 21. of Iuly pursued the Enemy Nassau made a halt in the entrance of West Friezland at the Village of Geming between the Bay of Dullart and the River Ems at his back he had Embden a City that tooke part with him from whence by the River Ems he might expect provisions and his Brother the Prince of Orange coming out of Germany About him were many Marshes and the way so confused by reason of the water that it frighted the pursuers Only on his Front amidst the low and sinking mudd there was one passage upon the top of a strong Banke that over looked the swelling Billowes and ran directly into the Campe and Village which a venue was made inaccessible by ten pieces of Cannon planted in the mouth of it Thus had he chosen and guarded the place where he incamped But feare can never be sufficiently intrenched Their feare was increased by a second Mutiny of the Germans that began to be seditious before their former losse For when divers Companies of theirs because they were not payed came about Nassau's Tent railing and crying that some of their Countrey-men were ready to die for hunger having in two dayes space not eaten a bit of bread and therefore threatned to go over to the enemy Iustus Schouwenberg promising that next day they should have foure French-crownes a man the mutiny was quieted but this money the Duke as I said falling so suddainly upon them could not be paied the Souldiers therefore in their stand at Geming after their flight claimed promise and mutined more fiercely which the Duke understanding from the Prisoners taken and the newes being purposely divulged through the Army so inflamed the Souldiers courages that almost all the Captaines with great contest which Nation should be honoured with the Service begged leave to fall upon their Cannon the greatest danger of the Warre The Company of Lopez Figueroa that Marched on the Duke 's left hand when he led the Army along the River Banke was commanded to try their Fortune the most whereof were armed with those huge Muskets that hardly could be managed upon Rests which as we said formerly were first brought in use for Field-Service by the Duke of Alva And whilst the Duke made shew as if he would charge the Enemy in the Front covering his men from their Cannon with Gabions or baskets filled with earth in the meane time keeping them in play with some light Assaults they that were to attempt the Cannon falling upon their knees and powring out their prayers to God which they repeated after Figueroa remarkeable for his devotion to the Mother of God waded through the Mud and Water and came upon the Flane of the sleep hill where the Cannon was planted Few at first guarded the place as that which secured it selfe presently fresh men coming in to help their Fellowes after a sharpe conflict they tooke the Cannon and opened the only Avenue by which the Spanish Army could march up to Nassau This advantage being close followed by the Duke he sent men that not only tooke their Campe and beat them out of their Workes and Trenches but that in their Flight along the higher and lower grounds as farre as the River Ems for six houres together did execution upon them for as Hubert a Valle that was present at the Battaile wrote to Margaret of Austria never men fought either with greater Cowardice or stubbornesse if it were a Fight and not rather a meere Slaughter Many of the Germans throwing their Armes to the Ground as if they meant to strike were killed so much the sooner Many were swallowed in the Bogges and Fennes into which they crowded and thrust one another as they ran Many were cut to pieces offering their backs to the Sword as guilty slaves doe to the Whippe But the greatest part were drowned in the River Ems whereinto they leaped though they could not swim and were loaded with their Armes which immediately sunke them Onely a few good Swimmers made sport to the Spanish Army that from the banke-side shot them with their Muskets like so many Ducks They say those that accidentally sailed in the Bay of Dullart seeing such abundance of Montero's swimming downe the water for the Sea that ebbes and flowes at certaine houres when it was low water drew away from the River the Spoiles of the dead bodies knew that a Battaile had been fought and great execution done in the adjoyning Fields and by the fashion of the Montero's much differing from other mens hatts and worne by the German Souldiers instead of Helmets they supposed the Spaniard to be Master of the Field By which meanes when the messenger presently dispatched from the Duke of Alva came to the Groine beyond all expectation and Faith he found the Towne already acquainted with the newes the Merchants and Mariners having told them of the victory
ROBERTVS STAPYLJONVS EQVES AVRATVS IUVENALEM MUSAEUM STRADAM è PEREGRINIS ANGLOS SVOSque PLVSQVAM INTERPRES REDDIDIT R. R. W. Marshall fecit DE BELLO BELGICO THE HISTORY OF THE Low-Countrey WARRES Written in Latine by FAMIANVS STRADA In English by Sr. ROB. STAPYLTON Kt. Illustrated with divers Figures LONDON Printed for Humphrey Moseley and are to be sold at his shop at the signe of the Princes Arms in St. Pauls-Churchyard MDCL TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE MY VERY GOOD LORD HENRY Lord Marquesse of Dorchester Earl of Kingston Viscount Newark Lord Pierrepont c. MY LORD YOur Lordship the best judg of Writers will not I hope condemn me for inscribing your name to the History of Famianus Strada He is indeed a Modern Roman but in happiness and freedom of expression so like the Ancients Livy Sallust and Tacitus that 't is no injury to the past or present World to say their Age produced not his Superiour nor ours his Equal since those that have not arrived to his perfection may be good Historians those that have eminent The Fame of so great an Authour made me ambitious to interpret him to my Countrey not considering for I as willingly acknowledg my Errour as his Merit that I was to Copie a Principal comprehending new and various Narrations Princes Letters Speeches Debates and Results of Cabinets and Councel-tables Battells Descriptions of places Characters of Persons and very prudent Observations summed up in brief sentences Besides I found all these apparelled in the most captivating Figures of the Latine tongue not like the French Spanish or other Languages of Commerce easily reducible to those now spoken but hard to be rendred in any especially in English Yet after I had ingaged that I might play my game to the fairest I borrowed the invention of Alexander Farneze when he dissected Don John of Austria in the Low-countreys and had him shewed in Spain new-joynted skinned and almost spirited to Philip the second In imitation whereof I took to pieces the actions of Don John Alexander Farneze and the rest of their famous friends and enemies as they were described in Italy and present them here to your Lordship like the parts of Don John's body intire although not breathing For which I can make no Apologie but that 't is the fortune of this History to be dedicated to Princes And when the first Dedication was made to the Duke of Parma it concerned me to address the second to a person of like honour and my Genius directed me to such a one in whom Eminence of Dignity is joyned with Eminence of knowledg that affording me Patronage this reputation For what Ammianus Marcellinus reports of Physitians that they were held learned if they had once been at Alexandria we know to be true of Books if they come but to have your Lordships Approbation which is the highest aime of Your Lordships humble servant ROBERT STAPYLTON FAMIANVS STRADA to the Reader VVHo ever thou art that shalt vouchsafe to take my Book in thy hands before thou peruse it give me leave to preface a few things Thou hast here a History of mine which I cannot exspect should be either praised or pardoned for expedition being nine years old before I sent it to the Presse yet for that very procrastination I may hope another as great a favour from my Reader because it was out of my respect to him that I spun out time in polishing my work For albeit many years ago divers persons to whose Abilities no lesse then to their Honours none in Rome but yields having read the first part of my Annals gave them farre more then common approbation yet they could not perswade me that know how great the difference is betwixt Humanity and Judgement to hasten the publishing of them or now they are published not to be an earnest Suiter to my Reader for some favourable Regard due to my Modesty reverencing others judgements This Civilitie I the rather hope for that my fortune is somewhat better then ordinary Historians For I give thee Princes Letters most of them writ with their own hands I give thee Embassadours private instructions secret Councels of Warre Causes of Designes Notes brought in by Spies clandestine conspiracies of Towns and many other Particularities which either by Pieces or collected into Diaries have been discovered to me by the very men employed And were it not to trespasse upon the Readers Patience I could which many times I do to most of my Relations annex the copyes of the Letters produce the credit of the Originals themselves to prove matter of Fact as evidently as Deeds signed sealed and witnessed But all these as they have in a manner opened to me a Door to look into Councel-chambers and Cabinets So the divulging of them and especially explaining of Individualls without which Polybius thinks History but a mock-monument must needs be so much sweeter to the Readers longing by how much they comparing common Notions which they have read in others and therefore I forbear to mention out of them and me together will frame a more copious History This likewise is the cause that makes me sometimes give an Account of particular Accidents that the Low-countrey warre no lesse known from the mouth of Fame then penns of numerous Writers might be varied by such Additionals pleasing for newnesse and not inconsistent with a particular History This hath likewise made me that as I have passed over some things cursorily and unlesse some peculiar passage were to be added to others Relations almost quite omitted them so many times to bring higher deductions I thought would be more acceptable and not done without many great examples For among the Writers of the Romane Annals to say nothing of the Grecians Tacitus and Sallust how often do they piece out the smal threads of their work and cover them as it were with an embroiderie Tacitus in his Histories the five books omitting his Annals you may soon run over refutes those Authours that say the chief Officers of Otho's and Vitellius his Army deliberated Whether it were not better that they refusing to fight for wicked Princes should choose a good one and taking his hint from thence speaks at large Of mens old and inbred Ambition to compasse the Sovereigne power Of its Originall in the Citie of Rome Of the contentions between the Senatours and Plebeians Of Marius Sylla Pompey at length But sayes he the repetition of our ancient and present manners hath very farre transported me now I return to the course of my History Proceed Where he describes the burning of the Capitol by the Souldiers and subjoyns â—is own complaints upon it accurately setting down Who it was that vowed it who built it who dedicated it and who when it was destroyed repaired it though they were passages familiar to the people What of Serapis whose pedigree he draws and with a prolix Digression commemorates what opinions the Aegyptian Priests held of her not thinking
it a wrong to History But he never conceived an Historian might be freer then in his description of the siege of Hierusalem From whence he takes occasion to speak of the Originall and Manners of the Iews so profusely and so far deriving them even from Saturn heaping so many several things together Of Moses Of that Peoples Religion Of their Meats Of the Sabbath Of Circumcision Of the Eternity of the soul Of Balsom Of Brimstone and other specialties as if he wrote the History of that Nation And yet Tacitus keeps within compasse if you compare him with Sallust that is so frequent in Excursions Nay he himself doth not dissemble it For having taken a large and indeed unnecessitated scope at last â—ounding a retreat he sayes But I have gone too carelessely and too farre being nettled and vexed at the Manners of the Town Now I come to the matter Nor did he keep to it for all this but in the division of the King dome between Iugurth and Adherbal he amply discourses of Africa and its Inhabitants from their very beginning Again licentiously inveighing against the Manners of Rome he copiously relates the causes of Faction between the Senate and the People and with a check for his own flying out he brings himself again into the way Yet what he adds to this Digression upon the By concerning the Leptitans exceeds the other by many degrees For having mentioned the citie of Leptis when he had spoken of its Founders of its situation and Language he wheels about and for a Corollary brings in an old History not at all appertaining to the Leptitans For sayes he because following the businesse of the Leptitans I am come into this Region I think it not amiss to set down a noble and memorable action of two Carthaginians Which told neither sparingly nor timorously he goes on again But why do I quote so many Presidents when that one of Catilines Conspiracy evidently shews what liberty a Historian may assume the Writer whereof so freely digresses and hath so many Out-lets and Parergons that the additionall Matter is much more then the fourth part of the Historie Which being granted ours likewise in case it be any where redundant will I hope be fairly interpreted by the Readers As likewise that which I have not forborn whilst I compare the ancient with the modern times that is like to like Which as I am not ignorant the Latines seldome do so I know it is familiar with the Greeks Indeed Polybius not more properly the Writer then Master of History whilst he at large compares the Form and Situation of Sicily with Peloponnesus the Fleets of Carthage and Rome with those of Antigonus Ptolomey Demetrius and others of former Ages whilst he resembles the Republicks of Rome and Carthage to generous birds fighting even to their last breath to omit the rest of the same kind which if you read but his first Book will presently occurre truly he needs not fear that goes in the steps of so authentick an Example Thus having rightly premonished and prepared Thee I will no longer stay Thee at the Threshold of my Work The Historie of the LOW-COVNTREY WARRES The first Book I Enter upon the Historie of a Warre doubtfull whether to call it The Warre of the Low-Countrey-men and the Spaniards or almost of all Europe For to this hour we see it manag'd by the Arms and Purses at least by the Designes and Counsels of so many Nations as if in the Low-Countreys onely the Empire of Europe was to be disputed Wherein many I presume will be concerned to read what their Countrey-men what their Kinsmen have acted in the field The rest though unconcerned may yet desire to know from whence a few Belgick Provinces have had the confidence and strength to fight for threescore years together with a most Potent King on equall terms from whence upon the coast of Holland out of a few fisher-boats there hath sprung up a new State which growing daily stronger in Arms will now brook no Superiour by Land and can have none by Sea That in mighty fleets have sent Plantations to the remotest parts of the Earth That by their Ambassadours making Leagues with Princes carrying themselves as not inferiour to Kings have got a Principality more then ever Europe knew From whence the Belgick soil among the continuall tempests and storms of Warre such as in far shorter troubles have laid other Regions waste and barren affords so great plentie of all things as if the place were as violently bent to maintain a War as the People so that directly you would think Mars onely travels other Countreys and carryes about a running Warre but here seats himself Some indeed have fancied the King of Spain out of Policy to spin out the Low-Countrey War for as a Prince the great body of whose Empire must be spirited with a great soul they conceiv'd he trains his Militia in these Provinces afterwards to dispatch them as the Turk doth his Ianizaries into severall Climates As if his enemies should not be taught in the same school and sure it were more to his advantage their arms should rust with idleness then shine with exercise The Emperour Charles the 5th Prince of the Low = Countreys Ro Vaughan 〈◊〉 Onely thou O God of Peace and Warre for aswell the writers of as the actours in business ought to begin with Prayer do thou guide my mind and pen that not trusting in Prudence that sâ—arches humane secrets but in Wisdome that assists thy throne I may perfect a History worthy the purity of life which I profess equall to the greatness of the work I have designed nor lesse then the exspectation that hath long since called me forth THe bloudy Warre that grievously distempered Europe still continued between the Emperour Charles the fifth and Henry the second King of France to whom their fathers with their Crowns had left their enmities and animosities But Mary Queen of England immediatley upon her marriage with Philip Prince of Spain began seriously to mediate a Peace and followed it so well as this year 1555. the Emperours and Kings Commissioners met at Callice and though the exspected Peace was not then concluded yet there was laid a foundation for Peace in a five years truce Then the Emperour calling his son Philip out of England resolved to execute what he had long determined the resignation of his Crowns and be Authour of a Prodigie unknown in Princes Courts When he might reign to give it off This secret divulged through the Low-countries brought men from all parts to Bruxels and on the twenty fifth of October the day appointed for meeting of the three Estates the Knights of the order of the Golden fleece and the Magistrates The Emperour in the great Hall of his Pallace commanding Philip King of England Maximilian King of Bohemia and Emanuel Philibert Duke of Savoy to sit on
the Astrologer Gauricus he answered her the Kings head would be endangered by a Duell Others say the very night before his misfortune the Queen had the manner of his death presented in her dream But some who wisely observed not without admitation of Divine justice that the King who in the beginning of his Reign gave way to a serious Duell between two young Gentlemen of great families and with the Lords of his Court sate to behold it should in an unfortunate mock Duell loose both his life and Kingdome Howbeit he was then penitent for the fact and had made a vow never after to allow of any more such fighting and if in this last Tournament he sinned in the vain ostentation of his strength no doubt but he abundantly redeemed it in that admirable and Christian constancie of his soul in her extreamest agony Sure he had contributed much to the religious meekness of the French if he had buried this barbarous Recreation in his tomb This year that I may enlarge my History a little was fatall if we may so call it to many and great Princes that dyed one after another especially since no contagion reigned among the People very few vulgar corpses being then buried yet in the compass of one year most of the Lords of Europe were entombed There dyed the Emperour Charles the fifth and Henry the second of France Christian King of Denmark and Christiern also King of Denmark the last onely surviving four and twenty dayes Queen Elianor sister to Charles the fifth married first to Emmanuel King of Portugall then to Francis the first of France Mary who followed her brother Charles the fifth within less then a moneth and a Queen of England of that name and Bona Sfortza mother to Sigismund Augustus King of Poland the other two were wives to Kings one to Lodowick of Hungary the other to Philip the second of Spain There died Pope Paul the fourth attended by the funerals of ten Cardinals two Princes Electors the Archbishop of Cullen and the Prince Palatine Laurentius Priulus Duke of Venice and Hercules Este Duke of Ferrara not to name inferious Princes whose continued Obsequies filled the Annual Register so as that season seemed to be Deaths greater Harvest when he cropt the heads of Nations as Tarquin struck off the Poppy-heads King Philip therefore having now concluded a Peace departed with his Queen from Savoy into Italy for King Henries death had altered no part of the agreement and before his going into Spain to take possession of his Kingdomes he thought it best to settle not onely the Civil and Military but likewise the Ecclesiasticall State of the Low-Countreys Belgica by Forreiners called Flanders from the noblest part of it and the Low-Countreys from the low situation or as the Germans will have it from affinity with their language and manners is known by the name of the lower Germany it is indeed a little parcel of Europe as not much exceeding the fifth part of Italy nor above a thousand miles in compasse yet I hardly know any Countrey more rich or populous The Prince making as much of Flanders as the Kings of England set by the revenues of the Church used to do of that large Island It containeth Cities or Towns equall to Cities above three hundred and fiftie great Villages to omit the lesser above six thousand three hundred besides Forts that stand so thick as if the ground were sown with them Yet the ingeniousness of the People and their contrivance is such as their variety and plenty of manufactures are more then can be used in the narrow bounds of this one Nation The world hath not a more industrious richer or constanter Militia so as Mars seems here to set up school and teach the Art of War to people that come hither from all climates Then what unknown sea-coasts and Regions beyond the Line hath not the Hollander discovered as much as Nature by Land contracts their limits so much by Sea have they opened to themselves larger Countreys which they have subdued and peopled extending as it were the Suburbs of the seventeen Provinces The Cloth and Stuff they make not onely fill as great as it is all Europe but far and wide through every Nation of Africa and Asia they daily bear about the Low-Countreys Nay the West-Indians trucking for their Linen and Woollen have learned the names of the low-Low-Countrey cities To conclude we seldome at this day admire the workmanship of any Engines which the Low-Countrey men have not either invented or brought unto perfection Heretofore their wits were indeed kept under and depressed when their fortune was as low as their Countrey Now there is an other age and other manners Their love to learning their skill in Sea-fights their gainfull trade of Navigation the well-ordering of the Common-wealth by themselves created their stupendious Fire and Water-works proofs of no dejected natures are scarce any where to be matched I am sure so many together are not to be seen in all the rest of Europe as in this little plot of the Low-Countreys It is likewise proper to this Nation if left to themselves to hate fraud and by that credit which they know they themselves deserve to measure others They are not greatly taken with presents at least not long using benefits like flowers that please while they are fresh their sense of injuries is the same which they presently forget and easily pass over unless they conceive themselves sleighted then their fury is implacable They have likewise a shrewd guess of their own strength seldome undertaking any thing they do not compass Yet no people under heaven drive on a subtiler traffick either by Sea or Land inhabiting both the Elements and not obliged by the Laws of either In this they exceed that how great soever their gains or losses are a Common case with Merchants they passe it over with so little and dull a sense of joy or grief as you would think them factours for others not owners of the goods I suppose out of the native temper of their minds and the air of their Countrey that quickens them with colder spirits But in maintaining their liberty they are very fierce for they hold it an honour to undervalue all things in respect of that wherein they sometimes come nearer to licentiousness then liberty The whole Region of Belgica is divided according to their own calculation into seventeen Provinces which not long ago were either by affinity or traffick or arms associated under the Government of one Prince Philip was the first of all the Dukes of Burgundy under whose protection many more Belgick Provinces put themselves then ever submitted to any other For Burgundy Brabant Flanders Limburgh Lucemburgh Artois Haynolt Namurs Holland Zeland Frizeland the Marquisate of the sacred Empire were solely in his possession To these his sonne Charles
Hannibal was Generall for the Carthaginians against the 〈◊〉 because they knew it would be of great concernment that such as were to read the actions of Rome and Carthage should penetrate into both their counâ—els to understand things rightly and to make a far different judgement betwixt the Articles of Leagues and Complaints of Ambassadours and betwixt the justice of the war in generall Taught by these great examples I have thought it worth my pains before I handle the low-Low-Countrey war of far longer continuance then the war of Carhage accurately to search and distinguish the causes and beginnings Especially because in these affairs so diversly censured in many mens letters and discourses I can promise out of the peculiar helps I have had a more exquisite and certain relation It is not to be doubted but the liberty which people have long enjoyed if it be entrenched upon or invaded will cause insurrections Nor is it unknown that the government of the Low-Countreys came very near the form of free cities by the indulgence of their Princes who had made them by many and liberall Charters though not absolutely free-States yet more then common subjects especially those of Brabant into which Province we know great bellied women came from the neighbour countreys to lie in that their children might enjoy the priviledges of Brabant You would think the husbandman had chosen this for a nursery for his plants and after they were grown up and had sucked their first moisture from that earth then they were removed carrying along with them the endowments of that hospitable soil From hence many writers derive the pedigree of their miseries that the Spanish souldiers contrary to the Kings promise were kept so long in the Low-Countreys that fourteen Bishops added to four which they had antiently the episcopall jurisdiction seemed to be encreased with breach of priviledge to the Provinces that there was an endeavour to bring in new Inquisitions of faith and to impose an universall form of judicature upon the Low-Countreys which how they were the beginning of causes of their rebellion with my best care and judgement I shall now unfold King Philip had used his Spanish souldiers against the French nor did the Low-countreymen complain of it as a grievance But the war being ended when he had sent a great part of his army out of the Low-countreys his Majestie retained yet 3000 over which the Prince of Orange and Count Egmont had the command with shew of honour but indeed to take off the odium of a forreinâ—armie by the popular names of their Generals But it could not take it off For on the one part the Generals themselves appeared to be discontented with the honour such as it was Nay the Prince of Orange prompted the Low-countrey men not to suffer that remainder of the Spaniards On the other part the Spanish souldiers were so imperious and quarrelsome as it often happens especially in the Towns where they are quartered that it did not a little exasperate the minds of the inhabitants so as the Spaniard grew to be hated and the King himself ill spoken of almost through all the Netherlands Which mutuall aversion as I shall never impute it wholly to the Low-countreymen because they saw the promise deferred of calling away the souldiers with whom they had daily quarrels so I shall not easily condemn the Kings delay for continuing them in garrison partly because his sister the Governess advised him to have a care least if he disbanded the Spaniards the bordering cities might be encouraged to spoil and waste the Marches partly because he himself as he was of a jealous nature suspected the Low-countreymen had a plot in pressing him to free them of forrein forces And the more earnestly indeed contumaciously that they reminded him of his promise the more slowly and cautiously the King thought good to proceed But whatsoever cause the King or the Low-countreymen had yet he satisfied them in this particular For a little more then a year after his departure from the Low-countrey the Spaniards were sent for away and all those stirs and popular tumults vanished in a moment So as they that make this the cause of the Belgick troubles have found out a very sleight one The multiplying the number of Bishops was a far stronger motive to rebellion especially for that after the death of Paul the fourth it was thought fit to change the orders he had made concerning the revenues of their Bishopricks and they were to be endowed as it pleased the Popes Nuntio in the Low-countreys and Piâ—s the fourth at Rome and that Bishops should succeed in place of some Abbots when they died and should have the name estates and honours formerly enjoyed by the Abbots so as in the mean time nothing should be remitted from the strict discipline of the Monasteries But whether it was the multiplication of Miters or the endowing of them it is not to be imagined how ill it took in the Low-countreys with all degrees of men The former Bishops as well the Low-countreymen as their Neighbours complained That by setting up new ones those had their Jurisdictions confined to narrow limits these that they were not onely straitened in their limits but likewise in the revenues of their Bishopricks especially since this had been determined at Rome without hearing of the parties therein concerned The Nobility were aggrieved that Bishops should come in place of Abbots because being a degree higher they would be far more potent and therefore it would not onely derogate from the Lords Temporall but also from their liberty Nor should they dare to speak freely in the great Councel of Estates when those men were present whom they knew as bound by oath to the Pope would draw all businesses to Rome Neither was it for the Kings service that they should bear all the sway who were the Bishop of Romes sworn servants But no complaints were bitterer then the Abbots and Monks because none seemed juster That they were deprived contrary to all precedent of the right and power to choose an Abbot out of their own Order that there ought not to be set over Religious men that had a certain Rule and form of life men ignorant of Religious Discipline that indeed the means and authority of Abbots would pass to the Bishops but the care and trouble remain with some of the Monks that truly at present such men were advanced to those Offices as were eminent for piety and learning but hereafter those rich Deodands should be exposed for prey to some of the Princes followers and flatterers Besides these common objections two more were in almost all mens mouths That by the creation of new Bishops the privelledges of Brabant were infringed and by degrees the tyrannie of the Spanish Inquisition would be introduced The latter whereof because it raised particular troubles I shall speak of it
of Nobility and imployed upon diverse noble Embassages Indeed in the Emperours great resignment of his dominions which was his last act as a Prince when he sent the Crown and Sceptre of the Empire as we have told you to his brother Ferdinand by the Prince of Orange he clearly shewed by that last honour he could do the greatness of the affection which he bare him And though some that suspected his nature from the first often wished the Emperour to look to him and not to be over confident of his disposition which under the pretence of virtue covered fraud and design and that he should take heed how he cockered up that fox in his bosome that one day would devour all his domestick Poultry But the Emperour frowned upon and contemned these aspersions knowing they are ordinarily cast upon such as Princes favour Nay these rather confirmed him in the Emperours good opinion Howsoever by making honourable mention of him and commending the modesty and fidelity of the youth the Emperour seemed to discharge that envy Perhaps he thought the Prince deserved it not perhaps it was the common fault of masters that apprehend themselves to be no less concerned in such invectives then their favourites and servants and without looking into the business make themselves patrons of the men whose cause they think their own Yet in the Prince of Orange at that very time were symptomes of a disease that should have been prevented or at least observed Which symptomes grew more and more apparent after the Emperours departure For though at his leaving the Low-countreys the Emperour commended the Prince of Orange to his sonne Philip and King Philip both of his own accord and for his fathers sake gave him many testimonies of his good liking for he made him one of the Order of the Golden fleece sent him tâ— conclude a peace with Henry the Frensh King and that done deliverec him for hostage And to those large Provinces of the Netherlands which the King trusted to his Government he added Burgundy though farre remote But what could all this work with him that gave out the King was obliged to bestow upon him the absolute Government of all the Low-countreys for his pains and expences to defend the greatness of the house of Austria And in his Apology against King Philip he took upon him the boldness after he had particularized the merits of his Ancestours towards the Emperours Maximilian and Charles to conclude That but for the Counts of Nassau and Princes of Orange the King of Spain could not have loaded the front of his proclamation wherein he proscribed him with the glorious titles of so many Kingdomes and Nations Frustrated therefore of his hopes to govern the Low-countreys and perceiving Granvell to be the great man in the Dutchesses new Court and fearing he should every day be less esteemed by her whom he would have prevented of her Government by professing himself to stand for Christiern Dutchess of Lorrain and endeavouring to bring her in he resolved to maintain his greatness by another way and provoked by new indignities to act what he had long since designed And though I have no certain ground to believe that at the very first he laid his plot to revolt from his allegiance to the King yet I dare boldly affirm he studied at that time some innovation whereby he might weaken the Kings Government overthrow the Spanish power incourage the hereticall party by right or wrong advance his own honour and authority and if fortune made him any other fair offer to lay hold upon it Indeed for altering of a Government I know not if any man ever lived fitter then the Prince of Orange He had a present wit not slow to catch at oportunities but subtill concealing himself not to be sounded even by those that were thought privy to his secrets Then he had a rare way to ingratiate himself with any that but came to speak with him so unaffectedly he conformed to strangers manners and served himself of others ends not that he stooped to the poor forms of complement and common professions of imaginary services wherewith at this day men do honourably mock one another But shewing himself neither sparing nor prodigall of his Courtship he so cunningly contrived his words that you could not but think that he reserved farre more for action Which begat a greater opinion of his discretion and gave more credit to his pretensions Besides though he was of a proud and infinitely ambitious spirit yet he so carried it to the outward shew that he seemed to command himself and not to be sensible of injuries But he was as subiect to fear as free from anger Insomuch as he doubted all things thought every thing unsafe but yet desisted not because on the one part his brain fruitfull in plots if the first took not presently made new supplies on the other part his vast and immoderate ambition strangled all doubts and delayes But in the splendour of his house-keeping and the multitude of his friends and followers he was equall to great Princes No man in all the Low-countreys more hospitable and that gave nobler entertainment to forrein Embassadours then the Prince of Orange which hugely pleased the people that delight to have the wealth and power of their Countrey showed to strangers nor was it distastfull to Princes with whom he redeemed all the opinion of his pride by his humble and familiar invitations of their servants But for his Religion that was very doubtfull or rather none at all When he was with the Emperour and the King he seemed to be Catholick When they left the Low-countreys he returned by little and little to his Fathers heresie which was bred in him of a child yet so as while the Dutchess of Parma continued Governess he rather appeared a Favourer of the hereticall party then an Heretick Lastly after the Dutchess was removed he declared himself for Calvin for from a Lutheran he was now turned to his opinion not onely as a private Sectary but as the great Defender of his Faith Afterwards he writ a Book wherein he testified to all the world That from his childhood he was ever much enclined to the Religion which he calls Reformed the seeds whereof his heart alwayes constantly retained which at length ripened with his years And that all he did at home or in the warrs related to this end To maintain Religion in her first Purity assailed and shot at with so many Laws and Edicts by the Emperour and the King Whether he wrote truth and was indeed a Calvinist in opinion or rather by that means sought to ingratiate himself with the men whose service he had use of some have made a doubt it is most probable his Religion was but pretended which he could put on like a Cloke to serve him for such a time and put it off again when it was
which in regard the Judicature of the Inquisitours and the Emperours Decrees were repugnant they ought not to have been so easily proposed by the Chancellour nor could they possibly admit them The Governess having notice of the Petition commanded it to be brought and read at the Councel Table And though some held it a bold request yet it was her pleasure the Annals and Records of Brabant should be searched especially the Commentaries of Francis Hulst a Brabanter who first executed the Office of Inquisitour in that Province Upon sight whereof answer was made That because from the year 1550 this kind of Inquisition was not used in Brabant and that the King had declared his resolution to innovate nothing therefore it pleased his Majestie there should be no change within their Government but onely that the Decrees of Charles the fifth should be in force till it was otherwise ordered by the King Which moderate Answer neither satisfied the Brabanters that promised themselves all their desires and yet encouraged those of Flanders to present such another Petition to the Governess But her Excellence was by a speciall Messenger ingaged in business of higher concernment For she received fearfull intelligence from a man till then unknown but by the endeavours of Christopher Assonvill a worthy Senatour privately admitted to her presence That many noble persons of Brabant had entred into an Association in case the King should by force impose the Inquisitours upon their Province that they would by force defend themselves which confidence was built upon a privy confederation betwixt them and certain forreiners principally Gaspar Colligny Admirall of France Some such thing the Prince of Orange a little while after wrote from Leyden to the Governess And the same was discovered to her by the Counts of Egmont and Megen who said The Conspiratours had privately issued out Commissions to Captains and Colonels and that if need required they had in a readiness above twentie thousand men But what manner of Conspiracie this was and the Original of it I shall now demonstrate out of the Letters which are in my custody written by some that were purposely appointed to examine the matter of fact For when the Governess the year after this by the Kings command sent certain persons hastily to inquire in the respective Provinces who they were that had raised or fomented this years tumults they seized upon the Letters Books and Notes of many men out of which compiling a Treatise they informed his Majesty and the Governess of the beginning and progress of this designe And in discharge of what I have undertaken partly from thence partly from other Records I borrowed this which in short I shall deliver to you Long before the bloudshed of this year 1566 some of the Nobilitie of the Low-countreys in particular some young Lords none of which I can readily name but onely Lewis of Nassau brother to the Prince of Orange sojourning for a long time at Geneva and such like Towns were easily intrapped by the Hereticks For they had onely been so far instructed in Religion as might serve to keep them Catholicks at home but not abroad to teach them if they should be circumvented how to distinguish truth from falsehood and truly no man ought to come near infected persons without a Preservative about him These young Noblemen therefore having been new-catecâ—â—â—ed by Hereticks when they returned to their Countrey often spake in commendation of forrein Religions and libertie of conscience and found the people intentive and inquisitive after new Doctrines Nor did many of the Merchants wish a greater happiness then this Liberty for themselves were inveigled with the like strange opinions and consequently would have no one for Religion to be barred free Traffick These joyning their Counsels plotted for which they had divers examples by degrees to shake from the shoulders of their Countrey the yoke of the Catholick Faith that would not suffer any other doctrine to predominate within their Cities This designe I collect was laid in the year 1559 when King Philip resolving to return to Spain commanded that his Fathers and his own Edicts which during the Wars could not should now be strictly observed Which happening in that conjunction of time when the Prince of Orange advised the Low-countrey men to petition for disbanding the Spanish souldiers lest by their means the Spanish Inquisition should forcibly have been imposed upon them as he himself hath left recorded in his Apology I do not think it improbable that the Prince of Orange might be privie to matters then in agitation Yet I believe not that upon the first conference of the Nobility and Merchants any thing was certainly pitched upon or the form of a Confederation conceived in writing Nor is it likely that a Conspiracy of many persons should for six years lie undiscovered But then the seeds of Rebellion were onely sown which afterwards in the year 1564 when Cardinal Granvell went into Burgandy sprung up by occasion of the Councel of Trent as I am well assured out of the said Notes and Letters Moreover in that year 64 those Gentlemen and Merchants which met about it knowing that so great a weight could not be supported without arms determined to try the Hereticall Princes of Germany either to get their assistance or at lest to have some colour for using of their names to aw the Governess and her Party For this cause they sent Agents into Germany which had secret conference with the Prince Electour Palatine and brought all their transactions to Egidius Clerus a Lawyer of Tournay imployed by Lewis of Nassau and lying at Ausburg onely for this purpose as appears by many Letters and Pamphlets of his writing Whence it may be conjectured that Prince Lewis himself was at the same time in Germany soliciting the same business Which though it was concealed with wonderfull sâ—lence till the end of the year 653 yet in the beginning of 66 when the Edicts concerning the holy Inquisitours with the Decrees of Charles the fifth and of the Councel of Trent were Proclaimed which were by many accounted great grievances then the Conspiratours pretending to maintain the Liberty of the Subject with incredible dexterity scattered Libels over all the Provinces to the number of five thousand as the Governess afterwards wrote to the King jeering cursing and railing at the Spanish Inquisition and advising the people Not to enslave themselves to Tyranny which all Nations and as it were the generall consent of Mankind resists That the Inquisition was not introduced at Rome without a tumult what then should be done in the Low-countreys armed with so many Priviledges against any Innovation whatsoever Fears and Jealousies were increased by preparation for a war made in Spain by the King wherein the Duke of Brunswick Pay-master-generall for his Majestie in the Low-countreys was very active The
design was commonly reported to intend the establishment of this new Judicature in the Low-countreys Though the Duke as afterward it was evident levied men onely to defend his own towns amidst the tumults then threatning the Low-countreys the King to supply Malta and to oppose the Turk in other places Yet when the Governess went about to perswade the multitude she found it Labour in vain the Hereticks disputing against her and affirming That it was the ordinary trick of State to pretend war for one place and fall upon another So that many men openly professed they would fell their houses and land and seek their Countreys lost Libertie in forrein Nations At publick meetings in the Market place and upon the Exchange divers men were heard boldly to say that against the crueltie of the Kings Edict they onely wanted a Generall which if once they should have they would make the King leave meddling with the Priviledges of the Low-countreys The multitude thus storming the Lords neutrall or wavering and the Hereticks that were in danger of the Edict stirring them up to mutiâ—â—ie the Conspiracie was ripened Nine Lords that were not Officers of State at Breda a Town belonging to the Prince of Orange subscribed and propounded unto the rest a confederation penned by Philip Marnixius Lord of Saint Aldegund long since corrupted and now a corrupting Calvinist In the Preamble they inveighed against the Inquisition which being contrary to all Laws divine and humane farre exceeded the cruelty of all former Tyrants The Lords declared their sense of this indignity the care of Religion appertaining to them as Counsellours born and protested they entered into a league to prevent the wicked practices of such as by these sentences of banishment and death aimed at the fortunes of the greatest persons they had therefore taken an holy oath not to suffer the Inquisition to be imposed upon the Low-countreys and prayed that both God and Men might forsake them if they ever forsook their Covenant or failed to assist their Brethren suffering for the Cause Lastly that they called the Lord to witnesse by this agreement they intended nothing but the Glory of God the Kings honour and their Countreys Peace This is the summe of their League which either for the interchange or multiplicitie of their promises was called the Covenant and was afterwards printed that it might be every where published in divers languages with this Title according to the English copy A transcript of the Covenant signed by the Lords and Gentlemen of the Low-countreys by reason of an attempt to impose upon them the Spanish Inquisition Their Emissaries were forthwith dispatched to the severall Provinces to acquaint them with what was resolved and to court the people which took exceedingly For at their Assemblies many were so violent as when they but heard the Spanish Inquisition named not knowing any more of the matter they set to their names The first that subscribed were Nicholas Haâ—es Herauld to the Knights of the Golden-fleece commonly called Tosond ' or a principall instrument in the Conspiracy Baronius Glibercius Lefdal servant to Count Egmont Iohn Marnixiuâ— Lord of Tholose Ghisell Meinser and Olhain as Anderlech steward to Count Megen wrote to the Governesse The number and quality of the rest cannot easily be described they that took Catalogues of their names varying them as they supposed it would conduce to the augmentation of the fame or extenuation of the fact Indeed Hames bragged to Anderlech whom he indeavoured to bring into the faction that he had a roll of above two thousand noble persons names subscribed But Anderlech abhorring the treason not onely refused to subscribe but thought it the duty of a good Subject to discover their proceedings to the Governesse And though he found her not ignorant of many of their names and curious to know them all yet he opened some things to her wherewith as his familiar friends they had privately acquainted him That among others the Duke of Cleve had signed the Covenant with the Princes of Saxony Count Suartzemberge Gasper Colligny and many others Besides some Abbots of the Low-countreys and certain Lords of the Order of the fleece I cannot tell if this were given out to countenance the faction but I am sure the Rumour of the Duke of Cleve's Revolt soon vanished as that of the Companions of the Order increased and Count Megen that was one of the Colledge told the Governesse that two of his Colleagues whose names he knew not with divers other Noblemen were joyned with the Conspiratours But one of them might be well suspected and the Prince of Orange expressed himself very sensible of mens opinions for he complained in Senate that he was commonly reputed one of the number of the Covenanters the other must be either Count Horn Admirall of Flanders or Anthony Lalin Count Hochstrat as appeared by their conveâ—sation out of which men ordinarily draw conjectures Nor doubt I but many others were reputed Abettors of the faction as besides the above named it was thought Elisabeth Queen of England might be one though upon no other argument but onely their severall interests in the troubles of the Low-countreys For every one will allow of Casâ—ians Maxime That we may justly suspect those for Authours that are advantaged by the design But it were superfluous to inquire after dubious or concealed persons when enow declare themselves no fewer then four hundred of great quality giving in their names whereof almost one hundred were Hereticks as Count Megen informed the Governesse besides Merchants and others of the vulgar sort not to be numbered The chief of the Conspiratours were Henry Count Brederod Lewis of Nassaâ— Brother to the Prince of Orange Florence Pallantius Count of Culemberg a town in Holland he himself being a Burgundian and Willam de Bergen Count of Bergen in Gelderland all of that youth and courage as animated them to high attempts Brederod especially who took place of them all either for his antient Nobility being descended from the old Earls of Holland or for the sharpnesse of his wit which he used with great freedome against such as were in authority and it was therefore applauded by the people and very usefull for the Mutineers But the nobler and baser sort of the Party were not all of the same mind noâ— had the same ends as it is usuall in actions of this nature For some would rest quiet if the Pontifician Inquisitours were outed and the penalties of the Edicts qualified Others had yet a further design for the Liberty of Religion Many cared neither for Religion nor the Edicts but onely desired spoil and pillage Lastly there were some that had yet an higher reach and aimed by these troubles to shake off their old Prince and set up a new Government But all of them pretended and petitioned for the taking away of the Inquisition and
Magistrate but contrary to his command furiously ran out of the Citie to Vilvord to hear sermons The Governess having notice from all parts of these sacrilegious actions no lesse doubting the future then grieving and amazed at the present speedily called the Senate that being indeed the ordinary but many times a post-humous and ineffectuall remedy The Prefects of the Provinces and almost all the Lords were there but onely Philip Croi Duke of Areschot and Charles Brimè Count of Megen he excusing himself that he was not well and this that he feared his enemies had a plot upon him Her Excellence spake to them in these very words which she inserted in her Letters to the King Grief and her inbred Nobleness giving them vigour and authoritie To what condition the Low-countreys are brought by the wickedness of a few men we see the absent will hear and posterity admire to my great disparagement and yours For I know many things will be imputed to me Princes names being alwayes registred in the Kalender of publick calamities and you are famed for so many noble actions at home and abroad that your names cannot possibly be concealed Nor were the Netherlands so intrusted to me but that you had your parts in the Administration of the Government The particular Provinces committed to your trust the Order of the Golden-Fleece wherein your Oaths and Names are upon Record the Allegiance due to their Prince from his subjects amongst whom you are the chief multiplyes your Obligations to the maintaining and enlarging of his Royall Power And yet in these your Provinces while you stand Spectatours the Churches of God and his Saints founded by the ancient piety of your Princes which your Ancestours and your selves have adorned with victorious trophies by sacrilegious and impious traytours are burned down and profaned your Ancestours tembes violated the Statues of your Order and your Coats of Arms in many places impudently thrown to the ground trod upon and broken To omit their barbarity to Virgins consecrated to God robbing of their Nunneries and for addition to their contumelies cruelly turning out of their cities and holy mansions all the Priests and Religious But what kind of men are they that have raised this storm in the Low-countreys What dregs of the people what vile and abject fugitives and Apostates from Religion cruell but to those that fear them cowardly slaves if they themselves be terrified A few Secliners and Countreymen accidentally taking Arms destroyed a multitude of these Church robbers Did not one man yesterday catching up a spear when a great sort of these Traytours were gathered together fright them not onely from a Chapel which they threatned but from the Citie it self Will you suffer this pestilence to rage without opposition and to ruine the State and Peace of your Countrey and your Religion before your eyes and these troubles to open the way unto a forrein Conquest Nay it is commonly reported these villanies are committed some of you not onely not resisting but being also privie and assistant to the plot I am not ignorant that such Calumnies use to be spread abroad by wicked men to make good Subjects less active in doing Iustice upon the enemies to Religion And perhaps they hope to fright me with great names and so inforce my consent to their unjust Demands What is fit to be done by men of honour look you to that for what concerns my self I religiously profess that no mans menaces shall compell me to mix the new figments of these people with the ancient and Orthodox Religions established in these Provinces Nay if the King himself upon whose Grace and Pleasure I depend should dispense with the Low-countrey men to be of what Religion they list which how farre it is from his Maiesties intention none can be ignorant I would instantly depart the Low-countreys because I would not be an Agent in or Interpreter of such Indulgence But if I were stayed by force of Arms which I hear they threaten I call God to witness I would offer my self to the slaughter and be torn in pieces rather then suffer a Profession of Faith contrary to the Catholick Religion To prevent all this be it your care my Lords I do coniure you by your duty to God your Allegiance to the King and your Love unto your Countrey And because gentle remedies will not prevail with desperate people and that they trust to the protection of the confederate Gentlemen let us at last receive the Arms and Assistance which you have often promised and ought long since to have performed That when the King shall come who will be here very shortly he may find these Provinces quieted by your means and no less remunerate your fidelity with his royall Bounty then he will requite the perfidiousness of others with severe punishment This speech made by the Governess took according to every ones severall interest and inclination quickning the desires if found in their minds but not introducing any new Resolve Therefore the Counts of Mansfeld Aremberg and Barlamont all true to the Kings cause chearfully offered their services Egmont Orange Horn and divers others spake against levying war whose opinion carried a greater appearance of Reason because of the multitudes of Hereticks whereof there was above fifteen thousand in Bruxels it being unsafe for the present to provoke them by a warre But the Governess cut off that dispute and leaving the mention of Armes out of her Speech not out of her mind for she resolved the Warre should be her Great Councel she asked their opinions how those troubles might be otherwise composed The result of their two dayes consultation was That the Goveâ—ness should offer them an Act of oblivion for the time past and security for the future provided that the Confederates should first burn the instrument of their Association they called it the Covenant and afterwards take an oath to be true to the Catholick Religion and faithfull Subjects to the King for ever But the Governess delaying to set her hand to the Act as if she were yet doubtfull whether it should pass or no more of these turbulent people hourly gathering together and being themselves tossed upon the waves of sedition thrust others on that else would have sate still And they were heard to say prompted by Lewis brother to the Prince of Orange that unless the Governess would secure the Gentlemen Covenanters unless every one might have liberty to go to Sermons and no man be punished for Religion the Governess should with her own eyes see all the Churches in Bruxels fired the Priests murthered her self imprisoned And because this was said to be as well privately intended as publickly reported the Governess resolved to steal out of Bruxels and retire to Mons a city of Haynolt partly that she might not be an eye-witness of the destruction of holy Images in Bruxels partly that being in a safe place she might not
this Mischiefe is vulgarly imputed to the Duke of Alva for before he came Governour to these Provinces his name was hatefull to the Lowcountry-men It is reported when the Emperour Charles the fifth meaning to revenge himselfe upon Gant asked the Duke of Alva what Punishment in his Opinion they deserved He answered that his Majestyes stubborne Country deserved vtter Ruine The Emperour offended at this cruell Answer commanded him to go to the top of a Tower from thence take a View of the whole Towne then he asked him how many Spanish Skinnes would goe to the making of such a Glove for Gant in French is Glove but finding the Emperour by his looke to be displeased Alva durst make no Reply This Passage because interwoven with the Honour of the Prince and City whether true or false was easily believed by the Gantois and from them dispersed with an Odium upon Alva through the rest of the Lowcountreys And by the manner of his Coming he increased the Opinion of his Severity entring the Provinces with an Army as if his designe were to Conquer them bringing Spanish Souldiers againe into the Low-countreys awing the Townes with them and with the Forts he built sentencing Count Egmont a man generally beloved and Count Horne Admirall of the Seas summoning the Prince of Orange with other of the Confederates to answer their Impeachments And it is said he perswaded the King that he should not out of Lenity of which there had beene too much allready pardon any man for the future And indeede if his Majesty had granted the Petition made by the Prince of Orange that his owne and his Friends causes might be heard by the King as Master of the Order of the Fleece not by the Duke of Alva and his Councell many thinke they had hardly at this time begun the Warre But the sentence of the inraged King condemning the Prince of Orange and his confederates of High Treason and confiscating their Estates being pronounced by an odious Minister and so the Odium reflecting upon the Judgement it selfe may seeme to have constrained their taking of Armes upon a just resentment and consequently that the miserable and long Warre ensuing should rather be charged upon the Spaniards then the Low-countrey-men as some say but what are they men of that number which saith Polybius conceive the Causes and Beginnings of a Warre to be the same For my owne part as I will not deny but that Alva's cruell and hatefull Government was the Occasion and Beginning so I assure my selfe it was not the Cause of the Warre For the cause was much deeper grounded Indeed the Prince of Orange's Ambition to command in chiefe exasperated with griefe and Anger heightned by the accesse of Hereticks and opportunity of a Party men of all qualities ingaging this was the Cause which if it had not then and from that Originall taken fire to kindle a Warre in a little more time and from another Place would have found combustible matter Nor can occasion be long wanting to Improbity But the Prince of Orange his Fact was so fortunate as to find Patronage in the Hatred of another For he upon the Sentence pronounced by the Duke of Alva against him his Brother and many great persons tooke up Armes with so much the fairer pretence by how much it seemed not only just but glorious to defend himselfe to recover his owne and to vindicate his Associates his Son and Countrey in their Rights and Liberties In the Relation of which Warre managed by the Duke of Alva and his Successour Ludovico Requesenes I shall contract my selfe especially where I have no more nor no certainer Intelligence then others For which two Reasons I have inlarged my discourse in the Dutchesse or Parma's Government and shall doe in that of Don Iohn of Austria and of Alexander Farneze For I can promise many Animadversions concerning them out of the Monuments of Letters in my hands which are not common Yet in this Summary if there be any thing as I presume there will be diverse which I know and is unknowne to others I shall not faile to give it you at full Some thought the future Calamities were presaged by a Boy borne at Liege with two Heads foure Feet and as many Hands portending as they said the Monster of a Confederation to be made out of the joynt Forces of sundry Nations which soone after came to passe This Terrour was increased in minds already disposed to feare by a Fire immediatly after happening in the City of Machlin For a sparke falling among the Gunpowder at the Mills by accident or perhaps upon designe tooke hold of 60. Barrels with such a horrid thunder and Earthquake that in most of the Cityes of Brabant the men and houses trembed at the dreadfull noyse Though in regard these Powder-Milles used to be distant from Townes there were but few men slaine yet there might have been fewer and would be daily if as we sever seditious persons lest by coming together they set the State in a Combustion so the Elements that make Gunpowder were kept a sunder But Alva more moved with the Losse then with the Prodigy laid the foundation of a Fort at Antwerp modelled by the great Engineere Paciotto approved of by the Judgment of Serbellonio raised by the hands of 2000. Workmen with extraordinary Speed and Successe because he used but one man's contrivance and one man's counsell It was built in the forme of a Pentagon at every one of the sides was a large bulwarke to foure of which the Governour gave his owne name and titles Ferdinando Toledo Duke and Alva the fifth he suffered to be called Paciotto But this Fort though it long continued a patterne to all the new Plat-formes of Europe and that Paciotto got himselfe a great name by it being from thence called the Inventour of the moderne Fortification yet it was not by all men equally esteemed as for other Causes so particularly for the Situation upon that banke of the Scheldt which looketh towards Brabant in so much as when the Enemy from Holland attacques the Towne it cannot beat them off as it would have done had it been placed on the other side the City against the mouth of Scheldt opposite to Holland But 't is excused by some that say when Alva built this Fort he rather considered how he might defend himselfe from the Towne then the Towne from the Enemy And they add that the place was discreetly chosen as opportune for the bringing in contribution from those Provinces subject to the Spaniard which indeed is most considerable in the building of Forts a convenience they had wanted in case it had looked towards Holland Though I suppose Serbellonio had not this in designe For when he raised this Fort Holland was no lesse obedient to the King then Brabant and therefore he would have provided
footman strucke off his head Presently after Count Horne with the same constancy was by the same Executioner beheaded both their heads being for two houres set upon two speares for the City to behold Their Bodyes were immediately carryed into the next Churches and the day after together with their Heads sent to the chiefe Cityes of their owne Provinces and there honourably buryed The miserable Death of Count Egmont for he was generally beloued was lamented by the Low-countrymen with greater Spleene then Sorrow Some whereof despising danger dipt their handkerchers in his bloud and kept them either as Monuments of Love or Incitements to Revenge Others kissed his leaden Coffin and without any feare of an Informer publiquely threatened Vengeance Insomuch as diverse Person noting the Low-countrymen's Violent affections to his Memory and their detestation of the very name of Alva said that by Egmonts death the Confederates were first established and foretold that all the Lowcountreys would in a short time contrary to the Duke's Expectation be involued in Tumults This Prediction gave credit to the report that presently after it rained bloud in the Fields about Lovain the Multitude easily believing what their Hatred supposes to be done in Heaven And indeed there are that doubt not but it would have beene more policy in the Duke to have made their Execution private and not presented that distastfull Scene and Pompe of Egmont's Tragedy to the people For they doe ill that make the Favourers and Pittyers of the Cause Spectators of the Punishsment But Alva resolving to make an Example of Terrour which hee then thought necessary slighted Hate or Envy It is reported the French Embassadour who privatly beheld the Execution wrote to King Charles that he had seene in the Market-place at Bruxells his head struck off whose Valour had twice made France tremble intimating the losse of the French Nobility at Saint Quintin and Graueling the first of which Battailes was almost the second altogether purchased by the Courage and conduct of Count Egmont He dyed in the fortie sixth yeare of his age leaving by Sabina of Bavier to whom he was married at Spires in presence of the Emperour Charles the fifth eight Daughters and three Sons the eldest inheriting his Fathers Vertues the second nothing but his Hatred to the Spaniard the third who was faithfull to the King only left Issue to the Family He had a Brother that followed the Emperour Charles into Africa and dyed in Italy a Sister marryed to Count Vadamont Mother to Frances Wife to Henry the third of France The Nobility of his House was antient their Power much greater once when the Dukes of Egmont were Lords of Gelderlandt He tooke his name from Egmond a Towne in the farthest part of Holland neare the westerne Shore of which he still wrote himselfe Count though he was Prince of Gavera a Towne upon the banke of Schelt not farre from Gant Charles the fifth created him knight of the Golden-Fleece King Philip trusted him with the Governement of the most noble Provinces of Flanders and Artois He was a man for the Heroicall Vertues of his mind and body worthy a farre better Fate though the very infelicity of his Death as Compassion looks upon all things through a multiplying Glasse did not a Little increase the opinion of his Vertues Nor was it any disadvantage to his Children restored by King Philip to all their Father 's personall and reall Estate But Philip Count of Horne who was likewise Knight of the Golden-Fleece dyed foure yeares elder then Count Egmont his Brother the Lord Montiny being for the same Cause condemned and beheaded in Spaine whither he was by the Governesse sent Embassadour with the Marquesse of Bergen Nor was Count Horne of a lesse noble family then Count Egmont being descended of the French Momorancyes and had courage equall to his Honour as appeared at the Battaile at Saint Quintin and in the magnificent discharge of two great offices of Admirall and Captaine of the life Guard Hee first tryled a Pike under the Emperour Charles the Fifth to whom he was a Subject for Horne an Imperiall Castle betweene Gelderland and Brabant whence he had his Title of Count though he was possessed of many other Townes and Castles within the Kings Dominions Indeed his death could not have beene moderately lamented but that Egmont had consumed all men's Teares After this the Duke of Alva resolved to move speedily to Friezland sending before with part of his Forces Chiapino Vitelli his Campe-Master-Generall who entring the Groine Valiantly defended that Towne against Lewis of Nassau that sate downe before it Then the Duke in person having payed a Souldiers Duty to Count Aremberg and with the sad Military Ceremonies waited on him to his Grave went about the end of Iune from Bruxells to Antwerp leaving Gabriel Serbellonio there in Garrison with eight Companyes of Germans for defence of the Fort and Towne At the Bus he stayed till Cressonerius came up with seaenteene Field-pieces marching thence in the beginning of Iuly he passed the Mose at Grave from thence he went to Arnhem in Gelderland and so to Daventry in Over-Ysell where he rested a while till his Scouts should bring word if the Bridges wer strong enough to beare the weight of his Cannon they had not rid farre but hearing Drummes beate a pretty way off and presently discovering foure Ensignes they galloped back to the Duke and told him the Enemy was coming hard at hand though he could not well believe it yet because his Scouts of several Nations brought the same Intelligence he forthwith commanded his Colonells and Feild Officers to set his men in Battalia and sent out others to discover the Enemyes nearer Aproaches and their number These were no sooner in the Field but they saw foure gallant Banners displayed and as many Waggons covered with Canvasse and greene Boughes in which a Bride marryed that morning who dreamed not of a warre was riding towards the next Village with a great sort of countrey fellowes leaping and playing about her When this Newes was brought to the Army they made not better Sport at the Folly of the Scouts then they did at the simplicity of the Country people when an Army was so neare them and all that suddaine preparation for a Warre being changed into Mirth they entertained the Bride in her passage with a Volly of Musket-Shot The memory of this Accident is still fresh in the mouthes of the Wallons who ever when they send out their Scouts if they shew any Feare in their Returne aske them in a military Ieere if they have seene the Bride But the Duke of Alva angry at this delay and sharply rebuking them that were the Causes entred the Groin on the fifteenth of Iuly about Noon-day and at that very houre without alighting or changing of his Horse he himselfe attended with a few others rode
in his returne to Bruxells by his eldest Son Federico Duke of Oscha great Commander of the Order of Calatrava who brought him from the King 2500 Foote and a good summe of money a necessary Supply against the Preparations of the prince of Orange For now the Prince of Orange was upon his March with a vast Army raised in Germany diverse of the hereticall Princes willingly associating in hatred to the Spanish House of Austria This League was advanced by by a generall indignation upon the newes of Count Egmont's and Count Horne's death the Envy to Alva thereupon increasing and much aggravated by a Booke against His Tyranny written and published by the Prince of Orange There was in his Army when he mustered it at Aquis-Grane 28000 men that is 16000 German Foot and 8000 Horse French and Low Dutch 2000 Horse and very neare as many Foot To the Germans the Prince Elector Count Palatine the Duke of Wirtemberg and the City of Strasburg had promised foure Months Pay to the French and the Low-countreymen a Spanish Merchant at Antwerp had ingaged for 1800 French Crownes a month during the said terme To maintaine the Horse was undertaken partly by the Prince of Orange and his Brother partly by the very Commanders of Horse Casimire Son to the Palsgraue Count Suarzemburg two of the Dukes of Saxony Count Hocâ—strat and William Lumè one of the Counts de Marca the last of these a deadly Enemy to the Catholiques is said to have made such a barbarous Vow as once Cl. Civilis who likewise commanded the Hollanders that he would never cut his haire till he had revenged the Deaths of Egmont and Horne With these Forces the Prince of Orange sooner then could be imagined passed the Rhyne and incamping along the banke of the Mose not farre from Maestricht filled the Low Countries with strange Reports and Terrour Indeed the Duke of Alva in appearance extreamely slighted such Rumours being a notable Dissembler of military Dangers and one that feared nothing more then to be thought to feare So that when a Captaine with very much Trouble in his Face amplifyed the Newes and told him how many Princes and Kings had entred into League against Spaine among whom he numbered Denmarke and England the Duke answered merrily he knew what accompt to make of that League nor was such a conspiracy of Rebells any way formidable the King having more Princes that tooke part with him For with the King of Spaine was confederated the Kings of Naples Sicily and Sardinia the Duke of Millaine Prince of Burgundy and the Low-countreys besides the King 's of Peru Mexico and New Spaine but herein the Confederations differed that in theirs the dissimilitude of Nations and dispositions and if no other obstacle their severall Intersts must needs cause disagreement and in a little time dissolve the union Whereas in this what pleased one pleased all and consequently it would be eternall And truly Alva was not so jealous of a forreigne Enemy as of the Natives knowing himselfe hated by a great sort of them nor could he thinke the Prince of Orange durst ever have attempted to bring a Warre into the Lowcountreys if he had not beene invited and assisted by the Low-countreymen Especially when so many Robberies and Murthers had been done upon the high way by the banished Gheuses Which because they sheltred in the Forests were called Wood-Gheuses The common Terrour was increased by a fearfull apparition in the Aire of two Armyes in Battalia seen on a cleare night to brandish their glittering Pikes as if they were ready for a charge The Prodigy because seen in diverse places was beleived and therefore more such stories were dayly told which made Alva looke to himselfe So that fortifying the Froatier Townes and those he most doubted he hastened with his Army to Maestricht that from thence he might incounter the Prince of Orange's Designes and by keeping the banke of Mose hinder him from passing the River But the Prince's subtilty and boldnesse carryed it And this was his first Stratagem in the Low-countrey-Warre wherein he plainly shewed how great an Enemy declared himselfe against the King For his Horse finding the River foardable between Rurimond and Maestricht the Mose being then accidentally at a low Ebbe the Prince helped his Fortune with Art in this manner He tied his Horse together and made them stand crosse the River to breake the Streame as Iulius Caesar did when he passed Ligeris and Cicoris and some others of late time have done by this meanes the force of the Current being abated and repelled he commanded his Foote to wade over silently in the Evening and that night with inobserveable speed or rather by an incredible Attempt he deceived the Kings Guards and safely arrived on the father Shore with his Army which was so suddaine and unexpected newes to Alva that when Barlamont told him the Enemy was come over the Duke asked him if he thought them to be an Army of Birds that had flowne over the Mose But the Prince of Orange entring Brabant and confidently incamping within six Miles of the Spanish Army the next day drew out his men and with Drummes beating and Trumpets sounding faced and offered Battaile to the Duke of Alva whose Campe-Master Chiapino Vitelli was of opinion that the Enemy wet with the River and weary with their March should have beene fought before they had incamped nor did he as yet thinke the fight was wholly to be declined but that it concerned the Spaniards in point of honour to make some Attempt upon the now insâ—lting Germans and let them know the Valour of the Royall Army But the Duke foreseeing that money could not long hold out to pay so great an Army which would therefore moulder away especially upon the approach of winter resolved with the least hazard to himselfe to elude the enemy His principall designe was to keep them from getting into any strong Towne lest they should make their Pay out of the Plunder of the Countrey yet scarce any day passed but as the Armies lay close tother they had some Skirmishes and Fights commonly about victuall the Prince of Orange's men being still the Challengers Which Fights how they were managed and with what daily successe I could particularize For Raphael Barberino Knight of Saint Steven an eminent Commander a very great Mathematician sent to Rome Diaries of all Actions in the Campe directed to his Brothers Francesco Barberino Proto-Notary Aposticall and Anthonio Barberino Father to Pope Vrban the Eight under which Prince no lesse supreame in Learning then Religion it is my happinesse to write this History But out of those Letters whereof I have Copies I hold it best to give you only some choice Passages omitting the rest that were either of the same kind or not so remarkable The third day after he had passed
I am told many live with us at Court whose hearts are in Holland with the Prince of Orange whose consent and indeavours to send away the Spaniards the more they appear the more ought such friends to be suspected I am sure the King your brother when he was in the Netherlands promised the Low-countreymen to free them of the Spaniards but observing a generall conspiracie to eject them that very unanimous consent made him pause upon it and deferre his Grant till the Governesse the Dutchesse of Parma wonne him by her intreaties And yet the Low-countreymen were not then minded to rebell Now by the example of the wisest King you see what is the best course for you that have not obliged your self by any promise to this publickly offended and armed Nation I have said thus much taking it for granted that you can at pleasure presently draw our men from their Garrisons and send them out of the Low-countreys What if upon knowledge of your agreement with the Low-countreymen made upon condition of their banishment they should mutiny to which they are too much inclined and refuse to deliver up the Forts and Cities truly then you will lose both the respect of your own souldiers as if you preferred the Low-countreymen before them and yet as if you had but mockt the Low-countreymen aggravate their hatred Lastly I will never perswade you the Brother to my King to receive the Government of the Provinces on poorer terms then his Majesties servants Alva and Requesenes But Escovedo was clear of another opinion And having sounded the Princes inclination began securely in this manner I shall rather be willing to shew your Highness what I conceive then what I dare advise because You are still accustomed to allow the freedom of my counsels as I am to admire the wisdome of your Resolutions And I shall at present the freelier expresse my self in regard it will I presume be thought a greater truth which a Spaniard is forced to speak against his Countrey-men But even our Countrey must give place unto necessity Nor in consultations is Reason at all times permitted to make a free Election but by necessitie we are often circumscribed at which times men that shun a tempest must count any poor Creek a Haven Almost all the Provinces as well the Clergie as the Laitie in the Pacification of Gant have agreed to out the Spaniards and sworn not to admit of any Governour over the Low-countreys till all forrein souldiers be disbanded Wherein their resolutions are so fixed and immoveable that we may despair of winning the Low-countreys by any Avenue but this which according to Gonzaga's opinion we should open with our swords But you Gonzaga speak what becoms an old Commander to promise especially to an invincible Generall Nor do I doubt but if occasion should be you would gallantly perform what you have gloriously advised But I that perhaps more timerously not lesse circumspectly consider our present condition hold it our best to try all wayes before we make use of Violence and Arms. And this you know is the Kings Pleasure and Command For what I pray you have our men all this while effected in the Netherlands The Duke of Alva coming in with the fame of so great forces so many victories feared for the shedding of so much Low-countrey bloud at last losing all the Sea-coast and the strongest Provinces left the Low-countreys which he found entire dismembred And yet in all the time of Alva and his Successour whose fortune was little better most part both of the Netherlands and the Belgick Nobility bore Arms for the King Now you see how the Low-countrey-men have deserted us Of all the Provinces onely two continue loyall the rest if force be offered are now bound by Oath to defend themselves by Arms. Which is the very thing the Prince of Orange wishes This pretension for a warre he cunningly contrives and this alone if he were present at our Consultation he would endeavour to perswade not the dismissing of the Spaniards For your Hignesse may be confident that he therefore perswaded the Low-countreys to this course because he feared nothing more then your Admission inserting that clause in the Pacification of Gant which he hoped you never would allow and so excluded from the Government be presently necessitated to a Warre which that ambitious man might at his pleasure manage But this cunning Artist must be fooled and contrary to his exspectancy by approving the Pacification of Gant your Highnesse will be invested in the Government of the Low-countreys Whereto being once admitted you by your clemency and gentlenesse may bring â—hat about which others never could with their austere and armed mandats Every one knows the Counsel Livia gave to Augustus Cesar that he should imitate Physicians who if their usuall receits fail use to prescribe contraries and by the same Rule when Severity could not do his businesse he should try what might be done by clemency Cesar followed his wifes advice and thenceforth all conspiracies ceasing the Senate and People of Rome were loyall and obedient to him And truly if any man may go this way with hope of happier successe it is your Hignesse onely To passe by your being a German born sonne to a Low-countrey Prince for which they must needs love you more then any of their Spanish Governours The fame of your actions your deportment which how it hath wrought in mens minds you by experience know your Aspect lovely even in your enemies eyes will no doubt gain you the Affection Duty and Obedience of this people The nature of the Low-countreymen is easiest cured with lenitives if violence be offered they will struggle they are to be lead not driven Besides the greatest persons will hasten the tender of their services to you that the former crimes of Rebellion may be imputed not to their contumacy but anothers pride One Act there is that may extinguish all their Love the retaining of forrein souldiers The Low-countreymen have still before their eyes the figure of Antwerp burning the slaughter of the Citizens and rifling of their Goods Their implacable hatred to the Spaniards if you keep them here will likewise reach your self For they that hate your armie cannot love your Person Nor can you be ever safe among those subjects that cannot think themselves secure among your souldiers For securitie is established by a mutuall safeguard And therefore if the Low-countreymen desire the cause of their late Quarrels may be removed out of their sight grant their Request and what they perhaps may force you to by arms make it your favour to them By which favour you will both immortally oblige the Low-countreymen to You and likewise indear your self to the King your Brother weary of the cares and charges of the warre by pacifying the Low-countreys without arms Nor is it greatly to be feared that the Spaniards should refuse to go upon your Command now the King approves the
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
description of other Generals by how much he will be oftner in the Readers eye filling up a great part of our future Annals Nor will it be unpleasing to know Alexander Farneze before his Low-countrey expedition and to compare him in his former life to Himself in the Government of the Low-countreys like Members of a great Bodie every where great Alexander Farneze Prince of Parma Piacenza Governour of the Low countreys But in the interim a nobler cause of war was offered him a generall peace being concluded among Christian Princes against the common enemie Divers considerations incited him to that voyage the ground of the Warre the confluence of noble persons that ingaged and above all the Generall Don Iohn of Austria equally near to him in love and bloud Nor was his Father unwilling to let him go in hope that his sons military inclination would produce great effects howsoever that his fiercenesse would be tamed But his Mother that was powerfull with her husband being against it the Duke said nothing could be done till they knew the pleasure of the King his Uncle In the mean time Margaret of Austria received Letters as she had ordered it from the King wherein he wished Prince Alexander should not go as yet But he beyond measure inflamed with Don Iohns invitation at last prevailing with his Mother and the King furnished himself for the Warrs as young souldiers ever do magnificently Fourty two Gentlemen of Parma and Piacenza followed him and he had three hundred that were a king of Pretorians for his Life-guard men chosen with more then ordinary care by Paulo Vitelli a great Commander most of them having been Captains Lieutenants or Ensignes or at least above the rank of common souldiers With this train Prince Alexander offered himself as a Volunteer to his Uncle the Generall Who then by chance being at the Musters of his Army affectionately embraced him and when he had with the Generalls leave selected four hundred sea-men of the Kings he put them in two Gallyes sent from the Common-wealth of Genoa to be commanded by Comes Carolo Scotto and Pedro Francisco Nicello he himself with his Lieutenant Vitelli and part of his Gentlemen and Souldiers going aboard the Admirall of Genoa Though in the voyage especially before the battel Don Iohn would never let him be out of the Imperiall Galley where he was himself which turned to the benefit of the whole Navie For a verie bitter difference ensuing between Don Iohn and Venerio the Admirall of Venice likely to embroyl the forces of Christendome in a Civil Warre when Don Iohn in his first heat was about to revenge the wrong offered to the Majestie of the Supream Admirall onely Prince Alexander though some failed not to bring fuell to the fire that burned sufficiently in the young Generalls nature had so much power with his Uncle that he kept him from striking the first stroke Till Mark Antonio Columna the Pope's Admiral and the Venetian Embassadour Augustino Barbaricâ— by their wisdom joyned to Prince Alexander's endeavours swifter then imagination dispersed this Tempest threatning destruction to the Fleet. For which service when Prince Alexander came next to Rome Pope Pius commended him before some of the Cardinalls acknowledging both himself and Christendom much obliged to him But when they were upon the place of Battel formerly famed for the victory of Actium won by Octavius Cesar and the ships on both sides put in Battalia Prince Alexander being aboard Columna's Gally in the midst of the Fleet passed into his own the two other Genoa-Gallyes lying to the wind-ward and after aâ—showr of Arrows and Bullets from afarr the ships encounting Alexander Farneze having an eye upon Mustapha Treasurer of the Turkish Fleet with all his force stem'd his Gally and grappling found her a great deal stronger then he imagined She carryed the money and therefore was manned with above three hundred Ianizaries all old and valient Souldiers When they had fought long upon equall termes sometimes one of them setting up their Colours sometimes another Prince Alexander at once inflamed with shame and anger flourishing as he used to do a huge great sword leaped into the Bashaw's Gally and laying about him on both sides like a mad-man by the flaughter of the enemy opened a way to his Souldiers that were so nettled with the example and danger of their General as now all the boldest Turkes being slain the rest would presently have yeiled if the Bashaw of Alexandria had not come in with a strong Gally whereby the Turks both strengthened and encouraged for a while renewed the fight But one of Alexander's Farneze's Gallyes sending in fresh supplies when the Turks could no longer stand the fury of the conquerours Mustapha being in many places run through the body the Bashaw of Alexandria hurt and soon after taken Prince Alexander made himselfe master not only of the Treasurer's Gally but likewise of the Auxiliary ship with so great pillage for his men that some of them got 2000 Sultanies it is a Coin of little lesse value then the Venetian Chechine of gold others 3000 onely out of this Gally of the Treasurers besides what his two other Gallies found in three of the enemies Galliouns and as many of their Galliasses They say that Don Iohn of Austria after the Battel when he heard his Nephew Alexander highly extolled received him with great expressions of joy and love yet praised him with this exception that he boarded the enemy with better successe then judgment they being yet in their full strength and able to have hindred his retreat Which fault he took for an honour and said the reason of his confidence was built upon the sanctitie of his wife by whose prayers to God for him he conceived himself protected and secured so merrily passing over his uncles reprehension Nor was the gallantry of Prince Alexander's minde lesse manifested the year following though with lesse fortune or rather lesse concord of the Christian Nations For the league being renewed and the Christian Fleet somewhat too late after the Battel of Lepanto returned to prosecute their victory in Peâ—oponnesus the new Turkish Admiral Uluciall had now repaired his ships and to avoide the encounter of the League having many times changed his Road now lay at Anchor near the strong Port of Methone And whilst Don Iohn with many offers to fight endeavoured to draw the Turks into the Main he resolved to send Alexander Farneze to besiege Navarinum not far off by land Who with 6000 in two divisions began to batter the Fort with more industrie then successe For the place being all rock or craggy his men could hardly get earth to raise their batteries nor could their tubbs and Gabions filled with earth and stone opposed in stead of a curtain be defence sufficient against the enemies Cannon The Seige was neverthelesse continued
and the Navarines sallying out but with losse beat back were thought to be upon the point of yielding When the Turks either by the connivence or ignorance of Prince Alexander's Souldiers put in men by night and relieved the Garrison Besides the Turkish horse and foot coming from al quarters Prince Alexander fearing they would block up his retreat and not hoping to take the Castle thought it enough in his enemies sight to retire with his Cannon to the Fleet. And Don Iohn since the Turkish Navy shunning a general Battell could by no affront be provoked to sea contented to have struct a terrour into the enemy and forced them to confesse themselves not able to appear upon the Main the mindes as well as the Fleet of the Christians being divided he went to Sicily the rest to other places Thus was Alexander Farneze initiated in war which as it begat an opinion both among those great Souldiers and Princes absent specially the successour to Pope Pius Gregory and King Philip of Spain that he would prove a gallant General so afterward it moved the King of his own accord to call him where the war was most dangerous into the Low-countreys For his Majesty pressed with the Low-countrey-mens daily complaints against Don Iohn of Austria and very desirous to quiet the Netherlands without Arms that weaken even the Conquerour himself he resolved to satisfie the desires of the Provinces and in his Brothers place to substitute his Sister Margaret of Austria with her Son Alexander Farneze Hoping either by her prudence and power with the Low-countrey-men to find out some expedient towards the concluding of a Peace or by his valour if there was use of Arms strongly to pursue the war Therefore he ordered it that Cardinall Granvell then at Rome should perswade his sister of Parma to return into the Low-countreys The Cardinall taking a journey to Aquila found there very opportunely the Dutchesse and Prince Alexander and read his letters containing the Kings desires to both together Though his Majesty had likewise commanded the Marquesse of Ayamont Governour of Millaine to treat with Prince Alexander apart The Dutchesse answered doubtfully she would advise upon it either fearing as she pretended to displease Don Iohn or by that delay and seeming refusal aym to put a higher value upon her journey But Alexander Farneze without the least demurring said he would obey the King with all his heart if it so pleased his mother He made yet a plainer answer to two letters delivered him by Raphael Manrique from Ayamont that was sick and kept his bed together with his Majesties letter wherein after expression of his grief for the death of Princesse Mary wife to Prince Alexander he signifies his resolution to imploy him in the Low-countreyes I am certain they are the Kings words now you know it with a ready and undaunted mind you will satisfie my exspectation of you and my love which highly esteems you and your virtue most illustrious Prince But when the King altered his determination of substituting the Dutchesse in his Brothers place by reason of Matthias the Arch-dukes coming into the Low-countreyes it was doubted at Parma whether it would be handsome for Prince Alexander to go and fight in the Low-countreyes commanded by another which consideration he out of duty to the King and desire of glory in the wars easily contemned especially incouraged by some dark words of Granvell promising great matters Besides Gregory the thirteenth interposed his Authority and exhortation who informed of the design by Cardinal Farneze highly praised it and bad the Cardinal write to the Prince of Parma in his name that the expedition would be pleasing to God and therefore under so mighty protection and upon encouragement from his Holiness he should willingly and speedily undertake it The Pope I suppose did not thus commend the warre onely for the King of Spain's sake and the common cause of Religion but for some peculiar benefit that might result to the Pontifician Empire For the Prince of Parma being a Feudatary and Homager to the See Apostolick his Holinesse thought himself concerned in sending the Prince to a Forein warre whence he might return an able General to defend the Church of Rome Wherefore Alexander Farneze having within a few dayes received three letters from Don Iohn of Austria which invited him with great entreaties and no lesse promises to the society of warre and glory making ready with all possible speed the twelvth day after he left Parma arrived at Luxemburg and there met Don Iohn who with expressions of incredible contentment received Prince Alexander that stood amazed to see his uncle no lesse impaired in his health then in the presence and Majestie of the most fortunate Generall So true it is that they are most sensible of adverse fortune which have been in most felicity It is therefore probable that Don Iohn not against his will or onely by the Kings command sent for the Prince of Parma nor did with dissembled joy welcome him from whose long approved fidelitie and valour he might promise safety to the publick and a particular preservation to himself whose life was sought by so many plots At their first meeting Don Iohn imparted the Kings commands that he should acquaint Prince Alexander with all businesse of Warre and Peace and reserve for his use 1000 Crownes a moneth Both which conditions pleased him very much especially the later usually given by the King to none but Viceroyes Governours of Provinces or Generalls of Armies For some dayes the Prince of Parma took the money till the Kings high estimation of his merit was thereby divulged among the people afterwards writing his humble thanks to his Majesty he as one more ambitious of honour then profit refused the pay adding that it was not fit he should be so remunerated who had yet done no service and he needed no encouragement But Alexander Farneze acting nothing without order from Don Iohn wholly applyed his minde and endeavours to inform himself of affaires at home and abroad which he found to be in a very bad condition For the King had but two Provinces that continued loyall in the rest the few Forts that held for his Majestie daily revolted to the States Nay even in Holland Amsterdam it self began to waver And in Brabant Bergen op Zoom where the Souldiers basely betraying their Colonell Charles Fugger yeilded to the States But the Garrison of Breda a while before deceived by a stratagem of the enemy carryed themselves yet more basely towards their Colonell For the Generalls of the Sates Arrmy Philip Count Holach and Frederick Perenot Lord of Campin that besieged Breda they were gallantly opposed by George Fronsberg Colonel of the Germans that served Don Iohn but the Garrison because they were some payes behind daily growing to mutiny Fronsberg by a man of know
Brunswick raiseth men l. 5. p. 100. the King of Spain appoints him to command the horse l. 5. p. 132. he is disswaded from the service l. 5. p. 134 Ernest Mulart pursues the Fugitives with a Galley l. 6. p. 19. Escovedo vide Iuan Eucharist preserved from the contumelies of Hereticks l. 9. p. 40. taken after meat by speciall indulgence â— 2. p. 7. Saint Eugenius Bishop of Toledo and Martyr l. 5. p. 132 Euscaubechius Commander of the Confiderates horse l. 6. p. 1. Eustachius Fiennes Lord of Esquerd one of the Covenanters l. 5. p. 109 Excomunication l. 1. p. 9. l. 3. p. 56 57. l. 4. p. 81 32. Example of unfortunate beauty l. 10. p. 3 4. of a Prince beloved of his servants l. 10. p. 21 22 Exile of the Duke of Alva and the cause l. 7. p. 81 82. his banishment repeal'd l. 7. p. 82. the exile of Count Lumè l. 7. p. 80 Expedition of the Duke of Alva against Lewis of Nassau l. 7. p. 54. by sea l. 7. p. 74. 81. to Portugall l. 7. p. 32. of Don Iohn designed for England l. 9. p. 29 36. Of Gemblac l. 9. p. 49. Of Granada l. 10. p. 19. Of Limburge l. 10. p. 1. His navall expeditions l. 9. p. 49. l. 10. p. 19. Of Charles the fifth v. Charles Of Charles the ninth of France against the Hugonots l. 6. p. 34 35. Of the Governess against Bolduc l. 6. p. 2. against Maestricht ibid. Against Tolouse ibid. Against Tornay and Armenter l. 6. p. 7. Against Valenciens l. 5. p. 143. Of the Hugonâ—ts l. 6. p. 26. The Prince of Orange his first expedition out of Germany into the Low-countreys l. 7. p. 46. Another to relieve his brother Lewis l. 7. p. 75. By Sea l. 8. p. 10. Of the States of the Low-countreys l. 8. p. 23. Of Requesâ—ens to Middelburge by sâ—a l. 8. p. 1. For Leiden l. 8. p. 6. For Zeland l. 8. p. â— Sentences in E. EASILY may he avoid the spoile's hands that never hath allur'd an envious eye l. 8. p. 24 ELOQUENCE without discretion is but the unseasonable overflowing of wit l. 2. p. 40 The Great body of an EMPIRE must be spirited with a great soul and maintaineâ— by many hands l. 1. p. 1 Expedition must be used whilest the Multitude have onely a taste of ERROR and have not swallowed down the falshood l. 5. p. 113 F. FAbio Farnezè goes for the Low-countreys l. 9. p. 41. he is sent into Portugall l. 10. p. 13 Fabio Lembo a Nâ—opolitan l. 5. p. 114 Falcese the Marquess l. 8. 11 Famisht l. 7. p. 79 56 Farnezâ— v. Alexander Charles Fabio Margaret Princess of Manjua Octavio Odovardo Ranuccio Fatness of body taken down l. 8. p. 15. Federicke King of Denmark l. 3. p. 53 Federicke Perenot Lord of Campin governour of Antwerp brother to Cardinall Granvell l. 8. p. 17 22. the falling out of him and Count Altemps l. 8. p. 17. he receives into Antwerp souldiers sent from the States l. 8. p. 22. He fortifies the Town against the fort ibid. He is Generall of the States Army at the siege of Breda l. 9. p. 48. Commander for them in chiefe at the battell of Gemblac l. 9. p. 49. by command from the Prince of Orange he is imprisoned at Gant l. 10. p. 9. Federico de Toleda grandfather to the Duke of Alva l. 7. p. 82. Federico Son to the Duke of Alva brings him men and money from Spain l. 7. p. 58. sent by his 〈◊〉 against the Prince of Orange l. 7. p. 61. goes to besiege Mons l. 7. p. 74. sights with the French that would hinder him from sitting down before it ibid. punishes the women spies ibid. Takes the Abbie de Spine ibid. fights with the French Generall and defeates him ibid. stormes Zutphen and plunders it l. 7. p. 77. takes all the Towns in Gelderland ibid. burns Nardhem in Holland l. 7. p. 78. Besieges and takes Harlem ibid. is carried out of the field wounded l. 7. p. 80. Attempts Alâ—mer in vain l. 7. p. 81. returns into Spain with his father ibid. Ferdinand King of Castile l. 8. p. 15 Ferdinand the Catholick King l. 7. p. 82 Ferdinando Gonzaga Governour of Millan and Generall for Charles the fifth l. 6. p. 30 Ferdinand the Emperour holds a Diet at Francfort l. 3. p. 71. dies l. 4. p. 87. His daughter designed by the King of Spain for wife to Alex Farnezè l. 4. p. 91 Ferdinand Martin an incendiary l. 7. p. 50 Ferdinando de Toledo Duke of Alva l. 1. p. 11. l. 2. p. 38 46 49. Favours Cardinall Granvell l. 4. p. 80. waits upon Isabella Queen of Spain to the conference at Baion l. 4. p. 88. carries the order of the Fleece from King Philip to Charles the ninth of France ibid. His speech for war with the Low-countreys l. 6. p. 23 24. The government of the Low-Countreys committed to him l. 6. p. 25. falls sick at Millain l. 6. p. 27. musters his army at Ast in Piemont l. 6. p. 29. His march into the Low-countreys l. 8. p. 9. His invention of the use of Musketoâ—nes l. 6. p. 31. l. 7. p. 55. He enters Bruxells l. 6. p. 31. visits the Governess l. 6. p. 32. how she receives him ibid. He summons the Lords ibid. Arrests the Counts Egmont and Horne l. 6. p. 33. Excuses it to the Governess l. 6. p. 34. sends the prisoners to Gaunt l. 7. p. 49. sends forces into France against the 〈◊〉 l. 6. p. 35. offers himself to be their Generall ibid. why the causes of the Low-countrey-tumults are charged upon him l. 7. p. 39. upon what score the Low-countrey-men hated him ibid. 51 58. He builds the Fort at Antwerp l. 7. p. 40. 41. Institutes a new Court of Iustice ibid. Impeaches the Prince of Orange and the rest of the Lords that fled the Low-countreys ibid. condemns them l. 7. p. 42. sends the Prince of Oranges sonne into Spain ibid. pulls down Culemburge house ibid. Ambush laid against him l. 7. p. 46. Auxiliaries sent him from the King of France l. 7. p. 47. He take off the heads of the gentlemen Covenanters l. 7. p. 48. the extent of his fault in prosecuting Egmâ—nt and 〈◊〉 l. 7. p. 51. He pronounces sentence of death against them ibid. beheads them l. 7. p. 52. His expedition against Lewis of Nassau l. 7. p. 54. He goes to Groninghen ibid. fights and routs him ibid. over-takes the enemy at Geming l. 7. p. 55. defeats him with a great slaughter l. 7. p. 56. sends the news of his victory to Pius the fifth at Rome l. 7. p. 57. punishes the Sardinan Regment for burning the Countrey ibid. contemns the reports of the Prince of Oranges Army l. 7. p. 58 59. his saying touching the Princes confederate against the King of Spain ibid. He could not fright the Prince of Orange from passiing the River ibid. would not accept the Prince of Oranges
King consented Why the Governesse wished it Granvel presupposed as much by the change of faces at Court Noâ— is he at all dejected But seems to desire a discharge Yet rather wishes to be removed to Spain and to that end solicits the Duke of Alva Who deliberates upon it Octob. 1565 At last moves for him But prevails not For Granvel is commanded into Burgundy Thomas Perenot Lord of Cantoner Whether at length he goes giving out that he will return very shortly 10 of Marc. 6 of March. Which report spoiled the mirth of his adversaries And troubled the Governesse 29. of March Who certifies his danger and labours to keep him out of the Low-countreys The joy for Cardinal Granvels departure as well of the People as the Lords The Governess makes use of this alacritie in both But it was dâ—sht again by new fames of the Cardinals Return That they may have no more such frights the Governess moves the King Novem. 29. To send him away to Rome 1565. The rest of Cardinal Granvels life He goes 〈◊〉 Rome to the Conclave Solicites the Generall peace of Christendome Is created Viceroy of Naples Delivers the colours to Don John of Austria 1571. Labours and votes in the Conclave for the Papacy of Gregory XIII 1572. Into whose displeasure he shortly after falls for violating the rights of the Church In a suit with the Archbishop The Pope by his Nuncio justifies the Archbishop The Vice-roy at last submits 1575. He is made President of the Italian Councel in Spain His free carriage towards the Grandees And towards the King him self Q. Curt. lib. 8. 1580. He governs Spain in the Kings absence 1583. The honour done him by the King at his Return His death At Madrid His speciall Commendations The Governess provides for Religion Commended to her by the King Seriously With almost incredible care to root out Hereticks And with no little bounty to the banished English Hereticks put to death with various success A bold fact of an hereticall Minister But it saved him at last August 13. The punishment of Fabricius the Apostate out of her Excellencies letters 8. Octob. The Executioners dexterity The people mutiny 25 Novem. They are quieted The Senate of Bruges affront the Inquisitour Septemb. 10 Novem. 25. Of the Councel of Trent The diligâ—nce used by Pius iv to get is to be received Which was readily done by King Philip. 1536. Paulo iii. Pont. The difference between the Pope and King Onuph Pan. in Pio iv Adrian l. 8. Hist. Thuan. l. 35. Hist. About the Spanish Embassadours place Which began at the Councel of Trent And being there composed Was revived at Rome The Pope not willing to determine it Puts it off to the Cardinals At last he explains himself Whereupon the Spanish Embassadour in a fury leaves Rome This Accident troubled many Especially the Governesse The Hereticks rejoyce in hope the Councel of Trent will never be received in the Low-countreys But they were deceived August 6. A letter from the King offended with the Pope Yet carefull to establish the Councel of Trent The Governess doubts whether some Decreâ—s of the Councel are not to be excepted in the promulgation The Senate would have it so But the King will not Septemb. 30 Novem. 25 The Governesse finds it difficult 1565. Count Egmont sent into Spain Feb. 15. The Lord of Zeveghem sent to condole the death of the Emperour Maximilian The Princesse of Orange brought a bed of Prince Maurice Feb. 15. Christened with Catholick rites by hereticall Godfathers Of the conference of K. Charles of France and the two Queens at Baion Feb. 3. For which the King of Spain gave reasons to the Belgick Lords And to the Princes of Europe Yet many were jealous Especially the Hereticks Who were troubled the more fearing King Philip would be at the Conference Why the Governesse disswaded his coming March 3. Duke of Alva Why King Philip was not present Septemb. 17 Various reports touching the conference at Baion Septemb. 25 What they consulted of The Hereticks very much affraid Thuan. l. 36. Hist. An Herreâ—a l. 12. c. 1. in the Life of Philip 11. and others The massacre at Paris thought to be designed at this meeting C. Egmont arrives in Spain Feb. 15. The Kings Answer and Commands April 2. Having first consulted the Divines In this manner His Majesty checks C. Egmont for the Cognizances devised to affront Granvell Egmont excuses himself And accuses the Cardinall The Kings instructions delivered in writing to Count Egmont For preservation of Religion For destruction of Hereticks For regulation of the Councel April 2. For disposall of the moneys sent by his hand For signification of his Majesties intended journey thither Prince Alexander Farneze delivered by the King to Count Egmont who is to conduct him into the Low-countreys The Governesses joy upon the sight of her son And news of a Match intended him by the King April 30. Of Marriages treated for Prince Alexander Duke Octavio would match him to the Duke of Ferrarars sister His reasons The Governess is of the same mind Octob. 1. 1560. The King dissents 1565. and names another Decem. 9. 1560. His Majesties Letter 1565. The King upon further consideration proposes Mary Princess of Portugall The Offer is embraced Edward brother to Iohn the III. son to Emmanuel Her Nobility both by Father And Mother Princesse Maries peculiar commendations Her wit and learning Sanctity of life Childish exercises Modesty Care to preserve it The Low-countrey Fleet sent to transport the Bride 14 day Who left Portugal nobly attended Septemb. 21 Sebastian Morales afterwards Bishop of Japan She is overtaken with a storm at Sea She pitties and helps the poor creatures ready to be drowned Another tempest drives her upon the coast of England She refuses to send her service to Queen Elisabeth She invites an English Lady Begs her two sonnes of her But is denied 3565. One of her ships fired accidentally Her care greater for her Reliques then for her jewels For her soul then for her body She lands in the Low countreys 3. Day Is conducted to Bruxels The Marriage solemnized on the Anniversary of the Institution of the Order Octob. 8. 1430. Emmanuel K. of Portugall Paternall Grandfather to Princesse Mary Charles the fifth maternall Grandfather to Prince Alex. The particular joy of the Knights of the Golden-fleece The Bride and Bridegroom leave the Low-countreys She is welcomed into Italy with great magnificence 1565. Her example reforms Parma Her pious design to beg a Son of God She prayes for and obtains another Ranucio Duke of Parma and Piacenza Cardinall Odoardo Prince Alexanders confidence in her prayers The education of her children Which she dying commends to her Lord. Qu. Blanch with an excellent Prayer 1577. Her patience in the pangs of death The Form of her dayly exerâ—â—se penned by her self The Low-countreys in new trouble Iune 2. Count Egmonts complaints Iuly 22. Octob. 2. His Majesties Letter touching the punishment of Hereticks
death upon the Counts Egmont and Horne Iuly 1. Count Egmont Letter to his Majesty after Condemnation All night long Count Egmont prepares himselfe for death He is brought to execution the next day about noone Beheaded In the same place and manner died Count Horne Strange lamentation for C. Egmonts death Not without Threats And presages Confirmed by a portent from heaven as was commonly beleeved From hence sprang the hatred to Alva A saying of the French Embassadour Charles ix Count Egmont's Elogie The merits of Count Horne The Duke of Alva's Expedition against Lewis of Nassau Vitelli defends Groening Count Aremberg's Fanerall Alva's March Boldue He sends out his Scouts Their ridlculous mistake Occasâ—oning a military Proverbe Groningen The number of Alva's Army Lewis of Nassau's Forces His Trenches Assaulted by the Spanish The Nassavians run Many lost in their flight Iuly 21. The Battaile of Geming The Site of Lewis of Nassau's Campe Dicco Their Feare made the greater by a second mutiny of their Souldiers Which coming to the eare of the Spaniards Dicco Some make an appearance of charging the Nassavians in the front Others â—ssâ—ile them on the sâ—â—ke And take their Cannon opening the way for their fellowes to doe execution Iuly 26. The greatest that ever was Equall to the Enemy's cowardice The newes of this Victory in a wonderfull manner comes to the Groine Bern. Mend. l. 3. Groningen Tit. liv 〈◊〉 1. The like hapned among the old Romans The number of the slaine The Spoile The subtill Flight of Lewis of Nassau Tacit. l. 2. Annals The Resemblance of this Victory over Nassau to that of Germanicus Caesar over Arminius in the very same place Of this Spanish Trophey you will read mâ—re in thiâ— booke and in the beginning of the eight This Victory attributed to the prayers of Pins v. Iuly 27. Who gives God thanks for it with great solemnity Whether it may be thought a Miracle The Piety of the Spanâ—sh Souldiers The fury of the Sardinian Legion Revenging Count Aremberg's death with the firing of many Villages 1566. The Duke of Alva punishes this burning Brigade According to the old military forme Val. Max. l. 2. cap. 2. de Discipl milit How great a losse the Countrey hadby this fire Alva returnes victorious to Groningen Orders the affaires of that City The coming of Duke Alva's Son The Prince of Orange's Army raised by the joint assistance of the Princes of Germany How great this Army was How payed William Lumè's Vow The fame of this Army Which Alva seemes to contemne His answer to a souldier frighted at the number of Princes confederate against the King of Spaine 1565. Alva suspects the Lowcountrymen in generall Particularly the Wood-Gheuses Wonders in Heaven Christ. Asson vlt. Se. The D of Alva sâ—aâ—es at Maestricht to attend the Prince of Orange's Motion But the Prince of Orange passes the Mose With rare Artifice and celerity l. 7. bell Gall. l. 1. bell Civ Beyond the D. of Alva's imagination The Prince offers battaile to the Duke Vitelli holds it best for the D. to fight him The Duke is otherwise resolved And will go no higher then light Skirmishes How Strada comes to know the particularities of those little fights Two Troopes of Vitelli's horse intercepted Vitelli himself escapes Chafes at the mischiefe done to his Mare Threatens to be revenged for it And accordingly falls upon the Prince of Orange's Rere Does very great execution Takes 150. Horse His Merry saying to the Duke Still the P. of Orange uses all provocations to bring Alva to a Battaile Who is not moved but places the assurance of Victory in Delay Chiap Vitelli. The Orangians mutiny The Prince of Orang's danger Recruites sent him out of France Of the Fight 〈◊〉 the River Geta. The Prince of Orange having taken Centron or San Truyen intends to passe the River and joyne with the French Auxiliaries Thienen Alva commands Vitelli not to ingage The Prince passes the River leaving part of his Forces behind Which Vitelli charges Alva sends to his assistance his Son Duke Federico He takes the Hill The Fight Vitelli would gladly have pursued them beyond the River Barberino sent to signifie his desire to the D. of Alva Who orders the contâ—ary very much offende The Fight renued upon the River-bank The Orangians cut to pieces Vitelli's valiant gallantry Highly commended by the Duke of Alva The number of the slaine Count Hochstrat's death The remainder of the routed Forces surrounded in a house Which the King's men fire Their severall kindes of death Some of them dispatch one another Opinions touching the Enemyâ—â— being suffered to passe The Prince of Oranges Army growne greater and likewise his Necessities Strange to see how oft he changed his Quarters stâ—iving to take some Towne or to circumvent the Duke But all in vain He thinks of goiâ—g fâ—r France It kept out of â—â—â—ege â—lunders the Countrey about it And diverse Villages in Haynoâ—t Does some mischi fe to the D. of Alva Is prohibited to enter France And his hopes there fâ—iling returnes into Germany Of the Taxes he exacted The tenth The twentieth And 100. part The cause of these impositions The Estates deâ—â—re him to remit the tenth part But Alva is not to be moved A contest between the D. of Alva and the Queen of England M. Isselt's Hist and Meâ—eran l. 3. Thuan l. 44. and Meurs l 5. and B. Adrian l. 20. Aloys Caberera l 8. Hier. Conest l. 3. Occasioned by her interception of his Moneys He seizes the goods and ships of the English in the Low-countreys So doth her Majesty the Low-countrey-men and Spaniards commodities in England The Queene will not admit of his Embassadour May. 20. 24 The Portugall-Fleete with their Indian Frieght taken by the English A new Embassage from the Duke The Queen's Answer Barberino's Relation The Originall Strada saies he hath by him Nothing is concluded The D. of Alva proceeds in exacting Tribute from the Low-countrey men Who refuse to pay Taxes Plutarch in Themestocles Feb. 1570. Whereat he inraged writes threatningly to the Provinces And proves as good as his word They yield to the Duke in some things for the rest they pâ—tition the King Iuly 16. Sent to him March 25. A generall Pardon long since desiâ—ed by Margaret of Parma Sent too late by the King to Alva And yet the Promulgation by him deferd The Fore nâ—one Ceremonies at the Promulgation Praâ—ers Sermon in Low Dutch Maâ—â—e The Popes Letter read An Oration in French Interrupted The afternoone Pompe Out of Count Mansfeldts Letters to Marg of Parma 9. of August A stage in the Market-place The Duke upon a Throne The Cryer reades the K. Letters in Low-Dutch and French But so low that few heare him Out of the Letters of Christ. Assonv to Marg of Parma Iuly 17. And fewer like of what they heare Princesse Ann Espoused to K. Philip. August 11. Anne Daughter to the Empeâ—rour Maâ—imilian and Isabella Daughter to King Henry The
the one hand and on the other Elianor and Mary Queen Dowagers of France and Hungary with another Mary Queen of Bohemia and Christiern daughter to the King of Denmark Dutchesse of Lorrain First he created his sonne Philip master of the order of the Golden-fleece then he commanded Philibert Bruxellius one of the Lords of his great Councel to signifie his pleasure to the Estates of Flanders The summe of his speech was this That the Emperour being admonished by his dayly decay of health which had much broke and brought him low to settle his affairs in this world resolved to transferre that weight which he could no longer support as became his own and the Empires dignity â—pon his sonne both in vigour and wisdome able to bear so great a burthen Therefore Cesar wishing it may be for the happiness of himself and the Provinces resigned his Dominion of the Low-countreys and Burgundy released the People of their â—ath of Allegiance and voluntarily gave the right and possession of the Low-countreys and Burgundy to his sonne Philip King of England Whilest Philibert was gravely speaking this The Emperour rises on the sudden and leaning on the shoulders of William Prince of Orange interrupted his speech and out of a paper he brought to help his memory as the Register of the Empire he himself began to read in French What he had done from the seventeenth year of his age to that day nine expeditions into Germany six into Spain seven into Italy four into France ten into the Low-countreys two into England as many into Africa eleven Sea-voyages Warres Peace Leagues Victories and set forth the particulars rather magnificently then proudly Moreover That he had proposed to himself no other end of all these labours but the preservation of Religion the Empire Which hitherto whilest his health permitted he had by Gods assistance so performed that Charles the Emperours life and Reign could offend none but his enemies Now since his strength and almost life was spent he would not prefeâ— the love of Empire before the safety of his People In stead of an oâ—d Bed-rid man the greatest part of him already in the grave he would substitute a Prince in the spring of his youth of active strength and courage To him he desired the Provinces tâ— pay their obedience likewise to keep Peace among themselves and be constant to the Orthodox Religion Lastly That they would favourably pardon him if he had trespassed in his Government For his own part he would alwayes remember their fidelity and services in his prayers to God to whom alone he resolved to live for the short remainder of his dayes Then turning to his sonne he said If these Provinces had descended upon thee by my death I had yet deserved something at my sonnes hands for leaving him so rich and improved a patrimony Now since â—hine Inheri ance is not a necessitated but a voluntary act and that thy Father hath chosen to die before his time that he may antedate the benefit of his death all the interest thou owest me for it I assign it to thy Subjects and require thee to pay it in thâ— love and care to them Other Princes rejoyce they have given life to their sonnes and shall give Kingdoms I am resolved to prevent fate of this gasping and posthumous favour esteeming it a double joy if I may see thee not onely living but live â—o see thee reigning by my gift This example of mine few Princes will imitate for I my self in all antiquity could hardly find one to follow But sure they will commend my resolution when they see thee worthy to be made the first president Which thou wilt be if thou firmly retein the wisdome thou wert bred to the fear of the Almighty and which are the pillars of a Kingdome the patronage of Religion and the Laws One thing remains which thy Father makes his last wish That thou maist have a sonne grow up worthy to have thy Government transferred upon him but yet have no necessity to do it Having spoken this he embraced his sonne that was upon his knees striving to kiss his hand and piously and fatherly praying God to bless him his tears broke off his words and drew tears abundantly from the eyes of the beholders King Philip humbly kissing his Fathers hand then rising to the Estates excused his ignorance in the French tongue commanding Anthony Perenott Granvell Bishop of Arras to speak for him who in a most learned Oration interpreted the Kings mind as gratefull to his father so likewise affectionate to the Low-coutrey-men by his fathers precept and example Iames Masius an eloquent Civill Lawyer answered in the name of the three Estates Lastly Mary Queen of Hungary resigned the Government of the Low-countreys which she had managed five and twenty years for the Emperour her Brother So for that day the Session was adjourned Two moneths after in a farre greater Assembly for fame had further spread it self the Emperour gave to his sonne Philip at once the possession of all his Kingdomes Provinces and Islands aswell in our World as beyond the Line Finally not long after he sent the Crown and Scepter of the Empire all he had then left to his Brother Ferdinand created many years before King of the Romans by the hands of William Prince of Orange who they say at first declining the Ambassage told the Emperour in King Philips presence that he hoped better things from heaven then to see his Master take the Imperiall Crown from his own head and send it by him to another whether it was love to the Emperour of whose grace and bounty he had many proofs or flattery to King Philip whom he knew designed for the Empire by his father who often to that purpose had treated with his Brother Ferdinand For Cesar to confirm the Spanish power of the House of Austria by accession of the Empire had many times by Mary Queen of Hungary sounded his Brother Ferdinand if he would surrender the Kingdome of the Romanes to Philip among other proposals promising to share the Empire with his Brother that ever after there should be two Cesars of equall authority But all this moved not Ferdinand Charles the fifth from so great an Emperour now no body leaving the Court to the new Prince staid a while in a private house till the fleet was ready then losing from Zeland with his sisters Queen Elianor and Queen Mary he sailed with a prosperous wind into the port of Laredâ— in Biscany To follow him out of the Low-Countryes will not be I suppose to wander from the History since by continuing a relation of the last passages of a Prince of the Low-Countreys and the last Prince born a Low-Countrey-man I may appear to be in the Low-Countreys still However I presume the Reader will approve the bringing to light of this great retirement
and secret of State wherein I shall insert many things that would have been ill lost into the low-Low-Countrey Annals taking off somewhat from the following sad discourse by the present commemoration of this softer storie The Emperour was scarce landed when a tempest rising in the Harbour scattered his whole fleet and swallowed up the Admiral herself that carried him as if she bad farwell to Cesar and his fortunes It is reported that when he came ashore falling upon his knees he kiss'd the earth and said he did his duty to the Common Parent and that as he came naked out of his mothers wombe so he willingly returned to this mother naked But when he came into Biscany and from thence went to Burgos being met upon the way by very few of the Spanish Nobility not to be attracted by Charles alone unattended with his Titles then he first found his nakedness Whereto was added that his Pension of a hundred thousand Duckets reserved out of his vast revenues for part whereof he had present use to reward his servants and dismiss them was not paid him but he forced to wait for it at Burgos not without some indignation till at last the mighty summe was tendered Which affront as he could hardly dissemble so it gave many men colour to report that the Act was scarce passed when Charles repented him of the resignation of his Kingdoms Though others say he changed his mind upon the very day of his resignment because many years after when Cardinal Granvell remembred King Philip of the anniversary day of his Fathers resignation the King presently replied And this is likewise the anniversary day of his repentance for resigning Which spread by uncertain rumour went for currant news perswading the world the Emperour was not constant so much as for a day to his unexampled resolution Unless perhaps King Philip thought not that commendable in his Father which he himself meant not to imitate For my part in all my search into the books and diaries of his retirement in the two years time of his private life I find no mark of this kind of repentance nor would it have shewed handsome if the lively image of such magnanimity should be presented to succeeding ages dressed up in the rags of penitence But now carried in his close chair to Validolid he staid there a while with his Grand-child Charles Prince of Spain whose nature did not please him very well Thence he retired to S. Iustus a Monastery of Hieronomites the seat he had long since chosen It stands upon the confines of Portugal and Castile not far from the Citie of Placentia in a healthfull air made so by the sweetness of the Vale and circling Hils but especially by the temperate Winters Into this place it is reported Sertorius that most valiant General retreated when he fled the Romane Army and that here he was treacherously slain Here at the last the Emperour Charles set bounds to his sea of cares and erecting his true Hercules Pillars built himself a house joyning to the Monastery the model whereof was upon his command sent him a year before into the Low-Countreys and approved of It contained but six at most seven Cells for it pleases as one saith to know every thing that Princes do of twenty foot in breadth and length right Convent lodgings from whence was a prospect and stairs landing in a little garden watered with a spring planted with Citron and Lemon trees that shot up their flowers and fruits to the very vvindows And this vvas the Mausoleum vvherein that mighty Emperour not contented vvith one World enclosed and buried himself alive and to this narrovv compass was that Gyant lessened that boasted to stretch his hand further then Hercules So easily vvill Nature shrink into her ovvn stature and condition if pride that puffs up and distracts her do but once evaporate Coming to this Monastery of threescore servants chosen out of his vast Retinue he sent the greatest part to Serandilla the next Tovvn intending to use them if there should be occasion keeping onely twelve men about him and one horse Nor was his furniture better then his attendance but all measured by the strict rule of necessity And truly it was a miracle to see Charles the Emperour enamoured with solitude to forget his cares to be constant to his resolution and so much estranged from his old customes and almost nature that neither gold which then in abundance the Spanish fleet brought him from the Indies nor the noise of War which had wont to be carried through Europe by his Armies and Generals by Sea and Land could any way unfix his mind for so many years past used to the sound of War or disturb his quiet though upon the hearing of various events This Imperial Hermit so spent his time that he daily bestowed part of it upon his sick and languishing body part upon God and his Soul For sometimes he rode up and down the grounds with one footman sometimes he quartered his garden into little beds set flowers and planted trees with his triumphant hands as once Dioclesian did at Salon when he likewise had resigned his Empire He often practised to make Watches whose wheels he governed with more case then Fortunes wheel learning the art of Iannellus Turrianus the Archimedes of his time making many experiments of his Water-works Nay 't is said the Aquaduct of Toledo which Iannellus had then modelled was much advantaged by the Emperours ingenious phansie And such a form as they together had conceived in that two years retirement such was Turrianus his water-work which after the Emperours decease by a new miracle of Art drew up the river Tagus to the top of the mountain of Toledo This was the man that in the Emperours solitary life daily recreated his spirits much taken with such novelties by shewing unheard of Engines and Inventions For often when the Cloth was taken away after dinner he brought upon the board little armed figures of Horse and Foot some beating Drums others sounding Trumpets and divers of them charging one another with their Pikes Sometimes he sent wooden sparrows out of his chamber into the Emperours Dining-room that would flie round and back again the Superiour of the Monastery who came in by accident suspecting him for a Conjurer He likewise framed a Mill of iron that turned it self of such a subtile work and smalness that a Monk could easily hide it in his sleeve yet daily it ground as much wheat as would abundantly serve eight persons for their dayes allowance But these sports were more frequent at the Emperours first coming Afterward warned by his disease that still rung the larum of death he more sparingly gave them admittance onely at such houres as his pain left him for now he made it his first care often to come to Church at times appointed for the Monks to