and breaking open one of the Ports about fiue of the clocke in the morning hee drew in his horsemen and the rest of his foote Against whom Alonso de luna Gouernor of the towne made some resistance in the Market place and at the towne-house but finding him-selfe to weake he retired ouer one of the Ports with his men resoluing to make it good vntill hee had some succors from Antwerp whether he had sent with all speed the which arriued the same day by the same Port whilest that Herauguieres men who should haue laboured to dislodge them and pursued their victory were most buisie to rob and spoile and hee not able to rallie them in time being dispersed here and there he resolued to saue himselfe with as many of his men as he could Thus the spoilers were spoiled and defeated after that they had beene maisters of the towne aboue eight houres not caring to winne the said port and yet Herauguiere did cry out importune threaten and strike There were aboue 500. of them slaine besides prisoners and the losse of horses This should serue as an example for all other vndertakers Cardinall Albertus being vpon the way towards the Netherlands and bringing with him Phillip of Nassau Prince of Orange and Earle of Buren the Estates of the Vnited Prouinces being aduertised thereof they wrot a letter vnto the Prince bearing date the 22. of December 1595 as followeth My Lord it was no small ioy and contentment vnto vs all to heare of your deliuerie from so long and vndeserued imprisonment as well in remembrance of the great seruices which this Estate hath receiued from my Lord the Prince of Orange your father of famous memory as in regard of the murther which was committed vpon his person which considerations do continually bind vs to loue and affect all such as haue the honour to belong vnto him especially your Lordship who haue so pittifully spent not only your youth but euen the best time of your life in the tedious and melancholy prison the which you could not beare without great griefe for the death of your honourable father the which was procured as vniustly as your imprisonment yet your Lordship hath therein shewed great constancy as the necessity of the time cause required in regard wherof we thought fit to congratulate your liberty but my Lord as we are informed the enemie preteÌ„ds to effect great disseigns by this action of your honors deliuery to the great preiudice of this Estate for that it wil be no smal griefe discontent vnto vs to haue any cause to alter and withdraw that entire loue and affection which we beare vnto you although we do confidently beleeue that your Lordship wil neuer be made an Instrument for the Spaniards to vndermine and ouerthrow our freedome built vp with such great care dilligence and wisdome by your honourable Father the Prince of Orange who for the maintenance and defence thereof was so cruelly murthered and thereby to blemish that worthie memory which is euerlastingly to be had of him For which cause they haue thought good to intreat you that if your Lordship should haue any desire to come into these Prouinces that it would please you to stay your iourney for a while vntill a more fit and conuenient time whereof we will aduertise your honor send you to that end fit assurance according to the orders which we haue set downe all along our frontiers not suffering any one to enter into these our vnited Prouinces without our pasport And so assuring our selues that your Lordship will take this aduertisement in good part we will here-with end beseeching GOD to send your honor long life and happy daies This letter being deliuered to the Prince comming to Luxembourg he made answer there-vnto bearing date the first of February as followeth My good Lords I thanke you most hartily for the contentment you receiue by my libertie and for the good remembrance you haue of me as appeareth by your letters And although vntill this time I haue not beene allowed to make my loue knowne vnto you who haue alwaies so well deserued yet I hope by this good occasion of my deliuery to shew you such effects to your good likings and contents as you shall haue no cause to complaine or bee discontented there-with And when-soeuer any occasion shall be offered whereby I may let you know how much I desire to do you seruice as he that affecteth nothing more in this world then to see his poore oppressed countrie restored to her ancient florishing Estate I will not vndertake any thing but with your good likings and to your content And I hope that you for your parts will not refuse any dutie and seruice that may helpe to settle a peace make an end of so great troubles and miseries to the generall good of all these Prouinces which God graunt may succeed for this seruice and giue you my Lords the full fruition of all your good desires recommending my selfe most earnestly vnto you all From Luxembourg Signed Philippe William of Nassau The Executors of his fathers testament vppon the last day of December against his comming sent him ten thousand gilders in ready money as part of his owne goods and in October after at the said princes instance by meanes of intercessors it was concluded that there should bee a meeting in the Duchie of Cleues betweene him and his own sister by the mothers side now Countesse of Hohenlo where they did salute visit each other conferring about their patrimoniall goods where she had licence to send him tapistry hangings and other houshold stuffe making great shewes of loue friendship one vnto an other The generall Estates sent Mounsier Hessels one of the Councel vnto him to congratulate his comming and to let him vnderstand what order had bin taken about their reuenues in Breda least he should haue some false reports made concerning the same ALBERTVS CARDINALL OF AVStria Lieutenant and Captaine generall for the King of Spaine in the Netherlands ALBERTVS D. G. ARCHIDVX AVSTRIAE BELG PROVIN GVBERNATOR Fifth brother of the house Imperiall Of Austria was I borne and seeing fate Fail'd â—…ne in lands and meanes proportionate To my great birth became a Cardinall But my great Cousin hauing euermore From my greene yeares accepted my aduise In points of statisme by his Kingly choyce Grac'd me with place of chiefe Inquisitor And thinking none of all his linage bore Perfection fitting such a match of price As Isabel chose me but first of all Stil'd me these lands Lieuténant generall THE Cardinall Albertus of Austria long attended with great deuotion in the Netherlands by the King of Spaines subiects all beleeuing that hee would bring a good peace and an assured reconciliation with the vnited Prouinces arriued at Brusselles the eleauenth of February bringing with him Philip of Nassau Prince of Orange elder brother to Prince Maurice hauing beene kept
long as strange nations shall exercise their rule and tiranie ouer the sayd countries for that their profit and aduantage consists chiefely in their trouble and confusion and not in any good order and pollitike gouernment they being by nature as daily experience doth teach more giuen to their priuate appetites then to the generall good of the country wherevnto they are strangers which hath beene the motiue of troubles and present warre That therefore it would please your Maiesty to commande the sayd strangers to retire out of the country and by the free conference and aduise of the generall Estates lawfully assembled setle such good order and pollicy as your Maiesties sayd countries and subiects may be hereafter maintained in vnion and assured peace all dangers inconueniences and troubles being auoided Considering also that by the long continuance of this present warre to speake freely there can no other thing be hoped for but the spoile and totall ruine of your Maiesties countries and Prouinces And the rather for that the inhabitants do giue themselues more and more to armes forgetting and neglecting their accustomed trades and negotiation as men are by nature inclined to all the licentiousnesse and excesse which warre doth commonly bring that by the long vse of armes the bitternesse and hatred of your Maiesties subiects increasing more and more one against an other it is to be feared there will insue a dangerous and preiudiciall decrease and decay of all trafficke negotiation marchandise and nauigation whereby your Maiesties seruice may be greatly interessed They do also most humbly beseech your Maiesty that you will be pleased to haue regard herevnto with all clemency and fauour to the end that as well Holland and Zeeland as all other the neighbour Prouinces beeing by your Maiesties authority freed of either side from the oppression at the least of strange soldiars and withall that by way of prouision al Acts of hostilitie may cease So as the Comerce and conuersation of the inhabitants and those that are borne in your Maiesties countries may be againe restored withall securitie and that they being reconciled one vnto an other may be the better restored to their ancient possessions and residences wherein your Maiesties suppliants will not for their points omit any good office and dutie that shall belong to good and faithfull subiects c. If the writing carried by the signior of Matenesse and Treslon had not much pleased them that were dealers about the peace for the Spaniard this petition liked them much lesse The which the Lord of Champaigny shewed plainely by his letter of the thirteene of August vnto Doctor Iunius Gouernor of La Vere at his returne from hostage hauing beene in Vtrecht for the signior of Saint Aldegonde which Petition Champaigny debates in all points the which for the reasons which he specefies he saies he durst not present sending it backe to Iunius which letter the Doctor answered and for that the answere is succinct and as were an abridgment of that which was donne by way of discourse more particularly I would not omit it My Lord I haue lately receiued a letter from you dated the thirteene of August with the petition which Monsier Aldegondé had brought vnto you to Montfort from the States and townes of Holland and Zeeland the which I haue not failed to impart presently vnto them and to deliuer into their hands whereat they haue beene wonderfully amazed being not able to comprehend the reasons contained in your letter to be sufficient to mooue you to reiect and send backe their petition in this manner which happily might haue serued for a greater good And therefore seeing themselues intreated in this sort not as the Kings subiects and vassalls as they haue alwaies carried themselues where there hath bin question of his Maiesties honor state and greatnesse but rather as the most insidell Turkes and Iewes that are in the world yea as sworne enemies to his Maiesty they haue there by concluded that they are not to hope for any more good of them that thus seeke to abuse the kings name to their ruine And therfore they haue resolued to imploy all their meanes to prouide hereafter for their safeties against the barbarous crueltie and tiranie of those which couer their priuate passions vnder the cloake and name of his royall Maiestie Protesting that seeing their petitions can haue no accesse to his Maiesties eares and that they haue debarred them the meanes which by the lawes of God and nature are granted euen to the most fellonious traitors and disloyall rebells that are or euer were in the world they are forced by such vnreasonable iniustice and tyranie to seeke such meanes as it shall please God to put into their hands Intreating you that you wil be a witnesse to all the world that they haue presented the sayd petition and haue thereby discharged their duties and therefore wheresoeuer it shal be brought in question that you will excuse and iustifie them And to the end your LL. may know the causes and grounds of their complaints and greefes and why they finde themselues so much wronged by the sending backe thereof I did then thinke it good by way of discourse to collect the chiefe points of their complaints vnto your letter the which I had alreadie sent vnto you had I not still staied for your man who should come for mine answere by whome I would not faile to send it vnto you Desiryng you to consider well of the reasons and grounds produced by them vpon your letter the which are ioyned herevnto hauing no intent that this my writing which proceedes from mine owne particular for the zeale which I haue to the quiet of the countrie and loue to your Lordship should in any sort preiudice the sayd Estates and townes or their said resolution I will referre my selfe to the sayd discours the tediousnesse whereof you shall excuse and impute it to my disability or to the difficultie of affaires whereof it treates And so I recommend me humbly c. Signed I. Iunius This discourse whereof mention is made in this letter being verie tedious wee haue thought good to omit and the rather for that wee haue not heard that Champaigny or any other hath replied vnto it And so these practises of peace vanished to smoake for both the Prince and the States did constantly beleeue that it was onelie to circumuent them to make them carelesse and to loose time whilest they made their preparations Afterwards the Prince of Orange propounded certaine points vnto the States concerning their affaires And first that the towne of Leyden was in great daunger to bee lost by a fault of verie great consequence and that hee did see well that by the losse thereof manie other good townes would bee shaken and in danger finally that it would cause a great alteration in their affaires wherefore they should resolue to prouide for it speedely seeing no other meanes but to cut the dikes and
a village called Lent on the North side The Dukes armie was great where there wanted no Artillerie the which was commanded by La Motte making their approches the Spaniards lost many men The two and twentie daie of Iulie the batterie beganne with sixe peeces and then with three more so as there were two hundred and thirtie shot made that day and it ceased about seauen of the clocke at night hauing made a small breach a Spanish Ancient mounted being followed by some Irishmen who skyrmished with the beseeged vntill they were forced to retire Prince Maurice hearing that the Spaniard was come into the Betuwe leauing Groning he went thether going downe at Arnhen in Gelderland he past the Rhine there vpon a bridge which he caused to be made with all speed meaning to doe the Spaniard an affront Hauing laid an ambush of horse and foot not farre from the Rhine vnder the conconduct of the Earle of Solms and of Sir Francis Veer Collonell of the English he sent two Cornets to view the Dukes campe who being descouered were charged by six companies of horse among the which the Duke was one who at the first made some shew of resistance but turning their backs sodenly they fled the Spaniards following them vntil they had past the Ambush then they that fled turning head againe they were compassed in of al sides charged so furiously as in a short time they were al defeated or put to rout many were slaine or prisoners among the which were Don Alphonso d' Aualos bastard brother to the Marquis of Guast Don Pedro Francisco Nicilli leading the Duke of Parmas company with his Cornet Cont Ieronimo Manfredi Lieutenant to Don Ieronimo Caraffas company with his Cornet captaine Padilla was sore hurt whereof hee died in Arnhem the Seignior of Lievin brother to the Lord of Famas of the company of Biasio Capesuca and Anthony d' Agina a Spaniard with many Italien Gentlemen slaine vpon the place and aboue two hundred and fifty horse taken The Duke of Parma being in a high place within Nymeghen did with his owne eyes see this defeat of his men The newes wherof being come vnto the campe the whole army was so amazed knowing the Prince Maurice was come thether in person hearing that the ships of Holland were comming downe to shut them in as without any stay they trust vp their baggage and left the seege of Knotsenbourg abandoning two peeces of ordinance which they could not carry away and some great boats which were sonke The Duke parted the 26. of Iuly with his sonne Rene or Raynutius Farneze being newly come out of Italy excusing him-selfe as well as he could and making faire promises to them of Nymegen who at his departure gaue him some skoffing tawnts and hauing left his army vnder the command of Verdugo in a village called Cranenbourg he went to the Spaw abandoning Nymegen as despayring to succor it whereof the States made their profit soone after They of Collogne desiring to entertayne a neutrality and to liue in amity and good neighbourhood with the general estates of the vnited Prouinces sent their deputies to the Hage in Holland in August where-vpon an answer was made them in writing the 19. of September That the estates desired nothing more then to entertaine amity and good correspondency with them of Cologne as well in generall as in particular so as they medled not in any sort with their warres nor with that which depended thereon and so doing there should be no hinderance nor wrong don to any persons goods nor marchandise of the inhabitants of the said towne and contry of Cologne whereof commandement should bee giuen to all the garrisons of the vnited Prouinces The Estates also intreating them of Collogne to bee fauorable to the Lady Walburge Contesse of Meurs and Nyeuwenart in her affayers considering the wrong which their Bishoppe and Prince Earnest of Bauaria did her in the detention of her rents and reuenues lying within his diocese The said estates did in like manner make answer by writing on the 30. of October to the complaints greeuances of some deputies of the neigbour Prouinces and the states of the country of Liege touching some excesse and disorders committed by the Estates men of warre and for some prisoners whereby among others the taxed the Bishoppe and Prince of Liege who is also Bishoppe of Cologne to be a partisan and fauorer of the Spaniards their enemies whome hee supported in his countrie by the seazure confiscation and descouery of their goods that serued them and held their party against all right and duty of neutrality That the country of Liege was iustly wasted by the Spaniards and other soldiars of the league whereof they maintayned whole regiments That they made the Villages contribute to entertayne them That in the saide country of Liege they did not onely proceed against them of the relligion after the manner of the inquisition of Spaine but also against their men of warre by extraordinary cruelties without any forme of Iustice And contrariwise the Spaniards and other enemies did not onely remaine vnpunished for the disorders which they committed but were also supported assisted and succoured By reason whereof although they were well inclined to intertaine all good amitie and neighbourhood with the Country and Inhabitants of Liege yet for these former reasons and in consideration of the treaties they haue with other great Princes and Potentates concerning their warres The said Estates could not yet resolue any thing touching that buisinesse but they would bee more amplie informed and better instructed And then if they found that the Liegeois sought their friendshippe with a good meaning and intent and desired to liue like good neighbours with the vnited Prouinces for their parts they would lette them of Liege know that they would not faile so much as in them lay the like duty Since the which matters past in such sort as the Liegeois promised to remaine more neutrals then they had done in former times and that they would suffer the Estates men to passe through their Country with their Armes and bootie to a certaine number both of horse foote so as they were led by their Captaines and Commaunders And so began the trafficke betwixt Liege and Holland by the way of Breda Prince Maurice after that hee had in a manner chased away the Duke of Parma from Nymeghen and refresht his Armie some few daies after their great marches one while into Friseland an other while into Gelderland making a shew to mount vp the Riuer of Rhyne with his shippes hee turned suddainely downe and went in-Flanders to the land of Waes where with all speed hee planted hâ—…s siege before the towne of Hulst the which finding it selfe not sufficiently fortified neither with men nor with any other things necessary to indure a long siege the batterie and the assaults which the Prince might giue them in a shorte time
condemned and doe condemne the said prisoner to bee led to the place of exemplarie Iustice of this Court there to be executed by the sword vntill he be dead then his bodie to be cut in foure quarters and hung vp at foure waies comming to the Hage and his head set vpon a stake for al men to behold declaring his goods to bee confiscate This sentence was pronounced vnto the prisoner in open audience of the Court of Holland the 3. of Iune 1594. and executed the same day In the beginning of Maie the Arch-duke Ernest to purge him-selfe of the accusations wherewith Michaell Renichon the Apostat priest had charged him in his confession vnder coullor of writing concerning a peace to the general Estates he sent Otto Hartius and Ierome Coeman-Lawiers vnto them with letters as followeth MY maisters the loue and naturall inclination which we haue had from our birth to the good and publike quiet of these Netherlands the great displeasure we haue alwaies had for the troubles dissentions and calamities thereof haue beene the chiefe and greatest occasion to perswade and moue vs to vndertake the gouernement thereof Trusting fully that the Almightie will giue vs the grace in the end to deliuer them from this burthensome destroying and ruinous war the which hath continued so many yeares to the great dissolution and spoile of the said countries and the preiudice of all Christendome for if we shall consider their prosperitie past in the which they were maintained whilest they were vnited in good peace and concord vnder the lawfull and due obedience of the house of Burgongne and Austria the good order which was then in all things as well in matters of Iustice pollicie and martiall discipline by which they haue bin renowned and preferred before all other Kingdomes and common weales togither with the great riches which they did inioy by meanes of the treaties alliances confederations nauigations and trafficke which the had with Portugal Spaine and the Indies wee are assured that there is not any man of iudgement but is very much grieued to see this lamentable alteration which hath hapned in these countries within 25. or 30. yeares besides an infinite number of charges taxations and waighty burthens where-with the poore commons are surcharged are at this time forced to beare in diuers quarters And who with all doth not desire that some good meanes may bee speedilie put in practise for the reducing of the said countries to their ancient Estate publike quiet and concord where-vnto all our thoughts are also bent Being come into these parts with that inclination and intent leauing the good companie of his Imperial Maiestie our most honored Lord our other Bretheren Kinsfolks and friends the place of our birth and breeding the gouernment of so many goodly Kingdomes Prouinces whereof the charge was committed vnto vs and many other goodly and great commodities which are not needful to repeat hoping that we should finde you tractable readie to yeeld to our desire and intention And although wee doubt not but this is well known vnto you as well by common fame as by the report of some men and that it is not as pleasing vnto you the which we desire withall our hearts to see your selues and all your posteritie in assured peace and tranquilitie yet we would not faile to make an offer thereof vnto you by these presents as well to root out all old Iealousies and distrusts as to let you vnderstand more particularly our good and sincere inclination and what you may freely attend of vs. And as the matter doth touch you neerest so it is your duties to lay before your eyes and before all them that are vnder you the happinesse prosperitie and safety which both you and the whole countrie may reape thereby hauing beene so long afflicted and almost ruined by these continuall warres As for the happie successe which you haue had these yeares past as the euents of war are variable and vncertaine which may make some forget their former losses and miseries and not to remember those which are to come and so perswade them-selues that they are secure and safe neglecting the good occasion that is offered Wherefore it were most expedient to call to minde many things past and diuers examples remembring that they could not obtaine that by intreatie and praiers which a little before might haue beene had with honour and reputation Wherefore wee intreat you louingly and friendly that after you haue duly consulted and considered you your selues will propound vnto vs such honourable reasonable and tollerable conditions as thereby we may the sooner the better know that you seeke not the continuance and prolongation of this war which brings with it besides many other discommodities nothing but oppression of the people as it is well knowne to all men But rather that by these meanes we may attaine vnto a good happy firme peace For our parts we wil lette you vnderstand by the effects that there is nothing counterfeyt hidden in vs as not seeking a dissembled but a true and firme peace So as all our actions are iust and sincere to the aduancement of the publike good And if in like manner for your parts you carry the like zeale good affection you will shew in what estimation you hold vs that you desire to prouide for that which is most requisite profitable as the like shal be more amply declared vnto you by Maister Otto Hartius Ierome Coemans Lawiers the bearers hereof to whome we refer our selues with offers of our loue to you Praying God to send you a good happy life From Brussels the 6. of Maie 1594. These two Lawiers being come to the Hage in Holland and the cause of their comming knowne they had audience in the Assemblie of the generall Estates the 16. of the moneth whereas Doctor Hartius spake after this manner My Lords whereas of late we haue had pasport frō the Councel of Estate to come into these parts to treat of some priuate busines for the which wee most humbly thanke them al those that haue therein imployed themselues with seruiceable offers of acknowledgement in our quarters to those that shall haue any need of vs. This beeing come to the knowledge of my Lord the Arch-duke Ernest it pleased him to charge vs to salute your Lordships on his behalfe with offer of his loue and to let you vnderstād that the chiefe cause which moued him to come into these parts was the singular loue natural inclination which he hath alwaies had to the good quiet of these countries hoping that God would giue him the grace to see them by his meanes vnited again restored to a good peace and sincere amitie as they were before the beginning of these intestine troubles to which end and the better to make his intention knowne he commanded vs to bring the letters which we deliuered vnto your Lordships the 12. of
the vnited Prouinces would make stronger and firmer alliances with their neighbours whereby they should be frustrate of all hope euer to attaine vnto it Seeing that the Estates of the said vnited Prouinces by reason of their waters and riuers together with their infinite number of shippes with the which they did sayle into all the partes of the world had better meanes to maintaine them-selues then they had who haue no hauens nor shippes to compare beeing also enuironed by three mighty enemies the French King the Queene of England and the said confederat Estates who had no more to doe but to defend their fronters with small garrisons Moreouer they said that the King of Spaine needed not to doubt that his Estates and Nobility which were so much bound and affected vnto him would by the said conference conclude or yeeld to anything that should bee contrary to his honor greatnes and authority And if it should be so that the King for the good of his people and preseruation of his countries should make no difficulty to yeeld a little And the rather for that by the said Articles the confederats did not demand that the reconciled Prouinces should change their Princes Estate Gouernment or relligion And that of all which should bee concluded by the said conference the confederate Estates should more trust the reconcyled then the King by reason of their distrust and feare of his power and desire of reuenge the which they needed not to feare in them Besides that by this treaty of peace they should much weaken their enemies there being some hope that the French King and the Queene of England would consequently become their friends who demand nothing more then the retreat of the Spaniards and of all strange soldiars their naturall enemies the which being retired they shall no more haue any such great occasion of warre for assurance of whose retreat they might giue good hostage where-vnto the Earle of Fuentes did willingly offer himselfe retaining the kings authority Where-vpon such as were Spaniards in heart and who preferred the Kings affaiers before al other things would in like manner haue his honor greatnesse authority reputation and generally his rights and prerogatiues preferred and be first obserued and that they should rather force the confederats to reconcile them-selues vnto his maiesty their naturall Prince who notwithstanding so many wrongs and indignities which he had receiued from the said confederats was yet ready to treat mildely and sincerely with them for the which they should intreat and sue vnto his Maiesty wherefore it was more then necessary that his Authority should be interposed as a principall party whome it did cheefely concerne Otherwise that in excluding the king from the said conference and treaty they giue him occasion to make warre against themselues being not qualified nor authorized from his Maiestie And that the confederate rebells nor all their actions nor doings had not deserued so great honor nor hee so small respect Besides it did not belong to them to prescribe conditions to their Soueraigne that by treating onely with the Estates to exclude him vnder collour of their doubts and distrusts and that their heresies and rebellions were the true causes and grounds for the which they would not acknowledg the King their naturall Prince neither will they euer acknowledge him with a good heart whatsoeuer is done to them Wherefore if they would not comprehend the King in their treaty that it could not passe without to great preiudice to his greatnesse and to their dutie of obedience and fidelitie by the which they are bound vnto him The which ought not to bee tollerated that his authoritie should depend vpon his vassalls and subiects which were rebells and heretikes Thus spake they which from the beginning of the troubles in the yeare of our Lord 1566. would neuer heare the other partie and who inricht themselues by the ciuill warres at the charge and with the sweat and bloud of the poore commons speaking in this sort directly against the opinion of all good and well affected countriemen to whome these violent courses for thirtie yeares past could not bee pleasing All these allegations of either side betwixt the reconciled Estates the good countriemen and them that were Spanish were not to aduance any great matter in the treatie of peace so much desired by the Commons the Nobilitie and the Clergie as indeed it tooke no effect But to entertaine the people and to keepe them in obedience they made them beleeue that great Princes should deale in it hauing once receiued the Kings answere vpon the sayd Articles And on the other side the generall Estates of the vnited Prouinces made a manifest declaration that it was not their fault they entred not into conference of an accord but the Spaniardes and of their councell who did sticke more vpon that which they sayd depended of the Kings authoritie then of the preseruation of the common-weale and the good of neighbour Princes which they regard least hauing no other sound in their mouthes but that Our King is mightie c. About this time there was a letter dispersed abroad and in many mens hands some said it was written by that learned Scholler Iustus Lipsius who beeing desired by certaine councellors to deliuer his opinion whether it were better to haue warre then peace made answere bearing date the third of Ianuary in the yeare of our Lord 1595. Saying that the King had three seuerall enemies the French the English and the vnited Prouinces two of them were forraine and the third a domesticall enemie rather to bee tearmed a rebell then a right enemie for the first two if the house of Austria stood not in feare of the inhumaine and barbarous Turkes the King might easily bridle them proceeding in his warre with good discipline imploying his treasure well and aduancing men of merrit to places of commaund but in regard that the Turke threatned Christendome it was to bee considered whether it were better to make a peace with these two forraine enemies or with either of them seeing that the Hollanders were in a manner out of heart hauing both the French and English to their aide what then were to bee expected from them if wee made peace with one of these forraine enemies as namelie with the Queene of England who hath in her handes the two strong entries of Zeeland and Holland beeing of an opinion that shee would not stand verie much against a peace both in regard that shee was a woman as also for that her treasure was well spent and exhausted hauing but a small meanes and for that the warres were maintayned against the common peoples mindes who desired nothing but trafficke and freedome The cause why shee entertained these warres was more for feare then for any great hatred the greatnesse and power of the King and the valour and dexteritie of the Spaniards for these three-score yeares had beene fearefull to all neighbour Princes Wherefore to
impouerished could not forbeare to murmure against their Lord and the rather for that it was commonly reported among them that the Earle had sworne neuer to pardon their Lord. William of Arckel his sonne was much troubled to see his father oppose himselfe so obstinately against so mighty a Prince perswading him often with liuely reasons to reconcile himselfe with such great and mighty enemies such as the Earle the bishop of Vtrecht and the Lord of Vianen were This yong Nobleman seeing that he preuailed nothing and that he could not mollifie his fathers hart had pitty of his subiects who were so pittifully ruined without cause through the obstinate wilfulnesse of their Lord he parted discontented from his Father and came to Gorrichom where he laboured to draw the chiefe and richest of the towne to be at his deuotion and to sweare faith and loyaltie vnto him among other Iohn Gerrits Prouost of the towne Conrard Iohn Arnold and Gerard of Haerlaer foure brethâ—…en Ambrose Wouters and Iohn van Donck issued from a bastard of Arckel being ioyned and vnited to their yong lord they concluded together to treate a peace with the Earle and to exclude the â—…d of Arckel his father seeing hee would so obstinately seeke his owne and his subiects ruine without cause At the same time the lord of Arckel was gone to Renald Duke of Iuilliers Geldres his wiueâ—… brother during his absence the yong lord of Arckel his sonne by the aduice of the aboue named Gentlemen deposed all the Magistrates Councellors and Officers of the towne of Gorrichom which his father had made establishing a new Baylisse and Iudge in the place of the old the like he did at Lederdam and in the castell The Lord of Arckel who knew nothing of all these practises returning out of the country of Iuilliers thinking to enter into Gorrichom found the gates shutt against him refusing to giue him entrance the like was done vnto him at the castell From thence he â—…ent to Lederdam where he had the same entertainement Being in this perplexiâ—…ie the Lord of Arckel returned presently the same way he came into the country of Gelders without eating or drinking But soone after he did write secretly vnto his sonne by men of good iudgement of his councell who could handle this yong Nobleman in such sort as without taking any aduice and councell of the aboue named and of the chiefe of the towne he went to Boisleduc to reconcile himselfe vnto his father Wheâ—…evpon those chiefe men being discontented that he had made an accorde without their priuity or aduice and that he would leaue them ingaged at his returne from Boisleduc thinking to re-enter into Gorrichom the gates were shut against him This yong Nobleman finding himselfe debarred from entring into the towne turned head and went to the Duke of Iuilliers his Vncle. Being gone those seauen men sent certaine deputies of qualitie vnto the Earle of Holland to require his ayde and protection against the Lord of Arckel in regarde whereof they offred him all duty of homage and â—…ealty The Earle being glad to winne such a towne and country without strikiâ—…g stroake and therewithall subdue his enemie with little labour hee came about Whitsontide to Wandrichom where hee was receiued and feasted in the Castell and acknowledged for lord of Arckel confirming and ratifying theâ—…r priuiledges as well olde as newe From thence hee went to Gorrichom and into the Castell and into Leederdam where he was likewise receiued for Lord of Arckel and generally inuested in all the countrie The Lord of Aspren hearing that the Earle was at Gorrichom came to meete him neere vnto Leederdam doing him all honor and reuerence and seeing Conrard Iohn Arnold and Gerard van Haerlaer bretheren Ambrose Woutsersen Iohn Van Donck whom the Earle had newly made Knights with their collers of gold wondring much he said My Lord beware of these new Knights for what they haue done this day vnto their Lord they may doe to morrow vnto you The Earle smiling made much of him raysing him vp vnder the arme he lead him to his lodging where hauing feasted him he returned into Holland The Lord of Arckel and his sonne deuised by what meanes they might recouer their inheritance The Earle to preserue it sent Philip van Dorp a Knight with 500. men to garde Gorrichom The yong Lord of Arckel hauing with the helpe of his friends gathered some men together came in the end of haruest and attempted to passe the walles of Gorrichom neere vnto a Tower called the Tower Robert by scalado which hauing effected those of the garde hearing that it was their yong Lord leauing the rampart fled heere and there This yong Nobleman passing on brake open the gate on the East side and drew in his men with their colours flying making great and fearfull cries The Burgesses that were affected vnto him turned presently on his side and in this enterprise there was not any man hurt but Henry Vander-streat that was slaine at the first entrance The next day Didier le Cocque neere kinsman to Ambrose Woutersen had his head cut off The rest that were opposite to the Lord of Arckel leaping ouer the walles escaped This yong Nobleman went presently to besiege the Castell of Arckel where the besieged expecting succors from the Earle of Holland defended themselues valiantly The Earle hearing of these surprises leuied men in all hast and went to besiege Gorrichom chasing the young Lord first from his siege and forcing him to retire into Gorrichom The Earle being fully resolued to force this towne called all the Gentlemen of his Prouinces and Seigneuries and required them of Vtrecht to assist him On the other side Renold Duke of Iuilliers and Geldres a man of a turbulent spirit demanded nothing more then some occasion to quarrell with the Earle whom he sent to defie by a Herald with open letters as he had presumed before to defie the French King where the bishop of Liege brother to the Earle of Holland imployed his credit happily to make his peace with the said King who else had ruined him This Duke then came with an armie and camped not farre from the towne of Gorrichom The inhabitants went forth in the night drew the victuals and munition which he had brought them into the towne The Earle hearing of the Dukes comming raised his siege and went and planted himselfe before the Chappell of Dalem vpon the dike right against the Geldrois to offer them battaile the which was deferred for that night in the which the Geldrois did rise and retired himselfe into his country The Earle seeing him gone went to continue his siege before Gorrichom and after that hee had well furnished the castell of Arckel and the places there-abouts he returned into his country A while after the Lord of Arckel and his sonne did transport vnto Duke Renold of Gelders all the right and
promise with him and payed him the somme as hee agreede vpon whether hee would then haue reuealed the fact the poore foole answered no and therefore hee presently caused his head to bee cut off About that time Lewis the leauenth King of France made a proclamation throughout the Earldomes of Flanders and Arthois that none should presume to inrowle him-selfe in the seruice of Edward King of England nor any way assist him He would also haue raised an impost vpon the sault in Bourgongne the which had neuer beene practised before But the duke would not admit of the one nor the other for hee was a friend and had made a truce with the King of England Wherevpon hee sent the lord of Chimay to the French King to shewe him the causes why hee could not allowe of such innouations in his countries and to intreate him to forbeare But the sayd lord was long at Court before hee could haue audience Seeing one daie that they fed him still with delaies hee attended so long before the Kings chamber as in the ende hee came forth When the King had seene him hee asked him what manner of man the duke of Bourgongne was Is hee of an other mettell then the rest of the Princesse of my Realme yea my Leege answered Chimay beeing a bold man and of great courage the Duke of Bourgongne my Maister is of an other stuffe then the Princes of France or of all the Countries about for hee hath kept you nourished and supported you against the will and liking of the King your father and all others whom it did displease the which no other Prince would nor durst doe At these words the King held his peace and returned into his chamber Afterwards the sayd Lord of Chymay returned making his report vnto the Duke The French King being resolued to pay vnto the duke of Bourgongne 450000. crownes and redeeme the townes which were ingaged vnto him in Picardie on this side the riuer of Some by the treatie of Arras he gathered together great store of treasure from all parts of his kingdome for there was no Abbay Chanonlerie nor riche Marchant that was esteemed to haue money throughout all France but did eyther giue or lend him And hauing recouered the sayd summe hee sent it to Abbeuille to the Duke of Bourgongne from whence the Duke caused it to bee brought to Hesdin where hee then kept his court Soone after in the yeare 1463. the king came thether in person the Duke went to meete him and receiued him with great honour and state and lodged him in his owne lodging in the Castell where hee promised to accomplish all that remained of the Treatie of Arras but hee fayled afterwards in some points During his aboad at Hesdin the duke sent diuers messengers to the Earle of Charolois his sonne being then in Holland to come and doe his dutie vnto the king But hee refused to come saying That so long as Ihon of Bourgongne Earle of Estampes and the Lords of Croy and Lanoy should be about the King hee would not come holding them for his mortall enemies for these Noblemen had left the Dukes Court and retired them to the kings seruice for hee knew well they were of his secret councell charging them with the practise of Ihon of Koesteyn and to haue councelled the Duke his father to accept of the money for the redeeming of the aboue named townes The Duke was wonderfully discontented at his sonnes refusall and would not for a long time after see him The King parting from Hesdin the Duke intreated him to confirme those seruants which hee had placed in the redeemed Townes in their offices Hee granted it but hee performed little changing all the Gouernours Captaines Prouosts and Magistrates thereof appointing and committing in their places such as hee thought were not greatly affected vnto the duke as the Lords of Lanoy Croy and Estampes The discontentment betwixt the Duke and the Earle of Charolois his sonne continued so long vntill the States of the Netherlands to whom the Earle had made his complaints especially of the lord of Croy had reconciled them together according to whose aduice the Earle accompanied with many Noblemen Knights Gentlemen and the chiefe Deputies of the sayd States came to Bruges where the Duke was All the chiefe Noblemen of the Court and the Magistrates of the Towne went to meete him conducting him to the Duke his fathers lodging where hee lighted and went vp vnto his chamber as soone as hee saw him hee kneeled downe three times and at the third time he sayd My most honored Lord and Father I haue vnderstood that you are offended against me for three things declaring the same three points which hee had made knowne vnto the deputies of the States whereof he excused himselfe Notwithstanding said he if I haue in any other thing moued you to anger I most humbly cry you mercy As for all your excuses answered the Duke I know the trueth speake no more of them but seeing you are come to aske forgiuenesse be you a good sonne and I will bee a good father to you then hee tooke him by the hand raised him vp and pardoned him all This done the Deputies tooke their leaue of the Father and the Sonne being glad to haue performed so good a worke The same day that this reconciliation was made the Lord of Croy parted early in the morning from Bruges and retired to Tournay to the French King who was there then In the moneth of Iune 1464. the French King came to Amiens and from thence to Saint Pol where hee found the Duke of Bourgongne The Earle of S. Pol feasted them with great state then they went together to Hesdin whereas the king required him to yeeld vnto him the gouernment of Lille Douay and Orchies satisfying him the sum of two hundred thousand Liuers and paying him 10000. Liuers of yearly pension for which summes of money hee said the sayd Gouernment had beene ingaged by a King of France long since to an Earle of Flanders Wherevnto the duke answered that when his Grand-father duke Philip called the Hardie sonne to Iohn King of France tooke to wife the Lady Marguerite daughter and onely heire to Lewis of Male Earle of Flanders the said Chastelenies were giuen to him and his heires males for euer by the King and in case he had not any then to returne vnto the Crowne for the sayd summe and yearely rent The King made certaine other demands vnto the duke but he would not hearken vnto them for that they were vnreasonable The duke for his part made three requests vnto the King the first was that he would receiue the Earle of Charolois his sonne into his grace and fauour for that he heard the King had beene displeased with him The second was that he would not force the Gentlemen his subiects and resident in his countries holding any fees
vppon condition that hee should leaue them in the same estate and vnder the same Priuiledges that he should find them at his entrie The which the Earle promised so as he might build a Cittadell there as great as hee pleased The deputies of the Groningeois returned to the Towne hauing made their report of that which they had treated and concluded with the Earle of East-Friseland The Magistrate and Counsell did presently remit the Impositions and Customes which they had taken before that they might liue vnder the Earle in the like libertie According to this Accord the first of May the Earle entred into Groninghen with 2000. men leauing a sufficient garrison in Dam approching neere the high Bridge they went to meet him the Priests and Moncks going in procession with their Crosses and Banners receiuing him with great tryumph and state and hauing brought him to the State-house they tooke the oth and did him homage acknowledging him for their Lord Deliuerer and Protector A strange alteration and sodaine change the Groningeois neuer had a greater enemie then this Earle yet suddenly they except of him for their Protector and defender he whom a little before they so much blamed cursed and detested as the man whom they held to be the onely cause of all their miseries they now receiue him for their Prince yea the little children reioyced that they were not fallen into the Saxons hands nor maister Vytts singing in the streets Heer vyt is Groningen quyt Maister Vytt hath lost Groningen Behold the fruits of this Collonels cruelty But it is no new thing in the Germaines no more then in the Spaniards to vse the like barbarous inhumanitie if they doe but thinke that they haue vanquished their enemies Soone after that the Earle was entred into the towne he built a Cittadell on the South-side at Heere-Port well slanked with great Bulwarks deepe ditches and goodly gates both within and without the Towne These newes of the yeelding vp of Groningen into the Earle of West-Freezlands hand beeing come into Misnia to duke Georges eares he went vnto the Earle to know in whose name he had receiued the Towne of Groningen into his protection wherevnto he presently answered That what hee had done was in the name of the Empire by reason of the controuersie that was betwixt the Duke of Saxony and the high Diocesse of Vtrecht which is the countrey of Oueryssel for the iurisdiction of Groningen which being decided he would yeeld it to whom it should appertaine And although the Dukes deputies knew the contrarie yet they tooke these excuses for payment fearing to incense him more and that he should draw in the other troupes the which being ioyned vnto his and with the helpe of the Frisons hee might easily chase the Saxons out of all Friseland and quite disposses the duke The which had beene easie for him to doe if he had then attempted it Afterwards the Duke sent his Marshall into Friseland with a great summe of money to the Germaines Campe lying yet about Groningen to pay them and to thanke them The Collonells Captaines and Gentle-men before their departure hauing serued long there would gladly haue seene the Towne but the Earle would not suffer them This Marshall and the Dukes counsell to keep the Earle still in breath and at the dukes deuotion gaue him the title of Leiutenant and Generall in the dukes name of the Towne and Countie of Groningen with an honourable yeerely entertainment taken out of the dukes cofers with a promise that when hee should be discharged thereof to pay him 30000. florins of gold at one intire payment with many other things which they granted vnto him The Earle accepted of all by prouision and made his profit thereof knowing very well whereto they tended the which notwithstanding he dissembled seeming alwayes to bee at his seruice and in this sort the state of Groningen was maintained vnto the yeare 1512. being doubtfull whither the Earle held it for himselfe or for the duke of Saxony vntill that some gentlemen Frisons who he disauowed were for his sake beheaded in the Towne of Leeuwarden Yet notwithstanding the Frisons and Groningeois liued in peace vnto the yeere 1514. In the meane time the six Regents Saxons during the hard frosts of winter did still put garrisons into their Townes fearing the Earles surprises houlding still the two Forts which they had in the countrey of Groningen that is Winsom and Werdenbrasse the which they had continually well manned with good soldiars at the duke of Saxonies deuotion The duke had a conceit that during his absence the sixe Regents which he had appointed to gouerne Frisland had but negligētly executed their charge or otherwise through enuie and ielousie one of another had neglected their duties that the gouernment of one alone with the counsell was more lawfull more befitting and of greater authoritie where-vpon the Marshall of Saxonie assembled the States of Friseland in the Towne of Leuwarden the 6. of Iuly where the said 6. Regents were discharged and in their place was instituted Count Henry of Stalburch a wise and discreet noble man and one that feared God to be the Dukes Lieutenant generall throughout all Freezland Which being done the Marshall and the Earle went to Dam whither they sent for the Commonalties of the countrey of Groninghen in the Dukes name to take the othe of fealtie as his Vassals but not any one appeared desiring rather to acknowledge the Earle of East-Friseland who the same yeare caused money to be coyned in the towne of Groningen with this Inscription Edsardus Comes Senator Groningensis In the yeares 1506. 1507. and 1508. there was no memorable thing done in Friseland that doth merit the writing After that the towne of Arnhem and other places of the Dutchie of Gelders and countie of Zutphen were thus reduced as we haue said vnder the obedience of the Archduke King of Castile hee stayed some-time without the said towne of Arnhem in the castle of Roossendael Thither came the bishop of Vtrecht the vicont of Montfort and many other Noble-men who laboured so vnto the King to reconcile the duke of Gelders as in the end he was sent for to come vnto him being accompanied with some Noble-men Comming before the King hee kneeled downe but the King tooke him vp presently with great courtesie and so they went together into the castle where as they remained some time And as the King and many of his Princes and Noble-men were very desirous to goe into Spaine it was concluded betwixt the King and the duke That either of them should hold what they had in the Dutchie and countie of Zutphen and that the Duke should accompanie the King in this voyage but afterwards the duke excused himselfe with a good and auailable reasons The King hauing recouered money made his preparations with his wife to goe by sea whereof William of Croy Lord of Cheurees had the charge and before
were broken and then to keepe the towne in better order then it had beene the Emperour caused a great and strong Cittadell to be built in the place whereas the Abbaie of Saint Bauon was wont to stand into the which hee put a good gouernor and a sufficient garrison to hold them in subiection that they might neuer rebell any more Moreouer the towne payed 50000. florins vnto the Emperour besides their Annuall duties All the preuiledges which they had enioyed for so many yeares which had beene the cause of their often and many mutinies and rebellions were taken from them fifty of the chiefe of the towne attired all in mourning weedes cast themselues at the Emperours feete and other fifty in their shirts with halters about their necks crying for mercy with their hands lift vp with other indignities that were done them as you may reade at large in the Chronicle of Flanders On Saint Mathews day Ferdinand King of Romaines arriued at Brusselles with a smal traine whereof the Emperor being aduertised the same night he tooke post with foure horse only whereof the Earle of Buren was one and the Lord of Conde an other it was very darke before they arriued at Brusselles whereas hee was welcome to his brother King Ferdinand and to his sister the Queene of Hungary This same yeare was published by the Emperor the 4. bloudy Edict against them of the religion in the Netherlands the which confirming the 3. precedent was the subiect of al those that haue since bin granted both by himself King Philip his son beeing called the great Edict of the yeare ◅540 the which is yet daylie obiected against them of the relligion inthe lowe countries Whilest that the Emperour made some aboade in the Netherlands being much troubled to suppresse the Ganthois Hee consulted also what was to bee done against the Protestants of Germanie the Popes Legat incensed him against them all he could vpbraiding them with all the opprobrious termes that might be terming them worse then Turkes and proclayming warre against them charging them with heresie and rebellion The Emperour following his accustomed course without aduertising of the Legat appointed a diet at Haguenau where King Ferdinand was president for the Emperor and as King of Romains where after some conferences it was sayd that matters were in that estate as they could not determine any thing especially through the absence of the Elector of Saxony and the Landtgraue of Hessen and therefore they must referre the businesse vnto an other daie when as the Ambassadours and Diuines of eyther side should meete in equall numbers to conferre togither vpon the Articles of the confession of the Protestants faith prouided notwithstanding that the Edict of Ausbourg should stand in force and that it should bee lawfull for the Pope to send his deputies thether if he pleased The diet was referred to Wormes and in the meane time the Emperor writ his letters confirming the former conclusion promising an Imperiall diet whereas hee would be himselfe in person whither that should bee brought that should bee treated at Wormes Hee sent his Ambassador Granuelle to Wormes with his sonne Anthony Perrenot Bishop of Arras and some Spanish diuines Granuelle in the Emperors name exorted them that were there present to studie for peace and vnion The next daie Campege the Popes Ambassador made his speech to this effect that the Pope would for his part do all that was possible excepting relligion But nothing was done in this assemblie for that matters inclyned in fauor of the Protestants who desired nothing more then to enter into conference hauing brought many learned men to that end among others Melancton Bucer and Caluin After many remises for a countenance onely there were some publicke disputations betwixt Melancton and Eckius touching originall sinne But the third daie Granuelle and the other Ambassadors receiued letters from the Emperor by the which hee referred the businesse vnto the diet at Ratisbone commanding the Protestants to be there also and Granuelle to returne vnto him In the beginning of February 1541. the Emperor leauing the Netherlands came to Mets in Lorraine and so passing by Spire came to Ratisbone He was receiued at Nuremberg with great state In March many Princes the states of Germany came to Ratisbone where he attended them who on the day of the assembly begun the 25. of Aprill propounded many excuses why matters had beene so long delaied yet prefering the quiet of Germany before all other things yea before his owne health hee was come thether to intreat them to aduise of some good agreement and to the end that euery one might know how much he desired peace his opinion was if they found no better expedient that there should be some learned and quiet minded Germains chosen out to conferre friendly togither of all differences and report as well to the Emperor as to the States how they might come to some agreemēt Wherevpon there were diuers conferences betwixt three Doctors of the Protestants and three of the Romish relligion but they agreed in fewe things the Romanists offring still to refer their controuersies to the Popes decision the which the Protestants did mightily impugne The Emperor hauing heard all their opinions discoursed in order concluded that seeing their differences could not be there determined and that there were other important affaires hauing also staied long there hee referred all to a councell whereof the Popes Legat had giuen him hope and that hee himselfe would in person sollicit it vnto the Pope promising also to returne into Germany If that the Pope did not aduance any thing to prouide himselfe for the pacification thereof William duke of Cleues of Iuilliers c. vpon the word of Ferdinand King of Romaines went vnto the Emperour to see if they might agree touching the duchie of Geldres but hee could neuer obtaine a confirmation from the Emperour As for his proximitie and neerenesse to the succession there was no doubt of it But the Emperour pretended the Inuestiture which his Grandfather the Emperour Maximillian had made vnto him to hold it in fee of the Empire and the purchase which the Duke of Bourgongne his great Grandfather had made of Duke Arnhold and lastly the acco◅d made betwixt him and Charles of Egmont the last Duke of Gelders With which allegations and pretensions the Duke of Cleues could not be satisfied maintayning all these sales seazures and accords to be voyd and of no force for that they could not be made to preiudice the next heire apparent with out his consent The French King hearing of the Du◅e of Cleues discontentment resolued to make an alliance with him that by his meanes and others hee might make warre in the Netherlands and there-vpon offered not onely to take him and his countries into his protection but also to giue him all assistance and ayd to inlarge his limits with a good annuall pension and moreouer to giue
spent in occurrents to receiue aduises and commandements from Spaine these countries for want of preuoyance should fall into some bad inconuenience One thing there is that comforts him in this his departure from you That hee leaues you vnder the gouernment of the King our Lord here present his onely sonne and naturall heire whom you haue accepted and also giuen your oth who is of ripe yeares and allied the second time vnto the Queene of England the which is an alliance very profitable for these countries besides that hee hath long had the gouernment of many realmes and prouinces wherefore he is the more capable of this charge with the good helpe counsell and support of you my masters his faithfull vassals and subiects who may supply the place of his imperiall Maiestie giuing thankes vnto God who hath giuen him meanes so to prouide and to preuent the inconueniences which might otherwise haue happened to one that had beene young of yeares and not capable of so great a gouernment knowing the king not onely sufficient but also endued with a desire and affection to maintaine you and to employ himselfe for the good of these countries whom hee hath resolued to inuest in all his prouinces and realmes one after another as he hath not long since begun that by little and little he may inure himselfe to beaâ—…e this burthen the which he shall doe more easily than if at one instant so great a chaâ—…ge should fall vpon him before that he had beene acquainted with it According to this dâ—…rmination his imperiall Maiestie trusting that for these reasons you will like thereof and that for the loue of him you will willingly accept in his place the King our Lord and Prince his Maiestie doth now with ioy giue ouer these countries resigning them generally into the hands of the king his sonne leauing vnto him from this day forward the full and absolute possession thereof as hereafter by his death should lawfully fall vnto him by succession to administer rule and gouerne as his owne proper and patrimoniall inheritance entreating you â—…arnestly to receiue him willingly and cheerefully And according thereunto he doth quit free and absolue you of your oath of fealtie and homage which heretofore you haue made vnto his imperiall Maiestie that you may take the same vnto the king at the reception of your estates and offices holding him hereafter for your prince and soueraigne lord His imperiall Maiestie doth also entreat you most louingly to take in good part the loue and affection which by the effects he hath shewed you hauing omitted no trauell nor care belonging to his dutie with the good aduice and assistance of those that haue beene seruiceable vnto him and namely of my lady the queene his sister who hath employed all her studie and paines therein and vnder-gone many a long and painfull iourney being sorry that he could not assist them as he desired confessing that hee hath had good and loyall subiects who for their parts haue giuen him all faithfull assistance and dutifull obedience His imperiall Maiestie doth also thanke you for the succours which you haue giuen him in all his great and weightie affaires as with your good counsels and meanes hauing supplyed him at sundry times with many and great summes of money the which with those of his other Prouinces and Realmes which haue beene very great you know haue beene employed for the good and preseruation of these countries being exceeding sorry that after so great toyle trauell and charge hee hath not the meanes to free you from this warre neyther are you ignorant of his endeauors therein wherewith the queene his sister hath acquainted you in the last assembly and what hath past at the ouertures of peace and vpon what tearmes the French were resolued notwithstanding he hopeth that God who is a iust and righteous Iudge will one day giue him meanes to bring them vnto reason And that the king our prince will seeke all meanes to defend and maintaine you hoping that you will alâ—…o ay de him as you haue euer done his imperiall Maiestie vnto this day seeing that all tendeth to your preseruation to repell the danger and to repaire the mischiefe which warre may breed His imperiall Maiestie entreateth you that you will shew your selues somewhat bountifull in your owne affaires and need as for him he will giue him meanes to entertaine him honestly in his estate and to be able to arme against his enemies how great and mightie soeuer they be by whom through want of succour and helpe you may fall into great disasters the which by your good assistance may be auoided hee helping you therein all that he can Moreouer his Maiestie cannot otherwise doe but before his departure for your owne good and honour admonish and recommend the holy seruice of God vnto you vnder the obedience and reuerence due to our Mother the holy Church and to keepe and entertaine inuiolably the Edicts thereupon made by his imperiall Maiestie it is the point which he doth commaund and especially recommend vnto the king that hee may haue an especiall regard and care thereon whereunto bee you also the more enclined by the example of others that haue made the way to the end that doing your best endeauours towards him he may striue to doe you good and deliuer you from the oppression of your enemies That you also beare all honor and reuerence vnto Iustice that for want thereof humane societie and the common profit be not lost but that thereby you may liue in peace and concord with a carefull regard that the countries be no otherwise seperated nor diuided than the members from the body euery one helping and succouring one another according to his office and function by which vnion not only the enemie shall be kept from annoying you but you shall liue together ioyfully in rest tranquilitie experience hauing taught how well these countries could defend themselues vnto this day against all them that would offer them violence Finally he recommends vnto you the honor respect reuerence and obedience which you owe vnto the king our soueraigne prince and so to carry your selues towards him as you haue done hitherto to his imperiall Maiestie his affection to you being as sincere as can be desired giuing him occasion to continue so still and that he may bee a mild and gentle prince to you seeing that in viewing his life past we may iudge of his inclination to whom God giue his grace and fortifie him for the encrease of his estate and your defence and preseruation This speech being ended the Emperor began to speake as if he would confirme that which the Orator of Brussels had said whereupon the king rose stood neere his father who spake French the better to vnderstand what he would verbally declare The Emperor then said That he had forty yeares since in the same place been emancipated by the Emperour Maximilian his grandfather and put in
reputations to continue any longer there so discontented as they were with the said cardinall And in the end they intreated that their aduertisment might bee taken in good part by his Ma. and that he would beleeue that what they did was for a true zeale they had to his seruice and for the discharge of their duties Wherunto the king answered them the 6 of Iune That he was well assured that what they did aduertise him by their letters proceeded from a good zeale and affection which they bare vnto his seruice whereof hee had long since made good triall but it was not his custome to change his seruants without good reason seeing that by their letters they did not set down any particular occasions c. Wherunto the noblemen replied the 29 of Iune That their intention was not to frame any action before his Ma. against the cardinall but they did hope that the simple aduertisement which they gaue him without any forme of charge or accusation shold be a sufficient inducement to moue him to meditate of some honorable good meanes of satisfaction to the iust complaints of his good subiects imploying the cardinall in other affairs whereas according to his vocation and profession he might serue more profitably They said they had no intent to charge the cardinal but rather to discharge him yea of a burthen which was not only extraordinarie and vnfit for him but which could not long remaine in his hands without feare of trouble and great inconueniences And if in their former letters they had not specified any occasions it was not for want of matter nor pregnant reasons but for that they held it not fit to fall into more bitternesse against him yet if it pleased his maiestie to be better informed they should find matter ynough and too much whereon his faithfull subiects did ground their complaints And their desire was that his Maiestie would enquire more amply of others that were not suspect whereby his Maiesty might comprehend that it was not without good and iust cause that the commons did greeue and if there were no other occasion but the generall murmuring of the countrey against him it was a sufficient testimonie that his presence great authoritie was too dangerous and therefore not to be imploied Which considered seeing the smal seruice which they could do in the counsel of state with the wrongs disgraces and affronts which they endured they besought his Maiesty to excuse them if they came no more there vntill some other course were taken that should bee held most fit for his seruice and the good of the commonweal in the mean time they would not faile to discharge their duties faithfully in their gouernments or in any thing that it should please the Gouernesse to command or should haue need of their aduice out of the said counsell of state c. Notwithstanding al these admonitions nothing followed and as the practises of the clergy did grow more more odious so the number of the Protestants increased daily notwithstanding al their persecutions the which in the end were so abhorred of al the world as they might easily perceiue that this feare of bishops and Inquisition nor the rigor of their edicts was no longer to be endured And then brake out openly the diuision betwixt the nobles which had lyen long smothered hauing the chiefe gouernment of the affaires of the countrey for that they which would gouerne all alone wherof the cardinall was chiefe could not endure that the princes knights of the order being with them in the counsell of state should propound any mildnesse or moderation of affairs to the kings content and the preseruation of the commonweale without these rigors innouations which made them to absent themselues from the counsell of state And withal the cardinal did continually bite and iniure these noblemen calling some fools others Lutherans with other reproches in reuenge wherof some attired their seruants in fools coats and caps with coxcombs others with quiuers of arrowes importing some league carrying their hats turned vp in despight of the cardinall and of his faction The cardinall informed the king of all this and made his profit therof This dissention among the nobles made the perplexitie of the commons greater who began to bee much discontented seeing that they did not imbrace this businesse resolutely as they ought The Gouernesse priuie to this diuision sent her secretary Armenteros vnto the king at whose returne the cardinal being called away went into Spaine where being resident if he euer did bad office in the Netherlands against the noblemen and generally against the whole commonweale hee did now much worse interpreting all things to the worst construction In the meane time the persecutions ceased not throughout all the countrey against them of the religion but were more violent than euer not without great danger to the magistrats officers of iustice during the time they did their publike executions at which times the people did commonly mutine casting stones against the sergeants executioners as it happened at that time at the execuâ—…ion of C. Fabrâ—… a minister in Antuerpe hauing bin in former times a Carmelite he was betraied by a certain woman who made a shew to beare a great zeale vnto religion hauing â—…dured long imprisonment many miseries in the end he was condemned to be burnt aliue And as the Marcgraue with the bailife his lieutenant hauing brought him to the place went to execute him the people hauing first song Psalms fell to casting of stones against the executioner and his seruant neither was the Marcgraue nor his lieutenant free from touch notwithstanding any helpe they called for of the burgesses the sworne companies who would not stir so as the poore patient being bound and fire beginning to be set to the Marcgraue and his lieutenant not daring to stay any longer fled into the state-house and so did the executioner who yet by the lieutenants commandement before he leapt from the scaffold to saue himself stroke Fabri on the head with a hammer and beat out his braines and stabd him in the backe with a dagger so as the people running to preserue him from the fire found him dead and there the dead bodie lay in the mire vntill 4 of the clock in the afternoone that the Marcgraue with his guaâ—…d hauing put him into a tumbrell seeing the great multitude of people which followed him he caused a great stone to be tied about the dead bodies neck and to be cast into the riuer of Escaut Afterwards some being rescued out of their hands by force for a time they durst not execute any one publikely but in the prisons either by the sword halter water or other torments til after the comming of the duke of Alua then the persecutions began to be done publikely and greater than euer The Winter after Christmas grew extreame cold and the â—…rosts continued most bitter vntil mid
darkenesse is come from them The knowledge of the Tongues especially of the Greeke and Hebrâ—…w hath beene beautified more by them than by any others To conclude their aduersaries themselues are forced to confesse that there are singular men among them in all sorts of sciences besides that the life of many of them is irreprehensible If then there were not so great a number as there is yet they should haue a respect not to ruine and chase away those whom God hath endued with such excellent graces and depriue the king and his countries of so great a good in chasing away or murthering them which might haue serued eyther for counsell learning or some other way seeing it is ordinâ—…ly found that they desire to yeeld all obedience and dutie vnto the king and to serue him with bodie and goods so as they would leaue them the exercise of their Religion free To conclude then if it pleased his Maiestie to graunt this libertie he should not onely preuent troubles and inconueniences which haue happened in France and elswhere through this occasion but also it should be a meanes by the which his subiects should be induced euâ—…ry one to imploy himselfe in his vocation to the seruice of his Maiestie and the aduancement of the commonweale seeing that in the end they shall be forced to come vnto it were it after his decease as in other countries where the like accidents haue happened It remaines now to consider the inconueniences that may arise the which I find to be two principal The first that if the exercise of their religion were allowed them they might multiply in such sort as the antient religion would decay and come to nothing the which the king would not endure by any meanes The other is That they hold commonly that in one countrey there cannot be two diuers religions without great trouble and disorder As for the first they must vnderstand that all religions are grounded either vpon the authoritie of God or the authoritie of men for a religion may be grounded vpon the authoritie of men when hauing regard vnto that which our auncestors haue done and followed or to that which our king commands or to that which some great personage doth inioyne vs we ground our religion vpon those respects without any other firme reason or feeling in our hearts that we do well or ill as the Turkes Pagans and idolaters haue alwayes done yea and the greatest part of the world do at this day changing their religion and maner of seruing God in what sort and as often as it shall please the king or those to whom they deferre this credit But for that those religions proceed not from a religious heart fearing God but rather from the respect and reuerence of men it is easie to hinder the course and to plant in other by humane meanes as by armes and violence So as it was no difficult thing for the Romanes to bring their gods and religions into Greece and other countries of their conquests the which were grounded but vpon the authoritie of their princes and kings But if the religion hath his foundation vpon the authority and word of God or vpon the testimonie of their consciences be it with reason or therwise force and outward violence cannot preuaile as we haue shewed and there is no meanes to hinder the course and progresse thereof but in shewing that the foundation is il laid If then the king will maintaine the old religion and stop the course of the new it is necessarie that he giue them libertie to be heard to the end that they may be confuted and that all the world knowing wherein the abuse doth consist may flie their acquaintance If it be heresie which they sow you cannot but stop the course in suffering them to publish their doctrine so as their errours may be laid open vnto the people by the truth of the word of God else the more you seeke to suppresse it the more it will encrease But contrariwise if haply their doctrine be conformable to the word of God it is not to bee presumed that his Maiestie would oppresse it wherefore that inconuenience alledged is of no consequence The second point seemes to be of great moment for they say commonly That to entertaine the publike quiet we must haue but one Law one Faith and one King a thing without doubt which were greatly to be desired for that it should bring vs to that golden age But seeing that religion and faith is a meere gift of God ingrauen in the heart of man ouer the which none can command but God onely it were a great indiscretion to thinke it possible to reduce all the inhabitants of one countrey to one faith by force and corporall violence It is true that they say That as in a family the father ought to foresee that all those of his house worship but one onely God and be of one religion so the king should prouide that in his realme there should be but one faith and one law the which were wonderfully good and healthfull but it is not possible to attaine vnto it if it bee not among those people whose religion is grounded vpon the kings simple authoritie the which is no true religion but a meere hypocrisie counterfeiting whereunto they haply may be drawne that haue no feare of God As it was seene among the Romanes who receiued as many new gods as their emperors commanded them But this shall neuer take place among them which haue any inward feeling grounded vpon any reason be it vpon the word of God or of their owne conscience in which case you are so farre from reducing a whole nation to one religion as you shall hardly reclaime one familie The which was manifest among the Iewes where there were three famous sects more contrarie one vnto another than those of the new religion vnto them that maintaine themselues vnder the antient obedience of the pope But which is much more from the beginning of the world vnto this day it was neuer seene that all were of one law and one faith no not according to the exterior exercise for before the comming of Christ the kings of Aegypt Persia and Babilon were forced to leaue the Iewes in their country and to allow them the free exercise of their religion the which they held to be abhominable And after his comming the Romane emperours haue also suffered it as Antonius Pius and Marc Antoâ—…ne not that they were of an accord with them for they had the name of a christian in horror but for that they found they were not seditious nor disturbers of the publike quiet and so of many other emperours who haue suffered them and forbidden that no iniurie should be done them although they were of a meere contrarie opinion True it is that some one may say That all these examples serue but to aduance the Christian Faith which the king intends to maintaine in rooting
to chase them away it may haue some shew in the beginning as if one would say the fire is quēched when it is couered But the true meanes is to root opinions out of their hearts as they did in old time and not to haue their bodies miserably tortured and torne in pieces By that meanes say they the countrey shall be in peace It is certaine it shall be in peace when it shall remaine solitarie and desart the which must needs follow this excellent counsell which they so impudently present vnto your Maiestie It is true that they say there shall be a peace but they should add the rest That the Inquisition which they seeke to bring in vnder your name will bee the ouerthrow of the Inquisition For either it will cease when they shall see the townes vnpeopled and the countrey desert or els they must abolish it when they shall seeke to repeople the country and restore the traffique the which can hardly or neuer be effected But there appeares a foule error in these mens reasons when they say that your power is much blemished in that which your subiects demaund that they may enioy their rights and priuiledges without any preiudice to your Maiestie For we see that the king of Sparta hauing created the Ephores and subiected himselfe willingly to that they should decree answered his repining wife who said he had done wrong vnto his children That the realme which he should leaue to his successors should be of lesse shew and more lasting Euen so it fareth with your Maiestie if your subiects may hold their accord firme with you as they haue alwaies done with your predecessors And the power which is giuen you is much more firme and durable when according to the promise contained expressely in the first article of your ioyous entry the estates of the country doe second you to haue a care of the profite thereof all with the consent and liking of your faithfull subiects Wherefore now if the prosperity of your subiects the good of your townes and cities the encrease of your lands and seigniories and the honour and greatnesse of your Maiestie haue any power with you whereof we are assured weigh a little the importance of this action and consider what the end will be of so miserable a thing set before your eies this noble and flourishing country which shal be ruined vpon an occasion vnworthy to be presented vnto you and much lesse to find any setled place in your heart strangers retiring forsaking the place the subiects seeking means elsewhere to entertain thēselues their families the towns impouerished made naked of these goodly ornamēts especially Antuerp the flower of marchant townes the ornament of the Netherlands and of your crowne a readie treasure in peace and warre falling from her dignitie the houses ruined and deformed in steed of her present beautie What a hearts greefe what a confusion what a discomfort will these things bring vnto you Heare then the cries of your subiects who call instantly vnto you for pitie and compassion Heare then the countrey w◅h seemeth to present it selfe vnto your Maiestie and to speake these words vnto you with a generall consent I haue serued your predecessors long I haue employed all my meanes for the preseruation of your dignitie I haue giuen my selfe into your hands and you haue receiued me with your mutuall and reciprocall promises I demaund nothing as due by contract or promise I demaund no requitall for that which I haue employed and spared for your Maiestie I am silent of those things I will renounce my right least I should bee accused to haue vsed any reproch that might be ignominious vnto you I onely craue that you will not disrobe me of mine ornaments and yours chase not away strange Nations oppresse not your subiects whom I haue nourished in my bosome estrange not your selfe from me to the end that my riches be not withdrawne from you Looke vnto the treasure which is readie for you to supply all future necessities that your enemies be not enriched with my wealth of the which you shall be depriued by the flight of strange Nations maintaine the good of your subiects for my good is yours The which if you seeme to desire and affect for the entertayning of the dignitie which is common to you and mee I hope so to discharge my dutie as your Maiesties authoritie such as it hath beene in your predecessors shall bee continued for euer and encreased by my best endeauours to your great content and the common ioy of your good and faithfull subiects who shall bee the more bound to pray vnto God for your Maiesties happie aduancement This was the contents of their petition of Brabant the which if the king had seene and read as he ought without doubt he would haue changed his opinion if not wholly yet in part But the Cardinall of Granuelle and those of his faction who possessed the king meant not so much good to the countrey nor to their master as to suffer him to consider of these reasons set downe as well in this petition as in the discourse of Francis Baudwin and many other admonitions wherewith the court was continually importuned But it preuayled as much as to crie vnto the deafe or to sow vpon the sand or in the waues of the sea during their greatest violence the which in stead of bringing vs to a safe Port sought to drowne vs. Finally there was not any one that would once looke on it or reade it it was sufficient to know whence they came and to what end they tended and more they might not speake So as they of Brabant could obtaine no other answere to all their petitions as well in Spaine as in the Netherlands but the Apostile before mentioned giuen by the Gouernesse commaundement vnto one of their requests on the foure and twentieth of May by the counsell of Brabant vnto the foure chiefe townes assuring them That the king had neuer any intention to charge his countrey of Brabant with the Inquisition which was but an euasion for that time to abuse the people Those of Flaunders in the meane time were nothing more graciously entreated for the foure members seeing plainely how the whole countrey was vnpeopled the traffiques handycrafts and trades to cease in the chiefe townes and boroughes as at Gand Bruges Ypre Courtray Armentiers Poperinghe Roullez Hondtschooten and other places whereas clothing was wont to bee in great request artisans retyring themselues by great troupes out of the countrey sent their deputies to Court in the yeare 1564 with declarations by mouth and petitions in writing challenging their priuiledges and demaunding what they of Brabant had done Whereupon answere was made vnto them the fourth of October by a doubtfull answere nothing tending to that which they demaunded but contrariwise charge was giuen to M. Peter Titelman deane of Renay Inquisitor generall of Flaunders who as a Salus spirans minarum ranne
put in execution that wicked enterprise as well with Frenchmen as other strangers wherewith we find our selues much grieued Wherefore we beseech your highnes to do vs so much fauor as to name the accusers and them that are accused to the end that the wrong and wickednes being discouered your highnes may do speedy and exemplarie iustice and that to preuent the inconueniences and scandales which may grow being well assured that your highnes will neuer suffer so noble and honorable a company to remain charged with such infamous wicked acts Whereunto the duchesse answered that she knew nothing of all that he had said touching those accusations neither had she euer had such an opinion of any one of them whom she assured her selfe to be the K. faithful seruants and as for their petition she would looke into it and impart it to the counsell the tenor whereof was Madame it is well knowne how highly renowned the loyaltie of the Netherlanders vnto their lords and naturall princes hath been and is yet throughout all Christendome wherein the nobilitie hath alwaies held the first ranke hauing neuer spared body nor goods for the preseruation and encrease of their greatnesse wherein we his Maiesties most humble vassals desiring to continue so still are ready to employ both body and goods to do him humble seruice and seeing in what termes the affaires stand at this present we had rather incurre some dislike than to conceale that from your highnes which might proue preiudiciall to his Maiesty and withall trouble the quiet and happinesse of his countries hoping that the effects will shew in time that among all the seruices which we haue or may do vnto his maiesty this is to be reputed the greatest most seasonable so as we assure our selues that his maiesty cannot but take it in good part Although Madam we doubt not but that whatsoeuer his maiesty hath heretofore decreed of new touching the Inquisition and the strict obseruation of his Edicts for matter of religion hath some ground and iust title and that to continue all that which the emperor Charles of famous memory had with a good intention decreed Yet seeing that the diuersitie of times bringeth withall diuersitie of remedies and that within few yeares the said edicts notwithstanding that they haue bin executed with all rigor haue yet giuen occasion of many grieuous inconueniences Without doubt his maiesties last resolution by the which he not only forbids to moderat any thing of the said edicts but commands expresly that the Inquisition should be obserued and the edicts executed with all rigour giues vs iust occasion to feare that not only the said inconueniences wil encrease but also in the end may follow a mutinie generall sedition tending to the miserable ruin of the whole country according to the apparent shews of the peoples alteration which are to be seen in euery place wherfore knowing the greatnesse of the danger that doth threaten vs we did hitherto hope that either by the noblemen or the states of the country your highnes should be duly informed to preuent it in taking away the cause of the euill but seeing they haue not done any thing for some causes vnknowne to vs and that in the mean time the mischiefe encreaseth daily so as the danger of a sedition is euen at hand wee haue thought it our duties according to our oath of fealtie together with the zeale which we beare vnto his Maiesty and the countrey to attend no longer but rather to offer our selues to performe this necessary dutie And we do it the more willingly for that we haue reason to hope that his Maiestie will take our aduertisement in good part seeing this action doth concerne vs neerer than any other being exposed to those calamities which do commonly grow from such accidents hauing for the most part our houses and goods in the countrey lying open as a prey to all the world considering also that by the rigorous obseruation of the said Edicts as his Maiestie hath expressely commaunded there is not any man among vs no not in all the countrey of what estate and condition soeuer but shall be found culpable of confiscation of body and goods and subiect to the slanders of any enuious man who to haue part of the confiscation would accuse him vnder colour of the edicts hauing no refuge left him but onely the dissembling of the officer vpon whose mercie his life goods must wholly depend In consideration whereof we haue so much the more cause humbly to beseech your Highnesse as we doe by this present petition to take some good order for it and in regard of the importance of the cause to make a speedie dispatch vnto his Maiestie by some one fit for that employment aduertising and humbly beseeching him in our behalfes that it will please him to prouide as well for the present as for the time to come And for that it can neuer be done in leauing the said Edicts in their vigour and force seeing that thereon dependeth the spring of the said inconueniences that it will please him to encline to the abolishing thereof the which he shall not onely find very necessarie to diuert the totall ruine and losse of these his countries but also conformable to reason and iustice And to the end he may not haue any occasion to thinke that we which haue no other pretence but to doe him most humble seruice would attempt to bridle him or to prescribe him a law at our pleasure as wee doubt not but our aduersaries will construe it to our disaduantage it may please his Maiestie to make some lawes by the aduice and consent of all the generall estates assembled to prouide accordingly by other more fit and conuenient meanes without such apparent danger We also beseech your Highnesse that vntill his Maiestie may be informed of our iust request and dispose according to his good and iust pleasure you will preuent these dangers by a generall surceasing as well of the Inquisition as of all manner of executions vntill that his Maiestie hath otherwise decreed protesting that we haue as much as in vs lyeth discharged our selues of our duties by this present aduertisement wherof we now discharge our selues before God and men declaring that if any inconuenience disorder sedition reuolt or effusion of bloud should hereafter happen for want of a speedie and conuenient remedy we are not to be taxed to haue concealed so apparent a mischiefe Wherin we take God the king your highnesse the lords of his counsell and our consciences to witnesse that we haue therein proceeded as good and faithfull seruants and loyall vassales to the king not exceeding the limits of our dutie wherfore we do the more earnestly beseech your highnesse to preuent it least some greater mischiefe happen This was the petition presented by the nobilitie the which was both pregnant iust and conscionable the which the king should haue acknowledged as proceeding from his
faithfull and loyall seruants and grounded vpon right iustice and good policie Yet by the sinister interpretation which was made by the Cardinall and his adherents it was imputed to rebellion and a raising of innouations So as it became a Troiane horse from whence those that were enemies to the king and the publicke good haue drawne so many calamities and miseries For if the duchesse and the kings counsell would in any sort haue foreseene it so many miseries had not ensued and the fire which was kindled had not in a manner consumed the whole countrey whereof wee must onely blame the insatiable crueltie of some counsellors who were not satisfied with the rigour of the Edicts but they must second the Cardinals ambition whom they see in danger by this petition to receiue a great disgrace they themselues to fall from their credit and authority and it may be worse when as all their practises had bin discouered by a conuocation of the generall estates which they demaunded This was the anuile whereon were forged all the miseries which ensued for that they did not satisfie the demaunds of the nobilitie as was fit and expedient whereas contrariwise the said counsellors tooke occasion to pursue and persecute those that had signed this petition as guiltie of high treason and this terror was greater than the former To which petition the next day after the presentation the Gouernesse made answere as followeth Her highnesse vnderstanding what is demanded by the contents of this petition is resolued to send vnto his Maiesty to represent it vnto him and to do all good offices to make his Maiesty yeeld to the demaunds of the petitioners who must hope for all things worthie of their demands according to his Maiesties accustomed bounty and clemencie The Gouernesse hauing before the comming of the said petition by the aduice of the gouernours of prouinces knights of the order and counsellors of state labored to make a moderation of the edicts touching Religion and to present it vnto his Maiesty the which her highnesse hopes shal be to all mens content And for that her highnesse authority as the petitioners may well conceiue is not so absolute as to surcease the Inquisition and the Edicts as they demand and that it is not conuenient to leaue the country without a law concerning Religion she hopes that they will rest satisfied with that she sends vnto his Ma. to that end and that in the mean time attending his answer her highnes will giue order that as well the Inquisitors whereas any haue been as other officers respectiuely shal proceed modestly and discreetly in their charges so as there shal be no cause to complaine Her highnesse expecting also that the petitioners for their parts will gouerne themselues accordingly and it is to be hoped that by her highnesse good endeuours his Ma. will be pleased to discharge those countries of the Inquisition wheras now it is and as it may be vnderstood by his answer to the chiefe towns of Brabant that they shal not be charged And her highnes will the more willingly employ her selfe to do all good offices with his Maiesty to that effect for that she is assured the petitioners haue no intētion to alter any thing concerning the ancient religion obserued in these countries but to maintaine it with all their powers Made by her highnesse at Brussels the 6 of April 1566 signed Margareta Who so doth well consider of this apostile or answer may easily gather the profit that shold follow and what fruits the nobles might expect for this delay to aduertise the king was only to win time and so to be better instructed of the most expedient meanes to auoid this danger Vpon this on the 8 of April the gentlemen desired another time of audience where they thāked the Regent for her gracious fauor wishing that her answer had bin somewhat cleerer and larger saying that it grieued them that she had not the authority to disannul the proclamatiō desiring her notwithstanding to forbid the officers to proceed any further therein and as they were content to submit themselues in all things to that which his Maiesty should ordaine and appoint to be done cōcerning religion th◅y hoped likewise so to behaue themselues that nothing but good report should be giuen of them protesting once again to haue done their duties if there should after ensue any further trouble for want of better order to be taken therein beseeching her to take it in good part and for that their aduersaries sought to put their request in print they desired that the K. printer might do it in such sort as it was deliuered without falsifying the same After counsell taken the Regent made answer That she hoped to take such order with the Inquisitors that no disorder nor scandale should therby ensue and that if any should so fall out it should rather proceed from them than others willing them to be carefull that no scandale should rise amongst them withall praying them not to proceed any further to draw any more company vnto them Wherunto the gentlemen replied That they thanked her for her gracious answere but they should be better pleased if she would vouchsafe to declare in presence of all the lords there assembled that she took their assembly in good part and all to be done for the seruice of his Maiesty assuring her that they would behaue themselues in all things peaceably and quietly Whereunto the Regent answered That she beleeued no lesse But for that she made no further speech to shew her entent the gentlemen once againe craued That she would openly declare what she thought of their proceedings Whereunto she made answere in few words That for that time she could not tell what she might say therunto And with that it being perceiued at the gentlemens departure that they seemed to be discontented diuers of the counsell and others as Monsieur Dassonuille entreated the Regent that she for more quietnes would send the gentlemen away with better satisfaction Whereupon to giue some content vnto the gentlemen fearing that an absolute denyall or the long expectance of avoyage into Spaine should alter them by some new iealousies the eight day of the same moneth a promise was made vnto them by the knights of the Order touching some points of the said petition whereof an act was made as followeth The noblemen here present promise vpon their faith and the oath of their Order to the deputies of this noble and honourable companie hauing sufficient authoritie to receiue the promises of the said noblemen That from this day forward the magistrates and Inquisitors shall not proceed for matter of Religion by apprehension of bodies confiscation of goods nor banishments for that which is past or to come vnlesse that by some seditious act or foule scandale tending to trouble the Commonweale any be found culpable In which case you my Masters shall take knowledge as is fit and that by way of
to deale with the gentlemen about the same this commission ensuing That they should hold and obserue the points contained in the letters of protection and for that she perceiued the great and imminent necessitie then raigning she was content that the said lords should enter into an accord with the confederated gentlemen and certifie them that the common people laying downe their armes in such places where as the preaching was then presently exercised and keeping themselues from giuing any cause of scandale or disordered actions there should no wrong nor iniurie be done vnto them nor to any others that should for that purpose trauell to and from them vntill such time as his Maiesty with the aduice of the counsell of estate should take other order therein vpon condition that they should not in any wise hinder the proceedings of the Catholicke religion but should suffer the Catholickes freely to enioy their churches in manner as they had them before Giuen in Brussels the thirteenth of August 1566 with this charge to deale and conferre with the confederated gentlemen she sent the prince of Orange the earle of Egmont the earle of Horne the baron de Hachecourt and the counsellor Dassonuille which met and consulted with the deputies of the gentlemen being Lodowicke earle of Nassau Eustace de frenes baron D'esquerdes Charles de Reuel baron Dandreguyes Bernard de Merode baron de Rumen Charles vander Noot baron de Risoire George de Montigâ—…t baron de Noyles Martin de Serlues baron de Sterbeeke Philip van Marbays baron de Lounerual Iohn de Montigni baron de Villers Charles de Lieuin baron de Famars Frauncis de Haeslen Iohn le Sauage baron de Descouberque These after long conference at the last drew vnto a conclusion agreement and accord in his Ma. behalfe which for that it is of so great importance and consequence and that all the troubles and warres that after ensued had their foundation from the same I thought good to set downe the true copie both of the proclamation and act made in manner of a securitie or protection Marguerite by the grace of God Duchesse of Parma and Plaisance Regent and Gouernesse for the king my lord in these his countries to all to whom these presents shall come greeting Whereas many gentlemen of these countries haue presented in Aprill last a petition to the end that it would please his Maiestie to take away and abolish the Inquisition and both the old and new Edicts which they said were too rigorous and therefore might not be put in execution and to make others in their places by the aduice and consent of the generall estates of the countrey requiring that the said petition might be sent by vs vnto his Maiestie to prouide accordingly Whereupon wee held many great consultations with the gouernours of prouinces knights of the Order and counsellors of State to his Maiestie And after that wee had represented all with our aduice vnto the king for that wee thought it good that by reason the said gentlemen might haue some doubt or scruple that his Maiestie would not take in good part the said petition together with the compromise which they had thereupon made together nor that which followed after and that such doubt might be the cause of greater mischiefe and trouble in the countrey wee by the same aduice haue also entreated That his Maiestie would be pleased to giue them letters of assurance that hereafter nothing shall bee imputed vnto them vpon that occasion whereupon his Maiestie had aduertised vs of his good will and pleasure According vnto the which we desiring the good quiet and tranquilitie of the said countries and to make the gentlemen petitioners more willing to yeeld all obedience and seruice vnto his Maiestie according vnto that whereunto they are bound both by nature and oath and as they haue alwayes offered themselues wee haue at their request and according to the power and authoritie giuen vs by his Maiestie and as Regent and Gouernesse generall of the said countries and by the aduice of the knights of the Order gouernours and counsellors of State being with vs giuen for their assurance this writing signed with our hand in forme as followeth Her highnesse hath caused the gentlemen petitioners to returne the twentieth of August for answer of their petition during the which time she hath happily receiued letters from his Maiesty whereby she shall haue the better meanes to giue them a certaine and absolute answere And first she lets them know that his Maiesty hauing regard to her highnes informations seeing that they which are at this day altered for Religion or otherwise offer to submit themselues vnto that which shall be decreed by his Maiesty with the aduice of the generall estates for the good of Religion and the quiet and tranquilitie thereof with the aduice of the lords knights of the Order and counsellors of state is content that the Inquisition whereof they haue complained shall cease Secondly his Maiesty hath consented That there shall be a new Edict made but it was not fully resolued if it should be done by the generall Estates or otherwise yet her highnesse hopes that by the first she shall haue a resolution according vnto that which his Maiesty hath written vnto her wherein she will alwaies do her best endeuour that his Maiesty may graunt it as she hath already done by sundry letters And in regard of assurances whereof they make mention in their last petition that her highnes was well aduised to giue it them so farre forth as lay in her as presently she can assure them seeing his Ma. hath consented giuing her full authoritie to do it in what forme and manner shee shall thinke fit Wherefore she lets them vnderstand That his Maiesty desiring to free them of all suspition who might thinke that he were ill informed of them and to take away all distrust which was the cause of these troubles meaning to shew his accustomed clemencie abhorring nothing more than bitternes is content that her highnes for the auoiding of al diffidence and distrust shall giue them such letters of assurance as she shall thinke fit and requisite for their greater securitie and for that which is past so as they carry themselues like good and faithfull vassals subiects to his Maiesty hoping they will not faile in the duties which they owe him The which her highnes is presently ready to effect And as they haue full satisfaction in this point her highnesse will not refuse the offer which they haue often made to employ themselues in the seruice of his Maiesty and her highnesse for the peace quiet of the countrey as they are bound by nature and their allegeance according to the which her meaning is they should giue their Faith First That they shall not do nor procure directly nor indirectly any thing against his Maiesty his estates nor subiects but shall employ themselues to doe all things that good
duly executed As for that which concerned the Inquisition his Maiesties pleasure was that it should stand in force and that her highnesse should fauor and assist the Inquisitors in the execution of their charge for that it concerned the good and maintenance of religion ordaining moreouer That the counsell of Trent which had beene already published should be put in execution And as for that which concerned the bishops that the said lady should giue them all direction and possible assistance that it might be effected as was fit concluding that what he had written was for the good of Religion and of the Netherlands the which else would goe to ruine And that shee should giue charge vnto the noblemen that did assist her to doe the like whereby they should discharge their duties which they owe to God his Maiesty the generall good of the Netherlands and to themselues in particular This charge from the king vnto the duchesse is nothing else but what he had written in December 1565 and after the presenting of the confederats petition by his letters written in May following In all which letters there is not any mention made of the petition exhibited by the confederat gentlemen nor of his intention to redresse those alterations by any milde or moderat course as the duchesse had so often promised Whereby it appeared that they did not acquaint the king truly with the estate and affaires of the Netherlands and that the counsell of Spaine being too violent not considering the season the estate of the countrey nor in what tearmes the Romish Religion then stood being without doubt greatly shaken sought onely by this latter charge vnto the Gouernesse to ruine the nobilitie the commons of the Netherlands But she proceeded more modestly and discreetly than the said counsell of Spaine For if in steed of giuing of the said letters of assurance vnto the nobles confederat which came onely from her owne inuention shee would vpon the receit of this last commission and charge wherewith she was much perplexed haue put it presently in execution with all rigour and violence as she was expressely commaunded and recommaunded without doubt she had ruined her selfe and all the kings estate in the Netherlands through the furie of the people who being set in a rage with the pulling down of Images were still armed and by the dispaire which the nobles might haue conceiued hauing no assurance from the king who happily might haue accepted of the succors which the prince of Conde and other Protestants of France had offered them But she who knew better the estate of affaires as hauing them still before her eyes producing dayly new effects than the counsell of Spaine did suppressing for a time these letters and commission she would not breake the ele with her knee as they say but turning her coat as the wind did blow shee strucke sayle so as her delayes and shifts from the day of the presentation of the petition with her goodly practises had withdrawne many of the confederats hoping that by little and little they would grow more cold considering the impression they had put into their heads of the kings indignation and that vpon the said assurance as they had promised they would temper the violence of the people who were greatly mooued and incensed whilest that she prouided for things embracing the best occasions to produce the said letters and charge when as shee should see the commons disarmed and the gentlemen assured and retired to their houses attending the comming of the duke of Alua. If this came from the dexteritie and industrie of the duchesse or of her counsell I referre it to the censure of others but they were too subtile for the confederats who could not discouer them On the other side if the Gouernesse would haue enclined willingly to some tollerable moderation and good order touching that which the gentlemen demaunded in their petition and not to haue fed them with so many delayes excusing her selfe absolutely that shee had no credit nor authoritie to dispence with the Edicts and Inquisition shee had quenched the fire which lay smothering in the ashes the which had not flamed out being vncouered as we haue seene and euery one had beene contented to liue with the libertie of his conscience quiet in his house seeing themselues free from feare of search by the Inquisitors touching their faith and beleefe But contrariwise many haue beleeued that both the duchesse and the counsell of Spaine meaning to ruine and root out the nobilitie of the Netherlands as it hath beene alwayes the practise of the Spaniards and to bring the people into perpetuall slauerie according vnto the twelue articles drawne by the Inquisition of Spaine the which were found among the writings of Ieams van Hessel Atturney generall of Flanders sought all occasions how to effect it Besides the retreat of the Spaniards required by the noblemen and the refusing of money without a conuocation of the generall Estates were reputed by the Spaniards for a hainous crime But now in their opinions a fit oportunity was offered by the presentation of the said petition which they made the ground-worke of all their designes Yet in the beginning if they did not dissemble it was allowed and commended as well by the Gouernesse as by the chiefe noblemen and knights of the Order as a good and faithfull seruice done vnto the king promising them in respect thereof to doe all good offices vnto his Maiestie to effect the contents thereof thanking them for the good aduice and counsell they had giuen to his Maiestie vntill that the impostume of the Spanish hatred against the said countries comming to breake such as did hate them and others of the like qualitie thrust on by ambition and their owne priuate profit seeking to fish in a troubled water and some of the cardinall of Granuelles creatures who was a capitall enemie to the princes and the chiefe noblemen of the countrey began to detract openly the authors and presenters thereof and to accuse them of seditious rebellion to all kings princes potentates and forraine nations who being then filled with those reports had no other conceit but that all the nobilitie or the greatest part with the whole people were reuolted from their prince Moreouer the cardinall being in Spaine did aggrauate the matter all hee could making the said petition to be the motiue and efficient cause of popular tumults of publicke preaching of the taking of armes of the beating downe of Images and other disorders so as the eight and twentieth day of Februarie 1568 a criminall sentence was pronounced against the said Netherlands by the office of the Inquisition and ratified by the king as wee shall hereafter see And although that after this assurance giuen by the Gouernesse and the promises made by the confederats it seemed that all troubles should cease yet notwithstanding although the duchesse sought by all meanes to hinder the preaching without the townes yet the people
Segobia sick of an ague This matter being brought before his counsel was by them much long debated many of them taking it in the worst sence but at the last they all generally agreed that the Netherlands had great need of his Maiesties presence therin and for that cause began to consult vpon the best way for his trauell and voyage thither and that in the meane time the Regents letters should be answered in such manner that the king should seeme to say nothing touching the Regents dealing with the confederated gentlemen and the sectaries nor once speake thereof that he might not thereby make any shew to like or dislike thereof least it should be occasion of new vprore or suspition And touching the assembly of the States generall that might not by any meanes be tollerated as it had beene oftentimes before determined without burthening the kings conscience Lastly That the Regent should be once againe put in mind to entertain and pay the dutch princes and pentionaries to the king and that his commaundements might be fully kept and obserued According to this resolution in the moneth of October the king writ two sorts of letters the one to be shewed to the counsell and the lords and the other to be kept secret in the first he wrote That for that the Queene his wife was then brought in bed of her first child being a daughter borne vpon S Clares day and for that cause named Isabella Clara Eugenia he was as then going from Segobia to Madril to make preparation for his voyage into the Netherlands and that he was not persuaded that the troubles in the Netherlands could be pacified by assembling of the generall States especially in his absence with other such like doubts He wrote likewise vnto the Emperour Maximilian much complaining of the troubles in the Netherlands Whereunto the Emperour as a wise experienced and politicke prince returned him an answere in the moneth of September satisfying him in euery point of his letter particularly desiring to hold and maintaine all loue and friendship with him as brethren are bound to doe one vnto the other amongst other things saying and by many reasons and arguments proouing that hee after due ripe and good deliberation and aduice taken considering the ground and depth of the same found it to be a matter of exceeding great consequence weight and trouble principally because the matter of the Catholicke Religion was become so hatefull and odious vnto many of the Germane princes allies and of affinitie with the noblemen and gentlemen of the Netherlands which might easily bee procured and induced to mount vpon their horses and to aid them whereby the Netherlands should not only endure and suffer great hurt hinderance charges and burthens but also no small doubt might be made how the same would be well holden and kept and therfore he said he thoght it the best meanes and wherein least danger consisted to end and pacifie the controuersie if it were possible by good and peaceable meanes and not by force and rigor Which to effect his Maiesty offered so the king would be content to be a mediator betweene him and his subiects with many such reasons more He wrote likewise to that end vnto the Regent the duchesse of Parma and therewiâ—…h sent her certain letters to be giuen to the lords of the Netherlands as to the prince of Orange the earle of Egmont the earle of Horne the earle of Mansfield others but referred the deliuering of them to the discretion of the Regent and the kings pleasure which the king did after forbid her to deliuer vnto them About this time many of the noblemen in the Netherlands wrot their seuerall letters vnto the king as the earls of Egmont Mansfield Meghen and Arenbergh the baron of Barlamont Noircarmes and Rassinghem the Burghgraue of Gaunt the Vniuersitie of Louen and diuers others euery man according to his affairs shewing in generall and particular what had passed especially in euery one of their seuerall gouernments Whereunto the king made them answer in most friendly wise thanking them for their good seruice in his behalfe and willing them to continue in the same commending them seuerally for their particular seruice with many and good speeches and wrot a very friendly letter vnto the president Vigilius with his owne hand thanking him for his great paines and good endeuor done in his seruice and desiring him not respecting his age feeblenesse and indisposition of body to continue therein till his comming thither And for that about this time the prince of Orange the earle of Egmont made complaint vnto the king and certaine lords in Spaine that were their friends that some complained of them behind their backs and had a bad and sinister conceit and opinion of them against all truth as time and oportunitie should well declare with such like speeches they were answered by the third hand of certaine counsellors of Spaine that the best meanes for them to cease all bad speechâ—…s and conceits was to shew and proue the contrary by their actions conforming themselues in all things to the good will of his Maiesty which was alwaies cleare allowable answerable and from the which there was no bad consequence to be feared for that the â—…ightest and truest point of the duty of a vassale or subiect is that knowing the resolute intent and purpose of his prince to endeuour himselfe by all means to effect fulfill and execute the same with all celeritie and promptnesse although hee had some particular feeling to the contrarie for that a particular member as all vassals are vnto their lords ought not to thinke or esteeme himselfe wiser than his soueraigne prince to whom onely belonged the gouernment and generall commaund and not to the particular vassale They wrote them likewise that in Spaine the common opinion was That if they namely the prince of Orange and the earle of Egmont or any of them both would haue behaued themselues stoutly and couragiously the troubles in the Netherlands had not proceeded to such an issue which notwithstanding if from thence forward they would doe their endeauours to doe good and vpright seruice for the State without dissimulation as dutie bound them they might thereby reforme all causes or at the least maintain them in esse vntill the comming of the king into the Netherlands with diuers such instructions The Gouernesse by her manifest demonstrations of mildnesse and by so many goodly assurances which she promised did not onely labour to retaine the people and marchants from retyring out of the countrey but also the nobilitie who notwithstanding any assurance shee could giue them were not without distrust but aboue al hauing disappointed the league and compromise of the gentlemen which made her hardie and yet dissembling shee studied to entertaine by all kinds of fauour and courtesie the prince of Orange with the earles of Egmont Horne and Hochstraten The king hauing sent her word that she
end all will bee but words they hauing neither will nor meanes to succour vs as they promise Besides the Huguenots here are strong and looke big I will not omit any thing that is possible to be done whereof I will aduertise your highnesse vpon all occasions But aboue all I beseech you gouerne your selfe with great dexteritie in the behalfe of those three that I haue named From Paris the nine and twentieth of August 1566. These letters shew sufficiently in what sort they would entertaine these noblemen namely the prince of Orange and the earles of Egmont and Horne seeing that they held themselues assured in Spaine of the marquesse of Berghes and the baron of Montignie and that in their opinions after they had dispatched these they would easily preuaile ouer the earles of Hoochstraten Culenbourg and Berghen the lord of Brederode and other of the chiefe nobles of the confederats vsing as their instruments therein other noblemen as the earles of Megen Baâ—…lamont and his fiue or sixe sonnes Noircarmes Beaâ—…oir and others whom they had at their deuotion hating and enuying the other three noblemen and all the confederats The resolution then beeing taken in the counsell of Spaine that there was no meanes more expedient to pacifie the troubles of the Netherlands than to reduce the people and all the nobilitie to their antient yea to an entire and absolute obedience by force of armes the question was to chuse a commaunder for this action which was weightie and of so great importance Some were of opinion That if those of the countrey did see prince Charles the kings sonne and their naturall prince they would presently yeeld him all obedience But those that bare an inueterat hatred vnto the countrey as the cardinall of Granuelle and his like excused him of so heauie a burthen by reason of his youth then the duke of Medina-Celi was named but the Duke of Alua was preferred before him notwithstanding the priuiledges of the countrey which admit no strange gouernour but one that is borne in the countrey as an antient captaine of good experience and fortunat in warre to whom this charge was giuen Whereat prince Charles beeing much discontented could not containe himselfe but burst forth in some words of dislike against the duke whereby hee discouered the loue hee bare vnto these countries being his inheritance and the feare hee had that the duke would oppresse them too much saying vnto him Beware that thou doest not oppresse my people least I bee reuenged To whom the duke answered I thanke God I haue a â—…aster for the remainder of my life and am not to be commanded by you These noblemen the prince of Orange the earles of Egmont Horne Hoochstrate and Lodowike of Nassau hauing seene these letters and well considered of those which the baron of Montigny had written out of Spaine to the earle of Horne his brother containing the kings discontentment touching the troubles happened in the Netherlands aduertising them to doe their best endeuour to redresse it to the end that the king beeing in time pacified hee should haue no occasion to come into the countrey or to remedie it by armes All which aduertisements hauing put the noblemen in great perplexitie and doubt they assembled the third of October in the towne of Deuremonde to resolue what should bee most fit and conuenient for their assurance and preseruation wherein they were of diuers opinions some saying That they should not feare that the king would be so rigorous some were of opinion to retire out of the country and to giue place to the kings furie if he came into the countrey with aâ—… armie others said That if they would remaine well vnited together that there was meanes to resist his forces wherein they should neither want friends nor strength The earle of Egmont who had more credit than any with the souldiers of the countrey said That they should endeuour by all good dueties and offices to pacifie his Maiestie and not be so much amazed at Francis d'Allanas letters that they ought not to oppose themselues to any thing that it should please the king to command the which hee said he did not find tollerable in conscience but that they ought to acquaint him with all affaires that being better informed hee may prouide for them That euerie one should doe his best endeuour to appease the troubles and to pacific the people as well as the nobilitie to the end his Maiestie might know them that haue best discharged themselues in his seruice And whereas some were of opinion to retire rather out of the countrey that hee could not doe it hauing no meanes to liue in a strange countrey with his wife children and family in his estate and qualitie from his lands and liuing being needfull for him to depend wholy vpon the kings fauor without the which he could not do any thing This resolution of the earle of Egmont wherunto the earl of Horn did partly conforme himselfe did so amaze the other noblemen as after they had been fiue or six houres together in conference they retired without any other conclusion but that euerie one should stand vpon his guard holding from that time forward the earle of Egmont for suspect who went from thence to Brussels where hee complained to the duchesse of Francis d Allanas letters the which she denied constantly vntil that being vanquished by his own hand she said That they must not take it nor interpret it in that sence they did The earle of Horne soone after the conference at Deuremonde went likewise to Brusels where for that he vnderstood that all his actions were ill taken hee gaue an account of all his dealings in Tournay and Tournesis vnto the Gouernesse the which hee left in her hands in writing And for that he found that they distrusted him he retired from Brussels and went to his castle of Waert from whence he writ vnto the king dated the twentieth of Nouember all the estate of his actions iustifying himselfe of many things wherewith they charged him to his Maiestie setting downe the reason why hee had absented himselfe from court and retired to his house Hee writ also to the baron of Montigny his brother being in Spaine complaining among other things That they had called his loyaltie in question and that they did interpret all his good seruices for ill deseruings saying That he held his brother happie to be in Spaine farre from so great troubles discontentments and disgraces But soone after these two poore brethren were paid with one kind of coine as we shall see by the kings letters of the three and twentieth of August sent vnto the duchesse The confederat gentlemen might easily conceiue whereto tended the great preparation for warre in Spaine and the threats which the king vsed against them Wherefore euerie one was of opinion to prouide for his safetie and those that were of the religion and trusted least to the duchesse letters of assurance
they had not by any means deserued They perceiued likewise the taking vp of souldiers both within and without the lands which gaue them al cause to thinke that the same were to be imploied against them and those of the religion to whom shee had giuen contrarie securitie vntill his Maiestie with aduice of the generall states should take further order therâ—… in For which cause they perceiuing the generall ouerthrow and destruction of the Netherlands to be prepared and at hand and power and force to be daily more and more vsed against them contrarie to all promises and assurances thought good to mooue her once againe as they had done before to doe them the fauour to shew them if it were her pleasure that the contract made with them should be obserued and kept and to suffer the preaching and the exercises thereon depending to bee done as they in her and the lords names had shewed and declared vnto the people and whether shee meant not to hold and obserue the securitie by her granted vnto the said confederated gentlemen but to the contrarie that the good fauour that shee bare vnto them and the common people might the better be seene and perceiued they desired her to vouch safe them the fauor to discharge all her souldiers and recall her commissions not long since sent forth into the Netherlands which doing they would assure her that the countrey should liue in peace and quietnesse and they themselues be readie to venture liues goods in the seruice of his Maiestie and her the which if it were not presently done it was to be feared that much greater hurt and inconueniences would ensue with great bloud-shedding amongst the common people who vpon her and her word now reposed their securitie And therefore they thought good to shew her so much to discharge their duties wherein they stand bounden vnto his Maiestie and their natiue countrey desiring her to giue them a good short and resolute answer The request sent by those of the reformed religion vnto the gentlemen which they sent with theirs vnto the regent held in effect a great complaint of the miserable persecution and wrongs done vnto them in euerie place contrarie to the promises and securities made vnto them wherin also they said That the said gentlemen had sought to begâ—…ile and deceiue them vnlesse they could shew them that they had such expresse charge and commission from the regent and the lords of the order of the Golden Fleece and if that no promise would bee holden with them they desired that it might be plainly told them that euery man might know to gouerne himselfe thereby to shun the persecution Whereunto the regent answered with a more proud and haughtie stile than shee had formerly done That she could not conceiue what noblemen nor what people they were that had presented this petition for that many noblemen confederats held themselues satisfied as well for that they had caused the Inquisition and the edicts to cease as by reason of the assurance which was promised them and that for this cause they did present themselues daily to doe such seruice as it should please his Maiestie But she could not sufficiently wonder how they could haue any conceit that she would euer suffer the exercise of the religion considering that contrariwise she had sufficiently declared how much she was offended for that after the conclusion of the treatie some noblemen had assured the people of these exercises contrarie to her will and meaning seeing that the promise which the noblemen made to take away all armes troubles and scandals did inferre withall that the exercise of their religion should cease whereunto she had not consented Moreouer they well remember with what griefe of mind she had suffered the preaching in accustomed places without armes or scandall they may thereby easily know the small affection which she had to allow them any other exercise As for libertie she had onely granted it so farre forth as the petition of the fifth of May should not be imputed vnto them but not touching religion although against her owne conscience they had wrested so much from her and therefore had iust cause to be offended that they did attribute it vnto her and that his Maiestie was iustly incensed notwithstanding that the people had vsurped al exercise that by the new magistrat they ouer-ruled his officers the which his Maiestie was resolued to reuenge And for answer to that which they said That she had not kept that which she had accorded she said That all that was grounded vpon a false and too large interpretation of her words and that rightly many magistrats had neuer allowed it but that she had not gone against her promise in any thing if after it was giuen they had apprehended some for their offences as the breakers of images and robbers of churches the which happened since the accord yea by some gentlemen confederats That they had caused the preaching to be vsed in towns wheras it had been before in the field Besides they had seized vpon churches monasteries noblemens houses c. chased away the religious threatned the clergie and preached in vnaccustomed places The people animated by them had seized vpon some townes and royall places carried away the artilerie munition chased away the kings officers kept the field in martiall maner threatning all the Catholikes yea comprehending her highnesse So as by letters surprised which their souldiers had written to them of Valenciennes it might bee sufficiently gathered whereto all these tumults tended that is if God had not otherwise prouided to haue depriued the king of all his countries And in that they intreat to haue all the souldiers discharged they seeke thereby to take the sword from him to whom God hath giuen it Finally she aduiseth them if they be so much deuoted to the kings seruice as they say that they should hereafter shew themselues more conformable to his Maiesties will and pleasure and to satisfie the people touching the sufferance of religion the which brought but a contempt of his Maiestie and of iustice and that they should carrie themselues in such sort as they might turne away his Maiesties wrath and indignation that it might not bee forced to exceed the limits of his bountie and clemencie Also that they should forbeare such threats as they seeme to vse in their petition wherein if they persist she leaues them to thinke what a dishonor and infamie it will be to them for euer aduising them to retire euery man to his owne home and not to trouble themselues with the affairs of the country but to carry themselues in such sort as his Maiestie might receiue contentment aduertising them that if they did otherwise shee would prouide as she should thinke fit and conuenient for the publike quiet without any need of a more ample answer to the said petition vntill she may know which be the noblemen and the people which desire it whereof
leaped ouer broad Ditches cutting off the Spaniards way where-so-euer they turned beeing not able to escape from them by any meanes so as besides them that were slaine and drowned there were two hundred and nintie brought prisoners to Horne Some other Spaniards had at the same time a desseine by practise and intelligence vpon the towne of Delfe where-as at that time the Seignior of Poyet the Princes Lieutenant commanded the which did not succeed according to their mindes for that it was too soone discouered as they said But to say the trueth if they had entred they had beene taken the which they had done if the Key of the gate which was appointed to bee opened could haue beene at the instant found And so seeing they had not the entrie ready as they expected they suspected that the practise was discouered and yet there was not any shew nor noyse in the towne and so retired If this had succeeded those of Delfe had taken the cheefe commanders of all their forces especially of the Spaniards At that time the Commander receiued a generall pardon from the King giuen at Madrill the eight of Marche the which at his best commoditie hee caused to bee proclaimed in the townes of Brusselles and Antwerpe with great ceremonies and state This pardon was for all them of the Netherlands that had offended as well for the publicke preaching as the carrying of armes breaking of Images thefts sacke of Churches Monasteries or other offences against the King or the Romish Church in what manner soeuer out of which pardon were excluded the Prince of Orange and some others whom the King had particularly excepted restoring all others that were capable of the sayd pardon to their goods name and credit of what quality and condition soeuer they were hauing no need to sue for any other letters of grace but this generall pardon And such as would enioye it before they entred into the possession of their goods being yet in being and in the Kings power should bee bound to produce letters of abiuration of their errors and of their submission and promise of obedience to the Romish Church Many durst not trust vnto it no more then vnto the Duke of Aluaes pardon yet some trusted vnto it and spedde well yet many were freed from prison who if it had bin in the Duke of Aluaes time according to his rigour had lost their liues In the meane time Leyden was brought to great extremitie there being no meanes left to releeue them but by some extraordinary and vnexpected accident so as the Spaniards did assure themselues of the Towne yet knowing that the Prince was a man who would not omitte any thing that might serue for the succour and preseruation of such a Towne and that hee wanted no inuention practising the meanes which had beene often vsed in the time of troubles both in France and the Netherlands not onely to circumuent the simple but euen the most sufficient vnder a glorious shew of peace the superficies whereof at the first sight is pleasing gaue it out that they did wonderfully affect and desire it and that it was the Kings pleasure For proofe whereof and to sound the Prince of Oranges minde they sent vpon his simple pasport and with-out hostages two men that were not very opposite to the Protestants religion the one was Iohn of Matenesse Seignior of Riuiere and the Aduocate Treslon who obteyned this pasport of the Prince vnder collour to follow some priuate businesse of their owne as they sayd but it was most to conferre with some of the States of Holland They were some time at Rotterdam where as the Prince was then also going vp and downe with all liberty which many did not like of But the Prince would haue the world know that he held not the peoples wills in subiection who contrariwise was not so voide of iudgement but hee vnderstood well the consequence thereof and sayd openly that this warre was their peace and the peace which was propounded would be a fatall and deadly warre the which notwithstanding they detested desiring only you should haue holy and healthfull conditions as wel for the soule as the body The Prince suffred them to speake freely to whome they pleased They that had sent them to entertaine both the Prince and the States in this opinion of peace meaning to put all their deuises in practise vnder collour of talking of the exchange of prisoners of either side and namely of Cont Bossu they resolued â—…o send vpon good hostages that is to say of the Signior of Carnesse and of doctor Iunius gouernor of la Vere the Signior of Saint Aldegonde who they knew to be wel beloued of the Prince giuing him 〈◊〉 on Ferdinando Launoy Earle of la Roche a high Bourguignon Gouernor of Holland in the absence of Cont Bossu that was prisoner at Horne and the Signior of Champaigne brother to the Cardinal Granuelle with certain Instructions to treat of a peace with the Commanders good liking and consent which gentlemen making a wonderfull demonstration of the desire they had to see an assured peace they did sweare vnto him that they which were of the country would doe their best endeauors to aduance it thinking as they said that there was no better meanes to induce the Prince then in sending the said Signior of St. Aldegond who being come to Rotterdam and this treaty of peace ready to begin there appeered some difficulties about the order and meanes to proceed which had bene propounded the which was not likt of by the great Commander vnder collour that the Kings authority should be thereby somewhat blemished who thought it more fitting that the townes of Holland and Zeeland should first addresse themselues vnto the king by way of petition to the end that the effect of the accord that might ensue might be attributed to the kings bounty rather theÌ„ to any conference And therfore they did greatly presse the Signior of Saint Aldegond to perswade the States therevnto Before vpon the conference which Matenesse and Treslon had had with the States at Rotterdam there was a writing giuen vnto them at their retreat by the States in forme as followeth Vpon that which hath bin propounded to the States of Holland and Zeeland touching the troubles and present warre and for the quieting thereof by a firme peace for the good of the country and of his Maiesties subiects the States protest that they neuer intended to take armes against his maiestie But that in discharge of the bond and duties of their charge and to maintaine his reputation and dignity together with the sworne priuileges rights laudable customes and liberty of his countries and subiects haue beene forced to oppose themselues with armes against the tiranous and violent command of the Duke of Alua and other strangers his adherents who by vniust exactions and oppressions of his subiects haue troubled the publike quiet seeking by all insolent meanes to become
maisters of his Maiesties countries and to reduce them to perpetuall slauery to the great preiudice of his Maiesties seruice as it hath beene often heretofore made knowne and protested by the saide Estates So as they meane not now to capitulate of any pacification with his Maiestie whom they haue alwaies sought to obey and serue with all humility as their naturall Lord and Prince which makes them humbly to beseech him that it would please his Maiesty as a good father to looke vpon the pouerties and afflictions of his contries with a louing and tender eye and thereby draw them to vnion peace and trafficke as well to augment his estate as the prosperity of his subiects The which without doubt can neuer be effected so long as strangers shal vse their force and tirany who make a greater benifit by troubles and disorders then when the country is orderly gouerned regarding only their owne profit which hath bin the cause of all these warres And therfore that it would please his maiesty to cal away those strangers afterwards by a free conference with the aduice of the general estates of the country duly assembled set such an order as his maiesties subiects may be hereafter assured from all dangers and inconueniences that might happen And for that the contynuance of this warre to speake truly can produce nothing but a depopulation and total ruine of his Maiesties countries and the rather for that it is manifest that the inhabitants thereof do giue them selues daiely to the exercise of Armes forgetting and neglecting their trades and traffick of Marchandise being an vsuall thing for men to giue them-selues to all the licentiousues which war brings with it So as by this meanes a dangerous and preiudiciall decay is to bee feared of all trafficke negotiation marchandise and nauigation redounding to the ruine of his Maiesties seruice The sayd Estates doe also beseech that regard may bee had heerevnto to the end that as well Holland and Zeeland as the other neighbour Prouinces might by his Maiesties authoritie bee discharged of either side from the oppression of these strange souldiars and that presently by way of prouision all acts of hostilitie may cease So as the Comerce and conuersation of the inhabitants bread in your Maiesties countries may be hereafter restored with al security and the one reconciled with the other Wherefore the States do trust that the great Commanders excellency and all other his Maiesties saithfull vassalls will put to their helping hands as they doe intreate them with all reuerence and humility and doe all the good offices of loyall and faithfull subiects This answere made by the States did not please them that had sent the signior of Matenesse and Treslon the which doth well appeere by a letter which the Lord of Chaâ—…paigny writ vnto Saint Aldegonde beeing yet with the Prince and States dated the 2â—… of Iuly where hee saith amongst other pointes speaking of this answere which hee confesseth to haue receiued these words following But that which they haue brought is farre from the present affaires For neither the title which they take in this writing can bee vsurped by them nor the reasons which they giue for their distraction doe concurre with his Maiesties reputation notwithstanding that they say that their intention was to maintaine his greatnesse the which hath no ground And as for the meanes which the propound they are not accompanied with the respect which I did hope for For it seemes by their writing that the townes which are distracted from his Maiesties obedience carrie themselues towards him as good and faithfull subiects doe to their Soueraigne Prince Therefore you must bring other matter c. These letters beeing imparted to the States that they might not commit any thing that might bee demanded of them with reason and to shewe that they did seriously demand a good peace that might bee firme and permanent they would not shewe themselues vnwilling to propound their greeuances and demandes by petition directed vnto the King the which was deliuered to Saint Aldegonde returning to Vtrecht to prison who deliuered it to the Lord of Champagny to present it vnto the great Commander whereof the tenor was To the King MOst humblie shewing the Nobles Knights and townes of Holland and Zeeland That they haue euer like good and faithfull vassalls and subiects in all things as well to your Maiestie as to your Predecessors of famous memorie yeelded all humble obedience dutie and seruice whensoeuer for the preseruation of your Maiesties greatnesse and State their obedience and humble seruice hath beene required So as they haue no doubt but your Maiesties loue towardes them hath beene thereby greatly augmented to preserue and maintaine them in their rightes and liberties with peace and tranquilitie vnder Iustice and order And although the Duke of Alua carrying himselfe for Gouernor in your Maiesties place should haue behaued himselfe accordingly yet contrariwise vnder the title of his gouernment hee hath vsed such Iniustice and violence to your Maiesties counâ—…rie and subiects aswell Ecclesiasticall as Secular Noble and vnnoble as the Petitioners for the preseruation of their preuiledges rightes and auncient lawdable customes and liberties haue beene to their great greefe foâ—…ced to oppose themselues with an armie against the proud commande and violent manner of gouernment of the sayd Duke and his adherents that were strangers seeking to trouble the publike quiet by Innouations strange exactions and the generall oppression of your maiesties subiects Hauing no other designe but to subiect the sayd countries the inhabitants to their appetites and insolencies to impouerish them and bring them into seruitude to the great preiudice of your Maiesties seruice greatnes reuenues whereon your suppliants haue heretofore made complaint protested openly as also the States of other countries haue respectiuely done the like diuers times But yet notwithstanding the Duke of Alua persisting still in his bad resolution your Maiesties said countries and the inhabitants haue not onely beene drawne into great alterations troubles and calamities of warre but also the neighbour Nations and kingdomes haue growne to hate and to abhorre this ouerweeniâ—…g pride of 〈◊〉 strangers enemies of the publike quiet of the sayd Countries with a dâ—…sion aâ—…d losse of all traffick trades negotiation and of their prosperity And as the sayd Petitioners haue neuer sought nor doe not at this present seeke any thing but to aduance and by all meanes possible to procure the generall good of all the country for your Maiesties seruice as it belongs to loyall subiects they beseech your Maiesty withall humility that you would bee pleased as a kinde father to regard with a pittifull eye the present estate of the Netherlands so lamentable and miserable and to restore them to a vnion comerce and quietnesse wherby your Maiesties greatnesse may increase and the prosperity of the inhabitants growe and florish for your seruice And as it can by no meanes be effected so
the first conuocation of the generall Estates the which should be held at Berghen vpon Soom where he should be allowed confirmed by a generall consent There were letters written to the other Prouinces and townes in the behalfe of them of Brabant to draw them into their societie with their iustification for the taking of the said Noblemen and a declaration of the loue affection they bare vnto their country as followeth My maisters it is notorious to all the world how the Spaniards borne in pouerty and come out of a poore country obseruing the riches wealth of these Netherlands haue alwaies sought which now they shew by effect to plant themselues there to make it their continuall aboade and to hold the greatest and best offices but not able to attaine there-vnto our priuiledges not admitting any stranger to be aduanced to any office they haue fought by all meanes possible vtterly to ruine it Hauing therin shewed their pernicious desseigne at the first alteration which happened in these Netherlands in the yeare 1566. the which the Duches the councel did very discreetly pacefy so as since they haue enioyed some rest al questions being laid aside The which by a naturall and inueterate hatred against these countries they haue made proofe of when as they sent the duke of Alua into these parts who well instructed in Machiuells precepts put many of the chiefe and ancient Nobility to death building here and there Cittadels to reduce the people into slauery besides the excessiue and insupportable impositions and executions as of the 30. and 10. penny of all merchandise aduancing the skum of his leud instruments to offices of greatest honor entertayning a multitude of traitors and spies among the people to obserue their actions and words â—…and against the liberties freedomes and preuiledges of the country hindering forbidding the connocation of the generall Estateâ—… he suffred his Spaniards to commit all sorts of insolencies and villenies with an vnrestrained liberty to kill and murther whom they thought good to force and rauish wiâ—…es and virgins noble and base and to commit al sorts of cruelties with impunity not only by their Commanders and captaines but also by the meanest soldiar among them Wherby we see that the riches and welth of these countries which was wont to be very great is now come to nothing and the glory of our ancestors turned to ignominy and shame And which is more it doth not appeere that they will desist from their courses in the least point vntil that by their thefts robberies spoyling burnings and deuastations they haue made these countries a wildernes desart As of late by their mutiny vnder collour that they are not paied their entertainment they practise all acts of hostility threatning in case they bee not paied to ruine many good townes being to that end retired out of the Island of Ziricxee and come into the country of Brabant to shew the hatred where with they are inflamed against vs hauing a dessigne to ceaze vpon the noble and mighty town of Brussells the aboad of the Court to spoile it but seeing themselues discouered that the good inhabitants of the sayd towne were in armes and stood vpon their gard changing their desseigne they haue fallen vpon Flanders and in hostile manner haue surprized Alost threatning to do the like vnto Brussells to destroy it wherfore the States of Brabant considering what miseries and calamities all these practises might bring vnto the country they held them not to be any longer tollerated and hauing laied them before the councell of State they were also of the same opinion and haue thought it necessary to resist such insolencies and violences declaring the Spaniards to bee as rebells and enemies to the King and States punishing them according to their merits Wherevpon the States haue decreed that to maintaine the royall authoritie and for the defence of the countrie there should be a leauie made of horse and foote But whereas it hath beene discouered that some of the councell of State did secretly and vnder hand fauour the sayd rebells and mutines yea did incorrage and perswade them to set vpon the towne of Brussells and to extort and wrest from them a great sum of money seeking also to hinder the leauy of men of warre as the States had decreed opposing themselues against it â—…ith all their power and seeking to disapoint the intentions and meanes of the States and by lies and false-hoods to frustrate their good councells and holesome resolutions all to the aduancement of these mutines finally hauing made shewe that their countries good is displeasing vnto them and that they will in no sort diuert and preuent the mischiefe seeking rather to defend and maintaine these Spaniards their enemies vntill that new succors may bee sent them from Spaine Euery one may hereby easily â—…dge of the equity of the States cause in that they seeke councell and meanes to defend themselues against the tirany of the Spanish nation who by their pride despite and irreconciliable hatred which they haue long norrished and entertained as if they had presently conquered al the country by their armes thinke to dispose thereof at their pleasures imposing vpon them a perpetuall yoake of seruitude after they had spoiled them of their preuiledges and freedomes which hetherto wee haue preserued and maintained vnder the cruelties of the inquisition of Spaine To preuent the which and to resist them by all meanes possible the States of Brabant haue thought it sit to seize vpon the persones of such councellors being secret fauorers adherents to the enemies of the country vntill that the King may bee fully informed of the estate here as we hope he shall be shortly being resolued to aduertise him particularly and of our good intentions and the affection wee beare vnto our country who will neuer indure any thing that shall bee contrary to the duty of his Maiesties good and faithfull seruants At this time there was a great discontent betwixt the English the Zelanders who could not endure to see that the Marchants of the Netherlands vnder the K. of Spaines obedience should trafficke into Spaine in English ships vnder the name of Englishmens goods although they did belong to them of Antwerpe Tournay Lille Valencieâ—…es and other townes Of which ships the Zeelanders tooke some the which by the iudgâ—… of the Admiralty were adiuged good prize The complaints hereof being come into England and foure of the Zelanders ships being driuen in by fowle weather neere vnto Plimouth the English arrested them and kept the Captaines prisoners The marriners hauing found meanes to escape and to returne into Holland complained of that which had happened to their Captaines and ships durâ—…g this breache the Zeelanders tooke at diuers times 14. English ships whereof the English demanded â—…stitution for the which they sued in the Admiralty court so as in the end they did agree vpon certain conditions
their should bee published a lawe of amnesty or forgetfullnes to take away all doubts and that euery man may bee the more assured and content to the end that their hearts might be vnited and mutuall loue entertained These articles were approued by most of the Bourguers and Magistrats who intreated the Prince that hee would perswade the companies of trades and the members of the towne there-vnto that no man might make any difficulty for as for that which they pretended that two religions could not subsist in one towne that had beene sufficiently discoursed of in a petition touching liberty of religion exhibited by the protestants themselues in the moneths of Iune and Iuly going before vnto the Archduke Prince and States by the which they craue nothing more but that they might freely exercise their religion which free exercise being allowed them of Gant it was reason that therein they should agree with the Romish Catholikes whereby euery one might serue God according to his conscience and as he will answer at the day of Iudgment for the helth of his soule As for the transporting of the prisoners out of Gant to Antwerp or any other place where they pleased that they should make no further difficultie seeing the towne drawes no proffit thereby but only great charge and trouble to keep them the which they were not resolued to send into any neuter place without good caution and fideiussory bonds To induce the Ganthois therevnto the Prince alledged vnto them first the duty wherevnto they were bound the inconueniences that were like to growe if they were not vnited the neighbourhood of the Wallons Malcontents who practised a priuate reconciliation with the Spaniards the oppressions which the lesser townes of Flanders were forced to suffer to contribute besides their ordinary taxes to these wallons so as they of Oudembourg had for a long time paid eighteene hundred florins a day That the other members of Flanders would not depart from the obedience of the Archduke the Prince and States that the other Poruinces as Brabant Holland and Zeeland might abandon them in danger of their enemies who would soone bring them vnder to their totall ruine In the end so many goodly perswasions and reasons were made vnto them by the Prince and others well affected to their country as the sixteene of December they agreed and the free exercise of the Romish Relligion was established By reason whereof certaine Churches were restored to the Catholikes for their deuotion and seruice and liberty to go in procession within the Churches onely and to carry the Sacrament in the streets without bells or other ceremonies The religious men were restored to their Cloisters and couents but if any would not returne by reason of their consciences then the Magistrats should appoint them reasonable maintenance And that for the greater ease and releefe of their poore the foure orders of their begging friars should be excluded some other cloisters and monasteries were made Colledges and scholes for both religions none of the said religions might molest disquiet nor scandalize the other in word nor deed The Protestants might not enter into any Church of the Romish Relligion if they would not behaue and gouerne themselues as the rest vpon festiuall daies limited none should doe any worke publikly nor open any shoppe In regard of opening of the butchery and selling of flesh therein they should obserue the auncient Statutes and orders of the towne The subiects of both relligions should take an oth vnto their superiors to bee obedient and to helpe to punish the wicked especially the breakers of this decree And according to the same the Archduke Prince and States shall hould them vnder their defence and protection All commanders collonels captaines and officers present to come shal swere to entertaine al these points and articles as also the cheefe of trades and companies with the ministers those of consistories clergimen chapters colledges and couents shall also sweare the same As for the prisoners not any thing was determined but that nothing should be attempted against them without good knowledg of the cause After this accord the clergy-men returned euery one into the possession of his goods dignities Monasteries and Churches but this good vnion continued not long as we will show All things being thus reformed in the towne of Gant the Arch-duke Prince and States thought it good to treat and make an agrement with the Malcontents and Wallons that were at Menin wherein they imployed some noblemen and gentlemen whome they knew to haue some credit and authority among them with the best perswations they could deuise to pacifie them and to draw them to some good accord But nothing was effected for those that were the cheefe motiues of their alterasions for the kings seruice as they said that is Damp Iohn Sarasin Abbot of Saint Vaast of Arras the Seignior of Capres William of Vasseur Seignor of Valhuon and some others tending to desiunction as we haue said alleding that by this liberty of Religion graunted by the former articles the pacification of Gant and the vnion which had followed it were violated and were directly repugnant vnto them whereby they began to discouer that these alterations of the Malcontents sought some other subiect or collour to disioyne them from the generality then the payment of their entertainement which they had alwaies made great shew of The Marquis of Haurec and the councellor Meerkerke were sent vnto them but nothing preuayled and this mischeefe so increased as by little and little the said Abbot and others with the Seignior of la Motte woone sometimes one and sometimes an other And in the end the Vicont of Gant fearing to loose his gouernment of Arthois which he knew the Seignior of Capres Gouernor of Arras did affect ioyned with them The Earle of Lalain gouernor of Henault hauing suffered himselfe to bee perswaded thought also to draw his Brother the Seneshall of Henault vnto them being afterwards Prince of Espinoy The Ganthois on the other side imputing all these actions of the Malecontents where of the Seignior of Montigni Heze Capres la Motte and Alennes were the cheefe to mere ambition priuate profit desire of rule and hatred to the Protestants religion and for their parts hauing tasted the sweetnes of ecclesiasticall goods which they had formerly seazed on the which to fall to some agreement with the Malcontents they had left seeing the practises of these gettlemen to continue that moued them to stirre vp the comons againe against the clergy to breake and beat downe Images more then before and their insolencie grew so great as to breake vp tombes and to open the sepulkers of Princes among others that of the Queene of Denmarke sister to the Emperor Charles the fift to haue the lead she was wrapt in troubling the rest of the dead who lay for a time vpon the pauement without sepulkers Then they began to chase away all Preests Monks
accounts and others of all chambers of accounts being respectiuely in these countries and also all other judges and officers as holding them discharged of the othe which they haue made vnto the king of Spaine according to the tenor of their commissions that they shall take a new othe in the hands of the Estates of the Prouince where they are or to their deputies by the which they shal sweare to be faithfull to vs against the king of Spaine and his adherents according to the forme set downe by vs and there shall be giuen to the said counsellors masters of accounts judges and officers remaining in the prouinces which haue contracted with the duke of Aniou in our name an act of continuance in their offices containing in steed of a new commission a cassation or disannulling of their former and that by way of prouision vntill his comming And to counsellors masters of accounts judges and officers being resident in prouinces which haue not contracted with his Highnesse a new commission shal be giuen vnder our name and seale if the petitioners were not found faultie to be of bad behauiour to haue gone against the priuiledges of the countrey or to haue committed some other disorder We also command the president and them of the priuie counsell the chancellor and counsel of Brabant the gouernor chancellor and counsel of Gueldres and the countie of Zutphen the president and counsell in Flanders the president and counsell in Holland the gouernour 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and counsell in Friseland the president and counsell at Vtrecht the bailife at Tourâ—…â—…d Tournesis the receiuors or chiefe officers of Beoosterscheldt and Bewesterscheldt in 〈◊〉 the scout of Macklyn and all other judges and officers whom it shall concerne their lieuâ—…ants and euerie of them presently without any delay to publish this our decree in all pâ—…ces of their iurisdictions and wheresoeuer they are accustomed to make proclamations to â—…e end that no man may pretend any cause of ignorance And that they may keepe and obserue and cause to be kept and obserued inuiolably this our decree without any fauour support or dissimulation for we haue so thought it fit and conuenient for the good of the countrey For the effecting whereof wee giue to euerie one whom it shall concerne full power and authoritie and speciall commission In witnesse whereof we haue caused our seale to bee hereunto annexed Giuen at the Hage in our assembly the six and twentieth of Iuly 1581. Vnderneath was written By the ordinance and decree of the said Estates and signed I. Van Asseliers According vnto this declaration of the Estates there was a new forme of an othe drawne in maner of an abiuration of the king of Spain and promise of duetie and obedience which euerie one should owe vnto the said Estates by the publike officers and magistrats of euerie towne and prouince as followeth I sweare That hereafter I shall not follow nor yeeld obedience to Philip king of Spaine nor acknowledge him for my prince and lord whom I do renownce by these presents and doe hold my selfe freed from all othes and bonds by the which I might be formerly tyed vnto him whereof finding my selfe presently deliuered I sweare a new and bind my selfe to the vnited prouinces and namely to them of Brabant Gueldre Holland Zeeland and their allies and to the soueraigne magistrats that are appointed to be faithfull and loyall vnto them to yeeld them all obedience aid and comfort with all my power and meanes against the king of Spaine and his adherents and against all the enemies of the countrey Promising as a good vassall of the countrey to carrie my selfe faithfully and loyally with shew of all obedience to my superiours So helpe me the Almightie God This decree being thus proclaimed all the seales counter seales and secret signets of the king of Spaine were broken and cancelled with solemnitie by all the consuls of the said prouinces and others new made by order of the generall Estates for that which concerned the gouernment and the affaires of the generalitie And as for matters of iustice and policie they vsed the seales names and titles of priuat gouernours and prouinciall consuls From that time there was no coins of gold siluer or copper made with the name or titles of the king of Spain but vpon stamps which the Estates had caused to be made in euerie prouince All gouernors superintendents presidents chauncellors counsellors and other officers were discharged and absolued from their precedent othes and did sweare fidelitie to the generall Estates against the king of Spaine and his adherents according to the forme aboue mentioned to whom an act was sent for the continuation of their commissions Many notwithstanding made great difficultie to abiure the king and to take this new othe Among others a counsellor of Friseland a man of great iudgement and experience called Raalda hearing this abiuration propounded in open counsell at Leuwarden and the renewing of the othe whether it were through a sodaine amazement or for the affection which he bare to the king of Spaine was so mooued and troubled as he fell presently into a conuulsion and died sodainely They were then in great doubt that this would cause the king to arrest all the ships and merchandise of the Netherlanders that were then in Spaine but the great and extreame necessitie of corne which they had at that time in Spaine was the cause that nothing was attempted against them Mathias Archduke of Austria hauing as we haue said willingly resigned vp the gouernement of the Netherlands parted from Antuerpe the nine and twentieth of October to retire himselfe into Germanie with a goodly traine and well attended being richly and honourably intreated by the Estates at his departure as well by annuall pension rich presents readie money and discharge of his expences and debts as in many other gratuities and courtesies notwithstanding that he was for a time suspected to haue had intelligence with the king of Spaine his vncle and brother in law and that he had a practise against the prince of Orange his lieutenant for the which his baker was committed to prison who hauing confest some points of his interrogations gaue cause to the world to giue some credit to these suspitions not for any loue he bare vnto the Spaniards but for that by the calling of the duke of Aniou brother to the French king to the duchie of Brabant and earledome of Flanders hee would not willingly haue seene these prouinces transferred into any other house than that of Austria out of the which hee himselfe was issued and from the which they were like to be dismembred At the same time the prince of Espinoy gouernour of Tournay and Tournesis sent to surprise the towne of Guislain in Henault three leagues from Mons. Captaine Turquean had the charge of this exploit whereof he discharged himselfe happily so as this towne was reduced vnder the States commaund to the great griefe of
are yet in the countrie carrie the king of Spaine grauen in their hearts all that haue receiued any rewards pensions or recompences which are very many besides so many that are voluntarily banished who would come in an instant like pigeons to adoue house the which would not onely be at the king of Spaines deuotion but also all the proctors sollicitors and ministers of seuere decrees By these reasons wee may see what power the king of Spaine hath to hurt vs when as hee hath euen within vs all instruments prepared to ruine vs both in goods bodie yea and in soule if he could and on the other side the French haue no such might Neither doe I doubt but that the king of Spaine and his adherents haue as great a wil to hurt vs as they haue might and power Kings neuer esteeme offences light when they are committed against their owne persons by such as they hold to bee their subiects and therefore they hold their subiects that haue attempted any thing against them guiltie of high treason But when such an insurrection and of so great consequence happeneth as that which wee haue seene in this countrie there is no kind of crueltie but they practise against their subiects for if nothing hath beene omitted that may be called cruel vpon the Indians who owe no obedience what mercie can wee expect in this countrie His chiefe officers haue beene put in prison chased away and their goods seized on and the ordinarie officers haue had no better intreatie his armes haue beene beaten downe an other prince first called in against his will vnto the gouernment and after that another chosen to be absolute lord Shall wee thinke or imagine that hee will euer pardon or forgiue such things He I say who for small pretended faults hath so cruelly intreated men of that honour and reputation by their good counsell and seruice deseruing so well of their countrey as the earles of Egmont and Horne and the marques of Berghes and the baron of Montigni and who hath begunne to persecute me and mine so outragiously for so small matters in comparison of that which hath followed And if God should giue me the meanes after this reconciliation to retire my selfe into some place of safetie although I know not where I may liue more safely than in this countrie yet this infinite multitude of people and so many good men which haue embraced the religion and haue opposed themselues against this crueltie whither shall they retire themselues The duke of Alua going out of this countrie did vaunt that he put to death by the hand of the executioner eighteene thousand men Let vs now compare what had beene done by the inhabitants of this conntrie before the comming of the duke of Alua with that which hath followed and thereby we shall iudge of the kings mind beeing incensed As for particular persons first of all the Clergie which are in number like Locusts will demaund their reuenues their houses and their goods and after them the gentlemen and all other sorts of people but finding it not shall not the poore men of the religion paie for it yea they who did neuer benefit a halfe-pennie by them The said clergie men nobles and others without any reason but onely a poore pretext of religion haue burnt hanged drowned and banished them that had but a little tast of religion and now beeing incensed as much as men may be doe we thinke they will be more merciful seeing they haue not yet cast off the wolues disposition but contrariwise it is more augmented as if one should cast a heape of dried wood into a burning furnace It auailes not to say that many of ours haue excelled measure the which is true and all good and modest men knowe that it was not my fault But doe we thinke the Spaniards can or will make any such distinctions Nay will it not bee a sufficient crime to be condemned to say he is a Christian whereby will follow the ruine and losse of life or at the least of worldly goods All these things cease in regard of the French but if they will obiect that they are affected against them of the religion first they are not all so as the Spaniards and their adherents be who are generally their enemies The French are not incensed they haue no goods to demaund as the Spaniards pretend By these reasons wee may easily conclude that if for these apparant mischiefs it is dangerous to accord with the French as the author of this discourse saith without all comparison it is farre more to bee feared in all kindes with the Spaniard In the meane time I can assure you that hitherto I haue not much busied my selfe to persuade the Estates to enter into any such treatie But many prouinces and townes of consequence propounding and making open declaration that they must of necessitie accord with the one or the other I confesse that if of the two wee must choose one I would rather consent to the one than to the other And withall I adde that euery one that is acquainted with the affaires of Spaine must confesse that the king of Spaine must of force to maintaine his monarchie hold himselfe linckt to the pope the emperour and other catholike princes and potentates The French king on the other side to clâ—…ppe his wings shall bee forced to allie himselfe with them of the religion and by that meanes in fauouring them by their aid hinder their greatnes which seeke to fill the whole world as the king his father did vnto the emperour Charles when as he thought to haue commanded all Europe And as at that time the princes of the empire graue and indicious men did their best and vtmost indeauours to persuade the French king to that resolution whereon depended so great a good for all Germauie so also our duties should bee to doe the like But contrariwise as if we were grieued that these two princes are not ioyntly armed against vs wee doe what wee can to vnite them by all meanes possible not weighing their forces and our owne infirmities If they will also touch our house in particular I am assured that both you my Lord and brother and I haue done so good offices to the king and emperour and that the memorie thereof is so well grauen in their hearts as the remembrance thereof can neuer bee defaced The which I desire not to trie in any sort whatsoeuer but am rather resolued to all extremities for the defence of these countries religion and libertie hoping that God will not abandon me in so iust and necessarie a quarrell for the which I pray vnto him with al my heart Made at Delft the 18. of March 1584. After the yeelding vp of Ypre they of Bruges beginning to looke backe refused to take a garrison from Holland the which the Protestants would willingly haue receiued into their towne but the Catholickes at the instigation of the prince of
nor charged by the Queene with any thing whatsoeuer This beeing thus concluded sir Iohn Norris that worthie gentleman was appointed to bee generall of these forces for the relieuing of the towne of Antuerpe The inhabitants of the same towne that had fledde from thence beeing many marchants and others as then remaining in the citie of London did willingly and freely giue the summe of tenne thousand gulderns And after that when the Queene could not be persuaded to take the absolute soueraignty of the Netherlands vpon her nor yet to vndertake the continuall protection of the same although shee found her subiects willing and readie both with their bodies and goods to doe any thing whatsoeuer shee pleased to command them shee dealt with the deputies of the Estates about a contract and treatie of aide and assistance which vpon the tenth day of the moneth of August was agreed on at Nonesuch containing these articles hereafter following 1 That the Queene of England should send foure thousand foot men and foure hundred horse men into the low countries to aide the same but presently after it was agreed that shee should send fiue thousand footmen and a thousand horsemen ledde by a generall by her thereunto appointed which should be a man of authoritie qualitie and respect addicted to the profession of the true religion with other sufficient commaunders all to be paid by the Queene during the warres 2 For the repaiment whereof the vnited prouinces of the Netherlands as well in generall as particular should be bound when it should please God of his mercie by her Maiesties help and assistance to send them peace and quietnesse to paie all the money which her Maiestie shall haue disbursed for them as well for prest money for the leuying and taking of them vp and transporting them ouer the seas as for their paie and entertainment in this manner that is all the summes of money that shall haue beene disbursed by her Maiestie in the first yeare shall be paied againe within the compasse of the first yeare next ensuing after the peace and the rest within foure yeares then following euery yeare one fourth part of the said summe that shall be found due by iust and true musters to be made on both sides at the first arriuall of souldiers into the Netherlands 3 And for the better assurance of the repaiment of the said money it is agreed that within one moneth after the confirmation of the said contract the towne of Flessingue and the castle of Ramekins in the island of Walchren and the towne of Bryel with two skonces thereunto belonging in Holland shall be deliuered ouer into the hands of such gouernours for her vse as it shall please her Maiestie to appoint to be kept by her garrisons vntill such time as her Maiestie shall be fully satisfied and paied within the citie of London all such summes of money as shee shall haue disbursed for them and if the Estates thinke it good for the countrie and profitable for the common good and vnitie of the same that her Maiesties souldiers shall lie in any other townes or forts in garrison that the same shall be taken out of the 5000 footmen and 1000 horsemen aforesaid 4 That the said townes and places so deliuered vnto her Maiestie for her securitie shall be prouided of ordnance powder and other munition fit for warre in such sort and quantitie as the gouernour generall for her said Maiestie shall thinke expedient and necessarie to defend and keep the said townes and places vpon condition that a iust and true inucntorie shall bee made thereof that when time shall serue the same may be redeliuered againe in like order 5 That the Estates shal retire their garrisons out of the said towns and forts excepting such persons of qualitie as dwell therein and are appointed to gouerne in politicke and ciuile causes that her Maiesties gouernours may haue the free command in al things that concerne the keeping and defending of the said places alwaies to bee vnderstood that they shall not meddle with ciuile politicke gouernment but only in cases concerning the garrison of the same 6 That neither the gouernour for the Queene nor the souldiers of the said garrisons shall haue any dealing intelligence correspondence nor conuersation with the Spaniards nor any other of the Estates enemies neither suffer it in any man but to the contrarie shall let it and vse all kind of hostilitie against them in regard of the safetie and preseruation of the said places 7 That the said cautionarie townes and places concerning policie iurisdiction priuiledges and freedomes shall bee gouerned according to their generall and particular contracts and vnions obseruing their owne lawes customes and magistrates without imposition of any manner of taxes imposts or contributions on her Maiestie behalfe or for the souldiers 8 That the English souldiers of the said garrisons shall bee bound to paie the imposts and excises as all other souldiers in the Estates garrisons doe without abating them vnlesse it be by the consent of her Maiesties Lieutenant generall 9 And that the inhabitants of the townes aforesaid may not bee ouercharged by the souldiers of the garrisons her Maiestie shall take order for their paie and all good discipline and that the said inhabitants shall not in any wise bee molested and troubled for the accomplishing of any part of the contract which is to bee obserued on the Estates behalfe so they doe that which in dutie belongeth vnto them to doe 10 That when her Maiestie or her successors shall be satisfied contented and paied all the money by her disbursed the said townes and forts with all their ordinance and munition shall be deliuered againe into the hands of the Estates without any exception or deniall and not into the hands of the king of Spaine or to any other enemies of the countrie nor shall be put vnder the command of any other lord or prince but only for the assurance of her Maiestie and to the profit of the Estates aforesaid 11 That the generall and the gouernour of her Maiesties garrisons shall be sworne to bee true and faithfull vnto her Maiestie and to the Estates in generall for the safe keeping and defending of the said townes places and dependances and for the maintenance of the true christian religion as it is now at this present vsed and exercised in England and the vnited Netherlands and to obserue and cause to be obserued all points of this contract concerning them and that the officers captaines and common souldiers shall take the like oath of fidelitie to her Maiestie and to the generall Estates of the said vnited prouinces as also to be obedient vnto their rulers and gouernours The like shall the inhabitants of the said townes and places sweare 12 That the souldiers beeing in the field shall be lodged and victualed at reasonable prices without any imposition to be taken for that
Earle of Leicester according to the agreement made betwixt the Queene of England and the Estates being come on the 30 of December from Flessingue to Dordrecht in Holland accompanied by many earles barons and other great personages of England he was receiued by the magistrats councell and bourgers of that town with great state And the 2 of Ianuary 1586 he parted frō thence to go to the Hage where he was in like sort very honorably receiued by the generall Estates with all good reception shews of ioy for his cōming on the 17 of the month after many ceremonies he was accepted for gouernor of the said coūtries and sworne to maintaine defend and preserue them against the oppressions of the Spaniards And in like manner the Estates did sweare vnto her Maiesty and to him as her lieutenant the conditions agreement that was concluded betwixt them which done the said Estates made a decree what euery prouince should contribute towards the charges of the warre and so did the Queene for her part that with their common means they might resist the king of Spaines power And the fist day of Februarie the earle of Leicester was by the Estates proclaimed Lieutenant and captaine of the vnited prouinces and commandement giuen to all the particular gouernours or their Lieutenants of the said prouinces and townes officers and magistrates admirals colonels captaines treasurers receiuers and others for matters of estate and warre with all that depends thereon so to acknowledge him At his reception to the gouernment doctor Leoninus chancellor of Guelderland made an oration saying that the generall Estates of the vnited Netherlands hauing had so great assurance of the Queenes Maiesties and his excellencies honourable disposition and fauours vnto them and finding it to be a thing necessarie that publike authoritie should be maintained within the prouinces and relying vpon his wisdome experience and integritie by common consent and with one voice they had chosen and named him for their gouernour and captaine generall ouer the said Netherlands that is of the dukedome of Guelder the earldome of Zutphen the earldomes and countries of Flanders Holland with west Friseland Zeeland and Friseland giuing him full power and authoritie besides the title and commission of her Maiestie together with that which was contained in th◅ contract made with her to gouerne and commaund absolutely ouer the said prouinces and their associates in all matters concerning the warres and their dependances both by sea and land and to command ouerall gouernours colonels admirals vice-admirals commanders captaines and officers and oueral souldiers of the same both horse and foot and to that end had appointed an oath to be taken vnto his excellencie as gouernour and captaine generall to be true and obedient vnto him besides that the said Estates gaue vnto his excellencie full power and authoritie concerning policie and iustice to be done ouer all the aforesaid prouinces with the councell of Estates which should be chosen to gouerne the said Netherlands as they had beene gouerned before especially in the time of the emperour Charles the fift by the gouernors generall according to the lawfull customes of the prouinces Vnderstanding that out of the reuenues of the said prouinces the gouernors officers and rent-masters should be paied their duties and fees according to the auncient manner and that the said prouinces townes and members of the same should be maintained in all their auncient priuiledges lawes and customes as it should be more at large declared vnto his excellencie And touching the gouernment of the country principally concerning the warres which cannot continue nor be maintained but by contribution the said prouinces consent and agree that besides the aid of 1000 horse and 5000 foot lent them by the Queene the dutchie of Guelders Flanders and the vnited townes of Brabant consent to giue the generall meanes of their said townes and villages of the countries adiacent as farre as they had power to command at that present time and from time to time as they were farmed let out and presently collected and besides that al the booties and compositions with the champian countries made for their safetie where they haue no meanes to get contribution and such summes as they paie vnto the enemie they of Holland Zeeland Vtrecht Friseland haue agreed to giue the summe of 200000 gulderns the moneth which moneys the said prouinces will put into his excellencies hands to be managed by him with the councel of estate that shall be appointed and besides this all that shall be receiued by contribution and gotten from the enemie and other meanes out of the countries of Ouerissell Drent and the territories thereof with other places lying vnder the enemies command And further that all the vnited Prouinces were agreed and had consented that the conuoye mony and imposts raised vpon marchandise comming in and going forth of those countries according to the order taken therein the yeare of our Lord 1581. and the moderation and augmentation thereof shall continew and bee imployed for the charges which they shall bee at for the setting forth maintayning and paying of the ships and boates of war which serue and are retained vnder the sayd Prouinces and that if neede were are to bee set out according to the contract made with his Maiestie wherevnto also all the prises and licences should be imployed if his Excellencie thought good to permit and allowe thereof and this for the space of one whole yeare and if it fortuned that the warre continued long vpon his Excelencies motion and desire a new composition should be made before the sayd yeare were fully finished according to the state and meanes of the sayd Prouince and as necessitie should require And therewith he humblie disired his Excellency to bee pleased to accept and take vpon him the sayd gouernment and authoritie and to execute the same to the honour of GOD and the maintenance of the Netherlands promising him that the sayd states should alwaies hold good correspondence with him and ayde and truely serue him in all occasions and seruices whatsoeuer Further by their acts and proclamations the sayd states would command all the Commanders ouer horse and foote and all soldiars both by sea and land to show all obedience dutie and fidelitie vnto his Excelencie which they agreed to sweare vnto and confirme by oth one vnto the other reseruing the homage which his Excelency ought vnto the Queenes Maiestie In the Hage the first of February 1586. Signed C. Aertsens According to this agreement the Earle of Leicester tooke the gouernment vpon him and therevpon the States Officers Prouinciall Gouernors Coronels Captaines and Soldiars tooke their othes vnto him wherein Prince Maurice and the Earle of Hohenlo and other captaines vsed all the meanes the could to bring the soldiars therevnto being accustomed in such accidents to haue mony giuen them for a reward The states vpon the Earle of Leceisters acceptation of the gouernment had
I know not how we might haue kept the towne twelue howers longer with the losse of our liues had we bin al desperat if it had pleased the enemy to attēpt vs but it is most true rather then to haue accepted of any base conditions most of vs would haue ended our lyues in that place I protest I write not this to condemne any one in particular nor in generall that should haue succored vs nor to robbe the least defendant of his right for I confesse my selfe the simplest captaine of halfe a dozen that were within the towne three or foure of them were they knowne and rightly iudged are sufficient to conduct double that garrison in any army in the world to commande a greater troupe hauing authority These are Sir Roger Williams owne words to iustefie the yeelding vp of Sluse After this losse of Sluce the Earle of Leicester determined to stoppe vp the mouth of the hauen but the officers of the admiralty and others were of opinion that it could not be done yet the English-men thought otherwise wher-vpon suspecting the Zeelanders he sent into Holland for certaine old shippes the which were granted yet it was not done but on the other side sence that time the hauen is much bettered by reason that the sea hath scoured the sand away The losse of this towne made them to murmure much against the Earle especially the common people who hearing of the accord retired him-selfe into Zeeland imputing the losse of this towne to the want of men money and other meanes greatly taxing the admiralty of Zeeland and the officers namely one Martin Drooghe whome he caused to be put in prison where he continued six moneths vntill that the Earle being retired the second time into England hauing iustified himselfe of that where-with he was accused he was set at liberty and restored to his credit Those that were affected vnto the Earles party excused him and layed all the blame vpon the Estates accusing them that they sought to take his authority from him and to command them-selues leauing him but the vaine title of a Gouernor The Earle passing by the Iland of Zeeland arriued the seauenteene of August at Berghen vp Zoom a towne held also by the English where as the Lord Willoughby was gouernor from thence the Earle sent some troupes into Brabant to make an enterprize vpon the castle of Hochstraten the which succeded not From Berghen he went to Dordrecht whereas the generall Estates of the Prouinces assembled The Earle being in the open assembly of the generall estates made a long speech by the which he first excused him-selfe and greeued much for the treasons of Stanley Yorke and Patton by whom he complayned that he had beene basely deceyued the which he said might haue happened to any captaine generall of an army or gouernor of a country and state were hee more pollitike and of greater experience then he was That they were not the first traytors which had deceyued their maisters in the said vnited Prouinces As for the releeuing of Sluce he would maintaine that it was not his fault hauing there in imployed his best endeuors That the three thousand or 2500. men which had beene promised him for supplies and the hundred thousand florins had failed of the which calling the tresorer generall to witnes he had receiued but thirty thousand in ready mony That the said Estates knew well themselues how ill he had bin serued by the sea captaines and officers which had beene giuen him who made him beleeue to diuert him from these succors that if they had past on being before the towne the enemy would from the other side of the Sluce of Bruges sinke all their shippes with his Artillery not-with-standing they were sufficiently informed thre was an other depth vnder the castell where as they might lye without any danger as hee said it appered by the report of captains and soldiars that were come from them of the towne So as he could not put in execution the desire he had to succor it and therefore the blame was not to bee layd vpon him but vpon them that had fayled of their duties and not furnished that which was needfull according vnto that which had beene decreed betwixt him and the Estates Wherevpon after they had layd before him the letters written by him in Iune before out of England to secretarie Iunius tending to fortefie and incorrage such as hee knew affected to his partie in the townes and countries of Holland and Zeeland Descouering thereby that at his returne hee pretended to gouerne and command in the same manner as the Emperor Charles and King Philip his sonne had done and if hee should be restrained of that authoritie that he would abandon the Netherlands quite and retire himselfe into England Wherevpon the Nobilitie and townes of Holland Zeeland and Friseland presented a declaration vnto the Earle in writing dated the twentith day of August which they intended to haue giuen him before but for some good considerations they had forborne to offer it till then Declaring thereby as dutie bound them how much they held themselues bound vnto her Maiestie for her great care of Religion and the good of those countries and that it had pleased her to imploy his Excelencies person seeing that it had not stood with her good liking to take the soueraignty vpon her to whom they would haue yeelded as great respect and subiection as euer they did vnto the Emperor Charles the fift or to any other Prince whatsoeuer but for that they did finde by experience that there are diuers seditious and busie headed fellowes which labour to sowe dissention and to breed discontents betwixt the Estates of these countries and his Excelencie seeking to blemish and disgrace the authoritie of the Estates and to make his Excelencie absolute Gouernor in all respects They let his Excelencie vnderstand to the end that all iealousies and distrusts might bee layed aside and forgotten that they did and do yet vnderstand that for want of a naturall Prince the soueraigntie of those countries returned vnto the Nobilitie Gentlemen and Townes and that after the King of Spaine who heretofore had beene their naturall and soueraigne Lord had left those countries all acts of soueraigntie were lawfully exercised by the Estates and in that manner they had contracted with diuers Princes and namely with her Maiestie and therevpon by a generall consent had giuen vnto his Excelencie the authoritie of Gouernor and Captaine Generall ouer those countries And furthermore to stoppe the mouthes of ill affected and contentious persons they shewed that the Estates were not presented by any priuat persons but by the Nobilitie Gentlemen and Townes so as they are much deceiued which thinke that the Estates consist of certaine priuat persons and that the faults wherewith such men charges them cannot iustly bee imputed to them and the rather for that the Estates haue alwaies conceiued and vnderstood that
this declaration with a hope of Gods blessing and of good successe in their wars Besides the former declaration the same day being the 6. of October they deliuered vnto the Councel of Estate being vnder his Excelency a certaine writing in the name of the nobility gentry and townes of Holland and Westfrisland conteyning the order which from time to time had alwaies beene obserued in those countries for the maintenance of their preuiledges freedomes lawes and commendable customes the which for that is worth the noting I haue thought good to insert as it was written The Nobility Gentry and townes of Holland and Westfrisland representing the Estates of the said Prouinces haue vpon mature deliberatiō according to their othes duties thought it fit and necessary by this their declaration to set downe the true and lawful Estate of the countries of Holland and Westfrisland hoping that euery man that shal read the same wil censure it as fauorably as the troblesome Estate thereof requireth It is euidently knowne that the Prouinces of Holland Westfrisland Zeeland for the space of 800. years hetherto haue bin gouerned by Earles and Countesses to whom by the nobility gentry and townes representing the Estates of these countries the inheritance soueraignty therof was lawfully giuen who behaued themselues with such moderation and discretion in their gouernments as they neuer vndertooke any war or to make a peace to raise any contributions or taxes or to doe any thing concerning the Estate of the countrie although they were alwaies well prouided and furnished of wise Councell consisting of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of the country without the aduise and consent of the gentlemen and townes wherevnto they were by writing orderly summoned and called and besides their owne assemblies they haue alwaies and in all causes giuen the sayd gentlemen and townes a fauorable audience credit and good resolution vpon all things whatsoeuer they had to propound vnto them concerning the Estate of the countries The which being as lawfull a kinde of gouernment as euer any was or hath beene knowne did produce fruites which tended especially to the honor and reputation of the sayd Earles togither with the wellfare of the countrie and the Inhabitants thereof As first of all that the Earles of Holland Zeeland and Friseland within the compasse of so small a Gouernment haue bene in great honor respect and estimation with all the Princes and Potentates of Christendome as appeereth by the great and mighty alliances they had by marriages with most of the greatest Princes in Europe and that in the yeare 1247. William the second of that name Earle of Holland c. was chosen King of Romaines that they haue alwaies beene victorious and valiantly defended the frontiers of their countries against their enemies how mightie soeuer they were whereby they were of no small esteeme withall their neighbors and wee may truely speake it that the countries of Holland and Zeeland for the space of eight hundred yeares were neuer conquered by force nor brought vnder by forreine nor yet by ciuill enemies The onelie reason that may bee giuen of this is that they alwaies held and maintained a good and perfect forme of vnitie loue and correspondencie betweene the Prince and the Estates of the country for that the Princes who of themselues had no powre without the Nobility and townes could not doe any thing hauing commonly no more meanes then the reuenues of their demaines for the defraying of their houshold and paying of the ordinarie officers It is also well knowne what authority the country had to bring their Princes beeing misled by bad counsell to the hurt of the country to reason and conformity not onely by petitions and declarations but also by seuerely punishing of all such as had in any sort abased or disorderly gouerned their Princes affaires and authoritie whereof many examples are yet extant to be seene It is also manifest that the charge and office of the Estates was to bee carefull to prouidetutors gouernors and gardians for their Princes in their nonage as the like was done for Earle William the fift of that name beeing distracted of his wits Lastly it is out of all doubt that the administration of the soueraigntie of these Prouinces was at all times executed by the Estates and when as by disorder minority frensie or any other accident the countries were destitute of good gouernment by their Princes they haue often-times chosen a gouernor to guide and direct them commonly called a Protector the which was also obserued in the time of the gouernment of the house of Bourgondy as after the death of Duke Charles and the Dutchesse Mary his daughter at which time Maximilian seeking by force to innouate and alter many things contrarie to the authoritie of the Estates hee brought the whole state of the countrie into great extremitie and danger and the Emperor Charles the fift himselfe during his minority was by the authority of the States prouided of Tutors and the country of fit and conuenient gouernors who alwaies respected although in many things the liberty of the country during the gouernment of the house of Bourgondy was much diminished the Estates of the countrie alwaies foreseeing that his owne Estate could not bee setled by any other meanes seeking to bring his sonne the King of Spaine to the like opinion and consideration telling him plainely that his Estate would be in danger whensoeuer he began to discountenance the Estates of the country as he now findeth both to his and to the countries hindrance and decay for no man can impute the beginning of these warres to any other cause whatsoeuer the world may say but that he sought by armes to compell these Prouinces to that which the States being assembled in regard of their preuiledges held inconuenient especially in matters which concerned the Estate of the country All which although wee hold it questionlesse wee haue thought good to set downe for that many are herein much mistaken perswading themselues that the assembly of the Estates representeth no other thing then as they in their imaginations will conceiue therof and as the qualities of the persons appeering in the sayd assemblies in outward shew doe merit and deserue and of the causes and serious matters therein by them handled and censured As if those persons deputed by the Nobles and Townes of the said Prouinces did hold and accoumpt them-selues to bee the Estates and thereby to haue the Soueraignty of the Country in their hands and that they may after their owne santasies dispose of all causes and matters belonging to the gouernment of the State vsurping vnto them-selues the whole disposition thereof at their pleasures but those that haue a nearer in-sight into these and other greater matters which haue beene brought to passe by the Prince with the ayd and assisstance of the Estates and especially those thinges which haue beene done within these fifteene yeares in these countries
other Belgicke Prouinces or otherwise And therefore the said Estates doe humbly beseech that it would please his Maiesty to receiue their resolution in good part and in respect therof not to carry lesse affection to them then subiects and inhabitants As for that which the sayed Ambassadors haue charge from his Maiesty to insist vnto the Estates that all neutrall persons which haue nothing common with this warre might freely sayle and trafficke into all places so as they carry no munition of warre to the enemy and especially his Maiesties subiects in consideration of their her editary contract and good neighbourhood The said Estates declare that they confesse most willingly and will alwaies confesse that they are greatly bound vnto his Maiesty by reason of the said hereditary contract neighbourhood and good correspondency and in like manner for the security and fauor which the inhabitants of the vnited Prouinces receiue throughout all his dominions in regard whereof sence the beginning of these wars vnto that day they haue endeauored to shew vnto al Kings Princes and neighbour common-weales and especially in respect of the said King of Denmarke for matters of nauiyation and trafficke all good neighbourhood correspondency and friendshippe And that in this consideration they would not hinder the subiects and inhabitants of the realmes and countries of the said King nor any other neutrall persons from the nauigation into Spaine Portugall or any other westerne parts vnder the King of Spaines dominions or obedience or any other neutrall countries what soeuer no more then their owne subiects and inhabitants of the vnited Prouinces Touching Steyn Maltesen Collonell to his Maiesty and Amptman of Bahuysen of whome mention is made in the said proposition The saide Estates declare that it is not long sence that hauing taking information vpon his pretensions in quality of Lieutenant to the most famous William Lewis Earle of Nassau gouernor of Freezland they haue giuen him all satisfaction and ouer and aboue at his departure a gratuity of a chaine of gold so as in regard of his seruices done vnto the said Prouinces he cannot pretend any thing And as for the seruice which the said Collonel pretends to haue done as Captaine of the company which was raysed by the deceased Captaine Schagen since the twenty one of October 1580. vnto the first of February 1586. that the Seignor Nicholas Malte his Brother succeeded in his place he was in like sort paied as other Captaines which were in the same seruice had beene and are daily according to the order and vse of the country with the which al soldiars content themselues without any contradiction leauing the rest of their pay vnto the end of this warre And in the meane time if it happen that at the great sute and instance of any Captaines which leaue their seruice for some good considerations be it for their poore estate or otherwise they come to accord with them it is done with such a small composition abating that which ought to be abated according to the order that in that case there would bee little comming vnto the Collonell vpon the accoumpt of his seruices wherefore the Estates assure them-selues that the said Collonell being better informed thereof by their letters will the more willingly haue patience with the rest and attend the end of this warre rather then to accept of so meane a Composition as hath beene told him by mouth Finally the said Estates do humbly thanke his Maiestie for his good affection towards them beseeching God withall their hearts that it will please him to preserue his person his realmes Estates countries and subiects in a happy and prosperous gouernment good and long life to the good and quiet of all Christendome As for them that they would neuer faile of their duties and seruice in all good affections towards his maiesty the which they not onely desire to continue but also will striue more and more and at all times will bee ready to doe their best indeuor to increase it Thanking likewise the sayd Ambassadors of their great paines which they had taken in this legation Intreating them earnestly that they would bee pleased to make a good and fauourable report vnto his Maiestie of the good affection and humble inclination which they haue vnto him with their humble recommendations c. Made at the Hage the 24. of October 1597. The sayd Ambassadors hauing receiued this answer departed after they had beene stately entertained by the Seignior of Pipenpoix a Gentleman appointed to that end by the Estates as Steward assisting at euery meale to beare them companie two of the Deputies of the Estates and beeing richly and honorably gratified with goodly presents they went as wee haue sayd to see Prince Maurice in his Campe before Linghen where they were likewise well intreated and defrayed as long as they remained in the Estates territories taking their way from thence towards Denmarke According to so many Ambassages and pursutes tending to a peace at the great instance of the King of Spaine Cardinall Albert his Lieutenant sent in the beginning of the yeare 1598. his Commissioners vnto the French King the which were the President Richardot Ioan Baptista Taxis and Lewis Verreyken Audiencier to seeke some good course for a peace betwixt him and the king his Maister who should bee his father in lawe the Infanta of Spaine being promised him in marriage wherevnto the Queene of England and the generall Estates of the vnited prouinces did also inuite him For hee knew well that so long as those three great and mighty countries of France England and the Netherlands should bee vnited together in such a league as they had sworne that his affaires could not succeed well his power although it were very great not being sufficient to incounter all their three forces together fearing that hee should not onely bee forced to cast vp that which hee had deuoured in Picardie and else-where but also to loose the rest of his Netherlands and by their ioynt forces to bee assailed in Spaine On the other side the French King much incensed at the indignities which hee had receiued of his owne subiects leaguers and others knowing the desolation of his country and that his subiects by this warre were so impouerished as they could indure no more And to recouer that by the way of armes which the Spaniard had taken from him in two or three yeares before hee must imploy much time loose many men and spend his treasor which hee found to bee greatly exhausted And that Picardie was so ruinated as it was nothing but a desart so as there was no meanes to feede an armie there for the recouerie of Calais Dourlans and other places wherefore hee was aduised by his Councell to send his Deputies thether which were the Lords of Bellieure and Sillery both of his councell and the Generall of the Friars as a mediator to enter into conference with the Cardinalls Commissioners making the
place of their assembly at Veruine where they continued long before they could resolue The Queene of England and the generall Estates sent their Ambassadors into France concerning this treatie as nothing pleased with this conformitie of the French King with the Spaniards but they returned with-out any effect The Estates Embassadors by reason of the contrary windes came too late the Treatie of peace being concluded with the Spaniard Yet going to the king to Nantes they were welcomed much made of and had priuate audience whereas the king assured them of his loue and good affection to the sayd Prouinces so as they returned reasonablie well satisfied from his Maiestie Yet the Estates sent other ambassadours to the Queene of England to conferre of that which was to be done or not done concerning this peace the said ambassadors were Iohn Duyvenvorae knight Siegnior of Warmont Admirall and great forrester of Holland Maister Iohn Vanderwerck Councellor of the Estates of Zeeland and Iohn Hottinga a Squire both Deputies of the generall Estates And although it seemed according to the league made in the yeare 1596. betwixt France and England in the which the vnited Prouinces were comprehended that the King should not haue proceeded in this treatie of peace with the Spaniard without the consent of his allyes yet the French King thought himselfe sufficiently discharged in that behalfe to haue inuited and summoned the Queene and the said Estates who by their refusall or delayes could not bridle his will hauing giuen the Ambassadors both of the one and the other sufficiently to vnderstand how necessary peace was for his kingdome to restore and put his poore subiects in breath his condition being contrary to the Queenes and the Estates who preserued and maintained them-selues by warre and hee on the other side did but ruine his realme thereby In the end hee concluded the sayd peace with the Cardinalls Deputies in the name of the King of Spaine their Maister the articles whereof I haue set downe briefly and succinctly as followeth 1. First it is agreed that the Treatie of peace concluded and resolued betwixt the said Kings Henry the fourth and Philip the second in confirmation of the articles conteined in the treatie of peace made at Chasteau Cambresis 1559. betwixt the sayd Catholicke King and Henry the second the French king deceased of high and worthy memorie which treatie the sayd Deputies haue a new confirmed in all points without innouating any thing but all shall remaine firme except that which shall bee expresly derogated by this present Treatie 2. According to the which from the day of the date of this present treatie betwixt the said Kings their children borne or to be borne heires and successors realmes countries and subiects there shall be a good firme sure and stable peace confederation perpetuall league and amitie they shall loue one another as bretheren procuring by all meanes the good honor and reputation one of another and shall auoyde as much as they may the hurt one of another They shall not fauor nor maintaine any person to the preiudice one of another and from this day they shall cease all acts of hostilitie forgetting all things past the which shall remaine abolished without any future mention thereof Renouncing by this present treatie all practises leagues and intelligences which may tend to the preiudice of the one or the other either of them promising neuer to doe any thing nor to procure to bee done that may tend to the hurt and preiudice of the other nor to suffer their vassailes or subiects to doe it directly or indirectly And if here-after any of what qualitie or condition soeuer they bee shall goe against it and serue by land or sea or in any other sort to ayde and assist to the preiudice of eyther of the sayd Kings the other shall bee bound to oppose him-selfe and to punish them seuerely as breakers of this Treatie and troublers of the publick quiet 3. And by meanes of the sayd peace and strict amitie the subiects of either side whatsoeuer may in keeping the lawes and customes of the countrie goe come remaine frequent conuerse and returne in peace from one vnto the other in trade of Marchandise or conuersing and treating together as they shall thinke good by land sea or riuers And their subiects shall bee defended and maintained paying the duties in all accustomed places which shall bee appointed by their Maiesties and their successors 4. All letters of Marke aâ—…d reprisall which haue been giuen for what cause so-euer shall be suspended and here-after none shall be giuen by either of them to the preiudice of the others subiects but against the chiefe offenders their goods and adherents and that in case of manifest deniall of Iustice whereof and of the letters of sommation and requisition thereof those that pursue the said letters of Marke and reprisall shall make proofe as it is required by law 5. The townes subiects and inhabitants of the Counties of Flanders Arthois and other Prouinces of the Netherlands together with the realmes of Spaine shall enioy the preuiledges freedomes and liberties which haue beene granted by the Kings of France predecessors to the most Christian King and in like maner the townes subiects and inhabitants of the realme of France shall also enioy the preuiledges freedomes liberties which they haue in the said Netherlands and in the realme of Spaine as euerie one hath hereâ—…ofore inioyed and vsed them and as they did enioy them by vertue of the Treatie made in the yeare 1559. and other former Treaties 6 It is also agreed in case the catholick King should giue or transferre by testament donation or resignation or by any other title whatsoeuer to the noble Infanta the lady Isabella his eldest daughter or to any other all his Prouinces of the Netherlands with the counties of Bourgongue and Charolois that all the said Prouinces and Counties are meant to be comprehended in this present treatie as they were in the yeare 1559. together with the sayd Lady Infanta or hee in whose fauour the sayd King hath disposed it neither shall it bee needfull to make a new treatie to that effect 7. The subiects of eyther Prince as well cleargie as secular men shall returne although they haue serued the contrary party into their benefices and offices to the which they were preferred before the end of December 1588. except Curates others being cannonically called and to the enioying of their immoueable goods rents and annuities seazed on and held by reason of the warre begun in the sayd yeare 1588. to enioye them from the publication of this peace and in like manner of those which are since fallen vnto them by succession or otherwise with-out making any question or demanding of any of the fruites before time receiued since the seazure and holding of the sayd immoueable goods vnto the publication of this present Treatie nor of the debts which haue beene consumed before the
the king of Spaine but also against the authors and practisers of such cruelties I beseech you sayd hee what good can you expect of such incertaine things when as they are worse intreated than the stranger the kinsman and the enemie the innocent and the guiltie the good and the wicked are all held in one ranke And to the end I may discharge my duetie I am resolued to write all these wofull and tragicall practises so preiudiciall to the whole empire and send them to the emperour intreating you in the meane time to take order that such oppressions and outrages may cease that the towns forts and castles belonging to the duke of Cleues may be restored That the troups may bee withdrawne the dammages repaired and that no more occasion may bee giuen of further ruine the which by right and reason ought to be put in execution and would proue honorable vnto you Whereof I wil attend a good and courteous answer From Cleues the last of October 1598. The oppressions committed by the Spaniards whereof the commissary cōplains which were sent by attestation quoted by number alphabet together with all the admirals proceedings were That his men tooke spoyled without any respect of safegards and much lesse of neutralitie betwixt the riuers of Issel Lippe in the duchie of Iuilliers first the castle of Diesfort belonging vnto the seignior of Willich steward by inheritance of the duchie of Cleues notwithstanding the safegard set vp at the gate the which they spoyled with all that the poore countrey men trusting in the sayd safegard had brought in thither for their refuge and succour Item the castle of Billingof belonging to them of Bernsau the which beeing taken at the third assault they slew all they found within it and then spoyled it The castle of Oberenbergh belonging to the seigniour of Marnholt was also spoyled Item after they had robbed the cloyster of Schlenhorst they drew all the Nunnes into a troupe stript them naked rauished them and intreated them tyrannously The castle of Asseldt beeing taken and spoyled they threw the men which they found in it from the top of the tower into the ditches After they had spoyled the castle of Gran belonging the steward of the countrey they carried all away prisoners that they found in it The castle of Hackenhuys belonging to the seigniour of Ilf they spoyled They did not onely spoyle the castle of Impel belonging to the seigniour of Diepenbroek and carried away all the corne cattell and other goods but they burnt the base court and tare an infant out of the mothers wombe beeing readie to bee deliuered Rossau belonging to the seigniour Godd◅rd Williche was wholy spoyled Wenge appertaining to them of Gar and the village Domic spoyled The strong castle of Hynd belonging to the seigniour of Graustein was also ruined and all burnt that was about it The monasteries of Mariendale and Fryet were spoyled And all the villages about the sayd castles endured a thousand outrages and strange indignities which were by them most cruelly executed both against men and women We haue mention before of the castle of Vanden Broeck and what they did there besides they haue entred into the riuers of Lippe and Roer spoyled the castle of Wewenhuys belonging to them of Hueffen and burnt the base court of the castle of Fuert appertaining to George van Syburch Item the castle of Mamich whereof the widow of Capelle was owner burning the base court The castle of Essand belonging to the seignior Wittenhorst spoyled beaten downe and burnt with diuers others And going higher towards the countrey of Munster and Westphalia on the three and twentieth of Nouember Dom Louis de Velasco generall of the Spanish artillerie came before the towne of Dortsen with letters from the admirall requiring the bourgmaster and counsell to open their gates and receiue a garrison Whereunto answer was made him That it did not belong vnto them to open their gates to any strange souldiers without the aduice and commaundement of their lord and prince the elector of Cologne Moreouer they had not deserued any such vsage of the king of Spaine wherefore they required foure dayes respite to aduertise their lord and prince But they replyed That they should not haue an houres respite to take counsell and therefore they should presently say yea or no whether they would open their gates and doe what they demaunded and if they did it not presently they had brought that with them which should master them before night and then they might thinke what would become of them They of the towne insisted to haue but two dayes saying That it had not beene heard of no not in time warre to receiue strange souldiers without the priuitie consent of their prince but they could not obtaine it the messengers retiring who had made this summons there presently approched many troups neere the towne who began to intrench themselues with all speed and to plant nine peeces of ordnance to batter it as if it were an enemies towne The bourgers seeing these sodaine acts of hostilitie not able to preuaile any thing by prayers nor intreatie began somewhat to defend themselues shooting certaine vollies into their campe hoping that the generall vpon better aduice would forbeare but it preuailed nothing the Spaniards continuing their batterie vntill they had ouerthrowne a great part of the wall so as the same night or the next day they had gone to the assault for the which they made a bridge ouer the riuer of Lippe bringing their men at night euen to the foot of the counterscarpe And although the bourgers had rampared vp that which was battered and somewhat assured it against an assault hauing chased the souldiers from the counterscarpe yet the next day they began their batterie againe the which did not onely batter downe all they had rampared but did so teare the houses along the street of Lippe as no man durst shew himselfe at the rampars The Spaniards making preparation to assayle them about noone they shot fierie bullets into the town wherewith the poore bourgers being terrified and abandoned of all succours knowing well that their prince was ignorant of all this and too farre to deliuer them from these attempts being vnable of themselues to resist them in the end they consulted how they might preserue their liues wiues and children so as they sent certaine deputies vnto the Spaniard to offer him the towne vpon the best conditions they could obtaine the which being accorded the generall Velasco entred with thirteene hundred men and demaunded the keyes with all the armes and munition in the towne the which was not done without great oppression of the good bourgers The Spaniard hauing got footing in the iurisdiction of Reckelinhuysen some of his troups marched towards Dortmont whereas they demaunded entrance to lodge one thousand horse all Winter which if they refused they would come so well accompanied as they should haue no cause
doubt not but you will dutifully consider them and not vpon any colour or presence whatsoeuer contrary to the commendable custome of all nations and to the blemishing of the emperors authoritie and reputation refuse to giue vs a pasport and without hearing vs speake so skornfully reiect the instructions sent vnto you by the emperours maiestie and the whole empire the which are done with a good intent but rather accept friendly and thankfully thereof and take them in good part whereby the cause may be aduanced and so without further delay we may proceed to a neighbourly audience of you and the discharge of the commission and embassage receiued by vs the which according to our instructions wee are to deliuer vnto you The consideration whereof in all friendly manner we recommend vnto your honours c. and therewith we commit you to the protection of the almightie and our selues vnto your friendly censures Dated as aforesaid c. The generall Estates hauing receiued this letter from the embassadors they made a reply the which for that it is very long in manner a repetition of the former I haue thought good for breuities sake to omit and to touch onely at the principal points First hauing made protestation of their duties and seruice to the emperours maiestie the holy empire they insist that for many vrgent reasons they could neither directly nor indirectly enter into any treatie of peace with the king of Spaine or the archduke and Infanta that not onely in regard of the welfare of the vnited prouinces and the inhabitants thereof but in respect of the Queene of England and other princes and common weales their neighbours and the good of all the inhabitants of the Netherlands sighing vnder the burthen of the Spanish yoake Touching the restitution of certaine places which was demanded they answered that they held them for their owne safeties the emperors seruice not onely to free the vnited prouinces but also the territories of the empire from the inuasions and oppressions of the Spaniards in which places they entertained garrisons at their owne charge for their necessarie defence That they would giue contentment to certaine embassadors which were at that instant come from Cleues Iuilliers and other territories of the empire to the same end so as the emperours maiestie nor the Estates of the empire should haue no cause to dislike of them protesting that they had no desire to hold any lands out of the vnited prouinces nor to doe any wrong vnto their neighbour countries offering to deliuer vp Emmeric and the Tolhus as soone as the enemie should doe the like and to giue securitie not to take any place vpon the frontiers of the empire nor to build any skonces nor to make any incursions vpon the territories of the empire so as the enemie would make the like promise giue the like securitie After that they make an ample relatiō of the Spaniards proceedings for the space of 15 months and the great insolencies committed by them vpon the territories of the empire all which they had done as they said in contempt of the emperours maiestie and of the holy empire In the end they persuade the princes electors other estates of the empire to oppose themselues against the enemie and to reuenge the wrongs done vnto the empire that hereafter he should not dare to attempt the like Lastly they desire them to censure of their proceedings as tōding onely to the seruice of the holy empire and that they would giue the emperours maiestie the princes electors and all the Estates of the empire to vnderstand in what honourable respect they held thē wold be alwaies ready to do the like vnto their honors to their best abilities Whilest the Estates were framing of this answer the embassadors came to Brussels to deliuer their charge whereupon the first of Februarie they had open audience of the archdukes they being accompanied with the admirall the prince of Orange diuers other noblemen Charles Nutzel made the speech the effect of his oration was that they did congratulate in the emperour their brothers name the archdukes comming into the Netherlands shewing how much the emperour desired to plant peace and quietnesse in the Netherlands who was bound by his office to defend the friends and allies of the empire from all force and inuasion then hee passed to the restitution which the archdukes were to make of the towne of Rhineberck to the elector of Cologne and the satisfying of them of Westphalia the countries of Cleues Marke and others for the wrongs and oppressions done vnto them the yeare past Whereunto the archduke made answere in generall termes That he thanked the emperor for his great loue and kindnesse promising to send him an answer in writing whereby the sincerity of his heart vnto the holy empire might be the better knowne wherof he said he was no vnprofitable member and how much he desired the peace and good of those countries which as then were his and that there should not bee any defect in him to enter into any honourable condition of peace that he might not be the cause as it was neuer his intent why his neighbors should endure any harme or wrong by his souldiers the contrary effects wherof were to be ascribed to the condition and fruits of warre and not to the disposition wilful suffrance of the commanders c. And so being feasted by the archdukes receiuing diuers presents they returned backe to the emperor by whom not long after they were sent againe about the same subiect After the archdukes comming into the Netherlands he wrote a letter with his owne hand vnto the Q. of England aduertising her M. of their arriuall in the Netherlands and what great desire he had to make a peace with his neighbors to renue the old league alliance which their house for many yeares held with the K. of England for the effecting whereof he said he had full power from the king of Spaine Whereunto the Q. of England made answere That she had alwaies sought that peace which might tend to the general good of all Christēdome wherunto she would willingly giue eare seeing they said they had authoritie from the king of Spaine to treat but that she was bound in honor as the vnited prouinces in like sort were not to enter into any treatie before she had first made them acquainted therwith and known their resolution if they meant to be comprehended therein to whom she would send to know if they would ioyne with her or that she should treat alone by her selfe the which whē time serued should be made knowne vnto them Moreouer her Ma. did congratulate the archdukes cōming into the Netherlands the rather for that she had had an vncle of their bloud who had done her great honour and therefore she wished the Infanta all good These letters with others being sent to and fro by 2 brethren called
their highnesses haue also had since their first comming into these countries the which had beene long since effected if the time spent in their instalments in these their countries had not beene some let being necessarie for them to begin with that ceremonie not only to giue the common people contentment thereby but also to accomplish that which was promised before my lord the archdukes your princes departure into Spaine and now hauing proceeded thus farre the cause of this assemblie being well knowne to euerie one of you for that you may haue beene particularly informed thereof in each of your seuerall prouinces it shall not be needfull to make any long discourse of that which is here to be done touching the aduancement of the countries cause for that your princes long much to heare what you intend to propound vnto them beeing well informed of the businesse hauing also no intent to offer any new matter vnto you but that wherewith you are alreadie made acquainted And their highnesses thinke it sufficient that you know and are assured that they are come hither to liue and dye with you and to do all offices befitting good and mild princes hoping withal that you for your parts wil not faile to do the dueties of good and faithfull subiects And if you desire to vnderstand more of their loues and affections towards you it shall appeare by that which they now desire at your hands which is To be carefull and prouident for the present estate of your countrey which to their great griefe they find to be in farre worse estate than they would haue it It discontents them to see you surcharged with so great burthens yet they haue not vndertaken to disguise any thing vnto you nor yet to feed you with any vaine hopes or to hold you in suspence for they know there are many great difficulties to surmount the which we must both labor and sweat hauing no better meanes to be vnburthened thereof and to free our selues from these difficulties which seeme to enuiron vs round about than to shew our power and force according to our abilities alwayes with the helpe and assistance of God the which shall neuer be wanting if we pray heartily vnto him The chiefe cause therefore of this assembly in regard of the great and generall complaints and the disorders which grow daily by such long and bloudie warres is That their highnesses desire that all in generall and euerie one of you in particular will endeuor your selues to giue him counsell how it may be effected and to set downe the necessarie meanes to be vsed for the maintenance of the common cause the setling of some good course for the profit and commoditie of the countrey I do not prescribe in what manner it should be done wherein they desire to haue your wise aduice and counsell hauing no other intent but to gouerne all things well as their future actions shall make manifest But to proceed to a point of greater importance whereon we must resolue is either Peace or Warre Peace were more beneficial vnto vs which without doubt is that which you much desire and your princes much more than you being naturally inclined therunto and desiring to gouerne you in peace and quietnesse If therefore you know any means how to attain vnto it you shal doe well to impart it vnto their highnesse wherein they will heare you with all attention and stand alwayes readie with open armes to receiue the strayed members and to vnite them againe to the whole bodie from the which to their owne great preiudice through the persuasions and instigation of some men they haue indiscreetly seperated themselues and which is worst of all haue so hardned their hearts as no reasons offers nor meanes haue hitherto been of force to draw them to any reconciliation If this then bee no more successefull than the former wee must of force take armes in hand and prepare to war for the maintenance whereof we haue a million of aduantages aboue our enemies for besides that God doth commonly aid the iust cause wee our selues are without all comparison the stronger yet wee will not denie but wee haue our meanes and chiefe maintenance from that great monarch of Spaine whereas the vnspeakable treasure of Peru and the Indies lye open vnto vs in regard that the yong king loueth the high and mightie Infanta his sister so deerely and sheweth more bountie vnto her than the deceased king her father But it is true all must not come from thence we must put to our helping hands that we may once free our selues from these miseries and for that cause you are called to this place to aduise with one consent of the meanes how to maintaine the wars vntill it shall please God to send vs a good peace That which is allowed monethly by the king of Spaine amounteth vnto two hundred and fiftie thousand crownes and what more is to bee added thereunto must bee raysed in these countries wherein you must resolue what course you thinke fittest to imploy the money comming out of Spaine and that which shall be leuied here thereby to keepe better martiall discipline to suppresse all complaints and disorders and to content the common people Moreouer you must haue a care for the paiment of your ordinarie garrisons and the repayring of your frontier towns and forts the which must necessarily bee done for that they are in great danger Besides all this you know that euerie man must liue of his owne the which is to be vnderstood both of princes and priuat men The inheritance and patrimony of our princes is their demeanes whereof in times past the dukes of Bourgoigne who were our princes and their predecessors did liue reseruing it for themselues and their houses but being once vnited with Spaine our princes grew so mightie hauing so many other estates and kingdomes as they made no estimation of the reuenues of these countries for their owne maintenance but did bountifully imploy and pawne the reuenues of these countries for the necessities of the war and for the defence and preseruation of the countrey in such sort as it is scarce able to pay the rents whereunto you must haue a great regard as being bound by nature to discharge those debts which were made for you that our princes may haue meanes to liue and not bee burthensome vnto their subiects It is to be hoped that this may bee effected in few yeares whether it be by such meanes as you your selues shall find out or that their highnesses shall propound vnto you In the meane time they desire you to prouide them meanes whereon to liue vntill their reuenues may bee freed from all such debts If these things may bee effected we shall haue meanes to bridle our enemies to keepe our souldiers in discipline to preuent all disorders and to pacifie the daily complaints which are verie great and many to the great trouble and griefe of their highnesses and of all
disorder to Sâ—…luse yet carrying backe all their gallies beeing fauoured by the neerenesse of their retreat There died in this sea fight the generall Frederick Spinola with aboue eight hundred of his men and a great number of them hurt Of the Estates side there were sixe and thirtie slaine among the which was captaine Iacob Michelson and his lieutenant the viceadmirall Ioos de Moor and captaine Leger Peterson with some threescore others were hurt In the viceadmirall and in the gally of Zeeland there were some Englishmen of the garrison of Flessingue who did exceeding well of the which there were eight slaine and some fifteene hurt Ioos de Moor the viceadmirall commaunded at this fight in the absence of the seignior William van Haulstein who was admirall vnder prince Maurice he hearing the noyse of the ordnance parted presently from Flessingue with fiue ships of warre and one fregate to come and succour his companie before the ditch but the fight was ended and the enemie retired before he came In this battaile the saying of the royall prophet Dauid was verified That victories proceeded not from the force and strength of man but from the ayd and assistance of God Elizabeth Queene of England of famous memorie being dead vpon the foure and twentieth day of March and Iames king of Scotland called to the succession of the crowne vpon the 8 of Aprill the vnited prouinces did write a letter vnto the king of England as followeth Most high and mightie prince as we were with great reason grieued in our soules for the newes of the death of the most high great mightie and soueraigne princesse the queene of England of most worthy and famous memorie in regard of the great loue and affection shee did alwayes beare vnto our estate and for the ayd which we did still receiue from her princely bountie for our defence and preseruation against the king of Spaine and his adherents wherby the remembrance of her shall for euer remaine eternized in vs and our posteritie so were wee much comforted and reioyced in our hearts to vnderstand that your Maiestie with a generall applause of the Estates of the whole country was proclaimed the true and lawful heire successor and king of the kingdomes of England Fraunce and Ireland and the rather for that wee assure our selues that your Maiestie comming to the succession of the said kingdoms will not onely continue your princely grace and accustomed fauour but will also of your princely inclination inherit the same princely affection towards vs and our estate which the aforesayd noble queene of worthy memorie hath left vnto you thereby to continue your gratious ayd and bountifull assistance for our preseruation for the welfare of all Christendome and your owne good against the common enemie as we haue long hoped and expected the same And in effect to shew the resolution we haue alwayes had to please and serue your Maiestie so wee beseech almightie God for the first part of our dueties to blesse your Maiestie in this succession to his glorie and the propagation of his holy word to exalt your Maiesties gouernment with all state and happinesse and to giue your Maiestie health and long life not onely to the glorie and comfort of your owne kingdomes and subiects and of our estate but also to the good and peace of all Christendom against the insatiable ambition of the Spaniards and their adherents To which end we most humbly beseech your Maiestie seeing it pleased the aforesaid queene of famous memorie in her later dayes to grant vs leaue to take vp certaine souldiers in England for to fill vp and make compleat the English companies that serue vnder vs as wee likewise besought your Maiestie to suffer vs to doe the like in Scotland for the Scottish companies that it will now please your Maiestie to grant vs the effect thereof that wee may at this present take vp the said souldiers both in England and Scotland to be transported into the Netherlands there to be imployed in our seruice as the necessitie of our cause requireth and especially for the preseruation of the towne of Oostend wherein we refer our selues to your Maiesties consideration kissing your princely hands with all humilitie beseeching the almightie God to preserue your M. throne in al happinesse glory and your princely person in long life prosperitie Dated as aforesaid signed by the generall states of the vnited prouinces Presently after this letter they sent an honorable embassage into England the embassadors were Henry Frederic earle of Nassau yongest sonne to the late prince of Orange Walraue baron of Brederode monsieur Van Olden Barneuelt counsellor for Holland and Iacob Valck treasurer of Zeeland beeing accompanied with diuers gentlemen as the lords of Batenborgh Schagen Trelongh Herdenbrooke Borselle with many others These embassadors arriued in England the 14 of May eight daies after the kings entrie into London and vpon the seuen and twentieth of May they had audience where besides their congratulating of the kings comming to his new kingdomes they layed open vnto him the estate of their affaires and craued a supply of souldiers according to the contents of their letters the which was deliuered both by mouth and writing but for that it is but a repetition of that which hath gone before I forbeare to insert it The king made them a friendly answer in generall tearmes excusing himselfe that he was but newly entred into his kingdome and beeing ignorant of the estate and power thereof hee thought it requisite first to settle his owne affaires and to be fully informed of all particularities beeing most conuenient rather to seeke peace than warre and that with all friendly care and affection he would continue all loue and friendship with them as his predecessor had done with many other exceeding good wordes wherewith the embassadours tooke their leaues The archduke hearing also of the death of the Queene of England sent a gentleman called Nicholas de Schosy into Scotland to sound the kings mind how he stood affected whether to peace or warre and hearing that he had beene alwaies inclined to a good peace he sent to all the coasts of Flanders commaunding them not to touch nor molest any English man neither by water nor by land but to vse them with all loue and friendship and withall to set all their English prisoners at libertie And at the same time he sent an embassadour into England which was Charles earle of Aremberg knight of the golden fleece chancellor of estate and admirall generall for the archdukes beeing accompanied with his sonne the baron of Seuenberghen the earle of Bossu the baron of Robles the lord of Wakene the lord of Swevigem the earle of Phirtburg the baron of Neuele with many other gentlemen his embassage tending besides congratulation to mooue the king to a peace and to crosse certaine designes of the vnited prouinces and for that the plague was great in
signe vnto them with their hats to retire the which they refusing to doe they shot at them and slue them Yet some few daies after there came a corporall forth with 12 soldiers and yeelded themselues to whome they gaue their liues Theâ—… made a sallie of 40 men on the 14 day of August at night and being in fight there came 50 of the archdukes men to ioyne with them but they found such resistance as either of them was forced to retire from whence they came without any great effect This was done to get a messenger to passe and indeed a resolute souldier during the fight cast himselfe into prince Maurice his trenches entertaining the sentinell with words that hee might get away saying That he was the round the corporal being come at the sentinels call demanding the word he slew him and so past on Spinola being well informed of the estate of the towne and seeing that he could not releeue it nor enter as he had imagined he retired in great hast without sound of drum or trumpet in the night about 10 of the clock on the 16 of August and the same night he went with al speed by Ardenbourg vnto Ostbourg where without any stay he went before S. Katherines fort in the which there were 70 souldiers in garrison for the prince the which he battered and tooke by composition The besieged did their dueties and would not yeeld vntill they had filled their ditches with dead men The prince being aduertised of Spinola's retreat he tooke a certaine number of souldiers out of euerie quarter and went after him Spinola seeing himselfe pursued put his armie into battaile neere vnto Ostbourg behind a dike The prince charged him furiously hauing giuen the point vnto his musketiers In the end Spinola was forced to retire leauing 300 of his men vpon the place The prince lost some â—…0 The same day the prince sent to aduertise them of the town that their succours were defeated and his men burnt Spinola's campe For all this Spinola fled not but had another designe meaning to enter into Cadsant wheras the besieged would haue made a bridge He took S. Philips fort also by composition hauing not then aboue 4000 men in his armie The prince hauing obserued his designe out of Vander Noots quarter went to Coxie by the which Spinola must passe sending cont William before to hinder his passage at a certaine small square for t the which Spinola did charge furiously and the princes men made such resistance as they spent al their powder and shot defending themselues a good space with their pikes halberds and swords who were in danger to be forced but for the vertue and valour of cont William who had withstood the assault in his trenches on the 6 of August now againe he performed the dutie of a couragious souldier and a valiant captaine giuing a goodly example vnto his followers In the mean time the prince sent them 4 fresh companies with powder and shot the which did so incourage his men as they repulst their enemie and slew three or foure hundred vpon the place among the which was the marquesse of Renty of the house of Lalaine and Croy Alphonso Borgias a commaunder of the Spanish foot and monsieur Maintenon a French man with diuers other men of commaund whose bodies with the souldiers permission were ransomed From thence Spinola went and camped before Isendike but in the end seeing his number so decreased and his souldiers so daunted with so many losses hee retired and effected not any thing being the 18 of August The same day the besieged being without all hope of succours they sent an Itâ—…ian captaine called Lippin vnto the prince to demand 6 or 7 daies libertie to aduertise the archduke of the estate of the towne and to treat of their yeelding To whom the prince answered That he would giue them six weeks as soone as six dayes The women and children stood vpon the rampars attending the princes mercie who refusing to giue any time vnto the besieged in the end Lippin besought him to send three hostages into the towne for their securities that should come the next day out of the towne to treat with him The next day betwixt 8 and 9 of the clocke the prince sent Elst Eckeren and a Frenchman all three captaines and there came vnto the camp Lippin the sergeant maior of the towne the earle of Styerems lieutenant who trifling out the time in long discourses and impertinent demands the prince said vnto them Chuse one of these conditions If you deliuer vp the towne on the 20 of this moneth I will suffer you to depart with your armes matches light bullets in the mouth colours flying and all that belongs vnto souldiers If you attend vntill the 21 you shall carrie away nothing but your swords And if you stay vntill the 22 I will haue you at my discretion Hereupon two of the deputies leauing the third in hostage returned vnto the towne with these conditions and the night following they returned betwixt 11 and 12 of the clocke accepting the first condition and the articles of accord were as followeth 1 That all church-men might depart with their ornaments goods and all that belonged vnto them 2 That the gouernour captaines officers and souldiers of what condition soeuer as also the captaines of gallies and all other officers and free marriners of the said gallies might depart freely vnto Dam with their baggage armes and colours flying bullets in their mouthes drummes sounding and matches light and to that end they should haue barks and boats to conuey them to Dam for the which they should giue hostages vntill they returned 3 That the gouernour and the seigniour Aurelio Spinola should bee bound to deliuer into the hands of such as his Excellencie should depute all the gallyes barkes and fregates ordnance powder and all that belonged vnto them as also the towne canon munition for war and all other engines and instruments without any fraud or spoile done vnto them 4 That the gally slaues should be all set at liberâ—…ie without any exception and it should be lawfull for them that would follow the garrison beeing once at libertie to doe it freely 5 That all prisoners should be deliuered without ransom vpon condition That the gouernor and the seignior Aurelio Spinola should procure that captaine Saye hauing been taken prisoner with the marriners by them of Boisleduc captaine Iay of Raed being prisoner with his men in Viluoord as also the three mariners of Breda being prisoners at Gant shall bee set at libertie euerie one paying a moneths pay to those that tooke them and their charges or for want thereof the said Aurelio Spinola shall promise vpon his faith and word vnder his hand and seale to put himselfe prisoner into his excellencies hands 6 That no man shal be detained for any debt or money which the bourgers haue lent vnto the gouernor and others
admirall of Arragon duke of Veraguas marquesse of Guadaleste gouernour c. had entred with an armie of about thirtie thousand horse and foot into the duchie of Cleues and had taken the towne and castle of Orsoy chasing away the dukes garrison and passing a good part of his armie ouer the Rhine had fortified the village of Walsom right against the sayd towne From thence hee went into the duchie of Mont and besieged the castle and abode of the noble lord Wirick van Daun earle of Falckenstein seignior of Broeck which castle of Broeck which is a fee of the sayd duchie of Mont hee had besieged and battered and notwithstanding that the sayd earle vpon condition of faith and promise made of libertie both for bodie and goods as well for his owne person as for his souldiers some beeing the dukes and some his had yeelded by composition yet the souldiers were some of them stript and murthered and some ransomed and then the sayd earle was secretly murthered with a strange and vnheard of crueltie whose widow was come to complaine vnto them notwithstanding that he was a neuter and had alwayes carryed himselfe as an officer and faithfull seruant to the said duke his lord hauing before demaunded 〈◊〉 safegard from the admirall expecting nothing lesse than any such violence spoyling and carrying away all that they found in the sayd castle Moreouer the Spaniards and the admirals men had taken in the countries of Cleues the townes of Burick Dinslaken Holt and Rees by force committing great insolencies and outrages taken the frontier forts murthered and chased away the garrisons that were in them ransomed the towne of Wezel at an hundred thousand dollers and one thousand quarters of corne We doe not speake how that within these two dayes they haue summoned some townes in the countrey of Munster and forced them to receiue garrisons for the king of Spaine besides they haue ouer-run and spoyled the quarters of Essen and Werden the seigniorie and castle of Frankenbergh belonging to the earle of Schauwenbourg and Wenelickouen in the countie of Benthem the castles and forts of Loe Wynendael Driersfort Resau Impel Dornic Luchausen all the countrey of Cleues without any respect vnto the duke making his residence in the sayd countrey spoyling and robbing monasteries and churches and reducing the poore country people into so miserable estate for these eight weekes space as it is impossible to write it and for the which they neuer can answer before God And that in the meane time the Estates of the vnited prouinces were also crept into the duchie of Cleues and had seized vpon the towne and castle of Seuenter and the fort of Tolhus the which they had battered with their artillerie and taken many prisoners both clergie and lay men out of the countrey of Munster That Dom Gaston Spinola gouernour of Limbourg vnder colour of the execution of the sentence of proscription giuen against the imperiall towne of Ayx had forced two gentlemens houses Frankenburch and Heyden from which places his men did great outrages to all men they incountred And in like maner the Spanish garrisons exacted certaine thousands of dollers from the villages of the high quarter of Gueldres with many other complaints Requiring therefore that it would please their excellencies to be mediators to his imperiall Maiestie that some remedie may be had c. Whereupon the sayd princes electors did write on the 12 of December the sameyere 1598 emperour after this manner Most gratious Emperour we doubt not but your Maiestie hath beene fully informed not onely of the lamentable complaints of the afflicted circles of Westphalia which are too apparant but also you haue heard by common fame how vniustly the countries of the duke of Iuilliers haue beene in hostile manner inuaded by the armies of the two parties in the Netherlands especially by the King of Spaines souldiers his townes and places taken his poore subiects spoyled taken ransomed murthered and otherwise tormented whereof they would more amply informe his imperiall Maiestie by the instructions thereunto adioyned quoted A. B. C. Saying That they must needs confesse that such attempts will sound strangely throughout all the empire to the scandall of his Maiestie and contempt of his decrees which may prooue verie preiudiciall to the members and estates of the sayd empire if such vnreasonable attempts irruptions and insolencies of strange souldiers were not preuented by good and sufficient meanes and their boldnesse supprest That not onely the circles and countries at this present afflicted would bee vtterly ruined but also that they the princes electors and neerest neighbours could not otherwise coniecture but that in the end they should bee paied with the same money inuaded and drawne into the like calamities Nothing doubting but that his imperiall Maiestie doth consider how contemptible this may be both to the holy empire and his imperiall Maiestie and that without attending any aduertisements from them hee hath forecast how for the greater safetie of the countrey those things might bee preuented this present fact beeing a matter of wonderful consideration that the guiltlesse members of the empire vpon the sodaine without any cause giuen and contrarie to the promise and good words of the deceased king of Spaine and the late gouernours of his Netherlands and as we hope against the will and commaundement of our most deere lord friend and cosin Albert archduke of Austria should bee spoyled and made a prey to these strange souldiers And to all the admonitions and intreaties that can be made they haue no other answer than that they can giue no other reason for all this but that it is so decreed in the counsell of Brussels that the holy empire with all the dependances and allies should bee subiected vnto their intollerable seruitude and submit themselues vnder the gouernment of Brussels as it should please them to commaund as beeing bound to beare all such vndeserued burthens as it would please them to impose Wherefore in consideration of these causes aboue mentioned we princes electors not onely vpon the complaints of these afflicted countries but in regard of the consequence which may follow of all these oppressions haue giuen order to our men to remaine in some commodious place and to bee watchfull ouer all and foresee how they might preuent those inuasions of the enemie by whose reports the forces of either side seeme so great as in our iudgements there must be fit remedies vsed yet wee haue giuen the said archduke and the cardinall of Austria's vicegouernor at Brussels to vnder stand of all these disorders to the end they should command the captaine generall of the kings armie to forbeare hereafter from all such outrages and insolencies with order for the restitution of townes and places and the dammage they had endured hoping that they like renowned German princes will with their hearts affect the health good and honour of the empire and that they would not fayle of their
dueties in all they may do for the aduancement of the German estate And we haue in like manner written vnto the generall Estates of the vnited prouinces That for their parts they should depart out of the limits of the empire and forbeare to attempt any thing against it the which is to be hoped By reason whereof wee that are seated vpon the Rhine by the knowledge which is giuen vs of these disorders are forced openly and without dissimulation to beseech your imperiall Maiestie to interpose your authoritie after full information of all That it would therefore please your imperiall Maiestie whereunto wee know you are wholly inclined to seeke to pacifie these dangerous inconueniences and to remember how earnestly and with what zeale the generall Estates of the empire did propound it and intreated you at the last diet at Ratisbone as also that the voluntarie contributions were not graunted to any other end but to preuent all courses passages lodging and spoyles And that against such violences your imperiall Maiestie should vse authoritie that the holy empire fall not into contempt to haue abandoned the countrey to the spoyle of strange souldiers and that beeing sodainely surprised it should come to ruine and desolation but that it would please him to deale so by mild meanes as these poore afflicted countries may bee freed from their intollerable miseries And besides that all the other prouinces of the empire may bee preserued and assured from such inuasions And as wee remember that your imperiall Maiestie and the generall Estates of the empire had an intent heretofore to send embassadours to both parties that make warre wee would now make the same prayer and instant request and will most humbly beseech your imperiall Maiestie not to neglect it but to seeke by all meanes to suppresse such extraordinarie insolencies hoping that God will put to his blessed hand and send vs a more happie season than we haue hitherto had and that therby there may follow a good peace as wel for the holy empire as for the two parties that make warre The which for the care wee haue of the good and quiet of the empire wee could not forbeare to shew vnto your imperiall Maiestie with all humilitie hoping you will not take it in ill part but rather will excuse vs by reason of the importance of the cause and that of your imperiall clemencie you will prouide for this publike mischiefe so as the poore countries afflicted may bee relieued and eased that the generall reputation of the holy empire may bee kept to the protection of those prouinces that depend thereon And seeing that the Estates of the circle of Westphalia by vertue of the imperiall constitutions haue required vs and the princes electors of the vpper circle of the Rhine to assemble our selues on the tenth day of Ianuarie nextcomming in the citie of Cologne to resolue vpon these important affaires Wee therefore most humbly beseech your imperiall Maiestie that you would bee pleased at the same time and place to send if it be possible your Maiesties gratious resolution or declare if that wee with the aforesayd circles may not aduise and seeke by all possible meanes to diuert this mischiefe And in case wee may not haue this charge and commission and that a more ample declaration from the holy empire bee required that it would please you to aduise the deputies of the deputies of the sayd Estates in case they bee required by them that are oppressed or others to call vnto their succours or counsell the other circles and giue charge to the deputies touching that matter for the next assemblie wherein your imperiall Maiestie shall doe a worke worthie of his clemencie the which may serue for the assurance and quiet of the afflicted countries and of all those of the Empire Praying God c. In the meane time and before these letters were sent vnto the emperour M. Charles Nutzel seigniour of Sonderspuhel commissioner and counsellor to his imperiall Maiestie being come by his commission to preserue the countrey of Cleues to haue all things restored and to treat of the dukes mariage with the princesse of Lorraine he writ vnto the admirall the last of October from Cleues By the which hee complained That according vnto the promise which he had made vnto him in the towne of Gueldres to restore the towne of Orsoy to the duke that was lord thereof within ten twelue or twentie daies at the most and that after he had taken the towne of Rhineberck all his troupes should bee sent out of the countrey yet hauing trusted too much vnto his promises and the word of a prince hee found himselfe circumuented and deceiued hauing receiued nothing but words full of ayre and seene the effects full of hostilitie reproaching him that hee had gone in person from one towne vnto another ransoming them some for great summes of money others for victuals and munition the which hee sayd hee had seene with his eyes Being a question how this will bee taken by the emperor in whose name he said he remained there to preserue the countrey and not onely of the other princes of the empire but of all Europe whom it doth concerne in generall the which they may easily conceiue who hauing their lands and iurisdictions thus afflicted would gladly see them freed and assured hereafter That the houses of Cleues and Lorraine were now presently allyed by mariage and that of Lorraine with the crowne of France besides other alliances with other neighbor princes all which will be amazed and great wounds which are not yet well cured will be reuiued all which being well affected as he said vnto the Spaniards be brought into consideration That now a Catholike prince who with all his meanes with a Catholike zeale hath preserued and maintained the Catholike Religion should bee in that sort troden vnder foot yea in a manner deuoured quicke when as leauing the enemie at rest they come and powre out all the discommodities of warre vpon the kings owne kinsmen when as churches are abused religious women forced and all that was consecrated vnto God prophaned when as they offer force and violence to embassadours who by the lawes of nations should bee free and assured as it is said did happen vnto other embassadours of the duke descending downe the Rhine to come vnto the towne of Cleues who would not say but as this tends chiefely to the preiudice and contempt of religion and of that which doth most concerne the honour and reputation of the house of Austria the which according to the saying of Hystorians through mildnesse and sinceritie haue beene happie in their enterprises and successe procuring with all their meanes the which not friends onely but enemies will confesse that they might not bee taxed to haue raysed or mannaged an vniust warre to blemish them and to make them odious and contemptible to all the world And not onely to prouoke the wrath and vengeance of God against