it a wrong to History But he never conceived an Historian might be freer then in his description of the siege of Hierusalem From whence he takes occasion to speak of the Originall and Manners of the Iews so profusely and so far deriving them even from Saturn heaping so many several things together Of Moses Of that Peoples Religion Of their Meats Of the Sabbath Of Circumcision Of the Eternity of the soul Of Balsom Of Brimstone and other specialties as if he wrote the History of that Nation And yet Tacitus keeps within compasse if you compare him with Sallust that is so frequent in Excursions Nay he himself doth not dissemble it For having taken a large and indeed unnecessitated scope at last â—ounding a retreat he sayes But I have gone too carelessely and too farre being nettled and vexed at the Manners of the Town Now I come to the matter Nor did he keep to it for all this but in the division of the King dome between Iugurth and Adherbal he amply discourses of Africa and its Inhabitants from their very beginning Again licentiously inveighing against the Manners of Rome he copiously relates the causes of Faction between the Senate and the People and with a check for his own flying out he brings himself again into the way Yet what he adds to this Digression upon the By concerning the Leptitans exceeds the other by many degrees For having mentioned the citie of Leptis when he had spoken of its Founders of its situation and Language he wheels about and for a Corollary brings in an old History not at all appertaining to the Leptitans For sayes he because following the businesse of the Leptitans I am come into this Region I think it not amiss to set down a noble and memorable action of two Carthaginians Which told neither sparingly nor timorously he goes on again But why do I quote so many Presidents when that one of Catilines Conspiracy evidently shews what liberty a Historian may assume the Writer whereof so freely digresses and hath so many Out-lets and Parergons that the additionall Matter is much more then the fourth part of the Historie Which being granted ours likewise in case it be any where redundant will I hope be fairly interpreted by the Readers As likewise that which I have not forborn whilst I compare the ancient with the modern times that is like to like Which as I am not ignorant the Latines seldome do so I know it is familiar with the Greeks Indeed Polybius not more properly the Writer then Master of History whilst he at large compares the Form and Situation of Sicily with Peloponnesus the Fleets of Carthage and Rome with those of Antigonus Ptolomey Demetrius and others of former Ages whilst he resembles the Republicks of Rome and Carthage to generous birds fighting even to their last breath to omit the rest of the same kind which if you read but his first Book will presently occurre truly he needs not fear that goes in the steps of so authentick an Example Thus having rightly premonished and prepared Thee I will no longer stay Thee at the Threshold of my Work The Historie of the LOW-COVNTREY WARRES The first Book I Enter upon the Historie of a Warre doubtfull whether to call it The Warre of the Low-Countrey-men and the Spaniards or almost of all Europe For to this hour we see it manag'd by the Arms and Purses at least by the Designes and Counsels of so many Nations as if in the Low-Countreys onely the Empire of Europe was to be disputed Wherein many I presume will be concerned to read what their Countrey-men what their Kinsmen have acted in the field The rest though unconcerned may yet desire to know from whence a few Belgick Provinces have had the confidence and strength to fight for threescore years together with a most Potent King on equall terms from whence upon the coast of Holland out of a few fisher-boats there hath sprung up a new State which growing daily stronger in Arms will now brook no Superiour by Land and can have none by Sea That in mighty fleets have sent Plantations to the remotest parts of the Earth That by their Ambassadours making Leagues with Princes carrying themselves as not inferiour to Kings have got a Principality more then ever Europe knew From whence the Belgick soil among the continuall tempests and storms of Warre such as in far shorter troubles have laid other Regions waste and barren affords so great plentie of all things as if the place were as violently bent to maintain a War as the People so that directly you would think Mars onely travels other Countreys and carryes about a running Warre but here seats himself Some indeed have fancied the King of Spain out of Policy to spin out the Low-Countrey War for as a Prince the great body of whose Empire must be spirited with a great soul they conceiv'd he trains his Militia in these Provinces afterwards to dispatch them as the Turk doth his Ianizaries into severall Climates As if his enemies should not be taught in the same school and sure it were more to his advantage their arms should rust with idleness then shine with exercise The Emperour Charles the 5th Prince of the Low = Countreys Ro Vaughan 〈◊〉 Onely thou O God of Peace and Warre for aswell the writers of as the actours in business ought to begin with Prayer do thou guide my mind and pen that not trusting in Prudence that sâ—arches humane secrets but in Wisdome that assists thy throne I may perfect a History worthy the purity of life which I profess equall to the greatness of the work I have designed nor lesse then the exspectation that hath long since called me forth THe bloudy Warre that grievously distempered Europe still continued between the Emperour Charles the fifth and Henry the second King of France to whom their fathers with their Crowns had left their enmities and animosities But Mary Queen of England immediatley upon her marriage with Philip Prince of Spain began seriously to mediate a Peace and followed it so well as this year 1555. the Emperours and Kings Commissioners met at Callice and though the exspected Peace was not then concluded yet there was laid a foundation for Peace in a five years truce Then the Emperour calling his son Philip out of England resolved to execute what he had long determined the resignation of his Crowns and be Authour of a Prodigie unknown in Princes Courts When he might reign to give it off This secret divulged through the Low-countries brought men from all parts to Bruxels and on the twenty fifth of October the day appointed for meeting of the three Estates the Knights of the order of the Golden fleece and the Magistrates The Emperour in the great Hall of his Pallace commanding Philip King of England Maximilian King of Bohemia and Emanuel Philibert Duke of Savoy to sit on
corrupted with heresie to be made Devils and numbered among the slaves condemned to eternal torments And although Princesse Mary could not prevail with the Mother in her suit for these boyes yet a few years after God gave her the same number of that sex and it is probable that her desire of breeding up anothers children to be Gods servants was recompensed by God himself with as many children of her own Nor will I omit a memorable passage that happened in the same Port where one of the Kings ships by accident was set on fire not farre from the Admirall where the Princesse was aboard And while some strove to quench the flame and some to save themselves and their goods she running out of her Cabin to the Prow made a little stop and said Well and shall I lose my box of sacred Reliques presently the flame approaching near her she ran back and with a mighty courage plucked the box out of the Cabinet either forgetting or despising the jewels it contained to an infinite value Presently returning again from her Cabin for the furie of the fire was not yet asswaged a Gentleman met her and stepping in with great reverence took her by the arm and beseeched her whilst she might to flie the danger But she casting a frown upon the man said Sir you were best unhand me As if she 〈◊〉 more fearfull to be touched by him then by the flame so unsuppoâ—â—â— she went forward to the Prow and the fire being presently extinguished they set sail for the Low countreys About the beginning of November the fleet arrived at Ulushing where she was received and attended by such as the Governess had sent upon the sudden news of her landing that train being augmented by the horse and foot of the severall towns through which she passed till she came to Bruxels Where all sorts of people welcomed her with greater joy and gratulation because they heard she had so difficult and dangerous a passage Octavio Duke of Parma being a few dayes before come out of Italy purposely to be at his sonnes wedding upon the next Saint Andrews day appointed by Philip Duke of Burgundy for the Anniversary feast of the Order of the Golden-fleece which he instituted and commended to the patronage of that Saint the Nuptials were celebrated at Bruxels with such magnificence as befitted the Neice to Emmanuel King of Portugall and the Grand-sonne to the Emperour Charles the fifth but likewise with such Christian Pietie as was exspected out of the opinion conceived of so religious a Lady and made good by her presence beyond all imagination Maximilian de Bergen Archbishop of Cambray married them The King of Spain was present by Didacus Gusman à Silva his Majesties Embassadour to the Queen of England commanded for this reason to take the Low-countreys in his way Embassadours of neighbour Princes were at the wedding to joy them from their Masters All the Low-countrey Nobility was there the Knights of the Golden-fleece expressed a particular contentment because about a hundred and fifty years before their Order had been founded at the marriage of Duke Philip of Burgundy with Isabella of Portugall and now at the like marriage of this Princesse of Portugall they revived the memory of that Day in all kind of shews and pleasures seeming to forget their present discontents and factions So great was the gallantry of the Lords and they so taken up with revells But after the nuptiall feast was over and the Bride and Bridegroom departed from the Low-countreys as if the Truce were ended they fell to their differences again The narration of which differences I shall wave a while till I have in reference to Princesse Mary related some passages noble in themselves but rendered more illustrious by her royall Bloud and because they equally concern her husband Prince Alexander and his posteritie which we must often mention in the progresse of this History therefore it will be the best in this place to summe them up together Princesse Mary now come into Italy was received with unusuall pomp and ceremony For drawing near to Parma she was met by two gallant troops one of Lords the other of Ladies her husband Alexander being in the head of that and this led by his Aunt Vittoria Farneze wife to the Duke of Urbin On that side such a multitude of horses and on the other such a world of Coaches vying bravery and rich Liveries that seldome hath been seen a more magnificent and glorious Show But the Princesse after she had been the second time thus entertained applyed her self to serious matters her example and endeavours in a few dayes changed the face of Parma And she her self many times having prayed to God for a Sonne to continue the name of the Farnezes accidently conceived a hope that if she took up some Orphan or beggar-boy and bred him for Charity she should compasse her desire She therefore took up one in the street and bred him in her Court and nine moneths after she was delivered of Ranucio But her hope proving as fruitfull as her self she resolved to beg of God another Sonne that she might settle the house upon more pillars and directing her prayer to our Lady in the Church called the Scala Prince Alexander by chance coming thither she turned to him and said Come Sir let us joyn our prayers to God that in obedience to his Virgin-mother he will gratiously please to give us another Sonne They prayed together with great faith and within nine moneths after she brought forth Odâ—ardo which was not the cause of greater joy in Prince Alexander then it was of admiration and reverence towards his wife at whose suit God had given him both his Sonnes From thenceforth he more and more honoured her Sanctimonie insomuch as at the battle of Lepanto boarding the enemy with more valour then caution and afterwards being reproved by Don Iohn of Austria he replyed He had at Home the Cause and Patronesse of his confidence Indeed she spent the whole time of that warre in devotion and penance for her husband But for her children because she knew they were granted her by Gods speciall favour she bent her study while she lived to season their tender years with divine precepts and when she came to die was not so earnest with her husband for any thing as to be carefull of their education using that very prayer to God which she heard was made by the Queen of France Mother to Saint Lewis In this moment of time which is my last I pray and beseech thee O Father of mankind that if my children be inclined to commit any fouler crime against thee thou wilt hasten their ends and prevent their treason against thy Majesty A prayer worthy all mother-Queens that would have no children but such as will acknowledge God the
a gentler execution of the Emperours Edicts against the Hereticks And this Petition was presented in all their names to the Governesse who by her letters certified his Majestie as well of the publick as private carriage of the conspiracy Moreover as she was ignorant of nothing that passed among them for in their Cities and private houses her Spies which are the ears and eyes of Princes knew all they did and gave her intelligence so making no shew of fear she thought it best to strengthen her self in case they should break out into Rebellion She therefore minded the people of their duty by her Edict the Magistrates by her letters and she had her private Confidents that viewed the towns and their Fortifications She caused it to be reported that the King would shortly come in person She sent Expresses post to the Spanish Embassadours residing with the Emperour the King of France and Queen of England to let them know what a conspiracy was set a foot in the Low-countreys whereunto as it was said the Germans English and French were the Incendiaries Shortly she omitted nothing that might either expresse her knowledge of what was then plotted or her courage to oppose it At this time she had intelligence given her by Count Megen That about the beginning of April some five hundred Gentlemen intended to come to Bruxels and present her a Petition against the Inquisition and the Emperours Edicts Others told her as commonly true reports are mixed with falsities that the conspiratours were resolved unlesse she gave them audience to bring their forces into the Town and carry away the Governesse to Vilvord there to detain her prisoner till she had granted their desires Which though aâ— first she laughed at yet in the end as it may be gathered by her letters she doubted whether it would not be safest for her to leave the Town and retire to some place of strength In the mean time she summoned a fuller Senate then ordinary to meet upon the twenty seventh of March not so much to hear their advices as to sound their affections and lest they might turn her enemies whom she did not acknowledge to be her friends Then writing new letters into Spain she represented to his Majestie the present condition of the Low-countreys complaining that she had often foretold it but never could be heard The Governours of Provinces the Knights of the Golden-fleece and the Lords of the privy Councell met all upon the day appointed and sate in Senate next day where by the Senatour Filibert Bruxellius divers letters were read containing whether true or false the conspiracie of the Lords and the Hereticks designes The Governesse making a short speech That she had called that noble Senate to prevent by their counsels and indeavours the impendent evils in the first place asked their advice whether it were safe to admit those that were shortly to come to Bruxels led By Henry Brederod Then what answer she should make to their demands which Fame had then divulged Lastly what course should be taken to dissolve that confederation and how the new motions of those turbulent men might speedily be composed The Lords came thither severally affected many hated the Inquisition others had secret projects and few but preferred their private interest before the publick Philip Croi Duke of Areschot and Charles Count Barlamont were of opinion that the Conspiratous should not be suffered to enter the citie so many at once For what need of five hundred men to deliver one Petition that they could not think such pomp fit for suppliants that they might send out of their number some one of quality to present their desires with lesse ostentation and envie Lastly that either the Ports should be shut which they rather inclined to or that in the next place there should be many eyes upon their behaviour and such as carried themselves contumaciously to be forthwith punished Contrarily the Prince of Orange that hated those Lords as Cardinallists and especially Areschot for the old contest of the Houses of Croi and Nassau about Precedency affirmed those fears to be vain that were conceived against persons not unknown to him many of them being allyed to him in friendship some in bloud that it would be a great indignity if that were not permitted to Noblemen which is lawfull for the poorest peasant to petition To the same effect that no danger could be in their coming spake Count Egmont Especially since if they were to be resisted forcibly or by the sword he did not see how the Governesse was prepared to encounter men already armed and likely by such a repulse to be exasperated That it was not safe to affront those we have not power to destroy But though Count Mansfeldt liked not the Popes Inquisitours in the Low-countreys yet he said it was ill done of those that by such mutiny and tumult behaved themselves more proudly then became petioners and added that he had schooled his Sonne Charles who he heard was one of the Conspiratours And indeed I have a letter of his wherein with great fury he disclaims him for his sonne unlesse he presently renounce that league and bids him otherwise never hope to recover his fathers favour But the youth being of a fiery nature slighted those admonitions and threatnings belike he thought his Father was not in earnest and therefore would not leave his party for the present The Counts of Aremberg and Megen had the same sense of the conspiracy and Covenant as if by such ostentation of their forces they came to compell not to intreat their Prince and concluded That a Treaty of this kind should be rejected or to use milder terms put off Nor could such a sudden confederacy last long but in a little time must necessarily fall asunder for no Mutineers were ever constant to their Principles or to one another The rest of the Senatours spake doubtfully and moderately of the Covenanters violently and plainly against the Inquisition The same arguments though in a more obscure and remisse manner were made against the Emperour's Edicts By degrees they fell to complaints against the King and pressed them with more confidence because they knew he had then more use of their services The Prince of Orange said he could add to those old Grievances but perhaps he feigned new ones that he might have the more colour to desert the Kings interest and to pursue his own because he was lately informed some enemies to the House of Nassau had moved his Majestie to take off his head and confiscate his estate and that the King onely exspected an opportunity to sign the warrant Was this the reward of service done in the late warres by the Low-countrey Lords for defence of his Authority in the Netherlands though he had now sufficient experience that King Philip looked not upon the Low-countreys with the eyes of his Father Charles the
I should not at last by making new examples punish their perfidiousnesse imboldened by my too much Lenity and by force of Armes which through your valour I may easily effect endeavour to destroy these Enemies and Rebells sometimes bringing in Heresie to raise Tumults sometimes plotting to take Armes and breaking into open Hostility Courage therefore Beavor for I have chosen thee to revenge this Treason to Majesty Divine and Humane And since it is necessary to be speedily at Ostervell take thy Commission and be gone fight with Tholouse whose tumultuary Forces without opposition plunder the Country terrible only to such as entertaine them Be sure that pitty move thee not to give them quarter upon any termes but those wicked men that have committed unpardonable Villanies do thou without pause or mercy destroy with fire and sword Having thus instructed the Generall her Excellence commanded him to take out of the Garrison of Bruxells 300. Musketteres and joyne to them the Flanders Horse lately called back from Wallacron under the command of Valentine Pardieu Lord of Mott with the Foot companies of the Counts Aremberge and Barlamont Besides she gave him many of her owne Life-Guard and enjoyned him with this Army to march against Tholouse The Prince of Orange that governed Antwerp imagining what the Governesse would doe had tooke order the day before Beavor came to Ostervell that the Bridge between that and Antwerp should be broken lest the Gheuses sallying out of Antwerp should help the Tholousians as he signified to the Governesse by Marius Carduin or more probably lest to succour Beavor the Bridge should give passage to the Catholiques whose cause he could not desert nor would defend Also by his command the next day all the ports of Antwerp were shut the Citizens wondring what should be his reason when on the suddaine hearing the thunder of Cannon hard by the Towne they ran to the wals and saw a Battaile fought at Ostervell They knew the Ensignes of both Armies displayed alongst the River side and almost heard the cryes both of those that charged and fell Nor did all the Towne behold that Martiall Scene with the same wishes but shouted according to their severall inclinations with divers kinds of clamour as if they had been upon a Stage sometimes chearefully incouraging their Partie sometimes doubtfull and crying shame upon them they shooke their hands and moved their bodies as if they themselves were really in the Feild striking or avoyding Blowes Till the routed Tholousians fled For Beavor had been so quick in his march that comming upon them before they could well arme themselves and repaire to their Colours they had scarce time to put their men in Order of Battaile Yet for a while they stood At first their number imboldened them and at last their Houses and Fortifications saved them But those being fired part of them were burnt in their owne dwellings some few slaine in the Field but the most forced to leap in the River and either drowned or as they swam shot in the backs Tholouse himselfe despairing of Releife or Pardon tooke a Barne and was there burnt There fell at this Battaile the first that was fought with the Low-country Rebells 1500. of the Gheuses About 300. were taken prisoners and all put to the Sword by Beavors command because it was conceived the Antwerpers would sally out and assist the Remainder of their conquered Friends And indeed when the Calvinists saw their Brethren routed and put to flight for it troubled not the Lutherans who hate Calvinists farre more then they doe Catholiques presently taking up Armes they marched directly to the Bridge to succour their distressed Party But when they found the Bridge broken downe and saw the Ports shut up they ran through the Streets as if they had been drunke and cryed Arme Arme. And in foure houres space 14000. men were come together having neither any certaine Generall nor resolution whether to make way through the Ports or turne their fury upon those that kept them in They say Tholouse his Wife in Antwerp helped forward this combustion For understanding the Defeate and Danger of her Husband his Death as yet she knew not almost out of her wits she ranne about the Towne howling and crying to the Calvinsts for Assistance or Revenge And now the Prince of Orange with Count Hochstrat meeting these furious Rebells doubted not by the Majesty of his presence and their great opinion of him easily ro quiet this Distemper and began to give them reasons why the Bridge was broke for feare the conquering Army having a Party within the Towne should make themselves Masters of it But the rest of his words were drowned with hideous cryes and Railings They called him Traytour to the Cause and then he found by experience that Majesty without strength is not safe among the incensed multitude Nay one of those Calvinisticall Rogues set a Pistoll to the Prince his brest as if he would give fire upon him so much dares the basest Rascall animated by his contagious Fellowes The Prince of Orange therefore thought it well for the present if he could get off for the number boldnesse of the Calvinists increased And now seizing upon the Merian Bridge and taking the Cannon out of the Magazine they drew them upon their carriages and planted them against the Court resolving to set up a new Magistrate madly and barbarously proclaiming that all the Clergie and Religious should be turned out of the Towne Nor lesse active on the other part was the Prince of Orange who taught by his late danger commanded sixe Companies of the Garrison Souldiers to guard the Piâ—zza and the Mint and drawing after him a huge sort of Lutherans joyned them to the Catholiques whereof no lesse then 8000 had armed themselves The Catholiques and Lutherans formed into a Body with Colours flying marched to the Pallace of Justice and there made a Stand ready to defend it if the Calvinists should attempt any thing and these as if they would fight came on and presenting their Muskets seemed to expect the word When the Prince of Orange attended by all the Senate and a strong Guard of Souldiers came to the Calvinists and with a commanding countenance advised them to lay down Armes if they had any Demands to make they might be more easily obtained without Tumult if they did otherwise he swore he would be a perpetuall Enemy to the name of Calvin Whereat the Calvinists seeming to be dismayed submitted as if it were in Honour to the Prince when indeed they found themselves much too weak for the Catholique and Lutheran Forces to which the Italian and Spanish Merchants flocked in great numbers armed fearing they should finally be plundered by the Calvinists who had either to that end begun the Tumult or at least would so conclude Therefore Hostages being given and received on both sides the Calvinists upon
with any more skill handle his Armes then he used to do his Text. For at the very first Charge being frighted relinquishing his men this hare in a Helmet fled out of the Field Two hundred and thirty of his Disciples were slaine and presently stripped of their armes leaving Rassinghem Victorious without bloud Who with his Triumphant Souldiers laded with the Spoiles of the enemy entering into Lisle the newes of that sudden execution made the feare of the City greater then his honour by the Defeat of such an inconsiderable Enemy Their consistoriall Counsell was therefore now at their witts end and the Souldiers of Tournay hearing of the Armentarians Overthrow retreated from Lisle to Lanoy which shutting their Gates against them their Generall Sorean indeavouring to take the Towne gave Norcarmius time to overtake him But before Norcarmius came vp Rassinghem vnderstanding by the Armenterian Prisoners that the Gheuses of Tournay were marching towards him raising as many of the Country as he could upon the suddaine resolved instantly to fall upon them not imagining that Norcarmius besieging Valenciens had the same Designe And it fortuned that Rassinghem sending out some Scouts as the manner is to discover the strength and motion of the enemy they fell vpon the like number of Horse sent by Norcarmius to the same intent and as night and suspicion doses the mind either Partly mistaking their fellowes for the enemy fired upon one another and one or two being shot retired frighting and affrighted While this Accident held Rassinghem in suspense Norcarmius by other meanes understanding the Enemy to be neere Lanoy presently marched thither and going to order his men for a Bataille her perceiued the Gheuses too weake for the open Feild by little and little fell backe into the lanes trenched with Ditches and bulwarkt with Woods Wherefore he sent thither three Companyes of musketteers with some Pikes mixed among them which he him selfe followed with the Horse The Gheuses stood the first Charge indifferent stoutly and shot off some small Field-Pieces that guarded the mouth of the Lanes Nay thought many fel they filled vp their places with fresh men without much Difficulty taking the Advantage of those Straits beat back the Norcarmians But at last the Avenue being opened by the Pikes the Horse and Foote breaking in they gaue back were routed fled and in the Flight more Dangerous then in the Battaile were killed like sacrificed Beasts A few with their Generall Sorean but dividing themselues escaped through the woods Norcarmius with the Losse of only six men having taken nine of the Enemyes Colours twentie Field-Pieces and two Barrells of Powder though it best to follow the Opportunity and to march with his men now fleshed and desirous of Victory up to the Walls of Tournay and sending a Trumpet to the Towne commanded them in the name of the Governesse to receive a Garrison of his men if they denyed or paused he would use his Victorious Armes The Townsmen hearing by such as fled out of the Battaile that their Army was defeated being struck with the suddaine and armed Summons of Norcarmius the Conquerour at their Gates and Feare within their hearts depriving them both of time and reason for consulting they yielded to mercy He entered the Towne triumphantly and forthwith disarmed the people sending Souldiers from House to House which he did afterwards through all the Signiory of Tournay that tooke away their Armes and carryed them to the Magazine Then he imprisoned the Incendiaryes and restored the Bishop and Clergy to their Honour and Authority Lastly he put downe the Consistoryes and prohibited all such kind of Meetings the common Forges of Sedition thereby absolutely disinabling the Hereticall Faction in that City This done by Command from the Governesse he made Iohn Croy Count of Reuse Leiutenant-Governour of Tournay for Montiny who was yet in Spaine soe leaving eight Foot Companyes in the Towne besides 450 Garrison Souldiers in the Fort he returned to the Siege of Valenciens and was ready to storme it when the Governesse should command But she being to consult the King presently after the render of Tournay with the Newes of the Victory writt to his Maiesty her Resolution to take Valenciens by assault because the beseiged adding Obstinacy to Rebellion had made diverse Sallyes out of the Towne and beate vp the Quarters of his Maiestyes men as in Contempt of the King His Maiesty though he disliked not the Siege yet intimated that he should have better liked noe Siege now since it was gone soe farre it concerned his Honour to continue it but it likewise concerned his clemency and Affection to his Subjects to forbeare the Battery of the Towne aâ—d putting them to the Sword lest the fury of the Souldiers should destroy the Innocent together with the guilty The Governesse should therefore try all wayes to win the besieged to yield without fighting which was feizible witnesse the example of Tournay But if the Rebells stubbornesse could not be broken but only by Armes his Majesty would not have the Town stormed before his pleasure was known and two Regiments come out of Germany But these cautions were given to no purpose the besieged growing every day more obstinat Therfore the Governesse commanded Norcarmius to make his approches neerer to look more narrowly unto the cutting off all Victuaâ—l and commerce and to present his Cannon and Army as prepared for a generall Assault so by frighting and wearying the Enemy to spinne out time till the German Regiments should arrive commanded by Oberstein and Scouwenberg She likewise writ to the King that Mercy was fruitlesse that she and the Senate thought it necessary before they were better fortified or relieved to take the Towne which Norcarmius was of Opinion might be effected in eight dayes and that Delay would be dangerous lest the Gheuses being inraged all over the Low-Countryes and upon the Borders of France might have time to raise an Army But all this moved not the KING who dispatched back his Adviso with more then ordinary speed that they should hold off and rather take the Towne by Feare then by the Sword perhaps starved and wearyed they might yield yet if there was no remedy but to force them which he must leave to their Iudgement that were upon the Place then he would have these commands principally observed First that raising their Batteries and planting their Cannon they should prove them with theâ—â— Preparations and Fore-runners of a Storme leaving them in the meane time some space of Repentance Then if they yielded not they should storme the Towne and do the Duty of Souldiers but yet forbeare to do execution not only upon Children Old-men and Women but that no Citizen whatsoever should be killed in cold bloud The Governesse well weighing this letter though she knew it was more mercifull then
natures had then demonstrated how they should be used when omitting all milder remedies he chastised his rebellious Country-men with Armes â—nd so reduced them But now it was not one City but all the Provinces had conspired against God and the King Nor because the Rebells sit still for the present are their hearts therefore brought downe but will resume their Armes when they are not awed by the Terrour of Revenge For the most venemous Serpents may be safely handled in Winter not that they have lesse Poyson but because they are more unactive it being now known by experience that for the same man to be an Heretick and a good Subject is incompossible Thus his riged disposition argued particularly discoursing how an Army might be raised and conducted and disputed all the policies advantageous for that Expedition which he being an old Generall and the rest of the Lords no Souldiers was of all the councell only able to argue And his Judgement was confirmed by Cardinall Spinosa who made a grave Speech complaining how the Holy Court of Inquisition was violated in the Low-countryes The rest were of the same Opinion all but the Duke of Feria who being nearer in Bloud then Affection to the Duke of Alva and of a milder nature differed from him altogether not denying but the Low-countryes needed some kind of Remedy wherein he dissented from the Prince of Ebora with whom in the rest hee concurred but that Remedy should rather be applyed by dexterity of Counsell that by force of Armes which would be more honourable to the Prince as if he made it not a businesse to settle his Dominions not making himselfe a party whilst fought with his subjects allowing them for his Equalls and more safe in relation to his Neighbours and Enemyes that would no doubt make use of the Low-country-Insurrections to moulder away the Spanish Power by their owne Victories Nor did that Allegation of the Emperours taking of Gant Ferdinand of Toledo Duke of Alva Governour of the Low-countreys Ro Vaughan sculp sufficiently conclude the Stubbornnesse of one City might be easily broken when the rest of the Low-countreys were obedient now almost the whole began to waver and in the same common cause and danger were ready to associate in their defence Many circumstances made for that warre which disswade from this Then the Germans were the Emperour's Subjects the English his confederates and the French his Inviters Now all those being obliged by no Right of Empire or tye of Alliance many of them differing in Religion all concurring in envy as they will quicken our troubles so they will retard our Assistance Therefore for the present omitting the thoughts of Punishment and Warre let some be sent into the Low-countryes that may narrowly observe and bring us a true Account of the present condition of the Provinces and let us in the interim give the Subjects Rest and time to come to themselves and take heed we doe not unseasonably teach them to use those Armes against his Majesty which they have imployed so often in his Service These considerations nearly resembling those offered by Prince Roderigo I suppose the Duke of Feria purposely kept back till the Duke of Alva had spoken that bringing them in as a new opinion he might side with Roderic Gomez whom he much affected But the King though he plainly favoured the Duke of Alva's Resolution yet being many did oppose it deferred or seemed to deferre the declaring of himselfe so long till every ones benefit should reconcile their diverse and clashing Opinions Thus bodyes are dayly formed when after long contention of the Elements some parts being remitted others consumed the whole is made adequate For Roderick Gomez laboured to keep the King in Spaine but though he disliked his going into the Low-countreys with an Army as dangerous howsoever unnecessary yet he found this advantage in it that if the Duke of Alva should be Generall which he easily supposed it would remove his Rivall from Court and ingage him in no slight Difficulties But Alva though in the first place he indeavoured to draw the King from Spaine making sure account he should wholly governe him in the Army yet he was well enough pleased to be trusted by the King though absent with the whole Warre and to leave Roderick Gomez behind in whatsoever degree of place or Favour For as it troubled him to see the King value his Merits lesse then the others person so was he ambitious of some Imployment where Warre and the Field might put a difference between those whom Peace and the Court had equalled Their Opinions therefore meeting in this point the King without further delay declared That he had long thought of a Expedition into the Low-countryes and whatsoever was alledged to the contrary altered not his Resolution but yet hee would not goe till some one sent before him should enter the Provinces with an Army not to affright the Obedience or Peace of his Subiects with those Armes but to use them as a Guard and Ornament to the Prince Shortly after calling for the Duke of Alva he gaue him the Command in Chiefe for that Expedition the rest of the pretenders willingly yielding to him an old Generall famous for many Victories When he had received his Commission the King immediately wrote to the Viceroyes of Sicily Naples and Sardinia to draw out three Regiments from their Spanish Garrisons to be sent to Millaine in the Gallyes of Garcia de Toledo To the Governour of Millaine his Majesty wrote to ioâ—ne unto them a Regiment out of that Province whither the Duke of Alva would shortly come with his new Spanish Levies that should supply the Garrisons from whence the old Souldiers were selected Likewise to the Duke of Savoy the King had formerly sent Iohn Acugnia and now dispatched Francis Ibarra that as the other desired a passage so this might procure Victuall for the Army Moreover Count Iohn Anguisciola went Embassadour to the Swisse and Anthonio Mendoza to the Duke of Loraine acquainting them with his Majestie 's Intentions and desiring Leaue for the Royall Army to passe without Molestation through their Territoryes For the King had changed his Resolution of sending them by Lyons Charles the ninth of France excusing himselfe pretending the Civill Warres and consequently the unsafenesse of the Passage Indeed the Report of the Spanish Army terrified many Countryes particularly Geneva who were made believe that Pope Pius had agreed with the Duke of Alva in his March to turne his Forces as he might easily doe upon the Geneveses and they were assured the Duke of Savoy would not lose so good an Opportunity That which I imagine bred the Suspicion was the suddain Embassage of Bernardino Mendoza sent to the Pope from the Duke of Alva whilst he stayed in Millaine Wherefore Geneva not only requested Aide to the common Cause from Bearne whose turne would be the next
footman strucke off his head Presently after Count Horne with the same constancy was by the same Executioner beheaded both their heads being for two houres set upon two speares for the City to behold Their Bodyes were immediately carryed into the next Churches and the day after together with their Heads sent to the chiefe Cityes of their owne Provinces and there honourably buryed The miserable Death of Count Egmont for he was generally beloued was lamented by the Low-countrymen with greater Spleene then Sorrow Some whereof despising danger dipt their handkerchers in his bloud and kept them either as Monuments of Love or Incitements to Revenge Others kissed his leaden Coffin and without any feare of an Informer publiquely threatened Vengeance Insomuch as diverse Person noting the Low-countrymen's Violent affections to his Memory and their detestation of the very name of Alva said that by Egmonts death the Confederates were first established and foretold that all the Lowcountreys would in a short time contrary to the Duke's Expectation be involued in Tumults This Prediction gave credit to the report that presently after it rained bloud in the Fields about Lovain the Multitude easily believing what their Hatred supposes to be done in Heaven And indeed there are that doubt not but it would have beene more policy in the Duke to have made their Execution private and not presented that distastfull Scene and Pompe of Egmont's Tragedy to the people For they doe ill that make the Favourers and Pittyers of the Cause Spectators of the Punishsment But Alva resolving to make an Example of Terrour which hee then thought necessary slighted Hate or Envy It is reported the French Embassadour who privatly beheld the Execution wrote to King Charles that he had seene in the Market-place at Bruxells his head struck off whose Valour had twice made France tremble intimating the losse of the French Nobility at Saint Quintin and Graueling the first of which Battailes was almost the second altogether purchased by the Courage and conduct of Count Egmont He dyed in the fortie sixth yeare of his age leaving by Sabina of Bavier to whom he was married at Spires in presence of the Emperour Charles the fifth eight Daughters and three Sons the eldest inheriting his Fathers Vertues the second nothing but his Hatred to the Spaniard the third who was faithfull to the King only left Issue to the Family He had a Brother that followed the Emperour Charles into Africa and dyed in Italy a Sister marryed to Count Vadamont Mother to Frances Wife to Henry the third of France The Nobility of his House was antient their Power much greater once when the Dukes of Egmont were Lords of Gelderlandt He tooke his name from Egmond a Towne in the farthest part of Holland neare the westerne Shore of which he still wrote himselfe Count though he was Prince of Gavera a Towne upon the banke of Schelt not farre from Gant Charles the fifth created him knight of the Golden-Fleece King Philip trusted him with the Governement of the most noble Provinces of Flanders and Artois He was a man for the Heroicall Vertues of his mind and body worthy a farre better Fate though the very infelicity of his Death as Compassion looks upon all things through a multiplying Glasse did not a Little increase the opinion of his Vertues Nor was it any disadvantage to his Children restored by King Philip to all their Father 's personall and reall Estate But Philip Count of Horne who was likewise Knight of the Golden-Fleece dyed foure yeares elder then Count Egmont his Brother the Lord Montiny being for the same Cause condemned and beheaded in Spaine whither he was by the Governesse sent Embassadour with the Marquesse of Bergen Nor was Count Horne of a lesse noble family then Count Egmont being descended of the French Momorancyes and had courage equall to his Honour as appeared at the Battaile at Saint Quintin and in the magnificent discharge of two great offices of Admirall and Captaine of the life Guard Hee first tryled a Pike under the Emperour Charles the Fifth to whom he was a Subject for Horne an Imperiall Castle betweene Gelderland and Brabant whence he had his Title of Count though he was possessed of many other Townes and Castles within the Kings Dominions Indeed his death could not have beene moderately lamented but that Egmont had consumed all men's Teares After this the Duke of Alva resolved to move speedily to Friezland sending before with part of his Forces Chiapino Vitelli his Campe-Master-Generall who entring the Groine Valiantly defended that Towne against Lewis of Nassau that sate downe before it Then the Duke in person having payed a Souldiers Duty to Count Aremberg and with the sad Military Ceremonies waited on him to his Grave went about the end of Iune from Bruxells to Antwerp leaving Gabriel Serbellonio there in Garrison with eight Companyes of Germans for defence of the Fort and Towne At the Bus he stayed till Cressonerius came up with seaenteene Field-pieces marching thence in the beginning of Iuly he passed the Mose at Grave from thence he went to Arnhem in Gelderland and so to Daventry in Over-Ysell where he rested a while till his Scouts should bring word if the Bridges wer strong enough to beare the weight of his Cannon they had not rid farre but hearing Drummes beate a pretty way off and presently discovering foure Ensignes they galloped back to the Duke and told him the Enemy was coming hard at hand though he could not well believe it yet because his Scouts of several Nations brought the same Intelligence he forthwith commanded his Colonells and Feild Officers to set his men in Battalia and sent out others to discover the Enemyes nearer Aproaches and their number These were no sooner in the Field but they saw foure gallant Banners displayed and as many Waggons covered with Canvasse and greene Boughes in which a Bride marryed that morning who dreamed not of a warre was riding towards the next Village with a great sort of countrey fellowes leaping and playing about her When this Newes was brought to the Army they made not better Sport at the Folly of the Scouts then they did at the simplicity of the Country people when an Army was so neare them and all that suddaine preparation for a Warre being changed into Mirth they entertained the Bride in her passage with a Volly of Musket-Shot The memory of this Accident is still fresh in the mouthes of the Wallons who ever when they send out their Scouts if they shew any Feare in their Returne aske them in a military Ieere if they have seene the Bride But the Duke of Alva angry at this delay and sharply rebuking them that were the Causes entred the Groin on the fifteenth of Iuly about Noon-day and at that very houre without alighting or changing of his Horse he himselfe attended with a few others rode
Thus long ago when the Romans fought with the Sabines by the River of Anio they at Rome seeing the Sabines Armes floating upon Tiber into which the River Anio falls prevented the Messengers by their fore-knowledge of the joyfull Tidings Touching the number of the slaine the Reports of those present in the Fight were diverse The most credible is that there fell six Thousand of the Enemy and no more then Seventy of the King's men Though twelve miles in length being strewed with Carkasses of men and Horses presented it as a huge and horrid Slaughter to the eye The Spoile was likewise great twenty of the Enemies Ensignes taken ten great Cannon and those six musicall Field-pieces lost by Count Aremberg with a vast quantity of furniture belonging to Nassau Hochstrat and Schouwenberg in a word all their Carriages and Baggage came into the Spaniard's hands Hochstrat the day before the Battaile was carryed sick out of the Field Schouwenberg fled in the begining of the Fight Of Nassau the Rumour was at first uncertaine for his Armes and the Suite he wore that day were brought to the Duke of Alva afterwards it was knowne that changeing his Cloathes he swam the River and left those he put off purposely in the Field that they might imagine him slaine In this Province of Friezland Germanicus Caesar conquered Arminius by the banck of Visurgus another River of Friezland the memory of which overthrow was now revived Iust so the Romans for their Sport killed the barbarous people swimming the River till they were weary with the Sport so Arminius fled disguised so the Battaile continued till darke night so the Fieldes for as many miles were covered with dead bodies Nor was the Monument lesse proportionable which either Generall out of the Enemies spoyles erected for Posterity to behold Only when the Roman set up a Trophy his modesty omitted to name himselfe the Spaniard boldly put in his owne Title Fame therefore in that Inscription inserted the title of Germanicus but envy in this soone blotted out the name of Alva I know some that accompt this victory a miracle wrought by the Prayers of Pius the fifth who both by Letters and Supplies of money had animated the Duke of Alva against the Gheuses Indeed Christopher Assonvill an intimate Counsellour of the Duke's describing the Battaile writes that when he considered the place chosen by Nassau on the one part to be so fortified by nature and Art as might well have contemned a greater Army on the other part to be taken by so suddaine a storme and so few men he could not thinke this victory lesse then a Miracle And the Duke of Alva after he had won the Field the first think he did dispatched away a Messenger that very night with the newes to Pope Pius who as he had devoutly prayed to God for good Successe so now having obtained his desire commanded three Thankesgiving-Dayes to be solemnly kept in three of the greatest Churches of Rome which was accordingly performed with great Solemnity and the addition of Cannon-shot and Bonefires But though I will not say this was miraculous in regard a farre lesse mutiny and consternation uses every day to worke stranger effects yet when I looke upon the attempt of the Spanish Forlorne-Hope how they being to run the apparent hazzard of their Lives when Lopez Figueroa advised them to call the Communion of Saints to their Assistance falling on their faces and imploring after an extraordinary manner and with many zealous Prayers the Patronage of the Blessed Virgin and the Tutelar Saint of Spaine fearlessely and fortuâ—nately among the enemies Cannon began their Conquest truly out of these premises I may boldly conclude that if at this Battaile there was more then humane help the Devotion of the Spaniards called downe Victory from Heaven and their heroicall courage merited such a Day In the Returne of the conquering Army a bold and wicked fact was committed that greatly tooke off the Generalls and his Officers Ioy. The Sardinian Brigade marching in the Reare when they came within sight of the place where awhile before many of their fellow Souldiers were lost vnfortunately together with Count Aremberg their Bloud rising they resolved to be revenged and leave a memorable example of their fury For before day-breake they fired they fired the next Villages beginning at the Towne where they heard the Spaniards in their flight were by the Countreymen betrayed to the Victorious Nassavians From thence dividing themselves they dispersed the fire among the Townes adjoyning which so kindled the Houses being built of combustible materialls especially the wind conspiring with their Wickednesse that from the Bay of Dullart to the farthest prospect of West-Friezland nothing was presented to the eye but dreadfull Flames The Duke of Alva amazed to see the Countrey burne and suspecting it to be a Stratagem of the enemy when he sound that it was the Villany of his owne men commanded the whole Army to stop the Brigade that had fired the Countrey and calling before him their Colonell Gonsalvo Bracamonte reproved him for suffering at the present that Mischiefe to Friezland and the King for they had burnt some Townes that were his Majestyes Patrimony and for their former Contumacy whereby they had importunely forced their valiant Generall Aremberg to fight Some of the Souldiers which began it he commanded to be hanged upon the place others especially the Supernumeraryes of the Brigade which seemed to be accidentally involved in the Fault and Colonell Bracamonte himselfe he adjudged to change their Militia for this was a kind of warlike penalty still retained out of the Discipline of the Antients that often degraded their Souldiers a Horseman to a Footman and a Footman into an Archer to make them sensible of their Errours by disgrace But this was no great Punishment to the ordinary sort that were received into other Regiments with little or noe disadvantage The Captaines Lievetenants Ensignes and above all the Colonell was aflicted with the Ignoâ—iny who were all to be reduced into the Ranke of Common Souldiers Therefore some of them particularly the Colonell resolved rather to leaue the Warre then fight with such dishonour But the Duke of Alva satifyed with what they already suffered a while after restored the Colonell to his Command The Brigade being in this manner punished but the Losses of the province unrepaired which were rated at no lesse then a Million of Crounes Victorious Alva entred the Groine upon Saint Iames his Eue whose assistance he had found in the day of Battaile and commanding the Townsmen to receive Gniffius long since designed Bishop of the place and Count Megen Successour to Aremberg in the Government of their province for defence of both by the directions of Vitelli and Paciotto the Duke began to build a Fort like that of Antwerp Things thus ordered in Holland he was met
in his returne to Bruxells by his eldest Son Federico Duke of Oscha great Commander of the Order of Calatrava who brought him from the King 2500 Foote and a good summe of money a necessary Supply against the Preparations of the prince of Orange For now the Prince of Orange was upon his March with a vast Army raised in Germany diverse of the hereticall Princes willingly associating in hatred to the Spanish House of Austria This League was advanced by by a generall indignation upon the newes of Count Egmont's and Count Horne's death the Envy to Alva thereupon increasing and much aggravated by a Booke against His Tyranny written and published by the Prince of Orange There was in his Army when he mustered it at Aquis-Grane 28000 men that is 16000 German Foot and 8000 Horse French and Low Dutch 2000 Horse and very neare as many Foot To the Germans the Prince Elector Count Palatine the Duke of Wirtemberg and the City of Strasburg had promised foure Months Pay to the French and the Low-countreymen a Spanish Merchant at Antwerp had ingaged for 1800 French Crownes a month during the said terme To maintaine the Horse was undertaken partly by the Prince of Orange and his Brother partly by the very Commanders of Horse Casimire Son to the Palsgraue Count Suarzemburg two of the Dukes of Saxony Count Hocâ—strat and William Lumè one of the Counts de Marca the last of these a deadly Enemy to the Catholiques is said to have made such a barbarous Vow as once Cl. Civilis who likewise commanded the Hollanders that he would never cut his haire till he had revenged the Deaths of Egmont and Horne With these Forces the Prince of Orange sooner then could be imagined passed the Rhyne and incamping along the banke of the Mose not farre from Maestricht filled the Low Countries with strange Reports and Terrour Indeed the Duke of Alva in appearance extreamely slighted such Rumours being a notable Dissembler of military Dangers and one that feared nothing more then to be thought to feare So that when a Captaine with very much Trouble in his Face amplifyed the Newes and told him how many Princes and Kings had entred into League against Spaine among whom he numbered Denmarke and England the Duke answered merrily he knew what accompt to make of that League nor was such a conspiracy of Rebells any way formidable the King having more Princes that tooke part with him For with the King of Spaine was confederated the Kings of Naples Sicily and Sardinia the Duke of Millaine Prince of Burgundy and the Low-countreys besides the King 's of Peru Mexico and New Spaine but herein the Confederations differed that in theirs the dissimilitude of Nations and dispositions and if no other obstacle their severall Intersts must needs cause disagreement and in a little time dissolve the union Whereas in this what pleased one pleased all and consequently it would be eternall And truly Alva was not so jealous of a forreigne Enemy as of the Natives knowing himselfe hated by a great sort of them nor could he thinke the Prince of Orange durst ever have attempted to bring a Warre into the Lowcountreys if he had not beene invited and assisted by the Low-countreymen Especially when so many Robberies and Murthers had been done upon the high way by the banished Gheuses Which because they sheltred in the Forests were called Wood-Gheuses The common Terrour was increased by a fearfull apparition in the Aire of two Armyes in Battalia seen on a cleare night to brandish their glittering Pikes as if they were ready for a charge The Prodigy because seen in diverse places was beleived and therefore more such stories were dayly told which made Alva looke to himselfe So that fortifying the Froatier Townes and those he most doubted he hastened with his Army to Maestricht that from thence he might incounter the Prince of Orange's Designes and by keeping the banke of Mose hinder him from passing the River But the Prince's subtilty and boldnesse carryed it And this was his first Stratagem in the Low-countrey-Warre wherein he plainly shewed how great an Enemy declared himselfe against the King For his Horse finding the River foardable between Rurimond and Maestricht the Mose being then accidentally at a low Ebbe the Prince helped his Fortune with Art in this manner He tied his Horse together and made them stand crosse the River to breake the Streame as Iulius Caesar did when he passed Ligeris and Cicoris and some others of late time have done by this meanes the force of the Current being abated and repelled he commanded his Foote to wade over silently in the Evening and that night with inobserveable speed or rather by an incredible Attempt he deceived the Kings Guards and safely arrived on the father Shore with his Army which was so suddaine and unexpected newes to Alva that when Barlamont told him the Enemy was come over the Duke asked him if he thought them to be an Army of Birds that had flowne over the Mose But the Prince of Orange entring Brabant and confidently incamping within six Miles of the Spanish Army the next day drew out his men and with Drummes beating and Trumpets sounding faced and offered Battaile to the Duke of Alva whose Campe-Master Chiapino Vitelli was of opinion that the Enemy wet with the River and weary with their March should have beene fought before they had incamped nor did he as yet thinke the fight was wholly to be declined but that it concerned the Spaniards in point of honour to make some Attempt upon the now insâ—lting Germans and let them know the Valour of the Royall Army But the Duke foreseeing that money could not long hold out to pay so great an Army which would therefore moulder away especially upon the approach of winter resolved with the least hazard to himselfe to elude the enemy His principall designe was to keep them from getting into any strong Towne lest they should make their Pay out of the Plunder of the Countrey yet scarce any day passed but as the Armies lay close tother they had some Skirmishes and Fights commonly about victuall the Prince of Orange's men being still the Challengers Which Fights how they were managed and with what daily successe I could particularize For Raphael Barberino Knight of Saint Steven an eminent Commander a very great Mathematician sent to Rome Diaries of all Actions in the Campe directed to his Brothers Francesco Barberino Proto-Notary Aposticall and Anthonio Barberino Father to Pope Vrban the Eight under which Prince no lesse supreame in Learning then Religion it is my happinesse to write this History But out of those Letters whereof I have Copies I hold it best to give you only some choice Passages omitting the rest that were either of the same kind or not so remarkable The third day after he had passed
the Mose the Prince of Orange advanced to Tongeren thither presently marched the Duke of Alva to defend the Towne neither incountring nor declining him only having an eye upon his Motion and Designes It fortuned that Vitelli with two Troopes of Horse about Sun-set going to discover the Enemy fell upon an Ambuscado and with a rout and the losse of some men returned safe to the Army only the Mare he rode upon had a slight hurt and because he loved her above all the Horse in his Stables she being an excellent galloper that night when he was set at Supper with his old Friend and Companion Raphael Barberino telling him with much vexation how fearefull he was to lose her he threatned if he liued one day longer to make the Enemy repent that ever they hurt his Mare Nor was it a vaine bragge for next morning by breake of day drawing out some horse most of them Spaniards and Burgundians when he observed the Prince's Rere to March at a distance from the Army dividing his Forces and giving halfe to Camillo Gonzaga Count de Novellaria he fell upon the Enemy with such a suddaine violence that he killed about 400. of their men lost only fifteene of his and tooke besides diverse Waggons loaden with Armes and Ammuniton 150. of their Horse and bringing in triumph to to the Duke of Alva said Looke you Sir how many Horses my Mare hath foaled Notwithstanding the Prince of Orange the very next day offered battaile to the Duke but he assuring himselfe the enemy would sooner want meate mony then confidence held it his safest course to break them with delaies which inraging the Prince sometimes with Crosse-Marches he turned upon the Duke sometimes to draw him on sounded a Retreate as if he were affrayd his men had gone too farre and a while after fired the Townes and Villages in sight of the Enemy to bring the demurring Spaniard to a battaile But this Hannibal found a Fabius Cunctator one that could be moved neither by the desperate fury of the Enemie nor by his own men's impatience and almost downe right Railing for this Dictator had likewise his Master of the Horse that was eager to fight nor lastly by the invitation of any prosperous fortune But as a prudent man looking upon the Future he preferred not Rumour before safety and would rather have the victory which he promised himselfe slow and secure then dubious and bloudy Especially after he had intelligence that shrew'd signes of discord appeared in the Prince of Orang's Army Nor was the Duke of Alva deceived in his conjecture For the Prince of Orange having but to no purpose sounded the affections of many Cities from whence he hoped for Money and Ammunition had not been a full Moneth in Brabant before his Souldiers mutined Captaine Malburg being slaine in a heate by his own Company and the Prince himselfe had a Pistoll discharged upon him but the bullet lighting upon the Scabberd of his Sword escaped the Danger The rage increased in the Campe and would not easily have found a stop but that newes of Succour out of France gave hope to the Prince of Orange and struck feare into the Mutineers His Army therefore moved with all possible speed to receive the French Forces conducted by Francis Hangest Lord of Ienlis consisting of 500. Horse and 3000. Foot In his March the Prince of Orange tooke Centron in the Territory of Liege where he found plenty of victuall besides the great summes of money for Fine and Ransome paid him by the Abbot of that Monastery and diverse other persons of quality From thence he went directly to Tienen to joyne with Ieâ—lis that was come within three miles of the place But because the River Geta ran between them to secure the passe he placed some light horse upon the banke mixt with Musketteers The Duke of Alva that never left the Enemy was at his back with an Army of neare upon 16000. Vitelli led the Van and finding the Prince of Orange his Designe sent Barberino on the spur to the Duke who brought up the Rere to let him know in what condition the Enemy was and how easily he might be routed as he passed the River The Duke commanded him not to fight till he had more certaine intelligence But the Enemie wading over with part of his Army was now possessed of the farther banke and had left behind under the command of Colonell Philip Marbet Lord of Lovervall two thousand Fire-locks and 500. Horse most of them Gascoignes and Wallons men chosen out of his whole Army to keep the King's men in play with continuall skirmishes till their fellowes were got to the other side the River Vitelli angry to see the Victory slip out of his hands by the Generall 's Delay with a great part of his men fell upon the Regiment lest commanding Barberino to gallop to the Duke and acquaint him with his Resolution The Duke of Alva disliked it not rather because it was already then that he wished to have it done and turning to his Son Federick said thou seest that Hill made good by their Horse thither thou must fire upon them from this opposite Hill with six Field-Peices and with some commanded men chosen out of that Wing of Spanish-Horse and Foot beat them from their Post. Federico did more than his Father bad him for he drave them from their Vantage-ground and joyning with Vitelli turned his Cannon upon them which very much contributed to the Victory For now they fought with like but not with equall Forces because such of the Princes men as had not yet passed the water terrified with the charge and fearing Alva had come on with his whole Army sometimes resolved to take the River and fly sometimes incouraged by better men returned and fought that between the irresolution of fighting and flying so many were slaine as Vitelli doubted not but if all the Spanish Army might passe the River the Enemy that day would be totally destroyed and therefore tooke great care to let the Duke of Alva know so much who standing on a higher ground very sparingly sent downe his men Nor was Barberino that of himselfe as well as on Vitelli's Command desired to fight lesse carefull to deliver his Message and use his best perswasions to the Duke for the taking of that opportunity He told him the valiantest of the Enemy were slaine and the rest apparently conquered for their hearts were gone therefore if the whole body of the Army advanced before they were reincouraged by joyning with the French no doubt they would be clearly routed But Alva angry at the hast made by Vitelli as if he meant to force him to a battile like one that loved his owne wayes and therefore brooked not another man's Advise said to him you will not then let me dispose of the Warre
the Low-countrey-men were to pay at once For thus they said the Exchequer might be replenished which the Warre had emptyed and likewise the Provinces secured Because Spaine ingaged in a long Warre with the Moores and now setting forth a chargeable Fleete against the common Enemy could afford small supplies Nor was it reason to expect any thing from King Philip and unseasonable to divert him wholly applying his Indeavours and Expences for the Defence of Christendome But the Estates that to settle these Taxes were summoned to Bruxells would not yield to the Tenths because they should thereby lose their Traffique the only subsistence of the Low-countreys Indeed how could the Merchants and Artificers brooke the payment of many tenth parts out of one Commodity for before Cloth or Hangings and other Stuffes were woven and put off their hands they must pay the Tenths of wooll so for thread then for weaving and dying and such like parts of manufacture and thus the price of Commodities being enhansed they should have no buyers the Worke-men would go to other Nations and the Low-countreys be reduced to extreame Poverty The Duke of Alva might consider what advantage it had been to England since the Low-countrey-men above 200. yeares agoe forced by an inundation of the Sea to leave their Countrey had taught the English the art of Weaving which before they understood not Many other Manufactures were yet in the Low-countreys not known to their Neighbours whereby they would be greatly inriched if the Worke-men should go and live among them All this prevailed not with the Duke in the midst of his command victorious and no enemy appearing who therefore assured himselfe the Low-countrey-men would easily obey But the Queene of England in the interim somewhat startled him and made Alva thinke of a new enemy A Biscaine man of warre with foure Pinnaces sayling out of Spaine and bound for the Low-countreys convoying of money to pay the Duke of Alva's Army a vast summe 200000. Ducats as some Writers affirme according to others 40000. nay there is one that saies 800000. forced either by a tempest or for feare of Pyrats came into an English Harbour The Queene resolving not to part with that Treasure first commanded an accoumpt of it should be taken then causing them to unlade under pretence of the Kingdome 's necessity it was carried to the Exchequer Guerrao Despeo the Spanish Embassadour and his Majesties Admirall Stephano Serra protesting against it to no purpose The Duke of Alva bitterly resenting the Injury made an Imbaâ—go in the Low-countreys arresting all the English Merchants Goods and Shippes the like was done in Spaine On the other part the Queene of England seized upon all the Commodities of the Low-countrey-men and Spaniards so as they were upon the very point of Proclaiming Warre on both sides And Christopher Assonvill sent into England by the Duke to demand the money and to compose the matter in controversie found the Queene so offended and inraged that he was commanded backe to the place from whence he came the Queene refusing to treat upon conditions with Alva or any man else but the King himselfe She was so peremptory as I have read in Assonvill's Letters because shew knew the Moores intended to rebell in Spaine and the Germans were againe preparing to invade the Low-countreys she her selfe in the meane while being inriched with dayly Prizes taken from the Low-countrey-men and Spaniards At the very same time 14. Portugall-shippes laded with Indian Merchandise Ignorant of the Quarrell between the Nations thinking they might passe securely were surprized by the English and it is not to be imagined how much that Booty inflamed those Islanders with a desire to continue a difference so advantageous Which made the Spaniard the more earnestly to labour the composing of it And to this end Thomas Raggeus was sent into England on whose prudence the Duke of Alva much relyed who was afterwards when the King knew him better made his Treasurer Raggeus though he could not prevaile with the Queene that was resolved to keep the money yet so won upon her as she was no longer deafe to an Agreement Then the Duke sending over the Marquesse Vitelli with Raphael Barberino and his Secretary Turrius the Queene received them more gratiously and publiquely explained her selfe that she understood the money appertained not to the King whom she never had any Intention to wrong in any kind but to the Genoa-Merchants that she had use for it at the present and would hereafter returne it to the owners faithfully and with interest This Answer was reported to the Duke of Alva from the Spanish Embassadour and Vitelli by Barberino who advised him notwithstanding the Queene intended not Repayment since no Merchant could demand the Money to take into consideration whether the Low-countrey-men or the English would be more prejudiced by the Quarrell And further told his Excellence that he had taken notice of 80. Low-countrey and Spanish Ships under Arrest in the English Ports their lading dayly decaying and imbezelled And therefore the Embassadour and Vitelli held it best that matters should not be aggravated with new causes of offence for they hoped that in a little time the fury of both sides being allayed by mutuall Losses at last with equall Dissimulation they would fall to their antient intercourse For the Duke 's better satisfaction therein he delivered him a Breviate wherein he had stated the controversie All this was truth as afterwards appeared when the contestation being ended the losse of the Low-countrey and Spanish Merchants was found so farre to exceed the damage of the English as these were forced to refund above 200000. Florens Neverthelesse Alva would not desist either from revenging the Injury done by England or from exacting the Tribute he had begun to demand of the Low-countreys That he thought concerned the King in point of honour and though he knew this for the present would hinder the Exchange and Traffick yet he hoped those Losses would be soone repaired Especially since his mony was interecepâ—ed by the English he held it just to aske Supplies from the Low-countrey-men for whose benefit that money should have been imployed When the Duke therefore to his Requests and Admonitions added Threats the Estates pretended the People's wants there was a note subscribed with an unknowne name scattered in the Presence directed to the Duke of Alva in these words that if he acted Themistocles to raise money brought two Goddesses Perswasion and Violence they would play the Andrians to prevent Payment interpose as many as great Goddesses Poverty Impossibility Thus while the Contest was kept a foot on the one part with Petitions and Complaints on the other with often varied Edicts Commands yet the yeare ended without any thing concluded at last the Duke of Alva in a Rage advertised the Provinces That the
among the rest had impeached and condemned the Prince of Orange then he joyned the common cause as he strove to make it with his owne and openly tooke up Armes safe in point of reputation because there was one to whose execrated name the Warre would be imputed But the Cities being terrified with the suddaine punishment inflicted by the Duke the Prince of Orange found by experience that in the new Impression of a feare whose first Fit is the strongest and by continuance lessens till it be shooke off it is to no purpose so long as the humour that hath weakened the people is undigested to sollicit them to rebell But when the Cities as well those that continued faithfull to the Spaniard as those that stood suspected were pressed to pay Taxes the hatred of the Generality increasing overcame their Feare the people growing more confident when they heard that the Duke of Alva must be gone Then the Prince of Orange knew his time was come for maturing a Rebellion and founding of that Government which he had long designed Therefore whilst Alva fixt all his Care upon raising the Taxes the Prince of Orange laid hold of the opportunity to draw the people from their obedience to the King and incouraged by the secret Intelligence which he had with many Townes ready to revolt levied Souldiers at his leisure and kindled such a fire of Warre in the Low-countreys as for so many yeares space could never be put out with the ruines of battered Cities nor extinguished with a torrent of bloud The Warre was begun upon the Sea of Holland as if they had now already found their strength and were sensible from the very first in what part they should establish their Dominion And notwithstanding this Rebellion was often intended and attempted by the Gheuses as well those of Corporations called the City Gheuses as the High-way-men called the Wood Gheuses yet the Water Gheuses for so they were commonly called were they whose fortunate Audacity carried it The Commander in chiefe of these Water Gheuses was Count William a Marcha Baron of Lumè professing his enmity to the Duke of Alva in his Colours wherein was painted ten pieces of money to inflame the fury of his men by putting them in mind of the tenth part The first that tooke Commissions with him were William Blosius Treslong Lancelot bastard Son to Brederod Bartholomew Entese Sonoi and diverse others These had Letters of Mart from the Prince of Orange and orders to scoure and rob the Sea-Coast of Holland and Friezland And out of hatred to the Spaniard and desire of Free-boote whereof the Prince of Orange was to have a fifth part they executed their Orders and robbed from the mouth of the Ems to the English narrow Seas where if at any time they met with Ships too strong for them or fled before a Tempest they commonly secured themselves in some English Harbour But the Queene her selfe refusing to protect them as common Enemies upon request made to her by the Duke of Alva they having boarded and taken a Biscaner were by tempest driven into Vorna an Isle of Holland the People supposing them to be Merchants cast upon that Coast by the Storme Where imboldened by their late perills they fell upon the Brill a Port-towne of Zeland and before the Townsmen were aware that they brought Warre not Merchandise with unimaginable successe no man resisting they tooke the Place upon Palme-Sunday and Lumè leading them on broke the Saintes Images in pieces and omitting no kind of Irreverence to holy things or Orders so fortified the Ports that when Count Bolduc Governour of Holland by Alvas Command came against them they not only gave him a strong Repulse but likewise Willam Treslong with incredible Confidence fired some of his Ships accidentally severed from the Fleete Vpon report of the taking of this Isle as if the Scarlet Colours had beene hung out for Signall of battaile to the Provinces t is not to be told what wonderfull changes through all the Low-countreys immediately insued For many Cityes favoured the Covenanteers some invited them others stood neutrall and would neither admit of Alva nor revolt from the King A few were sensible of their Allegeance and tooke armes for the Spaniard Dort the Chiefe City of Holland when Count Bolduc fled thither and demanded entrance for his men it being cunningly given out that the Spaniards were upon their March to distraine for the tenth part would not let him in but shut their Gates against him as an enemy Vlushing a port Towne of Zeland and the bulwarke of the Ocean upon an Exhortation at Masse made to them on Easter day in the morning by the Parish Priest who hated the Spaniard perswaded them to maintaine their Liberty turned out the Spanish Garrison with such a popular fury as they hanged Colonell Alvarez Pacecho Kinsman to the Duke of Alva at Treslong's request in revenge as hee said of his Brothers death foure yeares before beheaded by Alva's Order and the Hereticks themselves were earnest to have him put to death that Vlushing might not hope for pardon from the Governour 's just Anger A while after Enchuysen lying over against Friezland which among the chiefe Ports of Holland had till then continued loyall revolted from the Duke Enchuysens example was follwed by Horne Alcmar Edam and other Townes of North-Hollandt And in South Hollandt Goude Oudewater Leyden Gorcom So that besides Amsterdam and Schoonhoven that were still faithfull to the Spaniard the Duke of Alva lost almost all Holland and a great part of Zeland which had so shaken off the terrour of his name that they wrote publique Libells against him and assoone as Brill was taken pictured him with a paire of Spectacles put upon his Nose by Lumè standing behind his back for the Low-Duch call Spectacles Brills and they have a jeering Proverb when they hamper a man that they put Spectacles on his nose and a Snaffle in his mouth These Figures therefore signifyed that Alvas Severity was now bridled But they that made them little dreamed what a world of Mischiefe hung over their heads in the hand of this great Generall one that despised such ridiculous toyes And though some of the Cityes I have named wavered at the very first resolved to rebell not resolved to whom they should submit yet partly despairing out of the greatnesse of their crimes committed against the Church and Churchmen partly out of an obstinate determination never to indure the new Taxes they finally came in to the prince of Orange and as if he had beene their Kinge Lumè moving it tooke an oath of Fidelity to him From him they received their Garrisons Shipping and Armes he disposed of all places of Government made Lawes bestowed an ordered the Revenues taken from the Clergy such Multitudes out of France and Great Britaine flocking
thither in hope of plunder that within lesse then 4. Months in the Port of Vlushing lay a Fleete ready rigged and manned of a 100. 50. sayle which made diverse bold Attempts upon Townes and Shippes of the Spanish party wherewith in ten yeares space during which time they had many Sea-sights the Hollanders were but once overcome to be for ever after Conquerours as the Spanish Historians themselves affirme So that it seemes these were but prelusory Victoryes by which at this time the Hollanders Strength by Sea exceedingly increased Thus at last the water brought forth this new Common-wealth Ambition being the Mother Heresy the Midwife and Terrour like Thunder making her fall in Labour before her time Truly when this last Occasion of Rebellion was controverted the Bishop of Namure writing to Margaret Dutchesse of Parma concludes that the tenth and twentieth part was the price wherewith the Prince of Orange purchased the Maritime Provinces and his new Principality But in this so thick and suddaine a Defection of Cityes though the newes of losse upon losse extreamely vext the Duke of Alva for in Zupthen Overysell Gelderland and Friezland the Successe of the Prince of Oranges Kinsman William Count Bergen was no lesse fortunate the Cityes and Townes there being partly taken by storme partly submitting out of Affection or Feare Yet whilst the Duke of Alva only thought of keeping out the French and prepared against a Land-Winde not against a storm from Sea nothing more amazed him then to heart that Lewis of Nassau had taken Mons the chiefe City of Haynolt by the assistance of the French because he doubted this was the beginning of a war which it was cōmonly reported Charles K. of France perswaded by Lewis of Nassau and Gaspar Colligny had designed against the Low-countreys For King Charles having concluded a Peace with the Hugonots and received the greatest of their Faction into his Favour and Grace at Court suffered himselfe as it was said to be overruled by the Admirall Gaspar Coligny so farr as to send forces into the Low-countreys to assist the Nassaus And now the Drum was beat for them in France and because Colligny was to be Generall by the Kings appointment he invited to Paris the Flower of the Hereticall Nobility under pretence of doing honour to the King of Nauarre at his marriage with the King of France his Sister but indeed hoping to strengthen himselfe by the accesse of those Lords diverse of which and those the subtillest of the Faction were loth to trust themselves in the Kings power and wondered that Coligny who a few yeares before when the King sent for him to Court returned answer that in France there was no Count Egmonts should now with so much confidence come in person and be the Decoy to bring his fellowes to the Royall City and into the King's hands Notwithstanding the Admirall because he saw Mons taken by the French the Peace with Spaine broken and a Peace for that end concluded with the Queene of England not doubting but the designed warre would follow raised as many forces as he could possibly get among the German P. laboured to undermine the faith of the Low-countrey L. by a certaine Instrument of his tryed to corrupt Alva's Campe-Master Vitelli promising him the place of greatest honour and benefit in the French Army if he would in time come over and serve the King of France ready now to possesse himselfe of the Lowcountreys And And after his first Repulse when Coligny sent againe and shewed himselfe as impudent a Buyer of anothers faith as he was a Seller of his owne Vitelli inraged at the receipt of more Letters by the fame Messenger in his presence sealed as they were threw them into the fire and bad him get out of his sight and carry back that Action for an Answer to the Admirall his Master The Duke of Alva informed by Vitelli and advertised from the Spanish Embassadour in France of the Designes and hourely proceedings of the Hereticks at Paris though he could not at first believe the King of France to be an enemy being privy as some write to the King's Plot against the Hereticks yet hearing of the losse of Mons he thought it best to confide in the King no longer therefore neglecting the Warre from Sea he sent his Son Federico and Chiapino Vitelli with part of his forces before to besiege Mons he himselfe with the rest of his Army resolving immediately to follow When Federico came neare the Towne some commanded French Horse sallyed out lest the Spaniard should sit downe without resistance Indeed they conceived it a punctillo of honour to give the Enemy proofe of their valour before they be coopt up within Walles works Though in that skirmish Vitelli was shot in the left Thigh which was no little grief to the King's men yet they lodged the Army in the place he had appointed The next day after they had intrenched themselves they found in their quarters certaine Women of Mons that came under colour of selling herbes to discover the strength and resolutions of the Spaniards All which by Federico's Order had their petticoates cut off above the knee a military punishment wherewith the Spanish use to shame that Sex not unlike the old custome of the Ammonites and being first carried through the Campe and laught at they were with this Disgrace sent back to Mons. A while after the Monastery D'espine which was fortified by the Towne in regard of the neare distance was twice assaulted by the Spaniards who at last after hot dispute beate out the Garison and tooke it The Admirall this while omitted no endeavours to relieve the besieged listing Horse and Foot upon the Borders and appointing for their Commander in chiefe as he said by order from the King Iohn Hangest Lord of Ienlis Brother to Francis de Ienlis lately slaine Who though advised by a letter sent post from Lewis of Nassau not to fight till the Prince of Orange was joyned with him impatient of Delay and of a partner that must share the honour of delivering the Besieged and being incouraged by the cheerefulnesse of his Army consisting of six or seven thousand at St. Gislen not farre from the Towne besieged with more Valour then Discretion he gave Battaile to Duke Federico who omitting no duty of an Active Generall defated him with the losse of almost all his men That day the boldnesse of Vitelli was admired who not being as yet cured of his wound and neither able to go nor stand neverthelesse could not be perswaded to keep his Tent but made himselfe be carried upon a hand-barrow which he saw by chance and so sitting ordered the battaile with the Generall Federico planted the Ambuscadoes and did all that belonged to the Campe-Master's place Then appearing in the head of the Army among
the thickest of those that fought his voice his hand and even his presence was very much conducing to the Victory though his wound festring upon the cold he tooke his recovery was despaired of and it had like to have cost his life Ienlis they say lost twelve hundred men the Spaniards no more but thirty Ienlis himselfe and six hundred of his Souldiers whereof about six score were Gentlemen coming into the Spaniards hands part were imprisoned in the Forts next adjoyning and the rest hanged up Such as fled out of that unfortunate battaile and hid themselves in the Woods were by the Countrey people whom they had cruelly used awhile before with like cruelty murdered But Federico whose name grew glorious from that Field returned with his Victorious Army to the next Village to give publique thankes to Saint Leocadia Patronesse of Toledo whose body at that time was there preserved spending the day in warlike pompe And to fill Spaine with the newes the Duke as haughty in Ostentation as in Action sent Captaine Bobadilla to the King to gratulate his Majesty for the victory won by his Majesties Armes and Influence In the meane time the Prince of Orange animated with fame and hope of the rebellious Provinces was the more confident to march the second time against the Duke of Alva and bringing into the Field 6000 Horse and 11000 Foote in the beginning of Iuly passed the Rhine and the Mose storming Ruremond in a cruell manner entred Brabant forcing a passage into Haynolt to relieve his Brother Lewis In the way he traversed his ground to Lovaine a City faithfull to the King but forbare to use violence against it upon the Receipt of 16000. Crownes Mechlin having a while before refused a Spanish Garison and therefore unable to make resistance yielded The same fate had Nivell Diest Sichem Thienen and other Townes that either out of Feare or Love submitted to the Rebells Bruxells constant to their Loyalty kept out the the Prince of Orange Dendermund and Oudenaerd were stormed and plundered Many Villages not strong enough to resist redeemed themselves with money And indeed the Lowcountreys if ever at this time were truly miserable being invaded by forren Armyes by Sea and land The Sea-coast was spoiled and harressed by Lumè The parts bordering upon France by Lewis of Nassau Those confining upon Germany by Count Bergen and the Inland-Countrey by the Prince of Orange Nor did they only take Townes kill such as made resistance and rob houses with the Licentiousnesse and Avarice of Souldiers but with barbarous Inhumanity spared no age nor modesty tyrannizing over the Rest and Monuments of the dead which they spleened as much as the Living especially holy things and Persons no money could buy the Lives of Priests but with exquisite and shamefull cruelty they were tortured to death Some Writers expressely describe this Priest-Shambles which the Gheuses and and Lumè of all the Gheuses the bloudyest Butcher set up in many Cityes with as much glory to the Sufferers as dishonour to the Iudges and Hangmen And though in some places the King's Army Sacrilege excepted used their Victory afterwards with greate Cruelty Yet because the Gheuses began to them at Brill and likewise contrary to their faith obliged by oath had plundred Amorsfort the severity of the Spaniard seemes to be somewhat more pardonable as done by Example I am sure for this very reason the Hereticks in their owne Annalls doe confesse the Prince of Orange's men were infamous in the Low-countreys and he himselfe that was thought at first to have taken armes for Protection of the Netherlands against the Tyranny of Alva now by making no distinction between Friend and Enemy grew to be generally hated the people complaining that they were fallen among a multitude of Tyrants But the Prince of Orange slighting the distaste of the Cities came into Haynolt within sight of the besieged in the month of August where he found the Towne straitned and as it was commonly thought not able to hold out long against the Spaniards He wondred much to see the fortification of the Leaguer no lesse strong for mastering and keeping in the Garison then inaccessible to the assaults of any that should come to their Reliefe Diverse pieces of Cannon played upon Bartimont-Port from a hill which with a worke running on the left hand and a line from thence almost inclosed the Towne many little Redoubts at convenient distance standing on the Bulwarks which flanked one another and secured the whole These Intrenchments whilst the Prince of Orange vainely endeavoured to passe being entertained with some pickeering for Alva was resolved not to venture a battaile he heard about evening in the Spanish Campe a great joy expressed by three Vollyes of Shot and the cheerfull sound of Drums and Trumpets the light of Bonefires shining through the Army whereat being very much troubled his Spyes brought intelligence that two dayes before by King Charles his Command the great Massacre of the Hugonots was executed at Paris which because it hapned at the Marriage of Henry King of Navarre afterwards King of France and Margaret Sister to King Charles upon Saint Bartholomew's-Eve the Massacre it selfe was called Bartholomews-Eve or the Parisian wedding A strange attempt it was indeed but a just punishment of Traitours conspiring against their King The Pope when he had the newes sent him from the Cardinall of Loraine set apart a day of publique Thanksgiving to God the just Revenger in the Church of Saint Lewis and published a Bull of extraordinary Indulgences to such as should pray for the heavenly assistance to the King and Kingdome of France The Prince of Orange amazed at the suddaine accident and doubting the Event of the Warre because the Admirall Coligny and the rest of the Hereticall Princes being murdered no Aydes from the King of France could now be hoped for by these of the adverse Faction held it his best course to try the fortune of a battaile with the Duke of Alva before the newes of the Massacre came to his Souldiers eares But Alva still cautelous kept himselfe within his Trenches and from thence safely battering the Towne the Prince of Orange when he saw he could neither make any impression into his Campe nor draw him out fearing lest the French Commanders the chiefe strength of his Army upon notice of the Massacre at Paris should change their mindes and leave him wrote to his Brother Lewis That hee should provide for himselfe and give way to his fate and so retired with his Army to Mechlin not without some losse received as it commonly happens in a Retreate For almost 200. commanded Spanish Foot and about 800. Horse all of them so habited as they might bee distinguished by one another in the darke broke into the enemies Campe in the night and killing their first Centrees fell
of the citizens were so incensed as that searching the Town for Spaniards by chance they met a servant of Hieronimo Boda a Spanish Senatour whom the Low-countreymen hated above all the rest because he had in many things been the Governour Requesenes his instrument and at that time stoutly spake for the King in Senate this poor Servingman they slew fouly mangling his body and would have fallen upon Roda himself Alphonso Vargas and Iuliano Romero if they had not presently instructed by the danger retired to Court In like manner iâ— being reported that the Spaniards bragged they would march from Aelst and storm Bruxels unlesse they were paid by order of the Senate the Lords for they said the multitude would not otherwise be appeased declared the Spaniards that kept Aelst Rebells and enemies to the King and State permitting the people of Bruxels to take up arms in defence of their City By which example many Cities of Brabant and Flanders because they pretended to be in like fear of the Wallons and Germans in Garrison among them by like indulgence of the Senate and incouragement from the Burgesses took arms But the Spanish Commanders fearing this to a generall conspiracie of the Provinces against their Nation whilst they busied themselves in preparing for a warre suspected and no lesse suspecting on both sides the causes of mutuall hatred were increased and each party looking upon the other as an enemie they became enemies indeed For when Sancho Avila who was the ablest souldier and greatest man among them being Governour of the Fort at Antwerp by letters directed to the Senate complained that the Cities were in arms and tumults under the colour of remedie fomented and the Senate in like manner returned answer that Avila without making his addresses unto them had increased his Garrison and therefore Required him to slight them in a short time they broke out into open hostilitie For it was by a new Edict of Senate decreed that no man should presume to assist the seditious Spaniards at Aelst with any kind of help or councell notwithstanding Avila though he was offended with their mutinie yet for fear they might be circumvented by the Low-countreymen furnished them with powder and three field-pieces But very opportunely at the same time Charles Croi Marquesse of Harve Brother to Duke Areschot returned from Spain with the Kings letters to the Senate wherein he promised very suddenly to send them Don Iohn of Austria their Governour Which not a little retarded the beginning of the civill Warre especially since both the parties laboured to avoid that imputation and therefore severally strove by speedy messengers to prepossesse the mind of their new Governour Yet forasmuch as the Royal party in the Senate knew this truce could not long continue being opposed by the Burgesses after Iohn Baptista a Boscho whom they had sent post into Spain they carefully dispatched away Maximilian Rassinghem and Francis Vasseur protesting to his Majestie That the Authoritie of Senate could not bridle the hatred of the people so much inraged that scarce a Tradesman in the Town or a Ploughman in the Countrey but spent his time in buying armour and muskets Nor was the multitude kept in order by the Garrison-souldiers who wanting pay and allured with hope of plunder by pillaging Towns through the whole Countrey and threatning all the Provinces unmeasurably increased the Tumults That in the Treasury was not money enough to pay them That they themselves had received from his Majestie by the hand of the Marquesse of Havre seventy thousand crowns and a little while before as many but this sum which was all that in six moneths could be got from Spain to supply the Low-countreys would not serve for one moneths pay Howsoever they themselves had to that day as well as they could maintained the Commonwealth relying upon his Majesties promises and the late hope of Don John's coming Who if he staid a while longer no doubt the mischief would break forth into a publick and irrevocable ruine For hitherto they had governed the weather-beaten State and stopt the leaks whilst they were but one or two Now if whole planks were sprung it was to be feared that the Ship splitting all the Masters care will come too late This free expression of the Senate though it moved the King to send Don Iohn post into the Netherlands yet as it is commonly the fortune of all Spanish hast he arrived too late to the destruction of the Publick For in a violent sicknesse there is not a more certain sign of death then if remedies be applyed sparingly and out of time especially if there be somewhat from without which by fanning the inward humours poisoned with immoderate heat instead of cooling more inflames them For the Prince of Orange who conceived there could not be a happier opportunitie for him then the present discord of the Kings Governours used all his industrie and by frequent letters and messengers from Holland he that was ambitious to govern courted the Senatours and Governours of Provinces with the usuall word that signifies nothing Libertie They say his Emissaries moved Duke Areschot that he being the greatest person in the Senate for when the King gave the Senatours their Commission for the Government of the Low-countreys Areschot was first named as Prince of the Senate would use that greatnesse for the benefit of his Nation and opportunely lay hold of the honourable Title of his Countreys Deliverer Nor would there be any great difficulty in the enterprise if they two united themselves and to strengthen the tie of friendship should confirm it with a double marriage Count Buron eldest sonne to the Prince of Orange marrying the daughter of Duke Areschot and his eldest son the Prince of Cimace the eldest daughter to the Prince of Orange It was likewise conceived that Areschot from that time deserted the Spanish partie But howsoever it is evident that diverse Noblemen and many Senatours that were formerly Neuters moved by the late proceedings of the Spaniards at Alest for they had taken the Fort of Likerch near to Bruxels entered into a league with the Prince of Orange which presently appeared in Senate that upon news of the Spaniards threats and approaches united themselves with the Burgesses of Brabant and Haynolt For when some delivered their opinions that such frequent mutinies of the Spaniards and their late menaces against the Royall Senate should be chastised with arms and others voted on the contrary that they should rather be appeased with the money due unto them that there was no fighting with such men as would sell their skins at a dear rate that the Spanish Commanders which held most of their Forts would not suffer their Countreymen to be cut off by such a combination nor themselves and the King to loose the strength of so many old souldiers nay that the King
description of other Generals by how much he will be oftner in the Readers eye filling up a great part of our future Annals Nor will it be unpleasing to know Alexander Farneze before his Low-countrey expedition and to compare him in his former life to Himself in the Government of the Low-countreys like Members of a great Bodie every where great Alexander Farneze Prince of Parma Piacenza Governour of the Low countreys But in the interim a nobler cause of war was offered him a generall peace being concluded among Christian Princes against the common enemie Divers considerations incited him to that voyage the ground of the Warre the confluence of noble persons that ingaged and above all the Generall Don Iohn of Austria equally near to him in love and bloud Nor was his Father unwilling to let him go in hope that his sons military inclination would produce great effects howsoever that his fiercenesse would be tamed But his Mother that was powerfull with her husband being against it the Duke said nothing could be done till they knew the pleasure of the King his Uncle In the mean time Margaret of Austria received Letters as she had ordered it from the King wherein he wished Prince Alexander should not go as yet But he beyond measure inflamed with Don Iohns invitation at last prevailing with his Mother and the King furnished himself for the Warrs as young souldiers ever do magnificently Fourty two Gentlemen of Parma and Piacenza followed him and he had three hundred that were a king of Pretorians for his Life-guard men chosen with more then ordinary care by Paulo Vitelli a great Commander most of them having been Captains Lieutenants or Ensignes or at least above the rank of common souldiers With this train Prince Alexander offered himself as a Volunteer to his Uncle the Generall Who then by chance being at the Musters of his Army affectionately embraced him and when he had with the Generalls leave selected four hundred sea-men of the Kings he put them in two Gallyes sent from the Common-wealth of Genoa to be commanded by Comes Carolo Scotto and Pedro Francisco Nicello he himself with his Lieutenant Vitelli and part of his Gentlemen and Souldiers going aboard the Admirall of Genoa Though in the voyage especially before the battel Don Iohn would never let him be out of the Imperiall Galley where he was himself which turned to the benefit of the whole Navie For a verie bitter difference ensuing between Don Iohn and Venerio the Admirall of Venice likely to embroyl the forces of Christendome in a Civil Warre when Don Iohn in his first heat was about to revenge the wrong offered to the Majestie of the Supream Admirall onely Prince Alexander though some failed not to bring fuell to the fire that burned sufficiently in the young Generalls nature had so much power with his Uncle that he kept him from striking the first stroke Till Mark Antonio Columna the Pope's Admiral and the Venetian Embassadour Augustino Barbaricâ— by their wisdom joyned to Prince Alexander's endeavours swifter then imagination dispersed this Tempest threatning destruction to the Fleet. For which service when Prince Alexander came next to Rome Pope Pius commended him before some of the Cardinalls acknowledging both himself and Christendom much obliged to him But when they were upon the place of Battel formerly famed for the victory of Actium won by Octavius Cesar and the ships on both sides put in Battalia Prince Alexander being aboard Columna's Gally in the midst of the Fleet passed into his own the two other Genoa-Gallyes lying to the wind-ward and after aâ—showr of Arrows and Bullets from afarr the ships encounting Alexander Farneze having an eye upon Mustapha Treasurer of the Turkish Fleet with all his force stem'd his Gally and grappling found her a great deal stronger then he imagined She carryed the money and therefore was manned with above three hundred Ianizaries all old and valient Souldiers When they had fought long upon equall termes sometimes one of them setting up their Colours sometimes another Prince Alexander at once inflamed with shame and anger flourishing as he used to do a huge great sword leaped into the Bashaw's Gally and laying about him on both sides like a mad-man by the flaughter of the enemy opened a way to his Souldiers that were so nettled with the example and danger of their General as now all the boldest Turkes being slain the rest would presently have yeiled if the Bashaw of Alexandria had not come in with a strong Gally whereby the Turks both strengthened and encouraged for a while renewed the fight But one of Alexander's Farneze's Gallyes sending in fresh supplies when the Turks could no longer stand the fury of the conquerours Mustapha being in many places run through the body the Bashaw of Alexandria hurt and soon after taken Prince Alexander made himselfe master not only of the Treasurer's Gally but likewise of the Auxiliary ship with so great pillage for his men that some of them got 2000 Sultanies it is a Coin of little lesse value then the Venetian Chechine of gold others 3000 onely out of this Gally of the Treasurers besides what his two other Gallies found in three of the enemies Galliouns and as many of their Galliasses They say that Don Iohn of Austria after the Battel when he heard his Nephew Alexander highly extolled received him with great expressions of joy and love yet praised him with this exception that he boarded the enemy with better successe then judgment they being yet in their full strength and able to have hindred his retreat Which fault he took for an honour and said the reason of his confidence was built upon the sanctitie of his wife by whose prayers to God for him he conceived himself protected and secured so merrily passing over his uncles reprehension Nor was the gallantry of Prince Alexander's minde lesse manifested the year following though with lesse fortune or rather lesse concord of the Christian Nations For the league being renewed and the Christian Fleet somewhat too late after the Battel of Lepanto returned to prosecute their victory in Peâ—oponnesus the new Turkish Admiral Uluciall had now repaired his ships and to avoide the encounter of the League having many times changed his Road now lay at Anchor near the strong Port of Methone And whilst Don Iohn with many offers to fight endeavoured to draw the Turks into the Main he resolved to send Alexander Farneze to besiege Navarinum not far off by land Who with 6000 in two divisions began to batter the Fort with more industrie then successe For the place being all rock or craggy his men could hardly get earth to raise their batteries nor could their tubbs and Gabions filled with earth and stone opposed in stead of a curtain be defence sufficient against the enemies Cannon The Seige was neverthelesse continued
and the Navarines sallying out but with losse beat back were thought to be upon the point of yielding When the Turks either by the connivence or ignorance of Prince Alexander's Souldiers put in men by night and relieved the Garrison Besides the Turkish horse and foot coming from al quarters Prince Alexander fearing they would block up his retreat and not hoping to take the Castle thought it enough in his enemies sight to retire with his Cannon to the Fleet. And Don Iohn since the Turkish Navy shunning a general Battell could by no affront be provoked to sea contented to have struct a terrour into the enemy and forced them to confesse themselves not able to appear upon the Main the mindes as well as the Fleet of the Christians being divided he went to Sicily the rest to other places Thus was Alexander Farneze initiated in war which as it begat an opinion both among those great Souldiers and Princes absent specially the successour to Pope Pius Gregory and King Philip of Spain that he would prove a gallant General so afterward it moved the King of his own accord to call him where the war was most dangerous into the Low-countreys For his Majesty pressed with the Low-countrey-mens daily complaints against Don Iohn of Austria and very desirous to quiet the Netherlands without Arms that weaken even the Conquerour himself he resolved to satisfie the desires of the Provinces and in his Brothers place to substitute his Sister Margaret of Austria with her Son Alexander Farneze Hoping either by her prudence and power with the Low-countrey-men to find out some expedient towards the concluding of a Peace or by his valour if there was use of Arms strongly to pursue the war Therefore he ordered it that Cardinall Granvell then at Rome should perswade his sister of Parma to return into the Low-countreys The Cardinall taking a journey to Aquila found there very opportunely the Dutchesse and Prince Alexander and read his letters containing the Kings desires to both together Though his Majesty had likewise commanded the Marquesse of Ayamont Governour of Millaine to treat with Prince Alexander apart The Dutchesse answered doubtfully she would advise upon it either fearing as she pretended to displease Don Iohn or by that delay and seeming refusal aym to put a higher value upon her journey But Alexander Farneze without the least demurring said he would obey the King with all his heart if it so pleased his mother He made yet a plainer answer to two letters delivered him by Raphael Manrique from Ayamont that was sick and kept his bed together with his Majesties letter wherein after expression of his grief for the death of Princesse Mary wife to Prince Alexander he signifies his resolution to imploy him in the Low-countreyes I am certain they are the Kings words now you know it with a ready and undaunted mind you will satisfie my exspectation of you and my love which highly esteems you and your virtue most illustrious Prince But when the King altered his determination of substituting the Dutchesse in his Brothers place by reason of Matthias the Arch-dukes coming into the Low-countreyes it was doubted at Parma whether it would be handsome for Prince Alexander to go and fight in the Low-countreyes commanded by another which consideration he out of duty to the King and desire of glory in the wars easily contemned especially incouraged by some dark words of Granvell promising great matters Besides Gregory the thirteenth interposed his Authority and exhortation who informed of the design by Cardinal Farneze highly praised it and bad the Cardinal write to the Prince of Parma in his name that the expedition would be pleasing to God and therefore under so mighty protection and upon encouragement from his Holiness he should willingly and speedily undertake it The Pope I suppose did not thus commend the warre onely for the King of Spain's sake and the common cause of Religion but for some peculiar benefit that might result to the Pontifician Empire For the Prince of Parma being a Feudatary and Homager to the See Apostolick his Holinesse thought himself concerned in sending the Prince to a Forein warre whence he might return an able General to defend the Church of Rome Wherefore Alexander Farneze having within a few dayes received three letters from Don Iohn of Austria which invited him with great entreaties and no lesse promises to the society of warre and glory making ready with all possible speed the twelvth day after he left Parma arrived at Luxemburg and there met Don Iohn who with expressions of incredible contentment received Prince Alexander that stood amazed to see his uncle no lesse impaired in his health then in the presence and Majestie of the most fortunate Generall So true it is that they are most sensible of adverse fortune which have been in most felicity It is therefore probable that Don Iohn not against his will or onely by the Kings command sent for the Prince of Parma nor did with dissembled joy welcome him from whose long approved fidelitie and valour he might promise safety to the publick and a particular preservation to himself whose life was sought by so many plots At their first meeting Don Iohn imparted the Kings commands that he should acquaint Prince Alexander with all businesse of Warre and Peace and reserve for his use 1000 Crownes a moneth Both which conditions pleased him very much especially the later usually given by the King to none but Viceroyes Governours of Provinces or Generalls of Armies For some dayes the Prince of Parma took the money till the Kings high estimation of his merit was thereby divulged among the people afterwards writing his humble thanks to his Majesty he as one more ambitious of honour then profit refused the pay adding that it was not fit he should be so remunerated who had yet done no service and he needed no encouragement But Alexander Farneze acting nothing without order from Don Iohn wholly applyed his minde and endeavours to inform himself of affaires at home and abroad which he found to be in a very bad condition For the King had but two Provinces that continued loyall in the rest the few Forts that held for his Majestie daily revolted to the States Nay even in Holland Amsterdam it self began to waver And in Brabant Bergen op Zoom where the Souldiers basely betraying their Colonell Charles Fugger yeilded to the States But the Garrison of Breda a while before deceived by a stratagem of the enemy carryed themselves yet more basely towards their Colonell For the Generalls of the Sates Arrmy Philip Count Holach and Frederick Perenot Lord of Campin that besieged Breda they were gallantly opposed by George Fronsberg Colonel of the Germans that served Don Iohn but the Garrison because they were some payes behind daily growing to mutiny Fronsberg by a man of know
Antonio Olivera and Ferdinando Acosta with some Horse and Foot to discover the Wood-land Countrey and possesse himself of advantageous places Part of his Army he left behind at the bank of Mose under Charles Mansfeldt the greater and stronger part followed him in this order In the Van where he had put the strength of his Cavalry first marched the Light-horse with Pistols then the Lanciers at a distance for defence to both came on the whole body of the Curaciers with their Officers in the head of every Troop some Vantcurrers advancing a little before the Army with small bodies of the fleetest Horse The main Battel was a Square consisting of two Regiments Musketteirs and Pikemen most them Spaniards and Germans their Colonels likewise leading up their men The Rere contained a Square Battalion of Wallons safely flanked with their Carriages and Baggage the Burgundian Carabines riding mingled with them The Van-guard was commanded by Octavio Gonzaga the Rere-guard by Ernest Count Mansfeldt this Camp-master he General of the Horse In the midst was the Generall himself Don Iohn of Austria with the Prince of Parma attended by the Life-guard whence appeared the Royall Standard in which Don Iohn as he had conceived an extraordinary confidence in the Divine Assistance under the triumphall Crosse of Christ had caused these words to be written In this signe I did vanquish the Turks and shall the Hereticks He had not marched farre but he came within sight of the enemy and learning the Confederates designe from a couple of Prisoners taken in some light skirmishes by Olivera presently drew out near six hundred horse Lanceirs and Carabines and intermixing with them one thousand foot Pikemen and Musketteers gave them in two divisions to Octavio Gonzaga and Christophero Mondragonio ordering Gonzaga to charge the enemy in the Rere but so as not to engage their whole Forces till he with the Prince of Parma and the rest of the Army were come up At first he obeyed and skirmishing onely galled their last Troops till Gonzaga saw Perotto of Sassofferrata who that day commanded the Troop of Camillo Montio so farre advanced that he feared the enemies whole Army would be rashly drawn upon him before Don Iohn could advance He therefore presently sent one upon the spur with command that Perotto should immediately retire without ingaging himself and his horse But he for the command was proudly delivered resenting it with indignation as if he were held a coward bad the man with his imperious importunity be gon and tell Gonzaga that Perotto never yet turned his back in a battell nor could now if he would There was upon the flank of the Forces wherewith they skirmished a high way deep in mine and water more like a Bog then a Road which the enemy declining march'd in a way that would receive fewer a breast Thither Prince Alexander had galloped up to see how things went for Don Iohn kept the Prince from fighting as if he had use of him to order the battell and to send in supplies and observing that the enemies horse either by reason of the ill way or out of their hast to reach Gemblac marched in no little disorder which he conjectured by the waving of their pikes tangling and crossing one another he resolved to exspect no longer but catching a Lance from the Gentleman of his horse and getting upon one of Camillo a Monte's charging-horses better managed then his own his eyes and face speaking the language of a Battel and looking upon the Gentlemen Go said he to the Generall and tell him that Alexander Farneze remembring the old Romane will cast himself into the gulph and hopes by Gods grace and the fortune of the House of Austria to bring out of it this day a certain and a glorious victorie Then shewing those about him how advantageous it would be if advancing a little they would plunge through and charge the enemie in the flank his fervour and example with the same violence drew along the valiantest Hors-commanders Bernardino Mendoza Giovanni Baptista Camillo a Monte Ferdinando Toledo Martinengo Viennius Mondragonio and many more And he himself riding among the Horse of Mutio Pagano Captain-Lieutenant to Mondragonio entred the bog followed by all those gallant Cavaleers and when a few of them yet tugging the rest had fortunately passed over and got field room to ease their horses encouraging one another they made a little stand till they ranked themselves in one equall front Then riding full speed Alexander Farneze in the head of them they charged the enemie so home with their Lances Gonzaga seconding with the rest of the Cavalry and Don Iohn still sending in fresh men that the Confederates Horse this division being amazed had presently wheeled off if their Commanders perswasions and threats and the example of their betters had not stopâ— them for a while But having once taken a thorow-fright their minds being conquered at last they turned their backs and flying precipitately fell foul upon their Foot that stood behind breaking their Ranks riding over some and leaving the rest to the furie of the sword So as their Foot forsaken by their Cavalry especially those in the middle that were first broke by the flight of their own men and the impression of the enemy charged in the Rere and Flanks by the Kings horse that fiercely now pursued their Victorie Goigny labouring but in vain to rally them were all miserably cut to pieces Seldome was known more bloud spilt and a battel sooner won by fewer men and with so little losse Seldome was better experience made how much the strength of either side consists in hoâ—se For by six hundred Horse they were no more that began and but twelve hundred when they won the battel full ten thousand Foot were part slain part taken prisoners and the rest of the Armie no lesse then eight thousand Horse in the space of an hour and an half with the losse of onely nine of the Kings men were routed thirty four Colours taken with their field-pieces and almost all their Carriages and Baggage Their Generall himself and some persons of qualitie came into the enemies power the rest with the greatest part of their Horse that ran at first got basely off flying so me to Gemblac most to Bruxels Nor secure at Gemblac though it was fortified upon the approach of the victorious Army diverse before the assault fled further into Brabant the rest promised to render upon certain conditions But Don Iohn refusing to give any they yielded themselves and the Town to mercy Nor was this a contemptible addition to the Victorie For the enemie determining to make Gemblac the seat of the Warre had victâ—alled it for many moneths and laid in Arms and store of Ammunition which came all into the Conquerours hands The Town destined for a prey to the souldiers by a
by the thunder of the Cannon then by this slow and silent weapon of the Pioner whence souldiers have a Proverb that 't is the spade and pickax which build and destroy Forts Therefore after he had drawn a line about the town and brought his trenches near the ditch Don Iohn commanded the Pioners working under long and thick boards in the form of a Tortois covered with raw hides to secure them from Granadoes anciently called Vineyards and Galleries to enter the ditch and with their Pickaxes and Spades to undermine the foundation of the wall Which whilst they guarded by the souldiers strongly endeavoured the defendants sallying out and at the same time others from the walls pouring down stones and wild-fire they had divers bloudy encounters with great losse on both sides Don Iohn in the mean time omitting no duty either of a Generall or Gentleman so as at the works he both called upon and contended with the common souldier At last the hearts of the besieged no lesse shaken then their walls partly being divided among themselves so that first they imprisoned Florineus Governour of the Town for favouring the Royalists and afterwards released him partly upon news of the defeat of those forces which to relieve the Town the Prince of Orange sent for out of France they began a Treatie demanding indemnitie for the Citie and that so many of their souldiers as would serve the King might have three moneths pay then due to them from the States the rest to be suffered to depart with drums beating Colours flying and the wonted pomp of souldiers that carry out the funerall of a citie Their demands being granted almost five hundred of the Garrison changed their service As many with one Troop of Horse departed the Town reduced to the Kings obedience was continued under the Command of their old Governour Florineus The End of the ninth Book The Historie of the LOW-COVNTREY WARRES The tenth Book IN the meane time Don Iohn of Austria having by his daily and nightly Labour contracted a weaknesse of Stomacke and a Languishing of his whole Body whilst he went to Namure for his health left the Army to Prince Alexander But first holding a Councell of Warre about the besieging of Limburg which it was feared would otherwise do much hurt to the Province of Luxemburg he commended that Service to the Prince of Parma He willingly undertooke it and the rather because he hoped to fight with Iohn Casimir Brother to the Prince Elector Palatine who it was said would bring his Army that way into the Low-countreys thereby to vindicate as he told the great Commanders the honour of the Royall Army which in some men's Letters was aspersed as if they shunned the Enemy and durst not come to a Battaile with the States but that declining the Encounter they carryed the Warre up and downe only to bug-beare Townes and Villages Therefore Prince Alexander sending before Gabriell Nignio a valiant Spanish Colonell with seven Colours of Musketters and commanding Camillo a Monte should follow with the Horse to second Nignio when he stormed the Suburbs of Limburg hee himselfe about Midnight moved with the Spanish and Wallon Foote leaving Fronsberg's Regiment to conduct ten peice of Cannon that came after And Nignio beating the first Companyes that opposed him afterwards with some losse taking the Suburbs got a huge booty of Cattell and Victuall But as it was a worke of too much time to besiege the Towne so it seemed of too much difficulty presently to storme it For Limburg stands upon a high Rock the Valley about it being all craggy and therefore saue only by the higher ground towards the South inaccessible Besides it might be relieved by the River Vuest running through the Towne All this troubled not Prince Alexander who Viewing the Place chose a Hill whereon to plant his Cannon betweene which and the Towne was the smoothest part of the Valley From the Hill he commanded the Pioners to run a Trench sloping downe into the Valley and from thence to carry it within sight of the Towne thence turning againe obliquely to bring it to the Sconce at the very City gate whilst the rest of his Workmen on the other side undermined a Tower at some distance from the Castle shooting out like a promontory In both Works was more of Terrour then Danger to the Towne For they had scarce broke the Earth two foote deepe when they were hindred by Rock Yet making blindes of Boughs they defended their Trenches against the Shot from the Walls Prince Alexander himselfe hastening the men at worke sometimes visiting the Diggers sometimes the Miners He likewise used gracious Invitations to the Limburgers sending them Letters by a Trumpetter Wherein he forbare to reprove but rather admonished them as assured of the Victory and only carefull not to destroy the King's City and Subjects by the Sword They receiving the Letter from the Trumpetter at the Gate and reading it in publique bade him returne at the same houre next day But when he came they told him no Resolution could be Pitcht upon by reason of the difference betwixt the Townsmen and the Souldiers but if he would come yet once againe he should the day following have an absolute Answer Prince Alexander knowing that the Besieged used such trifling Delayes only to gaine time forbade the Messengers to go any more conceiving it below the Dignity of the King's Army and that it would show like a Confession of some Weaknesse but was more industrious in advancing towards the Towne his Trenches on the one side and his Mines upon the other Comes Caesius overseeing the Workes a bold and active man He himselfe fortifying the Hill with Trenches and Pallisadoes setting up Gabions to be filled with Earth and turfe and drawing Cannon upon their Cariages in sight of the Enemy that shot continually watched two nights both hideous ones that with raine from Heaven this with Thunder from the Walls But the Battery beginning at the breake of day with nine great Cannon from the Hill when the Limburgers saw their Walls shaken and a great Part thereof no lesse then thirtie Cubits beaten downe in foure houres space and likewise a Trench brought downe the hill a thing they held impossible by which the Souldiers marched under covert and were ready to assault the Port Instantly sending to Prince Alexander the Towne earnestly beseeched him a little while to respite the Assault and grant a Cessation of Armes but for an houre for their last consultation The Prince of Parma though it was a welcome Message because he well knew unlesse they yielded of themselves it would be a long Worke to force them Yet lest his facility in condescending might argue some diffidence in his Strength putting on a face of Terrour he angerly told the man there had beene now going and coming
granted to him long agoe by the Arch-Duke's procurement and command now by occasion of hastning the Army against Don Iohn who had lost all his Commanders might bee speedily collected An ordinary artifice practised at this day by many that give out the quite contrary to what hath hapned partly to defraud the adverse party of the first Heate and Spring of Joy which afterward will come more languishing and perhaps intermixed as all things humane are with some improsperous Successe partly to use that short time wherein they are believed to have got the better for ordering their Affaires by a fruitfull Anticipation slighting the future shame of the lie ballanced with their present profit Yet this invention of the Prince of Orange and his Faction had some little Truth in it Newes and Money being never so adulterate but they must have a mixture of right-Mettall For the Day after the Rendition of Limburg-Castle the powder that was kept in one of the Towers fired by chance or upon designe blowing up the Walles the Stones which fell againe beate downe a great part of the Tower killed foure and those only Common Souldiers hurting six or seven One passage among the rest Prince Alexander writes to his Mother for a Miracle He had left Christophero Mondragonio with a Company of Spaniards Governour of the Castle and Towne He himselfe by God's Providence that night returned to the Campe. The Powder in the meane time tooke fire and blew up the Tower with the building round about Mondragonio's Chamber by the fall of the upper Lodgings being beaten to the ground The Souldiers in the morning when all feare of the Enemy was past ran to behold their fellowe 's fortune lamenting the fate of their valiant and Noble Commander Mondragonio that lay next the Tower A strange Story and Spectacle they finde the Seeling and Walls of the roome broken downe but so much of the floore yet left as bore up Mondragonio's bed with a Trunke standing besides it The Souldiers at once trembling and rejoycing fetcht off their Colonell safe and unhurt the Trunke which I suppose Mondragonio himselfe had drawne out of the fire and Ruines they beheld full of Reliques and consecrated Church-Plate believing that to be the Cause why the fire out of reverence proved so innocent and that the very Preservation of those holy things opportunely saved the Pious preserver This while at Namure dyed Charles Count Barlamont and Lancelot his Son Count of Megen this fell sick at the Siege of Philipvill he was old and had lived out his time whose Funeralls Don Iohn celebrated with the Sorrow of all good men Indeed Count Charles as valiantly and constantly as any Low-countreyman whatsoever both at home and abroad fought for religion and his Prince teaching the same Arts to his Children whereof the Lord of Heirg was Generall of the Traine of Artillery and Colonell of the Wallons Megen Commander of the Germans Floio Heirge's Lieutenant Colonel Altapen Captaine of a Troop of Horse in their Father's life time and after his death the first of these succeeded him in the Governement of the Province of Namure and in the Treasurership Hitherto all went prosperously with Don Iohn which struck no little feare into the Archduke and the States openly taxed the Prince of Orange as taken up with other Affaires But he was founding his Empire on the Sea-Coast of Holland whence he might extend it over Brabant To this Designe when he saw the only Rubbe was Amsterdam the richest Towne of all Holland equally faithfull to Religion and their King all his Indeavours were bent to get it either forcibly or by Stratagem and to use Force was vaine for in the end of the last yeare this City being surprized by the Orangians and they advanced as far the Market-Place the Citisens taking Armes expelled those victorious Gheuses with a great Slaughter of the Enemy not without the memorable Assistance of some Women that privately carryed a very great Gun which they mounted and discharged killing a huge sort of the Gheuses Afterwards the Town blockt up with new Forces by Sea and Land held out a long Siege till the Prince of Orange promising them free Exercise of the Catholique Religion they at last surrendred Yet he when they upon this Capitulation thought themselves secure contrary to their Articles introduced a stronge Garrison and Promoters of Heresie who causing all holy things to be defaced their Priestes to be turned out and Heresy by consequence brought in a surer Guard then any Garrison to keepe Cityes from the Spaniard he secured Amsterdam and revenged the men lost a month before at Gemblac with a long-continued Slaughter here Then designing to bring Forces out of Germany he perswaded the Archduke and the States to make a Truce for some Months with Don Iohn of Austria For Iuan Sellio was returned from Spaine sent in the Kings name to use his utmost Indeavours for a Peace and delivering Letters of this Tenure to Don Iohn passed to Antwerp where to the Deputyes of the Estates he imparted secret Commands from the King promising largely to satisfy their desires and if so be they would resume their old Religion and Loyalty to their Prince he would call Don Iohn out of the Low-countreys and substitute in his Place either Alexander Farneze Prince of Parma or the Arch-duke Ferdinand Vncle to the Emperour or else confirme the Arch-duke Matthias yet proposing like a King many other Conditions But the great Lords had their eares now luted against the sound of Peace both with the once tasted sweetnesse of the Soveraigne Authority and by many mens Perswasions That no Peace was to be hoped from the incensed Spaniard Besides their Censor the Prince of Orange was busy cavilling at the King's Promises amplifying the Spanish Tyranny the Lowcountreymens Patience and their neare approaching Liberty So as he made them answer Sellio they would presume upon the Kings proffered benignity and therefore desired till the Provinces had consulted about that Election a Cessation of Armes Sellio before he communicated the Deputy's Answer to Don Iohn discovered to Prince Alexander the King's Resolution to create him Governour of the Low-countreys and he himselfe being to treate with Don Iohn for a Cessation of Armes was earnest with the Prince of Parma to use his Power with his uncle in advancing the King's designe for Peace But Alexander Farneze refused to meddle in it professing that any Truce at present would be disadvantageous both to Religion and the King Nay in his Letter to his Father he said He should not like to be Governour of the Low-countreys upon such Conditions as Don Iohn of Austria came to it and gave the Duke these Reasons For that were said he even to be delivered into these mens hands a fettered Prisoner and prescribed a life hatefull to my selfe idle inglorious and my
Genius considered most unhappy Indeed I that find the Impulse of Nature inclines me to seeke by the Glory of Armes the Immortality of my name cannot but hope the Divine Assistance will enable me in that profession above the Common sort of men And I stand upon it the more as conceiving how much it behoves the King to suite all his Ministers with fit Imployments Nor was Don Iohn otherwise opinioned of a Truce Which in behalfe of the States being afterwards earnestly pressed by Embassadours from the Emperour Don Iohn the more earnestly denyed conjecturing by the Requesters unusuall Endeavours their Necessity And his hope was advanced by the opportune Arrivall of many in the Campe. For at the same time beyond Expectation were come from Spaine Pedro de Toledo Son to Garcia Viceroy of Sicily Lopez Figueroa that commanded a Spanish Regiment which he brought with him out of the old Garrisons of Italy and Alphonso Leva Son to Sancho Viceroy of Navarre with a hundred selected Spanish Gentlemen to whom the Brother of Alphonso Sancho Leva was Lieutenant Diego Hurtado Mendoza Alphonso's Vncle Ensigne Not long before this Gabriell Serbellonio was released from Tunis by Gregory the thirteenth in Exchange for Prisoners kept in Hardrians Tower ever since the Battaile of Lepanto an eminent Commander that both in regard of his perfect yeares and judgment in military affaires was by Don Iohn and all the Royall Party highly esteemed especially having levyed by Don Iohn's Command 2000 Italians in the Province of Millaine and brought them along with him But nothing more incouraged the Army then the returne of the Lord Bill out of Spaine sent thither by Don Iohn after the battaile of Gemblac to move his Majesty for new Supplies which he obtained For the King made Don Iohn an Exhibition of 300000. Ducats a moneth to pay 30000. Foote and 6000. Horse letting him know this was the summe he could and would spare for the Low-countrey-Warre and cutting off all hope of an enlargment To the Prince of Parma his Majesty once more offered which he commanded him to accept a yearly pension of 10000. Crownes and 2000. for his Friends and servants sending him the Arreares thereof since the day of his coming into the Low-countreys He likewise confirmed Octavio Gonzaga Generall of the Horse with a stipend of 500. Crownes per Month. Christopher Mondragonio and Francesco Verdugo Spanish Colonells had an Assignation that of 800. Crownes this of 500. and Anthonio Olivera chiefe Commissary of the Horse was to have 300. yearely Besides he gave Charles Count Mansfeldt 16000. Crownes and distributed many Donatives to others But at the same time Don Iohn understood that by orders from the King new Forces were raised in Italy for the Low-countrey-service The Governour of Millane nominating for their Commanders Alphonso Count de Somai a Millanese Vincentio Carafa Prior of Hungary a Neapolitan Pyrrho Malvezzi a Bononian and Stephano Mutino all men of quality and able Souldiers Yet it stung Don Iohn to the quick that Officers of his Army should be chosen at the pleasure of the King's Ministers Therefore dispatching away Letters to the King after his humble thanks for the Money and Men sent into the Low-countreys by his Majesty he shewed him There would be no use of more Souldiers out of Italy because he had already ordered the Counts Altempse and Polvillerio old and faithfull Commanders to bring men from the nearest parts of Germany some of which were arrived his allowance being limited could hardly maintaine the Army now raised much less that to be raised So he stopt the Levies of Italy yet in the Low-countrey-Army still kept afoote the once believed Report of new Italian Recruits to discourage the enemy and to animate his own forces Indeed the King's men needed no lesse Incouragement considering what preparations were made against them For an Army raised in Germany for the States had passed the Mose and was now before Nimmenghen and Duke Alencon Brother to the King of France of whom we shall speake much hereafter was with a French Army come to Mons the chiefe City of Haynolt and Iohn Casimir with a very great strength marched towards Nimmenghen through Gelderland certaine intelligence whereof was brought from all parts to Don Iohn who calling a Councell of Warre resolved to fall upon some Quarter of the Enemy and immediatly inforce them to fight But either by his delay or the Enemies expedition it hapned that the German Auxiliaries joyned with the States Army neare Lyre and Mechlin before Don Iohn could bring his men to their Colours and muster them Yet hee had lost the opportunity not the Desire of fighting especially when at another Councell of Warre he saw all the rest of the Commanders desirous of a battaile onely the Prince of Parma dissented to the generall Admiration which he himselfe observing gave his reasons in this manner and almost in these very words which he wrote into Spaine to Samaniego I see Grandees of the Warre you wonder I should not concurre as one that many have taxed of Confidence none yet of Feare you may therefore imagine I am induced by some great considerations that contrary to my custome I thus decline a Battaile Which considerations though I am better at Action then Discourse I shall in short explaine We invade an Enemy strong in number safe in their ground and conveniences for reliefe intrenched and pallisadoed by the adjoyning woods If they when we come to face them knowing themselves secure and therefore slighting us shall keepe within their Trenches by what Force by what Art can we draw them out into the Field But if we only shew our Army and having given them a sight of us retire what shall we gaine by our troublesome March hither and the leaving our Garrisons naked and consequently exposed to the danger of the French Yet their backwardnesse to fight will make them appear the weaker why rather should not our frustrated indeavours and our Retreate shew them to be invincible Besides never without losse diâ—â—aany Army fall off and give the Word for a Retreate though never so skilfully and Souldierly But suppose the Enemy as we wish draw out and give us Battaile of their owne accord Or say our valour force their Trenches shall we presently promise our selves the Victory Truly a wise Generall is concerned not only to consider his owne but likewise the Enemies strength and Inclination and industriously in his heart to cast up a just account of what benefit will result to himselfe what to the enemy by the fortunate or improsperous chance of Warre Indeed my opinion is that our condition and theirs at the present differs very much In the Royall Army here in the Field with us all our strength consists that being defeated which Omen God turne upon the Enemy where shall we raise
men to defend our Remainder of the Low-countreys against the Conquerour But they will not be so much indangered by the losse of a Battaile For if that Army we march against be routed they can recruit assisted on the one part by Duke Alencon and his French-men on the other by Prince Casimir and the still increasing German Succours But in case which is to be hoped from God's goodnesse and our Souldiers Courage the Catholique Army shall with a better Cause likewise have the better Fortune with how much bloud with what exchange of Gold for Drosse must we buy the victory fighting before their Campe with their fresh and intire Forces But when we have thus weakned our selves by conquering if the French that watch all occasions fall upon us how I feare our Conquest will be followed with a farre greater misfortune we indeed shall have the Honour of the Day but others reape the profit In summe we may be victorious in the Battaile and vanquished in the Warre Wherefore since in this our voluntary expedition we may in reason feare almost the same Disaster whether conquered or conquering my opinion is that we should give off the attempt and at present check this Courage rather great then fruitfull Don Iohn thought this speech of the the Prince of Parma's more true then gallant and therefore besides Gabriel Serbellonio one that Don Iohn used to call Father and to preferre his judgement before the rest none of all the Councell of Warre was of Prince Alexander's mind And the Generall carried it for assaulting of the confederates Campe before they should be reinforced with new supplies Count Mansfeldt the Campe-master held it a point of Honour for the Royall Army to rouse the enemy within covert that trusted more to the place then either to their Armes or Valour The Generall of the Horse Octavio said the Souldiers Alacrity must be used before Delay had dulled it and that they were to follow the happy presage of victory expressed in their unanimous consent to fight and a successe was to be hoped especially at this time by reason of the enemi's Discord For Federick Perenot Lord of Campin by the Prince of Orange's Command was sent Prisoner to Gant and his House at Bruxells plundred because he was reported to be making his Peace with the King by meanes of his Brother Cardinall Granvell and indeed he was discontented that the Prince of Orange slighted him in Comparison of Aldegund The like was by the Prince of Orange attempted upon Hese and Glimè both which they say upon a rumour of the Prince of Oranges Murder Spread by his owne Ministers and Direction very ominously for himselfe only to try the faith of others expressed no dubious signes of Ioy. And therefore in imitation of the Battaile at Gemblac they having now intelligence of like divisions among the Confederates their Arm factious and destitute of these Commanders should be forthwith assaulted and no doubt but the like Successe would follow as Don Iohn concluded The Battaile therefore being now resolved on Mutio Pagano and Amator of Abadien Officers of Horse sent Spyes to discover the Enemyes Campe and to Chuse the ground where they should fight brought back word That the Confederates Army was intrenched not farre from Machlin the Rere guarded by the Village of Rimenant the Flanks with a Wood and a Fen their Front with a Trench and a Line drawne betweene both the Flanks Before that Trench was an open Plaine very commodious for drawing out the Enemy to Battaile but they found no Avenue to the Village but one neare the Wood on the left hand a way that would only hold six or seven men a breast Vpon this Discovery Don Iohn sending back some Companyes to garrison the Frontire-Townes for keeping out the French moved from Tienen and passing over his Army at Areschott-Bridge the second dayes March he came within sight of the Enemy and knowing the Plaine by the Description his Scouts had made he presently imbattailed his Army consisting of 12000 Foote and 5000 Horse Then the Prince of Parma whilst Don Iohn put his men into Battalia was a very earnest Suiter in case they fought that day that he might lead up the Spanish Infantry ordered to begin the Battaile to demonstrate as I conceive that his Courage to advance the Expedition was no lesse active then his Counsell formerly to retard it Don Iohn admiring the Greatnesse of his Spirit and Contempt of Danger at first put him off at length consented because he knew it would be of great Concernement under whose conduct that Battalion should march which must give the Omen to the Victory But till they joyned Battaile he would have Prince Alexander's Company to ride about the Field with him In the interim his Army was drawne out in the entrance of the Plaine and by the ordinary sound of Drums and Trumpets challenged the Enemy to fight Where expecting for three houres and the Enemy not moved with any kinde of Invitation to the Field still keeping within their Trenches Don Iohn called Alphonso Leva that commanded an extraordinary Regiment of Musketters said to him GoAlphonso put thy selfe and thy men into that narrow way betweene the Wood and Trench as if thou hadst a designe to enter the Village in despight of their Army no doubt but they will oppose thee when they come on do thou retire to draw them into the Field Withall he commands the Marquesse a Monte with three Troops of Curassiers and Lanciers to bend that way and be in the Rere of Leva's Foote The Enemyes whole Army under the Arch-duke and the States was commanded by Maximilian Hennin Count of Bolduc an experienced and wary Souldier He intending to frustrate Don Iohn's indeavours either by sitting still or acting with some Stratagem commanded Iohns Norreys an English Colonell who defended that Post to meete the Enemy but so as not to fight at too great a distance from the place The Battaile was therefore begun betwene the Spanish and English very gently at first for neither Leva nor Norreys meant to ingage very farre till to relieve the English because many of them were slaine Count Egmont coming in with his Reserve of Horse A Monte likewise immediately advanced with His. Against Robert Stuart also bringing up with him some Scotch Foote Don Iohn sent Ferdinando de Toledo with the rest of those active Foote under his Command and Camillo a Monte in the Rere of them with two Cornets of Horse he himselfe moving forward in Battalia with the whole Army in hope of a generall Battaile with the now irritated Enemy The Prince of Parma also leaping off his Horse tooke the place which he had so earnestly desired among the Spanish Infantry and appeared in in the head of them with his Pike in his hand And now the Forlornes of both Armyes fell on not like
Skirmishers but as if the Summe of Affaires were in dispute When Leva having happily lined the thickets with his Musketiers possessed himselfe of the Wood on the left hand and Toledo entring the Passe which had few left to defend it both with great Violence backed by the Horse assailed the Trenches at last beat the Enemy sometimes retiring somtimes facing about fighting even into the Village Nor did their Flight seeme to be ended there but forasmuch as they fired the Hutts they left behinde them it was undoubtedly believed they meant not only to leave their Campe but the Village too But then Toledo and A Monte sending Comes Caesio to Don Iohn beseeched him presently to dispatch away fresh men for the Victory was his own But Prince Alexander because he had observed that the Enemyes without much Dispute quitted their Campe fled orderly as if it were upon Designe began to suspect it was not done by Necessity but on Purpose He therefore instantly mett Don Iohn and finding him unresolved about sending in Supplies increased the Generalls Doubts professing his owne Opinion was that the Campe which the Enemy had so easily parted with and not formerly secured as the custome is with Field-Pieces was only chosen by way of Stratagem to deceive the Royall Army with vaine hopes of Victory and under colour of Flight to bring them into the danger of an Ambuscado Wherefore it would be good till the Place were discovered to call off his men that pursued the Enemy And Caesio went from Don Iohn with whom the Iealously wrought very much to command them to make a Stand. But they had already past the Towne chasing the Enemy that fled scatteringly were entred the Plaine towards Machlin hemmed in with the River Demera on the one side and on the other with a thick Wood and such a military heat transported them that being blinded with a Cloud of dust before they understood the Mysâ—ery they saw themselves come to the Enemye's true Campe lying between the River and the wood intrenched round and strongly guarded on the Front with Cannon There the Enemy had pitched being no fewer then 12000 Foote and 7000 Horse distributed into severall Divisions so as they reached as farr as Machlin All this daunted not the Royalists but making a Halt for Norreys now supplyed from the Neighbouring Campe had rallyed his flying men they put themselves as well they could in order suddainly imbattailed and with new Ardour began the fight These were 5000 Foote all Muskettiers and most of them Spaniards the Horse were Italians Spaniards and Low-countreymen about 600 armed with Lances and Pistols The Enemy was equall in Foote superiour in Cavalry Yet both Armyes fought with strength above their numbers and with Courage aboue their Strength those the Successe of their plott and nearenesse to their Campe these the shame of being cozned and a kind of Desperation precipitated to a Battaile and made them joyne with farre more animosity Some Companyes of Scots made themselves remarkable who either in bravery or not able to indure the heate of their Running and the Day the Sun putting the whole Sky into a Flame stript themselves contented only with their Shirts some casting off those too and tying them about their middles came on naked among the armed men Yet many of them were no lesse safe then others that wore Armes which made them unweldier not so nimble to avoid a hurt slower to rise when they were down last in a Retreate and often either slaine by the Enemy trod under their horses feete or taken Prisoners But the Enemy's Cannon often and safely thundering from their Trenches cruelly shattered the Kings men from which destruction not able to defend themselves because no part of the Plaine was free from the Shott they found but one Remedy which was with their last indeavours to assault their Trenches But those were likewise fortified and they themselves hardly could stand a Charge much lesse assaile others So that Caesio returning to Don Iohn with a true account of their Condition beseeched him since they could not retire without being pursued and ruined nor yet much longer sustaine the fury of the Cannon that he would send Ayde which might incourage them with assurance of Successe to invade the Postes of the Enemy Don Iohn transported with Griefe and Anger though he denyed to send so much as one man to those that ingaging beyond the limits of his expresse Command had brought themselves into those Straites and Intricacyes yet he was pleased briefely to heare the Iudgment of Alexander Farneze Octavio Gonzaga and Count Mansfeldt All which concurred in opinion that it was not safe to send others who rather would partake their danger then come to their reliefe yet that such men ought not to be deserted with so great a losse both of Souldiers and Reputation but that the place at a nearer distance should be viewed and a Resolution taken according to the present Exigence and Expedient This Charge was committed to Prince Alexanders Care who galloping thither and taking a strickt Survey both of the Danger of the party that fought and of all the Advantages of the Field for their Retreate observed that in the hollow of the Plaine betweene certaine hedges and well-planted Orchards lay a Passe by which he despaired not to bring off the Foote He advised about it with Don Iohn and Gonzaga not denying but it was a dubious and almost a rash Attempt yet he said that in acute Diseases somtimes desperate Remedyes are not unskilfully applyed by the Phisicians His designe being approved he himselfe undertooke it the rest easily giving way that he should fetch them off which he did in this manner At the Avenues of the hedges planting Muskettiers he ordered them with a suddaine haile of Shott to stop the Advance of the Enemy and commanded Gonzaga that rallying and animating the Horse he should bring them to guard the Rere whilst they retreated and when the Foote were safe among the hedges give the Enemy a hot Charge and by the way they first entred betwene the Village and the Wood narrow indeed but faire and commodious for horse retire to his Poste Nor with lesse care the Austrian Generall in the meane time riding about the Army exhorted the Colonells and Captaines that keeping their men firme in ranke and file they should receive their fellowes returning from the fight without Disorder which was destructive to the enemy at the battaile of Gemblac where their Horse fled scatteringly and routed their owne Foote which very misfortune might befall the Royall Army if upon the Approach of their fellowes amazed and distracted the Enemy animated by others Feare should then invade them Things thus disposed Prince Alexander before he called off those that fought commaned the foote partly as if they gave ground partly as if they meant to wheele
his Wit and Civil Arts l. 9. p. 42. Bounty ibid. Moderation in his Joy l. 9. p. 43. Piety ibid. Services in Germany and Italy ibid. Preparations for the War l. 9. p. 42. the Order of the Fleece bestowed upon him by Charles the fifth ibid. Advanced to the Principality of Parma and Piacenza ibid. l. 1. p. 23. he defends Parma for a whole year besieged l. 9. p. 42. Piacenza restored to him ibid. he goes with the Emperor into Africa l. 1. p. 23. falls desperately sick Ibid. returns to Rome ibid. Joyns with the Spaniard against the French l. 9. p. 42. Serves as a Voluntier in the Low-Countries l. 1. p. 24. in respect to him his Wife is Created Governesse of the Low-countries by the King ibid. be waits upon his Majesty to meet his Wife designed Governesse Ibid. perswades her to dismisse the Spanish Souldiers l. 3. p. 50. she brings him two sons at a birth l. 9. p. 43. he delivers his son to Philip the second then in the Low-Countries l. 9. p. 44. his Opinion touching the Marriage of his son Alexander l. 4. p. 91. his Judgment of the Amity of Neighbour Princes ibid. he Consents to march his son with Princess Mary of Portugal ibid. p. 92. from Italy he comes into the Low-Countries to his sons Nuptialls l. 4. p. 94. meets his Wife Margaret of Austria inher return from the Netherlands l. 6. p. 37. likes not his sons Resolution to accept the Government of the Low-Countries l. 10. p. 15. Octavio Gonzaga brother to the Prince of Mâ—lpheâ— comes into the Low-countries with Don Iohn l. 9. p. 26. disswades Don Iohn from sending the Spâ—niards out of the Low-Countries l. 9. p. 27. General of the Horse at the Battel of Gemblac l. 9. p. 50. confirmed by the King l. 10. p. 7. receives Lovain l. 9. p. 53. attempts Mechlin and Villvord ibid. money sent him by the King l. 10. p. 7. delivers his Opinion at a Councel of War for fighting the States Army though they were intrenched l. 10. p. 8. fights at Râ—menant l. 10. p. 12. his Place in the â—uneral of Don Iohn of Austria l. 10. p. 22. Odoardo Cardinal Farneze obtained of God by the Prayers of Princesse Mary of Portugall l. 4. p. 95. l. 9. p. 44. Offences how they began to rise in the Low-Countries l. 2. p. 46 47. Olennius the Romane Exactor of the Belgick Tribute l. 7. p. 70. Olhain one of the first Covenanters l. 5 p. 10â— Olivera vide Antonio Omen in a sinister sense l. 1. p. 22. vide Prodigy Orange vide William Oration or Counsel or Speech of Alexander Farneze to Don Iohn at a Counsel of War l. 10. p. 7. at another time l. 10. p. 14. of Albret to the King of Navarre her Husband against the Catholicks l. 3. p. 57. of Duke Areschot in Senate against the Covenanters l. 5. p. 103. of the same against the Valencenians l. 6. p. 9. of Baâ—berino to the Duke of Alva l. 7. p. 62. of Count Barlamont against the Covenanters l. 5. p. 103. of the Marquis of Bergen to the Prince of Ebolo l. 6. p. 27. of Brederod in the Name of the Covenanters to the Governesse l. 5. p. 108. of the same to the Antwerpers l. 5. p. 112. of the Emperour at his Resignment to the Estates of the Low-Countries l. 1. p. 4. of the same to his son Philip when he transferred his Kingdomes to him ibid. of the same performing his own Funeral Rites l. 1. p. 17. of the Prince of Conde and Gasper Coligny to Charles the ninth of France perswading him to fight the Spaniards l. 6. p. 26. of Count Egmont to the Valencenians to bring them in obedience l. 6. p. 9. of the Duke of Alva to his son Duke Federico when he Commanded him to fight the Enemy l. 7. p. 61. of the same to the King of Spain perswading him to a War with the Low-Countries l. 6. p. 23 24. of the same in answer to Barberino l. 7. p. 62. of his Councel disswading the Exaction of the tenth part l. 7. p. 69. of the Duke of Feria to the King arguing against a War l. 6. p. 24. of Gallus by way of unfriendly advice to Ischius l. 9. p. 26 27. of Granvel against the Prince of Orange l. 3. p. 68. of the same to his friends l. 4. p. 79. of the Governesse in Senate that the Covenanters should not be admitted l. 5. p. 104. of the same in answer to the Covenanters l. 5. p. 108. of the same to the Senate touching the Violation of sacred things l. 5. p. 128. of the Hereticks against Don Iohn l. 9. p. 34. of the Spaniards leaving the Low-Countries l. 9. p. 30. of the enemy reviling and wounding the Spaniards l. 8. p. 12. of a Jesuite to the Mutineers l. 8. p. 6. of Escovedo moveing Don Iohn to send away the Spaniards l. 9. p. 28. of the same to compose a mutiny among them l. 9. p. 31. of the Embassadours from the Heretical Princes of Germany to the Governesse in Senate l. 6. p. 18. of the Lords against the King l. 2. p. 38. of Octavio Gonzaga disswading Don Iohn to part with the Spaniards l. 9. p. 27. of the Prince of Orange against the King l. 5. p. 104. of the same at his departure from the Low-Countries to Count Egmont l. 6. p. 14. of the Estates desiring they might not pay the tenth part l. 7. p. 65. of Osorius Ulloa animating his men l. 8. p. 11. of Captain Pacecho dying to his fellow Souldiers l. 8. p. 12. of Petrieus the Centurion to his Companions in Armes ibid. of Philibert Bruxellius for the Emperor at his abdication to the Estates of the Low-Countries l. 1. p. 4. of Ruigomtz a Silva Prince of Ebolo to put off the King from a War with the Low Countries l. 6. p. 23. of Scaremberg in Answer to the Embassadors from the German Hereticks l. 6. p. 18. of the Seditious Valencenians l. 3. p. 64. of the Mutinous Spaniards against Avila l. 8. p. 4. of the same to a Jesuite exhorting them l. 8. p. 5. of the Senators at Bruxells for the Imperial Edicts l. 5. p. 105. of others against them ibid. 106. their joynt answer to the Covenanters ibid. touching the dismission of the Spaniards l. 3. p. 51. of the People against the Inquisition and the Emperours Edicts l. 2. p. 35. Ordination of the Low-Countrey Provinces l. 1. p. 16. of the Horse-Militia l. 1. p. 17. of the Foot Militia l. 3. p. 52. of the Bishopricks l. 1. p. 17. Order of the Golden Fleece when and by whom Instituted l. 1. p. 17. l. 4. p. 94. vide Knights Order of St. Stephen Instituted by Cosmo Duke of Florence l. 8. p. 14. Original of the Belgick Conspiracy l. 5. p. 99. vide Gentlemen Covenanters Ormanceto vide Nicolao Osnaburg the Bishop l. 7. p. 51. Osorio vide Iuan. Osteat in the Heavens portending the
the town That is Hound Which is met Fought with Bergen op Zoom And defeated Middleburg rendered Feb. 18. The Fame of Mondragonio What strange confidence the enemy reposed in him Aldegund and three more exchanged for Mondragonio Jacob Simon John Pettin Franciso Citadella 1430. Largil to Marg. of Parma March 5. What the Prince of Orange made of Middelburg Largil to Margaret of Parma March 5. The first Mutiny of the Spaniards Out of the Bishop of Namure's letter to Marg. of Parma Iuly 24. Against Avila who detained their Pay The expostulation of the Mutineers Avila flies They march to Antwerp in hostile manner Despise Requesenes his messengers And onely demand money They enter Antwerp Their threats Their solemn Oath Their Edict against plunder They are paid And quieted The pious liberality of the mutineers How much the Franciscansâ—ad â—ad of them They invite the Jesuits Who refuse to come at them They send money to the Jesuites Colledge An exhortation made them by one of the Societie The fruits of it They give and restore very much to the Citizens Leyden A suspition that the souldiers plunder was Requesenes his designe Iuly 14. March 8. April 6. Iuly 24. A generall pardon proclaimed Of the siege of Leyden Valdez invites the Town to a Reâ—ndition They barbarously refuse He draws his line nearer Resolves upon a generall assault Why he puts off the day appointed The site of Leyden The fearfull designe of the neighbours to Leyden Who breaking down the banks let in the sea They sail over the woods And over the fields to Leyden How great a Navy came The besiegers besieged Their constancy Bern. Mend. l. 12. The like wonder of old Caesar. lib. 5. de bell Gall. Paul Oros. l. 6. Sprink Uloet The Spaniards retreat Not without losse Bern. Mend. l. 12. The exploit of Pedro Ciaconio A second mutiny of the Spaniards Against Valdez as if he had betrayed them at the siege They take him prisoner Utrecht He procures money and therewith pacifies them The Spaniards prosperous fortune Mich. ab Isselt Hist. of his Times Supplies brought by Altempse An old souldier of great abillties Clara Medices Jacob Medices His danger in his march The Elogie of Requesenes ex Annal. Arag Hier. Zuri His progenitour 1440. His maternall Ancestours famous Sea-Commanders 1480. His own Sea-services 1569. 1571. Ant. Maria Gratia de Bel. Cypr. l. 4. Thuan. l. 48. Hist. His Civill Offices 1564. 1573. His difference with St. Charls Boromaeo Carol. a Basil. S. Pet. l. 3. c. 2. Joan. Petr. Gussan l. 3. c. 3. Of whom be asks forgivenesse by his servant 1575. His Government of the Low-countreys not so unfortunate as many think His great Errour His souldiers much more to blame that mutined so often Their third sedition was the occasion of his death Out of the relation of Christop Assonvil Being near his end he names a successour for the Civil Government And a Generall for the Army But dying ere he had signed their Commissions March 5. of his Age fifty yeare The Government rested in the great Councell Which the King doubts to confirm The Pope proposing Don John of Austra Mary Queen of Scots Nichâ—lao Ormanetti Bishop of Padua For these reasons Notwithstanding the King lets the Senate govern Perswaded thereunto by Opper upon these grounds 1576. An unseasonable resolution destructive to the Lowcountreys The Belgick warre occasioned by the Peoples contempt of the Senate And their private differences As also by another mutinie of the Spaniards from the Relation of Christ. Assonvil Because the Germans were payed and not they An injury they very much resent Mart. Delr l. 1. Turb Belg. and others And are exasperated by the complaint of Count Altempse They demand their Pay of the Senate Which being craftily denied They march in hostile manner into Brabant They refuse conditions offered They take Aelst A tumult in in Bruxels Called Scriban by Francis Harve in his Annal Belg. A Spanish Senatou's servant slain The Senate declares the Spaniards Enemies to the State The Low-countreymen permitted to take arms against them Avila complains of the Senate The Senate laies the fault upon Avila out of Christ. Assonvill An Edict published by the Senate against the souldiers in Aelst Avila sends ammunition to his Countreymen in Aelst The Civill warre for a while put off by the Marquesse of Havres arrvall In the end of August Vasseur Lord of Moriemsart The Senates Letters to the King out of Christ. Assonvill The King commands Don John to take post for the Low-countreys In the interim the Prince of Orange makes use of the differences among the Royalists Solicits the Governours of Provinces Particularly Duke Areschot Mart. Delv. 1. Turb Belg. The Senatours opinions touching those of Aelst Some would have them destroyed by arms Others not to be provoked and these spake prophetically But their sense was rejected The People create a new Governour of Bruxels By his Orders the Senators that were held to be of the Spanish Faction were taken into Custody The authority of the Senate falls to nothing A new form of Government to Deputies of the Estates The beginning of the Association of Gant Four Provinces offer assistance against the Spaniards They crave succours from their neighbours in order to the Spaniards expulsion Their Agreement with the Prince of Orange Who assists them in the recovery of Gant Other Provinces associated with them The Convention at Gant Their wonderfull unanimity against the Spaniard The Kings party and the Ecclesiasticks joyning with the Consederates Septem 30. The like consent of old in expelling the Romanes Caes. l. 7. de Gal. Bel. The Confederates troubled at Glime's slight and losse Much more at the recovery of Maestricht by the Spaniards A military Invention Of the sack of Antwerp From the Emperours Court where he had remained since his fathers death The Deputies of the Estates send forces into Antwerp The Town raises a battery against the Castle The Spanish from all their Quâ—iters come to Antwerp So do the Mutineers from Aelst Of Cannon and Powder All received into the Fort. Christ. Assonv in his Relation The fury of the Mutineers A sally from the Castle The City-forces beat out of their Trenches The Spaniards enter the Town The Garrison at odds among themselves Count Egmont would have made resistance But is taken prisoner The Citizens fight stoutly Neer the Palace of Iustice. Which the Spaniards fire and become Masters of Antwerp Novem. 4. Count Egmont Caprius Gogny The Deputies of the Estates advance the association of Gant Hearing Antwerp was lost they hasten the firm conclusion of their League And send a Messenger to acquaint the King with their proceedings The Spanish Commandrrs likewise send one to his Majestie Who informs the King of these particulars The Plunder of Antwerp made the Spaniards adiâ—us How miserable a pillage it was The principall Actors in it The moderation of Camillo a Monte. The wretched condition of rich men The good fortune of a
him refused The state of the Provinces Breda besieged by the Genera's of the Confederates Cardinal Granvels Brother A Messenger with a Letter to Don John Discovered Another counterfeit Letter was sent The Town rendred The Perfidiousness of the Garrison Ruremond holds out against the Confâ—iderates Still the Treaty of Peace continues The Queen of England moves for a Cessation of Arms in a threatning way She is not listned to The hope of Peace vanisheth Aprodigious Comet In Novemb. Decemb. 1577. January 1578. Of the Battel of Gemblac Both Armies mustered January 20. Don John's is lesse The enemie's greater But his are better men And more confident for this respect 6. January Pardieu Lord de la Mot. Goigny Commander in chief for the Confederates from 18. 1567. 1576. The Order of his Army Goigny Lievtenant-General to the Arch-duke Matthias for this Expedition Scoutes sent out and an ambush laid by Don Iohn The Catholick Army thus marshalled The Standard Don Johns orders Parties of both sides first skirmish Perotto of Sassoferrata The place of battell Alex. Farneze's conjecture of the enemy His words to the Gentleman of his Horse Curtius He communicates his designe to the Officers about him Henr. Viennius Lord of Ceuravium And they following he first passeth over the Gulph They all together charge the enemies horse And rout them Execution done upon the Confederates army Ianuar. 31. The day won by the horse Christ. Assonv in Relatione sayes One Spaniard was too hard for ten Confederates How great the Victorie Mar. Delr sayes but two were slain Mich. ab Isselt Leo. Belg. Febr. 2. Gemblac besieged by the Conquerours Yielded Mercy shewed to the town And to the prisoners Don Iohn's words to General Goignie The Conquerours commended by Don Iohn Prince Alexander especially With some adâ—â—â—ition Alex. Farneze's Answer His letter to the King in praise of Don Iohn Fâ—br 5. The like Commâ—ndations inserted in many other letters from Prince Alexander to Anton. Perez Marc. Almazar and Marc. Ayemont Feb. 15. Feb. 13. wherein he writes nothing of himself The Deputies of the Estates ignorant of the Victory sit in Councell Their trepidation when they heard the news The Arch-duke and the Prince of Orange flie Lord of Hierg Lovain yields to Don Iohn Feb. 5. And Iudoigne And Tienen Feb. 7. And Areschot Feb. 17. And Bovines Sichem summoned Refuseth to treat Alex. Farneze makes ready for an assault Febr. 21. Ordering his Forces In this manner The fight The Royalists The Sichemers Peter Henriquez and Baraiaz The Town is taken They that flie are cut to pieces The Town plundered The Castle holds out But Alex. Farneze batters down their works And raises new of his own The Castle rendred The Prisoners executed Diestem terrified Feb. 24. Submits And are gratiouâ—â—y used The Garrison-souldiers take Pay of the King Levia reduced Febr. 27. C. Mansfeld attemps Nivel Is repulsed The Town treats with Don Iohn A mutinie in the Catholick Army Don Iohn severs the Mutineers Demands the Principall of them Makes them cast lots for their lives At last one is hanged March 11. The Nivellers render themselves The Garrison suffered to depart without their Arms which are bestowed upon the French A gift that ruins them Mar. Delr l. 5. Turb Belg. saith 200 were lost The like misfortune formerly happened to their Nation Anno 1552. Pont. Heuter l. 3. Thuan. lib. 10. The Frenchmen move for a discharge from the service Duke of Alen-Son Don Iohn easily grants their suit They return in arms against him Part of them slain by surprise Part retire to a Fort. And will take no conditions Towns surrendred to Don Iohn Binch 1554. Malbuge Reux Beanmont Soigniac Barlamont Cimace taken by Assault April 15. The Castle yields Philipvil besieged It 's site 'T is invaded As we read in Cesar Livie and others Don John performing the parts of a Generall and a common souldier It is rendred Upon these terms May 19. 1578. The expedition of Limburg by Don John in his sicknesse committed to Alexander Farneze Why he undertakes it Part of his Forces sent before Iune 7. The Suburbs taken The site of Limburg Vvest Woâ—kes in order to an Assault Prince Alexanders Letter to the Limburgers They defer the sending of their Answer Whereat enraged He hastens the finishing his workes Comes Nicolaus Caesius And begins to batter from the hill A large Breach made The besiegers come up to the City gates A Messenger from the Towne to Prince Alexander His Answer He grants them an houres time to consider The women Supplicate from the walles Iune 16. The Towne is rendred Thought fortified And in a condition to hold out The Conquerours give God thanks P. Alexander summons Dalhem His Trumpet not admitted The Castle batterred To no purpose The Burgundians scale it And take both Castle and Towne by storme Iune 10. With a great Slaughter of the Citizens The sad fortune of a Maid Two Souldiers strive for her and in their struggle use their prisoner most inhumanely Who wounded and halfe dead Is taken from them But immediatly dies The benefit that followed the taking of Limburg Thanks sent to Alex. Farneze by the Princes whose Estates lay neare the Towne To the confederates great griefe at first afterwards to their great joy Vpon a Report that Prince Alexander with diverse more was slaine Coyned by the Prince of Orange Why such kind of newes is often forged What truth was in this Rumour A Miraculous Accident Iune 30. The Deaths of Count Barlamont Count Megen C. Barlamont's Encomion Aegidius Lancelloâ— Charles Don John's prosperous fortune troubles the Enemy Amsterdam attempted by the P. of Orange 1577. November Beates out his men Mar. Del. l. 4. Turb Belg. For which the Women are to be commended February At last the Towne is rendered and deceived The Prince of Orange votes for a Truce March 10. Sellio in the Kings name Treates with the Deputies of the Estates But to no end The Prince of Orange will onely give eare to a Truce Which Prince Alexander likes not March 25. His Letter to his Father Octavio Duke of Parma Neither is it approved of by Don Iohn New Officers from Spaine Pedr. de To. ledo Lopez Figueroa Alphons-Leva Gabr. Serbellonio Iune 22. New supplies of money from the King to Don Iohn To Alexander Farneze To Octavio Gonzaga To Mondragonio To Verdugo To Ant. olivera To Count Mansfeldt New levies in Italy Vnder these Commanders Don Iohn troubled at it Stops their proceedings Three Armies of the Enemy The States Forces The Duke of Alencon's Iuly 19. â—ohn Casimir's Iuly 17. Don Iohn's Councell of Warre Alex. Farneze votes against fighting them August 18. Only Serbellonio concurres with Prince Alexander The rest viz. Gonzaga Mansfeldt Olivera Montin and Mondragonio were of Don John's opinion Especially hearing the Prince of Orange was falne out with Campin And with Hese and Glimè Mart. Delr l. 4 Turb Belg. Don Iohn resolve to fight The site of the Enemy's