name succeeded his Brother Thierry and his Neece Ada. He had War with the Bishop of Utrect and on both sides the Countrey was much ruin'd but by agreement at last he was to pay to the Bishop a thousand Talents Upon the news of the death of his Uncle the King of Scotland he immediately rigg'd out a great Fleet to put himself in possession of that Kingdome which he thought was his right and in pursuance of his design landed in Scotland and took divers Towns but hearing the Earl of Loen his Nephew was come into Holland with an Army he forsook the uncertain for the certain He had two Wives Alide of Gueldres by whom he had three Sons and two Daughters and Mary Daughter to the Duke of Lancaster who had no Children He died in the year 1223. having reign'd nineteen years Florent the Seventeenth Florent the fourth Son to William was married to Matthild Daughter of the Duke of Brabant who had two Sons William and Florent and two Daughters Alide Counâ—ess of Hainaut and Matthild Countess of Heneberg that had at one birth as many Children as there are days in the year This Prince was extream valiant which was the cause of his death for the Countess of Clermont having heard much of his valour was so desirous to see him that she entreated her Husband to publish a solemn Turnament Florent fail'd not to be there and by his noble carriage so charm'd the Countess that she could not hold praising of him before her Husband who thereupon conceiv'd so much jealousie that he caused him to be barbarously murder'd in the flower of his age His Body was transported into Holland and buried at Rinsburg William the Eighteenth William the second being yet under age succeeded to his Father under the Guardianship of his Uncle the Bishop his Wife was Elizabeth of Brunswick by whom he had Florent This Prince was of a very warlike temper and by reason of his valour was chosen King of the Romans at the age of twenty years He first held a Court at the Hague to hear the complaints of the Hollanders and Zelanders in the protection of whom he sent his Brother with an Army against the Flemmings who were entred the Island of Walkeren in Zeland There was so stout a â—encounter between the two Armies that the ground for a great space was all covered with the blood of the Flemmings The King upon the news â—astened into Zeland and sav'd the lives of the rest of the Flemmings but sent them away stark naked After this he went into Germany where he was receiv'd with great honour and joy coming back he overcame the Frizelanders in one Battell and a little before the second he was kill'd having govern'd twenty one years It was he that founded the Colledge of the Heemrades where a Diikgrave presides Florent the Nineteenth This Prince was two years under the Guardianship of his Uncle and his Aunt Alide Countess of Hainaâ—t To make up the difference between the Hollanders and Flemmings he married Beatâ—ix of Flanders by whom he had five Sons and three Daughters the youngest of which Margaret was Queen of England To revenge his Fathers death he fell upon the Frizelanders whom he worsted and recover'd the dead Body of his Father which he caused to be buried with royall obsequies In his old age he corrupted the Wife of one Gerard de Velsen a Gentleman of his Court whom he had much lovâ—â— and it was rather to affront him than out of a desire to satisfie his lusts but Gerard and Herman de Vourd his Father-in-law resolv'd to be reveng'd and by conspiracy seized the Earls person and carried him to the Castle of Mude where hearing of the Preparations made in Holland against them they made the Earl get on Horseback thinking to convey him into England but being too hotly pursued Gerard gave him twenty two wounds with his Sword and left him dead in a Ditch This murder remain'd not unrevenged for some Authors write that Gerard being taken was put into a Hogshead full of sharp nails and so rolled up and down the Streets at Leyden till he died John the Twentieth John the first of that name being in England at the time of his Fathers death there was some trouble in Holland which was soon appeased by his presence He married Elizabeth Daughter to Edward King of England by whom he had no Children In his time there was a Giant in Holland nam'd Nicolas to whom other men compared were but Dwarfs his Shooe was so wide that four men together could set all their feet in it The said Earl John died at Harlem having reigned three years and made room for the House of Hainaut CHAP. III. The House of Hainaut John of Hainaut the Twenty first JOhn the second of this name Son to Alide Countess of Hainaut Sister to King William succeeded his Cousin-german in 1299. and took in marriage Philippine Daughter to the Duke of Luxemburg by whom he had three Sons and four Daughters He was five years Earl of Holland and did defend with much vigour his Brother who was Bishop of Utrect against those who endeavoured to deprive him of his Bishoprick It is said that in those dayes there was seen in the Air an arm'd Knight who with a loud voice animated the people to War and that the Sea also was seen full of Ships which vanished before the eyes of them that curiosity had brought upon the shore These apparitions were taken as prognosticks of the War that a little after happened between the Hollanders and Flemmings in Zeland in which the Flemmings were defeated by the valour of William Son to the Earl John but he outliv'd his victory a very small time and lies buried at Valenciennes William sirnamed the Good the Twenty second William the third by reason of his good nature and vertuous disposition was call'd the Good He had divers Children by his Wife Jane of Valois viz. William Lewis John Margaret Dutchess of Bavaria and Empress Jane Countess of Juliers Philippine Queen of England and Elizabeth In his time Holland was much affâ—â—cted with plague and famine In the year 1328. Philip King of France gave a great overthrow to the Flemmings being assisted by the Forces of this Earl He reign'd thirty three years William the Twenty third This young Prince led an Army into Spain to assist that King against the Infidels and got much honour in that War Being come back into Holland he besieged Utrect and being ready to take and sack the Town he was prevail'd upon by the Gentry to give the Citizens their lives upon condition that five hundred of the best qualified should come bare-foot and bare-head and fall down upon their knees before him and crave his pardon for their faults After this he went against the Frizelanders where fighting too boldly he was kill'd near Staveron He left no Children by his Wife Jane of Brabant Margaret August Countess the Twenty fourth This Princess
Religion John Calvin likewise writ against the Church of Rome and his books met with as favourable a reception in Holland as Lutheâ—s did in Germany The Emperour endeavoured by strict Edicts to stop the course of this change and recommended to his Son Philip to do so likewise Philip the second King of Spain and Earl of Holland the Thirty fifth In the year 1556. Philip took in hand the reins of Government in the Low-Countreys and made Philibert Duke of Savoy a great and stout Prince his Lieutenant and Governour in all the Low-Countreys The truce that was between France and Spain being broken by reason of the succour which the French sent the Pope Queen Mary of England declar'd War likewise against the French at the instigation of her Husband King Philip. The Duke of Savoy comes into Picardy and defeats entirely the French Army upon St. Laurence day with so great a slaughter of Nobility and Gentry that it astonish'd the whole Kingdome Paris it self being forsaken by its inhabitants was in danger of being lost had the conquerour followed his victory But the Duke of Guise coming out of Italy soon recruited and set a new Army on foot took Caâ—ais in seven dayes time which had been so many hundred years in the power of the English Fortune continuing still averse to the French they received another overthrow in Flanders where the Earl of Egmont behav'd himself as nobly as he had done in the first battell of St. Laurence and was the cause of the winning of the day 'T is true that ten English men of War which happened by chance to be near the shore play'd with their great Guns upon the French Army and much disorder'd it After this Queen Mary of England dying left Philip a widower and he took to his second Wife Isabelle of France Philip before he embarqued for Spain being desirous to provide for the peace and tranquillity of the Low-Countreys made Margaret of Austria Dutchess of Parma and bastard Daughter to Charles the Emperour his Regent and Governess over all the Low-Countreys The Earl of Egmont was made Governour of Flanders and Artois the Duke Mansfield of Luxemburg the Earl William of Nassaw Prince of Orange was made Governour of Holland and Zeland CHAP. VII Containing the memorable Passages under the Government of Margaret of Parma KIng Philip having install'd and setled this Princess in the Government of the Low-Countreys left her at Brussels with an ample power and embarqued at Flushing for Spain After his departure that peace and tranquillity which he left things in lasted not long for what with the discontent of great ones who thought themselves neglected and the jealousies of the people who were afraid of being oppress'd by the Inquisition all men were ready and dispos'd for tumults Adde to this the non-performance of that promise which the King had made at his going away which was to recall all Spanish and forreign Forces out of the Low Countreys The first appearance of sedition was a Petition presented to the Princess by five hundred Gentlemen dress'd like beggars To content them the Spanish Forces were with-drawn and not long after Cardinal Granvell whom they much envied was recall'd But still in every place there was execution done upon those whom they call'd hereticks who by their constant sufferings so animated the people that at last they would no longer endure they should be put to death but rescued them out of the hands of the hang-men by force The King having notice of all order'd that the Councell of Trent should be publish'd in the Low-Countreys the execution of which caus'd more troubles and gave occasion to the Count Egmont to take a journey into Spain there he was very well receiv'd by the King soon dispatch'd and in his return home he brought with him Alexander Prince of Parma Son to the Princess Regent Prince Maurice of Nassaw was born in this year 1565. in which was fram'd the league or confederation of the Nobility which was followed by the revolt and rising of the meaner sort who broke down Images and Altars invaded Monasteries and Nunneries and at last attak'd Towns But their fury was stop'd by the Countrey people called Wallons who fell upon them and routed them The Confederates made a new Assembly at Leege and there the Regent sent to them the Prince of Orange and the Count Egmont to desire them to forbear all new designs They sent her another Petition which she defer'd to answer till the generall Assembly of the Knights of the Golden Fleâ—câ— should be holden In this very year the Prince of Orange the Count Egmond Count Lewis of Nassaw and Horne met at Dondermond to consider whether it were safe for them to let the King who did threaten to appear with an Army come peaceably in or oppose his passage by main force Upon this Consultation the Gentry and the Merchants joyn'd with them and all resolv'd to maintain by force that which they had obtain'd by Petition from the Princess The Prince of Orange his Brother and Hogestract met at Breda and writ to Fgmont to know whether he would joyn with them but he refus'd it In 1567. was struck the first stroke of War between Beauvor for the Princess and the Lord of Tholoze for the Confederates who were routed and their leader kill'd in the sight of the inhabitants of Antwerp who stood upon their Walls and looked on for a while till at last seeing their party worsted they ran to their Arms but were appâ—ased by the Prince of Orange The Princess taking heart at this propos'd a new Oath of Allegiance but it was first refus'd by Brederode and Horn and then by the Prince of Orange himself who forsook all his employments and charges and retir'd with his Brother into Germany Before he went he had a meeting with the Count Egmont and he told him in the presence of Count Mansfield I foresee said he that thou wilt be the Bridge over which the Spaniards will march into the Low-Countreys This departure of the Prince of Orange and his friends did for a time so â—â—artle most of the Towns that they began to ask pardon and submit The small Army which Brederode had gather'd together was routed and dispersed and he forced to fly with his Family into Friezeland This made Holland and Zeland receive Garrisons and drive away the Protestant Ministers insomuch that all was setled again and obedience restor'd to the Prince Hereupon the Princess writ to the King to come in person and by his presence heal up a wound which else might open afresh but Philip glad it may be of this occasion of diminishing the priviledges of his Low-Countrey Subjects sent the Duke of Alva with an Army to execute his commands The Princess soon perceiv'd that the severe proud nature of the Duke would undoe all that her milde temper had made up In effect as soon as he came he clap'd up the Earls of Horn and Egmont
is bound to send to the Nobles and to the Deputies of Towns the deliberations and resolves made in the Assembly Zeeland being also govern'd by States there are two sorts of Members viz. the Nobles and the Deputies of Towns the Prince of Orange as Marquess of Treveer and Flessingue represents the Nobles by his Deputy in the Assemblies at Middlebourg and has the first place The Towns that send their Deputies are Middlebourg Ziriczee Tergoes Tertole Flessingue and Treveer these States meet as often as they think fit and in the intervals seven Deputies supply their room one in the Name of the Prince who represents the Nobility and in the Name of each Town one to whom are added the Pensioner and the Secretary Besides Walachria which is the principal Island of Zeeland has the right of holding a particular Assembly at Middlebourg which is ordinarily call'd the Assembly of the States of the Isle of Walachria and is composed of one Deputy in the Name of the Prince of Orange and of six others three for Middlebourg Flessingue and Treveer two for the rich Landowners of the Island call'd de breed geerfde to whom is adjoyn'd a Secretary CHAP. XII Of the Governors of the United Provinces untill the Year 1650. WIlliam Prince of Orange was the first Governor General of the United Provinces and since by the desert of this Family this so great a charge has been continued in it it will not be amiss to set down their Titles and Lordships here They are Princes of Orange Counts of Nassaw Catinilibogue Viande Diest Lingue Meurs Bure and Leerdam c. Marquess of Treveer and Flessingue Lords Barons of Breda Grave Cuych Diest Grimbergue Harental Branendock Warneston Arlac Noseroy Saint Vite Doesbourg Polan Wilemstad Nieuward Ysselstein of the Fort Saint Martin Guertrudeâ—bergue Chasteanrenart of the two Swalâ—es of Naddwick Vicounts hereditary of Antwerp and Besanson Governors of Gueldres Holland Zeeland West-Friezeland Zutphen Overyssel and Generals by Sea and by Land This first noble Prince having been wickedly assassinated in the year 1584. brought such a consternation upon the United Provinces that many Towns nay some Provinces fell back under the Spanish domination The Earl of Meurs was Governor of Gueldres and Utrect The Hollanders and Zeelanders chose by provision the Prince Maurice younger son to the deceased Prince William William Lewis Earl of Nassaw had been receiv'd General in Friezeland not long before the Earl of Hohenlo had the conduct of the Army and the Council of State the management of affairs But things were in so great a confusion that the States mâ—strusting their own strength offer'd themselves to the French who having used them ill they address'd themselves to ' Queen Elizabeth of England with whom they prevailed at last to send them Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester He came into Holland in 1585. with so absolute a power that no Governor before him ever had the like for he had power to name one half of the Council of State and because he was a credulous easie man he suffer'd himself to be led by the Nose by some Strangers about him who little intended the advantage of the Low-Countries and himself being a particular Enemy to Prince Maurice and the Earl of Hohenlo at last the hatred against him became great and all the affections of the people and Souldiers turn'd to Maurice the treacherous actions of Stanly and York English Commanders who had deliver'd Deventer and Zutphen to the Spaniard had much exasperated the States and now a general fear began to possess the Lovers of their Countrey least they should either be sold or oppress'd whereupon the States of Five Provinces gave all the charge of governing to Prince Maurice who being setled did soon quash all jealousies and suspicions which did already make people apt to sedition and tumults But since our design is not to write Annals we need not here recite all the glorious actions of Prince Maurice it is only fit to observe that William Lewis Earl of Nassaw then Governor of Friezeland and since 1550. Governor of Groningue and Omlande was alwayes in perfect intelligence with his Cousin Maurice and so this famous couple of the Nassavian Family advanc'd the affairs of the United Provinces conjoyntly Maurice died the 23. of April in the Year 1625. he was a very great Captain and of incomparable conduct in War and politick affairs Maurice being dead and Spinola the Spanish General having then besieged Breda a Town of great importance for the States they presently chose Henry Frederick of Nassaw his Brother for General in his room and not long after Gueldres Holland Zeeland Utrect and Overyssel accepted of him for their Governor Groningue Omlande and Drent submitted to Ernest Lasimir of Nassaw Brother to William Lewis of Nassaw who was also Governor of Friezeland Prince Henry was a worthy successor to his Brothers deserts as well as Honours and carried himself with singular valour and prudence his Cousin Ernest was no small help to him and the Provinces being a most excellent Field Officer and in that imployment he died at the siege of Ruremonde in the Year 1632. His successor to his Governments of Friezeland c. was his son Prince Henry the Aâ—hilles of the Hollander he was young and by his beginnings did promise so much as might make all men wish him a longer life but he was kill'd in the Year 1640. his very Enemies bearing witness of his noble valour and the Friezelanders much afflicted chose his Brother William Frederick of Nassaw who worthily supplyed his Brothers loss Groningue Omlande and Drent coming back to Henry Frederick Prince of Orange who died likewise at the Hague in 1647. the 14th of March having first forced the Spaniards to make Peace His only son William took the Oath of Allegiance to the States the same day as General of all their Forces both by Sea and Land A little after six of the Provi 〈…〉 s chose him for their Governor as they had promised his Father but Friezeland alone being already provided of Prince William Frederick made no change but engaged that in case he should die they would then choose the Prince of Orange But O unexpected misfortune just as all the Provinces were in hopes of living in a flourishing condition under the protection of this William the second he died at the Hague in the Year 1650. and that in so short a time that the noise of his disease did scarce fore-run the news of his death he left the Princess his Lady with Child of a son of whom she was brought abed eight dayes after the Princes death who is the now Prince of Orange whom God keep and preserve and give him his Ancestors spirit CHAP. XIII Of the charge of Governour IT is a hard matter to reduce the charge of Governour under certain Heads because hitherto the Provinces have given them such different instructions that they have had a hand in every thing The States General have
measure of Salt high or low as they please 2. The Excise upon Beer which all the Citizens pay without distinction comes to twenty pence a Barrell except the small Beer which is not worth above half a Crown a Barrell paies nothing 3. Another Excise upon Beer paid only by Brewers which comes to twelve pence a Barrell Besides all Seamen Marriners and Merchants pay Excise for all English and German Beer they bring in 4. The Victuallers and those that sell Beer pay other twenty pence for every Barrell 5. Every Hogshead of Vinegar paies nine shillings 6. The Impost upon French Wines mounts to six pence upon every Stoop Rhenish and Spanish Wines pay twelve pence a Stoop Brandyes of Wine pay ten pence Of Beer five pence 7. Butter payes six shillings a Barrell which contains three hundred and twenty pound And for the little Barrells call'd Kops tuchen there is paid a Farthing a piece 8. A piece of Oyl paies six shillings if Fish Oyl then four shillings and six pence 9. Candles of Wax and Tallow pay ten pence a hundred weight 10. The Impost of round measures is that money which is paid for all those commodities that are measur'd in round measures as Corn Seeds Salt Lime c. And the Merchants that buy great quantities do nevertheless pay this Impost 11. Turfs for fewell pay a penny half-penny a Tun and Coals from England and Scotland pay thirty shillings for every hundred Tun. The Coals burnt in the light Houses pay nothing 12. The Impost upon hard merchandizes as five pence for every hundred of Lead three half-pence for every thousand of Lime-Stones 13. For Wood to burn is paid the eight part of what it costs 14. Silk and gold Stuffs pay of twelve pence one in every Yard or Ell. 15. Woollen Cloths pay thus every piece of English Cloth not being yet dyed payes three pound if the said piece be worth sixteen Florins of Flanders that is nine pound or thereabouts Every piece worth twelve pound payes four pound c. Hangings and other Houshold-stuff pay one penny in nine of what they are worth The way of prising Merchandize is to ask the Merchant himself what he values it at if he undervalue it to save Custom then the Master of the Custom-house may take it and pay to the Merchant the price he values it at 16. The Impost upon all Corn that is ground in the Mills in Holland which every body payes without exception comes to five pound one crown and twelve pence for every quarter of Wheat to half as much for the quarter of Rye to five and thirty shillings for Barley and Oates 17. The Impost upon all Cattle Sheep or Hogs that are kill'd comes to one penny in seven of the money they are sold for 18. There is also three pence a moneth paid for every Horn'd Beast above three years old as also two pence a moneth for every Horse above three years old 19. The Imposts upon Herrings and Salt-Fish brought to the Citizens houses to sell comes to twenty pence a Pannier 20. The retail Fishmonger payes for Sâ—urgeons and Salmons the 9th penny of what they cost 21. Tobacco payes 10 pence a pound the Barrel of Soap 11 shillings every Barrel of Pitch 16 pence 22. Every Chariot and little Bark payes 20 pence a year every Coach payes 10 shillings a year 23. All Farms and Rack Rents pay the 16th penny of the value they yield yearly and those Lands that the Proprietary keeps in his own hand are valued and estimated by the Magistrate 24. All Lands that are sowed with any sort of Grain whatsoever or whatsoever Trees they are planted with pay 4 pence half-penny an acre reckoning from the moneth they were sowed or planted to the moneth that the recolt is made in 25. Every house payes about the 8th part of the Rent it is let for as if for 48 pound a year it payes 6 pound to the States but because the Rent of houses is subject to rise or fall the Magistrate sets a constant price upon them according to their bigness and conveniency 26. The Tribute for Servants and Maids comes to 20 pence a head which every Master or Mistress is bound to pay for them 27. The Impost upon all Immovables that are sold under which title great Ships are comprehended comes to the 40th penny that is out of the price of the thing sold the State has the 40th part which is a very considerable tax for there is no place in the World where Immovables alter their property so often as in Holland it being a Proverb of Leyden that every three year half of the Town is sold or alienated 28. The Tribute due for the Great and Little Seals is a groat for every sheet of paper where the Great Seal is applyed to two pence where the Little To understand the greatness of this Tribute the Reader must know that the States of Holland have ordain'd for no other end than for this that no Wills Contracts or any sort of Writings that shall be produc'd before the Judges shall be written in any other paper than that which is sealed by the States else they shall be void and hereupon they thought fit to have two Seals one for businesses of small importance and a great one for important affairs There are many other sorts of Tributes which it would be too long to relate besides they have all been publish'd together by the States order Now let us consider the wayes of levying these Tributes which that we may the better do let us consider those deliberations and opinions touching this matter which were had when it was first debated The Proposition of finding a way of raising these Revenues being made some were of opinion to give Authority to the Magistrates of Towns or to some persons whom the State should pay to gather these Taxes and be accomptable for them thinking it neither safe nor profitable for the States to farm them out And here are the Reasons they relyed upon 1. Because publick persons and particularly Magistrates have a greater Authority with them and so are fitter to keep the people more in awe 2. Because many of these Revenues as the Excise upon Beer for example could not be fixed and certain for sometimes one Town consumes more one year than another so that there could be no measures taken with Farmers 3. They represented that it was dangerous to trust in Subjects hands the publick Revenue for what if the Farmers should play the Knaves and break and hereupon they concluded that Farmers were not fit men Some of a quite contrary opinion did maintain that there were certain Imposts which ought to be Farm'd out for so much a year adding that the Impositions were laid upon two sorts of things upon stable and constant ones as Houses and Lands which remain and whose number and value were easily known and upon uncertain ones as the consumption of Wine and Beer c. The
no wonder that a Countrey formerly over-run with Wood should now be so empty of it since we know that Germany which is now so full of Towns and Cities was anciently one great Forrest almost The Air is pretty well temper'd in Holland though cold do a little predominate there being continuall winds and frequent rains but the inconstancy of the Climate is such that the seasons seem to be in a perpetuall confusion It rains ordinarily in the Dog-dayes and sometimes in July it is as cold as in December Likewise in Winter it is sometimes so warm and milde weather that one can hardly endure a fire but as the heat is never violent so the cold is seldome lasting according to the Proverb that sayes that rigorous Masters do not govern long yet is there no such generall Rule but admits of an exception for there has been long and hot Summers and violent cold lasting Winters the Annals speak of some as of the year 1149. When the Channels are frozen they slide upon them with a certain sort of Shooes call'd Skates which have a long shining narrow crooked Iron that stands out before They that are perfect in this exercise turn their Feet inwards that the Iron may take the more hold of the Ice upon which they fly like Birds in the air with that swiftness that one can hardly follow them with the eye The Women too use this as a diversion and many do very pretty tricks upon the Ice but most are content with a straight course as much as needs to get heat and ground Every Sunday after Sermon all the people of the Towns come out upon the Ice some to slide and others to look on I knew a young Clown of ten year old who did brag that he had gone eighteen miles or six leagues in an hour upon his Skates The same laid a Wager with a Peasant his neighbour that he would sooner slide three leagues than the other should ride one and a half with the best Horse he should get It is ordinary for these sort of people to go from Leyden to Amsterdam in an hour and a quarter if the Ice be even and yet that is near eighteen miles There are besides things call'd Traisneaur like our Sledges that are of two sorts some that are drawn by Horses and others that a man drives before him as he slides upon the Ice There are also Boats that having a great Iron under them sail along and go sometimes fifteen leagues an hour but that is seldome practis'd because there is danger in it and because that often the Ice is not even When it has snowed and frozen together they use great Sledges to go across the Meadows and not follow the ordinary way Some wonder to see the Countrey people carry great Poles upon their Shoulders but the reason of it is that if the Ice should break they might by the favour of their Poles both ends of which would lye upon the two extremities of the crack'd Ice get out again The temerity of the Hollanders deserves to be blam'd for many will venture upon one nights Ice and thence happen many sad accidents Holland is so flat and even a Countrey that you see not a Mountain nor a Hill except those Sand-hills that keep out the Sea It is almost all Meadows cut into a thousand Channels which in Summer by their delicate green and their variety of Flowers are a pleasant object to look on 'T is true that in some places the Earth produces Corn Beans Pease and all sorts of grains the Mountains of Sand are full of Rabbits the Waters of excellent Fishes and the Air supplyes them with Fowl from the Northern parts viz. with Woodcocks Snipes Hernes c. insomuch that Holland may be call'd very justly the Marrow of the Low Countreys as well for its fertility as for the delights and pleasures that may be enjoyed in it It seems a terrestriall Paradise for its Meadows and pleasant Fields the Channels and Rivers so ingeniously contriv'd for Trade and the noble magnificence of its Buildings We must needs confess that there are very few plow'd grounds considering the vast numbers of people that must be fed and yet there are no where greater Store-houses nor better furnish'd than here nay Holland may with reason be call'd the Store-house of Europe considering the vast transportation of all sorts of grains that are made from hence into Italy Spain England France and Brabant when their own Corn has fail'd them by any accident of War or Famine That great Man Scaliger speaking of the Wonders of this Province sayes that here grows no Vines and yet here is more Wine than in any one place in Europe In effect the Wines of the Rhene the Mosella and the Mouse come to Dort and from thence into all the other places of these Countreys The Wines of France Spain and Greece come to Amsterdam and Rotterdam There grows very little Wood and yet there are no where to be found more Carpenters and Joyners than here And it may be there is not in the rest of Chrystendome so many Ships and Boats as in this one Province there is scarce a Peasant but has his Boat to bring his Commodities to the Towns To be short sayes he we live amongst the waters and yet we drink not of them There are no Flocks of Sheep and very little Flax and yet where is made more Cloth and Linnen than here I adde that there are no Mines in Holland and yet all sorts of Mettals are more abundant here than in any part of the world as it appears by the rich Furnitures and Ornaments of the Houses of our Citizens whose Wives delight in that more than in any thing else Strangers cannot easily conceive these wonders or at least they alone amongst them that understand the secret of Trade and what vast advantages the Hollanders have reap'd from that War which they so long and so generously maintain'd against Spain and which at last ending in an honourable peace has left them Masters of the Trade of the world fetching by their Ships from the remotest parts of it all that 's good and precious and to be had for money CHAP. IV. Of the Manners and Dispositions of the Inhabitants THe old Hollanders were formerly despised by their Neighbours for the grossness of their temper and the simplicity of their life They were us'd to be call'd Block-heads and eaters of Cheese and Milk but as they formerly had the reputation of silly so now they are esteemed as subtil and understanding a Nation as any is in Europe as may be well evidenced from their Treaties and Alliances made with Strangers This I think proceeds from that Commerce they drive through all the world and from the mixture made amongst them by divers Strangers that have setled in these parts for above half those that do inhabit the Towns are either Strangers or descended from them They all love their Liberties even those that
of one Peter Adrian de Verf cried out aloud that they must either surrender or perish with hunger but he answer'd them with an immortall constancy Friends kill me if you will and divide me between you for it is the same thing to me to die by your hands or by the hands of my enemies They made Paper-money with this Inscription Hâ—c libertatis ergo pugno pro patria c. which is to say We endure all these miseries for our liberty and our Countrey I will adde that as Leyden has been the second Town that sustain'd valiantly the Spaniards attacks so the Sas of Gand was the last place but one which fell into the States hands and that by the fault of the Governor who was not able to make use of his Sluces against those who by water had driven the Spaniards from their Walls A year after this painfull siege was establish'd the famous University of Leyden to recompence the Inhabitants for their constant sufferings But many other reasons might invite the States to choose this Town before any other for it is neat finely built delicate Walks and a pleasant Countrey about the Town the Sea near it The University was inaugurated the eighth of February in the year 1574. and every year upon the same day is declar'd Rector he whom his Highness the Prince of Orange is pleas'd to choose out of three that are nam'd to him Here has alwayes been very famous professors in all faculties but particularly the Civil Law and Physick have alwayes flourished by the particular care of his Highness the Prince of Orange The great Scaliger and the incomparable Salmazius have been as the two great Lights among the other Stars of this learn'd Firmament There are besides Lectures of Divinity Mathematicks in all which the professors do excell as being chosen with care and well recompenc'd for their labours When any one dies the three Curators provide another of the same faculty so the University is alwayes supplied Those Students that are written in the University-Book do enjoy great priviledges They that are above twenty year old may have fourscore quarts of Wine in a year which pay no excise and half a barrell of Beer every moneth free likewise They give a groat to the Servants of the University every quarter The Rector or Chancellor has his Counsellors before whom are brought all quarrels and they endeavour to make the parties agree if they will not then they may go to a triall before the University Counsell where the Rector presides and decides without appeal in civil matters If any of the Students have committed a crime that deserves death or otherwise the Officers of justice cannot take him before they have the Rectors consent and then too they may not carry him to a loathsome prison but into the Town-House Hall Duels are severely prohibited ever since a Danish Student was kill'd in one Besides they are forbid to commit any riot in the night time or break the Citizens Windows under pain of a considerable Fine and often of being bannish'd There is a Watch goes on purpose to hinder such disorders which takes away Scholars Swords if they be insolent and carries them to prison where next day they are produc'd before the University Counsell There are also as good Masters for all Exercises as Riding Dancing c. as any where and the Italian French and Spanish Tongues are taught excellently well Here are Students of all Nations of Europe most of them Gentlemen of good Families and often Princes and great Lords Sons have been seen to come hither for their education They all have a dependance upon the Rector and to this day never any Member of the University was put to death except a servant to a Prince who confess'd himself to be the author of a murder that had been committed The University has Schools for the different Lectures and on the North-side of the great Court is the famous Printing Press of John Elzevier so well known for his fair Characters It is placed upon the Rapembourg the fairest Street of all the Town for in the middle of it runs a large Channell and of each side is a rowe of tall Trees from one end to the other The Pavy has a little fall towards the Channell so that it can never be dirty let there fall never so much rain There are five fair Bridges over this Channell and abundance of delicate Houses on each side 'T is not only this Street that is thus shaded but all the Town so that he was in the right that desir'd to know whether Leyden was in a Wood or a Wood in Leyden We should never have done if I would particularize all the singularities of Leyden the great and most frequented Street begins at the Gate of the Hague and ends at Utrect Gate it is the broadest and highest Street of the Town The most considerable next is Harlem Street which has a Channell call'd the old Rhene into which all the other Channels do faâ—l and which ends it self at Catvic It is adorn'd with four stone Bridges one of which is the largest and fairest of all the Town it is call'd the Corn-Bridge because that on every Market-day the Countrey people take up their stations upon it with their Corn. There is another likewise call'd the Fish-Bridge because the Fishermen do there expose their Sea-Fish to sale The best Fish comes from Catvic that of Maeslantsluys is not valued as being ordinarily stale If this City had but running Water a great Market-place and some fountains of clear Water for drink it would be the pleasantest in all Europe but nothing can be ex omni parte beatum accomplish'd in all points There has been lately built a Church in a circular figure admir'd by all Strangers for its incomparable Architecture both within and without The first Sermon was preach'd in it some weeks before Easter in the year 1650. The Town is so populous by reason that poor people of the neighbouring Countries do seek a refuge here in time of War that it is a hard matter to get a Chamber in the new Town Here is the great manufacture of that excellent Cloths which are transported all the world over they cannot make any such any where else The fine Wool comes from Spain and the course from England and Pomâ—rania All sorts of Nations work in the manufacture where many other Stuffs are made In Summer during the hot weather these Channels do send forth a noysome smell particularly when the weather inclines to rain the reason of it is the drying up of the Lake of Soetermeer which did use to cleanse the Town by flowing into it To prevent this the Magistrates have caus'd two large Channels to be made and two Mills to be set upon them to drive the Water into the Town at one end and two other that drive or carry it out at the other end so that by this invention the City is free'd from that
there has been War between the Bishops of Utrect and the Earls of Holland for it the place standing in a fruitfull pleasant Soyl. It is rather long than square and adorn'd with fine Gardens the Prince of Orange is Lord of it Now let us follow the Frontier of Brabant to the West As soon as you come out of the Lordship of Altena you meet with the strong Town of Gertrudenbergue divided from Holland by a great Lake that the Rhene and the Meuse make before Dort It is almost a half Moon of which two thirds are bath'd with the Water of the Lake and has excellent Bastions Besides there are Forts with Sluces which can drown the rest of the ground which lies low In the year 1321. the Castle was built and a 100. year after both the Town and the Cathedrall Church were both burnt down by those of Dort who took it after a long siege It belongs now to the Prince of Orange having often chang'd Masters by the chance of War There is taken before it great quantities of Salmon but I have heard a Citizen relate that in the time of the War their Fishing fail'd because of the great noise of the Canonadoes that frighted all the Fish away To go from Gertrudenbergue by land to Clundert you must leave Breda on the left hand and pass by Sevenberg a Lordship which depends on Brabant Clundert has eight Bastions and some Ravelins and was first wall'd by Prince William the first whose it was and since fortified It has a fine Church and good Bells Willemstradt is hard by a Town which bears the name of its founder It has seven Bastions a double Ditch and a fair Harbour It has Brabant on the South and Zeeland on the North which seems to communicate to it something of the courseness of its Air for here are bred Feavers very hard to be cur'd insomuch as those that have them seem as if they were bewitched The Citizens of Leyden can testifie it to their cost for many of them were in Garrison there in the War time and when they came home some died some lingred a great while and in all I know not above three that scap'd being very sick I have spoke of these little Towns only for their Fortifications let us now see the Islands that are over against Zeeland The first is Overslac you must land at Olâ—rens Plact a Village where the Fleet of Shallops was to have landed 1631. In the said Island which is very fertile in Corn is a fair Village call'd Sommerdiâ—ke the Lord of which was Governor of Nimmegue At the end of this Island is another in which is the Town of Gouree the Harbour of which is now stop'd up with Sand. Between Gouree and Helwetsluys there is a great depth of Water where the greatest Ships may ride Now we are come to the Island of Vorne the chiefest place of which is the Briel then Geervliet where there was a Colledge of Canons and Huervliet a fine place belonging to Mr. de Kerchove high Huntsman of Holland The rest of this Island which ends at Dort is call'd Beyerland and the other part Stryac where there are many rich Villages the best of which is Isselmond CHAP. XVIII Of the Towns that are in Goylant near the South-Sea WE have seen the borders of this Province towards Gueldres Utrect Brabant and Zeland we have now a journey to take South-East before we go directly North to see three small Towns From Amsterdam you go by Sea to Naerden the chief Town of Goylant It has been destroyed and then built up again the old foundations are yet to be seen in the South-Sea when a certain Winde blows and drives out the Sea The Citizens of this place acquir'd great reputation by taking that Traytor Gerrard de Velsen who was carrying the Earl Florent prisoner into England In the year 1355. the second Town was built and adorn'd with priviledges by the Duke William of Bavaria In 1481. they of Utrect having given the Hollanders a great overthrow surprized the Town of Naerden by an ingenious stratagem for they dress'd a good number of young Souldiers like Countreywomen going to Market who being let in seized a Gate of the Town and gave entrance to the enemies the Citizens redeem'd themselves from fire and sword by a great summe of money But a little after they were reveng'd for falling upon the Bishoprick they kill'd 1500. of their enemies upon the spot and in memory of that advantage built a high Tower with this Inscription Utrect hold thy peace In 1486. the said Town was almost all burnt down and this misfortune seem'd to be a fore-runner of that which befell them about a 100. years after for Frederick Son to the Duke of Alva having taken Zutpheen fell upon Naerden The Citizens not expecting so sudden an alarm were not so provident as to send Embassadors to mediate for them but seeing the Army at their Gates surrender'd their Town into the victors hands and trusted to his discretion and mercy but he participating much of the cruell humor of his Father commanded all the Inhabitants to be assembled in the publick Market-place and there sent them Monks to confess them and pronounce to them their sentence of death The poor creatures who thought to have heard their pardon proclaim'd were immediately set upon by some Regiments and cruelly slaughter'd This barbarous execution brought so great an odium upon the Spaniards that it made the people of Leyden rather resolve to starve than yeeld to the mercy of so cruell a Nation That which is most remarkable too is that they were most of them Catholicks and I think it is from thence that comes that deriding Proverb in Holland Art thou a Catholick that is good for thy soul. Mude is hard by Naerden upon the River Veckt and at the mouth of the South-Sea It is a little Town which has a very ancient Castle in which was kept prisoner the Count Florent Hard by is Wesop upon the same River famous for its good Beer whereof much is brought to Leyden where it is call'd for its excellency the Flemmings Physick All the Countrey from Amsterdam taking by Voerden to Leyden shut in by the Sea of Harlem is very low it is all Meadow or Turf-ground as also between Leyden Goude and Rotterdam there are digg'd great quantities of Turfs nay the Earth is so cut in many places that it is inaccessible otherwise than by Boat which is a Subject of great admiration to Strangers The Boats that go in the night-time from Leyderdorp to Amsterdam pass through the Lake of Brassmermeere and stay about two hours at a Village call'd Bilderdam then in the morning they arrive at another call'd Ouderkerk which is a league from Amsterdam There are Waggons that go by land and it is particularly the Earth of this Countrey that is observ'd to tremble and quake When it has rain'd the wayes are all drown'd and become like a Marsh.