or lust That it was not possible for the Vnited States to enter into Articles with that Enemy whom they were forced to abandon and renounce for their King and indeed such Covenants would not be called a peace but a yielding The malice of that Tyrannizing people is implacable and there is no question to be made how he would use his power is peace who stretcheth it so in time of War That time and the â—icissitude of Affairs would bring many things to passe which were but vain to hope for at present But how should they ever give credit to him who thought it lawful to set to sale the Heads of his most merited Enemies That they would not rip up old sores or 〈◊〉 into President former transactions since all men remembred his Father the Prince of Aurange and himself When Liesveldt acknowledging himself to owe the Prince of Aurange all Honour and respect began further to say that is performance of Netherlandish Lords to him neither they 〈◊〉 the Spaniards were consenting to those Counsels The Prince forewarned of his intent putting his hand into Liesveldts bosom he pulled out the Writings whereby Fontayne gave him license to come thus by an evident demonstration confuting specious words Thus the Embassey was dismissed because they had not power of treating unless in the Kings Name This form of new answer was variously descanted upon not onely by the Tongues of the vulgar but of the more prudent sort part of whom got both Honour and Wealth by the War and the other part wished for peace onely because they earnestly desired it The Spaniards and such as followed them thought it was a sufficient offence against the Majesty of the King if he to whom the care was committed since these disastors sitting at the Helm were called to treat upon their own accounts should pardon them What was the Event say they of such Embassies to the Union but onely to make them more intollerably proud for having but from mean success gotten courage they take the confidence not onely themselves to shake off all Reverence and Obedience but they instruct other Provinces to do the like to enter into Treaties and do any thing without the King yes they should go again and hear the rebellious Hollanders proposing Laws whereby they would make themselves Conquerours of King Philip And if it were hitherto doubted yet now certainly it was manifest that they despised nay hated Peace And according to the Example of Switzerland waiting if any others would throw off their Allegiance to their Princeâ— Government that they might grasp within their own fifts There is but one kind of peace to be had with them and that they must be compelled and beaten into by Arms and certainly that would not be long about if the Netherlanders have no less courage for duty and obedience then is in the Union to maintain the contrary But others and they of the moderator sort would by no means that peace so far promâ—â—ed should now be lost for what marvel is it say they if the Hollanders had rather yield to the rest of their Brethren of the Netherlands than the King whom they conscious to themselves of their guilt towards him dreads as a terrible revenger That nothing was demanded contrary to Religion or Soveraignty and the very particular concerning forreign Souldiers was consonant to the desires of all and is well advantagious to the War as necessary for the Peace That the Embassadors might be appointed and instructed by the Kings Order whose name soever was used in the sending them and that the Netherlanders Fidelity was not so untryed as to suppose they would annihilate that Power by Articles for which they had so long maintained a War That the Prince might far better connive at and bear many things then absolutely grant them And if at last expectation was not answered it was lawful for the King to recede a little from the extremity of right for publick advantage That be ought to cast an Eye of pitty upon their misery and how many people lay even at the last gasp ready to expire That the fortune of the War had been various which had been waged on this side by doing on the other by suffering damage Out Enemies have Pastures Manufactures and the Fishing-Trade to maintain their vast number And besides whit is infinitely more then that not onely Rivers and great floods besides their efflux and return thither as to their Head but the boundless Ocean is traversed for advantage Hence is that multitude of strangers and that whole Nations are included with their narrow bounds They who rightly know them say 't is necessary for them to have War But on the other side of the Hispaniolized Netherlands are robbed of the Stock of their Fields have a dry shore and dangerous to Shipping yet are their burdens and the scarcity of all things hardly to be remedied or made amends for by any gain Moreover all places are made wast and exhausted and whatever remains is never free from discords and trouble It might be disputed indeed whether Peace can be made the same needs not be questioned as to War At last after all this there was another fear added lest the People of the United Provinces vexed with the endless toyl of their miseries should choose a new Prince wherein 't was uncertain whether they would admit a forreign Power or content themselves with the Vertues and Valour of some Domestick there was yet some hope that a vacancy in the Common-wealth should not be admitted but if they once pitched upon a Prince the War would either be inexplicable or peace if ever gotten attained with loss and infamy In these varieties of Judgment and Discourses some there were that applauded a Truce averring That the Hollander's Affairs stood hither too upright by their Vnanimity and Concord and that their Concord was supported by Fear These being once removed the Vices of Equality would quickly succeed and Emulation of Cities which they could hardly restrain even among all the dangers of War In the interim with people covetous of Wealth there must be a Traffick of Minds and the great ones being corrupted the Commons according to their Nature beginning once to love would quickly cease to hate Neither would they be willingly brought under the Burthen and Hazards of Warre again if they were but once mollified by the immunity of some smal time of peace In brief the Word would quickly pass for Kings The Hollanders being thus brought under among whom is the chief strength Councel and obstinacy It will be easte for Philip to determine in what manner to order his Forces against the laceâ—ated and torn Body of France and the Womanlike Kingdom of Britaine when that should onely support the War with consumed Wealth and this fight only for fear This Counsel was confirmed by Lipsius with many examples out of antient History However Taxis believeâ— the greatest damage would accrue to the Netherlands under the
Companies of men fly about the Streets of the City like Conquerours crying out The Mass used in the Roman Religion is holy for this was the Signall of the Combination when the Townsmen running from their Tables for they were at dinner take their Arms against this sudden tumult the first that went out meeting the Valoysians Body to Body hindered their endeavour of passing further And in a moment more and more gathering together on every side fighting in defence of their Families and Fortunes with notable Courage and Concord they beat all that entred into the City back to the Port whereat they came in There was a horrible slaughter for in that straight they stopped out and hindred the living and those that sled could not escape their pursuers But Valois himself when he understood the infamous madness of his undertaking by the Event made with shame and terrour of Conscience and wanting all things with as many of his Forces as he could get together among many hazards of his life and the grievous loss of what belonged to him he sled by the marshes of the Fields beyond the River Dila This notorious and apparent injury most vehemently incensed the minds of many who before were no lovers of the name of France Nor did Parma and the Netherlanders that were with him omit by Letters to terrifie them laying before them their abominable defection and Revolt and to the oppressions of their new Government were more grievous than of that they shook off saying further that they must bear with the dispositions of their Superiours for a people could be safe that rebelled among so many Kingdoms But if now from this sad experience they would return to their obedience he offered them not onely equall as just Laws but also the Kings mercy and Pardon The Prince of Aurange was sensible that this time of appeasing this â—â—chief was too fit to be laid hold on for the Spanish Affairs and therefore though his Counsel had once proved unfortunate whereby he had lost the main part of his power the Peoples favour yet being asked his Opinion he declares the same with many acknowledgements of error to ave envy the more easily If the Common-wealth could by its own meanes be governed with the same unanimity as the King there would be â— dispute but that we might very well be without the Government of a single Person especially if he be a Forraigne Neither is it now to be enquired after if it be lawfull to desert him who first violated all publick Rights and Law it self of which there was so great care taken by Covenance and pact but they were to minde and observe his strength 'T is truth he hath no great Army but there were in â— to wit the Dukes Possession severall strong and well fortified Cities And the Netherlanders were now to advise whether they had rather continue their Possession to themselves or necessitate their delivery to the Enemy That it was much more convenient since they were by both abused that they should be in the French than the Spanish power for the Spaniards Dominion being well knit together by age would always find Instruments to oppress and enslave them where as the French if they should endeavour such a thing were not able to fit themselves with properties to serve their designs It were better therefore and more safe to assay and try the French who having been once taken tardy will never hereafter seek such an opportunity or if they should would never have impudence enough or courage to put it into action They ought alternately to weigh that in lieu of his own offence the Duke hath done them many kindnesses and to remember that for the last years his single care and pains had both defended their Cities and frustrated the Enemies designs That thus they would not onely revive but altogether such unity as their Warre required if Valois remembred his offence and they forgot it This Speech was seconded by others excusing the imprudence and rashness of Youth adding withall that it may be the greatness of his minde being sprung of Royall Blood and never made stoop to the humility of obedience and perchance too incensed by some contumacious persons he had taken that unfortunate way not with intent to kill and plunder but as their wickedness and mischievous Counsel informed him onely to secure his power and greatness And the King of France had with his promises and some implicite threats commended his Brother herein That therefore the Duke was to be treated with to restore the Towns he had in his power and to withdraw to Dunkirk whither the rest of his men who compounded for the other Towns they had should come to him In the Interim after many and long delayes and while he disputes the restitution of the Towns and Provisions begun to sail the Netherlandish Souldiers that were with him for fear of the multiude who mindful yet of their late danger doubted newer and greater matters and were scarcely satisfied Biron is sent thither Generall of an Army of French to stop the Duke of Parma's Carreer who then by the taking of some Towns had mightily infested and did over-run Brabant But yet the Warre did not go on as it should in his hand who with much adoe was drawn to a kind of Treaty Valois of his own accord finding fault that he had onely the bare name of a Prince that the account and disposall of monies and all other great affairs were concealed from him so that he was not able to gratifie any person And it was no wonder if after the examples of so many others who had been called in by the Netherlanders to assist them and they had found sad experiments of changed desires they had found him who long continuing in suspence concerning it would now depend upon the beck of another but he chiefly and with much regret insisted upon this That they denyed to him onely what was allowed to all other Princes namely that out of the Senate he might have a domestick Councel The use of which Custom John Bodin their Master of Requests had praysed above all others he being a man whose wisdom and affection was well known by his Writing but on the other side the Netherlanders feared nothing so much also the French offered somewhat in favour of the Roman Religion Among all these Disputes Valois being well nigh shut up in Dunkirk when now a new affliction was added to renew his old grief multitudes dying in the Town by sickness he goes thence into France either that he might refresh himself by the change of Ayr or which is most probable that he might recover his Brothers favour between whom yet remained some Seeds of discontent Certainly this Journey was made onely for a time And the Netherlanders as long as he lived never left off sending to him Embâ—ssies to intreat him to send ayd to Flanders in a staggering condition Earnestly beseeching the King also that he publickly would
seek by all means to save himself Nor did Parma omit as having knowledge of the former Actions and provident to prevent the like in time to come to build a Castle that might bridle and keep under the unruliness of the City And now all Flanders being Reduced under his Command save onely Ostend and Scluys two Sea-Port Towns he forwards the increase of Provisions and to ease the Passage of all Souldiers coming thence or going thither he digged a deep Ditch to that part of the Bank where he had pitched his Tents Among all these things those who had the Care of Government in Antwerp implored the Aid of their Allies set new Taxes and raised Souldiers daily both in England and the Netherlands and certainly the Besieged had not like plenty of any thing for besides Sea-men there were Fourscore full Companies of Foot and Sixteen Troops of Horse that defended Brabant But the Senators Magistrates Captains and other Superiour Military Officers too great a Number to Rule well distracted the unseâ—led Government of the City And this Mischief was so much the more pernicious in that the letting in of the Waters and other things necessary to be done for the publick Advantage were hindred and gain-said for fear forsooth of private Dammage The Neighbours who were not so nearly concerned in the danger of the City looking one upon another let slip the Opportunity of relieving the same while yet the Enemy was unsetled and not warm in his Seat When they were at the utmost pinch of Extremity then too late they pleased to be prodigal both of Wealth and Life when it could not advantage any one Truly the vain Expectation of Forreign Aid did chiefly frustrate the Counsels of the Netherlanders who were now driven to such a strait that they would have subjected themselves to other Kingdoms but could not be accepted The King of Spain's Forces were in a short time mightily increased and if he should recover the Netherlands â— should be eased of the Toil and Charge of War they would become Formidable to all near and about them Neither was there now a Prince of Aurange to support them 〈◊〉 fainting under the Burthers or to erect and stir up their Courages quite tyred out with Slaughters unto a hope â— better Times by his own Prudence and Constancy of Miâ—â— For in truth he was of so mild a Nature and withall â— popular that he never seemed to be grateful enough to and for his Liberty and Honour nor would he hide Vices the were fit to be spoken of Above all things he avoided the Suspition of Covetousness for which most did esteem hâ— Judiciously many customarily a person admirable and worthy the highest Honour and Respect in regard of his Age Stock of Nobility and Experience He being gone â— Obedience vanished so that it could not be restored without the main Pillar of Forreign Aid to support it For the Common People did not onely begin to contemn the Authority of the Lords eminent by no powerful Resulgency and lately decayed by so many unfortunate Actions but the Souldiers also grew Refractory to Command and had lost their wonted Diligence and Duty towards their Leaders Aâ—â—â— all which Mischances a ready Way was opened to the Pameneian Subtilty to cover the Slavery he intended under very specious Names Wherefore now Affairs being as it were utterly desperate both the King of France and the Queen of England sent to them such as should not onely condole with them for the Loss of the Prince of Aurange their Captain but should likewise comfort them concerning the Sorrow and Mishap of their other Businesses And this was a Noble Argument that the Neighbour Princes though they would sometimes leave off to Aid the Hollanders with their Wealth and Constancy yet they would not utterly forfiâ—â— them in time of danger But it was much disputed of their two which they should choose for their Defender for the bated Rule and Dominion of the French was freshly remembred in Italy and the Lordly domineering of the English was not forgotten in France and Ireland tasted thereof to this day Among these the People being called to Counsel they are very sparing in imposing and granting Subsidies for there the Laws are of great force and the Monarchical Power is not unlimited But with the French all their Customs are corrupted for mony and he that desires to serve his Country must buy the Employment at a great price The English love hardship and their Laws are very pinching upon words yet no sooner are evills taken care for either to be prevented or removed but immediately by little and little the same is balked by example But the English Religion was the same with theirs which in France by cruel and persidious dealings was laboured to be torn in pieces or utterly extinguished yet on the contrary there were some hopes from the Family of Burbon that valiantly defended that Religion which they professed out these were suddenly dashed in the consideration of the ambiguity of succession there among the pretenders whereto was the Queen of Scots that was wholly devoted to Rome and Spain Thus were present Affairs scanned and the events of future danger rationally deliberated The French prepared a great Power almost equall to that of the Enemy the English raised but small Forces but they were for Sea-service France is preferred but by the voluntary perswasions of the English who confessing themselves the weaker party offered onely necessary ayd in extremity and received their Pledges Thus the necessity of the times prevailed to the forgetting or at least the laying aside those old animosities which had lately been brought freshly into memory by the Duke of Anjou And hence a great Secret was publickly discovered to the World to wit That the Netherlanders could be subject to a Lord but would not bow to the Spaniards 〈◊〉 the demands and particulars were by many degrees more moderate and reasonable then those whereto Francis of Valâ— was formerly obliged and whatsoever their Legates had of private instructions they quickly declared for fear of offence There were taken away also from those things what made their liberty seem hated to wit That it might be lawful for the States to meet without the Kings Command That the Senate should consist all of the Netherlanders That the Governours and Magistrates should be chosen out of those that unnamed and that in conferring and bestowing of all Hoâ—â—â— great respect should be had to those of that Religion which â—â— then onely received in all those parts But some of the Province would not consent to the obliterating of those things After many tedious Disputes of these things and longer Consultations than the necessity of Affairs would bear at present 〈◊〉 lesse against the Kings will than the Netherlanders it was agreed that though they were not as then joyned against the Spaniard now approaching yet they should by one another help settle and confirm their Affairs and States King Henry seemed
Philip took Care for his Daughter to whom he was about to give the Low-Countries as also for the Duke of Savoy Hereupon Areschot Mendosa and Aremberg went into France and Mareschal Biron was sent by the King to Bruxels to see Albertus take the Oath where the impotent Mind and Spirit of that great Souldier which was always beyond his Fortune was said to be corrupted into Treachery which afterwards more clearly appear'd All Things on both sides being thus done for the conclusion of the Peace which yet was repined at by some whose Valour and Hopes was nourished by other Mens Evils but all the Commons rejoyced at it not so much for that hereby much Christian Blood would be saved as for that the Law was restored to its power by which they should with security enjoy their Possessions reap the Rents and profits of their Lands and the Ways be all open for free Trading Then was the first day that France could boast of a solid Peace after it had been for 36 Years wasted with War and bathed in her own Blood then was restored to this most antient Kingdom its pristine Face of Beauty and all by the King's Care that the Governours and Magistrates being reduced to Order himself growing powerful by the Excuse of the Catholikes in regard of the Times that he might by Fear or Force compel the Professors of another Religion when in the interim the Netherlanders were left in Arms that they might not onely lose the Hopes of Peace but any interval or solace from their Neighbour's sufferings Yet the King sent back Mounsieur Buzanvale to the Hollanders by which Witness of his Friendship and secret Converse he might confirm his Peace even while there continued by publike Declaration a Forein War The business of France thus finish'd there was no less Experiment of Princely Alliance received out of England by the earnest Desire of Qu. Elizabeth which being related to the States by Sir Francis Vere when at the same time other Embassadors were sent to Albertus as if she would seem still to retain the hopes of Peace of which she said This had been the onely Delay hitherto that she desired to lay down Arms with the same Colleagues for whom at first she took them up And that nothing could be now demanded of her by the Hollanders but onely Right they having given the first cause of War it was necessary if it might be that an end should be put to it by them but if not that for the future they should give their Reasons for the continuance of it And certainly it would be a sufficient Cause for all Princes to envy and hate them that they have been and are the onely Obstructers of the Peace of Europe But God she hoped would not suffer that being deluded by ingrateful Determinations she should be a Pattern to Princes to abstain from helping such a People who bear no Reverence to their Superiours nor take care for Advantage Reputation or Safety of any but themselves The States now thought themselves at one blow almost overwhelmed both for their former and future Charge yet that the Name of an Alliance with England was of such benefit to them that they would submit to such Conditions as the Queen of England being their Superiour in strength would lay upon them Wherefore sending them who had been employ'd in both the former Embassies together with Andrew Ascel who had private Instructions which gave him power of Treating concerning the Monies due to her and concluding about the same even to the Sum of a Hundred Thousand Florens At this time there were divers occasions offer'd themselves to the Queen who already pretended great Fears whereby she was disswaded from War For James King of Scotland of whom Queen Elizabeth made no mention secretly claiming the Inheritance of the Crown Of England did not think himself able enough thereto unless he were supported by some Forein Help Not did there want some who pretending to have found some Letters written by King James that came to the Pope raised from thence great Hatred and Jealousies Moreover the Lord Burghley being grown very weak through Age and Diseases Beseeched her as she loved God to have regard to his dying Words whereby he advised Her That she would give Credit to him now going out of the World that she would without an inforcement of Necessity consult the good of her Kingdom and by the making of Peace in Earth merit the everlasting Peace of Heaven Nor did he omit to declare to her her ill Fortune in America and the fear that was conceived of the Irish Affairs affirming That the Belgick Wars were never to be ended by Conquest As soon as this man was dead and Essex for the avoiding of Envy declined to come to the Council-Table the Court soon appear'd empty of Care and Counsel in Defence of its own Right Whereto the States Embassadours being often admitted they excused themselves by reason of the Times for their not paying of the Queens old Debt due from them professing That as to what related to the Spanish Negotiation they did not intercede whereby the English if they pleased should be hindred more than the Dutch from making use of the Name of any People being in Peace unless they believed it more profitable to compass what they desire by Arms than by Commerce or Trading Neither did they desire but that the League made 18 years before when the Troubles of Antwerp affrighted the English no less than the Hollander yet never faithfully observed should so long after be changed into another form that it might now bind all those which before thought themselves free from the performance thereof Sometime was spent in debating and setling the Sum of the Debt for that the Engish reckon'd their Musters of Men and their Transportation and Wages too high while the other side averred those Musters to be untrue maintaining withall That several Naval Expeditions of the English had cost the Hollanders more than all the Money they ever borrow'd would make a Compensation for At last after Cautions entred it was agreed to the Sum of Fourscore Hundred Thousand Florens The one part of which should be paid by Three Hundred Thousand Florens Yearly during the War And at the end of the War if ought remain'd behind it should be paid by Twenty Thousand Florens Yearly The other moiety should be peaceably appointed when there was a Peace concluded and payment thereof made upon the Surrender of the cautionary Towns In the interim the English should continue their Garrisons therein to the number of One Thousand a hundred and fifty By this Reckoning also the States were to pay every Three Moneths Five Thousand and a Hundred Florens to the said Garrisons besides all other Necessaries fitting for the Souldiers And for the future the Queen's Promise of sending hem more Aid was remitted The English that were in the States Service already or hereafter should be Listed for their Service
out went their Companions who either partly refused or at best were very slow in following the Example The Zelanders chiefly refused to advance their proper Charge by reason of some new or late Losses and among those beyond the Rhine there were used many Evasive Circumlocutions while part study rather the Peoples Favour than the Publike Good and applaud those Impositions which they hoped would be easie for themselvs though they fell heavy upon their Neighbors Others there were who would not be silent when others being quiet they had all the Care of the Commonwealth although the Hollanders winked at it except it were seriously debated in Common-Council they would leave the Care of the out-lying Parts looking onely to their own nearer Necessities and the possession of the Sea Some Comfort was received from the German Princes who as yet having a Suspition and Jealousie of the Spaniard offer'd them continual Aid and Money The Count Palatine excited the rest of his Allies of the same Religion both by Words and Example Shewing to every one of them what Alva had done of old and what Mendosa now and that the Hollanders could not bâ— overcâ—me without the destruction of their Neighbours but if they flourished they would be a great help to many to this for the Defence of Prussia to these of the Possession of the Dutchy of Cleves and to all against the Bishop of Rome and his Followers by whose cruel Hatred and Faction all are oppressed But all this was little hearkned to for the Duke of Brunswic converted his Arms against a City that had assumed too great a Liberty the rest acknowledging themselves unable to maintain the War But Charls Duke of Sudermannia Uncle of Sigismund King of Poland who taking little Care of his Antient People of Sweden and for his earnest Affection against the Romane Religion suspected of Innovation first opposed him in Arms and afterwards in a Publike Assembly when the Kingdom was taken away from him a long time shunning the Name of a King yet usurping the Authority by other Titles when he voluntarily desired the Alliance of the States because he desired some present help and that his hopes were uncertain his Kingdom poor and Forces far distant he was for a time put off with Delays yet because it was an offer'd Friendship it was accepted because he seem'd as it were to fight for Religion making an Excuse That some Holland Ships without any Publike Command had given Aid to Sigismund The Ninth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES THE New Year which closed up a Century as it produced immediatly great Events so it did seem to portend great Changes of Affairs for a long time The Affairs of the Netherlanders under the Princes were in a bad Condition and full of Trouble and so wasted as was hardly to be seen in other places But the Goodness of the Princes as New They in Authority being present and the very greatness of the Distemper hastned to apply Remedies The United States to whom but newly redeem'd from Servitude was accrewed an Ample Dominion made all their Dangers to be but stricter Bonds to connect them being deliver'd by successful Arms although they had since that been reduc'd to no small Necessity out of their Old Discipline retrain'd their Courage against their Enemy but not equally their Concord and Modesty On both Sides then were great and strong Endeavours while for above the space of Thirty Years they contended to put an end to their Labour with which hope they have prosusely wasted their Forces even to Extremity as if Victory had stood before their Eyes promising Reward to them that could hold our longest And first of all the Winter being Frosty the Hollanders escaped great danger by reason the Rivers were all passable upon the Ice from the Enemies seditious Mutinies which they turn'd to their Advantage For Lewis of Nassau marching with great privacy out with a select Party of Horse and Foot broke into Wachtendone a Town not far from the Borders of the Dutchy of Cleves formerly taken by Count Mansfeldt after a Two Moneths Siege when the Duke of Parma had drawn the States Forces another way The Horse which had lately been added to that Garrison for the preserving thereof were then by chance absent forraging about the Borders of the Bishoprick of Colen yet there were theâ—ein 800 Souldiers but the Ice of the Trenches was not broke and the Situation of the Town far from an Enemy and among Cities associated in Frienship made them more secure than usual Therefore a few seizing the Rampire with a small slaughter they open'd the Gates to the rest Then Geleno both Lord and Governour of the Town fled with some few into the Castle in hope of Aid which he had sent to intreat and there endur'd the Terrour both of Granadoes and Bullets thundred upon him until Lewis his whole Party approached and brought Scaling Ladders to the Works and yet some resisted and among them a Woman well grown in Years not without the hazard and Wounds of those that opposed them But at last overcome by Multitude they yielded this place which was not of a contemptible Situation among the Marishes and then was full of good Booty because many of the Boors had betook hither Themselves and their Wealth because the War raged all about those parts After a few days the Souldiers brought in sufficient of all Things both as to Victuals and Defence Among the French that fought for the Hollanders was one Breautee a Gentleman of good Birth and Bloud in Normandy who vaunting in his Youth had challeng'd to fight 20 of Grebendoncks Troop the chief of whom were infamous for the Treacherous Delivery of Gertruydenberg and therefore certainly this was an unbeseeming Contest for a Person of Honour Each of them with an equal Number came out into a Field not far from Shertogenbosch the Grobbendonkians being better Armed but Breautee more exact in his place and order At the first Charge Breautee kill'd the Enemies Leader who was named Abraham but was known in the Camp by the Nick-name of Cook and so sharp was the Fight and the Shot directed so rightly opposite that in the first Conflict on both Sides the one half of the Contenders fell but by the flight of the French whose Courage began to fail in the continuance of the Danger Breautee being left alone having oftentimes changed his Horse and afterwards fighting on foot at last overpressed with a multitude of Enemies yielded himself The French affirm he articled for his Life against which the Brab under say That by Agreement the Conquered were to expect nothing but Death But certainly being Prisoner he had prevail'd much when some sent out of the City kill'd him with 30 Wounds while he onely begg'd they would let him dye Armed and like a Man A Wickedness fit onely to be committed by such ignominious Persons and yet a good Lesson for magnanimous Youth That they should not
he requires the Hollanders not to prohibit the Britans to come out of the Sea into the Scheld to pass to Antwerp paying Customes equal to their Subjects But they excused it by shewing that they had good reason for their Decree that none should goe to the Enemy unless they first changed their Ships that so they might the more certainly have knowledge of all things Nor ought he to take it ill that they imposed Laws upon a River within their own Jurisdiction when the Spaniards durst deny the passage of the Seas even to their friends And so that he might convert the English who were accused as infamous for Piracy to innocent gain he forbad any to fight at Sea under a forein command but conniving at any that went hither or thither to a land Warre By another Edict the Jesuites and all other Ecclesiastical persons that received not sacred Orders according to the custome of the Kingdome of Britain were banished thence setting out for cause that that sort of men taught that the Pope might absolve Subjects from their obedience to Kings of another Religion then which there is not any opinion more dangerous to Government But at the same time the same Jesuites were restored in France upon some conditions from whence they had formerly been banished when by their instructions a young man fought to murther the King But now the monument was destroyed which kept the memory of that fact fresh together with the Jesuites infamy the Parliament of Paris crying out that by that one work the authority of the most honourable Order and the security of France were subverted together But the King with his own great danger as many ominously feared unterrified merely to gratifie the Pope admitted and favoured these stout defenders of his power Between this King and the Spaniard arose some new causes of hatred upon old discontents Monsieur Villeroy a person highly entrusted and favoured by King Henry had a servant named Hostius whose industry and ingenuity himself being much imployed otherwise he used in the decyphering and reading of Letters and private Characters This man being hired gave intelligence of all the greatest affairs of State to one Monsieur Raffee a French-man but banished and living in Spain who discovered them to King Philip's Counsellors by which having such insight into all the private counsels of France it was easie for them to guess at all things else Some things also being discovered to the King of Britain had ingendred animosities and jealousies This Treason being detected by Raffee Hostius first by flight and afterwards by a sudden death prevented further inquisition There was also at this time another matter stirred up by a Woman which was this Henrica the daughter of Monsieur Interaque was esteemed among the first for her beauty and pleasantness of wit wherewith the King being allured to whom there was hardly any other crime to be objected then these loose Affections the better to compass the end of his unlawful desires had promised her marriage if she bare him a Son and this promise he confirmed to her by writing After Medices was preferred before her in marriage she was compelled to pacifie the Queen to deliver up this writing of the King 's Whereupon dissembling higher designs under the pretence of solitude and Religion she aimed to compass forein wealth wherewith she might secure her Son against the Queen's anger and malice and not onely so as she publickly declared and as others interpreted it but also that he might therewith assert his right and claim to the Kingdome The King of Britain refused to give any ear to them for the disturbance of another's Kingdome but the Spaniard approved her cause and promised largely to assist her therein When these things first became known the Lady her self her Father and Brother the Count of Auvergne were taken but King Henry pardoned them acknowledging his own misdemeanour in their crime But Philip fearing lest Henry enraged with these things should from thence take a cause to make Warre he ended the quarrel begun about the Customes which he had lately raised by Edict and turning his fury against the Hollanders commanded all of that Nation to depart out of his Dominions and all Merchandise afterwards brought in to be forfeited This year was celebrated in the Netherlands a solemn Funeral pomp for Count Peter Mansfelde who for fourty years had faithfully served the Spaniard in the highest Commands being then President of Lutzenburg who though all his life conversant in Warre had yet by rare fortune lived even to the extremity of old age And among the Hollanders died Lewis of Nassau being but a young man yet emulous of the glory of his Ancestors and in whom there appeared great hopes of a noble and circumspect Vertue The Fourteenth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES THE charges of the now superannuated Warre increasing every year and that great demonstration of their equal Forces appearing at Ostend restored to some that hope which they had a long time laid aside to wit that the extreme fury of the Warre would at length conclude in a Peace hence every one as their hopes or desires led them delivered their opinions both in discourses and Books Such of the Netherlanders as affected the Austrian Government believed and so said having great emulation to the Cities of Holland and malicious inclinations that they would fall under the weight of that Greatness they had drawn upon themselves or else would become a prey to forein Princes unless they returned to their old obedience whereof for so many ages they had had experience onely with these additions to the old Laws That the Netherlandish Government should not revolve to the Spaniard That the right of Commerce should be free and indefinite That Religion should not be forcibly or with punishments urged in hope of making a more united Concord That as well the forein Souldiers as that plague of mankinde the Jesuites faction should be expelled That the chief honours should remain in the Citizens and all affairs of greatest concernment should be handled in the General Councel of the Provinces which liberty would continue more substantial if it were used with moderation On the other side some in France persuaded the Netherlanders to separate themselves from the House of Austria That the name of Archduke was but a vanity without power without authority his Forces being consumed by the Enemy his Authority swallowed or devoured by the Spaniard and when the Netherlands should be exhausted and Spain impoverished what hopes had they of protracting the Warre certainly onely this one the wealth of the Indies which also in time would fail them and become a propriety to him that is most prevalent at Sea That the twenty several Mutinies and Seditions of the Souldiers have made Albertus his Government infamous and if while those jealousies and hatreds encreased among them the French should have stirred they might have lain upon the Country and
be re-united Besides the Indian Ships are fit and ready for War whereof some are always at home â—it for suddain Service and without any publick charge would be a publick Fleet But what would the Spanish Fleet nothing but at pleasure take booty from their Enemies Let the gain thereof here be shared with their Enemy and let him there also partake of their most plentiful advantage and by that meanes the Spanish Wealth now too great to let the World enjoy peace will be lessened And that it may be the better discerned what ought to be denyed to King PHILIP it is to be observed what he most earnestly demands which may be imagined the cause of his desiring peace Those antient LORDS of that poor Kingdom are beholding to India and America for the great raising of their Fortune which at this time hath made them so proud as to despise Kings for herein is concerned the cause of most neighbour Princes to whom by the loss of the Sea the Hollander would be of no use If we look upon the Enemy aright we shall find him bend all his endeavours thither that he may be able to do injuries when and where he pleaseth The Hollanders labour for this only that they may not be compelled to suffer If either Justice or power be sought they have on their side all Laws both Divine and Humane who have given to all a right of Navigation and Merchandise as Nature hath disposed to all an equal share both of Ayr and Earth Although before the Wars the Hollanders did not sail to the Indies yet that they had a right and might have done it nor can the longest possession prevail against the Authority of the Law of Nations They that would shut up the Sea and challenge Merchandise to themselves alone what other thing do they then Pyrates and Ingroffers of Provision Antiquity averred Arms to be justly taken up against them who excluded any from their Harbors how much more then against them who would drive them from the Ports belonging to others Peace without Trade is not Peace but a perpetual hostility where the right of Defence is utterly taken away And now the hitherto unspotted fidelity of the Hollanders could not be sullyed by a more no able example then if they should leave and betray the Indian Kings and People confederate with them to the Spanish cruelty If the Spaniards resolve to perform what shall be agreed on let the business now be perfected as it will be when the Hollanders are declared Free and when they have agreed then that each shall quietly enjoy what at the present he shall possess for nothing ought to be limited to Freemen and Traffick admitted in all places whereof they have Possession But that they should set so high an esteem upon Philip for yielding up a part of his Dominion there was little reason truly for the same since it was not a gift but a confession of the truth without which there was no hopes of concord It were more honourable for him to give or take Peace then while his Affairs succeeded so well to sell it which if he would not believe he should eft-soons experiment it The fruit of forty years bloudshed would be utterly lost and in vain were Arms taken up for Liberty and against that terrible bugbear of Commerce the tenth raised by Alva if now as great a slavery should be voluntarily admitted to and they suffer themselves to be deprived of the greater part of the World by their Enemies which they â—ould never have endured from any Prince These things were urged by them A few on the other side averred That this was private business and ought not to hinder the publick Peace at leastâ—ise that the cause of some Maritime people ought not to be handled alone when the evil of War extended to all Lastly where the Spanish Negotiation was short and safe it â—â—ticed Seamen by their good will to avoid long Voyages which are frequently obnoxious to diseases Upon mature consideration of the matter by the United States these things seemed to them to be just causes why they would not desert and quit the Indies yet that they â—ight not leave any thing untryed for the ending the War after much dispute they offer the Spaniards their choise either that they would make a firm Peace with freedome of Navigation or else according to the example of France and Brittain all beyond the line should be left to the decision of Arms or else to conclude a Peace here and only a Truce â—â—ere But the Spaniards would neither permit that negotiation saying that Peace and War mingled resembled a Prodigy but at last they gave hopes of a Truce in the Indies if when the time thereof was elapsed they would abstain from any further Navigations to those parts But the States that abhorred those conditions revived the Counsels of the American society lately laid aside if perchance they could work upon the Enemy by fear But they quickly understood these were but threats nor indeed did that matter proceed any further while they who were desirous of Peace among the Hollanders were afraid to be severe towards dissenters Without doubt this state of Affairs was very prejudicial to the people of the United Provinces Arms being only forbidden as uncertain whether there should be Peace or War whereupon many of the common people who got their living by War were not apt to apply themselves to any other business and so were afflicted with two evils idleness and penury and therefore the States esteemed it more convenient to hasten the end of the Treaty to this purpose they advised the Spaniards That they should on both sides propose the chief heads of what was to be insisted on They alledged it to be an unusual thing to make new Proposals before the former were concluded yet at length they consented not that they would distinctly and plainly offer the particulars but only the chief points in general and that in obscure tearms for they said there remained yet to be treated of concerning their limits the restitution of goods Forreign commerce money and those immunities which were granted to the English or others in the Netherlands as also of Religion and Neighbouring Princes Being asked when they mentioned Religion since the same was contained in King Philips Letters whether this were their meaning That they which passed up and down should not be infested under pretence of Religion or whether they would prescribe Laws to the Hollanders whereby Divine matters among them should be ordered They answered This was a matter concerning which they would advise with their Prince and after the other things were seâ—led when they came to that they would more clearly procure and produce their determination On the other side the States delivered not a few and those ambiguously contrived but eight and twenty branches or heads contained in plain words such as usual for the confirmation of Peace or taking away the injuries of War
from the League made at Gaunt The Switzers that took Arms for the like Causes laid them down upon a Truce and have now for a long time retained their Liberty being defended by their Foot Souldiers chiefly and the heights of their Mountains And wherein I pray are you less able to defend your selves being so powerful at Sea and having the Ocean for a Guard Some indeed fear lest you should return to your Arms more weak and effeminate for the lives of Princes that favour you say they are uncertain But let them know that the causes of Allyance and Friendship doth not decay with the Kings but remain as immortall as the Kingdoms themselves This is that makes Allyes live and flourish and let this prevail to stir you up not to let slip so reasonable a time to acquire peace This Advice prâ—ceeds from Kings your Friends whose careful providence chiefly ayms at this that you may be safe More might be said to this purpose but I think it prudence to say no more Let every one answer for himself only let not the Authours of the contrary Opinion overcome us in the liberty of saying what they please The next day he sets upon them again their minds being already moved with the former Oration and runs over the principal Heads of the League one by one that he might convince them that there was nothing couched therein either unjust or deceitful and when he had so done added that They were the first of all People to whom that Honour had been granted to confirm their liberty by the Confession of the rejected and abjured Prince The Switzers could not obtain so much nor could the like be forced by the Victorious Danes from their King Christierne though a Captive to them and thereupon he grievously blamed them with accusations of ingratitude and falsity because they had whispered that by the coming of Don Pedro de Toledo into France the King was become averse to the Hollanders Commodity But His Majesties good will to them was more firmly setled then to be changed by the desires of their Enemies or any thing else save the contumely of such as dispersed abroad such falsities Winwood also thought it a part of his duty to commend a Truce to the Senate whereof he himself was a member affirming that his Master the King of Great Britain would not perswade them to any thing but what he himself would give an Example of Those Arms are just that are necessary and those not onely pious Kings but God himself would favour but they are not necessary to which there is a way open to an honourable end If they subsisted by extraordinary succour yet they ought not to refuse the making of a League since both their Religion Liberty and Commerce might be preserved But now it was to far distant to conjecture what would come to passe after a Truce by how much they could not discern the nearer dangers of War It was a wonder to see with what greatness of mind the business was transacted at every Assembly and new Books were daily set forth as it were to sow and foment discords for now they spared neither of the Kings as if the chief of their hopes had consisted in the miseries of the Confederate States But the chief of their envy was vented against Oldenbarneveldt as the Inventor of such things He being grown odious to men of the greatest quality and most eminent degree by his excessive Authority much less could his Equalls endure to see him so far in Honour above them insomuch that there were some Letters found wherein he was not obscurely destined to slaughter Whereupon He in the Assembly of the States of Holland protesting that he had not feared to draw upon himself the malice of the most potent men nor shunned any dangers so as He might serve his Country being fraught with the Solace of a quiet Conscience against all scandalous Rumours and unlucky accidents But when he saw a thing in it self displeasing to him yet nevertheless be aggravated to make him odious He beseeched them that for expediting those things they should see fit in the Common-wealth they would appoint others to officiate that were less hated which said immediately he departed from the Assembly Some of the Lords were sent after him to desire him that he would not in this nice Juncture of time desert the Common-wealth which he had hitherto assisted with his faithful Counsels Hereupon returning to his accustomed charge sometimes extolling the benefits and Authority of the Kings anon explicating and laying open the charge of the War he confirmed such as wavered and refuted them without anger although they were very sharply contradicted and Amsterdam it self a long time resisted at length he brought all Holland to one mind which also five other of the Provinces soon after embraced Only Zeland out of some peculiar Reasons of their own and by the instigation of Prince Maurice resisted the consent of all the rest denying to agree to a Truce nor would suffer the Decree to be revoked urging the words of the Trajectine League that Arms should not be laid down unless by the common consent of all and whatever difference should arise among the Provinces should be left to the decision of the Governours Others were angry and said the Question was not now concerning a Truce but whether Zeland alone should give the Law to all the rest And now the Contest among them growing hot the Embassadors of the Kings interposed endeavouring to drive those by force of Arguments whom they could not lead by perswasion And first Janinus producing to the States King Henrics Letters wherein he ratified whatever they should say or do began to praise the good benefit of Concord then mentioning divers Opinions without frowardness when he came to the Trajectine League he said it belongs not to us to interpret the Laws of other People but yet common Reason teacheth that at this time the Debate was upon a yielding not an indifferent League and it any think otherwise the Law is either to be abrogated or laid aside the Publick Weal so requiring which contains in it the Sanctimony of all Laws for what other event will produce if these do not refuse the decision of the Kings their Allyes more justly than those the determination of the Governours but that upon this Consultation both must needs run into factious parties it remains therefore that the fewer in number should yield to the greater for by this means alone stands the Government of People which otherwise would decay and fall to ruine Thus among the Switzers the Decrees of the greater Party are obeyed by those who contradicted the same But the Acheans and Aetolians though valiant people yet were destroyed by dissention while each of them would not agree to consult with the other for too much liberty is the ready way to Servitude Besides that no man may feed himself with a vain hope I now by Command declare that
lofty pride of Crojac and rapacious dealing of Ceury among whom all things whether temporally honourable or Ecclesiastically Sacred were sold yet not thinking though scarcely by force withhelâ— when they laid down their Command that they had done ought amiss Wherefore by soothing up those that were most powerfull they made a mock of that vain shadow of Empire where Magistracy must either be by the favour or for the good of the People where the Princes can hardly with the most gentle and perswasive blandishments obtain for their most necessary and difficult affairs an inconsiderable pecuniary ayd In vain it is without doubt to talk of the limit of Dominion beyond the Tyrrhene Sea and utmost extents of the main Ocean if the subject must become slaves to their Lords at home Nor yet did they deceive or turn upon those whom their own Country's scarcity and the known modesty of this Nation had drawn into these Netherlands Although the Emperour Charles seriously consulted of the alteration of the State and erecting a Kingdom out of the Cities especially where the Victory at Pavy had in a manner half brought to pass his desire over Flanders and Artoys which by that were totally rent from the French possessions but deterred he was by divers settled Laws and Customs which he durst not abrogate On the other side he would not so make the Spanish Provinces he himself having often averred That if their Pride were joyned with the Dutch Patience they would certainly produce some eminent mischief much blaming his Son who spending his Youth among the Spaniards took no notice of the nature of these people but rather slighted all conveniencies that were offered him for the survey and knowledg of these Regions He was indeed an equal Judge of Vertues and sharer of Honours behaving himself as one and the same Prince to all his People not suffering such daily usurpations here as the Spaniards were free to in their new gained Kingdoms whereat they were troubled endeavouring to be present in these his Netherlands if his Affairs would bear it and it hindred not his taking care for his more immediate necessities He that was heâ—e the Princes Lieutenant had a threefold Classis of Counsellors To the first of whom was the care and managery of Peace and Warr. To the second the distribution of Justice according to Law with the moderation thereof by equity as also the power of judging and determining the publick Controversies of those Regions The third supervised the Treasury and therein took care of the Prince's Wealth or to supply his Necessities That first Councell or Assembly customarily made up of the most noble of the Dutch and eminent and famous for the many great and weighty Affairs there frequently handled we will call by a proper name The Senate To which Philip between the greatness of his Kingdoms and the insinuations of such who flattered the actions of his Youth forming himself to the Spanish Mode and using no other language used to come with an assumed austere gravity few words and eschewing of much company And when his Father had withdrawn himself that he might spend his old age in a private retirement they presently urge him to raise new Imposts in whom the old ambition and thirst of Rule not yet repressed by experiments was such as would scarcely suffer either measure or bounds Nor is it to be doubted but that most beautiful order of Government gave credit to the faith and vertue of the Spaniards How great a desire harboured in the Breasts of Princes to subvert the Law which kept under the violent ebullitions of their power the notable ruines both of Princes and People have left us too many both new and old pregnant examples Of this endeavour and intention of Philip some of the Spaniards themselves were afterwards sensible but the Netherlanders for so for the greater part of them are they to be called being now mastered into obedience but yet not willing to bear an arbitrary Government though they would seem to bear the yoke the better from a long use so that hence were hoped many great and seasonable opportunities against Neighbour Kingdoms both by Sea and Land Nor was there wanting the seeds of future discord for when Philip had undertaken the French Warr invited thereto rather by their Civill Discords than the Peoples will or assistance after many delayes and controvertings a Tax was granted by the States but so as if they had had a power to have denyed it ordaining That the very Collectors Receivers thereof should pay towards the same This was charged upon them as an unaccustomed thing and a crime by them committed against their Liberty which indeed then was but small Hereupon the meeting of the States being interpreted as a Meeting of confederacy was strictly forbidden Nor did the Spaniards doubt to make the offence seem greater some of them â—ffecting honour others minding only rapine which while the Lawes stood they knew would not admit them How necessary it is for wise Princes to keep in possession since by their presence not only the Netherlands formerly but even Spain it self had been kept in good order yet notwithstanding Phillip is perswaded the Peace with France being concluded to take a Journey into Spain or other parts of his Dominions as well because he feared some Troubles in that Kingdom and the encrease of the Turks power at Sea as also because he should be nearer to take a caâ—e of and secure his American Treasures At this time also the ancient and magnificent Nobles appeared glorious in their Dignities but were mean in their Estates either by their own Luxury or the Prince's Policy who under pretence of Honours had by extraordinary Charges exhausted every honourable Person Among all whom William by succession of the Cabellonian Family Prince of Aurange within a Province of France did excell the rest in diligence curtesie and policy but originally descended from the ancient Family of Nassaw in Germany which formerly having contested with the Austrian Family for the Imperiall Wreath afterwards submitted himself under the Patronage of the more fortunate overcomer He was from his tenderest Infancy separated and taken from his Father who professed the German Religion he was the Courts softer-Child and by Charles admitted into his Councells became not only skilled and imployed in the conduct of Warre but in very great Embassies he was renowned by an antient stock of Nobility had many large and rich Possessions in the Netherlands of a great Spirit which embellished it self his wisdom and Prudence equalling his height of Spirit so that he was capable even of the greatest Fortune cruelty and covetousness were absolute strangers with him Valiant in the search of the remotest matters and when found a memory so faithful as ever to retain them by most pleasing allurements growing potent with the People He had the Government of Holland Zealand and Vtrecht and within those bounds his care and power managed all the
their 〈…〉 〈…〉 endeavouring to be present in these his Netherlands if his Affairs would bear it and is hindred not his taking care for his more immediate 〈◊〉 He that was here the Princes Lieutenant had a 〈◊〉 Glassâ— of Counsellors To the first of whom was the care and managery of Peace and Warr. To the second the distribution of Justice according to Law with the moderation thereof by equity as also the power of judging and determining the publick Controversies of those Regions The third supervised the Treasury and therein took care of the 〈◊〉 Wealth or to supply his Necessities That first Councell or Assembly customarily made up of the most noble of the Dutch and eminent and famous for the many great and weighty Affairs there frequently handled we will call by a proper name The Senate To which Philip between the greatness of his Kingdoms and the informations of such who flattered the actions of his Youth forming himself to the Spanish Mode and using no other language used to come with an assumed aâ—stere gravity few words and eschewing of much company And when his Father had withdrawn himself that he might spend his old age in a private retirement they presently urge him to raise new Imposts in whom the old ambition and thirst of Rule not yet repressed by experiments was such as would scarcely suffer either measure or bounds Nor is it to be doubted but that most beautiful order of Government gave credit to the faith and vertue of the Spaniards How great a desire harboured in the Breasts of Princes to subvert the Law which kept under the violent abullitions of their power the notable ruines both of Princes and People have left us too many both new and old pregnant examples Of this endeavour and intention of Philip some of the Spaniards themselves were afterwards sensible but the Netherlanders for so for the greater part of them are they to be called being now mastered into obedience but yet not willing to bear an arbitrary Government though they would seem to bear the yoke the better from a long use so that hence were hoped many great and seasonable opportunities against Neighbour Kingdome both by Sea and Land Nor was there wanting the seeds of future discord for when Philip had undertaken the French Warr invited thereto rather by their Civill Discords than the Peoples will or assistance after many delayes and controvertings a Tax was granted by the States but so as if they had had a power to have denyed it ordaining That the very Collectors Receivers thereof should pay towards the same This was charged upon them as an unaccustomed thing and a crime by them committed against their Liberty which indeed then was but small Hereupon the meeting of the States being interpreted as a Meeting of confederacy was strictly forbidden Nor did the Spaniards doubt to make the offence seem greater some of them affecting honour others minding only rapine which while the Lawes stood they knew would not admit them How necessary it is for wise Princes to keep in possession since by their presence not only the Netherlands formerly but even Spain it self had been kept in good order yet notwithstanding Phillip is perswaded the Peace with France being concluded to take a Journey into Spain or other parts of his Dominions as well because he feared some Troubles in that Kingdom and the encrease of the Turks power at Sea as also because he should be nearer to take a care of and secure his American Treasures At this time also the antient and magnificent Nobles appeared glorious in their Dignities but were mean in their Estates either by their own Luxury or the Prince's Policy who under pretence of Honours had by extraordinary Charges exhausted every honourable Person Among all whom William by succession of the Cabellonian Family Prince of Aurange within Province of France did excell the rest in diligence curtesie and policy but originally descended from the ancient Family of Nassau in Germany which formerly having contested with the Austrian Family for the Imperiall Wreath afterwards submitted himself under the Patronage of the more fortunate overcomer He was from his tenderest Infancy separated and taken from his Father who professed the German Religion he was the Courts foster-Child and by Charles admitted into his Councells became not only skilled and imployed in the conduct of Warre but in very great Embassies he was renowned by an antient stock of Nobility had many large and rich Possessions in the Netherlands of a great Spirit which embellished it self his wisdom and Prudence equalling his height of Spirit so that he was capable even of the greatest Fortune cruelty and covetousness were absolute strangers with him Valiant in the search of the remorest matters and when found a memory so faithful as ever is retain them by most pleasing allurements growing potent with the People He had the Government of Holland Zealand and Vtrecht and within those bounds his care and power managed all the affairs both of Warre and Peace the Law and the Sword but Lamoral Count of Egmond governed Flanders and Artoyes a man of a more open nature and like a Souldier somewhat fierce trusting much to his wealth and strength much to his fame and the truth is had he not too much blamed others in those two famous Victories obtained against the French at St. Quintius and Gravelin he merited an immortal wreath of Honour and Renown These two far outwent all the rest both in the greatness of their charges and honour for Brabant being a common part of the Empire had no proper Governour the rest of the Provinces are mentioned hereafter The Command of the Sea which in it self is most honourable rested advantaged in Mommorency Court of Horn sprung from a noble Family in France These great men thus qualified the Spaniard found he must remove before he should enjoy the Netherlands according to his aymâ— and it seemed the more easie to be done because while they wholly endeavour to attain estimation and Authority and to that end cavel at the Spaniards haughtiness and pride they had already made a breach in friendship in liâ—â— manner the rest of the Nobles in no manner though but comparatively wealthy made factions and most of the meaner sort had shipwrack't their credit either by luxury or among a wanting and necessitated Souldiery In which streights they were not continually thrust out of their power as their enemies expected but they used all their industry and diligence by all wayes and meanes to maintain their dignity many in these publick distempers seeking either to hide or amend their own the vulgar tout were ready for mischief and would commit spoyls on others as they were led thereunto either by their hope or desperation These bickerings among the Belgick Peeâ—s and Nobility discording in affection did in some manner for a while put a stop to the careere of the audacious Spaniard while part take part with the Prince of Aurange
Name of it in the Netherlands with great Regret of Spirit was abominated There were who at this time wrote to the King the whole Sum of this Discipline which he under the Name of Heresie gave hearing to with an evil Will least he should in any manner give Credit to a thing so profane and detestable however glosed over by those malitious People Here by the Industry of the Prince of Aurange were excited George Cassander and Francis Balduin of Artoyes Men well skilled in Antiquity and that perswaded to Moderation There is of this Mans extant an eloquent Oration desiring the free use of that Religion who now by being grown strong could not be esteemed a Disturber of the Peace with whose Interest such a Liberty would be consistent as well as with that of Commerce The Pope having in these inferior things to the very Jews given leave to purchase Impunity for the Exercise of their Religious Rites But all these things proving of no effect some for fear of punishment others desirous of novelty cast out ambiguous and doubtful Speeches send abroad Libels the onely Allurements of the Vulgar and as a thing indifferent there being no War to retain the Assertors of the German Religion The Romane Superstition is again thrown out of England as also by the Danes and Swedes Nor in France do Slaughters pass unrevenged where not being able to bear the cruel Natures of those who Tyrannized over them they Resolved openly to defenâ— their Safety either by Peace or Warre there being no other Mediums for their Liberty For certainly there is nothing can more strictly oblige the People to their Duty than the Prince to a moderate and just Government By making use of these Alterations the Minds of the Nobles were confirmed who already judged themselves in their own Thoughts to stand condemned in the Kings and some of them being married to Women that were Forraigners well by Countrey as by Religion as the Prince of Aurange to a Saxon and Count Horn to a Nionarian gave the Crâ—dulous King also from thence also cause of Suspition which they were not insensible of because the King had already shewed his Dislike against the new power of the Senatâ— which they had introduced and assumed And therefore that they might the better strengthen their Cause by the Assistance of the Vulgar they endeavour to quiet Religion and if they cannot firm a publike Peace at least to settle Domestike One they making the fear of the ensuing Mischiefs so much the greater by how much the rest did under valuingly sleight them they endeavour to hide these Practices under the Notion of Civil Disturbances which they also themselves were partly the cause of or else by these means they hoped to move the King however they doubted not in these Novelties of Assistance if not out of Love to them yet out of Envy to the Spanish Greatness Departing therefore from the Senate as if they had fore-seen Commotions which they were unable to help now under pretence of Solemnizing Marriages another time intermingling Festiv Societies to make them seem the more solemn they gathered together and obliged to them many either by the Ties of Bloud or the Obligations of Friendship But long it was not ere the main matter at which all these things aimed burst out for after it was perceived that there were many which looked that way while they sollicite much both the Commander and Souldier find fault that a Woman should be chief in Authority disswade the States and Governours of Cities from Cruelty and to suffer patiently Many other Noble men but all wi◠〈◊〉 any Government or Command among whom were some of the Romane Religion made a 〈◊〉 which was drawn up by one Marnye against the Inâ—sition wherein they promised to aid and assist one another â— any of them should thereby be questioned or brought into â—nger And that it might not be unknown upon what main strength they relyed among the Leaders of that Faction the most eminent was Lewis of Nassau Brother to the Prince of Aurange an open Dissentor from the Romane Profession So 〈◊〉 now it was no difficult matter to understand that although the reall and greatest Heads of the Faction did not yet appear yet to judge who they were that when time should serve would uphold them whose Interest and Authority in the mean while was a sure Safeguard to all Pretenders for the rest against the bitter Invectives and Tyranny of â—hose who by Arms would endeavour to stifle or suppress this growing Rebellion There joyned with the before-named Lewis the Counts of Herenburgh and Culemburgh and Henry Brederode of an â—ntient Family of the greatest Nobility of Holland and generally beloved of the People whose hopes were blown up too high and were vain and incertain unless more had appeared These accompanied with Four Hundred Confederates the fifth Day of April 1566. came all unarmed to the Court of â—ruxels where then the Prince of Aurange the rest scarcely intreated by the Lady Margaret the Regent to return â—hither had taken their Places and were sitting These were their Desires for so they called them That the King's Edicts concerning Religion might by the Order of the States of the Netherlands be changed and that they would acquiesce till it could be done The one of which when the Regent promise she would recommend to the King and protested the other not in her power they urged the same with an earnestneâ— rather befitting Judges or Justices who had power of Command than Petitioners who knew to 〈◊〉 â—â—rate their Zeal wâ— Temperance Then first was heard of that name of Guise â—terwards no less famous than those of Protestants and Hâ—gonets when therefore some had cast into the Teeth of the Confederates their broken and decaid Fortunes they not the king notice of the happy Fortune of that Name but wholled by Honour confirmed their Faith to the King to staâ— by him even to the hazard of their Estates Which thing being now evident to the whole World there were various Consultations both in Spain and the Netherlands Of theâ— who were attendant upon the Councels and Person of tâ— Lady Margaret some reputed those Requests or rather Demands of the Confederate Nobles to be just Others thought them onely necessary But some of the Great Ones who began to suspect the Cruelty of the King's Intentions toward them without any Dissembling demanded Pledges for the Security and to prevent the fear of suffering punishment which otherwise might happen to be the cause of a War and if these things were denied they having under the Commands most valiant People of several Nations aâ— likewise some Troops of Natives which would prove the main Props of the War would not draw a Sword in Defend of those Laws by which the Citizens being slain by each others hand should fall onely for the pleasure and advantage of the Spaniards After many several Letters sent to the King at last John Montigniac the
Regent enforcing them by one Edict to fly commands them by another to stay So that they being voluntarily departed who were displeased at the present carriage of Affairs and other matters by the notable cunning of a Woman set in order there was a setled Peace such as if nothing further had been coveted might have longer continued The second Book of the Dutch Annals BUT the Duke of Alva retarded somewhat by his Disease but more by the exceeding coldness of the Alps at last being past Savoy reached Burgundy by a Journey not onely tedious and troublesome but accompanied with great wants but there was some satisfaction for the same by the present amendment of his quarters here by whose pleasantness and delight his Army was well increased which notwithstanding there were therein above eight thousand men he kept in a moâ— orderly and strict Discipline The Spaniards then being first shewed the way through so great a Continent of Land After this he met with no kind of stop as far as Lutzemburgâ— the chief of whose Governours he had the King being not wholly ignorant thereof drawn to his party for the better upholding the strength of that broken and disjoynted Dominion At this time as if it had been by agreement Warres broke out in France the King having levyed and taken into pay certain Companies of Switzers under pretence of suspecting some soul play upon his Borders And the truth is Alva's Army had been scouring the places thereabout of all such as took part with and upheld that new Religion so much hated by them All this while there was not a Netherlander stirred whether out of an extraordinary Panick fear or too great Security is doubtful to resist or withstand this furious Invasion for though coming as a Generall in Warre unto a quiet People he was received by the concourse of the People not seeming at all discontented for at the beginning he took to himself no other Title untill Margaret weary of this empty shadow of troublesom honour and thought also to have done much harm to the Government by her feminine imbecillity and so much the rather because she had by polite and well composed Letters presaging many of the future evills disswaded the sending of Alva with an Army by her departure thence wholly left the Regency of the Netherlands to his care and ordering none now doubting but he would now make himself a Magistrate contrary to those Laws by whose rule and with whose safety he could not attain thereto It being provided therein cautiously from antiquity that none but a Netherlander or a Prince of the blood could take that upon him The first Experiment of his Tyrannizing Authority was shewed upon Egmond and Horn who being by Policy wrought to come inâ—o the Court were apprehended and put into Custody and when they demanded the Priviledge of the Golden Fleece to be judged onely by the Companions of that Order their Peers it was not onely denied to them but they were sent out of Brabant with a strict Guard contrary to the Rights and Liberties granted even to the meanest of the Commons And from this time Garrisons were set in the prime Cities of the Netherlands which consisted chiefly of Spaniards who were almost the onely men thereof for other Souldiers were made use of onely in times of danger and upon extraordinary occasions Nay further the Troops of Horse which were mostly made up of the Netherlandish Gentry having some Spaniards thrust in amongst them were sent into France under the Leading of Count Aremberg that by a present Supply they might confirm the League made with King Charles In the interim the Castles are begun to be filled with unarmed and peaceable Citizens and which was most grievous to them of all was That their Thraldom was made use of to raise Monies for supply of their Enemies Expences and Charges When Things had proceeded thus far without any gain-saying there were almost Twelve Judges the greatest part of them Spaniards the rest but Servants to them and in that regard as cruel if not worse then they appointed to call before them all such as had any any hands in the late Commotions or but seemed to wink thereat and to punish them as they saw fit not in the least manner taking notice of them who by the Laws of the Country had a Jurisdiction proper thereunto And this very Thing of enjoying the Judicial Power and consequently that of Life and Death was the main prop of their Authority which adding a Majesty to the Religion before violated Recriminations as hateful to good Princes as they are commodious to Tyrants urge That all Guilty Persons should be pâ— out of the Protection of the Law and that onely the Cruelty 〈◊〉 Alva's Name might be sufficient almost to convince them Thâ— strictness of the Guards set upon the Guilty Persons waâ— the cause of the Death of very many People so that every place carryed the Resemblance of a City sacked and taken by the Sword For there were not onely Armies but by reason of the Troubles many sought Refuge and here put in practice their ill-boding Counsels Here also were some earnestly labouring for Honour and others on the other side by all means avoiding it while the slaughter of the Nobles and all others whose Wealth or Authority grieved them made great Additions by their Deaths to the Authority and by their Fortunes to the Treasury and Prey of the Spaniards And the truth is Alva never dissembled his Intentions for from the very first he protested with great Threats suitable to the Cruelty of his Nature that a few Salmons Heads were of more worth than many Thousands of little Fishes Thus after a new Mode making use of that old Sentence which teaches to strengthen a Kingdom by taking away some of the Heads of the chiefest Common-wealths Men. All the Mischiefs which had intervened here since the first Breach with Granvel unto this time were now objected against Egmond and Horn together with a shrewd Suspition of a Conspiracy between them and the Prince of Aurange to throw the King by Force out of his Dominion over the Netherlands and then to divide them among themselves These two that by all mens confession were most eminent men and as well Renowned by their Actions as the Nobility of their Birth at Bruxels after Divine Service according to the Romane manner had been performed in the publike place of Execution yielded their Necks to the Sword of the Headsman and their Heads for a while after fixed upon Poles was to the Dutch both a lamentable and terrible Spectacle and although the Souldiers every where about in Arms watched but for an Opportunity from the Words and almost Looks of the People yet they bearing the same deeply in Mind the pity of all but the Revenge of the more valiant became setled when the Solemnities of their Funerals were Celebrated and their very Coffins washed with the Tears and Kisses of an incredible
to the War in regard it was so near Neighbour to Antwerp In the mean time also were some small Skirmishes with little Advantage to either side and not a few English turning Renegades and being contemned by the Spaniard were a good Example to teach others to be faithful to that Party under whom they first served Anon Verdugo was forced to leave Lochem a little Toâ— in Geldars not far from Zutphen which he endeavoured â— win by starving because while he was about it it was thâ—i relieved with fresh Provisions but presently won Steâ— which before had cost so many Lives without any danger by the help of Night and the Townsmens Folly At the time Philip having Valois his Opposit thought he now waâ—ed more strength and care than heretofore and therefore sends to Parma a Recruit of Spanish and Italian Souldiers nor durst any be so bold as to contradict the same notwithstanding the Artoysian Treaty and Agreements averring Thâ— in that Treaty the Obedience of the whole Netherlands was intended of which hope he being defrauded the Bond of the Obligation ceased together with the Cause The Summe of this Army upon Muster was Threescore Thousand Foot Four Thousand of whom would make good Horsemen and these Number remain or rather are increased to this very time whâ—â— Monthly Pay amounted to or rather was supposed to exceâ— Seven Hundred Thousand Florens and that the other Charge of the War came to no less than half as much That therefore Philip sent thither every year over and above the Tributes there raised above Twenty Hundred Thousand so much was consumed by the Spaniard upon the Netherlanders And that no more Money should be carryed over thither they who feared bad Success by the ill Carriage of Affairs there were believed to have hindred it On the other side the States that they might win fame to their new Commonwealth by great and noble beginnings advanced their Yearly Pensions and Tributes which were at present but Four and Twenty to Fourty Hundred Thousand with which Money they raised Souldiers and then had in Arms under the Conduct of Francis of Valois besides Netherlanders French Germans English and Scots The Forces on both sides were very strong but the greatest part of them lay in Garrisons because there being no determined Bounds they were as the Fortune of War required put into Towns which many times even joyned one to another but still kept their Opposition Hitherto Valois hoped for Succours from his Brother for the wasting of those Riches against or for which the Kings of France had for the space of Two Hundred years contested by War to suffering of much hardship yes to the loss of their Bloud and now by Conditions of Peace had made their Enemy equal to themselves But the King himself had no mind openly to denounce War nor privily to send the expected Forces although his Mother Medices had assailed and disturbed the possession of the Portugal Sea And the truth is Philip had prevented him having purchased a means to make Debate wherewith he might perturb the then peaceable Estate of France The stronger Party therefore did openly possess the King with fear advising withall That he should turn his strength against none but the Enemies of the Romane Religion another Party being politickly deceitful under pretence of more wise Counsel denyed that it was â—ther just or profitable for the King who was yet not satisfied iâ— his Successor to exhaust and consume his Treasure for the use of strangers but that he should rather leave both the Netherlanders and the Duke himself too to their poverty untill being drawn dry they would fall from their Capitulations and Contests for Government and submit themselves to the Laws as for the Spaniard though he could not be conquered by others yet he might in good time be overcome by a Neighbour Kingdom These were the Counsels but indeed the King was of his own nature averse to his Brother not that he was offended by him but rather had offended him and mindfull that he had once committed him to hard and close Custody more out of suspition than for any Crimes This cast the Duke head-long upon Counsels dangerous and full of desperation and fatall both to himself and the Netherlanders for when he perceived that they would easily set him at naught since he could not perform with them in the promised ayds and that he was burdened with an 〈◊〉 profitable Principality not forgetting that he ruled onely â— pleasure and that afterward that he was restrained and kept under by the Laws and Authorities of others which is very grievous to them that have been bred in a Kingdom having divers times desired an alteration of the same but not obtaining it he resolves to erect a peculiar power by force and to that end assigns the Towns of Flanders to be possessed and held by the most trusty Garrisons of his Captains Anwerp he takes to himself as the biggest City and that which most favoured the Prince of Aurange to whom he knew he did owe a part of his power by an implicit agreement and where the Deputies of the States were present who were the impediments of his greatness 1583. It is probable the main inciters to this rashness were not onely some secret spies that held Intelligence with the Enemy having their Faith corrupted by moâ—â—â— who offered to the Duke an unquestionable right of Dominion by a Spanish Marriage but also the Frenchmen who pâ—oposed to themselves the ransacking of Cities or greâ—â— Booty Honours which by the Laws they were cebarred â— of which covetousness there are as many Nations found guilty as the Netherlanders had Allyes or Confederates The success answered the Design where the French Garrisons were prevalent and Veward Dendremunde Dixmayâ— and Dunkirk a Sea-cost Town of Flanders excellently seated for French Trassique were taken At Bruges bâ—â— the old and new Governours were outwitted by the extraordinary and most politick ingenuity of the Magistrates wâ— desiring under pretence of consultation the Captains and Leaders to go to the Town-house there kept and detaineâ— them till they had by their Letters Commanded the Souldiers to march out from thence which they for fear of the Armed multitude without grudging did accordingly The danger of Antwerp was greater though some Signs of the bloody event burst forth and with a dissembled suspition of somewhat he did as much as he could hide the concourse of his People from the Prince of Aurange and the Governours of the Town There was the Army both of French and Switzers assembled that the Fort of Endouen being left and the Enemy fled the whole possession of Brabant might be regained To these the Duke going out under the very Walls as if to number them with his Customary Retinue onely about him he Commands the Watches immediately to be killed and the Ports to be set up and seized that so the rest of his Army might have the easier entrance And now seventeen
own his Brothers Cause but if he could not do that yet that he would at least assist with men and money and that he should stop all the passages from France into the Enemies Country Which if they might request they did not fear to foretell to the King thereby a future Succession in his Kingdom so that he should according to the Laws of France for many Ages not want an Heir of his Body to govern the same But these Communications were shortly after quite broken off by the badness of the following times and the death of Francis de Valois He over-lived his Honour and disgrace not above seventeen moneths brought to his end as some thoughâ— by his lusts others by poyson but most believed he dyed with grief of mind the common end almost of all who either before or after him took a pride to aggravate the miseries of unfortunate people His Fune all was not attended with any Ensigns of his Belgike Government all his actions there with himself passing in oblivion while the King his Brother avoyded to incense with such toyes whom he durst not move with realities As soon as Valois was departed from Dunkirk the French Companies left there in Garrison accepting their pay marched away not daring to trust a People whom they had so mischieved Whereupon the Duke of Parma sends his inferiour Captains to besiege the Town thus destitute both of Souldiers and Shipping and anon after comes himself with an indifferent Army to strengthen the Siege Biron was commanded to follow the Enemy and fight him But the Gauntoys out of an old grudge they bore to Valois and making a shew of tumult denyed him passage alledging that it was unjust and unreasonable to use his Forces whom they neither took for their Prince nor scarcely their friends By the stubbornness therefore of those men Dunkirk came into the Spaniards power by which meanes the Sea ever after became dangerous and troublesome for upon that shore where there were no Havens or Ports there was scarce any refuge for small foysts hence as they saw it convenient or for their profit observing the passage out the Pyrates were wont to set upon the Dutch Ships as they sailed by either to fishing or with Merchandize where England being directly opposite doth narrow and streighten the Sea and they could easily escape by flight from the great Ships of Warâ—e either by their lightness and swiftness on the open Sâ—â— or else by helps of the flats and Sands whereof that part of the Ocean is full yet this losse of so eminent a Town could not mitigate or take away their dissentions but it was necessary that Biron with his Army should be sent out of the Country though the Prince of Auraage most earnestly urged the contrary for fear least they should betray the Common-wealth to their Enemy now in heart and attended with success so much mistrust had all of the French Nay the Prince himself was scandalized for them so that at Antwerp they all 〈◊〉 to their Arms upon a lye that was divulged that the Prince had brought the French into the Castles on purpose to be near to and command the City But he to whom nothing was so unusual and bitter as to live feared of his Citizens could not bear their changed countenances and suspitious ill boding silence instead of joyfull acclamations but leaving the place having lived there six years he went to Zeland and the more assured places of the Common-wealth thereby exempt from many eminent dangers and free from their ingratitude But the Duke of Parma having gotten spare 〈◊〉 for Conquest gained by surrender and otherwise Nempâ—â— scituate on the same shore but to the right hand of Dunkirk and more inward upon the Land Dixmuyde Voorne and Berghen that are called Winow Thence in Flanders the peoples hatred so increased against the Warre daily and many so highly resented the late actions that they would even take part with the Spaniards against the French About this time there was a certain base Fellow he was generally called Hog that by Discourse and Writing began to trouble Holland who notwithstandidg his Mothers vileness and his own mishapen Form yet vainly boasted the Honour and Greatness of his Bloud as being from his own Relation Son to the Emperour Charles Hence fed up with a foolish hope by some Spaniard that Philip would acknowledge him for his Brother he withdrew some led away with Novelties and others that were not pleased with the present ordring of Affairs from their then Principles to a hope of Peace and Submission to the Austrian Family But the Conspiracy being yet green and but in the Bud was by the punishment of its Author quickly nipped Now also a War did begin in the Jurisdiction of Colen which was offered together with the Bishoprick to Ernestus of Bavaria for the Marriage of Truxiors For being Bishop of that place before and being taken exceedingly with the Love of a Noble Woman had made hast to lay aside his Vow of single Life for by the Rules of the Latine Church no Priest may marry which in the Heat of his promiscuous Lusts was easily connived at Wherefore setting Humane Decrees in opposition to Divine Laws and finding himself unfit for such Charges by Casimire and Nienar Count of Nursa both Generals for indifferent Armies keeps the Cities until by his Enemies Forces and his own Mens Treacheries most of his Garrisons were taken from him and then making a League with the Dutch he fled to the Prince of Aurange whence he revenged him as well as he could by laying wast the Country And this War brings on a greater wherewith the Spaniard was well pleased because he might thereby the more colourably involve the Frontier Towns of Germany which were old Receptacles of Netherlandish Fugitives in the same And this every day augmented the growing Fortune of the Duke of Parma especially one Tasso a Captain winning by Surprize the Town of Zutphen held by a weak and ill agreeing Garrison and that by the help onely of one common Souldier that was his Prisoner From hence all the Country between the Rivers Issel and the Rhine were daily infested and harrased by Spanish Incursions nor could they at any time be hindred in their going off and the City it self was besieged but in vain Thus did the Netherlanders at this time lose both their Forces and other Opportunities And as a further mischief many of Noblemen and Chiefs utterly despairing any Remedy privately sought their own Security from the Grace and Pardon of the King which they knew was not to be hoped for by some heinous Adventure Therefore William of Heremberge who by Marriage of the Prince of Aurange's Sister was the sole Companion of his Hopes and Dangers inconsiderately and without Reason Resolved to deliver up Gelders which he then Governed to the Conquerours But his Treachery being prevented and Promise taken for his Fidelity he was dismissed yet notwithstanding he fled to
much intention break in by War upon those Discording Provinces A great Design against England had taken his Thoughts and Endeavours it being accounted a more noble and less difficult Enterprise Most of the great Souldiers who had fought for the King of Spain looked upon that Island as the amends of their Merits and the Reward of their Labours and as it was near to France and Germany upon occasion of War so the Counsel was That being a Transmarine Kingdom it should be gotten by War But these Counsellors every one by his own Fortune or by Death hindred at this time as it were by the Justice of Revenge after a League concluded Aid sent openly to the Rebels in Ireland A great Fleet was prepared in Spain against the next Summer The Duke of Parma prepared all his Garrisons against that time to man it and so far did his hopeful Imaginations carry him that he concluded this English Expedition would be a worthy Catastrophe of his Ten Years Victories and make his Name equal in the Register of Honour with those of the most famous Emperours But the Spaniard endeavoured to stifle the Rumour of this imminent Danger with the Noise of a pretended Peace For the composing whereof the Dane as a Mediator came to propound Mediums and Cains Ransovius sent to the Duke of Parma whom the Souldiers of Holland intercepted by the way as he passed with a Warlike Train and not distinguishable among those that fought But the King adjudging that they wittingly had contrary to the Laws of Nations violated his Ambassador and chiefly because his Letters were broke open took so sharp a Revenge that he laid an Arrestâ— Restraint upon seven hundred ships that were passing backward and forward in Trade for Corn by which means â— the people then living in these parts were wonderfully terrified with the fear of Famine having never before by any like Example been disturbed But this Scarcity was helped by necessary Counsel that French and English Vessels coming from the same Seas should go to the Ports and Markers of Holland Thus was that Danger escaped onely with the Expence of some Money forced from them by the Danes which notwithstanding and for that the King would not vouchsafe to give Audience to the Embassadors sent to him stuck highly in the Stomachs of many who thought it very hard that the Lesser Dominions should still be obnoxious to Damage at the will and pleasure of the greater While these things were doing there there was likewise a kind of Treâ—y with the English in King Philip's Name because the Queen was looked upon as the onely Support of all the Low-Country Affairs to this purpose That all Jealousies and Fears should be thrown away in the laying down of Arms if the Provinces which had Rebelled would return to their pristine Obedience Thâ— as she took off all things concerning Religion in England so in the Netherlands Religion should be ordered according to the Mind of the Spaniard though there had been taught a pernicious Doctrine that Matters relating to Religion were to be determined by other Judges than Princes This proposed Pacification was listned to by Queen Elizabeth with no less Subtilty than it was offered chiefly aiming that by this Pretext of Compounding Business she might spin away and divert the time of danger for she now had Intelligence of the Fleet. And dissembling her Fear she onely pretended a pious desire of Peace and Commerce among and with the Provinces and to that end sending some so instructed out of England to command the Hollanders that they should without any murmuring hearken thereto and that they would draw upon themselves so great Envy as to be esteemed by their cruel Obstinacy the Authors of perpetual War and Bloud-shed But they revolved with themselves and a fresh remembred all the Treachery Blandishments of the Spaniard for what Event had the Treaty with Requesens but that all the Forts being taken the more considerable Cities might the easilyer be besieged At the Pacification at Colen how was the hopes of a reall Peace blasted by solliciting so many Provinces to Revolt and so was Flanders by the like kind of Colloquies betraid And at last the Enemy got so much Recruit of strength while he fallaciously promised Tolleration of Religion that now he dares absolutely deny it Now to speak of Peace when there were such Civil Discords among the Citizens were just to strike their Arms out of their Hands that others might as they saw convenient submit to what they pleased but let heed be taken that they used not more hast than good speed And though things might be composed upon equal Terms yet neither the League made at Gaunt nor John's Treachery could be forgotten That to Kings whom the Bishops of Rome would dispence with or absolves from the Sacred Tye of an Oath every Covenant made with Subjects would be reckoned all one as a Victory And there would never be wanting men that would seek to raise themselves and their Fortunes by the slavery of their Country And in these things every one openly as doubtful spent the time because they saw she perswaded to Peace that might compell And as often as the Queen perswaded them not to delay they beseeched her That she would not cast off that Cause of God and Men and leave Threescore Cities and a People ready if their present Treasure were not enough to increase the Publike Stock with their private Wealth a Prey to the Malice and Avarice of the Treacherous Spaniard Hereupon the Cities unanimously agreed for this Consultation was related to every particular City That no Embassador should be sent to the Enemy Onely the Queen Winter growing on apace sent into Flanders to make if she could a Peace though not suitable to her Wishes Here while they discourse of the place of the meeing and of their Commissions the English asking a Truce the Duke of Parma defiying Three Moneths are elapsed Queen Elizabeth demanded for the Netherlanders Pardon their Antient Laws and Governments of their Cities for her Self the continuance of the Old Leagues the Re-imbursement of all her Charges and Security for the same the Souldiers on both sides being disbanded But as to Religion and the Form of Worship she moved so faintly as if she would seem not to meddle therewith For now she was come to this That she onely desired two years for the performance of her Demands As to the Towns which the English held either by Covenant or other Occasions she refused not to deliver them upon the Receipt of her Châ—rges The Spaniards while they utterly deny any Tolleration of Religion and will have all Affairs of the Netherlands left to King Philip's pleasure objecting instead of payment of the English Disbursements That thereby the English had been the cause to them of greater Expence and as they extenuate that they amplifying other Things did now appear plainly to the World that though they sought a Treaty yet they
in it self not at all intricate England was assaulted by Spanish Forces and France greedily thirsted after not with a covetous Eye or vain Wish onely but by the sad Threats of a Malicious War It cannot be denied but that his Treasury is exceeding great yet not sufficient to maintain so many Wars at once from hence becoming sensible of all the Evils of Poverty During this time both the Minds and Forces of the Low-Countrymen had some ease and respite Leagues and Alliances were begun with several Kingdome and in part again broken off There the Praefects and Governours often changed and at last the Regent himself Confidence not resting assured in the meanness of her Guard and Treacheries most ignoble abounding every where Whereas here by the Vigilance and Ingenuity of one Captain not onely Danger was escaped but Arms advantaged the Navall and Maritime Power increased infinitely and at once in Strength against the Enemy and in Reputation amongst others so that now it might credibly be believed that in the Equality of both Parties the War would now grow doubtful for this time made it appear that the smallest things might be waited on with humane hope and that it was never too late to be helped by a Miracle I am about to publish according to the Method of History what things have certainly been seen and heard nor am I ignorant how odious it is afresh to being in mind these things among them whose Hatred is yet raging where by the positive and impartial Assertions of Truth you may happily by the Enemy be accused of Flattery and to your own Side not seem altogether free from untruths But the Judgment and Reward of my Fidelity will proceed from Posterity And if God have in Mercy appointed any End to this grievous and bloudy War it may chance there will be some who drawing Arguments from hence may give an Account thereof with greater Security and more Eloquence In the interim let it be for the benefit of such as being far remote from the knowledge of our Troubles may know the value of their own Peace from the Evils suffer'd by others and may hence learn Documents of War whereof though not in Civil Discords they may the more fortunately make use of against a Barbarous Enemy But it is very difficult to set down Things as they were really done because the absent many times are quite forgot and the present too much praised As that most offends the Reader so this makes the Writer more blame-worthy Besides the following Age doth many times either out of forgetfulness or the potency of the Conquerour leave out or at least fall short of the exact Discovery of their Knowledg But if it be necessary for those Things to be publikely mention'd it will be advantageous to the Writer that he lived among those who may well be ashamed if they allow not to him that Liberty which they promised to all Adde also that many of the Events happen'd hereabouts and he hath the greater advantage and reason to admire the mean beginnings of this increasing Common-wealth THE Great Year according to the Account of Christendom One Thousand Five Hundred Eighty and Eight and which Astrologers had sore-told to be the last of the World was now come Certainly either that Art is vain and it must be reckon'd among the Follies of our rash Credulities that we suppose our selves able to comprehend Futurity or else it is an Errour of such who do not rightly understand the many vast Intriques of Destiny As a part of the Caelestiall Threats the Spanish Great Fleet was looked upon which while he had Peace with the Turk and saw France embroiled in a Civil War at Home he made great hast to set out For it was not enough that they who had been Conquerors of so many Kingdoms and subjected the New World so long should win a little Nation to their Empire by mutual Conflicts unless with Scandalous Language they abused the Government thereof by a Woman But the Englishmens Confidence encouraged the Low-Country men and the Bulwark of the Sea made the English-men confident to repell Force by Force for they had not yet forgotten the Names of Saxons Danes and Normans nor were insensible that whoever entred an Island seldom failed to win the possession thereof For the Kings of England because they had been troubled with Civil Wars to prevent future danger in time to come upon like occasions dismantling all Garrisons Forts and Castles had laid the Kingdom open to Forreign Invasion Then besides what signified their weak Bodies and Minds made effeminate by a long Peace and Luxury being without Leaders without Cavalry against the well-disciplin'd Power of the Spaniard and those that under the Duke of Parma's Conduct had for so many years been Victorious Thus did they threaten Revenge to such as should not assist them but the rest some Respite should be given to Now as it is the Custom of greedily ambitious and covetous men promising their Hopes a larger and more extended progress they destin'd to themselves the interdicted and excommunicated Kingdom of Scotland and Denmark intending afterwards to make use of English Forceâ— and withall of their Natural Hatred against France at such time as that Kingdom should be embrewed and even lye wallowing in her own Bloud As for the rest of Europe divided among so many Petty Princes and never like to be united or cemented by any good Correspondence or Harmony it would of course become a Prey to their Conquering Swords But men of more serious and modest Judgments could not believe they were so vain as to promise themselves so great Success though but in Imagination but rather supposed they might endeavour to try their Fortune at Sea against all Nations on the Coasts thereof and to spread abroad among all People a great though not a certain Terrour of them or else for a time to compell all Pyrates to keep within their lurking Places and themselves to bear away all commerce And the Pope whose name at this time was Sixtus the 5th had encouraged set on the Spaniard by his Bulls to Conquer England which the Simplicity of some of her former Kings had made Tributary as was said to his Triple-Crown He therefore following the Examples of many Popes his Predecessors who first by the Discords of Princes had usurped a Right over Kingdoms and then over Kings themselves exposed England to the Conquest of whoever would undertake it as if Queen Elizabeth had taken the Government thereof without any Right and detained the same by the Slaughter of the Nobles and the slavish fear of the People urging moreover besides the Crime of her Heresie the stain of Bastardy as being born in Adultery which had been endeavour'd to be concealed with the Veil of a Divorce These and many other things were mention'd in the Ball inviting all men to be assistant to such an Expedition and absolving from all Tyes her Subjects whether of Oath or
The Vice Admirall was Francis Drake afterwards Knighted a Man eminently famous for his Victories at Sea the fame whereof he carryed with him in the compassing of the World and most worthy in this great danger to be called by his Country to her assistance The Enemies Fleet was not far off from England when the Queen who herein had been deceived by false Rumours on purpose invented and sent out of Spain Commands by her Letter the Lord Admirall Howard that in regard She was informed that the Fleet was not coming or at least would be a long time before they came that he should unarm and discharge the best of her Ships He had scarcely performed her Command before the Spanish Fleet appeared when it was no small care and pains to the Admirall to recall his Souldiers who had without order or fear taken liberty to be absent from their Quarters and duty as supposing they had leave to do so And no less was the Spaniard over-seen in that he did not immediately fall on when he might have taken them so unprovided and at unawares But the Commanders that were afterwards taken Prison is though they blamed themselves for that over-sight and folly yet were heard to excuse the same by the strictness of the orders laid upon them and the nicities they were to observe in all points prescribed then which nothing hath caused the loss of more fair opportunities For Philip would not have his Fleet run any hazard untill the Duke of Parma by putting likewise to Sea had doubled the terrour of their approach But the Lord Seymor and the Hollanders Ships joyning together kept him close in Dunkirk that he durst not venter to break through with his smaller Vessels nor could the Spanish Fleet though by that means it had escaped the following disasters come so near the shore being full of shelves and Quick-sands as to drive away the Enemies Ships that were much more light and nimble And that was a thing of great consequence at that time that no men did so much as suspect that the Spaniards possessed as it were with a fatall and stupid blindness to their own ruine had neglected to furnish their Ships with many things which were necessary for them out of hopes to have them from the Duke of Parma Now it is to be noted that his Ships or the greatest part of them had few or no Seamen and the Reason thereof might be besides the avarice of their Prefects and Governours that there were very few Seamen either bred in or belonging to any of those Netherlandish Cities under his Dominion And the Baltick Cities were not able to supply the number he wanted and especially for that all who were forced aboard by the Spaniards took the first opportunity they could find to run away In this Interim the English Fleet was gotten together again and with very much difficulty and hard Labour by reason of a cross Wind at last got out from Plymouth that they might at a distance annoy the Enemy In which kind of fight it easily appeared whether was more advantageous the Ships of great and heavy Burthen or Vessels more nimble and expeditions to turn and wind at all Assayes for few of the English Ships were equall in bigness to those of the Spaniard but being more nimble and apt to sail they could at any time get the wind of the Enemy and either go forward or backward at pleasure and if the Wind changing drove them as it were upon the Enemy by fetching a compass they eluded their expectation And now there being a calm so that the Enemy could easily come forward by the help of their Oars they did not shoot common round Bullets but chained shot wherewith expanding themselves they not only tore their Sails and Tackle but broke their Oars by which means the Spaniards could not come forward or if they could yet they kept back not having a mind to fight Their Ships were drawn into a long Rank with extended horns which as it made their Progress very slow so also it made them more lyable to the English Cannon to be spoyled And then if any Guns more sharply annoyed them they drew in their Mooned and crescent Squadrons into the Body of the Fleet and that one might not go before another bore less Sayl neither could this be done altogether with safety as was experimentally found by them their Ships often falling foul upon one another in their making such Tryals And this hapned to Valdez a great Spanish Captain and of the same Family with that Valdez who is memorable for the Siege of Leyden For a Ship of Sevill carrying eight hundred men under his Commadd fell foul upon another with such impetuosity that the Fleet was necessitated to leave it having lost her Mast that she alone might not hinder the course of the rest This being encompassed and assayled on every side yielded it self to Sir Francis Drake and the Men in her saved by his mercy contended in prayse of their Conquerour even to flattery At the same time the best Ship of Biscay whereof Michael Oquendo was Captain took fire Some report that the Man being a Netherlander and that either mindful of his Country or angry that he saw himself suspected together with those that begun the fire upon the approaching of the flame leaped into the Sea Few of the Men were saved but the lower parts of it being untouched by the fire became a booty to the English Presently after they missed a Ship of Venice and severall other smaller Vessels During this the English Fleet augmented with Recruits and the flocking thither of the Nobility who did strive by their forwardness to manifest their affection to the Queen was in many divisions spread over the Sea so that which way soever the Enemy steered his course he was still surrounded and in every place torn with continuall shooting wherewith so much Gunpowder had been spent that theâ—e began to be a great scarcity thereof and with that want they were ever after during the whole Conflict oppressed till at length some was gotten from Holland without which the Kingdom of England at that time could not have beeâ— defended Now had the fight continued without ceasing at a distance for the space of eight dayes for the English Souldiers being fewer and not able to cope with the Spaniard had shunned by all means a close fight and on the eighth of the Ides of August they were come to the Streights of the narrow Sea between England and France Here the English Fleet which you may remember I told you before was divided met altogether containing of Seamen and Souldiers together eleven thousand and having left the Halanders to guard the Coast of Flanders The Spaniards casting Anchor waited for the Duke of Parma and with him some lighter Ships near to Calais when he in the mean while void of all hope and not knowing what to do makes procession about the Churches attended with many
few fled and escaped with their Captain Vere having given this famous Testimony of his Valour and Judgment was shortly after prefer'd to the highest Dignitie to his great Renown Varembunius laid the blame upon Charles Mansfield for he was present also for the greatest part of this loss though he had brought to him at the time of this Fight some Companies out of the Isle of Bommell because lately both of them suing for the same Command wherein Charles being denyed and the other preferred it was said he now deserted him a emulous of his Glory But by this means the Conquerour-afterwards brought in safely to the Besieged all their Carriages both with Provision and Men they also having near the same time made a lucky Sally into the next Quarter of the Enemies Leaguer and this done returning through by-ways they escaped any danger intended to them by the Enemy And now the Besieged were in so good condition that they slighted the Enemies Forces though of late much recruited until the Spaniard had by force taken a Castle near to Rees that was their onely hopes of Succour and supply of Provisions Three Months after this in the next year the Winter continued when the Hollanders considering seriously with themselves that they had not Forces enough to relieve a place so far distant from them as occasion would require came at length to this last Result That the Town should be surrendred upon Honourable Conditions And thus the Duke of Parma obtained Berck and not so contented he clandestinely sought to get Bonne and Nuisse Cities belonging to the Dutchy of Cleves and this he did with the more Confidence in regard of the Prince's Age and Infirmity having also won many of the Nobles to be his Pensioners Thus he got Possession of Arnhem not far from the Rhine Not was Aquisgrave a free City of the German Empire let alone at peace among so many broils for Philip claiming the Custody of that City as antiently belonging to the Princes of Brabant for he endeavour'd to hide his Ambition of being Lord under the Title of Guardian thereof by his Edict banish'd many of the Inhabitants who had forsaken the Roman Religion But their stay being bought off with a Sum of Money given to the King's Commanders content onely to have wasted and forrag'd the Fields left the City until many years after the Fury of several Parties falling upon Germany this City among the rest was seized under the pretence of Right While the Armies thus range about the Maes and the Rhine and meeting Parties skirmish and fight every where the Mauricians got exceeding much Booty for the Hope wasted all the Enemies Country with Fire and Sword carrying away all manner of Provisions having either kill'd or driven away all those â—hat defended it But notwithstanding all this the most cruel Battails were at Sea because the Hollanders being stronger there had absolutely taken away all things that were wont to be Chaffer between Equals in Power by which means the Spaniard had lost all benefit of Exchange After this if any Enemies could prevail so much in strength as to infest all that Traded at Sea by Robbery they were called Pyrates Hence it came that the Flâ—drians provoked by their frequent Losses and such as fled out of the Hollanders Ships conscious to themselves of any great Crime as such men generally are fierce out of a desire both of Revenge and Prey put to Sea and not onely seized unarm'd Trading Ships but many times indanger'd the more able Many times it fell out and it is not to be forgotten because it equall'd the greatest Adventures of Antiquity that when any one part had by Boarding the others Vessel intermingled their Companies they in danger rather than be taken would with Gun-powder blow up both themselves and the Enemy so much do they care who despair of Life not to dye unrevenged The Kingdom of Spain which hitherâ—o had been undisturbed in the midst of all her Neighbour's Troubles now first began to be sensible of a War brought Home to her for the English accompanied with the Hollander's Ships and Souldiers advenâ—urously Forage all the Sea-Coasts of Gallicia afterwards they re-settle Don Antonio in his Kingdom pitching their Camp about Lisbone The Queen sent out six of her Ships on this Design the rest being One Hundred and Twenty Sir Francis Drake Commanded General Norris had the Conduct of the Foot Souldiers the Prey taken to be divided between them And so great was their good Success at the beginning that Albertus of Austria who was Governour of the City in the Name of King Philip had prepared himself for flight But by the Advice of some private persons in regard of the doubtfulness of the Portugezes Allegiance the small Provision they had of things necessary and that several Diseases raged among them springing chiefly from intemperate Drinking they went away and left all things unsetled whether because King Antonio was not able to perform the vain Promises he made of the Peoples Affection to and the Moors Assistance of him or that their too suddain Departure spoiled the Design is yet in doubt But sure it is the Hollanders were not hearkned to who had both offered and shewed themselves ready to defend and keep all the Castles and Forts on the Sea-Coast as well as the Entrance into the Kingdom As soon as ever the Siege was broke up presently all who had at this time been observed by the Spaniard to wish for a Change were very severely punished But the English did nothing more unless that they made appear the weakness of the Spanish Grandezza in that they were never hindred by them either at their Landing or during their stay nor ever resisted them in the Demand or taking of their Forts or Castles and a Fleet of Germans coming from the Baltick Cities being met and taken as Prize gave occasion to those People by Legates and Writing to contest among themselves whether Provisions wherewith People being at Peace with them do help the Enemy may rightfully be taken as Prize and disposed of accordingly And now France divided into parties was ingaged in â— like quarrel after the King had caused to be slain the Duke of Guise the head of that publike defection nor did the King long survive Guise being soon after assassined by a Monk he was the last of the name and Family of Valois in whose revenge as also of the Duke of Guise the whole Kingdom was divided into Arms. Without doubt by the Customs of France the right of Succession belonged to the Family of Bourâ—â— But Henry the head thereof Prince of Bearne who was called by the name of King of Navarre though hardly enjoying any thing besides the name for that the Spaniard had violently wrested it away he I say professing the Religion which they call Reformed though he promised equall Justice to both had drawn to him all the Nobility but the Cities and Towns would not receive or
of Authority was equally ridiculous both to his own Souldiers and his Enemies they had changed an old feeble man for a person of great Nobility and therefore they gloried at once of that Honour and their restored Laws that according to the antient Custom one was sent to govern them that was of Royal Blood and by Kinred allyed to the King They remembred that Alva and Requescuse had stirred up the War by their forraign Authority And the Duke of Parma though otherwise we I enough liked was maligned for his Country sake That Don John who had attained Royal Blood by all wayes both of Birth and Vertue wanted rather the moderation than the affection of the Nobles and People But that now there was truly come the off-spring of Emperours with a German uprightness neither infected with hatred or malice and consequently more prone to concord He had governed in behalf of his Brother the Emperour both the Panâ—â—nia's or Hungary beloved by the Subjects for his mildness in the taking care of them and the blandishments of his leisure time not much provoking the Enemy nor himself by them often provoked Not averse from fighting when the Barbarians urged him by disturbing his peace and it may seem that he was the rather chosen as one who might compose the Netherlandish Affairs the Citizens being even tyred with War and the King well knowing that it would be in the Conquerours power to make what Laws he pleased for the settlement of peace This Duke Ernestus was of such gravity in Conversation that the Netherlanders interpreted it to pride But which is proper to his Countrymen being not Superiour in his Affairs he was easily ruled either by Counsel or Command With this mediocrity of disposition he had so pleased Philip that he intended to have married him to his Daughter and strongly argued in the French Counsel by Embassadors 〈◊〉 confer upon him the Kingdom of France fearing perchance that if he should marry her to any Frenchman and at any time after his Issue male should fail that Spain by accessâ—â—â— to the Crown of France would become a Province thereâ—â— But Providence provided otherwise in that affair 〈◊〉 brought Henry of Burbon through divers variety of Fortune and setled him in the Kingdom for he being grieved â— himself that being born to a Kingdom he should onely â— depelled for the oretext of Religion Many of the Princes protesting they resisted him for 〈◊〉 other causes and by that means alone could not submit their Fortunes to him seeing his Forces almost consumed and 〈◊〉 other things that were the main supports of his hope He â—â—gan to grow unsetled in his mind between some of his Friends applauding his noble constancy and others persuading for most advantage At length either that he believed nothing more sacred than the Peace of a Kingdom or that he had embraced his former kind of living more out of Form than Judgement he was Reconciled to the Church of Rome which thing was not of so much disadvantage to the Spaniard but that for many years after be continued his hatted and War against him neither till of late by the strong endeavours of Anmarle were the Cities of Picardy adjoyning to the Borders of the Netherlands reduced unto his obedience Nay at Rome a great while he incensed Pope Clement and the most powerfull in the conclave by threats and force least they should open or propose a way for the Kings Repentance and Reconciliation calling him a Renegado from Religion and a dissembler of novel Piety But at the first being had in suspicion by both Parties as well that he departed from as that he came over to afterwards by a sweet and well-constituted moderation by giving to these the chiefest Power to those Safety in the Exercise of their Religion and some Honour he exceeded both their 〈◊〉 and made a Harmony between them among whom before there was nothing but Discord So that now all were pleased except a few ignorant how great a benefit they had receiv'd whom no Felicity could ever please no Revenge saâ— In short Trade and Commerce beginning in this Cessation of Arms and the People well pleas'd with this Quiet it came to pass that the strongest and most potent Cities with the Metropolis of them all Paris and the chief Heads of the Faction and Revolt submitted to him caused either by private â—â—scords among themselves or the fear of a Forreign Authority The Spaniard hereupon when the Duke de Mayn came to â—â—xels were of opinion to restrain him as one that was averse to their Design but the Regent Ernestus having more regard to his Fame hindred it although it were known he was the chief Instigator of the chief Leader of the Faction to go in to the King and merit thereby his Pardon yet there were some who detain'd by their own Covetousness or the Spaniard's Policy did all they could to hinder Peace delaying by the same the performance of their Expectations Picardy chiefly and the parts thereabouts near Henalt and Artots were molested and perturbed by the Spanish Forces And the first Spring Charles Mansfeldt who made War in those parts had forced Capelle a free City there having assaulted the Rampires when the Trench was dry to surrender before King Henry could send thither any Succours Shortly after the King himself being conducted with some Troops to Laudune staying upon those Confines Towards the end of Summer Mansfeldt being driven away who had indeavour'd to raise the Siege the Town came again into the King's Power The Confederate States about this time had given a Summe of Money to King Henry upon condition That he should turn his Force upon the Netherlands But that Queen Elizabeth would not hear of who fore-saw that together with the War all use of him and respect to him would cease This Defection of the King from the New-Religion was variously reported both in England and Holland so as hardly any thing had bin further examined and discoursed with more variety of Language and freeness of Judgment Others look'd upon it with Hatred and Detestation The Catholikes hereby conceiv'd a hope that in time that other differing Religion Rites though at present receiv'd in publike might at last reunite and that as France had follow'd the Rule of German so the rest would follow the Pattern of France But all Leagues and Alliances with Neighbors were by the King inviolably observ'd And now the States being 〈◊〉 by what private Policies the Enemy gain'd upon them ordered very diligent Care to be taken That no sort of Writing that might prove dangerous to the Publike might be foisted 〈◊〉 the People And that Masters which instructed Youth in Leaning should not instill into their Minds evill Opinions Which done they turned all their Counsel to the carrying on of the war while the Enemy would seem to seek after a peace And because Ernestus having recruited the Army was reported to have enhanced the Fame and Terrour of his
persidious And as the Spaniard could not lay aside Arms without the Consent of the Kings his Allies so also the same Impediment lay upon them by several Leagues And here they shewed several Examples when Peace had either vainly or falsly been pretended to be sought and they had no more Reason at this time to hope for better of more safe proceedings For Philip was so far from remitting old Offences for advancement of the Peace of Christendom that he would rather suffer the Barbarians to enjoy all Europe than he himself would leave off to infest and trouble other Kingdoms by Arms and Treachery That it was most evident from Letters of the same Philip written to William Clementius wherein he was commanded to delude Caesar with fair Words and Promises adding That the Turkish Power would easily be diverted from the Spanish Empire by Gifts and Presents Nor did the States forbear to signifie That the power of concluding a Peace was Deputed unto the Praefects but the Right and Power of preserving it was in the Lords In short what hope could they have while the Netherlands were oppressed with Forreign Souldiers and the Spaniards who still sit at the Helm would by their nefarious and cruel Counsels would absolutely reverse all the good which Ernestus intended The Opinion of many among the Romanists in hatred of Pease was too commonly cast abroad That no Faith is to be held with such as differ from them Meritedly sure was the Mischief of that Invention turned upon their own Heads while they by an endeavour of setting Men together by the Ears break off and spoill all Commerce To all those that practice Equity and Honesty they never alter their Evil Habit and least they should enjoy their Perfidy too long themselves became an Example against themselves Nay the very Common People who for the most part are first weary of Warre being inraged with the Memory of the late Villanies of the Enemy would not by any means hearken or incline to any Thoughts of Peace And now the Spaniards fearing Prince Maurice's youth grown famous by so many Victories and the league of two Kingdoms from the greatness of their terrour they so far contemned infamy that they hired murtherers by particular stabs to bring that to passe which they were not able to compass with all their Armies And without doubt there was no time so detestible for such horrid wickedness insomuch that from hence no one could expect from them any true peace who by giving place to hatred and revenge would even violate the Laws of Arms. For in this very year wherein they desired a Treaty first a Priest of Namar afterwards another Renegado Souldier were hired to become assassineâ— but prevented barely by suspicions gathered from the extravagancies of their looks but the designs of so great Treasoâ—s being once though with difficulty and but darkly discerned were soon after for fear of the wrack laid open and the whole contexture of the horrid villany discovered wherein first the Prince himself then his Brother Henry Frederick and after them several other persons eminent in the Common-wealth were designed to be slain and every one for a particular cause as Leominus becâ—use he had revoked from the Kings party Aldâ—guâ—d because he had excited the Duke of Parma to disloyal mistrusts of the King Olden barâ—evelt because he was looked upon to be averse to peace The Traytors names were Michel Renichon and Peter Furius but let us see the Authours who being persons in eminent place and capable of Honour yet had bound themselves to the perpetrating this infamous act And they were as fellows First Fontayne and Ibarra two Spaniards Stanley the betrayer of Deventer and of the Netherlanders La 〈◊〉 and Barlaymont the heyr of an inveterate hatred to the House of Nassau and also Assonvile of old suspected for the murther of the former Prince of Aurange Of all these the Traytors gave particular accounts and demonstration partly by force but chiefly by a voluntary confession after they were condemned to die and could not hope for any reward or favour for casting aspersions upon others Nay more the Promises and Exhortations of Ernestus himself were related to Renichon by assuring a large Pension for his Reward but to Furius in these very words If thou performest what thou promisest me and dost kill that Tyrant thou shalt surely go the ready way to Paradise yet there wanted not some who from hence would interpret that the countenance of peace which the Regent would seem to have put on was but dissembled averring that he onely counterfeited a face of modesty the more neatly to hide the cruelty of his heart However it was 't is certain that Comannus and Hartius who were in Holland when this Treason of Reâ—ichâ—n was discovered denyed Ernestus to be in any manner culpable therein adding also that Barlaymont would be ready if they would give him a safe conduct to come and send pledges for his safe return to appear and refute the before mentioned scandalls but in regard he could be admitted no otherwise than to be punished if he were convict the conditions were refused About the same time Lodowick Lopez a Portuguese but of Jewish extract being a Physitian in England was apprehended who was convict by proofs and Letters to have undertaken to poyson Queen Elizabeth for fifty thousand Ducats promised to him by the Spaniard for the same for which he was as he well deserved put to death The Authours of the Treason were said to be Christopher More Fontayne and Stephen Ibarra then residing at Bâ—uxells whom Queen Elizabeth contented her self to have sharply reprehended in certain Letters to that purpose sent to Ernestus wherein she gave the name of Jesuites to the inciters of such villanies and desired that they might be delivered to her to be made a publick example this she urged not that she imagined to obtain her Request but that she might thereby cast the greater ignominy on the Spaniard's Reputation There were several other Attempts of the like soâ— broke out not long after from a sort of men wonderfull by their vast increase their Lenity being as ready to promise the perpetrating of a Crime as to discover it Towards the end of the Year the Order of Jesuits began to be infinitely hated through all France by means of oâ— John Castel a young man bred up and tutor'd among them and perswaded by his Masters that no Kingly Rights or Priviledges belonged to him that was separated from the Romane Church This Fellow when the King returned out of Picardy to Paris endeavour'd to have stab'd the King into the Neck but the blow by the bending of his Body hit him upon the Tooth The Parliament of Paris so abhorred the monstrous Fact that they were not content with the punishment of the single Offender but pulled down the House that nourished such a Viper with all its Superstructures they raised a Pillar to preserve the abominable Memory of
Valquin consulâ—ed of certain Matters relating to the League Then began to appear how much those Presents were envyed which had been bestowed to gain the King of Scots Affection the Queen of England objecting to them Their unseasonable Magnificence while yet themselves wanted Forreign Aid Nor did it proceed so much from the Humour of her Regal Disposition that would endure none to vye with her as that she being a wise and subtle Woman and who would keep the Succession incertain as one of the main strengths of her Kingdom she would not that a Prince though next to her both in Kingdom and Bloud should be appointed her Heir by the Option of her Neighbours Therefore according to the Custom of angry persons she requir'd a part of her old Debt and if they gave her not satisfaction she threatned War Whereto a modest Excuse being made they were at quiet for some time And in the mean time that they might make amends for their Offence upon her Request They obey and grant That they will adde some Money and Ships to her Fleet for driving away the Spaniard from Bretaign in France For the Enemy being setled in some strong Ports lay at lurk upon both Shores to get the possession of that Sea which passeth by both France and Spain From whence proceeded the English-mens fear nor could the Hollanders sail to the Westward with any safety But now the English and Dutch Fleets being joyned they drove the Enemy from most of the strong Holds scituate on the Sea-Coast But the War after the taking of Groening continued in the Countries beyond the Rhine although there were other Things which promised their Hope a Reward of their Labours But at the instance of Mounsieur Buzanual King Henry's Embassadour it seemed more just since their own Affairs had so well thriven to look towards their Allies because then there was sharp War upon the Borders between the Netherlands and France Some there were that would not have sent Souldiers to the King but Money which Buzanuall withstood affirming That the King his Master had better learned to order Souldiers than Money And so far did his Reasons prevail that he had not onely very great hopes but the Charge likewise already begun would forthwith be laid aside for a New Expedition thither The Spanish Souldiers who had hitherto made War upon the French Borders after they had received their Money and taken the benefit of what Licentiousness they pleased being excluded from all Cities lest they might grow more insolent by Idleness under the Conduct of the Lord of Cimace besieged Cambray For that City as is before set forth was delivered in the Name of the Kingdom of France to Balagny to be kept for King Philip but he on the contrary usurped it to himself from thence the Neighbouring Country was wasted Nor had the Spaniards long continued the Siege but they wanted all Things necessary not excepting Provisions However lest that they might seem to do nothing they surrounded the City at a distance but with very careless Guaâ— for being in their Friends Country they supposed themselves terrible enough to the Enemy being in no manner changed from what they were before but onely in this that now being under Command yet they re-acted the Crimes of Sedition among other of their Exploits many times fetching great Booty out of France But Henry the greatest part of the Traytors being subdued finding himself really King and that he was so increased in strength that though till this time he had been able but weakly to defend his now he appeared able to vindicate himself and to threaten an equal Return for Injuries He accused Philip in an Edict That he had without any probable Reason broken the League that he had made with France five and twenty years before That he being King of France 〈◊〉 content with the Dominion of his Ancestors which by the Divine Providence he now enjoyed and being an august and magnificent Possession he did not desire to intermeddle in the business of other Princes That he would not seek a cause of War against the Neighbouring Cities of the Netherlands and hoped he should not be forced to one by injuries put upon him but since they had compelled him he exhorted the People of Henalt and Attoys and others his Subjects to fall upon those forreign Souldiers generalâ—y hated and burthensome to all about them whom none ever hated without danger but an Enemy and to drive them out of the French Territories and also from Cambray which if it wâ— not done by a set day he would bring thither his Armies and tâ— his force upon them This was all received in silence as if it had been denyed for the Cities durst make no answer but Philip shortly after mindfull of his affections to the Catholick Religion and remembring the League himself had formerly made with France declared that the Prince of Bearns for he would not vouchsafe the King of France any other name who had vainly pretended himself an honourer of that Religion which he had opposed and now called himself King of France was to be prosecuted with War on all hands Be this came too late for after they had for a whole year displayed their Ensign on the Netherlandish Borders all after actions seemed to claim a shadow of right But to this forreign War King Henry appointed Commander in Chief Turnis Viscount Turen who then raised the Repute of the name of Bulloyn renowned also by Alliance to Prince Maurice whose Sister Elizabeth descended by the Mothers side from the Royal Stock of Bourbon he had marryed And in this he would be more affectionately diligent in that thereby he advanced above the power of the League a Prince bound 〈◊〉 him by private Allyance and also very high in the King's favour It was thought convenient to carry the War into the Province of Lutzenburg because this way he might have a passage for his Italian and German Levies for the Hollanders hoped that if new forces were raised it might be possible to bring to nought the old being neither many nor well agreeing and this either by the Netherlanders consent of the conjunction of War But a Messenger met Philip of Nassau as he was hastening his march towards the French with supplies consisting of eight and twenty Foot-Companies for the States having onely promised twenty had now of their own accord augmented the number that they understood by four Switzers whom they had taken that Charles Mansfeldt lay in the middle between them Therefore for securing the Journey he took five Troops under the leading of Sir Francis Vere and a well ordered number of Foot least he should give any opportunity to Mansfeldt pressing upon him and leads them beyond the River Moselle to the Borders of Metz for the Enemy had prepossessed all the places more inward The greatest part of the Troops having either gained by leave or force a passage through Germany returned into Holland but the greatest
League took example either to imitate or revenge the humour For if men follow after their profit nor more out of necessity than Wisdom or Policy while the Enemies Affairs were very unprosperous and themselves had most advantagious Trading and the French War raging that time certainly called for their more vigorous endeavours and not to cast off all to a season when the people being more impoverished must through the mercies of unprosperous events yet run the hazards and bear the burthen and heat of the day Neither did the successes in Lutzenburg answer expectation for though several Forts and Castles were assaulted rashly and taken yet neither was the Enemy much damnified or the Victors any thing advantaged thereby But after King Henry by making a great Progress in Burgundy had drawn thither the Forces of his Kingdom the Earl of Bulloyns Forces being exhausted who by an ostentous defiance had brought the Spanish Army against him he was not onely not able to perform his threats but also unable to defend himself he saw the French Borders pillaged himself being only able to assist them with a helpless and sorrowful look By the irksomness whereof and because the Souldiers began to grow insolent through hunger and thirst having nothing but water to drink Philip of Nassau much against the Earl of Bulloyns will made hast to return but by a contrary way to that he went out for that the Enemy had blocked up But the Foot being commanded to go back by the way where France is encompassed by the Sea that so they might sail into Holland himself with the Horse came into Gelderland through Germany And Fontayne by how much he held a spited Government by so much be the more earnestly studied that his Adversaries might have no cause to accuse him for any thing besides his greatness His chief care was for the Souldiers to strengthen the old and to recruit them with a new Militia and well knowing the Revolt of the Italians and whatever miseries followed thereupon was accounted his fault for the mitigating the envy he had contracted he supposed to reduce them to obedience would be his readiest way wherefore hastning the conclusion of the Agreements begun by Ernestus but interrupted and broke off by his death in regard monies did not yet arrive he gave them pay from day to day and pledges for performance of what was agreed Notwithstanding which being Commanded to take possession of Tilemonte they refused to follow their Colours yet they made an advantage of it averting the use of those Souldiers which they themselves wanted even against the Enemy and shortly after divided them some under new Officers others into Garrisons The King of Spain's Forces were hardly at any time greater or more numerous than now yet being far dispersed in several parts were never able to compass any great matter In Burgundy under Velasius was a strong Army In the Confines of Artois and Picardy after the departure of Charles Mansfield Varembonius was quartered to bridle Cambray and by making excursions into France to revenge Rapine by Rapine Mondragonio attended Prince Maurice to observe his motions and in time to meet or prevent him In this lying about Hulst there were four thousand Armed men Verdugo with six thousand Foot and fifteen hundred Horse being Commanded drew near to Ferte to drive the Earl of Bulloin who had less Forces out of Lutzenburg and to recover the Towns by him taken The Walls of this Town of Fert by continual Batteries and breaches lay open yet a great power of the French being sent to help the Town by a fierce and violent Assault did repress and beat off the Besiegers But this Town thus freed from the Siege being soon after by accident for the greatest part burned and spoyled by Gunpowder by the Earl of Bulloyne himself was dismantled and ungarrisoned In the interim Verdugo turning his strength against weaker places after a few Assaults by a growing Disease and the accomplishment of his Fate dyeth report also being both doubtful and suspicious about his death for he merited a name of Honour although in the unsuccesful Government of Frizeland as rather wanting opportunity and strength then Valour and Industry He was faithful to the heighth of Religion and eloquent beyond the mode of a Souldier His nature was full of urbanity and thereby easily distinguished from other Spaniards who generally do not use so prayse-worthy a quality and because he was raised from nothing to great Honours being born of a House not ignoble though impoverished he remembred his former Fortune as much as was necessary The Cities of the Netherlands made it their general Request to Fontayne at last that he would stick close to the Siege of Cambray offering him a great sum of money and also Souldiers because while neither the City was closely besieged nor the Spanish Army reduced thereto from their lying scattered up and down they were spoiled by both But he of his own accord that the time of his Government might not passe away without something memorable and that be might supply the empty Treasury he sends to Varembonius his Camp and increaseth his Forces to make them up twelve thousand Foot and two thousand Horse With this Army he secured all the adjacent parts from the French and that done he took Castellat being first much weakened by Battery and afterwards forced them to surrender who had retreated into the Castle This is a Town in Vermandois near the Head of the Scheldt which another Henry King of France had appointed for a defence to Cambray and if any invasion should happen out of the Netherlands for a frontire Guard to the Kingdom About the same time Hanen a Town in the same Borders was taken by force with such variety of chances as have made the Relation wonderful and brought it almost within the compass of fabulous The Governour thereof was one Gomero one Of those Frenchmen who under pretence of the Roman Religion had sought to win foreign favour to his advantage This man at what time the greatest Affairs in those parts were turned against the King of France his Fortune Covenanting with the Spaniards for a great sum of money delivered up the Town only retaining the Castle while the Articles were performed But by the Policy of Fontayne drawn out he was overcome together with his two Brothers his Mother and his Kinsman Orvillier still remained to the Garrison with the danger of which dearest Pledges they were threatned unless they forthwith departed The Woman between fear and affection consented but Orvillier being nearer to the incensed French by secret Messengers sent to the Earl of Bulloyne and the rest of the Kings Commanders who then resided in Picardy who coming and being admitted into the Castle all the whole day after there was a sharp conflict with the Towns wherein there were twelve hundred Souldiers Spaniards Walloons Germans and Italians nor was the Dispute ended without the loss of some Noble Blood
to obtain Peace Others because a safe Peace could never be obtained And as the Nature of Fire and Water are directly contrary and endless so is the Contention of them that on the one hand sâ—ek to domineer over all and of those on the other side that will serve none wherein to seek Revenge or Defence too late is folly but to anticipate 〈◊〉 very beginnings is a glorious act befitting wise men For it is not so much for the punishing of Injuries as for preventing Princes of that sort of Dominion which is nicknamed to be Power given them by Heaven He cannot be said to preserve himself that lies upon the Defensive Posture 'T is Impunity makes wicked Minds worse Let Philip 's Pretences be what they will 't is sure he will always keep Armies a foot both by Sea and Land What to do To fight with the Turk or keep other Forein Enemies in awe No no but to bring Us under his Yoke or otherwise to â—â—o with Us what Providence will suffer him Nor can England be free either from Charge or Fear while his Armiâ—s are raging every where Let but this Question be answer'd Whether is an Act of greater Valour to be afraid of or fight with an Enemy and whether is it more just and honourable to take Tributes from our Subjects or Booties from our Foes We do not boast Great Queen our Alliance with you We acknowledge our selves obliged to you for infinite Benefits which that they may not be forgotten or lâ—st a little concerns you but us highly who both would be and be accounted grateful And if We on our part have done ought in requital which might be acceptable for the readiness of our Intents in regard the multiplicity of our pressing Necessities could not grant more We doubt not but You will be ready to remember it with more Equity than behoves us to speak of it This is without all Dispute that your Ancestors have had such an Esteem of the Belgick Provinces in regard of their Site and Customs that they always thought it a matter of great moment in all their great Affairs to have their Friendship and of Prejudice to have them Enemies But herein yon have excelled the Glory of your Ancestors that by how much you exceed others in Power by so much you excel them in Acts of Mercy and Piety by whose Means and Aid the French have gain'd many Victories and We more which will redound to the Honour not onely of your Self but those that shall come after you The future Events of Wars are in the Hands of Almighty God whom we 〈…〉 found propitious to us beyond all Humane Expectation And as far as it is lawful for a Wise-man to judge of Futurities we have all those things that put Life and add Sinews and Strength to War for we have Men Mâ—neyes Towns Cities and Forts nay more we have a General so famously exemplary for Valour and Vertue that it is hardly to be imagined how any of these things should decrease and not rather be augmented Whereas the Enemy unless by our giving way hath not where to settle And as his Dominion it wider so is ours more convenient for in a great and over-spatious Empire it is usual for some People to Rebel Upon which occasion if at any time he be employ'd it will be easie for other Princes to appoint what Method they will use for the future for their own Security That which is usually said or thought to the contrary That a man ought not to thrust himself into another Man's Affairs or Business I will not say it is a hard Speech against Humanity against the Honour and Glory of Princes with whom nothing that is good or great is less unquestion'd nor any suffer'd to do good that would And where any puts that upon another that he is not willing to undergo himself may it be his Fortune to obtain no other Doom In this case whatever we speak of our selves the same may be said of England for they that without themselves would indanger the Hollanders with an intent onely to save themselves do little consider that it is alike easie to Fortune to make an end of them as for any one to set Bounds to his desires Will therefore our Ruine add any thing to you or to your strength Or will it any whit diminish your Enemies Ambition Or rather will not any man think it more truly probable that if we are devoured the Danger will not go over to the English who as they were not behind us in Wealth so they are like to be second to us in Misery Wherefore what advantage is it to consider whether you fight in Holland or your Country for your own Lands and Territories You may have us for your Associates in Defence of the Common Weal and is not that safer than to have us unwilling Servants to advance the Spaniards Tyranny For if three Nations which are at this day powerful at Sea if the Hollanders be joyned to the Spaniards it is much to be feared that England afterward will have a hard Task to cope with them especially since the Sea and their Navies are the main if not sole Defences of the Kingdom Besides none will be then equal to match Philip in Wealth if his Revenues out of the new World and the Indies since the Conquest of Portugal till this time infested with War be once brought to a certain and safe Return Thus in fine his own Forces will be able to accomplish his Desires upon those whom he hath hitherto treated as his Inferiours and then shall it no longer be lawful for the English to be any where than now it is lawful for them to be in Germany from whence he hath driven you by bought Decrees as profane and guilty persons and as much as in him lies would banish them from all Humane Society and Commerce But this thing troubleth us for we hear there are some who by Clandestine Speeches object against us the Envy of an ill Example at if we were guilty of a new Defection This hath been spoken before Philip but to gratifie whom we shall not say but chose rather not to know them What hath been done in France and Ireland merely out of a desire of Innovation the Hollanders were compelled thereto by a most excusable Necessity otherwise with what Confidence durst they have call'd it a Fault that Kings had approved and assisted them by Leagues Writing and Arms We seek the good our Grand Fathers enjoyed which is Liberty Let no man start at that Word for we believe Liberty to be in a most flourishing condition under a lawful Principality We do not yet fear Forreign Powers and now if any one will look upon Oppression and not Names we shall quickly agree There is no other or better Tye to keep Subjects in their Obedience to be used either by you O Queen Us or all Governments than to teach them this one Rule That they would
more contracted than ordinary and at the same time the Poyson that lay hid in his Bowels broke cut in which and in his Legs being inflamed through pain he was likewise afflicted with a stopping in his Breast These Things being removed by Physical Administrations he fell into a Frenzy and at the same time sad to tell he was follow'd with an infinite quantity of Lice so that by the labour of many hands about him he could hardly be kept clean from the silth that proceeded from them Apon after when his weak Body was not able to indure any longer such handling as was necessary to make him clean his Bowels were eaten up with a filthy Contagion but with such an invincible Courage bore the Torments that they perceived he was yet alive but retired himself to Meditations of his End So commanding the Crown to be laid close by him and afterwards shewing his Lims to his Son and Daughter he instructed them in Humane Frailty and particularly read a Lecture of his own Weakness who had been of so great Esteem in the World Then he commended them to Brotherly Concord among Themselves and to the maintainance of the Romane Faith with great seriousness advising Them That when he was dead and buried they would remember those their Fathers dying words Then while Divine Prayers were singing he received the extreme Unction and now drawing on to his Death he embraced the same Crucifix which his Father before at his Death had also done Then giving in Charge what he had in his Mind concerning Religion and commending to them several Examples of Clemency on the 14. Day of September he dyed which day he had fore-told to be fatal to him from the Dictates of an Astronomer This was the End of that most potent Christian Prince who was the richest in his Time He was of the Age of 71 Years and had Reigned 43. He was of a middle stature of Body and well compos'd onely his Fore-head was somewhat high his Lips were large and hanging down after the manner of all who are related in Bloud to the House of Austria His Countenance carryed the Lineaments of a Netherlander though his Conditions were altogether Hispaniolized you would have believed him to have been of a mild Nature for that he was easie and affable in access and did not fall rashly into passion but as often as he was acquiring or looking after Dominion he did rather prefer his Fame than his Clemency He was not so cunning and subtle as his Father but Age and Diligence supplyed that defect for being very moderate both in Sleep and Recreations he did more Personally than by his Servants and Ministers which the Spaniards extolling to the highest equalled his Praise with Solomon He so well knew the use of Money that he would renounce what Emperours or Popes he pleas'd almost and with that Key unlock'd the Secrets of all Kingdoms bearing both Prosperity and Adversity with an equal Countenance and Courage but being given much to Dissimulation he indulged to himself the Liberty both of Hatred and Jealousie unsatiable in his Hopes and in his Ambition and desire of Rule to be matched with any of the Antients most observant of Religion which he shew'd even in his outward Actions Concerning his Rules of Government excusable as walking by the Pattern of Princes and in those Things wherein he offended as a private man laudably modest He maintain'd Wars continually even from his Childhood yet besides that in France which he onelay saw when he was young he was never personally in any but managed them all by his Deputies He merited variously as to his Progenitors and Successours whose Empire as he augmented by the American Treasures and the Accession of the Crown of Portugal so he lessen'd it by the loss of the Kingdoms of Goleta and Tunis and by his Tyranny over the Dutch At Times it was observed that divers Things hapned untowardly in his Paternal Dominions but not in the Age of those men by whom his Fortune was upheld but when he had Women Children or weak Emulators or Enemies These were for the most part the Judgments of the wiser sort concerning him But others who were offended at him as Enemies say That he on ertook Wars rashly and managed them persidiously Nor do they less accuse him for the Cruelties of his Peace both in Spain and the Low-Countries his throwing France into Troubles by his Ambition and Thirst of Bloud and many other as well Publike as Domestick Evils making the soulness of his Death an Argument against him averring The Justice of Heaven met him at last and punish'd him for the innocent Deaths of his Son and Wife Isabella this murther'd by his Father that by her Husband So that meritedly he dyed as Herod with whom in regard of his Nature and Fortune they compared him or as Pheretino Queen of the Cerenians and with them suffer'd the Vengeance of his Parricides or that he meritedly perish'd as being a most bitter Enemy of True Religion according as the most famous Antiochus another Herod Caesar Maximinus or of the Tyrant Cassander and Sylla that were Oppressors of the Common Liberty whose Memories stink Although if it be true that it is remembred in History that many men famous for Wisdom learned in the Laws skilful in the Art of Poetry and others have dyed of the same Disease Philip the Son had possession of all his Father's Kingdoms by Inheritance being the Third of that Name and there was hardly ever any Change of Government that carryed along with it so great Wealâ—hâ— But among the Hollanders many men in their antient Simplicity who had hitherto believed that they were perpetually bound to that Prince to whom they had sworn Obedience now by the Kings Death thought Themselves freed there-from both in Conscience and Religion And now in Spain they began to take very sharp Counsels against the Hollanders which did much fully the Fame and Repute of the New King as if he had been of an unfound Constitution But many times it appears by use That Things are often better and more safely managed under a Prince who will fit his Ears and Commands of others whom he finds knowing in the State than where a Confidence of his own Wisdom makes him rash and obstinate to his own Humour and Will But these Things will in time be made more plainly appear Albertus going out of Bohemia into Italy in the Venetian Territories finds Margaret who about 14 Years ago having been Betrothed to the King's Son was now upon her Way to King Philip and was come from Graic a City of Hungary through the Streights of the Alps near Trent towards the River Athesis The Brother of this Lady being named Ferdinand to whom the Vicinity of the Turks was hateful and being desirous to change the Form of his Religion for most in that Country had departed from the Roman Church first intreated the House of Austria to intercede and afterwards
admired by her neighbours but courted by Embassadours even from the Moors and Sarmatians No man hitherto doubted but that great Commotions would have arisen in England upon the death of the Queen who had never declared any certain Successor for it was believed that although James King of Scotland was the next in bloud yet the ancient hatred of the inhabitants and the private fear of those that had consented to his Mother's death would be an obstacle to him there being several ready in England who boasted themselves to be descended of Royal bloud Then also the power of the English Catholicks was feared lest they should hope for that by Troubles which they could never expect while the setled Authority of the Queen remained the Pope also instigating them as unwilling that a King of the new Religion should be admitted although he were next in bloud Nor was that hope onely grown in the Spaniards who lay at watch for the peoples commotions but the Hollanders also although they had by many good offices before-hand pre-engaged King James upon the connexion of Religion yet by tacite wishes did guess that the imputation of their alliance with him would transferre part of the Warre into Britain But it happened beyond hope and expectation that presently after the decease of Queen Elizabeth the old Councel of the Queen and as many of the Bishops and Magistrates of London as were at present at hand and in readiness proclaimed King James not waiting for the authority of a Parliament for the danger of delay and because Interregnum's do many times in the future by new Laws and Covenants diminish the grandeur and power of Authority Thus without any contradiction the King of Scotland got the possession of England and was the first that within the known Records of any Annals enjoyed the whole Island of Great Britain in one entire and undivided Government The United States did not omit forthwith to send an Embassy to congratulate him for his new access of magnitude having first sent some gratulatory Letters The Embassadours sent by them to the King were Count Henry of Nassau Prince Maurice's brother then a Member of the Councel of the States and General of the Horse next to him was Walrave Brederode thirdly John Olden Barneveldt and lastly Jacob Valcken who died before he returned from this Embassy When they were admitted to audience they spake in this manner We are come hither Great King divided in our selves between Grief And Joy for we have lost Her whose goodness and benefits to us we are not able to express in words but we have found You as the Heir of Her Kingdome so the Imitator of Her Vertues That which formerly we desired and since that by publick supplications decreed to the most happy Messengers of Your new-begun Dominion that now in Your own presence with hearts and voices we beseech and begge of God that this Your reign may be happy and prosperous to Your Self to Posterity to Great Britain and to Vs We begge of You Sacred Sir one thing That You would not suffer the insulting Spaniard to trample upon the necks of the Netherlanders and from thence by degrees to incroach upon the Dominions of others his Neighbours It suits with Your Religion to save so many Assemblies of pious men from that Kingdome of sanguinary Superstition it agrees with Your Justice to defend a Cause allowed of by so many Kings and it is an act becoming Your Prudence to drive away those underminers of Kingdomes and supporters of the Papacy by whose judgement all that You now possess is given to them as a Prey Your Predecessor Queen Elizabeth did this and so we hope will You and that with the greater ease by how much You are in the prime of Your age have a more man-like Authority a more ample Power and a House well setled upon the happy foundation of a hopeful Issue Our fidelity shall in part supply Your Work and Charge by whose prosperity and adversity it hath been made evident that the Spaniards could be conquered 'T is true Peace is a most excellent Jewel and worthy of high estimation among Christians but that that is made with Tyrants and treacherous people is little better then Warre If all they that are joyned in the Cause would unite their wealth he would be deprived of the Netherlands and if that punishment would not yet make him wise he should be driven out of the Sea and all his maritime Dominions which would be no hard matter for the Hollanders and English to effect and this certainly would make him glad to come to a true Peace the best maintainer whereof was equality of Forces Now is the siege of Ostend protracted unto the third year so that having endured so long a misery we humbly intreat You to aid us with supplies for relief thereof for which purpose you may make use of those ships which by the Queen 's command were furnished and instructed with Armes and provisions by us being eleven in number and now wait for nothing but your Royal command Hereto the King very courteously answered as to the matter of friendship but as to the rest he excused himself by the infancy of his Dominion but in time he would see what was best to be done in the interim not concealing that as much as he could he would prefer all counsells tending to Peace for hitherto he had had no difference with the Spaniard and also Philip had voluntarily offered him his assistence if any dispute should have arisen concerning his Kingdome and himself being of a mild disposition and well grounded in all kind of Literature had spent his time in studies rather inclinable to Peace then War And the Archduke being supposed to have made war with the Queen not with the Realm had by Edict forbidden any damage to be done to the English sending home besides all Prisoners they had that were that Countrey-men and soon after he sent Charles Prince of Arenberg Embassador to the King as also the Spaniard sent Don John Baptista Taxis to the same for the promoting a Peace concerning which the year following there was an agreement When the Embassadors of Holland saw they could not prevent it they endeavored to delay it and to give the King some hopes that they likewise might obtain Peace together with their Liberty if the King by procrastinations or delay would suffer the Spanish counsells which yet depended upon the event of a few years to grow towards perfection And this was the discovery of Olden Barneveldt who was throughly versed in all the secrets of the United Provinces producing the Duke of Brunswick's hand whom the Emperor Rudolphus had acquainted with that affair But King James his hast was not at all slackened in making that Peace whereupon the Hollanders onely contended that if they could not obtain a shew of assistence yet that they might not be denied right These their desires were seconded by the French King who was very
then the preservation of Liberty The Emperour Robolfus being too weak for two Enemies Granted Transilvania to Botscay and to the Hungarians Native Governours of their own appointing his Brother Matthias who had been heretofore concerned in the Low-Countrey Affairs their Regent and setling Laws whereby the Jesuites Wealth should be restrained and agreeing the Turk should keep what he possessed Thus Arms being laid aside Botscay not long after was poisoned by some about him yet even at his last gasp when he despaired of life taking care for the Publick Commending to the Hungarians and Transylvanians a strict Unity and Concord frequent Assemblies in Counsel and while the Laws remained in force to hold a firm Peace with Caesar But his dying without Issue when by the Laws the Principality reverted to the Emperour straight was Transylvania involved in new troubles impatient to be ruled by a Forreign Prince Germany also was now full of differences concerning Religion and at Brunswick Patelborn Embden although they had not an absolute War yet their differences came as near to a War as might be between those Princes and Cities the former being too greedy of Dominion and the later unapt and unwilling to obey The Venetians yet defended themselves by Books whose Authors at the prescribed day wont not to Rome pretending many casualties in the Journey and that their nominated Judges were malicious against them in the interim Commanders Armies and Fleets were with all expedition hastned forward Nor did the Spaniard dissemble in promising the Pope aid whereof the King of France having notice sent to Rome to tell his Holiness That his Ancestors had so well merited of that See that in all dangers the Church ought not to seek redress from any other hands then those of the Kings of France but if the Pope should declare himself ambitious to dilate the Spanish Greatness He ought with great reason to suspect the same and therefore in a manner should be compelled to take part against him With these threats the Italian was terrified whose Countrey was never pierced with Forreign Arms without great damage because the Body of the Countrey being divided into small Dominions would easily become a prey to the Conqueror But the French as he feared not War too much yet he rather chose Peace Wherefore now He advised the Venetians then the Pope That they would reconcile their Differences which otherwise would break out to the Publick Ruine Himself strengthening and corroborating His Domestique quiet both by Laws Money and League Brittain after the Discovery of that Horrid Conspiracy formerly mention'd was full of Jealousies and Suspitions which the Pope increased by setting forth Bulls Forbidding 〈◊〉 to take the Oath prescribed by the King maintaining that it was contrary to Religion because they swore thereby to continue faith and Allegiance to the King though the Pope denyed it which the Catholikes themselves very hardly believed And this Declaration of the Pope's was receiv'd with great variety of Opinion as Either the Love of the Country or the imbibed Principles of Religion prevail'd with every one The English also made many Complaints because Right was not equally administered to the Merchants in Spain But in Spain the Netherlanders there abiding were with great Cruelty persecuted whose Trade with the Hollanders and chiefly with the late â—â—rected Indian Company was connexed The Treasury also was taken Care for with great Diligence all whose Fidelity in managing the Affairs of Money was suspected being apprehended and call'd to Question But the Remedies were too small for such overgrowing Evils although the King was daily pressed with Petitions of the Portugezes That he would not please to set an end to their Misery For why would he suffer 〈◊〉 near at hand to be exhausted and spoiled while he onely â—ded the War with the Hollanders at a greater distance Why would he permit so many Ships the onely Wealth of that late flourishing Kingdom to be taken and burned The Ports of Spain 〈◊〉 to be beset and now the Molucca's to be torn from him Besides the War made by the Castilians was very burdensom which â—ing the late Times had cost the Spaniard no less than Three Hundred Thousand Scutes Monethly without any hope of an 〈◊〉 and especially because the danger of the Ships coming from America grew greater and greater The Expences moreover had so far increased over the Annual Income that the Seditions of the Souldiers could not be avoided even by the exactest Care and Diligence of Spinola and what was gotten by the War did in no wise tantamount it being on the other side known by Experience how firmly the Enemies had fortified their Rivers â—â—d strengthned their Works how secure they keep their Sea â—â—d how uncertain and letigious the Passage of our Souldiers hath been through the Borders of other Dominions so that if the Venetian War should grow on the Belgick not yet ended it must needs reduce Us not onely to Poverty but to absolute Beggery The King was a young man unexperienced in Matters of War and who measur'd rather the Greatness of his Kingly Dignity by the Excess of his Pleasures than the Extents of his Dominions unless he was drawn thereto by Advice was not very forward to ingage in a War Besides He was possessed with great Fears by an addition and intermixture of Truth and Falshood not without great Policy of those who had the chief Management of Affairs in Holland that they might drive Spain of it self full of Procrastinations into more speedy and reall Motions for Peace For a Rumour was spread abroad That the French King strongly labour'd to 〈◊〉 the Hollanders to become Subjects to his Kingdom under sâ—â—â— prescribed Laws and that Flanders being Conquer'd should be the Bounds between them But it was more tolerable for the Spaniards to give the Hollanders their Liberty than by the Damage of his own Empire to increase that of another and him especially his chief Emulator and some hope yet remained against them when they should have nothing to do either by forgetfulness of Offences by Discord among themselves or with the Kings by whose Wealth they flourished which would for ever be lost if they were employed Besides Fortune favouring them in the Indies a New Company was prepar'd by the Hollanders and Zelanders that should with a strong Fleet carry at once both War and Merchandise into America and should drive away thence the Enemy both by Sea and Land with hope of as great Booty as would make amends for the Charge of the War Anon after another Report was spread abroad That as formerly the Turk had passed the Hellespont by the help of the Genoways so now the Moors were by the Hollanders Assistance and Fleet â—â—gain Granado and other places possessed by their Ancestors Albertus also and Isabella this as a Woman that as a Man 〈◊〉 up in Religious Studies began now to be weary of the War 〈◊〉 burthensom to them by its long continuance And the
Instructions to their Commissioners by a new example had bound and tyed them up by secret and private orders To which it was answered that that should in no manner hinder the business in regard the States themselves were present who as any one Head or Article of Peace was agreed on should immediately confirm the same by their Authority for it was consented to by both that all things should not be proposed at once in general but each thing particularly as the same was to be decided or debated The Hollanders insisted on this that they might try the Enemies minds at the beginning by the most difficult things whether they only desited a Treaty or really intended a Peace But the Spaniards were for a more dilatory way and that they might avoid any concessions they should be forced to as often as they thought fit The Spaniard offered either a Peace or a Truce a long time keeping secret what at last almost too late was known that they could not indure a Peace upon equal tearms but would consent to such a Truce On the other side the States from the very beginning professed they desired to put an end to the War and not only to give an intermissive Cessation thereto for it was manifest that the exhausted Forces of the Spaniard would in time reâ—â—â— and in the inâ—eriâ—â— the Neighbour Kingdoms might grow evilly affected towards them besides many other things were spoken against a Truce which we shall hereafter commemorate Wherefore at this very time they began to Treat about a Peace the first branch whereof was about the confession of the liberty of Holland upon which matter the Debate being begun Don Richardot said In matters not to 〈◊〉 if they please to make themselves a Kingdom 〈◊〉 he desired them that the Covenants might be so made in such words at might do least prejudice to the Kings Honour The Confederate States desired that the King and Arch Dukes should in their own Name and the Name of their Heirs and Successors for ever desist from their Claym of the Seven Provinces and Lingen and Trent and whatever else they possessed so as for the future they should not use either their Arms or Titles But the Spaniards grievously complained both to the French and English of this contumelious demand as they pleased to call it protesting that it was a devestable thing that harder â—aws should be imposed on them by that People then Kings are wont to prescribe to Kings The Kingdom of Navarre is possessed by the Spaniard yet the antient Inheâ—â—tors thereof retain the Honour of the Title The King of Great Britain entitles himself to France yet neither is the French offended with this or the Spaniard with that for the Spaniard himself hath nothing of the Kingdom of Jerusalem but the Name whereto when the Hollanders replyed That Kingdoms were supported by their Majesty But free People could never be wary or cautelous enough and that the loss of a few words would be no great matter in the great and swelling Titles of the House of Austria at last the Spaniards did admit the condition so as all other things might be likewise concluded This easiness of the Spaniard was suspected by wise men not was it without Reason at that time conjectured that they had speciously consented to that demand being so popular and pleasing to all because there remained other things which being within the words of their conceded liberty would destroy both their Power and Wealth or else things not equally common with them and the Confederates would involve them in dissentions In the progress of the Treaty the Solemnity usually in Leagues concerning the Oblivion of all acts of Hostility and the prohibiting making of Seizures took up little or no debate But when they came to the point of Commerce the Spaniards declared that the Hollanders must abstain from going to the Indies and other long Voyages by Sea as not used before the War and that this was the main Reason that moved Philip to hearken to Peace Nor was their liberty of so small concernment to them as that they would refuse to give such a price for it especially no damage accruing thereby since instead thereof they should have the benefit of the Spanish Trade which is nearer to them and more safe which while it formerly continued free to them they never once thought of the Indies Adding further that by the Treaty of Verbin neither the French nor the English by the Treaty made at London were admitted to go into those parts which the Castilians and Portugueses alone had for so many years challenged to themselves as the first finders thereof But the Embassadors of France and England refelled this affirming what was lawful by the priviledge of nature and not prohibited by any League they esteemed it unquestionably permitted and by that right they used it But these things during the time of the Treaty were debated in Books and Writings wherein was set before them the love of their Country and the private gain from the Indies to be preferred before the Spanish Dominion that was unjust how great therefore was the necessity of the Hollander who having nothing but a barren Soyl and full of Marishes gain Wealth and Glory from the Sea wherein with their own strength they are able to cope with their most powerful Enemies Nor would the adjoyning Seas that lie near about them be sufficient to maintain so great a multitude There being used in the Voyage to Guiny 20 good Ships to the Islands of Salt fourscore to the rest of the Coast of America almost twenty and to India only 40. wherein and whereby were imployed no less then eight thousand Seamen from all whom by such a League they would take away their Livelyhood or in effect command or rather compel them to flight a thing ignoble in every Citizen but odious and abominable towards them who deserved so much and so well of the Common-wealth As well private as publick Utility should be something respected it being well known how mightily in a short time the gain of the Indian Trade was increased and it might easily be collected by the profit thereof for these last fifteen years what might be hoped for from them in the future there yet remained Cambaya Malabar Crilon Narsinga Coroâ—iandell and certain other places hitherto unknown and but slightly enquired after Now what if that of China and America opposite to the other Ocean should he looked after and the yet undiscovered World under the South Pole should wait to be made known by the Hollanders let the Spanish and the Indian Trade be divided between them yet the last will not be admitted to be lost hitherto â—ince it hath still been used by the French and English this in effect is no other then to seek the recovery which may be continually lost and in the mean time certainly to loose what can never be recovered for a Society once dissolved cannot by any means
of Jora being admonished by Letters of his fault that he had not followed the Fortifying of the Town although often called upon to that purpose at last this comfort was added that they were coming that would revenge his injuries At Java Paul Cardenus met him with seven Ships for he had lost one that struck upon a shelf at the Siege of Mosambike from which he was forced to depart by the sickness of his men yet he took one of the Enemies Carracks and spoiled two there and others upon the Coast of Bengala With Matelison there came Embassadors from the King of Siam who brought Gifts to the Prince other Letters also were at the same time brought from divers Kings He brought back with him two Ships and three others followed all loaden with Spices At this same time when the Indian Company was assisted not only with mony as home but with forreign Treasure even from the Enemy himself a Noble Merchant being accused for the same and thrown into Prison whereupon many others were necessitated to flight As of old France greatly flourished under a Potent King so now it did the like under a Prince that was the Umpire of Peace in the World whose Queen at this time brought him a third Son from this Kingdom one Mounsieur de Mounte as is elsewhere mentioned had planted a Colony in the North part of America near the River Canada but without any benefit from thence besides Bever Skins and the Hollanders also had a share therein but the Company being weary of the charge it quickly fell to nothing nevertheless collecting others Ships were again sent to repossess those deserted places who planted at Port-Royall and Quebeco knowing â—e Ayr in the Island of Santa Cruce was unwholsome Into England news was brought from Virginia that nothing hindered their Landing or planting and that there was sufficient of all things for humane sustenance but the nine which they had searched were of no value The faction of Tyrone troubled Ireland making irruptions upon some strong Holds near the Sea while Tyrone himself lived at Rome with the Pope but no Supplies coming to them the same Rebels were easily Conquered and driven into the fastnesses of the Woods and Mountains Spain after the Sea was opened to it and beginning to perceive the Commodities of Peace yet sending of thirteen to the Indies did not omit besides Merchandise to put Souldiers therein as knowing that if a League were made yet whatever was taken before would be esteemed lawful prize and the King himself sweetning the hardships he had put upon his Creditors renewed his Repute Besides by a rare Example he caused his Subject to swear Allegiance to his Son being yet an Infant of three years old as Heir of his Kingdoms Barbary being always unquiet while their Sooth-sayers at pleasure draw the Peoples minds changable by Superstition now this way now that way and then disturbed by Abdala and his Uncle Zidan the youngest Son of their sometime King Hamet by his lawful Wife as he reported of whom He possessing Fez in his Fathers name yet soon lost Morocco a most Noble City Mahomet the Nephew of Hamet being by the Citizens called to the Kingdom who received the same Here by the uncertain Law of Africa and for the more easie Retreat of Warriers a formidable strength of Pirates planted themselves disturbing the Sea near the Streights The Rumour whereof came to the Hollanders at what time Spinola was at the Hague Therefore the States hearing the said Pirates had taken one Holland Ship lest they should seem by dissimulation to incourage a publick evill shewed themselves ready with an Armed Fleet severely to revenge themselves if Spinola would promise they should not be molested by the Spaniards but he protested he had no power to do any such thing Among these Pirates were many English to whom happened an accident worthy of memory which was That some English under the shew of Merchants entring a Ship of Zeland on a sudden got the Marriners all under Decks by chance one Turk was therein which was of the number of Prisoners who being taken at Scluys and having his liberty given him notwithstanding ever after lived in Zeland He daring to attempt any thing being not of a servile nature killed two Englishmen as they were upon the Watch in the night and overcharged with drink then loosing the Mariners hoysting their Sails they returned into their Country and delivered up the surviving Thieves to a just punishment In Germany a Dyet was called at Ratisbom where nothing was done though much deliberated upon But the Emperour who of late had begun to shew his care for the Affairs of Holland was now himself deprived of his Dominions for Matthias choosing rather to have then to expect Authority and despising Rodolfus his sloth found not a few in Hungary and Austria who were troubled at the present state of Affairs and having procured the Agreement of both those Nations and causing the Germans to be hated who under the pretence of Caesars Person ruled all Collecting an Army he leads it to Prague where was his Brothers Palace and Court But the Bohemians standing up for Rodolfus first a Treaty and soon after a Peace was made so as Matthias should for the present enjoy all the Christian part of Hungary together with the Principalities of Austria and Moravia and Bohemia for the future if Rodolfus dyed without any Issue male But Matthias had scarce gotten the possession of his desires but his Conditions were changed Of affable becoming severe and denying to the Austrian Protestants the use of their Religion whereupon their minds were turned from him and their Arms against him Nor did the Bohemians for the like causes less disturb the Emperour The Eighteenth and last Book of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES AT the beginning of the new year the Zelanders being hardly brought by threats to give their consents that their minds incensed with wrangling might again grow into one and all fear of protracting business be taken away the Provinces promise among themselves that they would make no agreement with the Enemy unless the Liberty granted to them in those words that the Deputies approved were in deed and reality confirmed and nothing contrary thereto should be admitted whether sacred or profane And if the Enemy should endeavour to do otherwise they would wait eight dayes and then absolutely break off the Treaty and return to Arms with all the strength they could possible make And now on the one hand the Embassadors of the Kings and on the other they that were sent from the King of Spain and Albertus and were lately returned home laboured to lessen the controverted points but when that way seemed too slow and it was found difficult to explicate business between absent people it was concluded there was a necessity of a further Treaty and to that purpose Antwerp was appointed as the fittest place because many of the Hollanders were displeased
Language wherein he said that he did not use to set aside Ministers of State without hearing and perpending their cause of Complaint but if he could not have his Revenue upon whose payment he did depend he would that some of them should come to him from whom being present he would take cognizance of the whole matter They earnestly write back again That it was not for them to lay crimes to any ones charge but they believed it was a part of his duty rightly and truly â— have informed his Prince but whether he had so done or not the imminent danger if they should be silent would speak and they hoped that their Births and Merits would gain no lesse credit â— their betters than their words but now chiefty when the absenâ— of Governours from their Charges could not be well admitted The King was much moved at these lines but finding necessary a little to yield he sends secretly to Grannell whom now these fore-going passages began to vex partly aâ— a by-stander and partly as being guilty to himself of the deadly hatred of the people towards him commanding him to depart into Burgundy whither he was ordered to retire for avoyding the danger of his life so much fought and layd wait for by his enemies And a long time after he kept all the Netherlands or the greatest part in fear of his return but few joyning with him in his hopes till at length either by Command or his own free will he went to Rome There they who hitherto had been kept out of office were at the Request of the Regent Margaret recalled in the Senate of Assembly and that they might give some proofs of themselves they begin with all diligence to advise and take notice of choice things of others there was no great need And the praise and thanks of dissembling their Crimes was so much the greater towards them by how much he would divert them from the sense of their evill so that now acting wholly as Victors they had taken all things into their own hands whether belonging to publick accounts or to the Law saying it was the Soveraign pleasure of the Senate and that to it all the other Assemblies ought their Service and Obedience But how many faults do attend where some few bear the Sway and in how little time do they grow ripe The Kings Revenew neglected the Authority of the Law among potent discords laid aside the greatest Crimes and villanies unpunished Honours given for favour either much done through ambition by such as coveted the praise of all or else evils never to be remedied overcharge the Credit of the great ones They dissembled less in point of Religion maintaining it was better taught by perswasion than compulsion till at length they found what they supposed as remedies proved rather food to nourish the Disease But when they granted this in favour of the People whether it were out of their own disposition averse from cruelty or that they suspected under the veil of the Inquisition that there lay hid slavery or danger to the valiantest men I will not undertake to discover But this is most evident that they themselves did not depart from the Ceremonies of the Church of Rome and he who was the chief in all these Consultations in his own Principality of Aurange would suffer nothing in matters of Religion to be changed Besides this and for other weighty Causes Egmond was sent into Spain to pry into the Kings nature and affections and is there received with so much Honour and such high Gifts as no man before him ever had the like Here Philip protests much of affection to the Netherlanders and that he may prevent any desire of his return to them again he sayes he hath resolved in himself for the Turkish Warre and likewise gave him some hope that he would moderate the rigour of the Sentence and Edict of the Bishops least either by severity or impunity he might provoke the Secturies licentiousness whereas in truth he intended to make it far more strict For when first he came into Spain and found there many and some of the chief of the Covent of St. Isidore to think otherwise than they ought of the received Rites and Doctrine he was not onely content to have commanded into the fire Learned men and noble Women but rejoyced to see the same with the terrour whereof having appeased the discords there he believed either the sloth or timidity of his Judges hindred if not envyed him the like success in the Netherlands And at this time Elizabeth his Wife Sister of Charles King of France being sent together with the Duke of Alva to â—ajon whether the same Charles and his Mother Medicos met at a Conference for rooting out innovators and disturbers of Religion he bound himself by some private Covenants to be assistant equally therein The like League was made between Henry and Philip after the Peace of Cambray and this being by the imprudence of Henry discovered to the Prince of Orenge in his Embassy into France as he was by chance â— hunting made him often assert with Protestations that he onely feared those Counsels which were concealed Egmond was scarce returned full of his vain hope but the Kings Letters immediately followed cruelly commanding the Inquisitors to execute judgement upon violators and novelties in Religion adding certain other Assistants to the number of the Judges and though Viglius and many with him perswaded the contrary presently they were published to the great trouble of all mens mindes and shortly after were the Decrees of the Councel of Trent put forth by whom nothing being amended either in Doctrine or Ceremonies some whole Nations separated and fell off from the Church of Rome onely there was a Decree made for reformation of Priests Lives and Manners wherewith indeed they were offended but never cured And truly in the Netherlands those mens lives were most vicious who being admitted into the Sacred Order of Priesthood got nothing thereby but the name and Revenues yet were these men most fierce for the publishing of these Decrees which in some places were obeyed but with exception underwritten to which Philip had consented that they should not derogate from any mans right which was added by reason of Patronages of Churches and bounds of Jurisdictions But the Brabanders with one free consent went further First their Cities and afterwards the Senate or States of their Nation did Declare That this Custome of the Inquisition insensibly creeping in daily in a high manner into their Countries was against the Law by which all their Judgments should be directed and which should set Bounds to the Priesthood wherein they should walk The Constancy of these was followed by others but especially the Common People were infinitely perplexed with the Terrible Rumour of the Spanish Inquisition whose Authority with the King though manifest and its Usage and Example in all Kingdoms how profitable and though commended by the French yet the