caused him to consume three score thousande And whilest my Lordes he thus in this countrey lost his time his men and his money he lost likewise within two monethes the Kingdome of Tunis and the Goulette The shameful lostes of the kingdōe of Thunis the Goulette with the greatest shame and confusion that euer anie mightie Prince did yea though he were driuen out of his owne lande albeit some would laie the faulte hereof vppon the youth of Don Iohn vpon the whoredome of the Cardinall For whilest he did so ill imploye his forces here amōgst vs Sinam Basscha tooke from him that Kingdome and that fortresse which men supposed could neuer haue bin taken this he did in the sight of Spaine and of Sicilia without that euer anie of the Kings side durst so much as shewe his head to fight against him or onely to turne him aside And yet if he had no regarde to the good of Christendome which in deed he neuer had as witnesseth the painted league that he made which also cost the Venetians so much nor respect to his own honour at the least the memorie and name of the Emperour his father who did little or nothing regarde all his notable deedes and feates of armes in respect of that conquest ought to haue moued and thrust him forwarde with a noble and earnest desire wisely to haue mainteyned that which the Emperour his father had so valiauntly conquered for him and all Christendome But the rage and furie to destroye vs which caried him awaie tooke both his eyes from him that he could not see that euill and his vnderstanding also that he could not discerne it he louing ouermuch to make proofe rather of his weakenes against his owne proper people then of his forces against the common and vniuersall enemie of Christendome This my Lordes is that which he obiecteth against me which also fell out before our generall coniunction and ioyning together Wherevnto it may be it was not altogether necessarie to aunswere sauing that it is requisite not onely to satisfie you but also to stoppe their mouthes and to make all the worlde to vnderstande their impudencies and slaunders For if the question were but of that which cōcerneth your selues and those whiche heretofore were on our side who haue notwithstāding verie euelly and without any cause withdrawen them selues from vs you and those with you haue heretofore sufficiently declared that you had a farre better opinion of me For first the accorde treated of by you with me my Lordes of Hollande and Zealande at Gaunt hath sufficientlie iustified me seeing that if you had supposed me to be such a one as this infamous Proscription describeth me you neyther would nor could haue entered into treatie with me beside so many honorable embassages as you since that time haue sent vnto me to S. Gheertrudenberghe and euen yet to Antwerp both to cause me to come into Brabant and to cause me to come vnto you to Bruxelles that I might be assistaunt with you in Counsell and also that yee did honour me with the title of Lieutenaunt generall All these things I saye doo sufficiently declare what is the opinion and iudgement that yee haue had of all these false and friuoulous accusations whiche thing alone I suppose to be ouer sufficient and strong to confute them But let vs nowe see howe before that time they on their behalfes gouerned themselues with what pride insolencie and disdaine of our whole nation I will not repeate the periuries and deceites of the Dutchesse nor of the King in the behalfe of my Lordes the Counties of Egmount and of Horne nor the baites and allurementes which they prepared for me nor yet generally that which fel out before the cōming of the Duke of Alua but that onely whiche was done afterwardes vntill the time of our generall coniunction and ioyning together to the ende that as the remembraunce of the mischiefes and griefes past shall bring vnto you pleasure and contentement and the same as I hope vnto me who with some delite haue ayded you therin so that by the same you will more and more strengthen your selues in this resolution which is both holie and worthie of immortall prayse which you also haue taken vpon you that is to oppose and set your selues against the Spaniardes and their adherentes Nowe as well the saide Duke of Alua as those that commaunded vnder him and after him haue sufficiently made vs to vnderstande what was at all times the counsell of Spaine to wit to roote vs out and to bring vs into bondage For as Hanniball euen when he was but nine yeeres olde did sweare by the altar of his goddes that he would be al his life long an enemie to the Romanes so was this Duke of Alua from his childhood nourished and brought vp in an vnreconcilable hatred against this countrey The insupportable pride of the Duke of Alua other officers being Spaniardes which by so much blood as he hath spilt could as yet neuer be satisfied but so much the more hath he caused it to runne out on euerie side in all the Townes of this Countrey yea so farre forth that he hath caused to be put to death which thing also he him selfe bragged of eightene thousand poore innocent men and more and that by the handes of the hangman or tormentor and yet for all that that cruell lust of his could neuer be satisfied So that if any would knowe what are the priuie counsells of Spaine what is the Kings good wil and howe much he loueth vs he shall finde it all deciphered sett out in the bloodie deedes of the Duke of Alua as if it were set out before his eyes and liuely painted in a table of painters worke For there hath not bin any kinde of dissimulation treason and vnfaithfulnes which he hath not vsed that hee might bring vnder his subiection and seruice the principall Lordes of this Countrey and that by offers promises newe titles of Honour bestowed vpon them But the good vertuous people that he could get into his handes he hath cruelly put to death without any respect either to their innocencie or to the priuiledges of the countrey and yet nothing was done but by the Kings commaundement He committed the like against the Citezens and good Marchauntes so proudly treding vnder feete our auncient liberties and freedomes yea euery thing that was remayning amongest vs of the glorie of our auncestours that it seemed that he thought that you were at no hande worthie to be reckoned in the number of men And where is it that we can haue a more certaine and playne proofe and that so open that it is as it were in the sight and beholding of all Christendome concerning this matter the profane and proude erection of the Duke of Alua his image in the midst of the late Citadel at Antvverp and withall of his vnsupportable contempt and disdaine
perceaue sundrie matters set out practised by the Spaniardes The natural dispositiō of the Spaniards vvas al vvais cruel but yet kept vnder for a time by the vvisdom of Charles the Einperour which I approued not as good and of which I did not sufficiently conceaue that the disease in processe of time might growe so farre that in the ende it should be verie necessarie to vse a strong and powerfull medicine and to purge the countrey from these pernitious and hurtfull Spanishe humours But because I was not able then by reason of myne age and the little experiēce I had to knowe the deepe malice of the Spaniardes and their adherentes I could hardlie perswade my selfe that we should be inforced to bring a whot yron to this cancker of Spaine or els to come so farre as to roote it out But after that together with my age I began to be of a more setled and sounde iudgement I had in in deede a contrarie opinion and deliuered the same to sundrie others which neuer knewe to thinke that the rage and crueltie of the Spaniardes could proceede so farre for nothing fell out by which I might haue verie particular knowledge of their cruell couetous and proude naturall disposition but I certainely and assuredly looked for the same long time before I will therefore let passe that time which cometh not also at anie hande to be compared in any manner of disorder and tyrānie with that which hath since fallen out in the time of the king his sonne not that the Spaniardes were then better than they are at this present for amongst the Indies and in other places where they commaunded absolutely they yeelded to euident a proofe of their peruerse naturall disposition and tyrannous affection and will But their ambition and pride was in some sorte restrained by the good affection that the Emperour bare to the subiectes of this countrey because also that these prouinces were full of braue Lords wise and valiaunt men sauoring of their auncient nobilitie and would to God they had children like vnto them whiche serued in steede of a bridle against their insolencie and of a countermure against their pride rashnes I will then come to the time which insued because also that he who was the heire of the goodes though not of the vertues of the Emperour is he that cometh to assault me after an order more than barbarous and tyrannicall The Emperour of most noble memorie and the Queene Marie seeing their affaires and businesses so impaired by the meanes of a cleane contrarie issue of the warres of Germanie which fell out otherwise then the Pope the Spaniardes had promised to them selues whilest that the Frenche king was ioyned in league with some of the chiefe Princes of Germanie The Emperor dischargeth himself of his kingdomes and Lordships cōmitteth them to his sonne his Maiestie I saie was inforced to agree with his enemie his affaires standing in such condition that despairing of his abilitie to keepe his owne countreis he purposed to withdrawe him selfe into Spaine and there to lead a priuate life after that he had veelded vp all his kingdomes Landes and Lordships and had laide them vpon the person of his sonne And albeit that the King because of the condition of his owne estate had neede to vpholde his subiectes in good will and affection towardes him of which thing also he had most expresse commaundement from his father seeing that of the meanes and valure that they had there did wholie depende the sauegard of the countrey and the maintenaunce of his owne honour yet whether it were by reason of the nourishement whiche he had in Spaine or by the counsell of those which then did and euen to this time haue possessed him I knowe not he hath alwaies fostered in his hearte a minde to make you subiect to a certaine simple and absolute bondage which they call a ful and whole obedience depriuing you altogether of your auncient priuiledges and liberties that they may dispose of yon your wiues and your children and handle you as his officers haue done the poore Indians or at the least as they do the people of Calabria Sicilia Naples and Millaine whilest they remember not that these countreis are not countreis atcheiued by conquest but come for the most parte by they way of patrimonie or els such as willingly gaue vp them selues vnto his predecessours vnder good and lawfull conditions But it is likely that he did it by the aduise of such as serued the Emperour his father and the King his great vncle in steede of a foundation the better to reare vp the building of the kingdomes and Lordshippes to which we see the house of Austriche hath atteined it being at this day without all controuersie the greatest the mightiest of all Christendome And this affection in him was not but to much made manifest immediatly after the departure of the Emperour The Kinges hart alvvais enemie to these countreis as if the Lordes that then liued did yet remaine amongst vs they could yeelde you sufficient testimonie thereof For euen so soone as he was cōstrained to enter into warr with the French king cōsidering the power of his enemie ad also the wise aduertisements of the Emperor if he had had but one only sparke of good sincere affection towardes these countreis he should at the least haue mainteined his subiects in good deuotion affectiō towards him But in the middest of his great affaires so disorderous vnruly was the desire he had to plaie the tyraūt he gaue forth a most plaine most certaine demonstration of his euill will The Emperor who my Lords knew better then any Prince or man of the world the arrogant and proude nature of the Spaniardes and it may be also the inclinatiō of the King his sōne The Empesrors counsel giuē to the King his sonne and on the other side the state of this countrey whatsoeuer might destroy preserue it did seriously aduertise his sonne that if he kept his pride of Spaine he should diligently foresee that he were not the cause of the vtter ruine and destruction of this estate which could not long suffer endure this same proude gouernement which the Spaniardes exercise in euery place where they can And he gaue him this exhortation in the presence of the late my Lord the Countie of Bossu the father of him that last deceassed and in my presence also and in the presence of sundrie other Lordes of his chamber of which some are yet at this day liuing But neither the authoritie and commaundement of his father nor the profit of his owne affaires nor iustice nor his othe whiche yet notwithstanding doth keepe in the most barbarous nations were able in anie thing to moderate and restraine the naturall disposition and affection that he had to tyrānise ouer vs but on the other side as though he had bin aboue all lawes priuiledges
haue saide heretofore but that the Emperour did greatlie honour me whilest he nourished me made me of his Chamber by the space of nine yeeres and afterwardes in my two first warres hauing appointed me giuen me charge ouer all his ordinaunce in these countreis And albeit that I was not then one and twentie yeeres olde yea though I were absent from the Court at my Lordship of Bueren notwithstanding the Duke of Sauoie attempting a voyage the Emperour him selfe chose me for generall of the armie albeit that the Lordes of the Coūsel My lord the princemade generall of the armie at the age of 21 yeeres yea the Queene hir selfe did present thereto sundrie other persons whose capacitie and vnderstanding was verie great as my Lordes the Counties of Boussu of Lalaing Martin van Rossem olde Knights and Souldiers and the Coūties of Arenbergh of Meghem and of Egmont who was twelue yeeres elder than I. All this notwithstanding albeit that no man named me as afterwardes they affirmed to the Emperour by reason of my youth yet so it was that it pleased the Emperour to chuse me for the reasons which then he declared which the Queene of Hungarie inforcing me to take the charge vpon me caused me afterwardes to vnderstande which also I like better for this present time to conceale than to declare least I might seeme ouermuch to prayse prise and esteeme my selfe I saye yet more that it pleased the Emperour my Lordes then to cause me to come from the campe when he declared vnto you the will and purpose that he had to put ouer his kingdomes into the handes of his sonne the King and it pleased him yet further so much to honor me that he would not perfourme this solempne act in my absence yea he presented him selfe amongest you in your assemblie leaning vpon me by reason of his infirmitie which thing sundrie at that time thought was a verie great honour vnto me But be it so that since that time the King had bestowed vpon me some honours yet I cannot see howe after anie sorte he can preuayle or get anie thing thereby seeing that contrarie to all right and reason yea contrarie to his owne othe he hath gone about to take them from me As concerning the order if the Emperour and the Colledge or companie of the Knightes thereof haue giuen me their voyce I am no more bounde to him therefore than to other Knightes seeing it was necessarie for him to allowe of that which the Colledge approued euen as he him selfe knoweth that we in the last assemblie of the order helde in these countreis did by pluralitie of voyces without his aduise and against his will chuse sundrie Knightes of the order and caused them so to be receaued and accepted But be it that I were indebted to him therefore yet so farre of is it that he may reproche or vpbraide me therewith that on the other side he him selfe is to be therefore greatly charged The priuiledges of the order He hath sworne and it is also contayned in the pointes that concerne the order that the Knightes of the order should be iudged by their brethren that is them of the same order Verely it was neuer in the power of Duke Philipp surnamed the Good to inforce my Lorde Iohn of Luxenbourg to forsake the othe which he had made to the King of Englande the said Lorde of Luxenbourgh committing the determination of the matter in controuersie betweene them to the Colledge companie of the Knightes of the orders But the brethren which the King hath appointed to my Lordes the Counties of Egmount and of Hornes to the Marques of Bergues of Montignie for their triall were porters petiefoggers and people of no account by which also he hath caused me to be cōdemned against all order and course of law euen as I haue heretofore protested and haue alleadged the insufficiencies thereof in the presence of all Europe In so much that hee him selfe hauing done against his owne othe and against the orders and articles of the Colledge or companie he is at no hande to be hearde in such reproches as these are wherein there are founde the ingraued markes of his owne othe being violated and brokē And beside if I ought to yeeld thanks to anie of the order for the gouernementes and other dignities that I haue it must be to the Emperour whose minde it was who had so decreed the same before he would depart out of this coūtrey hauing before known the duties that I had performed my faithfulnes namely in respect of my seruices yeelded in the gouernemēt guiding of his armie wherein I haue for witnes my Lord of Neuers and the late my Lorde of Chastillō Admiral of Fraūce who in deed made vs afterwards to know that he was our aduerse partie all which notwitstanding they gained nothing thankes be to God vpō me but I builded in despite of their beards the town Philippe Charlemōt albeit that the plague did very strōgly afflict our armie As concerning the gouernemēt of Burgūdie I can certainly assure al mē that I haue not receiued any thing The gouernement of Burgundie but that which my predecessours haue at all times mainteyned as appertayning vnto them by inheritaūce and in deede my Ladie Philibert of Luxenbourg my Lorde the Prince Philibert hir sonne being in Italie caused the Estates of Burgundie to assemble and meet in the Town of Nozeroy And because that some thought it not meete and couenient because my sayd towne was vpon one of the Frontiers of the Countie of Burgundie she aunswered that she ment to mainteine the possession of the Lordes of the house of Challon who were by inheritaunce Gouernours of the Countie of Burgundie But be it whatsoeuer it be the behauiours of the King towardes me do sufficiently declare that he can not obiect vnto me these honours which against all rules of honor he goeth about to take from me together with my life and goodes hauing by violence taken from me mine owne Sonne against all lawe either of God or man yea against the priuiledges of the countrie which he sware to obserue at his glad entraunce into it As concerning the chardge and office of Counsellour of Estate Counsellor of the estate I haue sufficiently inough declared in my defence made heretofore in the yeere sixtie seuen that the Cardinall and others practised this matter that I might be called thereto thinking thereby to cloake and couer them selues onely with my authoritie before the people and therefore I ought not to thinke my self bounde vnto them for this because that in doing this they sought not so much myne aduauntage as their owne profit But if they be deceaued of their hope they must attribute it either to their owne want of capacitie as not being able wisely inough to order and direct their enterprises or els which in deede is more true for they dyd not want witt
it selfe to my vnderstanding And yet they were not content but against all order of iustice they apprehended my brethren and pursued me with summoninges seasementes of goodes and thrust me on euen as it were by force to attempt sundrie thinges The vniust procedings against the honor the life and the goodes of the Lord Prince whereof I my selfe neuer thought they put the processe of me and my companions against the articles of the order and against the othe of the King who was the chiefe thereof into the handes of I know not what porters and petiefoggers who were not meete to be groomes or pages to my companions and me they doo degrade mee they doo depriue me of my goodes they do condemne me to death And is this any other thing than to free me from myne othes and to set me at libertie to come out to assaulte myne enemie by all the meanes that GOD shall giue me Beholde then howe when I seeke nothing but quietnesse they stirre vp trouble I seeke peace and they prouoke me to warre And what warre A warre attempted to deliuer my childe to preserue my life to recouer my goodes and whiche is more deare than all to defende myne Honour And yet I doo not here propounde vnto you my Lords any thing of that which concerneth the cōmon cause and belongeth vnto the generall State This then my Lordes is that which these men sleightly passe ouer and vnder silence as it were and which of set purpose they omit as in deede not seruing much for their purpose If then I not being the Kings naturall subiect which thing also he him selfe saith if I being absolued from mine othes by this vniust proclamation and sentence If I hauing so iust a groūdworke by force to demaund my sonne and my goods If I say I had driuen him not onely out of the lowe countrey but also out of all his landes and Lordshippes yea and though I did desire to make them mine owne seeing that against all right and equitie yea against his own othe he hath by force constrained me to attempt so necessarie a warre euen then when with all my power I did auoyde it and hath done me all these outrages and that at the verie selfe same time or a little after when by his owne letters written with his owne hand he yeelded me so great and solemne a testimonie of faithfulnes as no man in the worlde could desire a greater as appeareth by the copie of the letter hereafter inserted who is he the premises being rightly considered that can accuse me of any other fault then this that I framed my selfe to much to the time before that I would take armes and that I would not enioye that whiche the lawe of warre and of al nations yeelded vnto me vnto me I say who am borne a free Lorde and who haue this Honour to carie the name and title of an absolute Prince albeit that my Princedome be not of anie great length or largenes But seeing that the speciall foundation and groundworke is this The iustifying of the taking of armes by my Lorde the Prince that I haue taken and borne armes against my Superiour I am likewise content to enter into this matter wher they shal finde themselues to haue as good foundations as in other places And in the first place I would faine haue them to tell me by what title King Philippe the heire of the bastard Henrie of Castille possesseth the kingdome of Castille of Leon For it is most manifest that Henrie his predecessour was a bastarde who rebelled against the lawefull heire who was his owne brother Lord whom also he slue with his owne hand What right then or title had this bastarde being the Kinges great Graundfather They aunswere that Don Pedro was a tyraunt and in deede I cōfesse that commonly they giue him the name of cruell But if by this title Philippe holde Castille why doth not he perceaue that men may by the same measure driue him out that hath chased awaye others And if there haue neuer bin any more cruell tyraunt who hath more proudlie and with lesse cōsideration violated the priuiledges of the countrey then Philipp him selfe shall not he be much more vnworthie to beare to weare the Crowne of Castille then Don Pedro For at the least Don Pedro was not an incestuous person nor a slaier of his Sonne nor a murtherer of his wife And if some will saye that this concerneth me no whit at all I am content to come yet somewhat more nigh albeit that I haue not purposed to staie my selfe vppon that which I shall presently speake vnto you But suppose that I did take vp armes against him and that he were simplie my superiour and that I were borne his subiect which yet is not so euen as he him selfe confesseth it what should I doo but that which his predecessor had done Albert Duke of Austriche took armes against Adolfus of Nassau the Emperour against the Emperour Adolfus of Nassau his Superior Eurie one that knoweth neuer so little in the matters and affaires of Germanie knoweth how Albert the firste Duke of Austriche of that name and race for before he bare the title of the Countie of Habsbourg armed him selfe against the saide Lorde Emperour my predecessour And albeit it was Gods will that the saide Emperour should die in the battell yet I know what the wisest writers haue iudged thereof albeit that Gerrard then Bishop of Maience the principall authour of that conspiracie ment to colour darcken the same And verely if a man will somewhat more nighly looke into the storie he shall finde that this faction was set vp by Pope Boniface of whom it is saide Pope Boniface the 8. he entered into his Popedome as a Foxe he raigned as a Lyon died as a dogge because the Emperour would not acknowledge him for such a one as he said he was and therefore he stirred vp against him Albert who was alreadie much displeased against him because Adolfus was preferred before him in the election to the Empire some Bishoppes also ouermuch addicted to the Pope did ioyne them selues vnto him and ayded him But who is he that would willingly reuerēce so wicked a man who in his Iubilie caused to be caried before him in the maner of a triumphe two swordes causing him that caried one of them to crie O Christ beholde thy Vicar on earth and the other to say O Peter beholde thy successour And verely hauing committed so wicked a feate against the Emperor and hauing Albert at his commaundement he was purposed for the like consideration to do as much to the French King called Philipp the faire giuing his kingdome to the saide Albert and caused him to be named King of the Romains and of the French men But he founde the preestes of Fraunce lesse readie to serue him and lesse able to helpe him and the whole kingdome stirred vp by
of all these coūtreis then in that proude ambitious profane heathnishe and withall foolishe setting vp of his owne Image in the middest of the Cittadell at Antwerpe going impudently vpon the bellies of the Noble men of the Estates and of all the people of this countrey Was not this thinke you a notable monument of his tyrannie and a testimonie of his pride What shall I neede to speake of his seruauntes and of all that vermin that came out of Spaine who spake of vs not as it were of Villacos as they vse to say or villaines but euen as it were of brute beastes You my Lordes haue euen as yet your eares altogether beaten with such matters and you are able to set out their gestures their proceedinges their wordes full of boldnesse of pride and of contempt also their vnsupportable actes and howe when they were within your townes with what pride and insolencie they did commaunde you Wherefore if that be true which wise men report that for the vnderstanding of the naturall disposition of a Lorde or Noble man men must examine him by his friendes and familiars and for the knowledge of a maister men must sift his seruauntes you may my Lordes by the vertues of the Duke of Alua his masters principall officer and the executor of all his counsels easely iudge what good affection and wil the King beareth you who sent him to you to torment you and also ye may knowe what yee ought to looke for vnlesse yee prouide for it in time as in deede yee ought which thing also all the good people of this lande looke for at your handes I will speake nothing of the rauishings raunsomes and exactions committed by the Spaniardes I wil onely staie my self vpon the principall point Yee could neuer yet tell howe to obtaine a free assemblie The assemblie of the Estates general euer refused of the Estates generall your enemie verie wel knowing that to hinder the calling together meeting of them was in deede to cut of by the foote the tree of your priuiledges and vtterly to drie vp the spring of your libertie For to what ende serueth it the people to haue priuiledges in faire parchement kept vp in a cofer if by the meane of the Estates those priuiledges be not mainteined and so men feele the effectes thereof And in deede long time before the King him selfe had receaued a dispensation from the Pope The King taketh a dispensation from the Pope for his othe made at his gladsome entraunce for the othe which he had made vnto you to keepe your priuiledges Wherein he did not onely violate and break his faith but also did ouer easely yea verie hurtfully beleeue foolishe counsellours whereby he to to manifestly declared howe great his owne wisedome was For might he not verie well vnderstand that counting him self free from the othe which he had made to you you also were freed and quitt from your othe towards him In so much that he minding to be vnburdened of his othe towardes you you ought not vnto him any obedience and subiection That I may at this time say nothing but leaue it vnto others more exercised in such matters than I to handle this question whether the Pope may iustlie vaunt that he hath anie such power and authoritie yea or no and whether anie thing in the world shall remaine certaine and sure if othes so solemnely made may vnder such a pretext and cloake be violated and broken At the same time mariages made out of the countrey were wholy forbidden and that whiche was neuer practised was prohibited to wit that youth might not go out of the countrey to studie in any other schoole of the worlde but in that at Rome and condemning by that meanes all other schooles whiche is an ouer great arrogancie they did condemne so vnwarie they were euen those of the Iesuites The scholes of all the vvorld forbiddē saue that of Rome only without thinking anie whit of them and so whiche is in deede the worst they opened a waye to verie barbarousnes For as the meetinges together of all maneer of learned men hath brought forth vnto vs in this Countrey sundrie persons well qualified who haue greatly innobled these Prouinces so this interdiction and forbidding could not but in processe of time cause a more than Turkishe ignoraunce that I maye saye nothing of this that by that meanes they would make this Countrey subiect The publishing of the councell of Trent to such cōditions as neuer were heard of About the same time the Councell of Trente was published which Councell hath seemed euen to the Frenchmen them selues so vniust that euen vnto this daye it could not as yet be published in the kingdome of Fraunce A little while before this time there was egerlie pursued and at the last obteyned the installing of the newe Bishoppes whiche had bin so long tyme before debated Bishoppes nevvly made by reason of the inconueniences which all wise people and louers of the Countrey and haters of the tourmenting of mens consciences did foresee would insue therevppon which thing also I my selfe write euen vnto the King that I may saye nothing of the warninges that I gaue to the Dutchesse sometime in open counsell and oftentimes els where all these their purposes tending to no other ende but to set vpp the cruell Inquisition of Spaine and to establishe the sayde Bishoppes that they might serue in steede of Inquisitours burners of mens bodies and tyrauntes ouer their consciences It is true that at this daye they denie that euer they ment to bring in this cursed Inquisition but if I bring forth vnto them a man worthie of creditt who was at that tyme a Pensioner of Franck and who had the racke twise shewed him to be tormented vppon it that he might confesse who they were of the Lordes of the saide Franck which were purposed to refuse the Inquisition will they saie that he is a forged witnesse who yet notwithstanding is such a one as they are not able to obiect any thing against him And beside if need were I could finde inough other plaine most manifest proofes There followed the most rigorous placardes licences Placards licences renevved with expresse cōmaundement to abate nothing of the old rigor and verily the bul graūted by the Pope for the erection of the saide Bishoppes doeth plainlie carie with it this much that euery Bishopp might giue in his owne Cathedral church two prebends that euery one of the Canons should be boud to assist him in the matter of the Inquisition and that particularlie two amongest them should actually and in deede be Inquisitours And as Princes or tyrauntes which possesse new Kingdomes or Lordshippes do laye vppon them a tribute in signe of their victorie so the Duke of Alua in testimonie of his conquest for this was his common speache to witte that these countreis apperteyned to the King not in title or by right or
counsell at Namure the Gouernor Presidentes and persons of our counsell in Frieseland the Gouernor Chauncelor and persons of our counsell in Oueryssell the Lieuetenaunt of Groningen the Gonernor President and persons of our counsell at Vtrecht the Gouernor of Lile Douay and Orchies the Prouost and Countie of Vallanchiennes the Baylie of Tournay and of Tournesses the Rent-masters of Bewest and Beoisterschelt in Zeland the Iudge of Malines and all other our Iustices and officers and those of our vassals and Subiects whome it shall concerne their Lieuetenantes and euery one of them in respect of himselfe and as though it did appertaine vnto him that they cause this our present declaration edict and decree to bee published euery one in his gouernment and in the places and boundes of his or their iurisdiction where they are accustomed to make cries and proclamations to the end that none may pretende any cause of the ignoraunce thereof and moreouer that they keepe obserue and maintain and cause inuiolablie to be kept obserued and maintayned all the poyntes and articles therein contained according to their forme and tenor proceeding causing to be proceeded therin respectiuely to the recompēce reward pain and punishment of the persons aboue mētioned without any fauour loue or dissimulatiō and for this purpose and all thinges appertaining thereto we giue them and euery one of them full power authoritie speciall commaūdemēt and we charge commaund all that they obey thē commaūding the same and that they vnderstand it diligently And neuerthelesse seeing that at this present the saide publications cannot be made in the townes countreis and territories occupied by the rebellion of the sayd Orange wee will that the publications which shal be made in the towns nerest thervnto being vnder our obeisance shall be wholy and all together of such force and effect as if they had bin vtterly done in the circuites and places accustomed and for such we haue authorised and by these presentes doe authorise them yea we wil and commaunde that immediately they be printed in two sundrie languages by the sworn printers of our Vniuersities of Louain or Douay to the end that it may more easilie come to al mens knowledge and this is our pleasure appointment and good will In witnesse whereof we haue caused our great seale to bee put to these presentes which were made in our towne of Maestricht the xv day of the moneth of March and in the yere of grace 1580. and of our kingdoms to wit of Spaine Sicilia c. the xxv and of Naples the xxvii By the expresse appointment of his Maiestie Verreiken And the sayd Letters are sealed with the great seale of his Maiestie in redde waxe and a double lase hanging thereat ¶ The Letters of the Prince of Parma to the Gouernors and Counsellers of the Prouinces commaunding the publishing of this proclamation ALEXANDER Prince of PARMA and of PLAISANCE c. Gouernor and Captaine generall MY COSEN MOST DEARE AND welbeloued frends seeing the K. my Lord hath by 2. seueral letters of his very plainly cōmaunded vs to cause incontinently to be published in these his countreyes the proscription and proclamatiō annexed hereto against W. of Nassau Prince of Orange for the causes contained in the sayd Proclamation we could not cease to obay his Maiesties commaundement and to send the same vnto you requiring you and neuertheles in the name and on the behalfe of his Maiesty appoynting you that immediatly after yee haue seene the same you publish it and cause it to bee published thorow out all the Townes and places of your gouernmēt and iurisdiction after the accustomed manner to the end that none may pretend any cause of the ignorance thereof and faile yee not herein and thus my Cosen most deare and welbeloued friēdes our Lord haue you in his keeping From MONTS the 15. day of Iune 1580 Vnderneath was written ALEXANDER And signed ouer against it VERREYKEN This was the Superscription of it To the Gouernours and Counsellours of the Prouinces THE PRINCE OF Orange his letters to the ESTATES To my Lordes the Estates Generall YOV HAVE KNOWEN MY LORDES BY my life past and by my behauiours that I neuer mynded to answeare to any libels of defamation which certayne sclaunderers had published agaynst me in so much as if the quality greatnes of the wrong which hath bene done agaynst mee by the proscription that the Kinge of Spaine hath caused to be published I had not as yet proceeded so farre especially had it not bene that the maintenance of myne honoure had requested the same of mee as I haue more largely layed out the same in my defence which I haue presented vnto you Since which time there is come into my handes a letter very false and counterfayt by myne ennemy which they say they intercepted and I sent to my lorde the Duke of Aniou or as they say to the Duke of Alançon whereof some personages amongest them and that of greate qualitie also haue sent copies as well to certaine townes of our syde and amōgest vs as to sundry strange forrain princes This letter my Lordes is so fondly written whether a man regarde the stile thereof or wil respect the matter therein cōtayned which by the bare reading therof sufficiently bewrayeth that there is not in it any shew of truth that such an impudent deuise deserueth no answeare as also God bee praised there is not found a man amongest vs which is any whit at al mooued therwith On the other side euery man hath knowen that they had no other meaning hereby but by such mistes smokes to darken the brightnes by which their miserable pernitious intēr against this coūtrey hath bin discouered by the letters of Cardinal Granduell and others which you haue commaunded to be printed after that you knew their handes their signes and their seales and withall therby to take vnto them selues an occasion and matter to cast vp and spew out acording to the manner of shameles women slaunderous and wicked speeches ful of lying But so far of is it that by this meanes they haue inrespect of me obteined that which they pretēded that on the other side they haue done me greate pleasure in publishing such follies because that thereby they do more and more iustify and verify my defence sufficiently prouing them selues to be shameles lyers most impudent slaunderers and most fond falsifiers which serueth more more to iustify as I haue saide myne innocencie and to geue approbation to all my actions For seeing that all men know that this should be the best newes that they could receaue or heare of that I would forsake the countrey and leaue it to them I offered them my Lordes and you vnder my honour do promise them to accomplish it if they bee able to proue in your presences that I haue at any time written or commaūded to be written or sent such a letter that presently I will depart the coūtrey and withdraw my selfe from it without euer setting my selfe against them and I promise them euen vpon a simple or bare request to send thē such passeportes and safeconducts and they also penned in such order as either they can or will demaūd But yet this shal be with this condition that if they will not accept this so reasonable an offer all they which haue bin the authors of such a writing or which haue published it or which haue sent it into the townes amōgst vs or to forraine Princes and straunge countreyes shal be held for lyers slaunderers and wicked speakers as indeede such they are Giuen at Delft the 25. of Ianuary 1581. ⸫ FINIS
the learned Orations of Master Peter Coignieres and a resolute King who caused his foolehood for so the King called him in his letters to be taken at Anania by one of the Lordes King Philip the faire be ginneth his letter vvith theis words Sciat fatuitas vestra that is let your follie or foolehood know and he the eldest of the noble house of Colonnes and by a gentleman of Languedoc named Nogaret who brought him to Rome where also they put him to death as he had most iustlie deserued the same But as I haue saide I will not staye my selfe vpon these foundations but minde to come to the mutuall bondes which are betweene him and vs. Let vs thē put the case that al this were neither so nor so Doth not he verie wel know that if he be Duke of Brabant I by reason of my Baronneis am one of the principal members of Brabant Doth he not know wherein he is bound to me my brethren and companions and the good townes of the countrey Hath he forgottē vpon what cōditions he keepeth this estate The iustifying of the taking of armes by the Estates against Philip Duke of Brabant Countie of Flaunders Doth he no longer remember his othe O if he thincke vpō it doth he so litle regard that which he hath promised to God and the countrey and that vpon conditions tied to his Dukes hatt or garland It is not needfull my Lordes that I should here set out vnto you that which he hath promised vs before that we tooke any othe vnto him for sundrie amongest you know the same But because that others shall see this my defence I was very willing to call to your remembraunce the summe of his othe You knowe my Lordes wherevnto he is bound and that it is not in his dispositiō to do whatsoeuer he liketh of as he doth in the Indies for he cannot here amongst vs by violence inforce one of his subiectes onely The summe of the priuiledges of Brabant to any thing whatsoeuer vnlesse that the custome of the benche of the iustices where they dwell permit the same He may not by anie ordinaunce or decree alter or chaunge after anie sorte whatsoeuer the estate of the countrey He must content him selfe with his ordinarie and common reuenewes he may not cause to be leuied nor yet exact any impositions or taxes without the good will and expresse consent of the countrey and according to the priuiledges thereof He can not bring souldiers into the Countrey without the consent thereof He maie not touche nor deale with the decrying or imbasing of money without the consent of the Estates of the Countrey He can not cause anie subiect to be apprehended without information made and knowledge first giuen by the Magistrate of the place Hauing anie for a prisoner he cannot send him out of the Countrey I beseeche you my Lordes do you not see hearing only this sūme rehearsed if the Barons and Nobles of the coūtrey who by reason of the preheminēces the charge of the armies do not oppose them selues I say not only when these articles are violated but whē they are tyrannously trodē vnder foote when not one article but all that not once but a thousand thousand times are broken corrupted not by the Duke onely but by barbarous and sauage people Do you not see I saye that if the Nobles according to their othe and bonde do not inforce the Duke to yeelde equitie and iustice to the Countrey that they them selues should be condemned of periurie vnfaithfulnesse and rebellion against the Estates of the Countrey And as concerning my selfe I haue in deede a particular reason and which toucheth me yet more nighe that is that contrarie vnto all the saide priuiledges I was depriued of all my goodes without obseruing any forme or order of iustice therein But that which fell out in the person of my Sonne the Countie of Bueren is so euident a testimonie of the enemies disloyaultie and vnfaithfulnes of the transgression or breache of the priuiledges that no man can with any good reason doubt why I haue taken vp armes And in that I was not able at the first time to take fast footing in the countrey which he vpbraideth me withall what newe thing hath betithed vnto me The first armie of the L. Prince which hath not fallen out vnto rhe greatest Captaines of the worlde Yea euen vnto him him selse who hath so oftentimes entered and that with so great and mightie armies into Holland and Zealand and yet with a handfull of people and by the ayde of my Lordes the Estates of the saide prouinces he hath bin shamefully driuen out of the saide countrey and that great Captaine the Duke of Alua and his successours without hauing at this day in the said countreis one foote of lande vnder his disposition and gouernement as by your good ayde I hope that shortly he shall not haue any in all the rest of the countrey To be short by his othe he meaneth that in the case of gainestanding him we should be no longer bounde vnto him neyther yeelde him any seruice or obedience as appeareth by the last article If then I be not bounde vnto him If I owe him not any more seruice or obedience why is he so rashe as to saie that I haue taken vp armes against my Lord Certainly betweene al Lords and Vassailes there is a mutuall bonde and this saying of a certaine Senator to a Consull shal be alwayes praysed If thou doest not account me for a Senator I wil not account thee for a Consull But betweene Vassals there is verie great difference some remayning without comparison in farre greater libertie than other some as we are in Brabant hauing such large priuiledges and rightes that we may freelie make giue graūts in our landes so that excepting the homage which we owe we cannot haue any thing more than we haue And amongest other rightes and priuiledges we haue this to stande our Dukes in that steede that the Ephori at Sparta did their Kinges that is to saie to keepe the Kingdome sure in the power of a good Prince and to cause him to yeelde equitie which stood against his othe But some will say that there is a condition annexed that is that we shal be so long freed from our othe An obiection till he haue amended the faulte But what if he will neuer amende it If after the Emperour Maximilian and the Princes of the Empire entreat him and make intercession for vs that it woulde please him to vnburden the countrey for a ful aunswere some would saie vnto them that they should meddle with their owne matters and that the King knoweth wel inough how to gouerne his subiectes If after infinite declarations by the message of verie noble Lordes of this countrey we do request him to do vs iustice he proudly reiect our requestes and put to death the saide Lordes and