any profit wherefore it seemed expedient to the Princes of Germany not to oppose themselues against so mighty a King who is also one of the Empire being more fit to entertaine his loue and friendship Being very well knowne that some Princes of Germany had beene forward inough to succor the Prince of Orange against the said King whome they would no more incense nor bandy them-selues against him seeing that he pretended not to wrong them but onely to succor a Prince and Archbishoppe elector And the rather for that the French King sought his frendship and the Queene of England had sent her Ambassadors to Bourbourgh in Flanders to treat a peace with him and therefore it was not fit for the Germaines for Truchses pleasure to oppose them-selues against him knowing how their army had sped which they had sent vnto the King of Nauarre Whilest that Schenck was at this diet in Germany the Prince of Chymay was at the seege of Bonne where in the beginning Iohn Baptista Taxis an old soldiar was shot whereof he died and was honorably interred at Cologne they within the towne defended themselues valiantly there commanders being Otto Baron of Potlits Christopher Wolfe and others at the last hauing beene halfe a yeare beseeged and finding that there was no meanes to bee releeued and that more forces came against them vnder the command of the Earle of Mansteldt being sent out of Flanders as soone as euer the Spanish fleet was past vpon the twenty nine of September they yeelded vp the towne the garrison departing with their armes bagge and bagage The beginning of this yeare after the Earle of Leicesters retreat was full of troubles as well in Zeeland as in Holland and Vtrecht for as the said Earle vpon his last returne into England had beene at Campuere whereas he had fortefied the captaines of his party against the Estates as he had don in like manner at Arnemeuyen so as both these townes opposed them-selues against the Prince and the councell of estate refusing to acknowledge any other superiors then the Queene of England and the Earle of Leicester as her Lieutenant wherein Sir William Russell Lord gouernor of Flusshing and of Ramekins for the Queene after the Earles departure entertayned them daily as well by his owne words as by letters hauing commission from her Maiesty to keepe the Captaines and soldiars of those two townes of Campuere and Arnemuyden at her deuotion and the Bourgers them-selues desiring to be vnder her Maiesties command as Flushng was to the end that they might enioy the same priueledges in England that the Flushingers did But such as vnder-stood not the reasons of this negotiation did impute it to some dislike which Sir William Russel now Lord Russell had conceiued against the estates for that presently after the death of Sir Philip Sydney before he was chosen gouernor they had giuen away the Regiment of Zeeland to the Earle of Solms the which said they he expected for that Sir Philip his predecsseor had beene collonel thereof wherevpon they coniectured that hee grew in ielousie of the estates seeking to make himselfe maister of the Iland of Walchren the which was but a coniecture and is disauowed by him-selfe protesting that hee affected the Estates and the good of the generall cause and that hee honored Prince Maurice and the house of Nassau as much as any man And whereas at that time there was some doubt that the Duke of Parma would come into the Iland of Walchren with a great number of smal boats and Pinaces which he caused to bee built in Flanders the Estates thought it fit to send a cornet of horsemen into the Iland Wherevpon the said Sir William Russel required the Estates of Zeeland and after that the councell of estate being at the Hage that his compaine of horse which hee had in garrison at Berghen vp Zoom might be sent thether promising to keepe it in good disciplyne But in the meane time and whilest that hee expected an answer the marshall of Villiers company was sent thether The which did so discontent Sir William Russel as hee sent to Scotland and ouer all the Iland putting it to their owne choyce whether they would haue his companie or that of the Marshall of Villiers who was newly come out of prison from the enemie might be corrupted so as they freely make choyce of his company where-vppon hee writte letters vnto the councell of Estate by the which hee complained much of the wrong was done him in preserring an other company before his which gaue him iust occasion of distrust and to beleeue confidently that they practised some-thing against him For which consideration hee would not suffer that any garrison should enter into Walchren so neere the places of his gouernment saying that they had no reason to wonder if in so turbulent a time hee stood vppon his gard seeing that both his gouernment his honour and his life depended thereon To the which letters the councell of Estate made answer that they were sorry that the sending of the Marshall of Villiers company had giuen him any cause of distrust seeing that according to the Estate of the country and the concurrence of time nothing could happen more preiudiciall vnto them then mutuall iealosies for the which they thought they had giuen him no subiect For as for the said troope of horse it had beene sent by Prince Maurice and not by them hauing proceeded therein according to the order of his pattent and the authority which hee hath as Gouernor of Holland and Zealand onely for the conducting of the Peasants and them of the champian country to the gard of the Sea-coast fearing least the enemie should attempt something For the which seruice three score horses were sufficicient which small number could not attempt any thing against the places of his Gouernment Moreouer they held those horsemen to bee of no seruice there doing more harme then good wherefore they were resolued at prince Maurice returne to speake vnto him to call them backe Intreating him therefore not to importune them any further to haue his company there They said also that the protestation hee made by his letters not to indure any soldiers in Walchren nor about Flushing and Ramekens had much troubled them Hauing also forbidden at Sooetelandt not to receiue any of the Estates soldiers Wherein they would aduertise him that he opposed him-selfe directly to the Contract which they had made with his mistresse the Queene of England extending his authority and command ouer the Champian country of Walchren the which belongs onely to the Gouernor generall or to the particular of the Countrie Wherefore they intreated him in any case to forbeare to attempt any thing to the preiudice of the said contract for the inconueniences that might happen vnto him Intreating him also to lay aside all iealousies and bad impressions which hee might haue conceiued of them the which they neuer
had of him but haue fought to entertaine all good amity and correspondencie with him for the seruice of the Queene his mistresse and the vnited Prouinces assuring him they would neuer indure any thing that should tend to the dis-seruice of her Maiestie and impayring of his charge and authority This answer was dated the second of February This troope of Villiers horse beeing arriued in Walchren the Estates of Zealand had appointed that thirty of them should bee lodged in Middelbourg eighteene at Campuere and twelue at Arnemuyden The Magistrates of Campuere and Arnemuyden refused to receiue them protesting not to receiue any soldiers but such as should be sent by order from the Earle of Leicester their Gouernor generall But not content here-with they made a contract with the Captaines of the garrisons the which they confirmed by oth signed and sent it into England to the Earle of Leicester who was very well pleased with this message The Estates of Zealand seeing the vnwillingnes of these two townes sent the 18. horse which should haue bene at Campuere to a village called Haek the 12. of Arnemuyden to Middelbourg vntill they were imploied elsewhere Here-vpon as wel the General as the particular Estates of the vnited Prouinces seeing these factions the boldnes of the English their Partisans to increase daily and that all garrisons carried them-selues as if they were no more subiect to the Estates not to the preseruatiō of the country hauing considered al things meaning to settle a good order although they were yet much troubled with thē of Medenblick they sent in March Prince Maurice into Zeeland onlie with his houshold traine Being but newly arriued and in conference with the Estates of Zeeland Behold there presently arriues the Lord Charles Howard high Admirall of England with nine or ten shippes of warre bringing with him two hundred and twenty thousand florines to pay the English troupes This sodaine arriuall of so many shippes of warre in such a iealous season made them presently to murmur that hee might make himselfe maister of the Island of Walchren and carry Prince Maurice into England Wherevpon the Prince retired sodenly from Middelbourg and went to the ships of warre which the Estates doe commonly entertaine in the riuer of Antwerp lying before the fort of Lillo whether hee might safely retire himselfe when he pleased The Lord Admiral hearing that the Prince was departed sent Sir Edward Hobby and Peter van Heyl◅ with charge from her Maiesty to treat with him to remooue all iealousies and if it were possible to raise the siege of Medenblike Whereof the Prince excused himselfe honestly referring that businesse to the generall Estates and to them of Holland They of Campuere and Arnemuyden were exceeding glad of the Lord Admiralls comming hoping that he would make him-selfe maister of Walchren and raise the siege of Medenblike But being come to no other end but to conuoy the money safely hauing a faire gale he returned fiue daies after Then came Prince Maurice presently backe to Middelbourg From whence hee did write vnto Sir William Russel by Iames Valcke a Councellor of Estate to consider of the means how to remooue all these distrusts to the seruice of God and of the Queenes Maiestie the prosperitie of the vnited Prouinces and the confusion of their enemies who sought their aduantage in such disorder The signior of Valcke who was a man of iudgement being entred into conference with Sir William Russel he sought to purge himselfe of all that had beene done saying that for his part hee was ready to doe all good offices Wherevpon Valcke went to Campvere whereas Mandemaker the treasorer generall of Zeeland with some others were deteined prisoners promising them all good and fauor if they would acknowledge and obey Prince Maurice as their chiefe and Gouernor but the Captaines would not giue eare to any thing vntill they were first assured of their pay and to continue still in their garrison with some other conditions Sir William Russel excused himselfe also that he might not meddle with the money vnlesse he had other order out of England And in this Estate the affaires stood vntill that the common feare of apparent danger of the Spanish fleet made them to take an other resolution In the meane-time the Queene by the instigation of some that were about her Maiesty who were enemies to the Estates did write vnto the generall Estates charging them that they intreated them of Vtrecht ill and had cruelly proceeded against them of Leyden growing also verie bitter against them of Medenblike whome they held besieged wondring why they should be so rigorous against all those that shewed any loue and affection to her Maiesty which proceeded onelie from a true fealing of the benifits which they had receiued from her with many other like reasons set downe in the sayd letter Wherevnto the Estates answered That they had neuer vsed any other then ciuill and honest admonitions to them of Vtrecht for that they had chased away their best Burgers and committed the gouernment of the towne to strangers who had nothing to loose in the whole countrie As for the matter of Leyden that they had proceeded iudicially as vpon a notorious crime And for Medenblike the mallice of them of the garrison was the cause thereof and therefore they deserued to bee punished Prince Maurice did also write vnto the Queene complayning much that the townes of his inheritance out of the which both hee his Brethren and Sisters and all those of the house of Nassau had their maintenance as Campuere and Geertruydenberg the which alone was worth fortie thousand gilders a yeare rent were fallen into mutiny vnder collour of her Maiesties seruice and in great danger to bee absolutly lost Complayning also that Sir William Russel had charged him to haue ment to attempt against the towne of Flussing and to wrest it out of his hands wherewith he held himselfe to be much wronged desiring that it might bee honorably repaired and that speedily considering the exigence of the cause The Queene considering the danger which consisted in these discontents seeing the Spanish armie at Sea approaching and ready to fall vppon the one or the other the which they could not resist nor preserue the Estate of the country but by good vnion and mutuall correspondencie diuision beeing like to cause the ruine of both shee sent a very kinde answer by her letters to Prince Maurice giuing him all contentment dis-auowing all mutinies as well of the English as of other soldiers that sought to shrowd them-selues vnder the cloake of her seruice and to that end she did also write expresly vnto the Lord Willoughby to Sir Henry Killegrey to Sir William Russell and others as also to the generall Estates By reason whereof the garrisons of Campuere and Arnmuyden were pacified with a certaine summe of money hauing kept the Tresorer Mandemaker a long time prisoner
thousand foot aboue 2000 hors-men besides many country men that fled from the places where they dwelt with this army marched towards the enemie who fearing his comming was already marching away and lay incamped in a strong place about halfe a mile from Graueling where the earle of Egmont found him The lord of Termes perceiuing himselfe to bee too weak dâ—…termined to march out of Flanders towards Calis which he did the next day passing along by the sea side when it was low water willing his men to set fire on Duynkerk and so to depart And in that sort passed he the small riuer of Ha beneath the towne of Graueling which the earle of Egmont the barons of Bingincourt the marques de Renti the earle of Reux the barons of Moerbeke Monichousen Fontaines Mewerkeet others perceiuing determined to intercept him and first to set vpon his carriage that they should not any more seeke to enter into Flanders cleane contrary to the prouerb which is That a man should make a golden bridge to an enemy that is going away and to that end passed ouer the riuer of Ha somewhat aboue Graueling without any ordnance Monsier de Termes perceiuing that they meant to set vpon him ordained his battaile in as good order and with as much aduantage as he could which was in this sort on the South side where the sandy downes lay he placed his wagons baggage and pillage on the North side he had the sea and at his back the riuer of Ha whereby they could not assaile him on no part but before and there he placed eight great culuerins and three falcons his horse-men standing between them and him and on each side of them certaine numbers of Gascoin harquebusiers behind them he planted the pikes both of French and Dutch men The earle of Egmont on his side against them set fiue troups of horsmen whereof three companies were light horse which were to giue the onset the troupes on the right side being led by the earl of Pontenels those on the left hand by Don Henrico Henriques and he himself in the middle the fourth troup were the Dutch swart Ruyters and the fiâ—…th the Netherlanders each vnder their owne leaders after them followed the foot-men being Netherlanders high Dutche and Spaniards led by their colonels Bingincourt Manichuysen Don Lewis de Carauagial and others and in this order the earle of Egmont vpon the thirteenth of Iuly brauely set vpon the French men first incouraging his souldiers to make them the willinger to fight The Frenchmen that stood resolutely ready to defend themselues receiued them with great courage and at the first onset discharged their ordnance therewith doing verie great hurt amongst them and at that time the earle of Egmonts horse was slaine vnder him and yet notwithstanding hee set most couragiously vpon them and for that the place was broad and euen vpon the sand brauely fought hand to hand man to man horse to horse and wing against wing which for a long time before had not beene seene in which fight the Bourguygnons had an vnexpected furtherance by meanes of certaine ships of England that lay at sea and kept along the coast before the townes of Douer and Graueling to free the same as also to hinder the French men from carrying the bootie that they had gotten from the towne of Duynkerke when they ransackt it by water which were most small ships beeing led by the viceadmirall master Malin who perceiuing the said battaile from out the sea went with his smallest ships as neere the strand as hee could and shot many bullets at the French men but because they were farre from the land they could doe them no great hurt and so by that meanes oftentimes failed and sometimes by chance shot amongst the Bourguygnons but that neuerthelesse as much discouraged the French men as it incouraged the Bourguygnons The meane time the earle of Egmont had sent certaine troupes of Dutch ruyters sidewayes which went closely by the downes and entred on the South side of the French horse-men assailing them valiantly whereby at the last the French horse-men beeing for the most part gentlemen and well mounted perceiuing the danger they were in began to giue backe which caused the Bourguignons to set the more boldly vpon them and thereby put the French men to flight first the horse-men and then the footmen to the great honour and commendation of the Bourguignons specially of the light horse-men and most of the earle of Egmont who at that time shewed himselfe both to bee wise and circumspect and also stout and valiant The like did the rest of the commaunders as Burgincourt the marques de Renti the earle of Reux Don Henrico Henricques the earle of Pontenels the baron de Fontains Don Lewis de Caravagâ—…al with his Spaniards and Manichâ—…ysen with the Dutch men The French men much blamed the marshall de Termes because hee marched not away the night before but it appeared that hee had charge to stay at Duynkerke there to strengthen himselfe and to stay for more aid as also for that hee stood vpon his aduantage and was well prepared to make resistance being scarce three Dutch miles from Calis with a number of good souldiers whereby hee was of opinion that no man could hinder his intent It was thought that there were about fifteene hundred men slaine in the field besides those that were drowned and such as were slaine in the flight by the pesants many were taken prisoners as the marshall de Termes gouernour of Calis beeing fore hurt the barons of Senerpont Annibault Villebon Morvilliers Chaulis and others The ordnance ensignes and the bootie was all taken Of the Bourguignons there was about three or foure hundred men slaine and amongst the rest the baron de Pelu This victorie greatly increased the honour of king Philip and the Bourguignons shewing by experience that they were too good for the French men in the field And at that time Duynkerke and Winoxbergh were both taken againe from the French men About this time Mary queene of England sent a great nauy of ships of warre to sea conducted by the lord Clinton admirall of England and by reason of the contracts made betweene England and the Netherlands as also for that the queene of England at that time held a regiment of Dutch men in the Netherlands in her pay vnder the conduct of an English gentleman called sir William Pickerin they of the Netherlands sent twentie or twentie two great ships of warre well appointed and furnished of all things whereof the admirall was monsieur van Wackene and Capelle viceadmirall to the earle of Horne and with him the lord of Cruningen and other Netherlanders with many souldiers to ioyne with them which two fleets sailed together vnto the coast of Britaigne and vpon the nineteenth of Iuly at Conquet landed their men burning and wasting the countrey all about and did them great hurt but monsieur de Kersimont
who perceiuing themselues to be void of meanes to become masters of Antuerpe and consequently of diuers other townes marking the strength of the Catholikes within Antuerpe and therby gessing their strength in other places the most part and the chiefest of them resolued as also the consistories to yeeld vnto the time and Gods secret iudgement At that time the lord of Brederode was in the towne of Amsterdam in Holland wherewith the magistrat beeing discontented and ill assured for that the chiefe of the reformed religion were continually with him and many came to him daily disguised he aduertised the gouernesse who writ presently to secretary Torre being then at Vtrecht with the earle of Megen whose men he had caused to be furnished with victuals and munition by the duchesse commandement as also he had furnished duke Erick of Brunswick with certaine ships of war to come into the Netherlands commanding the said Torre to charge them in the behalfe of his Maiestie and her highnesse to cause the said lord of Brederode to depart out of their towne the which was in trouble by his presence and in case they were not strong ynough to effect it that his Maiestie and her highnesse would assist them with forces means And for that this businesse might not admit of any delay that by prouision they should imploy the person and soldiers of the earle of Megen That the secretarie should go vnto the lord of Brederode and admonish him by such persuasions as he should thinke fit that within foure and twenty howres he depart the said towne and leaue it in quiet without giuing his Ma. and her highnesse any further cause of discontentment And in case hee will not obey to protest against him of all the miseries that may befall the said towne and to remaine therein obseruing all that shal passe carefully and especially the actions of the lord of Brederode whereof he should howerly aduertise her highnesse According to which commission the secretarie being come to Amsterdam and hauing acquainted the magistrat with his charge answer was made him That they would in all things obey his Maiestie and her highnesse but that they found great difficultie in her highnesse letters whereas she made mention of the earle of Megen for that he doubted not but the lord of Brederode would call for a copie before he would resolue to retire the which would incense him the more They must also impar it first vnto the assēbly of their great coūsell which they call Vroetschap consisting of 36 persons whereof some were Protestants who might make report therof vnto their brethren yea vnto the lord of Brederode Whereupon after much consultation it was resolued to impart it vnto the counsell and presently to go vnto the said lord The which was done and about eleuen of the clocke some of the chiefe of the magistrats went vnto him intreating persuading and aduising him to depart the towne for such was his Maiesties and her highnesse pleasure Whereunto he answered instantly That hee desired to see the copie of the said letters to consider thereon the which beeing flatly denied him saying That they could not giue it him without her highnesse expresse commandement he answered That neither would he depart the towne without seeing it The next day the secretarie Torre being accompanied by two aldermen went vnto the lord of Brederode beeing entred into the chamber whereas he was accompanied with seuen or eight gentlemen among others were William of Blois called Treston and Roseberg his Drossard of Vianen after the complements were done la Torre being well aduanced in his speech the lord of Brederode interrupted him and began to complaine of the duchesse for that shee had refused to heare his iustifications in iustice vpon the sinister impressions which her highnesse had of him moreouer that the said lady had commaunded to ruine the bulwarkes and fortifications which hee had begun to his great charge in his towne of Vianen to expose it in prey to all commers she had also caused his said towne to be besieged and the duke of Brunswick had spoyled some of his villages to conclude he said That Torre had no need to vse any long speech beeing sufficient to shew him his commission the which Torre hauing refused saying That he had no such charge the lord of Brederode said vnto him after some other speeches touching his credit That he was not so honest a man as he made himselfe to bee so lightly beleeued without seeing of his commission Which words did so moue la Torre as after that he had maintained his honesty seeing the said lord to continue firme he entreated him exhorted and in the end commaunded him That to obey his Maiestie and her highnesse he should depart the towne within foure and twentie houres and vpon his refusall he protested against him of all the miseries that might thereby happen vnto the towne requiring an act thereof from the aldermen that were his assistants Wherupon the lord of Brederode protested in like sort that he was not bound to beleeue him if he did not shew his commission and letters of credit requiring also an act and repeating often that he was seruant to her highnes and humble subiect to his Maiesty and that he was ready to go to horsebacke to helpe to punish the rebels complaining of the great wrong which the duchesse did him refusing to heare him in his iustifications so as after many speeches and protestations on either side Torre retired The chiefe among the Protestants could not disgest this commaundement giuen to the lord of Brederode and feared that la Torres charge was to expell him by force so as they kept a guard of aboue a hundred men before his lodging hauing most of the bourgesses at his deuotion and besides many arriued out of Friseland and from Vtrecht attired like marchants mariners and pesants so as the magistrat feared that the Protestants would grow so strong as they would become masters of the towne Whereupon they sent vnto the duchesse to entreat her to send some man of countenance and authoritie who might moderate matters for that they found it not conuenient to attempt any thing by force La Torre was in no lesse perplexitie and durst scarce shew himselfe fearing to incense the Protestants and to giue them occasion of some tumult but set spies to obserue what men haunted the said lord whereof he did informe the duchesse And as the bourgomaster and the Recorder Sandeli◅ went and came often to the Secretarie Torre the Protestants entred into iealousie that they practised some matter against them by reason whereof some gentlemen Frisons belonging to the said lord and the Seignior of Treslon went with the consent of their lord the seuenteenth of March to la Torre his chamber where they seized vpon all his papers among the which they found his instructions his verball or memoriall of what he had done and treated in Amsterdam many letters of credit signed by
Meetkerke counseler and receiuer of our territory of Vrien in our Earledome of Flanders committies and deputies for the generall Estates of our said Netherlands and since that in our towne of March and after that in the towne of Hoyd in the land of Liege by intercession and Mediation in the said towne of Hoyd of the lords hereafter named and ambassadors messengers and committies of our right high and worthy well-bee-loued brother Rodulphe the second of that name chosen Emperor of Rome c. specially appointed ordained and sent by the said Emperors Maiesty to further the said reconcilation agreement and accord namely our louing and good friend Gerrard van Grueesbeeke Bishoppe of Liege duke of Bullion Marquis of Franchimont and Earle of Loon. c. Prince of the holy Empire Phillip de Alde Barron van Wieeborgh president and Andreas Galle Doctor of the lawes counselor to the said Emperors Maiestie Warner Lord of Glimmich Drosser of the Land of Iuliers and Iohn Louerman licentiate in the laws both counsellors to the high and mighty Prince our wel-be-loued vncle William Duke of Iulliers and Cleues c. Prince likewise of the holy Empire as Messengers for the said Duke also Ambassadors for the Emperors maiestie to effect that which in the said Dukes absence should bee agreed vpon with our well beloued and faithfull friends of our counsell of estate by vs appointed to gouerne the said Netherlands and to be of our secret counsel there and the afore said Lord Abbot of Saint Gilden elected Bishoppe of Arras Bucho Ayta Arch-deacon of Ipre Fredericke Perenot Barron of Rouse Lord of Champigny gouernor of our towne of Antwerp Iohn de Saint Omer Lord of Moreberke gouernor of our towne and Castell of Arien Francis van Halewin Lord of Sweueghen chiefe baley and Captaine of our towne and Castle of Oudewater Knights and the afore named Adolph van Meetkerke committies and Deputies of the aforesaid States and lastly in our towne of Brussels where to continew and fully to conclude and agree vpon the said treaty and accord with those of our afore-said councell of estate and the afore-said States meete and assembled to gether with the aforesaid Lords ambassadors of the empire and the substitutes of the said Duke of Iulliers and our louing and trustie seruant Don Octauio Gonsaga Knight one of our councell appointed and committed there-vnto by our aforesaid good brother where betweene them diuers points and articles being propounded tending vnto and concerning the aforesaid reconciliation accord and vnion and for the full effecting of the same wee by deliberation counsell and aduice of our aforesayde good brother Don Iohn of Austria and of our aforesaid counsell of estate in conformity and according to the contents of the treaty propounded betweene vs of the one part and the aforesaid estates on the other part haue for vs our successors ordained and decreed ratefied and by these presents ordaine decree and ratifie in manner of a perpetuall edict neuer to be recalled the points and articles hereafter following Frst that all offences iniuries misdeeds wrongs generally all manner of crymes and actions don happened and committed by reason and occasion of of the afore-said alterations charges and troubles by all and euery one of the inhabitants and subiects of our Netherlands in what place or places and in what manner so euer it was done as well in generall as in perticuler shall bee wholy forgiuen and forgotten as if they had neuer beene done nor committed in such sorte that there shall neuer bee any repetition molestation trouble question nor search made here-after for the same against any of the said inhabitants and subiects aforesaid And for that the Bishoppes Abbots Prelates and Spirituall persons of our said Netherlands as also the Diuines and Doctors of the Lawes of our vniuersitie of Lovuaine by their seuerall attestations haue witnessed and testified that according to the estate of the affaires of our said Netherlands beeing there present the treatie of Peace made and agreed vppon in our Towne of Gaunt bearing date the eight of Nouember last past betweene the aforesaid Estates of the one part and our cousin William van Nassau knight of our order of the golden Fleece Prince of Orange and the Estates of our Earldomes of Holland and Zeeland with their Associats on the other part contained nothing therein that might or could bee repugnant to our holy faith and the Catholike Apostolike Romish religion but to the contrary was to the furthering of the same and that also in like sort our said Councell of Estate haue testified and auerred that according to the Estate of the affaires in the Netherlands they likewise beeing present the said treatie of peace included nothing that tended to the deminishing of our authority and the submission and subiection decreed vnto vs by our said Netherlands and especially for that the aforesaid Lords Ambassadors and messengers of the Empire as also the substitutes of the aforesaid Duke of Cleue do witnesse and iustifie the aforesaid attestations made by the aforesaid Bishoppes Abbots Prelates and other Spirituall persons and by the said Councell of Estate to bee iust and true Wee in regard thereof haue agreed vnto approued and ratified and by these presents do agree vnto approue and ratifie the said treaty of peace in all and euery article and point thereof promising vppon our faith and word of a King for our parts and for as much as concerneth vs to keepe and obserue the same inuiolably for euer and likewise to cause the same to bee kept and obserued by all and euery one to whome it shall belong and appertaine vnto and according to the same do agree and consent that the conuocation and assembling of the generall Estates of our said Netherlands mentioned in the third Article of the aforesaid contract of peace shall bee done in such manner and forme and to the like effect as the said Article more at large specifieth and declareth Item wee agree ordaine and appoint that all and euery one of our soldiars Spaniards high Duches Italiens Burguignons and other forrein soldiars both horse-men and foot-men beeing at this present time within our foresaid Netherlands shall and must depart freely and vnmolested out of the same and not returne nor yet bee sent thether againe hauing no forrein warres and generally hauing no need thereof nor any want of them in that place as the generall Estates of our said Netherlands shall like of and allow And touching the determinate time of the departure of our said soldiars we appoint agree and consent that all the Spaniards Italiens and Burguignons must and shall depart within twenty dayes after warning giuen them by out aforesaid good brother out of our Castell and Towne of Antwerp and out of other the Townes and Castells and Holds of our said Netherlands which they now hould and keepe in their hands or where so euer they bee and out of all our aforesaid Netherlands and namely
important affaires hee sees them of Mons Truchses elector of Cologne to be very intricate and not in so good an estate as it were to be wished For he is in like sort assailed by great and mightie enemies who with open force make warre against him and for his part hee hath not at this day any prince that fauours him and openly assists him the which hath beene very preiudiciall vnto him for that he promised vnto himselfe greater aide and assistance than he hath yet found And forasmuch as the conformitie of religion the neighbourhood of countries and the same aduersaries which presse him and vs equally should incite vs to aide one another with our meanes the said prince continues to treat a league and alliance with him that vntill it shall please God to giue vs other succours wee may imploy those forces which God hath giuen vs one for another hauing in the meane time notwithstanding our owne difficulties assisted him with a good summe of money But the said prince knowes well that all the said meanes to speake as a man are not able to resist halfe the forces of the king of Spaine the pope and all those that fight vnder their ensignes or that contribute to this warre hee will therefore endeauour to purchase as many friends as he can as well by his owne meanes as the said elector in Germanie and else-where and especially of them of the religion the more easily to withstand or at the least to diuert the the forces of the enemie the common enemie of Christendome According vnto the which he hath intreated generall Norris to acquaint her Maiestie with the forces of the enemies of these countries and of the elector Her Maiesties accustomed bountie which shee hath extended often to them that were in like sort oppressed and namely the fauour which it hath pleased her to shew to them of this countrie who are much bound vnto her for that the enemie hath beene long staied from the execution of his designes Hee shall represent vnto her Maiestie her happie and royall succours giuen vnto France and to Scotland beeing oppressed for the same quarrell her Maiestie hauing deliuered one of the said kingdomes from the oppression of Rome and hath giuen meanes to the other liuing in peace after so many miseries to quench the blood which did yet flowe in all parts and to purchase a quiet aboad for so many good men fearing God In doing whereof her Maiestie hath purchased so great honour and reputation with all that beliuing and shall leaue so pleasing a memorie to posteritie hath so wonne the hearts of all men as they would as willingly imploy their liues for her seruice as if they were her naturall subiects And therfore he shall most humbly intreat her in the behalfe of the said prince seeing that the necessitie seemeth greater than euer the enemies bending all their forces against these countries hoping that after they haue compassed their designe ouer this little countrie the rest of the world shall serue them but for matter of trophie that shee will bee pleased not to suffer that before her eies so many good men and her most humble seruants should perish by the hands of such as are mortall enemies to her Maiestie to her crowne and to the true religion whereon aboue all the princes of our age shee hath beene as it were the sole nurce and defendresse The said prince intreats generall Norris to propound some particular meanes fearing either to demand too little from her Maiestie considering her power which he neither can nor ought to limit or that he should require too much considering the extreame necessitie which doth presse vs referring all to her Maiesties good pleasure the said prince hoping that she will bee more liberall to doe good to this countrie than hee for his part hath beene bolde to demaund it And although the meanes of these countries exhausted with long warres are very small yet her Maiestie knowing better than our selues wherein it may please her to doe them of this countrie the honour to imploy them to doe her most humble seruice and for the great knowledge which God hath giuen her of all the Estates of Christendome and especially of her poore neighbours her Maiestie knowes if there yet remaines any meanes to doe her seruice namely for the prouinces of Holland Zeeland and Vtrecht we humbly beseech her to let vs vnderstand it And the said Seignior Norris shall assure her that the prince will doe his best endeauour to giue her Maiestie contentment beseeching her to hold as well the said prince as the generall Estates and particularly them of Holland Zeeland and Vtrecht in her good grace and fauour He shall also let her Maiestie vnderstand that my masters the Estates haue sent their Embassadours to the French king and to his highnesse and that their commission and instructions are altogether conformable to that which it pleased her Maiestie to let the prince vnderstand by sir Francis Walsingham her chiefe secretarie of estate Finally the said Seignior Norris shall most humbly beseech her Maiestie and intreat the lords of her councell alwaies to shew some testimonies of their fauour to the subiects in generall of these countries and particularly to them of Holland and Zeeland Soone after the departure of generall Norris into England with these instructions the prince of Orange receiued a discourse sent out of Germanie to his Excellencie by Cont Iohn of Nassau his brother persuading him to a reconciliation with the king of Spaine and to reiect the amitie of the French whereunto his Excellencie made an answer the which for that it is a discourse of state and worthie your reading I haue thought good and necessarie to set downe at large The Prince of Orange to Cont Iohn of Nassau his brother MY lord and brother I haue seene the discourse which you sent mee the which I cannot thinke proceeds from you nor your iudgement for I find it better and more solide than to build vpon such weake reasons as are produced in the same writing Wherfore you shal not take my answer as directed vnto you but vnto them that haue forged it and sent it In the beginning the author spends much time to discourse of the great forces and meanes the alliances and intelligences of the king of Spaine of my smal means of the doubtful euents of warre and of the inconstancie of the peoples mindes then hee speakes of the bad opinion which some of the religion haue conceiued of me by reason of the treatie with the French of the small assurance there is in their friendship of their former errors of the duke of Anious small meanes and of the feare that the king will not enter a warre against so great and mightie a prince and in the end hee comes to discourse of that which concernes our house more particularly As for the king of Spaines forces I thinke there is none doubts but I know them
beeing now in many places hardly beset and sore incumbred and oppressed and to deliuer the Netherlands and the inhabitants thereof out of miserable thraldome who not long before the wicked and dangerous inuasions of the Spaniards were so rich and flourishing in all kinds of wealth by reason of the great commodities of the sea hauens riuers traffique manuall trades and occupations whereunto they are much giuen and very apt by nature Shee should likewise preserue them from vtter destruction and perpetuall slauerie both of bodie and soule and so effect a right princely and most royall worke pleasing to God profitable for all Christendome worthie of eternall praise honour and glorie and fitting well the greatnesse and state of her princely Maiestie including therein the assured securitie prosperitie and welfare of her owne kingdomes and subiects Which done they presented their Articles vnto her Maiestie with all humilitie beseeching God who is the king of kings to defend protect and preserue her from all her enemies to the encrease of his honour and greatnesse and perpetually to hold and keepe her in his holy protection and safegard This humble petition tending so much to the honour and glory of the most magnificent and royall Queene and princesse in the world was with all thankefulnesse receiued at their hands Thereupon the Queene willed them for that time to depart and in the meane while she assembled her counsell to conferre with them what was to be done in this so vrgent a cause and to haue their aduice touching the same To conclude she found all her subiects generally addicted thereunto saying That shee might not by any meanes altogether abandon or forsake the vnited Prouinces of the Netherlands alledging the great hatred conceiued against her by the king of Spaine for the altering of his Religion in England which he not long before had planted therein which appeared by the treatie of peace made at Chasteau in Cambresis holden in Anno 1559 wherein he was verie slacke and carelesse for procuring the deliuerie of the towne of Calais vnto the English againe the which was lost by meanes of his warres and on the other side he caused the French to deliuer many townes ouer vnto the duke of Sauoy and left her in warre both against France and Scotland without any assistance They shewed likewise the vnkind refusall by him made of passage through the Netherland countreys with munition armes and powder which shee as then had caused to bee prouided and bought by her factor Sir Thomas Gresham vnto whome it was denyed Further That when her Maiestie by her embassadour the lord Vicont Montague desired the king of Spaine to renew and confirme the ancient contracts made betweene his father the emperour Charles the fifth and her predecessours hee would by no meanes bee drawne to yeeld thereunto That hee had suffered the Inquisitors in Spaine to persecute her poore subiects with all crueltie and extremitie and commaunded her embassadour out of Spaine because of his Religion That his gouernour the duke of Alua in the Netherlands had vsed all manner of hostilitie and violence against her subiects arresting both their bodies and goods contrary to the ancient contracts betweene England and the Netherlands That he had sent an armie into her Maiesties kingdome of Ireland and with colours flying inuaded the sayd kingdome vpon a supposed gift thereof made vnto him by the Pope of Rome which hee thereby excused intending also to enterprise the like against the Realme of England as it manifestly appeared by the Iesuite Sanders letters to that end dispersed abroad and by the Iesuite Creyghton who was then a prisoner and many other such like practises also were discouered by the dealings of his embassador Dom Bernardino de Mendosa in England Besides these many forepassed iniuries the Counsell layed before her Maiestie the danger that she was to expect if the Spaniard once obtained merum imperium that is full and absolute authoritie in the Prouinces of the Netherlands how he would alter their Religion breake their auncient priuiledges and subiect them wholly to his will and pleasure which done out of his malitious heart and intent he would easily inuade England with the aide of the multitude of shipping and sailers of those countries together with his Indian treasure first depriuing England of all trade of marchandize with the Netherlands and within the land procuring domesticall dissention and that therefore shee was not as then to let slip the present occasion nor yet to attend vntill the Netherlands were fully planted with Spaniards and Italians for that the warre was not vndertaken against the Netherlands but with a further intent and meaning to make a greater conquest On the other side there was laied before her Maiestie what difficulties and troubles might arise by entring into warre with the king of Spaine as first that thereby shee should breake the auncient contract betweene her and the king of Spaine and that it would not bee well thought on nor by forraine princes esteemed an honourable action to aide and assist the subiect against his lawfull soueraigne and that shee should hardly be able to contend against so mightie a monarch so strong of men money meanes and friendship which he should haue from the Pope domesticall English malecontents and many other his adherents whereby she should haue worke enough in hand to defend her selfe with many other obiections To these reasons aforesaid it was answered that therein shee should breake no contract nor league made with the house of Burgondie for that thereby shee was bound to aide and assist the Netherlands and to vphold them in their auncient lawes and priuiledges and not to permit or suffer strange nations to plant and settle themselues there and so intrude themselues into the gouernment and that if shee let slippe this faire occasion and did not assist them the French might set foot therein moreouer that shee intended not to aide any rebels against their king but to protect and defend her oppressed neighbours whereunto all princes were bound especially for religions cause as the Spaniards had done the like to her in her kingdom of Ireland with her rebels as also to keepe backe and preuent the warre with the miseries and troubles thereon depending if it be not foreseene and preuented and how dangerous and troublesome soeuer the warres be yet were the apparant danger much more and greater to be ouerrunne by forraine enemies and therefore it behoued her the more both in conscience and in honour to seeke to preuent all future danger for that the prouinces of the Netherlands could not be able any long time to withstand the enemies forces without some aide and assistance which beeing once brought vnder his subiection shee should bee assured to beare the burthen vpon her owne shoulders in England which would be much more preiudiciall insupportable and chargeable to her and that therefore it were better to haue and maintaine warre abroad than within the
English Gentleman with about one thousand English and some seauen or eight hundred other good soldiers lay in garrison to defend it against the Prince The States ships of warre that were in garde before the said towne being falne downe the Rhine the Iland which lies opposite against the towne was seized on by the Spaniards who presently planted ten Canons there but the garrison that was within the towne defended themselues so well by the good conduct of Collonel Schencke as the Prince preuailed nothing onely he caused certaine fortes to bee built there-abouts The Earle of Leicester meant to take some course to deliuer it but as hee had in the beginning of September planted his campe aboue and beneath Elten passing on hee went to besiege the towne of Dousbourg lying vpon the riuer of Yssel The Princes men continuing their desseigne vpon Berck after they had finished their fortes subiected all the fortresses there-abouts euen vnto Wezel Before the which towne is that of Bruycke belonging to the Duke of Cleues which they seized on and put some of their men in garrison there betwixt which two townes of Wezell and Bruyck they made a bridge vpon the Rhine to stoppe the passage of shippes that came vpward and that the estates should send no victuals to Berke The garrisons of Ostend Sluice and Terneuse after the taking of Axel did great hurt in Flanders cutting of the conuoyes that brought corne to Bruges Ipre and other places for that as then there was a generall dearth of corne throughout all the countrey in such sort as the poore people within Bruges dyed for hunger at which time notwithstanding their great want of corne and dearth in the whole Prouince the hatred that many of them bare vnto such men as gouerned the towne of Bruges in former times when the reformed religion was permitted and yet continued there trusting vnto the liberty and freedome of conscience which was promised vnto them by the contract made betweene the Prince of Chimay and the Prince of Parma began as then to breake forth and shew it selfe Whereof Peter van Hauterine called Brouqsaulx was one against whome because hee was sonne to the Bourgomaister Brouqsaulx that fled from thence into Zeeland for the religion whereof the foresaid Peter his sonne secretly made profession they sought all occasion to trouble and molest him or else to put him to death and to that end at last deuised vpon vntrue and false sugiestions to charge him to haue beene consenting to a certaine enterprise that should haue beene made as they sayd against the towne of Bruges vnder pretence that hee should haue beene present in company when a Burger of that towne called Ioos van Peenen began to complaine of the alteration of the time whereby hee had sustained great losse in his marchandise and sayd most plainely that it would bee much better if the aforesaid towne weere vnited againe vnto the Prouines of Holland and Zeeland c. and although the said Brouqsaulex excused him of all matters so as they could make no proofeof that where-of they accused him yet they sought by most vniust meanes and vnspeakeable torments as by setting him in a chare purposely made and placed before a fire for the space of nine daies and eight nights keeping him continually waking to force some confession out of his owne mouth whereby they might seeme to haue some lawfull collour to condemne him to death and although these torments could not make him to confesse any thing of that which was demaunded of him and layd to his charge as it appeared by the letters he wrot of his persecution and troubles and by good meanes caused them to be conuaide into Zeeland yet vpon the thirteene of Iune 1586 they caused his head to be stricken of with the said Ioos Peenens without any lawfull proceeding and against all due course of iustice and besides this confiscated all his goods directly against the priueleges of the towne of Brugges which import thus much that a magistrate can not lose both his lise goods together wherwith being not yet content the desired the Prince of Parma to haue the point of permission and freedome of conscience graunted by the foresaid contract made to the Prince of Chimay for awhile restrayned established amongst them againe the better to attayne vnto their purpose intent of mischeuous reueng and for that cause they banished many others out of the towne in all which indirect courses the new crept-in Iesuites hauing most voyce and authority hould this principle or maxime that all contracts promises priueleges and vowes must giue place and yeeld vnto the Catholicque Romish Church and religion In the moneth of August the earle of Leicester hauing gathered certaine troupes of soldiars together sent his vantgard conducted by Sir Iohn Norris and Sir Thomas Cicile to lie at Saint Seuenter by the Rein and vpon the sixt of September went him selfe from Arneham to Elten in the duchy of Cleue accompanied with Don Emanuel Prince of Portingale some to Don Antonio King of Portingale the elector Tucses bishoppe of Colen Prince Maurice Earle of Nassawe Philip Earle of Hohenlo William Earle of Nassaw and Philip Earle of Nassaw his brother both sonnes to Iohn Earle of Nassaw the Earles of Solmes and Ouersteine The Earle of Essex generall ouer the English horse The Lord Willoughby the Lord North Sir William Pelham Marshall of the English forces Sir Phillip Sidney and many others of good estate and qualitie where he mustered his army and found it to bee seauen thousand foote and a thousand foure hundred horse but knowing it too small a number to raise the Prince of Parmaes campe from before Berck who was reported to bee twelue thousand foote and three thousand fiue hundredhorse he determined to set vpon Doesborch thereby to moue the Prince of Parma to leaue Berck This towne of Doesborch belongeth to the Earledom of Zutphen which had the name of Duysborch or Drusus Borch as some men say long since giuen it by Drusius brother to the Emperor Tiberius that brought the Rehin from aboue Arnham into Isell to the towne of Doe bourch being yet called Fossa Drufiana the towne hath high wales after the auncient manner and broad deepe diches at that time there was in it three hunderd Walons vnder the command of Captaine Sampson and the townes-men that bare armes were about three hundred more The Earle of Leicester sent the Earle of Hohenlo the Earle of Essex Sir Phillip Sidney and others with fiue hundred horse eight hundred foote men by night to inuest the towne and vpon the ninth of September followed with his whole army marching from a village called Elten and causing his trenches presently to bee made so as within three daies after he had planted tenne peeces of ordinance against the towne wherewith he made two indifferent great breaches but by reason that they within rampared then vp againe and made them strong and also
beleeued for that Schenk was often accustomed to make vse of the garrison of that towne in that manner His men being thus in armes Patton insteed of Schenk drew in Haultepenne The Bourgers descouering this to soone put them-selues in defence but it was in vaine many flying into the castle which they were forced to yeeld paying their ransome By this treason Collonell Schenck lost his horses armes and all his moueables and treasor which Patton seazed on And as the Prouerbe saies From the Diuell it comes and to the Diuell it goes For al this wealth which Schenck had came by spoiles This Patton by the meanes of his great wealth gotten this waies married the poore widdow of Ponthus of Noyelle Lord of Bours who helpt to pull the Castell of Antwerp out of the Spaniards hands as wee haue said before This Ladye was of the house of Bieure whome the Lord of Champaigny thought to haue married but his gout and Pattons money hindred it the very same night that hee should haue beene made sure to her Prince Maurice of Nassau hauing as wee haue said the gouernment of the Vnited Prouinces committed vnto him in the absence of the Earle of Leicester beeing very desirous to draw the Duke of Parma from the siege of Scluce hee caused the Earle of Hohenlo his Lieutenant to make a roade into Brabant with a smal armie which his men did spoyle and burnt twenty two villages and two small Townes making a shew as if they would besiege Boisledu which hee then thought easie to bee done by reason of the high waters and the dearth of corne where-with the Townes were as then but badly furnished But the Duke of Parma hauing more men then hee needed before Scluce he sent Haultepenne Barlaymonts sonne with two and fortie companies offoote and twenty fiue troopes of horse who incamped at Bixtell not very farre from Boisleduc In the meane time the Estates protracting the succors for Scluce they began to feele the want of the Earle of Leicester and to desire him many saying that his authoritie and presence was very necessary The which the Earle vnderstanding supposing that this should recouer his honour which had beene interessed by their former Imputations and reproches Hauing obtained leaue from her Maiestie hee parted from England and returned into Zealand the sixth of Iuly with many soldiars which hee brought with him where hee was attended with great deuotion where hee made preparation to succor Scluce and to raise the Duke of Parma from the siege Prince Maurice hearing of his comming went vnto him accompanied by Generall Norris who was then to go into England Collonell Schenck and other Collonells with their troops as well of Netherlanders English as Scottish Leauing the Earle of Hohenloo with three thousand men horse and foote in the Iurisdiction of Boisleduc to keepe the Frontiers of Holland attending greater forces from Gelderland Freezeland Vtrecht and other places which came not Yet notwithstanding the Earle of Hohenloo left not to besiege the Fort of Engelen the which hee tooke by force and razed The Lord of Haultepenne being come to raize the siege was incountred by Hohenlos horse-men and defeated Hee was by mischance hurt with the bough of a tree which fell vppon his necke beeing broken downe with a peece of great Ordinaunce from the shippes whereof hee dyed the fourteenth of Iuly in the towne of Boisleduc The Earle of Leicester beeing returned into Zealand for the releeuing os Scluce the Generall Estates came vnto him vnto whome Doctor Leoninus made a speech in his Excellencies behalfe Giuing them to vnderstand that hee was very glad of their arriuall hoping that by his presence hee should bee assisted in the executions of some millitary exploits that were in hand and required expedition the which especially the reliefe of Scluce his excellencie did so much affect as neglecting his owne priuate affaires hee had made hast to returne into these parts for the preseruation of the generall VVhere-vnto his Excellencie hath brought so great an affection that although hee findes his honor interessed by reason of some scandalls which haue beene raized during his absence and certaine letters which were sent into England yet hee desires not by reason of those mistakings the said exploites of warre and other affaires concerning the publike good should be delayed intreating them to enter into conference concerning the Estate of the men of war their pay armes munition and necessary victualls to the end that Scluce might be releeued in conuoied to Bresque where they were receiued by the shippes of Zeeland and transported to Flussingue Thus was Scluce after that it had beene valiantly defended for the space of two monethes in the end giuen ouer for want of succors for the which it seemes they that defended it were but hardly censured by the Estates in giuing it vp so soone Wherevpon Sir Roger Williams in his booke called a discourse of warre makes a breefe relation of the seruice they did within the towne and to iustifie their proceedings the which I haue thought to insert here for the Readers better satisfaction of the particularities I protest sayth hee by the faith of a souldiar that what I write is true As neere as I can remember wee kept the towne of Scluce some three score daies diuers thinke it no time for that Harlem Mastricht and others were kept longer little doe they thinke how those two places were furnished with all things necessary when as the lesser of them both had in it sixe thousand hands to fight and worke Let vs bee rightly censured I will prooue that Bouvines was the most furious siege since the Duke of Aluas arriuall vnto this houre the which beganne and ended in lesse then twenty daies and yet there were more captaines and souldiars spoiled by the sword and bullet then at Harlem which continued ten monethes experimented captaines will confesse that they fury of all breaches are tried in fewe houres Wee were not in Scluce one thousand sixe hundred men to fight worke and all we had to keepe accounting the two forts aboue two miles and a halfe It is well knowne that before wee entred the towne had lost one fort If wee shewed any valour in our entrie let Sir Henry Palmer and his sea-men with them of Zeeland iudge the daunger was such as of the vesselles which carried vs in fiue were taken the next comming out The third tide Sir Charles Blunt afterwards Lord Montioy and Earle of Deuonshire offred fiftie pounds besides the commandement his maisters and marriners receiued at his imbarking to carrie vs in some necessary prouision from Sir William Russell then Lord Gouernor of Flussing who indeed was the causeof our entrie resolution and quick dispatch sending vnto vs a good quantitie of victualls and munition and to say the truth without his importunitie and diligence wee had not entred and then the world knowes the towne had beene lost without blowes as
committed many Insolencies and after-wards cast and the resignation of the Earle of Leicesters gouernment being published all factions and partialities began to cease and the generall Estates to recouer their first authority The Captaines of these mutinies in Campuere and Arnemuyden beeing cashierd and discharged from their garrisons by the Estates thought them-selues to be very hardly dealt withall after their long seruice for the which hauing long solicited the Estates who little regarded them In the end in the yeare 1590. they sent a petition vnto the Queene of England shewing the many yeares they had spent in the Estates seruice and how faithfull they had continued till that vpon the seauenth of September 1587. when as the Earle of Leicester went from thence into England they were commanded without an expresse commission from her maiestie or himselfe not to depart out of their garrisons with their soldiers according to their oth of fidelity taken in that case to her Maiestie the Earle of Leicester and the generall Estates with a promise that if the Estates should refuse to pay them that shewing their due obedience to him hee would in the Queenes behalfe giue them their intertainment Where-vppon for the better defending of their towne by the aduice of Sir William Russell they had increased their compâ—…ies twenty fiue and thirty men a peece for the which they receiued money of Sir William Russell to bestow vppon their soldiars all for her Maiesties seruice who by her letters of the twenty foure of February 1588. charged them to credit and to follow the aduice of the said Sir William Russell who had also both by word of mouth and by letters which they shewed desired them to continue constant in their resolution as they had done and were yet ready to liue and dye in her Maiesties seruice After which it pleased her Maiestie by the Lord Willoughby and Sir Henry Killegrey to discharge them of their oth with command to bee obedient vnto the Estates of the vnited Prouinces So as they entred into treaty with Prince Maurice and the Estates which contract was not held with the Captaines her said supplyants but to the contrary they were discharged from their garrisons and their companies entertainments and after-reckonings taken from them and all for the faithfull seruice they had done vnto her Maiestie and so were fallen into disgrace with Prince Maurice and the Estates forgetting all their former seruices whereby they had as then lost all their credits honors and reputations in regard whereof they desired her Maiesties fauor and aid and to bee accepted into her seruice This petition was signed by Captaine Ioos vanden Ende Cor nellis Palant and Peter de Costere the like was made by the other Captaines as Ambrosio le Duck Adrian Ost others all desiring to serue vnder the English Collonels but they obtained small recompence from the Queene who thought it not to stand with her honor to intertaine such Captaines against the liking of the Estates for that her owne English soldiers were by vertue of the contract bound by oth vnto the Estates yet she gaue her Agent commission to intreat the Estates for them and to deale in their behalfes But they will haue their authorities knowne and better obserued by punishing of such offenders for example to others The Estates of the vnited Prouinces beginning now againe to florish in their authorities thereby to resume their superior command as in former times the Earle of Leiceister hauing resigned his place of Gouernor And for that there was scarce any in England fit for such a gouernment in whome did concurre the knowledge to gouerne in ciuill causes to make war against so mighty an enemie wherefore many in England were of aduice to suffer the Netherlands to gouerne and to follow the wars them-selues and the Queene onely to ayd them with money or else to pay her owne soldiers whereby they might maintaine their owne Prouinces in vnitie But others especially such as had intertainment in the Netherlands vnder the Earle of Leicester sought to perswade the Queene that the vnited Prouinces by meanes of the confused gouernment among them decayed dayly more and more and went to ruine so as all her money would be lost and she her selfe left in great hatred with the King of Spaine vnlesse she would take the soueraignty or absolute protection vpon her by her Lieutenant with ful authority but it was hard to finde a Gouernor among them with al quallities fit for such a charge especially for that soone after in Septem the Earle of Leicester dyed of whome there was great hope that he should haue bene sent againe for Gouernor with limited authority some others likewise at the same time were named as the Lord Willoughby hauing then had some experience of those countries the Lord Gray of Wilton and Sir Iohn Norrice but they were not held capable for so great an office of State Yet the Earle of Leicesters fauorites perswaded them-selues that all things would bee well gouerned by some English Gouernor and the Councell of Estate hauing two English Councellors in it certaine Englishmen also in the tresory all vnder the Queenes authority according to the contract made in the yeare 1588. And so they were of opinion that the countries might be well gouerned and incorporated vnder her in some sort acknowledging the generall Estates and the Prouinciall Gouernors especially for the leuying of the contributions But the generall Estates duly weighing all things although at that instant they were ingaged in great difficulties held that kinde of gouernment to be very vncertaine knowing the English to be vnacquainted with the affaires of that State The Queene being a woman and then of good yeares that her maiestie was not ambitious but onely sought to gouerne well and wisely and to secure her selfe and her owne Estate And if that they should rely onely vpon the assistance of her Maiestie her followers who had nothing to loose within their countries they feared that vppon some sodaine disaster they might be scorned abandoned as they were continually threatned when as any thing fell out otherwise then was expected or else they should be perswaded to hearken to a peace contrary to their mindes or haue dayly causes of distrusts giuen the Englishmen seeking all the preferment the Estates being loath to be serui seruorum where-vpon they resolued to continue in their authorities and to maintaine the same as well as they might But newes came dayly of the comming of the Spanish fleete which made both parties to incline to a good vnion in these dangerous times they were incited there-vnto by certaine counters that were made On the one side whereof there was grauen two Oxen plowing parted with the armes of England of the Netherlands with this inscription Trahite aequo iugo That is draw euenly On the other side were two earthen pots driuen vppon the waues of the Sea with this
Sunday Grimeston and Readhead went to the Dukes Campe about eleauen of the clocke at night where they were quietly receiued without any great alarum in the campe Beeing entred Grimeston was presently mounted and sent away and Readhead stayed the Dukes comming who was vewing of certaine ordinance which hee had caused to bee planted to hinder a passage by water whereof the Duke beeing aduertised hee came presently away commanding a horse for Readhead with whome hee discoursed all the way to his Tent beeing three miles Grimeston attended him at the entrie of his Tent whome hee tooke verie kindely by the hand bidding him welcome And after many questions made by the Duke to Grimeston concerning the Estate of the towne besieged wherein the sayd Grimeston delt directly and plainely knowing it to bee his safest course the Duke hauing so good intelligence out of the towne in the end the Duke desired to know when hee could be sit to performe the seruice which hee had vndertaken who presently answered that hee should haue it deliuered vnto him on the Wedensday-night following which was Grimestons garde night wherevpon hee tooke his hand and commaunded Sir William Stanley Hugh Owen and diuers other captaines to bee merrie with Grimeston and Readhead who conducted them to an other Tent where there was a banket prepared beeing in the midest of it there were two gold chaines sent from the Duke one to Grimeston the other to Readhead The banket beeing done they were re-conuaied to the Duke who after some more questions with Grimeston concerning the intented businesse hee gaue them leaue to depart commanding they should bee mounted vpon two of his owne horses and Sir William Stanley with Owen Salisbury to garde them to the water side which they did accordingly and so taking leaue one of the other Grimeston returned to the Lord Willoughby acquainting him with all their proceedings who sayd that it could not be performed as Grimeston had concluded it with the Duke for that hee was altogither vnprouided hauing neither Ordinance planted nor a Portcullis made nor such Commaunders with him to bee partakers of the seruice as were in the country And therfore if one of them did not returne to the Duke the next night after to put it off for three daies more it was all nothing which they had done Where-vpon Grimeston moued the Lord Willoughby to call Read-head and to incourage him to goe againe the next night to winne a longer time which he did and comming into the campe he found the Duke ready with his troupes of horse to second his foote thinking to haue entred the sconse presently But as soone as he heard Read-head say the sconce could not bee deliuered that night hee fell presently into a great rage laying his hand on his rapier and swearing that hee did thinke it was but a stratageme to cut his throate whereof if he were assured he would kill Read-head with his owne hands but Read-head gaue him so great reasons for this delay as hee rested satisfied promising that Grimeston should deliuer it vnto him or loose his life where-vpon the Duke tooke his hand commanding him a cup of Sack and so dismist him for that time Sir William Stanley came back with Read-head to the water side who vpon the way intreated the sayd Read-head if it were a stratagem to tell him and hee would neuer reueale it but hee made him answer that there was nothing but truth Then hee gaue Read-head a watch-word that when they should enter the sconse they might send in some hundred or two hundred men before that himselfe and the rest might enter with safety all which Read-head promised should be done Hauing taken leaue of sir William Stanley he returned to the Lord Willoughby and acquainted him with what had past and what sir William Stanley had resolued to doe by his watch-word all which his Lordship willed him to keepe secret and to acquaint no man there-with and in the meane time he made all things ready to receiue them Vpon the night prefixed betwixt eleuen and twelue a clock being as darke as pitch Grimeston according to appointment went forth to conduct them into the sconse who comming to the Dukes quarter where his troopes were ready they demanded for Read-head and sayd that they thought it was a plot to cut their throats but Grimeston answered that Read-head had slaine one of the Gouernors men in the market place and that except the expedition of that seruice did saue his life hee would bee hanged for the fact yet for all that they would not trust him but sir William Stanley caused his hands to bee bound with a match and appointed a Sargent to lead him with his dagger drawne to stabbe him if hee discouered any treason and so they came vnto the sconse where there entred not aboue fortie whereof some twelue were slaine and the rest taken prisoners The alarum being giuen Grimeston did strike vp the Sargeants heeles which held him in bonds and so got to his company who was likewise in danger to haue beene slaine by his fellow soldiers if GOD had not preserued him the Dukes forces that were with-out the sconce when the alarum was giuen being foure thousand men attempted to force it and to breake downe the Pallessado being then a lowe-water but they were repulst and the water flowing were forced to retire There were in this action slaine drowned and taken prisoner betwixt foure hundred and fiue hundred of the enemies all being men of especiall note This is a briefe and true relation of all that action performed by Grimeston and Read-head which some malicious papists or ill affected to the State haue giuen out to haue beene vnder-taken by the receiuing of the Sacrament wherein they protest and will maintaine it that they haue spoken falsely vntruly and dishonestly vnlesse they take a banket and a couple of gold chaines to bee a Sacrament The Queene in recompence of this seruice did giue vnto Grimeston a hundred pound in money and an anuitie of fiftie pounds a yeare during his life causing him to be sworne an Esquire for her body to Read-head she gaue a hundred pounds and forty pounds a yeare during his life commanding him to bee sworne an ordinary Sewer of her chamber which place hee still enioyeth vnder his royall Maiestie The Duke of Parma hauing receiued this disgrace and seeing his bad successe against the Isle of Ter-Tole with-out the which he could not fully besiege Berghen the which might be releeued at euery tide by the ships of Holland and Zeeland through the fauour of the great sconse hee raised his campe and put his men into garrisons His retreate was the ninth of Nouember hauing besieged Berghen sixe weekes to his great losse and shame After the Duke of Parmas retreate from Berghen Prince Maurice went to his towne of Campuere where hee tooke possession of the Marquisate of Vere being his inheritance with the accustomed ceremonies in the which he
vpon their marche with some Artillerie they set vpon a fort which was called the Roynettes of Cologne the which they tooke and manned with a good garrison from thence passing the water neere vnto the castle of Loo hauing now past Teckenhof the Marquis thinking to charge them in the reere he found that contrary to his expectation he was valiantly with-stood by Sir Francis Vere with foure Companies of English and by Christopher Wolfs Cornet of Reyetrs being on the wing of the reereward so as this charge turned into a Battaile whereas Varambon lost aboue 600. men vpon the place with ten Enseignes and three Cornets besides the prisoners and aboue 200. horse whereof the English had sixe score for their part and amongst them there was one which the Marquis did vse to ride on who had now saued himselfe by flight Among all the prisoners there was not any one of reckoning but a pettie Italien Count Cousin to the Cardynall Caraffa who was wounded and one Lieutenant There were not aboue foureâ—…eene Knights Captaines and Officers slaine whereof one was the Marquis of Cico Nephew to Spinelli Maister of the Campe Iohn Antonio Caraffa and Alonzo Palagano both captaines and seauen Antients most Neapolitaines Whilest they were in fight Count Charles of Mansfeldt came posting thether with threescore and ten companies of horse and foote but the Earle of Ouersteyn the Barron of Poetlys Sir Francis Vere hauing won this victorie made hast to recouer Berck with their conuoy and victualls The Earle of Mansfeldt thought to haue met with them in their returne but they took an other course passing the Rhine nere vnto the fort of Rees This incounter was the 15. of October The same month the Earle of Mansfeldt hauing made prouision at Nymeghen of al things needfull to beseige a town hauing marched away with his horsemen from Boisleduc towards Graue passing by a little wood hee was saluted with a Volley of small shotte which wounded some horses wherefore hauing caused the wood to be compast round about and searcht they found 35 soldiers there whereof 30. were slaine vpon the place and the other were hanged Whilest that the Earle of Mansfedlt made preparation to go and besiege Berke the Earle of Meurs to succor it as hee had done twice or thrice before gathered togither all the men hee could beeing at Arnhem the chiefe towne of Gelderland in the Dukes Pallace where meaning to make a tryall of some fire workes the powlder was vnfortunately sette on fire where-with a part of the Chamber was blowne away and hee burnt and drawne from vnder the ruines of the house whereof he died within few daies after full of paine whereby the succoring of Berke was broken of and yet it held out three monthes longer The Earle of Mansfeldt had resolued to besiege Berke after an other manner hauing prepared all things necessary hee came out of Bommels-Weert where 〈◊〉 had battered the sconse of Vorne tenne daies togither in vaine and in Nouember hee â—…oke the Sconse of Reez aforesaid the which by reason of the dry wether and the lownesse of the water they did yeeld by composition whereby the besieged could not bee now well releeued who hauing great want of victuals and finding that their succors failed them the Estates considering also that this towne being so farre from them would bee ouer chargeable to victuall so often they did consent that the besieged should make the best composition they could with the Spaniard so as in the end of Ianuary 1590. the towne of Berke was yeelded to Charles Earle of Mansfeldt for the King of Spaine the Captaines Officers and all the soldiers going forth with their ful armes and baggage the Drumme sounding Coullors flying matches light and bullets in their mouthes and to carry them away they should haue fifty shippes and Scutes with conuenient Conuoy and a Captaine called Dauid Soper a prisoner should be discharged without ransome The Burgers likewise had good conditions and so Berke other-wise called Rhynebercke was giuen ouer It is thought that there were certaine secret promises made which caused the garrison to yeeld more willingly as that the Countesse of Meurs then a widdow should quietly inioy her landes by circumscription as beeing a member of the Empire and Neutrall Thus the Duke of Parma tooke in the townes and places in the Territories of Cologne to the vse as hee said of Ernestus Bishoppe of Cologne but hee kept the chiefe places with good garrisons as Rhynebercke Bonna Nuys Keysersweert and after the taking of Bercke hee had some disseignes vppon the Townes of Cleues Goch Reez and Emric belonging to the Duke of Cleues but all was in vaine his enterprise beeing discouered There was not much more done this yeare neither by the Duke of Parma nor yet by the vnited Prouinces the Duke beeing busie to send men and money into France stayed at Bins in Henault where the Duke of Maine and other commanders of the League came to speake with him on the other side the vnited Prouinces sent vnto the French King tenne thousand poundes starling with victualls and munition of warre by the Lord of Brederode issued from the Earles of Holland and Zealand Iustine of Nassau Admirall of Zealand and the Seignior of Pree Agent there for the Estates And the Queene of England sent him first twenty thousand pounds starling by Sir Edward Stafford then her Maiesties Ambassador with some poulder munition for war and ships to serue him within 15. daies after being besieged in Deepe by the League the Queene sent the Lord Willoughby ouer with 4000. men to his succor The generall Estates had long before reduced all the enemies Frontier Countries to certaine ceasments and contributions of money payable monethly as well vppon the landes as vppon the Countrie houses Villages and vnwalled townes which had no Forts to supplie the payment of their frontering Garrisons By which contributions the Peasants and Inhabitants of the sayde frontering places were freed from the courses spoyles and ransoming of their Soldiers The which without all doubt was a very great ease for the poore people and laborers and other good people who might freely doe their worke and follow their trafficke and marchandise with all safety going and comming freely into the townes and Fortes of either party This was against all right in the warres of fore-passed ages who would not yeeld any thing vnto their enemies as the Duke of Alua caused a poore peasant to be hangged for that he had bene forced to carry a bottle of hay to the Prince of Oranges Camp before Maestricht and it was also dangerous But the profit which did rise thereby did counteruayle the paine to prouide for the dangers which they feared The which the Spaniard might in like manner doe for his part who might reape farre greater comodities thereby then the Estates But no man smarted so much as the Lord of the soyle and proprietary who by
if it fell out that their aduersary should not hold his word neither yet how to pay the great debts of the countrie the paiement whereof is commonly raised by the warres nor how they that were in gouernment should bee armed against the Spanish corruptions which were already discouered with diuers other things these were the discourses and reasons of those that were of best and deepest iudgement In the meane time the Netherland fleete was still vpon the coast of Spaine which men sought to comprehend in the treaty of agreemēt that they might be called home that so the fleete in Spaine might freely passe too and fro from the East and West Indies for that they had beene forst to vnlade some of their shippes which had beene laden for the Indies and to set them out for men of warre for the defence of Spaine against the Hollanders which could not be comprehended in the act of the first of Iune but it was then consented and granted to countermand the said shippes as soone as the King of Spaines approbation should be sent and that in the meane time they should not be releeued with any new supplies or victualls which was in effect as much as if they were countermanded for that want of victuals wold bee an occasion to make them deminish their number and come home againe not regarding the doubt and suspition which men had in all places that the King would not fully yeeld to that which had beene concluded and the rather for that they made readie shippes of warre in all places of Spaine as at St Lucars Cadiz Lisbon and the Groine the straights of Gibraltar being full of Gallies which bred great iealousie as if they ment to attempt some thing against Ireland England the Netherlands or Embden others thought they would goe into Barbarie or to Alarach At Duynkerke in Flanders they made great hast to build the ten great shippes part of the thirty which they had vndertaken to make whereon they set fiue hundred men on worke being Spaniards Italians and Netherlanders each man his seuerall worke some of them beeing of 200. tonne the least was of a hundred and fiftie tonnes but by the answere of the eight day of August it was consented to countermand the aforesayd fleete and that after the time then set downe they should take no more prizes and therefore many men thought they would soone come home The mutinous souldiers vnder the Archdukes made many incursions in the country the Archduke seeking all the meanes hee could to pacefie them and in August hee got grant of sixe hundred thousand duckets to bee paid by a hundred thousand duckets a month for the space of sixe monthes which had long beene promised to pay the souldiers withall the Archduke also sought to discharge all his vnnecessary troupes as Wallons and others The Spaniards and Italians were put in garrison in seuerall places and a great part of them at Dornick where they were some what strictly lookt vnto and might not increase their numbers for that when they were desirous to goe out of the towne euery one had a token of lead giuen him without the which noman might enter into the towne at Cortrick also there were two or three hundred more in other places the richest townes gaue money to be vnburthened of garrisons the vnited Prouinces also discharged many of their souldiers such as they might spare as Englishmen and some high Duches which wanted many of their number they also discharged many ships of all sorts but they beganne to prepare some ships for the East Indies thereby to continue and assure that trade This yeare many shippes sailed out of Embden to Italy and Spaine which in Spaine and Portingall were most staied and arested vnder some pretence either that they were partners with the Hollanders or els rebels against their Earle from whom notwithstanding they had letters of lycence testimonialls or atestations but that would not serue their turnes vnlesse they brought particular letters from the Earle otherwise they were esteemed to be gotten by force and fauour of the Hollanders or Englishmen some of them notwithstanding were set at libertie but the rest to the number of thirty which were many for one towne were hardly intreated and the men put into the gallies others were compelled to serue the king there in his warre or in his shippes which went to the Indies and Bresill These newes caused a great vprore in Emden amongst the common people for the losse of their sea-faring men whereof many had wiues and children in the country which made a great assembly of women and children about the magistrate The Earle himselfe came thether with certaine Lords his friends which bred a suspition that he sought to cause some tumult his bretheren Earle Christopher and Earle Iohn being both with him with the garrison of Linphen where-vpon the vnited Prouinces sent about two thousand men thether the which were lodged in the suburbes of Emden and there abouts and withall they sent a trumpet to the Earle with a letter as followeth Right Honorable our actions haue giuen a sufficient testimonie with what a sincere intention wee haue euer laboured to our great trouble and charge and doe still continue to reconcile all controuersies and dislike betwixt your honorable father Earle Edsard your selfe and the Estates of East-Friseland when as in the yeare 1595. by the contract made in Delfzile at the request of your said father your selfe and the Estates of East-Friseland wee had vnder-taken and bound our selues to bee Vmpiers therein your Lordshippe knowes that in the yeare of our Lord 1603. at the making of the contract at the Hage at the instant request of the Deputies of the towne of Emden by your Lordshipps consent and good liking we once againe bound our selues to maintaine the same and to oppose our selues against all contradiction and also that in the treaty at the last meeting of the Estates of Germany vpon the last of Nouember by the intercession of Sir Ralfe Winwood Ambassador for the King of England and our Deputies in the behalfe of the said Kings Maiestie and vs it was agreed that if any thing were done contrary vnto the same that some order should presently bee taken therein Know yee therefore my Lord that wee beeing certainely informed that by your honors meanes and directions not one penny of money will bee had towards the payment of the garrison within the Towne of Embden that through want of pay the garrison might bee brought into a mutine and so the Towne of Embden fall into a tumult besides that by your Lordshippes meanes the contributions which are willingly granted by the country are not come to the hands of the appointed rent-maister for the causes where-vnto they are assigned according to the generall resolution That your honor also hath made many enterprises and caused them to bee executed without the consent of the country contrary to the Emperors resolution and the
the Emperor Henry the fourth to whom he made great complaints and suggested falsely that Thierry of Aquitaine the first Earle of Holland and his successors had violently taken away from Odibaldus the twelfth bishop of Vtrecht and his successors afterwards from Adelbold and forcibly usurped the Earledome of Holland which the Emperour Henry the second Conrade the second and Henry the third had confirmed to the bishops of Vtrecht And by these abusiue and slanderous suggestions he did secretly obtayne letters of a reiterated donation from the said Henry the fourth vnder his seale This reuerent bishop seeing that he should neuer finde a better oportunitie to seize vpon Holland than during the minoritie of Cont Thierry the fifth hauing called all his friends to his succour and among other Godfrey the Crooked Duke of Lorrain the which at that time was called Lothier of Brabantand of Ardennes made a mightie Armie vnder the command of the said Godfrey with the which he went to inuade Holland in the yeare 1071. in the countrey of Rhynland neere vnto the Towne of Leyden The Earle Robert the Frison gouernour of Holland and father in law to young Cont Thierry hauing gathered together what men hee could went to encounter these two inuading princes where there was a battaile fought and the charge was furious on both sides but in the end Robert thus suddenly surprised being otherwise employed about his affaires of Flanders and not able to leuie sufficient forces to encounter his enemies who were twice as strong the losse fell vpon the Hollanders and the bishop remained victor Robert taking his wife and children speedily with him saues himselfe in Flanders in the Towne of Gand as the Chronicles of Holland say but those of Flanders write that he fled into Saxonie to his wiues father from whence hee was called backe by the Flemings against the Countesse Richild as wee haue before noted speaking of the said Robert After this victorie bishop William caused Godfrey the Crooke-backe to take possession of all the Townes of Holland and to hold the whole Earledome in fee and homage of his Bishopricke of Vtrecht the which he possessed and gouerned fiue whole yeares after that donation during the absence of Robert who was busied in Flanders This Prelate of Vtrecht caused all the frontier Townes to be manned with good garrisons among the rest he built a strong Castle at Isselmonde vpon the riuer of Maeuse betwixt Dordrecht and Rotterdam the which he fortified with a good garrison Duke Godfrey for a perpetuall memorie to posteritie caused a new Towne to be built betwixt the villages of Auverschyer and Risuvicke the which is at this present the goodly Towne of Delft and without it a Castle where he made his residence during his gouernment This Duke seeing all things succeed so happily and that nothing did crosse his desseignes he resolued to make warre against the Frisons making a roade into the countrey and bringing a great bootie with many prisoners into the Towne of Alcmar The East-Frisons neighbours to them that were thus spoyled came downe like men halfe madde with a mightie Armie and besieged Godfrey in the said Towne of Alcmar for the space of nine weekes Seeing himselfe thus besieged hee called the bishop of Vtrecht to his succour who posted thither with all his forces and compelled them to raise the siege he gaue battaile to the Frisons whom he defeated and put to rout where there were slaine aboue eight thousand vpon the place besides prisoners the rest were all scattered and put to flight So Duke Godfrey with the helpe of the said bishop got possession of both Friselands East and West the which he also enioyed foure yeares together vpon condition that he should hold them likewise in fee of the said bishop and of his Bishopricke of Vtrecht Afterwards in the yeare 1075. Duke Godfrey being in Andwerpe some Authors say in Friseland easing his bodie in a low chamber which was ouer the ditch of his lodging hee was discouered by one called Ghisbrecht seruant to young Cont Thierry who thrust him in at the fundament with a jaueline Godfrey being thus wounded desirous to returne into his Countrey of Lorraine he caused himselfe to bee transported into the Towne of Maestrecht whereas he died in the moneth of March leauing no children of his body nor any other heire but one onely sister wife to Eustace Earle of Blois by whom she had three sons Godfrey of Bouillon Baldwin and Eustace After which Godfrey the Crooke-backe his nephew Godfrey of Bouillon succeeded in the Dutchies of Lorraine and Brabant although at that time the Dukes of Lorraine did not write themselues Dukes of Brabant But since in the yere 1251. Henry the third of that name Duke of Lorrain began to intitle himselfe Duke of Lothier and of Brabant the which the Dukes of Brabant although they haue no pretension vnto Lorraine haue continued vnto this day This Duke Godfrey of Bouillon with many great Princes of Christendome among others Hugh the great brother to the King of France Robert brother to the Duke of Normandie Robert the young sonne to our Robert the Frison before mentioned Earle of Flanders Raymond Earle of S. Gilles Steuen Earle of Blois Brunamond or Baymond Prince of Appulia Eustace and Baldwin brothers to Duke Godfrey of Bouillon Anselme of Ribemont and some Noblemen of the house of Borsele in Zeeland Among the Gentlemen of Friseland were Tiepko Fortman Iarich Ludingama Epo Hardtman Igo Galama Fredericke Botnia Eelcko and Sicco Liaucama cousins and Obbo Hermana with 300000. which were marked with the signe of the Crosse and therefore this voyage was called the Croisadoe in which expedition they recouered the holy Land and the said Godfrey of Bouillon was crowned King of Ierusalem to whom succeeded his brother Baldwin THIERRY THE FIFTH OF THAT name Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland 〈◊〉 Theodoricus Quintus THIERRY attain'd to yeares his valour for to show Found meanes to crosse the Priest that sought his vtter ouerthrow Man oftentimes doth win great honour wealth and fame But by industry and by force he must preserue the same The Frisons he subdu'd by valour and by might That secretly conspired had to worke him some despight His wife WITHILD was and as full seuenteene yeares His Earledome he assign'd to death as by record appeares THIERRY the fifth of that name sonne to Cont Floris the first of that name Earle of Holland Zeeland and Lord of Friseland After the death of Godfrey the Crooke-backe Duke of Lorraine who as wee haue said by the instigation support and fauour of William of Geldre bishop of Vtrecht had dispossessed him being yet in his minoritie of all his countrey of Holland and Friseland he leuied a mighty Armie with the helpe of Robert the Frison his father in law and his other kinsfolkes and friends to recouer his Countrey and auncient
inhabitants of the towne of Harlem with the countrey-men of Exdorp fell vpon them and slew 900 vpon the place recouering their booties and taking many prisoners with the which they returned victors to the towne of Harlem Cont Thierry after that he had gouerned his countries of Holland Zeeland and Friseland 40 yeares died in the yeare 1163. He had much warre against the Frisons the Vltraiectins or them of Vtrecht and his other neighbours The principall and most memorable noblemen of his time being his vassals were Floris the Blacke who was slaine as we haue said and Simon his two brethren sonnes to Cont Floris the Fat then his eldest sonne Floris 3 who succeeded him after him Otto Earle of Benthem Baldwin bishop of Vtrecht Thierry and Peregrin lieutenant of Holland all foure his sonnes and Robert his bastard then William lord of Brederode and Floris his son Gerard lord of Telnigen Hugh lord of Leck William seignior of Heusden Iohn lord of Arckell Folpert seignior of Lederdam Didier lord of Altena of Putten and of Strenen Hugh seignior of Bottersloot brother to the lord of Arckel Gerard seignior of Aspren sonne to the lord of Lederdam Floris seignior of Voerne Thierry his sonne Adelwyn Vicont of Leyden Didier of Persin Baldwin of Harlem these were held in the ranke of barons Then Ieams Vanden Vuode Gerard of Poelgeest Albert Bauiard Ghisbrecht Porckyn Iohn of Croonenburch Floris of Woert Ogier of Reyswick all Knights After those Berthoul Spysdrager Berthould aduocat of Egmont who was the first of the house of Egmont the which was since erected to an earledome with Dodo Allard Didier Berthoult and Wermbold his sonnes Godefrey of Harnesbergh Herbert of Liethen Thierry of Schoten Ludolph of Adrichone Vastardt of Reynigem by Leyden Ysbrandt the Frison and Berthould his brother Hugh of Arckersloot Bruyn of Castrichom Hugh of Monster Didier of Ween Iohn Heereman Hellnick van Doornick Philip of Bloot William of Voorhout Henry of Heylygerlee Gerebrandt of Alcmar al squiers and many other braue gentlemen And this was the Epitaph of the said Cont Thierry as wee found it in the Abbey of Egmont Collige vide Ciuis quam sit caro plena ruinis Quid sit ad quid eat quam cito dispereat Pandit honorifici Comitis caro Theodorici Quis tibi sit finis incinerande Ciuis Hic Comitumnonus Patriae Pater atque Patronus Ingenio viguiâ—… victor vbique fuit Augustinonis signo currente Leonis Deposuit quod erat esse quod est videras There was also the Epitaph of his sonne Peregrin who was his Lieutenant in the gouernement of Holland written in this manner Pompas mundanas animaduertens homo vanas Quaere quod est erit nam status iste perit En caro glorifici duodenis Theodorici Instar abit fumi tabida puiet humi Hunc Comitum nonus nostrorum Theodoricus Spem patriae genuit speâ—… sâ—…ulisque ruit Iste Calendarâ—… Iaâ—… lachrimarâ—… Extractus puâ—…eo 〈◊〉 in aethre Deâ—… FLORIS THE THIRD OF THAT name the thirteenth Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland 13 Florentius â—…ius In youthfull yeares I set my loâ—… vpon a danie Of Scotland and did her espouse that ADA had to name The proud rebellious Frisons that did scorâ—… 〈◊〉 yeeld Subiection vnto me by force I conquered in the field And valiantly won townes and forts in Syriae And in the land of Palestine did passe my dayes away For ere I could returne out of that countery I died and in S. Peters church in Antioche do lie FLORIS the 3 of that name eldest sonne to Cont Thierry the 6 after the death of his father was the 12 Earle of Holland and Zeeland and Lord of Friseland He had to wife the lady Ada daughter to the king of Scotland by whom he had many children first Thierry who succeeded him in the said Earledomes William Earle of Friseland Floris Cathedral Prouost of Vtrecht Robert President of Kenemerlandt foure daughters Marguerite Contesse of Cleues Beatrix Elizabeth and Alix This Floris had great troubles in his time whereof we wil discourse succinctly In the yeare 1163 Cont Floris hauing succoured Godefrey of Rhemen bishop of Vtrecht against the Earle of Cleues and the Baron of Batenbourgh being besieged in the towne of Gronninghen whereunto he pretended an interest the which the Emperor Frederic did pacifie for a requitall of all his courtesie the said bishop reuiued the question for the Earledoms of Oostergoe and Westergoe in Friseland whereof we haue formerly made mention grown betwixt the bishops of Vtrecht and the Earls of Holland this Godefrey like vnto the rest of his predecessors building vpon the graunts vnduly purchased and obtained from Emperors But as the Earles of Holland had the more antient grants and had beene longest seised therof Cont Floris was then fully resolued to dispossesse the bishop thereof once for all seeing that hauing so lately and so willingly succoured him and freed him from his enemies he now prouoked him to armes by his vnkind vsage The bishop intreated the Emperour Frederic to succour him and to maintaine him in the rights which his predecessors had graunted to the bishops of Vtrecht the emperour went himselfe in person and reconciled them so as they should iointly by a common consent appoint one Lieutenant or Iudge of the countrey who should take an othe to maintaine the rights of these two lords equally either of them for his moitie for the receiuing of which portions they should go once a yeare either of them beeing accompanied with thirtie knights or gentlemen and no more and that the said Earle should vse his best meanes to recouer the castle of Benthem the which done he should hold in fee of the said bishop who should haue a chamber a kitchin and a chappel reserued for him therein with free egresse and regresse when it pleased him Which accord was put in writing by the Emperours command But these treaties and accords were of small continuance the Frisons standing alwayes vpon their freedoms and imperiall liberties In the yeare 1166 the West Frisons knowing that Cont Floris had other lets came with great numbers of men and past the riuer of Ockeuoort neere vnto Alcmar meaning to spoyle that quarter of Kennemerlandt they tooke Alcmar by force where they slew foure bourgesses and burnt the whole towne except the church which they laboured to preserue from fire Cont Floris forbare to take reuenge vntill the yeare 1168 in the dead of Winter at what time he led his armie into Scoerle where being camped some of his knights and gentlemen notwithstanding the defence of their Prince would go to the warre and being come as farre as Schagen they spoiled and burnt it carrying away a great spoile The Frisons lying in ambush and expecting their returne charge them and spoile them in a manner all rescuing the bootie Among the which there was slaine Simon of Antuerpe William of Voorhout Baldwin of
began to fish for herrings at the mouth of the riuer of Meuse and in the Brittish sea along the coast of Holland Zeeland and Friseland the first fishing was about the island of Bryele where as they did fish with small barkes called Sabards Those of Zirixee were the first that did fish and packt them vp in barrels Those of Bierulyet a small island vpon the coast of Flanders the better to preserue them being salted inuented the meanes to gill them and to pull out the garbage or els they would soone corrupt In the yere 1190 the emperor Frederic being in Nicea a citie of Bythynia hauing extreame heat he went into a riuer to bath him but the violence of the streame carried him away he was drowned in the presence of all his people who could not helpe him About which time Floris the third Earle of Holland fell sicke in the armie died in this voyage and was interred by the emperor Frederic hauing gouerned his prouinces seuen and twentie yeares Ada his his wife did suruiue him eighteene yeares and died in the yere 1208 being interred in the abbey of Middlebourg in Zeeland William their sonne hauing accompanied his father as wee haue said at his returne passing through Germanie he maried the daughter of Frederic duke of Suabe whom he enioyed not long THIERRY THE SEVENTH OF THAT name foureteenth Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland 14 Theodoricus Septimus In peace I was most mild in warre both stout and bold And did my brother ouerthrow and Frisons pride controld In Flanders Gelder and Brabant victoriously I ouercame my enemies and Boisleduke valiantly Did enter but by chance there prisoner I was made My wife that was a lady faire to name ALIDE had Irul'd full thirteene yeares and did much fear'd of many For that for courage in my time like me there was not any THIERRY the seuenth of that name and fourteenth Earle of Holland after the decease of Cont Floris his father in Palestina succeeded in all his earledomes He had to wife Aleydâ—… Alix or Adella daughter to Didier earle of Cleue by whom he had notany sonnes but two daughters excreding faire whereof the first called Adella was maried to Henry of Gueldre and died without children ther Ada whom the mother after the decease of her father against the liking and consent of all tâ—…e noblemen of Holland maried to Cont Lewis of Loos who was but of meane calling shee being Contesse of Holland This Cont Thierry hauing after the decease of his father gouerned his countries quietly for the space of fiue yeares the lord William of Holland being returned from Palestina where hee had buried Cont Floris their father vpon some false reports entred into contention with him By reason whereof William retired himselfe into Friseland to the Dreuthers with whom being entred into league he made many roads into Holland On the other side Baldwin earle of Flanders entred with an armie into the isle of Walchren which lay neere vnto him Cont Thierry seeing himselfe assaulted on two sides leuied all the men he could and diuided them into two armies the one he took with himself and the other he left to the Contesse Adella his wife to lead against William his brother and to suppresse the Frisons Cont Thierry imbarked with his armie and landed in Zeeland from whence after a great battaile he chased the Flemings His wife with her troups went from Egmont towards Alcmar to fight with the Frisons The lord William of Holland came to incounter her with his men and presented himself in battaile but as they of Winckel and Nieudorp hauing retired themselues on the one side refusing to fight against their princesse being corrupted with mony the Kennemers did chase the Frisons vnto a certain strait which was a marish ground ful of reeds William seeing his Frisons wauer and readie to Breake incouraged them so wiâ—…words and behaued himselfe so valiantly in his owne person as hauing long defended themselues in the end hee carried them backe into their owne countrey with small losse The Frisons seeing his indeuors and how faithfully William of Holland had assisted them they trusted him more than before making him their head their podestate and their captaine generall Cont Thierry hauing succesfully ended the wars in Zeeland returned with his armie into Holland into the quarter of Kennemerlandt to make more violent war against the Frisons and his brother William But to the end these two brethren should not pollute themselues any more with the bloud of their subiects by their ciuile wars Baldwin bishop of Vtrecht Didier cathedrall prouost of the said bishopricke and Otto earle of Benthem vncles to these two brethren laboured all they could to reconcile them by whom it was concluded That Thierry as the elder brother should remain Earle of Holland and Zeeland and that William should hold of his brother in fee the countrey of East and West Friseland on either side the riuer of Flie vnto that of Lanuvers and moreover should receiue for an annuall pension out of the custome of Ghoervlyet the summe of eighteen hundred liures The Frisons vnderstand not how nor by what title this diuision of Friseland was made wherof there is not any mention made in their Annals yet some writers confesse that they yeelded hereunto in fauour of William of Holland but they deny that it was vpon condition to hold it in fee of Cont Thierry and to do him homage or to any other prince seeing there was neuer any thing more odious vnto them than to bee subiect to any other superioritie than the empire according to their antient liberties freedoms by priuiledges giuen them by antient emperors whereof they haue alwayes been very iealous and strict obseruers euen vnto the death This peace made betwixt the two brethren William returned into Friseland where he was honourably receiued and from that time during his life acknowledged for their prince where he built a castle called Osterzee in the which hee made his ordinarie aboad and residence After the death of Baldwin of Holland bishop of Vtrecht vncle to Cont Thierry being readie to proceed to the election of a new bishop Thierry Earle of Holland Otto earle of Gueldre came both armed into the citie of Vtrecht which was the cause of great iealousie and discord betwixt the chanoims and chapter for that some did chuse Didier cathedrall prouost of Vtrecht brother vnto Baldwin the last bishop and vncle to the Earle of Holland others had chosen Arnould of Isenbourgh prouost collegiall of Deuenter who was supported by the earle of Gueldre and by all those of the countrey of Ouerissel The emperor placed Didier of Holland there by prouision vntill it were iudicially determined by the Roman sea â—…o administer the goods of the said bishoprick as he did but that the earle of Gueldre hâ—…ndred him from the receiâ—… of any thing in the prouince of Ouerissell By â—…eason whereof Cont
Thierry entred the Veluve with an armie destroying and burning wheresoeuer hee came so at the carried away a great spoile Cont Otto did also lâ—…nic what men he could following Conâ—… Thierry as far as Heymens bergh to rescue the prey wherethere was a sharp incounter but the Gueldrois seeing his men slip away he saued himselfe through the swiftnesse of his horse Cont Thierry pursuing them that fled tooke many prisoners among the which were some gentlemen William earl of East-Friseland hearing of the victory which his brother had gotten â—…ame to him to the castle of Horst to congratulate with him for this his happy successe Cont Thierry remembring the quarrels past and the loue his brother had borne vnto the earle of Gueldre imagining that he came now to attempt something against him he commanded an officer of his called Henry Craen to seise vpon his brother and commit him to prison the which was done But soone after William hauing broken prison he retired himself secretly to the earle of Gueldre to be supported by him against the earle of Holland his brother where he remained some time Otto earle of Gueldre knowing him to be verie valiant hauing seen good proof thereof in Palestina against the Sarracens considering also the goodly portion which he had in Friseland gaue him his daughter Alix in mariage by whom he had one sonne named Floris who was afterwards Earle of Holland Otto William and two daughters Ada who was abbesse of Rhinsburgh the which was an abbey of noble women and Ryckwyf who was a religious woman in the same cloister After the mariage of William and Alix celebrated in the towne of Staueren Otto of Gueldre returned into his countrey and William was honourably receiued with his wife and acknowledged throughout all the countrey of Friseland for their lord Soone after and the same yeare the Earles of Holland and Gueldre were reconciled together vpon condition That Adella eldest daughter to Cont Thierry should marie with Henry sonne to Cont Otto but he liued not long and died without children In the yere 1198 Didier of Holland Arnould of Isenburgh both elect bishops of Vtrecht pleading their cause at Rome the pope adiudged the said bishoprick through the fauour of some courtiers in Rome and the aduantage of his election to Arnould where he was consectated the 30 bishop of Vtrecht But as he died soone after and was buried at Rome pope Innocent the 3 gaue the said bishoprick to Didier of Holland who had been his competitor was in like sort consecrated at Rome At his returne to take possession of his bishoprick he fell sick at Padoua in Italy where he died and was there buried To whom succeeded Didier vander Are collegiall prouost of Nydrecht vpon Meuse being in commission in the realme of Sicile who after the death of these two bishops was sent for to come and take possession of the said bishoprick the which at his first entrance he found very much charged with debts so as by the aduice of his barons nobles townes and chapters he went into Friseland to demand some aid or gratuitie to free himselfe of debt William earle of East-Friseland would not suffer his subiects to be charged with any imposition or extraordinarie subsidie for the preuenting whereof he went to Staueren whither the bishop was come vnto the abbey of whom he laid hold at the end of masse thinking to carrie him away to his castle of Osterzee but the monks with the help of some Frisons fearing if they should suffer it the bishop would excommunicat them tooke him away from him by force Afterwards Thierry Earle of Holland and Otto earle of Gueldre father in law to Cont William of East Friseland beeing reconciled to his brother and freed him from any bad conceit of him banded themselues iointly against the bishop The earle of Gueldre seised vpon all the countrey of Ouerissel for his part chased away all the bishops officers and puta garrison of Gueldres into the towne of Deuenter The Earle of Holland spoiled the whole countrey on this side the riuer of Yssel and besieged the bishop in his city of Vtrecht during the which time the earl of Gueldre going with a safeconduct towards the emperor Otto the 4. competitor to the emperor Philip hee was staied by the way by the duke of Brabants people The Earle of Holland hearing of these newes raised his siege from before Vtrecht marching with his troups towards Boisleduke where he entred by force and there tooke prisoners the lords William of Paruis and Henry of Cuyck brethren to the duke of Brabant The Earle thinking to retire with his prisoners into Holland the duke being assisted by the Archbishop of Cologne the bishop of Liege the Duke of Lembourg and the Earle of Flanders pursued him with all speed to rescue his two brethren Cont Thierry finding himselfe ouercharged at a passage after that he had long defended himselfe being vriable to resist so great forces was in the end taken and so the Duke of Brabant had the two Earls of Geldre and Holland his prisoners The bishop of Vtrecht seeing these two prouinces without Lords to defend them entred the countrey of Holland with all the forces he could gather together as well of his owne as from his allies from whence hee carried a great spoyle the Nobilitie and Commons of Holland pursued after to rescue it and defeated some knights and souldiers of Vtrecht in the rereward burning in their returne some villages of his iurisdiction The next day the bishop entred into the Veluve the which he spoyled tooke the towne of Zutphen went to Deuenter which yeelded vnto him so as he recouered great store of treasure Soone after a peace was made betwixt the Earle of Holland and the Duke of Brabant whereby the Earle paid vnto the Duke two thousand markes of siluer for his ransome and so did the Earle of Geldre both which were afterwards reconciled with the bishop of Vtrecht whereby all quarrels were ended In the yeare 1203 Thierry Earle of Holland fell sick at Dordrecht lamenting much the absence of his brother William Earle of East-Friseland although there had still remained some small seeds of hatred to recommend his daughter Ada vnto him being yet to marry and her countries of Holland and Zeeland Alix wife to the said Cont Thierry euen before the death of her husband and during his sicknes without the councell or aduice of any one of her own proper motion desirous to marry her daughter had contracted her secretly to Lewis Earle of Loos to the end the Countrey during her widow-hood might be gouerned at her pleasure so desirous was this woman of rule thinking that Lewis being farre inferiour in quality to her daughter would not dare to oppose himselfe against her not caring in the meane time if her daughter were well or ill maried In the meane time Cont Thierry died hauing gouerned
his countries thirteene whole yeares in continuall warres In his time there flourished in Holland Didier bishop of Vtrecht Otto Earle of Benthem and Peregrin Lieutenant of the Countie of Holland al three his vncles brethren to Cont Floris who was father to Cont Thierry and Robert also his bastard vncle then William Earle of East-Friseland Floris Prouost of Vtrecht and Robert Earle of Kennemerlandt his brethren Henry of Geldre husband to Adella the eldest daughter to Cont Thierry William Lord of Brederode Hugues Lord of Teylingen and William his sonne Seignior of Leck Robert of Heusden and Altena issued from the Earles of Holland with a great number of knights squires This Epitaph of the said Cont Thierry the seuenth of that name was found in the Abbey of Egmont Terricus iacet hic peperit quem filia Regis Ada Comes Comitem genuit Florentius istum Quiclausus tumulo virtutum pondere micans Siccatur meritâ—…que doles Hollandia tantum Amisisse virum per quem suffulta labores Insidias rabidos sopisti tuta tumultus Quem pietas quem ver a fides probit are magistra Virtutumque cohors tutum seruauit inermem Soluitur in cineres corpus soluitque tributum Carnis antiquae redit ad primordia matris Hic binas nonas voluente Nouembre relinquens Exilium mundi sanctis conregnat in astris And vpon his Tombe were grauen these foure verses Hic Terrice iaces Comes care regia â—…stus Mortetua populus largus discretus honestus Et fortis bellatâ—…r er as victorque mâ—…destus Milite pro tanto fundantur cum prece quaestus ADA CONTESSE OF HOLLAND and Zeeland the fifteenth in the gouernment of the said Earledomes Ada Theodorici Septimi Filia This ADA did possesse her predecessors wealth But'gainst her fathers will did matchin mariage by stealth With one vâ—…worthie her though mother was content But as it after did appeare God seemed discontent And did within one yeare bereaue her of her life Who dead her husband sought to claime th' inheritance of his wife But the Cont WILLIAM with great power did him withstand As heire vnto his neece deceast and draue him out the land ADA daughter to Cont Thierry the seuenth succeeded her father and was the fifteenth commaunding in Holland and Zeeland as Contesse but she gouerned these Countries but one yere and died without children During the sicknesse of Cont Thierry the father Lewis Earle of Loos to whom Ada had beene promised in mariage by the mother was in the castle of Altena where hee attended newes of the fathers death The Contesse Adella presently after the decease of her husband sent to Lewis to come to Dordrecht with al speed the which she did and there he gaue him her daughter in mariage and in steed of a funerall pompe there were feasts and nuptiall banquets deferring the obsequies till after the mariage which being consummated and all the feasts ended the body of Cont Thierry was with small pompe and ceremonie caried and interred in the abbey of Egmont William Earle of East-Friseland hauing intelligence of the death of his brother came vnto Zipe with an intent to assist and mourâ—…â—…e funerall yet would he not passe on before he had demaunded a safe conduct from the Contesse and those of her Councell the which was denied him yet he stayed in that place vntill the funerals were ended which done he returned into Friseland His kinsfolkes and good friends in Holland as Floris Prouost Cathedrall of Vtrecht his brother Otto Earle of Benthem and his sonne Ieams Chastelain of Leyden Philip of Wassenare William of Theylinghen Iohn of Ryswicke Gualter of Egmont and Albert Bauiart knights and other gentlemen well affected vnto him shewed themselues discontented that they should be gouerned by a woman and a poore Earle to whom they held themselues nothing inferior they therefore made a league among themselues not to endure the gouernment of her nor her husband This done they secretly sent a man of marke on their behalfes into Friseland to Cont William giuing him to understand of their resolution and alliance and that without all feare he should come and ioyne with them at the abbey of Egmont where they would attend him Cont William departed out of Friseland as couertly as he could but for want of a good wind to carry him into Holland or it may be the better to informe and assure himselfe of their intentions he put to land in Zeeland at Zirixee in the Island of Schouven where he was receiued and imbraced by them of the countrey and by the Lords of Borsele of Croningen and others who acknowledged him for their prince and Earle of Zeeland In the meane time Gualter of Egmont and Albert Bauiart accompanied with the Kennemers entred the towne of Harlem and tooke armes against the Earle of Loos the lady Adella widow do wager to Cont Thierry whom they forced with M. Ghysbrecht of Amstell to flie by night and to retire themselues to Vtrecht The young Contesse Ada remained there a while but in the end she retired also beeing accompanied by Roger Vander Meer Otto van venzen and many other knights and gentlemen of the Earle of Loos his traine comming all amazed to the towne of Leyden there to maintain themselues against their enemies as in a place of refuge and safetie the Kennemers being in armes with Gualter of Egmont their Commaunder pursued the young Contesse and those of her traine euen into the said towne where also was Philip of Wassenarewho with his Rhynlanders ouer whom hee was captaine besieged the Bourg so straitly as the besieged were constrained to yeeld for want of victuals Cont William who was then in Zeeland hearing that the Earle of Loos and the Contesse Dowager had saued themselues in Vtrecht and that the yong Contesse Ada was staied in Leyden he came speedily into Holland the which by the assistance of his friends he tooke wholly vnto himselfe disposing of their goods that had beene opposite unto his will then he caused the young Contesse his niece to be conducted with an honourable traine and good intreatie into the Isle of Texel vnder his iurisdiction of Friseland The Earle of Loos being thus chased away meditating of the meanes to be reuenged hee inuited to his succour the bishop of Liege his brother Iohn duke of Lembourg and the Earle of Flanders his kinsmen relying much vpon the bishop of Vtrecht whom hee woon with 2000. marks of siluer and a promise that if he remained victor and in quiet possession hee would hold the Earledome of Holland in fee of the bishopricke of Vtrecht the bishop of Liege being his caution for the performance thereof Cont William hauing notice of the forces which the Earle of Loos prepared to recouer Holland he appointed Gualter of Egmont and Albert Bauiart to be chiefe of the Kennemers and Philip of Wassenare and the Seignior of Theylinghen to commaund the Rhynlanders and he
Friseland 16 Guilielmus Primus This WILLIAM by great policie did breake the chaine Which crosse the Hauen of Damiet the Sarasins had layne Whereby the Harlemers great honour did obtaine Record whereof within their Towne as yet doth still remaine Two wiues he had whereof one out of Geldre came The second MARY called was a princely English dame Full nineteene yeares he rul'd and peaceably possest His countries and in Rhynsburgh died whereas his bones do rest WILLIAM the sixteenth Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland hauing as we haue said in the time of the Contesse Ada expelled the earle of Loos remained in quiet possession of the said prouinces He had by his wife Alix daughter to the earle of Gueldre Floris who succeeded him in the said Earledomes Otto bishop of Vtrecht and William who was lieutenant of Holland the which was father to the lady Alix married to Didier lord of Brederode and two daughters whereof the one was Abbesse at Rhynsbourg and the other at Delft This Cont William did homage to the Emperor Frederic the second for his Counties of Holland Zeeland and Friseland Afterwards vpon a priuate quarell he went and besieged the castle of Aspren hauing taken it he rased it to the ground Cont Gerard vander Are brother to Didier bishop of Vtrecht in reuenge therof went and besieged the town of Dordrecht into the which he cast wild fire which burnt almost halfe of it Soone after Cont William and the bishop were reconciled together and they made an accord by the which Cont William should pay vnto the bishop a thousand pounds and restore vnto Henry of Craen all that he had taken from him for that as wee haue said before he had once put him in prison by the cōmandement of Cont Thierry his master brother to the said Cont William Item that all the Earles subiects being in the bishoprick of Vtrecht should from that time forth be vassales to the bishop as well as all his vassales remaining in Holland Item that Cont William with a hundred knights attired onely in linnen cloth and bare-footed should present themselues before the Cathedrall church of Vtrecht and being there the Earle should aske him forgiuenesse for that he had before laid hands vpon him and taken him prisoner although he were rescued in the Abbey of Staueren All which articles the Earle did accomplish fearing his excommunication and from that time the Earle and the bishop continued good friends Behold the simplicitie of Princes and the pride of prelats in those daies brauing all the world with their thundering threats At that time died Henry king of Scotland vncle by the mothers side to cont William of Holland leauing no children There was a great nobleman in Scotland who with the helpe of the king of England got possession of the realm The Earle of Holland pretending a title to the Crowne as the neerest kinsman son to the deceased kings sister imployed all his friends for the obtaining thereof and to bring it to effect being imbarked with a goodly armie he landed in Scotland where at the first he tooke many townes and castles In the meane time Lewis earle of Loos knowing Cont William to be absent and that he could not easily come out of Scotland although he had wholly conquered it leuied men secretly to make a new conquest of the Earldome of Holland but Cont VVilliam being aduertised thereof desiring rather safely to enioy his owne inheritance which he had gotten with much paine than to striue to make a doubtfull conquest in a strange countrey and farre off he returned speedily into Holland The earle of Loos hearing of his returne proceeded no further for he feared him much hauing made so good triall of him who afterwards gouerned his countries peaceably during the remainder of his dayes In the yeare 1218 the lady Alix wife to Cont VVilliam died hauing left the children aboue named and was buried in the church of the Abbey of Rhynsbourg Afterwards the said earle maried with Mary daughter to Edmond of Lancaster son to Henry the third king of England by whom he had no children About that time the inhabitants of Ziricxee in the Island of Shouven in Zeeland began to build great shippes for marchandise to traffique throughout al seas as well North as South and to make their towne famous as it was for a time by reason of their nauigation hauing fit and conuenient hauens and rodes the which haue since beene much stopped with barres of sand so as of late the inhabitants of that towne haue made a new hauen going directly to the sea before Noortbeuelandt The Earles of Zeeland who were also Earles of Holland had a palace in the towne of Ziricxee the ruines whereof are to be seene at this day It is the second towne of Zeeland We haue in the life of Cont Thier◅ the seuenth and of his daughter Ada rela◅ed briefely the deeds of this Cont VVilliam the first of that name FLORIS THE FOVRTH OF THAT name the seuenteenth Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland Florentius Quartus My daughter in one day as many children bare As daies within a yeare complete by vs accounted are Twelue yeares I liued Earle Mars durst me not defie But iealous loue was cause that I was murthered cruelly My wife grieu'd at my death and her so hard fortune At her owne charge for women built the cloyster of Losdune VVithout the towne of Delft my sister edified Another which le champ royal she nam'd wherein she died FLORIS the fourth of that name by the death of Cont William was the seuenteenth Earle of Holland and Zeeland his brother Otto was made Earle of Friseland in his fathers life and William the youngest was hereditarie gouernour of Kennemerlandt this William had one daughter called Alix the which was married to Didier lord of Brederode who had by her Alfart father to William of Brederode who was General of the Horse to the king of the Romans the eighteenth Earle of Holland Cont Floris had to wife Mathilda daughter to Henry duke of Lothier and Brabant by whom he had the said king William his successor and Floris who was gouernour of Holland then Alix which was Contesse of Henault and Marguerite wife to Herman earle of Henneberg who had that great number of children whereof we shall speake by and by In the time of this Earle Floris there was neere vnto the towne of Arckel a little castle vpon the place of Wolfard belonging to Iohn lord of Arckel about the which there liued some poore fishermen at which place the riuer of Meruve began to ebbe and flow for that the riuers of Meuse and Wahal the which before the towne of Tyel in Gelderland was very narrow and could not enter into that of Linge fell into it These poore fishermen called themselues Gorreckens whereof the towne of Gorrekom now Gorrichom tooke the name This lord of Arckel caused all the houses of
sexaginta q◅inque qui past quam per venerabilem Dom. Guidonem Suffragan Episcopi Traiectensis praesentibus nonnull◅s proceribus magnatibus in peluibus duabus ex aere baptismum percepissent masculis Iohannes foemellis vero Elizabeth nomina imposita fuissent simul omnes cum matre vno eodemque die fatis concesserunt in hoc Lodunensi temploiacent Quod quidem accidit ob pauperculam quandam foeminam quae ex vno partu gemellos in vlnis gestabat pueros quam rem admirans ipsa Comitissa dicebat id per vni◅m virum fieri non posse ipsamque contumeliose reiecit vnde haec paupercula animo turhata perculsa prolium tantum numerum ac multitudinem ex vno part◅ ei imprecabatur quod veltotius anni dies numerentur Quod quidem praeter naturae cursum obstupenda quadam rationeita factum est si◅ in hac tabula in perpetuam rei memoriam ex vetustis tum manuscriptis quam typis excusis Chronicis breuiter positū narratum est Deus ille ter maximus hac de re suspiciendus honorandus laudibus extollendus in sempiterna saecula Amen And vnderneath it were these two verses En tibt monstrosum memorabile factum Quale nec a mundi conditione datum At that time there were in Holland and Zeeland fiue hundred knights whereof those that follow were the chiefe Otto brother to Cont Floris William Lieutenant of Holland their brother Didier Lord of Brederode Baylife of Holland Albert his sonne who was afterwards Lord of Brederode William Lord of Theylingen and of Leck These two houses are descended from the auncient Earles of Holland then Iohn Lord of Heusden Iohn de Veen his son Iohn Lord of Arckel Herbert Lord of Botersloot Hugh his son the Lord of Altena the Lord of Lederdam the Lord of Aspren the Lord of Putten and of Streymen Henry Lord of Vorn Ieams Vicont of Leyden Didier Lord of Wassenare Ghysbrecht Lord of Amstel Henry Lord of Woerden William Didier of Theylingen brethren Symon of Harlem Isbrand of Harlem Nicholas Persin Gualter of Egmond Gerard of Egmond his sonne Wouter of Egmond Gualter of Egmond Arnould of Egmond and Nicholas of Egmond all brethren VVilliam of Heeckhuysen Korstant of Raphorst Ieams van ◅uoud Hugh of Craelingen Didier of Gode Roger Bockel Hugh of Ackersloot all renowned knights Goeselin of Ryswicke Albert Vuitten Haghe Didier van Velson Paule of Brigdam Bouven or Bauldwin van Ziburch Floris van VVoert and many other Squires WILLIAM THE SECOND OF THAT name eighteenth Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland and afterwards king of Romans 18. Guilielmus Secundus Leyden first brought thee forth thy race did make thee great VVithin the Countrey Holland thou didst hold thy soueraigne seat Thy wife ELIZA was Rome did thee king elect The Hage thou mad'st chiefe place for lawes thy people to protect In Harlem at thy charge a Cloyster thou did'st make In Friseland fighting in thine armes death life from thee did take Twice ten yeares thou wast Earle and seuen yeares a King Death neither spareth Potentate nor any liuing thing WILLIAM the second of that name after the decease of Cont Floris his father was the 18 Earle of Holland Zeeland c. being only six yeres old when his father died he was therefore vnder the guard and keeping of his vncle Otto bishop of Vtrecht He was borne in the Chamber of Holland for at that time the towne of Leyden was so called Being come to mans age hee maried Eliza or Elizabeth daughter to the duke of Brunswike by whom he had one sonne named Floris the 5 who was the 19 Earle of Holland c. He loued armes and vertue more than to gather riches The popes who had beene alwayes in gratefull to emperours and kings their benefactors hauing degraded Frederic the 2 and Conrard his son from the empire and made Henry Landtgraue of Turinge to be chosen who died soone after the princes electors seeing the popes hatred against Frederic the emperor increased daily and that there would neuer bee an end they gaue the gouernment of the empire in the yeare 1247 to William Earle of Holland c. who at the instance of Henry 2 duke of Brabant by the recommendation of his father in law Otto duke of Brunswike and by the promotion of pope Innocent was chosen king of Romans for that there was no prince in Germanie that for feare of the emperor Frederic and Conrard his son durst accept of the empire Being chosen he was solemnly receiued and crowned at Aix-la-chapelle the 1. day of Nouēber hauing first forced the said town the which vntil that day had alwayes held Frederics part to yeeld vnto him and to administer vnto him the first imperiall crowne and after the death of the emperour Frederic he was by the same pope Innocent proclaimed emperour in the citie of Lion foure yeres after his election The said Cont William king of Romans after that hee had beene crowned at Aix by Conrard bishop of Cologne being then but 20 yeares old he went to Liege whereas he graunted vnto Otto earle of Gueldres brother to the said bishop of Liege the imperiall towne and castle of Nymeghen with all the rights reuenues and iurisdictions belonging and depending thereon to hold it in fee for euer of the empire paying therefore one and twentie thousand markes of pure siluer vpon condition That it should be alwayes lawfull for the emperor or king of Romans to redeeme it again paying the said sum of 21000 marks of siluer and that if afterwards they would ingage it againe the earles of Gueldres should bee alwaies preferred and haue the choice to take or leaue it The which was afterwards confirmed by the successours of the said king William From Liege king William would go to visit all his chasteleines or castles along the riuer of Rhin the which were all open vnto him with offer of seruice except Keyser Weert where the captaine denied him the entrie the king besieged it and held his campe before it aboue a yeare in the end victuals and other prouision failing he sued for mercie The king hauing receiued the captaine into grace seeing his generositie and valour after hee had taken ◅n othe of fealtie he gaue him in mariage Catherine his cosin daughter to Alsard of Brederode and for her dowrie the chasteleine of Keyser Weert with the towne and castle for him and castle for euer to hold of the empire This done he marched towards Holland passing by the towne of Vtrecht where at the request of the bishop Otto his vncle he ratified the priuiledges giuen by former emperors to the said town and bishopricke of Vtrecht yea he augmented them much and gaue them letters patents Being returned into his countrey of Holland and making some stay there he built the palace of the Earles of Holland in the village of la Haye commonly called the Hague whereas
William Earle of Holland and Zeeland the which are two goodly earledomes neighbours and necessarie one vnto the other as well for nauigation as commerce would so dismember his estate to gratifie his sister wife to the said Auesnes And if he had had any disposition to dismember it from Holland it had beene more reasonable to giue it to his brother Floris to hold it in fee of his countie of Holland as his portion than to giue it in dowrie to his sister And therefore we will hold the opinion of the chronicle of Holland more true in that point than that of Flanders The contesse Marguerite seeing that the duke of Aniou fled before king William and that all her men were defeated and disbanded shee was much perplext and knew not how to resolue in the end she found no better course than to imploy many princes and great noble men yea S. Lewis king of France to reconcile her to the king of Romanes fauour vpon such conditions as she could with reason beare Although the said king William had beene too much wronged and incensed by her as well by contempt and iniuries as otherwise yet presuming that his courage would neuer oppose it selfe against a silly weake woman nor seeke reuenge of her vsing his clemencie he receiued her into grace vpon certaine conditions specified namely That she should absolutely quit her countie of Henault the countrey of Alost and the foure chasteleines of the countrey of Waes whereof she should giue full possession to Cont Iohn d' Auesnes her eldest sonne and passe it by authentike letters vnder her great seale the which was done And so the said Iohn d' Auesnes and Baldwin his brother were reconciled to the contesse Marguerite of Flanders their mother the which beeing well finished and ended king William returned into Holland Pope Innocent hearing of the death of Conrard king of Germanie sonne to the emperour Frederic and that William Earle of Holland had beene long before chosen king of Romans he sent for him by letters to come to Rome to receiue the Crowne the ornaments and all the markes of the Empire King William hauing no trust in many princes of Germany and Italy through whose territories he must passe went disguised in a pilgrims weed being accompanied with twelue of his most trustie and confident seruants and so past into Italy finding the Pope at Genoa or Genes by whom he was honorably receiued And as he came in a strange and disguised habit onely to conferre with the Pope he returned in the same maner through Lombardie and Germanie where hauing beene well receiued in some places whereas hee made himselfe knowne and there treated of the affaires of the empire he was aduertised That the West-Frisons were reuolted and according to their antient maner inuaded the frontiers of Holland from whence they daily carried away great spoyles hauing no man to make head against them he being so far off at that instant The said king being readie to returne into Italy with forces and a royall traine to be crowned at Rome hee thought it more expedient to preserue his owne inheritance and to settle peace and quietnesse in his countries and among his subiects than to goe farre off to purchase a title of honour without profit he therefore left off this voyage of Italy and led his armie to Vtrecht where being with the prelats and noble men at a banquet there was some traitor which hit him on the head with a stone wherewith he was sore wounded and yet no man could perceiue whence the blow came the which did much perplexe and trouble the prelats for that they had inuited him to this feast The king hauing the stone in his hand said See what an affront and despight those of Vtrecht do me seeking to beat me downe with stones hauing neuer deserued ill at their hands but haue euer assisted them and subdued their enemies at mine owne charge but by the liuing God this affront shall not passe vnpunished if I liue but one yeare in health and with those words he departed from thence and went to horse not without great reason being much mooued and threatening the whole citie which he resolued to ruine quite The magistrats and best bourgesses of Vtrecht were verie sad for this wicked and vnfortunat accident and hauing obtained a passeport to send vnto him they dispatcht their bourgmasters to the court at la Haye to see if they could any way pacifie his choller and displeasure against them The king answered them in few words That he had sworne the which he would neuer call backe again but would vtterly destroy the towne if they deliuered not into his hands him that had cast the stone With this answre they returned and hauing assembled their counsell they made diligent search for him that had giuen the blow This remained thus in suspence for the king made hast to go into Friseland whereof the citie of Vtrecht had great cause to thanke God for at his returne if he had liued any time it was to bee feared he would haue made a pitifull spoyle and the Traiectins or those of Vtrecht should haue endured much if he had returned victor out of Friseland The king being gone with his armie into West-Friseland at his entrance he subdued some of the first that would haue opposed themselues and stopt his passage causing a castle to bee built neere Alcmar the which he called Tornenburg which is to say the castle of Wrath. And marching on in the moneth of Februarie he went to Alcmar from whence passing vpon the ice at Vrouen he made all the hast he could to surprise his rebels sodainely But it succeeded not so happily for him as for his armie for as the lord of Brederode who led one of the battalions had incountred and vanquished the Drechters the king mounted vpon a mightie courser leading the other battalion seeking the shortest way to Hoochtwonde which he meant to burne marched before all alone vpon the ice far from his troups as if hee had beene vpon the firme land it happened that the ice brake and his horse sunke in and was almost drowned hauing no man neere him to helpe him in time The Frisons who lay in ambush in the reeds and oziers seeing a horsman thus mired ran thither and beat him downe with clubs staues not knowing that it was the king but when they had seene his target they imagined it should be some great noble man There were in that quarter some Hollanders that were fugitiues and banished for crimes who came also running thither and knew the armes and blason of their king which was an Eagle sables and a Lion rampant gules in a field partie par pale or saying vnto the Frisons that were there present That they had done very ill to haue thus murthered the king their lord and naturall prince When as they vnderstood that it was king William Earle of Holland there was not any one man
one out of euerie companie or trade to gouerne the commonweale Hauing chased away the mightiest they made a league with the Kennemers to whom in like sort ioyned those of Amersfort and Emmelandt Iohn of Nassau bishop of Vtrecht did on the other side allie himselfe with Otto earle of Gueldres and they two together hauing made a good armie came to Zyest to restore the nobles and the magistrats that were chased away The Kennemers hauing notice of their comming put their men in battaile meaning to fight with them The earle of Gueldres an old knight and well experienced in armes would not with so few men expose himselfe to the hazard of a doubtfull battaile against so great a multitude of desperat men that were halfe mad retiring a little backe towards the Veluve to gather together more forces and then to charge them Ghysbrecht lord of Amstel seeing himselfe a great commander and captain of this great confused troupe did beat downe the castles of Ghysbrecht of Abconde of William of Risenburch and of Hebert of Vyanen his enemies which done hee spake vnto the Kennemers in this manner Companions and valiant souldiers you haue seene how that this yeare we haue reduced all the countrey of Vtrecht vnder our obedience chased away the nobles and burnt their castles ruined their forts and spoiled them of their goods possessions the next yere we must go and assaile the earl of Gueldres who is banded against vs we must spoile his country and chase him away in like sort but as Autumne drawes neere it shall be necessary for euerie one to retire himselfe to his own home to gather in his haruest and to prouide for that which shall be needfull for euery mans family in particular Vpon this persuasion the Kennemers being assembled all together retired into Kennemerlandt and passing neere vnto Harlem they besieged it and did hasten al they could to batter and shake it with their rammes and other engins The inhabitants and gentlemen thereabouts which were retired into the same town defended themselues valiantly with arrows slings stones Iohn of Persin a braue knight made a fally by night and fell vpon a number of carts laden with victuals and munition then passing into Kennemerlandt he burnt some of their chiefe villages The Kennemers seeing fire in their country raised their siege from before Harlem and made hast to returne to their houses Those of the towne seeing them march away issued forth and charging them in the â—…ere defeated a great number and brought backe a good bootie the which these mutines had spoiled here and there The bishop of Vtrecht and the earle of Gueldres hearing of the retreat of the Kennemers went to besiege the towne of Vtrecht but foure daies after seeing they could not take it without losse and that they daily lost many of their best men they did rise from thence and went to besiege Amersfort for that they had ioyned themselues vnto the Kennemers in the end they yeelded by composition vnto the earle of Gueldres who for certaine iniurious speeches they had vsed against him during the siege ruined a part of it then he retired into his countrey and the bishop to his towne of Deuenter in the countrey of Ouerissel About two yeares after Asuerus of Bosichom a knight came with all the banished men before the towne of Vtrecht and hauing secretly made a scaladoe entred it At the first hee was hotly incountred but in the end Asuerus became master chased away the magistrat and many of the bourgesses of the towne and restored the bourgmasters and aldermen which had beene displaced Soone after all the banished men returned and there was great fighting betwixt the inhabitants one against another and much bloud spilt During these hurly burlies Nicholas de Cats a knight of Zeeland hauing the yong Cont Floris then in his guard and keeping brake the gates of the said towne with axes and hammers and entred it with fiue hundred horse then sitting in the seat of iustice in the middest of the towne hee banished a thousand and fortie of the bourgesses and restored all things to a good estate and made the towne in quiet Floris Earle of Holland being seuenteen yeares old leuied a good armie to make war vpon the West Frisons to reduce them vnder his obedience to bring away his fathers bones who had been slain there to bury them in Zeeland The Frisons hearing of his approach went to armes and came to incounter him at Verone vpon the Gheest neere vnto Alomar where there was a battail in the which there died â—…00 Hollanders among the which were some men of marke The Hollanders hauing receiued this first disgrace retired themselues to Heyligerlee where they camped in the open field receiued a new supply of men The Frisons grown proud with their first victorie went to charge them but the Hollanders who attended them had now their reuenge for they put the Frisons to flight and slew aboue 800 vpon the place Afterwards Cont Floris hauing caused the strong castle of Widenesse to bee built against the Frisons he marched with his armie into Friseland to fight with them and to subiect them to their duties and obedience a battaile was fought and he defeated them in a village called Schellinckhout then passing to Hoochtwonde there was another battaile in the which hee was also victorious there were 600 Frisons slaine and many other taken prisoners among the which there was an old man which shewed Cont Floris the place where king William his father was buried the which he caused to be opened and his bones to be taken vp causing them to be put in a hearse and to be transported to Middlebourg in Zeeland whereas he built a roiall tombe worthy of his greatnesse In the yeare 1285 there was such a tempest of wind and storms as many dikes and causeies in Friseland Holland and Zeeland were broken and carried away so as much of the â—…untrey was ouerflowne and many men and much cattell drowned Didier lord of Brederode called the Gentle had charge from Cont Floris to go with an armie both by sea and land to make warre against the Frisons the which he did and for that by reason of these inundations those of the champian countrey of Friseland could not succour one another hee entred into diuers parts of the country the which he dispeopled leading them all away prisoners without striking stroke and by this meanes reduced Friseland vnder the Earles obedience The waters of this inundation being fallen away and the causeyes repaired the Earle caused foure strong castles to bee built in Friseland that of Medemblyck of Enigemburch Middelburch and Nieuburch to restraine the Frisons and keepe them in their obedience The Frisons seeing themselues thus subdued and that of necessitie they must yeeld vnto the yoke came vnto him those of the bailywike of Hoochtwonde of Nieudorp Winckel Bersingenshorn Costinauroe Vrolen Kuytdorp Brock Zuydsterwoude
Noortsterwoude Oudherspel Waermenhuysen Nyeulandt Duringhersorn Emgebroerk Oeterleeck Veenhuysin and Medemblyck All which aboue named hauing made their peace with Cont Floris tooke their othe of fealtie and did him homage as well for himselfe as his successors for euer yeelding that in their countrey hee might diuide the wayes at his owne good pleasure for the performance whereof they graunted him the tenth of all kind of graine In recompence whereof the Earle granted them many priuiledges such as those of Vrolen and Oudtorp had obtained from king William his father This reconciliation and accord was made vpon Saint Agnes eue in the yeare 1288. The Earle being still iealous of the loyaltie of the West-Frisons notwithstanding all their othes and homages not trusting them but vpon good assurance caused the castle of Medemblyck to bee finished and to that end camped with his armie at Meloorde vntill it was ended He caused also the fortneere to Veâ—…a vpon the Gheest on the frontiers of Friseland to bee new built againe to the end they might passe frâ—…ly from Alcmar whither they would And he built the fort of Middlebourg along the dike to keepe them from breaking it in that place the castle of Tornenburch which the king his father had built there was heere vnto it The which he did to the end they should not easily besiege neither the one nor the other for that they were within two or three bowes shoot one of another He also built the castle of Nyendoern which since the Frisons ruined Cont Floris hauing bridled the West-Frisons went to Staueren those of that quarter knowing how he had subdued them of West-Friseland by the meanes of so many castles being loath to make triall of the like rigour submitted themselues willingly vnto him with an othe of obedience as to their lord and prince as well to himselfe as to his successors hereafter Earles of Holland who seeing their readinesse and willingnesse gaue them many thankes and granted them freedomes and immunities which were too long to repeat Hauing thus pacified all and settled a good order in Friseland hee parted from Staueren beeing followed by the best and chiefe noble men of that countrey vnto Albrechts-bergh soliciting the confirmation of their priuiledges the which were dispatched in due forme vnder his seale in the yeare of our Lord God 1292. Cont Floris hauing made al Friseland quiet Guy of Dompierre earl of Flanders entred again with an armie into Zeeland pretending to conquer the isle of Walchren Cont Floris posted presently thither with all his forces to chase him away or to giue him battaile Iohâ—… dukel of Brabant desirous to preuent this mischiefe came into Zeeland by whose good 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 peace was concluded betwixt these two princes of Flanders and Holland vpon condition That Cont Floris should take to wife the lady Beatrix daughter to Cont Guy by meanes of which mariage they continued good friends and euery one retired to his owne home Cont Floris had by this lady his wife many children Iohn Thierry Floris William Otto William and Floris Beatrix Mathilda Elizabeth and Marguerite the which died all young except Iohn the eldest who succeeded his father in the counties of Holland and Zeeland c. Hee had also two bastard sonnes Witten the chiefe lord of Hamstede in Zeeland and William both of them braue knights He caused many goodly buildings to be made as the castle of Vogelsanck in the wood of Harlem where hee often held his court by reason of hunting and hawking and other pleasures of iusts and tourneyes hee did also greatly inlarge his court at la Haye The bishop of the clergie of Vtrecht complained to Cont Floris of the wrongs the lords of Amstel and Woerden being cosin germains did vnto them demanding his helpe against them The Earle went and besieged the castle of Vredelandt planting his rammes and other engines of batterie whither he sent the seignior Costin of Renesse knight with a supply of soldiers out of Zeeland The lord of Amstel hauing knowledge of his comming sallied foorth and went to incounter them neere vnto Loen but hee was repulst and defeated by the said seignior of Renesse whereas the lord of Amstel was taken prisoner with a great number of his subiects Arnould of Amstel who remained in the castle hearing of his brothers imprisonment fearing the Earles power yeelded himselfe and the place vnto his mercie who hauing receiued it caused it to be manned with a strong garrison And for that Herman of Woerden had assisted the lord of Amstel against the bishop the Earle went likewise against him to spoile all his lands Herman knowing well that he was vnable to resist so powerfull a prince hauing fortified his castle of Montfort and manned it with a good garrison and all things else requisit for a long siege leauing a good captaine therein whom he trusted absented himselfe out of the countrey The Earle vnwilling to desist notwithstanding his absence besieged the castle a whole yeare together giuing many assaults so as in the end he forced it causing all their heads that he found within it to be cut off two onely reserued then hauing manned the place with souldiers and made hot warre for a time against the said Herman in the end there was a peace concluded betwixt them by the which these two noblemen of Amstel and Woerden did sweare fealtie and obedience vnto the Earle of Holland and the bishop of Vtrecht vpon paine of confiscation of all their goods and neuer to rise nor rebell against him restoring to the bishop of Vtrehct his castles by meanes whereof all quarrels were ended The Earle hauing pardoned what was past held them for his most familiar counsellors which prooued hurtfull vnto him as we shall presently shew In the yeare 1290 Cont Floris and Thierry of Cleues met at la Haye in Holland there to recreate themselues together Cont Floris keeping open court during which time the earle of Cleues did resigne and absolutely yeeld vp vnto the Earle of Holland his cosin the soueraignties and homages of the townes and castles of Heusden Vandrichom and Altena quitting and discharging all his vassals and freed men of their othe of fealtie which they ought vnto him mediatly or immediatly and that afterwards they should hold and depend of the countie of Holland in the like manner as they were woont to hold of the earledome of Cleues So Iohn of Heusden receiued of Floris Earle of Holland by right of reliefe his fees and seigniories of Heusden Altena and Vandrichom which from that time were of the iurisdiction of the countie of Holland and so continue vnto this day Cont Floris seeing himself at rest hauing thus augmented his seigniories and reuenues he prepared a goodly fleet of ships and accompanied with a great number of barons knights and gentlemen went into England to king Edward the first of that name to demand aduice and succours to get the possession of the realme of Scotland
which was fallen vnto him by the decease of his great great grandmother Ada daughter to the king of Scotland who died without heires male wife to Floris the third of that name and thirteenth Earle of Holland which Cont William the first by the death of Henry king of Scotland his vncle by the mothers side did not prosecute by reason of the rebellion of some noblemen of his countrey which hindred him besides the Frisons were reuolted and the earle of Loos during his absence thought to reconquer Holland as wee haue said before Cont Floris being then with king Edward who dissuaded him from this war of Scotland for the great difficulties he should find there they concluded an alliance together which was That Iohn sonne to Cont Floris being then but young shall marie Elizabeth the kings daughter by which mariage they should remaine for euer good friends and allies as since England hath alwayes beene and is at this present well affected to Holland and Zeeland and to the other vnited prouinces of the Netherlands Guy of Dompierre earle of Flanders repining at this friendship and alliance betwixt the king of England and Earle of Holland leuied an armâ—… in the countrey of Catsand to inuade the isle of Walchren during the absence of Cont Floris but Didier lord of Brederode and Iohn of Renesse knights the one in Holland the other in Zeeland made hast to leuie men to oppose against him Cont Floris hauing hewes therof imbarked without any delay and came to land at Flessingue Cont Guy staying too long vpon his passage the seignior of Renesse by commandement from Cont Floris past into Flanders burnt the towne of Scluce and spoiled the whole countrey about This done the lords of Brederode and Renesse enter ioyntly with their troups into the isle of Catsand which they destroyed also The Flemings who were not faire from them being about 4000 men thought to compasse in the Hollanders but the seignior of Renesse who had but 300 Zeelanders choyce men and he a braue and hardie knight went first to charge them and put them to rout so as there were a great number slaine and drowned besides prisoners and the bootie which he carried into Holland returning a victor to the Earle his Prince This happened on Simon and Iudes day in the yeare 1296. The Flemings being retired after this defeat Cont Floris fortified his countrey of Zeeland with good garrisons against their inuasions and spoyles then hee returned into Holland to his court at la Haye One day among the rest he bethought himselfe that in the great wars which hee had had against the Frisons Flemings and others he had lost a good number of his knights and of his best noblemen besides many were dead of the plague the which had beene very violent in his countries so as to his great griefe he was then very destitute whereupon he resolued to send for one day in Christmas to his court at la Haye fortie of the chiefest and most substantiall of all his subiects that were not noble the which had good meanes and great reuenues to entertaine the traine and estate of a knight With these fortie good men specially chosen he held open court made them knights and gaue them armes and blasons In this sort did he honour his good and vertuous subiects who by their wealth might well maintaine their estate in the seruice of their prince Withall he did repeople his countrey with nobles and did beautifie his traine and court for the more noblemen a prince hath the more is hee honoured and feared True it is that in the beginning the antient nobilitie did scorne and hate these new knights it may be for that they had not so great meanes but in succession of time their sonnes grand-children and great grand children were taken for good gentlemen The chief knights and gentlemen issued from antient nobiline and knighthood in the time of this Earle Floris were these that follow Iohn of Holland his sonne Herman earle of Heneberg husband to Marguerite his aunt who had so many children Didier the Gentle lord of Brederode William lord of Theylinghen Iohn lord of Heusden Iohn lord of Heesben Arnoult lord of Escluse brother to the lord of Heusden Iohn lord of Arckel Hugh Butterman lord of Buttersloot Iohn lord of Heucklom Otto seignior of Aspren and of Abkoy Peregrin seignior of Lederdam his brother Ieams lord of Wassenare Didier of Theylinghen Nicholas Persin seignior of Waterlandt Simon of Harlem Ghysbrecht lord of Amstel Arnould of Amstel his brother Herman of Woerden Iohn of Leck lord of Polnen Hugh of Vianen Ghysbrecht of Yselsteyn Wolfard lord of Vere Iohn of Renesse Witten bastard to Cont Floris the first lord of Hamstede and William his brother Nicholas lord of Putten and of Stryen William of Egmond Gerard of Egmond his sonne Baldwin of Nueldwick Ieams Vander Vuoude Arnould of Heemskerke Henry of Heemskerke his brother Didier vander Goude Gerard van Velson Gerard of Heemskerke Didier of Raephorst Gerard of Raephorst his brother Hugh of Craelinghen Werembault Witten Hage Albert his sonne Gerard of Harlem Iohn Dortoghe and Floris of Duynen all knights And in Zeeland the chiefe noblemen were the lords of Borssele of Brigdam of Zandtwick of la Vere of Cats of Cortgoen of Mourmont of Renesse and of Ornyninghe all which carried the Earles order which was a coller of gold interlaced with cockle shels and the image of S. Iames hanging at it There was in the Earls court a valiant knight put in the rank of these nobles named Gerard van Velson whom the Earle held a whole yeare in prison after that he had caused his brothers head to be cut off through the false reports and pernitious counsell of some that hated them The Earle being afterwards better informed of the truth and of their innocencie hauing set Gerard at libertie he sought by all meanes to repaire the wrongs that had beene done him and to honour and aduance him among all the rest and to make him the more affectionat to his seruice the Earle thinking therein to doe him honour and sauour would haue giuen him his minion in mariage the which was a faire gentlewoman But Gerard disdaining her like a generous man would none of her The Earle insisting still to haue him mâ—…ie her in the end Gerard angrie at his importunities answered him plainly That he was not so abiect not base minded vsing a common Dutch phrase as to put his feet in his old shooes which is as much to say as to marie his leauings or strumpet The Earle displeased at this answer said vnto him And truly thou shalt haue my leauings Gerard who regarded not the Eaâ—…ls words goes from court and a while after maries the daughter of Herman seignior of Woerden neece to Ghysbrecht of Amstel Cont Floris hearing afterwards that Gerard was maried and that hee came no more to court by the persuasion of his minion he sent for him being
shew themselues but kept in holes or led a rusticke countrey life neither after that day durst any man carry the armes of any of those three houses The Emperour Rodulphus the first of that name had in the yeare 1290 giuen East-Friseland vnto the riuer of Lanuvers vnto the earle of Gueldres to hold it in fee of the Empire but by reason of the ferocitie of the Frisons and their heat and resolution to maintain their auncient liberties graunted them by the Emperor Charlemaigne and other precedent Emperors knowing also that the Earle of Holland pretended an interest thereunto hee durst not aduenture to take possession thereof by force Besides Cont Floris hauing as we haue said before subdued West-Friseland and taken the town of Staueren did much annoy the East-Frisons and withall the bishops of Vtrecht would neuer quit their part who to free themselues from so many lords sent their embassadors to the king of Denmarke desiring him that hee would take them and their countrey into his protection The king being loth to let slip this goodly occasion receiued them and sent one of his noblemen to gouerne the countrey in his name and to be his lieutenant and to the end he should be the more respected and haue the greater authority he gaue him his sister in mariage A while after he came himselfe into Friseland making many lawes and ordinances and imposing a certaine tribute which was reasonably tollerable This done he returned into Denmarke but before six moneths were expired this lieutenant began to oppresse them and to vse them tyrannously contrary to their accord the which did so incense the Frisons against him as they slue him sending his wifebacke being with child to the king her brother in the yeare 1295 who was soone after brought in bed of a sonne who reuenged his fathers death as we shall see hereafter IOHN THE FIRST OF THAT name the twentieth Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland 20 Joannes Hollandiae This IOHN the King of Englands daughter had to wife In whose short time the towne of Delft hap'ning to fall in strife VVith him attempted for to kill two of his counsellors Accompanied with WOLPHAR he did enter into warres Against the Frisons and subdu'd them in short space But death when he had rul'd foure yeares his conquest did deface And without heires it was his chance to die VVhose bones intomb'd with his valiant ancestors do lie COnt Floris the fifth being thus murthered as we haue said by Gerard van Velsen Iohn of Holland his only sonne succeeded him and was the twentieth Earle He being absent in England with the king his father in law Didier earle of Cleues tooke vpon him the gouernment of the quarter of North-Holland On the other side Guy brother to the earle of Henault Treasurer Cathedrall of the bishopricke of Liege came and tooke vpon him the gouernment of South-Holland made his residence at Gheertruyden-bergh By the diuisions and factions of these two noblemen there happened great troubles in Holland the subiects being diuided during the absence of their prince Cont Iohn of Henault and Guy his brother were sonnes to the deceased cont Iohn d' Auesnes and the lady Alix sister to William king of Romanes and Earle of Holland who was father vnto the last Cont Floris and so were cousin germanes to Cont Iohn of Holland his neerest kinsmen and more apparent heires than the earle of Cleues and therfore Guy maintained that the gouernment was due to him rather than to the earle of Cleues but Cont Iohns return from England ended all these quarrels William Bertold subrogated in the place of Iohn Zirich chosen bishop of Toul in Lorraine to the bishopricke of Vtrecht hauing an actiue and stirring spirit reuiued the ancient quarrels of them of Vtrecht against the Hollanders went to besiege the castle of Muyden the which he maintained to be part of his reuenues the which in the end he forced and constrained Didier of Harlem to yeeld it vp to haue their liues saued he remaining his prisoner The bishop puffed vp with this happie successe went into West-Friseland after that hee had caused his pardons to be preached for all such as would carry armes against the Hollanders The Frisons according to their auncient manner of doing being still readie to reiect the yoke of the Earles of Holland by the persuasion and encouragement of this bishop besieged the castle of Widenesse which they battered and gaue many assaults so as in the end Baldwin of Naeldwyke for want of victuals and munition of warre was forced to yeeld it vp by composition to depart with bag and baggage and to returne freely into Holland which done they rased it the like they did also to the castle of Euigenburch then passing on they besieged the castle of Medemblycke hauing burnt the base towne Floris of Egmont and other gentlemen that were within it defended themselues valiantly making many braue sallies and skirmishes vpon their enemies they were so long besieged in this manner as for want of victuals they were forced to eat their horses Cont Iohn of Henault hauing newes thereof and that the Frisons with the said bishop of Vtrecht did what they pleased without any or very small resistance tooke vpon him during the absence of his cousin the gouernment of Holland and with an Armie of Hannuyers Hollanders and Zeelanders went into Friseland where he defeated the Frisons raised the siege from before Medemblycke and relieued it with all things necessarie The Seignior Iohn of Arckel and Nicholas of Putten knights of Holland tooke the towne of Enchuysen whence they caried away a great spoile and in their retreat burnt it During the diuisions and partialities betwixt the earle of Cleues and Guy of Henault the which increased more and more in Holland the lords Didier of Brederode Floris Regal Abbot of Egmond Henry Vicont of Leyden and William of Egmond accompanied with some gentlemen of marke imbarked to goe and fetch their prince Cont Iohn out of England and for a strange and new thing they led with them Claes van Keyten where they were graciously receiued by king Edward who hauing rigged forth a goodly Fleet of shippes sent away the Earle his son in law with his daughter Elizabeth recommending vnto the lord of Brederode the gouernment of the said Earle his prince being then very young Being at sea the wind turned contrary so as they were forced to land in Zeeland whereas Wolfart of Borssele lord of la Vere reiecting and contemning the Noblemen of Holland did cunningly seize vpon the guard and gouernment of the young Earle chasing from him all the Nobilitie of Holland to whom the king of England had so much recommended him The Earle being one day at Romerswael by the persuasion of the said lord of Vere sent the lord of Brederode who was a plaine dealing man and nothing malicious to Ziricxee to treat of some affaires and in the meane time the said lord
shooes with his foot He tertified little children to behold him and yet there was not any roughnes nor malice in him but was gentle and mild as a lambe for if he had beene fierce and cruell answerable to his greatnesse and proportion he might haue chased a whole armie before him In those daies there sprung vp in the country of Friseland the factions of Schyerlingers and Vetcoopers the which froÌ„ a small beginning vnworthy to be written the which notwithstanding we haue related in our description of the vnited prouinces of the low countries was the cause of great effusion of bloud destruction of the country ruine of good families murthers among all sorts in generall As in like sort the partialities of Hooks and Cabillaux in Holland and those of Guelphes and Gibilins in Italie the diuersitie of coloured hoods in Flanders and other like factions in France were the causes of great miseries in those times also according vnto some opinions it seemes that all these factions began almost at one instant that of the Schyerlingers and Vetcoopers hauing continued in Friseland vntill that the Emperour Maximilian the first sent Albert duke of Saxonie thither to suppresse them for that the Commissioners which he had formerly sent to pacifie and reconcile them had preuailed nothing making him his lieutenant and gouernour hereditarie yet with small profit for he was slaine there and his two sonnes the dukes Henry and George as we shall shew hereafter did not auaile much so as they left all so great louers haue the Frisons alwayes beene of their franchises and liberties But vnder the gouernment of the said princes of Saxonie these factions ceased to oppose themselues with their ioint forces against the rule of strangers as they had done often before when any stranger came to assaile them and hauing chased them away they returned to their first spleene and hatred but the Saxons brought them to so great pouerty and their quarrell continued so long as they forgat their factions IOHN EARLE OF HENAVLT THE second of that name one and twentieth Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of West-Friseland 21 Joannes Hannonâ—… Fiue yeares I liued Earle of Holland by descent Of blood and for my comfort God three noble sonnes me sent Whose valours did enfranchise me from all my feare Whil'st Brabant and the Emperor 'gainst me great malice bare By them I ouercame GVIDO DOMPIERRE in fight And freed the towne of Zirickxee from all their enemies might The Flemings I subdu'd that were my enemies And in Valencia deepe intomb'd my bones and ashes lyes THE SECOND BOOKE ¶ The Argument IOhn Earle of Henault sonne to Iohn of Auesnes and the Ladie Alix sister to king William Earle of Holland was the second of that name and one and twentieth Earle of Holland Warre betwixt them of Vtrecht and their Bishop Iohn de Renesse prouokes the Earle of Flanders against the Earle of Holland which was the cause of great warres ¶ William called the Good the third of that name the two and twentieth Earle of Holland Guy of Holland his brother bishop of Vtrecht had great warres against the Frisons Cont William subdued the East-Frisons Iustice done vpon a baylife of South-Holland for a cow whom the Earle caused to be executed lying on his death bed ¶ William the fourth sonne to the good Earle William the three and twentieth Earle of Holland He makes warre against the Russians them of Vtrecht and the Frisons by whom he was slain in battaile leauing no children ¶ Marguerite wife to the Emperour Lewis of Bauiere daughter to the good Earle William the foure and twentieth Commander in Holland and Zeeland where she appointed duke William of Bauiere her eldest sonne Gouernor in her absence He had warre against them of Vtrecht The faction of the Cabillaux rise in Vtrecht which bandie duke William against his mother after the death of the Emperor Lewis whereof followed two cruell battailes in the first the Empresse was victor in the second duke William after much bloud spilt they agreed ¶ William remaining the fiue and twentieth Earle of Holland Vtrecht had warre against their bishop and the bishop against the Earle of Holland who was distract of his wits and the gouernment put into the hands of duke Albert of Bauiere his brother notwithstanding the factions which grew betwixt the Hoocks and the Cabillaux William called the Franticke being dead ¶ Albert of Bauiere was the six and twentith Earle of Holland Delft rebelled against the Earle he besieged it and forceth them to obedience The bishop of Vtrecht in warre against the Earle of Holland Anne of Poelgeest minion to Cont Albert murthered in the night which bred a great quarell betwixt the Earle of Ostrenant and Cont Albert his father An affront done to the Earle of Ostreuant at the French kings table which caused warre against the Frisons who were often subdued and rebelled as often Warre betwixt the Earle of Holland and the Lord of Arckel The historie of a sea-woman taken in Holland ¶ William the sixt of that name the seuen and twentieth Earle of Holland succeeded his father Albert he had great warres against the bishop of Vtrecht and the Lord of Arckel The Liegeois make warre against their bishop brother to the Earle of Holland the Earle goes to succor him and defeats the Liegeois Warre betwixt the Earle of Holland and the duke of Gueldres Cont William leauing one only heire ¶ Iacoba or Iaquelina the eight and twentieth commanding in Holland c. she maried first with the Daulphin of France sonne to Charles the sixt who died at one and twentie yeares of age without children then she maried with Iohn duke of Brabant Iohn of Bauiere bishop of Vtrecht troubles her estate to make himselfe Earle The Lady Iaqueline seperated from the duke her husband by reason of neerenesse of bloud she espouseth the duke of Glocester who after leaues her She had great warres and troubles against the duke of Brabant against her vncle and against the duke of Bourgoigne shee marries Franc of Borsele secretly the duke Philip of Bourgoigne puts him in prison and for his libertie she resignes all her Countries vnto the duke IOHN Earle of Holland sonne to Cont Floris the fifth being dead without heires the Earledomes of Holland and Zeeland with the Seigniorie of Friseland came by succession to Iohn Earle of Henault sonne to Cont Iohn of Auesnes and the Lady Alix sister to William king of Romans and Earle of Holland and so sonne to Cont Iohns great aunt Iohn of Henault was the one and twentieth Earle of Holland for which he quartered his Armes the Lyon sables of Henault and the Lyon gules of Holland in fields or This Earle had foure brethren Botzard bishop of Metz Iohn bishop of Cambray Guy chanon of Cambray and Floris who was prince of Morienne At his comming to this succession of Holland and Zeeland he gaue vnto his brother Guy the Seigniories of Amsterdam
Prouence who was condemned to be hanged being priuy to the earle Campobachios treacherous practises and not caused him to be sodainly executed at the instance of this traitor hee might haue preuented his owne death and the ruine of his estate which the said Campobachio had plotted with the duke of Lorraine to the great content of Lewis the 11. And it is friuolous to say that in such cases prisoners condemned make such suits to prolong their liues for no aduertisements in matter of war how small soeuer from whence they may draw great coniectures and from coniectures come vnto the proofe are to be reiected And therefore wee may not wonder if things succeed not well with that prince that relies too much on the passions of his counsellors whom he should alwayes suspect to be enemies or to malice and hate him to whom they dissuade him to giue audience and the prince ought herein being well assured of his person vse his owne wisedome But let vs returne to our hystorie To pacifie these great quarrels betwixt Philip the Faire king of France Iohn of Henault earl of Holland Guy bishop of Vtrecht and Guy of Dompierre earle of Flanders and his three sonnes the duke of Bourgoigne and some other princes were intercessors and mediators on either side so as in the end an accord was made betwixt them by the which it was concluded That Guy bishop of Vtrecht shold be set at libertie shold be restored to the possession of his bishoprick the which was done That the earle of Flanders with his threesons some princes and noblemen with fortie Flemish gentlemen should be set at libertie by the king the which returned ioyfully into Flanders euerie one to his owne home But the earle after his inlargement grew so sicke as he died the 20 of March 1305 and was buried at Scluce neere vnto the contesse Marguerite his mother Some chronicles of Flanders say that he died at Campeigne in France being yet a prisoner Iohn of Henault Earlé of Holland and Zeeland Lord of West-Friseland hauing aduertisement of the victorie which God had giuen vnto VVilliam earle of Ostreuant his sonne was verie ioyfull and soone after the second day of the ides of September 1305 departed this world in peace and rest after that he had gouerned Henault 30 yeares and Holland and Zeeland c. 5 yeares and was interred at Valenciennes The lady Philip of Luxembourg his wife died soone after and was buried by her husband At the time of the death of the said Cont Iohn there were many noblemen barons knights and squiers that were renowned in the countries of Holland and Zeeland amongst the which the most famous were Guy of Henault lord of Amstel and of Woerden afterwards bishop of Vtrecht brother to the said Cont Iohn Iohn without mercie earle of Ostreuant who was slaine before the death of his father at the battaile of Courtray William who succeeded him in the said earldome of Ostreuant his second son afterwards Earle of Henault Holland Zeeland c. Iohn of Beaumont earle of Blois and of Soissons all three brethren sonnes to the said Cont Iohn of Henault Didier the Gentle lord of Brederode William and Thierry his brethren Didier lord of Theylinghen Iohn of Heusden Iohn lord of Arckel Hugh Butterman lord of Buttersloot Albert lord of Voorne Nicholas lord of Putten and of Stryen Iohn lord of Leck and Polanen Iohn lord of Hencklom Otto lord of of Aspren and Abkoy Ghysbrecht of Yselsteyn Henry vicont of Leyden Didier lord of Wassenare Henry lord of Vianen Nicholas of Persin Didier of Harlem Witten bastard of Holland lord of Hamstede in Zeeland Nicholas of Cats Peregrin lord of Lederdam and of Haestrecht William of Egmond Iohn lord of Elshaut Iohn seignior of Drongelon Didier seignior of Lyenburch Ieams vander Wuoude Gerard of Heemskerke Gerard of Polgeest seignior of Almade Simon of Benthem Wolwin of Sasse Adamâ—… Escosse Baldwin of Naeldwick Floris van Duynen Floris van Tol all knights Among the squiers William of Harlem William of Assendelf Iohn van Zil Nicholas of Adrichom Wouter of Wyck were the most markable with an infinit number of gentlemen of name and armes The yeare before the death of Cont Iohn of Henault there were so great tempests and such tides on a S. Katherines day as many banks and dikes were broken and carried away in Zeeland and the isle of Walchren was so ouerflowne as the countrey men were out of all hope to recouer their banks and if William Earle of Ostreuant who made his vsuall residence in Zeeland and the lord of Borssele had not preuented it at their owne charge this island had beene lost WILLIAM THE THIRD OF THAT name the two and twentieth Earle of Holland Zeeland and Henault Lord of Friseland 22 Guil ielmus 3 Hanoniae Cogn Bonus IOANE daughter to king CHARLES de Valois was thy spouse That brought thee children worthy thy degree and noble house Whereof one did his valour great and vertue show By mounting thee againe when as thy foes did ouerthrow Thee from thy horse whereby at last God did thee send The victorie to honour of the French as then thy friend Thou punishedst a bailife that a poore mans Cow did take And ruling thirtie yeares and one this life thou didst forsake WILLIAM the third of that name before Earle of Ostreuant after the decease of Cont Iohn of Henault his father succeeded and was the 22 Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland vnited to his county of Henault for his mildnesse gentlenesse equitie and good life hee was called The good Earle William Hee was generally beloued of all knights princes noblemen and greatly honoured of all men for his valour he was surnamed The Master of Knights Lord of Princes He had to wife Ioane the daughter of Charls of Valois brother to Philip the Faire king of France by whom he had Iohn his eldest son who died yong VVilliam earle of Ostreuant who was his successor and Lewis who died also yong Marguerite wife to Lewis duke of Bauiere emperour who after the decease of her brother VVilliam was contesse of Henault Holland Zeeland and ladie of Friseland Ioane who was maried to the earle of Iuilliers another Ioane who was queene of England and the fourth Elizabeth At his comming to these earldoms and seigniories he kept open court whither came 20 earles 100 barons 1000 knights and an infinit number of gentlemen ladies and gentlewomen comming from all parts This feast continued eight daies in all kind of sports and pastimes afterwards the princes of Germany did chuse him vicar of the empire He was much renowned throughout al Germanie in respect of two strong castles which he did win neer vnto Cologne that is Bruile Wolmestein He was founder of the chanory of Middlebourg in Zeeland walled in the town fortified it This Cont VVilliam had one brother as we haue said called Iohn of
contempt of Ghysbrecht of Amstel and Herman of Woerden hauing not satisfied and performed the reparation agreed vpon for the murther of Cont Floris In the yeare 1323 Charles the Faire king of France maried the daughter of the emperor Henry the seuenth inuiting many princes both in France and other neighbour countries to the solemnitie of his mariage whither also Cont William of Holland went with the lady Ioane of Valois his wife and many barons knights gentlemen ladies and gentlewomen of Henault Holland Zeeland and West-Friseland The feast was stately and honoured with many plaies tilts tourneyes and all kind of sports but in all that there was nothing found more admirable nor more pleasing to the sight than a giantesse which the contesse of Holland had brought with her borne in Zeeland the which was so great and mightie as the tallest men seemed but children in respect of her and so strong of her bodie and members as shee did lift vp in either hand a barrell full of Hamboro beere as lightly as if they had beene emptie casks She herself would carrie a burthen whither you would haue her which eight men could not carrie and that which was most admirable in her was that her father and mother were of a small stature and but slender in respect of her exceeding greatnesse In the yeare 1327 the emperour Lewis of Bauiere being at Rome to be crowned he sent for the good Cont William of Holland as vicar of the empire to bee there and to assist at his coronation whereupon the Earle presented himselfe with the earls of Gueldres Cleues Iuilliers and Monts and eight hundred choice knights making hast to passe the alpes into Lombardy to aid the emperour against the Guelphes who opposed themselues against him These noble men being vpon the way the good Earle resolued to go himselfe in person to pope Iohn who lay then at Auignon and to labour if it were possible to reconcile the emperour vnto him but the pope hearing of his comming caused all the bridges vpon the riuer of Rhosne to bee broken to hinder his passage commanding him vpon paine of an eternall curse to returne into his countrey and not to go with Lewis to Rome nor into Italie So the Earle diuerted of his way and of the good will he bare vnto the emperour returned through France where he staied sometime with the king and made a strict league with him against the Flemings who stirred vp new troubles against the king In the yeare 1328 Charles the Faire king of France entred into Flanders with an armie the good Cont William was there also with his troups and did lodge ioyning vnto the king neere vnto the mount of Cassell the said Earle hoping well as it was his vsuall custome to mediat a good peace betwixt the king and the earle of Flanders But the Flemings being within the towne and vpon the said mount came downe thinking to surprise the king sodainly The Earl William perceiuing it went to incounter them charging them with such furie that falling from a skirmish to a battaile both armies ioyning the Earle was ouerthrowne from his horse and in danger of his life or to be taken prisoner had he not beene succoured by the earle of Ostreuant his sonne by Didier of Brederode Iohn of Arckel the vicont of Leyden the lord of Wassenare Iohn of Beaumont Walter his sonne Arnould of Cruyninghen Iohn of Polanen Iohn of Hamstede and Iohn of Duyuenworde all braue knights by whose valour and prowesse Cont William was remounted againe and the Flemings quite defeated There died in this battaile about eight thousand men the which happened the 14 of August 1328. Before this battaile the earle of Ostreuant receiued the order of knighthood whereof he afterwards made a good and glorious proofe Cont William his father knowing him to be a wise and valiant knight the better to make triall of his armes sent him with an honourable companie of knights of Holland Henault Zeeland and Friseland into the countrey of Prussia to make warres against the Russians and other Infidels with the Teuton knights where hee carried himselfe so valiantly that he was feared as the lightning In the yeare 1332 Henry chastelaine or gouernor of Hagensteyn did often passe the riuer of Lecke taking all he could find and robbing and spoiling the countrey of Vtrecht Iohn of Diest bishop of Vtrecht intreated the good Cont William to assist him to take reuenge of him for that of himselfe he had not forces sufficient to constrain him to make reparation of the wrongs which his men had done in his countries The Earle sent Kusen bailife of Rhinlandt thither who with a troupe of Waterlanders and of Amsterdam ioyned with the bishops men and hauing past the riuer of Leck together they fell vpon the lands of the said Hagensteyn spoyling and burning the houses of his subiects and of his other companions of his thefts and robberies of whom being reuenged they returned home laden with spoile In the yeare 1336 there was a countrey man in South-Holland who had an exceeding faire and good cow with the which he maintained his wife and children as there are some found in that countrey which giue twentie pottles of milke and more in one day the bailife of that quarter desiring this cow would gladly haue bought it of the good man but as it was all his substance and meanes to liue by he would neuer be drawne to sell it The bailife seeing himselfe refused caused the cow to be taken out of the pasture and another to be put in the place the which was nothing comparable vnto it Wherewith the countrey man beeing discontented and seeing that hee could not haue his owne by the aduice of his friends hee went to complaine to the good Cont William of this violence being then at Valenciennes grieuously sicke The Earle hauing heard him tooke pity of him and presently caused letters to bee written to the escoutette of Dordrecht That all other affaires set aside hee should come presently vnto him and bring with him his cosin the bailife of South-Holland This escoutette hauing viewed the letters demanded of the bailife if he had offended the Earle in any thing the other answered no and that he knew not any thing if it were not for a cow which hee had exchanged with a countrey man But making no account thereof they went together to Valenciennes The escoutette presented himselfe first before the Earle to know the cause of his sending for him The Earle hauing receiued him courteously asked where the bailife his cosin was who answered That he was also come whereupon the Earle commaunded him to enter being entred the Earle asked him If he were bailife of South-Holland Hee answered with great humilitie So long as it shal please you my lord The Earle asked him how al things did in Holland and if iustice were duly administred Very well said the bailife and all things are in
quiet If all things go well and are in quiet said the Earl how comes it that thou bailife and judge of thy quarter hast vsed force and violence against a poore countrey man that is my subiect taking away his cow out of his pasture in despight of him then calling for the poore man he asked him if he knew him and what he could say for his cow The bailife answered That he had giuen him another Yea said the Earle but if it were not so good as his doest thou thinke to haue satisfied him therewith no no not so I will take the cause in hand and be the judge The bailife and the countrey man referred themselues willingly to what it should please the Earle to decree Wherupon the Earl appointed the escoutette of Dordrecht that as soone as he should returne to his house hee should presently without delay pay vnto the countrey man a hundred crownes of good gold to be leuied vpon the bailifes goods and that he should neuer after molest the countrey man neither in word nor deed This sentence thus pronounced both parties were satisfied which done the Earl said vnto the bailife Thou hast now agreed with the poore man but not yet with me then he commanded the escoutette to retire himselfe and to fulfill what he had inioyned him but the bailife should remain by him to make reparation of his fault and hauing sent for a ghostly father and the executioner he condemned the bailife to loose his head to serue for an example to others then being confest the Earle caused him to come before his bed and he himselfe drawing out the sword gaue it to the executioner who cut off the bailifes head in the Earles presence beeing thus sicke in bed who hauing called the escoutette said vnto him Take your cosin with you and beware of such facts least the like happen vnto you The escoutette returning to Dordrecht carried backe the bailife in two parts and paid the countrey man his hundred crownes Soone after this good Earle William worne with yeres and with sicknesse called for the earl of Ostreuant his eldest sonne to whom he gaue many godly and fatherly admonitions first of the loue and feare of God then of the administring iustice equally to all men to entertaine his subiects in peace and rest not to surcharge his people with extraordinarie impositions and taxes to reuerence church men and not to be offenciue vnto them with many other goodly exhortations to liue well Hauing ended his speech he gaue vp the ghost the 9 of Iune 1337 after that he had gouerned the prouinces of Henault Holland Zeeland and Friseland 32 yeares He was a very vertuous prince victorious in war a good man at armes well spoken iudicious a great louer of peace gratious to all men and well beloued in all courts of princes He was interred with great pompe in his towne of Valenciennes After his death the contesse his widow went and liued among the religious women at Fontenelles where she died fiue yeares after her husband We haue before made mention how that the Frisons slew the gouernor whom the king of Denmarke had giuen them whose wife was deliuered six monethes after of a sonne the which was bred vp in the court of the king his vncle This sonne being growne great and desirous to be reuenged of the Frisons hauing no meanes nor power of himselfe he intreated the king to giue him only one ship well appointed to see if by policie he could exploit any thing against the Frisons with this ship he entred into the riuer of Ems where he vnderstood that the judges and officers of the countrey of Friseland were assembled about Groningue he resolued therefore to cast anker there thinking that if hee stayed any time they would come and demaund what hee was and what hee did the which fell out accordingly for the officers seeing this goodly ship in the road went to see it and to heare somenewes comming neere they demanded according to their custom of whence the ship was what commodities he carried whither he was bound This yong man shewing himselfe vpon the hatches saluted them honourably and answered them modestly That hee had no great marchandise in his ship that hee was a rich marchants sonne and that hee was desirous to see hauens and port townes and especially the countrey of Friseland requesting them to come aboord and tast his wine and he would do the like on land with them They doubting nothing went aboord the yong man receiued them courteously presenting them a banquet whereas they dranke so well as most of them were drunke and fell asleepe He finding so fit an oportunitie weighed anker sayled directly towards Denmarke with these drunkards who hauing disgested their wine found that they were cousened This young gentleman comming into Denmarke presented them vnto the king who blamed their disloyaltie much hauing murthered his lieutenant they excusing themselues that it was not done by them nor in their time besought the king to saue their liues The king answered although I haue good reason to put you all to death yet I will giue you all your liues if you can settle me in Friseland as I was before The which they promised In the end the Frisons by the persuasion of one of these Iudges that was sent vnto them were content to acknowledge the king of Denmarke for their lord and to receiue a lieutenant in his name with whom the Iudges and Officers were sent home The gouernor hauing receiued the homages of fealtie of the Frisons caried himselfe modestly ynough for a good time but in the end seeking to bring in the Danish lawes and to entreat them extraordinarily beyond their priuiledges they reuolted againe as the Dutch Chronicle sayth Vel odio seruitutis vel amore libertatis and expelled their gouernor out of their countrey In the life of good Cont William the chief noblemen in Holland and Zeeland were William earle of Ostreuant eldest sonne to good Cont William Iohn of Beaumont earle of Blois his brother Henry and Didier of Brederode brethren Symon and Didier of They lingen brethren also Iohn lord of Heusden Iohn lord of Drongelen his vncle Iohn lord of Arckel Didier Seignior of Valkenburch Monioye brother to the wife of the lord of Brederode lady of Voorne Nicholas lord of Putten and Streyen Philip vicont of Leyden lord of Wassenare Iohn Seignior of Leck and Polanen Iohn Seignior of Henckelom Otto Seignior of Aspren Iohn Seignior of Egmont Walter his son Ghisbrecht Seignior of Iselstein Henry Seignior of Vianen Iohn of Persin Seignior of Waterlandt Guy of Holland Seignior of Hamstede Arnold Seignior of Cruyningen William Seignior of Naeldwick Floris of Spyck Ieams vanden Voude Floris Merwen Didier and Herman Zwieten brethren Gerard of Hemskerke Gerard of Raphorst Gerard of Polgeest Floris vanden Tol Ogier van Spanghen VVilliam Kuser baylife of Rhinlandt Didier of Sassenhem Daniel of Matenesse and Didier
his brother Mathieu vanderburcht VVilliam Osthorne Adam van Schotlandt Didier of Assendelf Nicholas Oom and Floris of Adrichom all knights Frederic of Seuenter VVilliam of Assendelf Gerard Schoten Ieams of Bakenesse and Floris of Bockhorst all squires and many other gentlemen Among the chiefe families of Friseland were these of Laminga Helbada Roopta Ockinga Eysinga Decama Tyebinga Martena Beyma Offinga-huysen Aylewa Hiddama Hittinga Botnia Roorda Hottinga Mamiga Herema Hannia Wiarda Hanniama Oustema Ripperda Ioppama Simada Gerbranda Grattinga Reynalda Wybalda Gronstins Douwa Harweysma Calama Hiddama Ieppama Their Podestat or Gouernour at that time which made head against the Normanes and Danes was Regnerus Hayo à Camminga WILLIAM THE FOVRTH OF THAT name the three and twentieth Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland and Earle of Henault â—…3 Guilielmus Hanonia I am the selfesame man that with a courage bold Within Numidia ventured my ensignes to vnfold And did besiege and take the strong and mightie towne Of Vtrecht by the which I wan great honour and renowne For which good fortune I ordained once in euery yeare Procession to be made the same in memorie to beare In Friseland I was slaine in face of th' enemie And by Bolsweert in Fleurchamp my corps intomb'd doth lie WILLIAM Earle of Ostreuant and of Henault after the death of the good Cont William his father was the three and twentieth Earle of Holland and Zeeland and Lord of Friseland Hee had to wife in his fathers life the lady Ioane eldest daughter to the duke of Lothier Brabant and Lembourg by whom he had not any children He was a hardie and warlike man much giuen to armes making his high chiualrie famous at his first comming to these Earledomes and Seigniories This Earle hearing that the Spaniards had great wanes against the Saracens and Moores in the Realme of Grenado caused a great number of shippes to bee rigged in the yeare 1338. and went into Spaine where hauing made an alliance with the king they went with their vnited forces to assayle the Moores and to besiege the towne of Grenado the which they battered and in the end tooke by assault putting all to the sword that would not be baptised and embrace the faith of Iesus Christ then passing farther into the countrey they spoiled and burnt all they encountred From thence Cont William hauing taken leaue of the king of Spaine of whom he receiued by way of courtesie many rich presents bent his course towards Ierusalem where hauing visited the holy Sepulchre of our Lord hee returned into his countrey Afterwards he went with the Emperour Lewis of Bauiere his brother in law beeing accompanied with the Earles of Gueldres of Zutphen of Cleues of Iuilliers of Blois his brother of Monts of Marcke and of many other Princes and Barons with a goodly Armie to succour Edward the third king of England his other brother in law and to make warre against the king of Fraunce the which the said Edward pretended to belong vnto him but both Armies being readie and prepared to fight an agreement was made betwixt the two kings by the mediation of some and euery one retired to his owne home In the yeare 1342 Cont William held open Court at la Haye in Holland whither he inuited all Princes Noblemen Barons Knights Ladies and Gentlewomen that would come The feast being spent in many goodly exercises of Chiualrie in Iousts Tourneys and other sports which done and ended the Earle went with a goodly trayne of his Nobilitie to a Tourney that was proclaymed in the towne of Beauuois in Beauuoisin whereas hee purchased great honour aboue all other knights Returning from thence into his countries he prepared to go into Prussia to make warre with the Teuton knights against the Infidels Russians where he behaued himselfe so valiantly as there was no speech but of his prowesse and valour And after that he had runne ouer all Lithuania Liuonia and the frontiers of the Russians hee returned into Holland his men beeing laden with the wealth and spoyles of these Barbarians Passing by Cologne being followed by foure hundred horse hee kept open Court there for all the princes of Germanie by whome hee was also very honourably entertained yea they would haue chosen him Emperour notwithstanding that Lewis duke of Bauiere his brother in law was possessed thereof but it was by reason of the thundering excommunications of Pope Clement the which hee flatly refused saying That hee was not capable of such a charge neyther would hee doe that wrong vnto Lewis In the yeare 1345 Cont William prepared a mightie Armie to subdue the East-Frisons Whilest that they made this preparation for warre there past some bitter speeches betwixt them of Holland and Vtrecht for the which the Earle defied them They seeing themselues thus defied aâ—…ed and went to field daring to attend the Earle in battaile where he defeated them twice the last was at Marendyck betwixt Vtrecht and Montfort where there died many of the Traiectins the rest fled confusedly into their towne of Vtrecht The Earle being victor and master of the field went presently with a hundred and fiftie thousand men to besiege the towne of Vtrecht with an intent to ruine and destroy it There were in his armie the duke of Lembourg thirteene Earles two and fiftie Barons two thousand eight hundred knights and much Nobilitie of the countrey of Vtrecht it selfe who beeing discontented with the bishop and temporall prince had taken armes against him among others Asuerus of Aibconde and Ghisbrecht his sonne Arnold Seignior of Iselstein Iohn Vicont of Montfort Henry Seignior of Vianen Ghisbrecht Seignior of Starkenburch Arnold Seignior of Woluen and Frederic of Hamme The Earle began to inuest the towne on S. Odolphes day and did batter it continually with great furie six weekes together but seeing that such a towne with such strong and high wals was not easily woon by assault meaning one night to sound the depth of the towne ditch hee was shot with an arrow in the muscle of the thombe and was carried backe into his Tent whereof notwithstanding hee was soone cured Robert of Arckel Gouernour of the Towne Countrey and Diocesse of Vtrecht in the absence of the bishop his brother beeing out of the countrey for the causes before mentioned writ vnto the said bishop in what sort hee was besieged by the Earle of Holland in the towne of Vtrecht and the necessitie hee was in praying him to make hast to succour him Hereupon the bishop posteth thither and by the assistance and persuasion of Iohn of Beaumont earle of Blois vncle to Cont William he obtained a peace by the which it was said That fiue hundred of the chiefe bourgesses of Vtrecht should come bare headed and bare footed before the Earle of Hollands Tent and crie him mercie for the iniuries and infamous speeches which they had vsed against him and against his honour and when it should please him to call
them of Vtrecht to his seruice they should bee bound to send him fiue hundred souldiers at their owne charge That there should bee a breach made in the wall of twentie foot by the which he should enter into the towne as a Conquerour and that he should haue one street in the said towne at his commaundement the which is at this day called the Hollanders street first a truce was concluded vntill Saint Martins during which time the aboue recited conditions of peace were set downe but they were not effected for that Cont William during the said truce went to make warre in East-Friseland where being entred without order and not knowing the passages of the countrey Iohn of Henault sonne to the Earle of Blois came to the Cloyster of Saint Odolphe where hee planted his campe in a faire plaine called Zuytbeuer on the sea side a part of his Hollanders not staying vntill the rest of the armie were landed went to skirmish with the Frisons chasing part of them into Staueren and the rest into Saint Odolphes where going to set vpon them in their trenches the Frisons defended themselues so couragiously that many of the Hollanders lost their liues there Cont William knowing nothing of this skirmish landed on the North side of the Cloyster and aduauncing with fiue hundred men burnt the first village he found and at the first charge he gaue against the Frisons with his owne hand hee slew a gentleman that was a captaine who had valiantly defended himselfe vnto the death and would neuer yeeld to bee a prisoner The other bands of Frisons seeing this captaine dead and the villages burne fell like mad men with great furie vpon this small troupe of Hollanders whom they defeated and there Cont VVilliam was slame vnknowne before the rest of the armie could aduaunce who marching in disorder were likewise charged The Frisons encouraged the more by the defeat of the first fiue hundred Hollanders and of the Earle their Generall did fight with such great furie and courage as they did put the Armie to rout with such confusion that many were slaine before they could recouer their shippes and there were as many drowned through hast as that saued themselues This vnfortunate encounter happened in the yeare 1346 vpon the foure and twentieth of September in the same place whereas the Earles of Holland were vsually accustomed to hold their seat of Iustice when they came into East-Friseland It was the eight yeare of the raigne of the said Earle Renauld the blacke earle of Gueldres had foretold his death as hee held him at the Font to bee christened by vttering these words This child shall bee one day slaine by the Frisons There were slaine in this defeat of the Hollanders about eighteene thousand men and almost as many drowned with some fiue hundred knights the most apparent whereof were these The Lords of Horne Lygny Walcourt Manin Antoin the Seignior of la Vere Floris of Borssele the Seigniors of Cruningen Romerswael Hamstede Merwede all Barons Gerard with the great beard VVilliam of Naeldwyck Symon and Didier of Meylingen Guido of Aspren Iohn Regnier William of Montfort Didier of Sandtfort Herman of Zwieten Floris of Merwe Oger of Spangen Gerard Euer Alfert of Bergerhorst Nicholas Oom William of Drongen Didier of Valewort and Gerard Florinuille all choice knights with a great number of other Nobles Knights and Gentlemen Tenne daies after this defeat Martin Commaunder of the knights of Saint Iohn in Harlem went into Friseland and sought for the Earles bodie the which beeing knowne by some markes hee caused it with eight other dead bodies of Noblemen to be brought to the cloyster of Fleurchamp neere vnto Boswaert The Contesse Ioan of Brabant his widow went to her father and was maried to Wenselin duke of Luxembourg second sonne to Iohn king of Bohemia of whom we haue formerly spoken Cont William the fourth left one bastard called Daniel vanden Poel the which hee had of a Gentlewoman called Alix vander Merwe of Ghertruydenbergh leauing no other lawfull child that might succeed him the Empresse his sister remaining his sole heire MARGVERITE EMPRESSE THE 24. commaunding in Holland Zeeland and Friseland Contesse of Henault 24 Margarita Imperatrix Earle WILLIAMS sister MARGVERITâ—… the Emperors wife In Holland caus'd contencion and much debate and strife For though vnto her sonne her right she had assign'd With him she still contended for 't nothing could please her mind Her state was great her honour much nâ—… need her draue With him in Holland such continuall strife to haue Which in fiue yeares she was constrained for to leaue To him for that death end of all did her of life bereaue MARGVERITE EMPRESSE THE 24. commanding in Holland Zeeland and Friseland Countesse of Henault LEVVIS of Bauaria Emperor of Romains hearing of the death of Cont William of Holland slaine in warre by the Frisons whose eldest sister he had marryed and had left no children caused the Princes of the Empire to assemble to whom he declared that the Earledomes of Holland and Zeeland and the siegneorie of Friseland for want of heires lawfully begotten of the said William were falne vnto the Empire Wherevpon the Emperor interposing his authoritie for that the Empresse his wife pretended an interest as sole heire to her Brother saying that those fees were as well Feminine as Masculine as it did appeare by the succession which Iohn Earle of Henault had after the death 〈◊〉 Iohn Earle of Holland sonne to Cont Floris the 5. adiudged the said Earledomes anâ—… siegneories to the Lady Marguerite his wife This being done the same yeare 1346. the said Empresse being well accompanied with Princes Earles Barons Knights Ladies and Gentlewomen went downe by the Rhine into Holland where she was honourably receiued in all places with great pompe and acknowledged Lady and Princesse of the said Countries of Holland Zeeland and Friseland Hauing receiued their homages and fealties she did greatlie increase their liberties and freedomes and made a truce for two yeares with the Bishop of Vtrecht She did make forfeit all the goods which the Frisons might haue in her Countries of Holland Zeeland and West-Friseland whereof the Earles had beene long in quiet possession aswell Ecclesiasticall as Temporall the which she sould to diuers persons without any future hope of recouerie or restitution by reason of the death of Cont William her Brother Among other Cleargie goods there was solde the Village and siegneorie of Marcke belonging to the Abbay of Marien-garde of the order of Premonstrez scituated in Friseland which the Abbot and Couent had bought of Nicholas of Persâ—… Lord of Waterlandt This Empresse Marguerite had by the Emperor Lewis of Bauraia her husband one sonne called William which was the eldest Albert the second and Lewis the yongest called the Romaine for that he was borne at Rome during the time of her husbands coronation which three sonnes were all intituled Dukes of Bauaria not that
increasing the Cabillautins sent their deputies to duke William of Bauaria Earle of Osteruant the Empresse eldest sonne being then resident in Henault intreating him to come into Holland to vnder-take the gouernment of the country hauing decreed among them no longer to indure the Mothers rule At the first he refused it but they did so importune him as in the end he came secretly to the towne of Gorrichom Those of Delf hearing of his comming went vnto him and carried him by force into their towne making him their head and Captaine generall with whom or by his commandement they issued often forth spoiling the Villages and country houses belonging to the Hoeketins In the end the Townes of North-Holland the Kennemers and the West-Frisons receiued him for their Lord and Prince doing the homage and taking the othe due vnto the Earles of Holland in despight of the Empresse their naturall Princesse his Mother The Hoeketins seeing themselues thus ill intreated by the Cabillautins had their recourse refuge vnto the Empresse whose party they held and began to furnish their townes Castels and Forts with men victualls munition of warre On the other side the Cabillautins went to befiege their places and to batter and beat downe their Castles whereof they did ruine seuenteene in lesse then a yeare The Empresse writte vnto her Sonne that she wondred at his presumption that he would intermedle with her authoritie and command seeming to bee very much incensed against the townes of Holland The Earle answered that the country did belong vnto him by right of donation which she had made vnto him And refusing to giue ouer his course begun the Empresse with the succours which the Queene of England her sister had sent her made a goodly armie with the which she imbarked and went and landed at La Vere in Zeeland Earle William landed with his troupes in the same Iland whereas both armies of the Mother and the Sonne being entred into fight one against an other the combate was furious and bloudie great numbers being slaine and drowned on either side In the end God gaue the victory to the Mother so as the Sonne escaped with great difficulty and fled into Holland This battaile was in the yeare 1351. William of Bauaria being safely returned into Holland made hast to leuie new forces and to raise a greater armie then the first the which consisted of Hollanders Kennemers and Frisons with the succours of many Lords and Knights of Iohn Lord of Arckel Iohn Lord of Calenbourg Iohn Lord of Egmont the Lady Mathilda van Voorne widow to the Lord of Walckenbourg Gerard of Heemskerke Gerard of Harler and many other Knights Gentlemen and good soldiers which came vnto him out of the countries of Cleues Geldres and Germanie with the which armie hee gaue a day and appointed a place vnto his mother to haue his reuenge in open battaile betwixt Bryele and Grauesand The Empresse had her armie composed of good soldiers English Henniuers Zelanders Walcharins accompanied with a great number of Barons Knights and Gentlemen She like a couragious and noble minded Princesse making no doubt of a second victory marched against her sonne and caused her men to begin the charge The two armies at the first incounter charged one another with such animositie and furie as there was nothing to be seene but glaiues broken lances a thicke shower of Arrowes in the ayre breaking of harnesse cutting in sunder of targets and bucklers and heads armes and legges falling to the ground there was nothing to bee heard but the cryes with the lamentable and fearefull groanes of men wounded and dying the bloud ranne ouer the field like a violent streame to conclude there was such murther and spoile on either part with such obstinacie and continuall furie as they could hardly iudge of the issue of the battaile vntill that the Empresse troopes opprest and tired with the great numbers of the Hollanders armie to saue themselues ranne into ditches and riuers where they were drowned so as all the Empresse armie was put to route and shee fled in a small Barke into England The Generall of the English troupes was slaine and lyes buried in the Church of Losdanen where as his tombels yet to be seene in blacke Marble Costin of Renesse Floris of Hamstede and many other Noblemen Knights and Gentlemen were also slaine there with an infinite number of good soldiers There was in this battaile which was in the same yeare 1351 so much bloud spilt as for three dayes after the old riuer of Meuse at a full sea was all redde in that place Finally after that so many valiant men had lost their liues there and whereas the Lord Didier of Brederode and many Knights on the Empresse part were taken prisoners there was an accord made betwixt the mother and the sonne By the which it was agreed that the Empresse should hold the Countie of Henault during her life and Duke William should haue the quiet possession of Holland Zeeland and Friseland After this battaile the Empresse liued yet fiue yeares and dyed at Valenciennes in her countrie of Henault where she was interred Notwithstanding this accord made betwixt the Mother and the Sonne yea after her death when as Duke William was sole and absolute Lord of the Counties of Henault Holland Zeeland and Friseland the factions of the Cabillaux and the Hoecks were not mortified but did continue their hatred aboue a hundred and fiftie yeares after vntill that time of Maximillian the first as we shall shew in its place WILLIAM OF BAVARIA THE 5. OF that name the 25 Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland and Earle of Henault called the madde 25. Guilielmus Quintus This William did obtaine in nuptiall state Mathilda of the house of Lancaster A husband Childlesse and vnfortunate Attempted Vtrecht and did factions stirre Vnder the names of Hamocons and Merlus Distracted in his flowre of youth he grew Since in his age he was vndutious To his graue Mother whom â—…e did pursue With many troubles though she had defects Yet children to their parents still must owe Remission of their faults and 〈◊〉 respects But death doth on his life his rest bestow AFter this cruell and bloudie battaile fought vpon the bankes of the old riuer of Meuse as we haue said William Duke of Bauaria Palatin of Rhine Earle of Holland and Zeeland and Lord of Friseland according to the accord whereof we haue made mention was absolute Prince of the said Prouinces Then after the decease of the Empresse his Mother did also inherite the county of Henault Hee had to wife the Lady Mathilda daughter to Henry Duke of Lancaster in England by whom hee had not any children In the yeare 1355. this Earle by the bad aduise of some of his councell thrust on by their priuate passions sent about S. Martins time in winter to defie the Bishop of Vtrecht
being seconded by many Noblemen Knights and Gentlemen of the country of Vtrecht it selfe who ioyning with the Earle for some discontent did also defie him among the which were Arnold of Yselstein Iohn of Culenbourg Ghysbrecht of Vianen Iohn of Culenbourg sonne to Iohn lord of Woudenbourg Iohn of Haerlaer Iohn seigneor of Langerack Ghysbrecht of Nyeuwenrood Knights then the siegneors Iohn of Blomstein Zouthin Vanden Rhin Hubert van Schoonhouē Zuveer vā Nesse Gerard van Vlyet the siegniors of Sleydon and of Dyckelen strangers came to succor the Earle which 2. strangers being entred into the territories of Vtrecht thinking to go to Oudwater being vnskilfull in the passages and wayes they approched too neere the towne of Montfort which was of the Bishops party and well affected vnto him as their soueraigne Lord and depending on him The Bourgesses of Montfort hauing discouered them although that Assuerus Vicont of the said towne was not there being then at Vtrecht went out in Armes and fell vpon these two Knights and their traine whom they defeated and tooke prisoners Cont William hauing a goodly armie readie accompanied with a good number of Princes great Noblemen Barons and Knights of Holland Zeeland Friseland and Henault entred with ensignes displaied into the territories of Vtrecht to forrage and destroy it Approching neere vnto the Towne of Wiickter-duyrstede he went and lodged ioyning to the village of Motten where hee camped eight dayes to see if the Bishop who was a souldier would come forth to giue him battaile during which time his men spoiled all the villages about The Bishop would willingly haue hazarded a battaile if the inhabitants would haue gone forth and followed him to the field But the Lords of Yselstein Culenbourg and Vianen were so well beloued and had such good correspondencie with the chiefe of the towne as they would not take armes against Cont William And withall those of the great Bourg of Emenesse were againe reuolted from the Bishop and ioyned to the Hollanders causing themselues to be written among the members of Holland During the Earles stay in this village of Motten Iohn of Egmond marched with a troupe of Hollanders towards Bunschoten those of the towne sallyed forth vpon them comming to skirmish with them but they were so well entertained as they had no better leisure then to seeke for their towne gates leauing some seuentie men behind them This done the Earle returned with his armie laden with good booty The Bishop much greeued and discontented to see his country ruined euen vnder his nose sought all the meanes hee could to be reuenged of the Hollanders And the yeare following 1356. hauing leuied a small armie went and campt before the Towne of Wesep the which hee battered in such sort as hauing made a great breach the fourth day of the siege hee tooke it by assault the inhabitants leaping ouer the walles into the ditches to saue themselues then he tooke the towne and castell of Muyden a quarter of a league from Wesep and then returned to Vtrecht halfe reuenged carrying with him great spoiles and many good prisoners The same yeare Assuerus Vicont of Montfort then Marshall of the campe to the Bishop by the meanes of Arnold of Yselstein treated an accord with the Earle of Holland and reuolting from the Bishop to gratifie the said Earle hee freed out of prison the siegneors of Sleyden and of Dyckelen with their squires and all their traine sending them free vnto the earle the which the bishop tooke very impatiently for that he maintained the said prisoners to be his the said Vicont being his marshall whereof vntill that time he had neuer giuen him any accompt A while after Ghysbrecht of Nyenroode a Knight and a braue Captaine by the commandement of the Earle of Holland gathered together a good troope of men both of foote and horse-back of the countrie it selfe to take reuenge for Wesep and Muyden hauing drawn them to Naerden he marched directl to the towne of Zoest the which he spoiled and burnt Otto of Lare then Marshall to the Bishop went forth with all his forces to Emelandt meaning to fight with Ghysbrecht and his Hollanders These two Captaines hauing ioyned in fight together the siegneor of Nyenroode was wounded almost to the death and carried speedily out of the presse Those of the towne of Amersfort who were with the Marshall Otto were so roughly charged by the Hollanders as they began to wauer and there the said Marshall was slaine with 36. Amersfordins in the end the Hollanders remained Maisters of the field then hauing put the siegneor of Nyenroode being wounded in a safe place they retired by the marshes Fens and entred safe into Naerden The bishop marching to succour his Marshall with fresh men arriued too late In the yeare 1357. Cont William reioycing at the victory which his men had gotten against them of Amersfort entred himselfe in person with his armie into the country of Vtrecht he camped at Hooghewoert destroying all that was there-abouts sending Iohn of Egmond with some troupes to besiege the Castell of Stephen of Nyeuelt the which he battered for the space of sixe weekes with great and mighty Engins wherewith he brake downe the walles and although the said siegneor of Nyeuelt were well prouided and furnished of all things yet he yeelded vp the place by composition to the Earles mercy The Hollanders hauing it in their power set fire of it and ruined it to the ground hauing receiued no such command from the Earle their Prince After all these petty warres and spoiling one of another in the end by the mediation of some good Noblemen there was a peace concluded betwixt the Earle and the bishop of Vtrecht by the which it was ordered that either of them should returne to his owne home laying aside armes That those of the Bourg of Emenesse should returne as they had been accustomed vnder the Bishops obedience That the Lord of Vianen with the assistance of the towne of Vtrecht should build againe his Castell of Ghoreel That all prisoners on eyther part should bee set free without ransome and especially that the seuen Gunterlins banished out of the towne of Vtrecht should re-enter freely that was Henry Vanden-Rhine Prouost of the collegiate church of Saint Ihon in Vtrecht Pelerin his brother Iohn of Woerden Ghysbrecht Gunter Hoogue-land Gerard and Didier Bolle brethren Iohn Witten sonne to Rodolphe and Peter Kanmaker all which had beene to succor the Lord of Vianen at the siege of Ghoreel with many others After this Iohn of Arckel bishop of Vtrecht liued two yeares in rest without any warres the which he had not done during all the time that he had gouerned his bishoprick In the yeare 1358. on Saint Georges day Edward the third King of England kept a sollemne feast and open Court for all commers Princes Barons Knights Ladies and Gentlewomen whether William of Bauaria Earle of Holland
was also inuited both by the King and the Queene his Ante of whom he was honourably receiued with great shewes of loue At his returne from this voyage into Holland this poore Prince I know not by what vnknowne accident was distempered of his sences and vnderstanding so as being very big and strong of all his members he slue Gerard of Wateringhen a Knight with one blow with his fist so as they were forced to shut him vp and to set good garde vpon him where he was keâ—…t for the space of nineteene yeares vntill he dyed Hauing before his distemperature gouerned his countries of Holland Zeeland and Friseland seauen yeares and Henault two Foure yeares after him dyed also the Lady Mathilda his wife who lyes interred in the Abbay of Rhynsbourg by Leyden ALBERT OF BAVARIA 26. EARLE of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland and Palatin of Henault Adelbertus Bauariae I had two wiues both which one name did beare The one a Polonois the other was Marguerite of Cleues the Frisons stood in feare Of my strong hand that did their strength surpasse And oft subdu'd their proud rebellions Delfe taken by me I demantled it At t'Hage iâ—… Holland I appointed Chanons Good men I choosd and for their places sit Hage Castle in the Chappell now containes My body freed from all his eâ—…thly paines DVke William of Bauaria Earle of Holland Zeeland and Henault Lord of Friseland being as we haue said distracted of his sences put into safe keeping the faction of the Hoecks Cabillaux reuiued for the Cabillautins would haue the lady Mathilda wife to the said Cont William to be gouernesse of the said Countries but for that the said lady had no children the Hoeketins did choose Albert of Bauaria Palatin of Rhine siegneor of Nubingen brother to the said Cont William The Nobles of the Contie of Henault consented for their parts to this election and sent a notable Ambassage vnto him into Bauaria beseeching him that hee would take vpon him in his brothers place who was distempered in his braine the gouernment of the said countries Albert vnderstanding the iust request of the Estates by their Ambassador went well accompanied with many Barons Knights and Gentlemen going downe by the riuer of Rhine into Holland where he was honorably receiued of both parties as well Cabellaux as Hoekes and acknowledged as Tutor to the Earle his brother and gouernor of his countries and siegneories Then it was agreed that he should pay yeerely vnto the Countesse Mathilda his sister in lawe the summe of twelue thousand French crownes and no more by meanes of which accord both parties were content and continued good friends but not long This Prince Albert of Bauaria had receiued the order of Knight-hood before making warre in the country of Granado against the Moores and Sarazens At the first hee was married vnto Marguerit daughter to the Duke of Briga in Polonia by whom hee had three sonnes and foure daughters the eldest was called William Earle of Osteruant who was borne in the yeare 1365. the second named Albert siegnior of Nubingen who dyed yong the third was Iohn chosen bishop of Liege borne in the yeare 1374. The eldest daughter Katherine was first married to Edward Duke of Gelders and Earle of Zutphen after whose decease being yet a virgin she married with Duke William of Iuilliers and of Geldres but she had not any children The other daughter named Ioane had to husband Venceslaus King of Romaines and of Bohemia sonne to the Emperor Charles the 4. who also had not any children Marguerite the 3. daughter married with Iohn Duke of Bourgongne Earle of Flanders and Arthois sonne to Duke Phillip the hardie by whom shee had Phillip Duke of Bourgongne called the good and afterwards Duke of Brabant Lembourg and Luxembourg Earle of Flanders Arthois Henault Bourgongne Holland Zeeland and Namur Lord of Friseland and foure daughters the first Iolente Countesse of Poitiers the second Anne Countesse of Bedford the third Agnes Duchesse of Bourbon and the fourth Ioane wife to Duke Albert of Austria by whom shee had one sonne called Albert who married the daughter of Sigismond King of Hongarie who afterwards was Emperor of the Romaines after whose decease this Duke Albert did inherit all these realmes in the right of his wife and was afterwards chosen Emperor but he raigned not long for hee died in the flower of his age his wife was brought in bed soone after his death of a sonne named Lancelot who dyed at two and twenty yeares of age leauing no children This Albert had one cousin germaine sonne to his fathers brother named Frederick who afterwards was also Emperor the third of that name and had to wife the daughter of the King of Portugall by whom hee had Maximilian Archduke of Austria who was also Emperor the first of that name who had to wife Mary the daughter and sole heire of Charles the Warlick Duke of Bourgongne who was slaine before Nancie by whom he had one sonne named Philip and a daughter named Marguerite Philip married with Ioane daughter to Ferdinand King of Arragon and to Elizabeth Queene of Castille Marguerite was married to Iohn Prince of Castille and of Arragon who dyed yong and after married againe to the Duke of Sauoy Philip had by the said Lady Ioane his wife two sonnes Charles the â—…ift and Ferdinand both Emperors and foure daughters Elenor Ioane Mary and Elizabeth The Emperor Charles the sift had one onely sonne Philip king of Spaine Lord of the Low-countries father to King Phillip the third now raigning Behold in briefe the genealogie of the Kings of Spaine and of foure or fiue Emperors issued from the houses of Holland Bourgongne and Austria As for the second wife of Duke Albert of Bauaria Earle of Holland of whom wee now intreate wee will speake of her hereafter The said Cont Albert displaced Iohn of Blauwestein from the Baylewike of Kermerlandt inuesting Renald the eldest sonne to the Lord of Brederode in his place the which those of the faction of the Cabillautins tooke in very ill part and laide ambushes neere vnto the village of Castrichom to kill him when hee should passe that way One day this yong Nobleman doubting no harme riding towards Castrichom he incountred them that lay in ambush for him but hauing discouered them a good way of he saued himselfe by flight they pursued him and slew three of his seruants Those of the village of Castrichom seeing it went to armes to defend their new Bayliffe so as they were forced to retire Some of them saued themselues in the Castell of Walter of Hemskerke the rest fled to Delf where they were receiued for that the said towne was of the Cabillautins faction Cont Albert hearing of these newes did presently leuie some troupes and marched towards Kermerlandt where he besieged the Castell of Hemskerke for that Walter who was Lord thereof had receiued
head to be cut off for that he had beene informed that this baron had many engins in his Castell and other instruments as ladders of ropes other prouision to surprise places the which he would haue vsed against certaine castels in the country of Henault There happened great troubles in that countrie through the death of this Noble man for he had six breâ—…hren all valiant Gentlemen who to reuenge this ignominious death of their innocent brother did ouer-runne and spoile the champian countrie Cont Albert leuied men and went to besiege the said towne of Enghien During which siege hee created many knights among the which were Didier of Lecke and Bartholomew of Raphorst Hollanders In the end this warre was pacified by the meanes of Lewis de Male Earle of Flanders These sixe brethren were reconciled vnto the Earle and they did pardon him their brothers death for expiation whereof he founded the Chanoinry of the Chappell at the Court at the Hage in the yeare 1368. In the yeare 1373. the towne of Vtrecht caused a riuer or channell to be cut or dig'd from their gate vnto the riuer of Lecke which is a long French league and at the end thereof two great Sluses to hold the water at a village which is called at this day Nyeuvaert that is to say new riuer and vpon the bankes of Lecke they caused a great tower of free-stone to be built with defences and barricadoes in forme of a castell to desend and preserue the said sluses against any that should come and attempt to breake them which tower or castell they called Ghildenburch that is to say the castell of the Brother-hood for that the sworne companies of the said towne of Vtrecht had built it at their owne charge and had the garde thereof by turnes Ghysbrecht lord of Vianen was nothing well contented therewith fearing that in succession of time by meanes of this fort and the sluses they would attempt some-thing against his towne and iurisdiction of Vianen which is opposite vnto Nyeuvaert and therefore he went vnto Duke Albert Earle of Holland and gaue him to vnderstand that this fort of Ghildenburch had beene built to the preiudice of the Hollanders and the rather for that it was seated and built vpon the territorie and bayliwicke of Vreeswick in the iurisdiction of Holland and not of Vtrecht On the other side they of Dordrecht iudging that these sluses and fort were made to their disaduantage to hinder their nauigation which had great priuiledges they ioyned with the lord of Vianen and concluded to breake these sluses and to ruine the fort as we will presently shew The same yeare William of Naeldwicke marshall of Holland by the commandement of Cont Albert went into Friseland with a great number of ships and landed on Saint Lawrence day in the Iland of Snellinck the which hee spoiled and burnt carrying away a great bootie and many prisoners by reason of their rebellion and then returned into Holland In the yeare 1374. the deputies of Vtrecht came to Cont Albert to the Hage for the paiment of a certaine summe of money and the redemption of the castell of Vredelant but the Earle found great difficultie in their coines of gold and siluer wherevpon these deputies returned much discontented and made their report vnto the three estates of the country of Vtrecht who resolued to haue their reuenge and going to armes they marched forth of their towne and went to besiege Woerden thinking to carry it at the first but finding great resistance and not able to take it they burnt the suburbes and some barricadoes there-abouts carrying away some poore prisoners and from thence they went to besiege the castell of Croonenburch The besieged despairing of all meanes to defend it gaue it ouer by composition the which they presently razed to the ground This done they went to Wesep Muyden Wtermeer and Loosdrecht where they tooke some bourgesses whom they ransomed Approching neere vnto the castell of Vredelandt Asuerus of Gaesbeke with the Hollanders of his garrison went to skirmish with them as they past that way to spoile Bodegraue Ameyden Lexmonde and Iaersuelt which they ransomed Cont Albert hearing these newes leuied men with all speed to make warre against them and being accompanied by Iohn Earle of Blois his cousin Adolph Earle of Cleues and a great number of barons and knights Hollanders Henyuers Zelanders Geldrois and Cleuois he went vp the riuer of Leck and besieged the castell of Ghyldenburch where he planted two great and mighty engins of battery the one vpon the East and the other vpon the South The besieged were furnished of all things necessary for defence and with great stones made the engin of the South-side vnprofitable Eight daies after that the armie was lodged before it Ghysbrecht of Vianen Henry of Ameyden and Ghysbrecht of Nieuenroode knights with certaine troopes presented themselues before the castell to see if they could draw out the besieged to skirmish The captaines of the castell namely Peter Doel and Arnold Preaux seeing a good occasion offred opened their gates and lodged themselues in certaine houses neere adioyning from whence they did assaile the Hollanders the skirmish continued a good space but in the end the lord of Nyenroede the lord of Naeldwycke marshall of Holland William of Cheervlyet a certaine knight of Henault and eight and twenty soldiers were taken prisoners and lead into the Castell Cont Albert to hasten the siege caused two engins more to be made one of the side of Vianen vpon the banke of Leck and the other at the soote of the dike so as by that meanes hee wone the base court of the castell the which the besieged seeing and by the perswasion of the said siegneor of Nyenroede fearing to be forced they yeelded by composition to haue their liues and goods saued the first day of Iune 1374. with a safe conduit to retire into the towne of Vtrecht carrying with them nine dead bodies whom they would haue buried in the church-yarde within the towne The Earle hauing this castell in his power gaue it to the lord of Vianen to keepe and then returned into Holland The Traiectins troubled for the yeelding vp of this place came on Saint Timothies eue in the night with a great number of men to attempt it by scalado and with their shotte spending a whole day and a night whereof in the end they set fire which they within being not able to quench being but three and twenty soldiers and most of them wounded and two dead they were forced to yeeld it Fifteene daies after Cont Albert aduancing vp the riuer of Leck went againe to besiege it with an intent to raze it Those of Vtrecht fore-seeing his comming did furnish and victuall it for a long time manning it with good captaines and soldiars that is the siegnior of Schoonhawen William Leets and Goswin of Wandric The Earle seeing that through the
good order that was in it hee should profit little retired from thence and went to besiege the castell of Wlenhorst the which hee forced then hee marched before Hollenstein the which yeelded by composition to haue their goods and liues saued from thence he drew towards Heermalen the which he burnt In the end after all these petty warres a peace was concluded betwixt the Hollanders and Traiectins by the which they of Vtrecht should pay vnto the Earle 4000. crownes for his charges in the warre And as for the siegneurie of Vreeswike it was said That if the bishop and seauen of the chiefe of the towne of Vtrecht did affirme by oth that it did rightly belong vnto the church of Saint Martins in Vtrecht that then the Earle nor any of his successors should for euer pretend any interest therevnto As the bishop and the seauen personages did lift vp their hands to take the said othe Cont Albert not suffring them to sweare but contenting himselfe with their bare affirmation deliuered them vp the siegneurie of Vreeswik and made them letters vnder his seale and so all quarrels were ended In the yeare 1377. Duke William of Bauaria the madde Earle of Holland dyed at Que sn◅y in Henault his body was carried and interred at Valenciennes he left not any children His funerals being finished the lords barons knights and all the nobilitie with the townes of Holland Zeeland Henault and Friseland receiued Duke Albert of Bauaria absolutely who before had been but Tutor vnto the said William his brother and did acknowledge him for their Lord and Soueraigne Prince and so was the 26. Earle of Holland c. In the yeare 1386. about Shrouetide dyed the lady Marguerite of Briga wife to Cont Albert of Bauaria and was buried in the chappell of the court at the Hage at the great altar towards the North. After her death the Earle continued fiue yeares vnmarried entertaining a Gentlewoman called Anne of Poelgheest for his mignion of whom shall bee hereafter spoken who being dead the Earle married with Marguerite the daughter of Adolph Earle of Cleues by whom he had no children In the yeare 1389. died Arnold of Horne bishop of Liege his body was transported to Horne and buried with his fathers After whose death the Chapter did choose Thierry of the Marke who refused it and therefore Iohn of Bauaria sonne to Cont Albert of Holland being but sixteene yeares old and at that time Chanoine of Cambray was chosen in his place and in the yeare 1390. he was conducted to Liege by his father and William Earle of Osteruant his elder brother with many Princes and Noblemen accompanied with about 1200. horse where he was honourably receiued by the Deane and Chapter In the yeare 1392. on Saint Maurice eue Anne of Poelgeest daughter to the siegnior Iohn of Poelgeest a squire mignion to Cont Albert was slaine at the Hage William Kuyser Steward to the Earle seeking to defend and preserue her was also slaine with her by the same murtherers who fled presently after out of the countrie Of which murther there did rise great scandall and trouble in Holland for the siegneor Conrard Kuyser father to the said William made great instance and pursuite vnto the Earle demanding iustice of thē that had murthered his sonne or caused him to be murthered or slaine trecherously in the night with an intended purpose without striking stroake in the open Court and doing his Prince seruice Of which murther he did blame as the chiefe the lord Philip Vicont of Leyden Didier lord of Aspren his sonne Two yong ge◅lemē brethren of Leck Henry Vicont of Montfort Iohn sieignior of Heemsted Iohn of Vlyet Philip of Pola◅en the siegneor of Duyuenwoord the siegnior of Warmount and many other Noblemen and Gentlemen to the number of 54. The Earle sitting in iustice with them of his priuie councell granted a personall adiournment against all the said lord◅ and for not appearing they should bee banished out of the county of Holland And for their contumacie not daring appeare they were condemned to haue forfeited body and good and for this occasion they retired to Cont William of Osteruant eldest sonne to Cont Albert who loued them and held them in great esteeme which made him to seeke all the meanes to purge them of these murthers and to reconcile them to hi◅ father who would by no meanes giue eare vnto it The son◅e discontented at this repulse hearing also that his father would seaze vpon him departed from the Hage being accompanied by all the said noblemen and came to the castell of Altena in South-Holland which castell Cont Albert had before of the lord of Horne and had giuen it vnto the Earle of Osteruant his sonne The other noblemen which remained at the Hage with the Earle insteed of moderating things and pacifying his wrath did incense him more and more by bad reports and false sug◅estions animating the father all they could against the sonne among the which one of the principall was Iohn of Arckell lieutena◅t and treasurer generall of Holland The Earle being resolute to chase his sonne with these other noblemen that were already banished out of his countries ◅ied a great number of men in Holland Zeeland and Friseland of all qualities and of his ordinary ga◅sons with the which he sent the siegnior Conrad Kuyser to ruine all the caste's and country-houses of the banished noblemen Conrad thrust on with a re◅enging spirit did willingly vndertake this charge and first of all hee destroyed Heemstede Warmont and Paddenpoel by Leyden all belonging to the sayd vicont of ◅e den who afterward was called Nonnenpoel The Earle marched with the rest of his forces vp the riuer of Merwede and arriued on Saint Peters day the same yeare 1◅93 at Gortichom where he was honourably receiued by the lord ◅co of Arckel the next day he passed by Wandichom and so went to Altena the which he did inuest round about and besieged it very straightly The Earle of Osteruant his sonne vnderstanding of his comming was retired but before his departure hee had well furnished the place of all things necessary for a siege as well for defence as to offend with the which he hoped the said lords with their people might well defend the place The Earle did all he could to batter it breake downe and ouer-throw the towers and walls doing great harme and annoying the besieged very much During this siege Iohn of Bauaria chosen bishop of Liege sonne to the Earle with those of his councell and some noblemen and councellors of the country of Henault came to the campe before Altena where the said bishop did mediate an accord betwixt his father and his brother comprehending the noblemen that were besieged by the which it was said that the said besieged should yeeld vp the place and haue their liues and goods saued with liberty to go freely to the towne
they could After this victory the Earle raised his campe and came the same day with all his armie to Dockingen the which hee did furnish with victuals munition for warre and a good garrison against the Frisons there-abouts Two dayes after hee went with his troupes to Lanen where he lodged fiue weekes to see what the Frisons would doe During which aboad many of them came vnto him and sued for mercy who after they had taken the othe of fealty and obedience he receiued them into grace causing all the villages that would not doe the like to bee spoiled and burnt whereby his soldiers got great spoile Then came they of Groninghen who did promise to him and sweare in the name of the Earle of Holland his father fealtie and homage acknowledging him for their soueraigne Lord. But they kept not long their faith nor promise for soone after with the other Frisons they set vpon the Hollanders euen whilest that Cont William was yet in Friseland and laide ambushes to surprise him vsing all the meanes they could to breake and ruine his armie About that time a great number of Frisons being in field in a certaine place where there was but a little water to crosse betwixt their campe and the Earles they laboured to fill it vp in the night with fagots bauins hay straw and turfe that they might passe through it and so assaile the Hollanders campe but this worke being discouered the English with some Frisons of the Earles part went and charged them in another place which disapointed their worke so as they could not passe There was among the English a Captaine called Panthere which did wonders putting the enemies to slight with the losse of ten of his men onely This done Cont William of Osteruant made Floris of Alcmada one of his chiefe Captaines his lieutenant in Friseland and Gerard of Egmond siegnior of Wateringhe brother to the Lord of Egmond Gouernor of Staueren and then he returned a conqueror into Holland In the yeare 1400. the Frisons seeing the Earle of Osteruant retired with all his armie out of their countrie and that by his fathers commandement hee was gone into Henault notwithstanding all their accords and othes they rebelled the third time And as part of their countrie and the towne of Staueren were maintained vnder the garde of the said siegneors of Alcmada and Egmond hauing at that time a garrison of Hollanders in the said towne The Frisons being armed and in field went to besiege them Albert Earle of Holland father to Cont William wondring at this ordinarie rebellion of the Frisons enemies to all soueraigne command leuied a new armie of choise men giuing the charge and command thereof to Arnold of Egmond Lord of Yselstein and to Walrauen Lord of Brederode whom he sent into Friseland to free the towne of Staueren from siege assoone as these Noblemen had past the seas with their troupes the Frisons fled and vanished away like smoake euery one sauing himselfe as he could The siege being thus raised the Hollanders returned into their country except the Lord of Brederode who staied in Friseland with his horsemen Soone after the garrison of Hollanders that was in Staueren would make an enterprise in the night vpon the fort which the Frisons held at Molckweer neere vnto their towne but they could not effect it for that the Lord of Brederode was sore hurt there and taken prisoner whereof being halfe cured and hauing no great garde about him hee found meanes to escape without danger In the yeare 1401. Cont Albert would haue Iohn of Arckel who had beene his lieutenant and treasurer generall of Holland to giue an account as well of the gouernement which he had delt in as of the treasure which he had managed The Lord of Arckel a proud man and relying vpon his forces refused to do it Whereat Cont Albert being much displeased referred the matter to the Earle of Osteruant his sonne who presently caused all the lands and siegneuries of the said Lord of Arckel to be forfeited as Haestrecht Vlyest Stolwyk and many other villages causing him to be adiourned to appeare in person and for contumacie to banish him the countrie of Holland The which did so much transport the Lord of Arckell as hee durst presume to send a Cartell of defiance vnto Cont Albert the which hee receiued at the castell of Nyenbourg neere vnto Alcmar And soone after the said lord of Arckel entred sodenly with an armie into Holland thinking to surprise the towne of Oude-water but his enterprise was discouered in time by the Bourgesses Hauing failed of this he went to besiege the castell of Ghissenburch the which he forced and spoiled Then hee came to Werckendam into the which he shot fire and burnt it passing on he went to Ablasserdam where he burnt some poore mens houses Hauing done all this hee sent another Cartel of defiance to the Earle of Osteruant the which was presented vnto him in the presence of Philip the Hardy Duke of Bourgongne The Earle receiued this Cartell with a cheerefull countenance made the messenger or Herald good cheere and gaue him some crownes commanding him expresly to say vnto his maister That it was in his power to defie him but it would be one day in his power to pardon him or not Soone after the Earle went to his father at the Hage The yeare following the Lord of Arckel past the riuer of Leck with his troupes and entred into Krimpen-waert the which he spoiled and burnt carrying away a great booty But thinking to enter with all this pillage into his towne of Gorrichom those of Dordrecht and Schoonhouen being aduertised went to armes as also all the villages of that quarter came to Nyeuport to rescue the prey Those of Arckel hauing no other passage were charged by the Hollanders who making a stand there were 24. peasants ouerthrowne at the first and Gerard of Lyesuelt Knight Water Simons Adrian Wittens Gerard Mobbout Hugh l' Imager Bourgeses of Dordrecht Bourchard and Iohn Robrechts Bourgesses of Schoonhouen seauen riche countrimen of Leckerkercke and fiue of Scheruelandt were taken prisoners who notwithstanding any resistance were carried into Gorrichom Seuen or eight daies after those of Rotterdam and Schyedam tooke armes and went into the Lord of Arckels country spoiling and burning all where they past and so returned home laden with spoile Afterwards the Earle of Osteruant put in armes the cittizens of Harlem with the Kennemers those of Leyden and the Rhynlanders those of Amsterdam with the Waterlanders and Goylanders the which hee sent vnder the command of Henry of Wassenare Vicont of Leyden into the territory of Arckel commanding him to spoile and burne it These troopes spoilng the countrie thus came before the towne of Hagenstein the which they did batter and assaile but they could no other thing but ruine the suburbes and a Mill ioyning vnto the towne and then
returned with their prey through the iurisdiction of the Lord of Vianen The Lord of Arckel madde with rage to see his country so destroyed to haue his reuenge went to besiege the towne of Nyeuport on the opposite banke to Schoonhouen the which he tooke by force and burnt to the ground After that the Earle of Osteruant had in many places spoiled the lands and seigniories of the Lord of Arckel the Earle of Holland to make a finall end resolued to goe and besiege the towne of Gorrichom the ordinarie residence of the Lord of Arckel and from whence he so much braued the Hollanders And in the yeare 1403. he leuied an armie out of his countries of Holland Henault Zeeland Friseland England and many other nations from whence he drew a great number of soldiers Adolph Duke of Cleues the Bishop and those of Vtrecht did also defie the lord of Arckel who seeing so many enemies ready to assaile him hee called to his succors the Earle of Vernenburch and the Earle of Dalhem the siegniors of Steenwoerde of Rheyda and of Hoemoel brethren to the Earle of Catzenellebogen the seigniors of Vrericke of Berghen and of Dyckelen the seigniors of Cryekenbeeck of Boetselaer of Ranst and his brethren of Ysendoorn of Zeelen and his brethren of Schonhauwen of Lyenden of Vayrick of Nyenstein Bastard of the house of Arckel of Soelen of Auesart of Myllinck and of Vueren all Knights and many other Gentlemen of the countries of Iuilliers and Geldres Cont Albert pursuing his first resolution caused his armie to marche into the country of Arckel and to besiege the towne of Gorrichom where he tooke his quarter vpon the north dike betwixt the village of Arckel and the towne Adolph Duke of Cleues with Walrauen of Brederode and those of the townes of Holland and some English camped on the East side of the towne and Castell Those of Vtrecht planted themselues towards the North in a place called Tuistschild The Hannyuers and South-Hollanders lay lodged vpon the South the Zelanders and Frisons had their quarter vpon the West dispersed here and there The campe being thus diuided the Engins of battery were planted against the Castell the which was battered in such sort as the greatest tower was beaten downe and the besieged were much annoyed with arrowes which came as thicke as haile into the towne many houses were beaten downe with the violence of their engins of battery shooting confusedly to breed a terror among the inhabitants The Noblemen Gentlemen and soldiers defended themselues valiantly at all assaults repulsing their enemies and doing their best indeauours to repaire their walles and fortifie themselues within One night among the rest the siegniors of Reyda and Hoemet with some Gentlemen and choise soldiers made a sallie vpon the Zelanders and Frisons whom they charged so sodenly and so furiously as they disordred them and troubled all their quarter at which charge there was taken of the Zelanders and Hannyuers Floris of Borssele Floris of Aubeau Nicholas Reytwyinck of Romerswael the siegniors of Lodyke of Bauduin and Floris of Borssele brethren William of Reynts Philip of Eueringhen and Iohn bastard of Borssele with ninety soldiers and William of Romerswael was sore wounded whereof he dyed soone after and was buried in the church of Gorrichom Soone after some Captaines Gentlemen and soldiers made another sally vpon the Duke of Cleues quarter where there was a furious fight and many died on either side yet they of the towne carried away with them Walrauen of Brederod and Gilles Schenck Knights Steuen of Berenbrooke Iacob Schicker Peter Potter Hugh Post and many other Gentlemen and soldiers An other time there issued forth William of Ysendorne and Arnold of Schoonhauven Knights Ihon Hopper Thomas Westerdale Iohn Croextough Dauid Carmerdin and Thomas Herfort Captaines with many Gentlemen soldiers who on Saints Iohns day fell vpon the Hannyuers quarter but they were brauely receiued and with-stood so as they were forced to retire and were pursued into their Ports During this siege the Earle of Osteruant sent some troopes into the iurisdiction of Schoonreuoert the which the more to vexe the Lord of Arckel he caused to be burnt carried away many peasants prisoners This siege hauing continued three moneths Iohn of Bauaria bishop of Liege sonne to the Earle of Holland Arnold of Leydenburch and Haeke of Outheusden Knights came to the Earles campe the which did mediate an accorde betwixt him and the Lord of Arckell by the which it was said that Albert Earle of Holland and Cont William of Osteruant his sonne should enter into the towne and the Lord of Arckel should kneele downe before them and aske them forgiuenesse besides that the Banner of Holland should be planted a whole day vpon the castell of Gorrichom which conditions being fulfilled the campe did rise and euery man went to his owne home At that time there was a great tempest at Sea with exceeding high tides the which did drowne many villages in Friseland and Holland by which tempest there came a Sea-woman swimming in the Zuyderzee betwixt the townes of Campen and Edam the which passing by the Putmerie entred into the straight of a broken Dike in the Purmermer where she remained a long time and could not finde the hoale by which she entred for that the breach had beene stopt after that the tempest had seased Some country-women and their seruants who with Barkes of Edam did dayly passe the Pourmery to milke their Kine in the next pastures did often see this woman swimming vpon the water whereof at the first they were much afraid but in the end being accustomed to see it often they viewed it neerer and at last they resolued to take it if they could Hauing discouered it they rowed towards it and drew it out of the water by force carrying it in one of their Barkes vnto the towne of Edam When she had been well washed and cleansed from the sea Mosse which was growne about her she was like vnto another woman she was apparrelled and began to accustome her selfe to ordinary meates like vnto any other yet she sought still meanes to escape to get into the water but she was straightly garded They came from farre to see her Those of Harlem made great sute to them of Edam to haue this woman by reason of the strangenesse therof In the end they obteined her where she did learne to spin and liued many yeares some say fifteene and for the reuerence which she bare vnto the signe of the Crosse wherevnto she had beene accustomed she was buried in the church-yarde Many persons worthy of credit haue iustisied in their writings that they had seene her in the said towne of Harlem For the rarenesse whereof for that the Chronicle of Holland doth also make mention thereof we would not here omit it About this time through these tempests swellings of the sea the entries of the riuers of
Tessel the Flie were inlarged the which before were but small chanels so as since the nauigation hath growne easie betwixt the Iland of Tessel and Wyernighe and the townes of Medenblike and Euchuysen and so by the Zuyderzee to saile into the North sea as they do at this day In the yeare 1404. on S. Paules day in winter the most famous Prince Albert duke of Bauaria Earle of Holland Henault Zeland and Lord of Friseland died after that hee had gouerned the said countries 46. yeares that is 19. as Tutor to his brother Cont William that was mad and 27. yeares as his heire Prince Lord of the said conntries He was interred at the Hage in Holland by the lady Marguerit his first wife on the side of the great Altar vnder one tombe Besides his lawfull children he had two bastards Andrew which was borne at Papendrecht and William siegneor of Schagen a Knight From whom are issued the late Lords of Schagen WILLIAM THE 6. OF THAT NAME the 27 Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland and Earle of Henault 27 Guilielmus Bauarice I wasted Friseland and despoiled Liege I troubled Gelders both with campe and siege Helpt of the Delphois my great vnckles bones Is rescued out of forreigne Rhegions My first wife was the Daughter of a King My second from the Burgundy Throne did spring At Ualenciennes I dyed thirteene yeares raigning My predecessors Toombe my bones containing WILLIAM of Bauaria Earle of Osteruant after the decease of Duke Albert of Bauaria his father was the 27. Earle of Holland c. Being but yong he tooke to wife the daughter of Charles the fift King of France who made him Knight before Dam in Flanders this wife dyed young Afterwards he married the daughter of Iohn sonne to Philip the hardie Duke of Bourgongne Earle of Flanders and Arthois by whom he had one onely daughter named Iaqueline whom the Dutch call Iacobaâ—… who was borne in the yeare 1401. on Saint Iames his day This Prince was warlicke and much feared of a tall stature a goodly personage wise discreete in warre victorious a great iusticer and a giuer of almes In the yeare 1404. Iohn of Bauaria bishop of Liege brother to William Earle of Holland c. being chased out of the towne of Liege for that he would not be a Priest imployed the succours of Iohn Duke of Bourgongne who had married his sister against the Liegeois which Duke came in person and burnt the Cittie of Liege with the Churches and Monasteries and slew Priests men women and children to the number of 36000. soules according to the Chronicles of Germanie In the yeare 1405. William of Y sendorn leuied men in the Lord of Arckels name with a part whereof being disguised in the habit of marchants he went on a Shroue-twesday to the towne of Wandrichom where making a shewto aske leaue of the Toll-gatherer to passe with their ship and goods they seazed vpon a gate and slew the maister of the Toll This done they spoiled the towne burnt it and returned into Gorrichom being distant but a quarter of a league with a good number of prisoners of the best of the towne The Earle of Holland being displeased that the Lord of Arckel had thus broken the peace which had beene concluded a little before at the instance of the Bishop of Liege his brother thought to be reuenged He first renewed his league with the bishop of Vtrecht then he leuied an armie of Hollanders Zeelanders Hannyuers Frisons and Traiectins with the which hee went and besieged the townes and Castels of Gaspren Hagenstein and Euerstein being one distant from another about a quarter of a league whereof that of Euerstein is now falne into the riuer of Leck On the other side the Lord of Arckel manned the towne of Gaspren and the Castell of Hagenstein with good garrisons putting into them Iohn vander Hoenne Allard Pufflyet Lucas of Botselaer William of Lyenden Iohn of Arckel siegnior of Soelen and Iohn bastard of Arckel In the Castell of Euerstein were the siegneors of Bronkhuysten and Hoochstraeten William Banst and Henry of Nyenstein bastard brother to the said Lord of Arckel with a good garrison of soldiers Cont William made three Bulwarkes or Blockhouses the one aboue the Castell of Euerstein towards the riuer of Leck the which he caused to bee compassed in with a Palissadoe so as no victuals could passe that way and the other two were built on either side of the towne of Gaspren and Hagenstein causing a deepe and large trenche to be made from the one vnto the other to keepe them off the towne from succoring of the Castell and to hinder them of the Castle from salleying forth These two Bulwarkes or fortes being finished and furnished with good Commanders and soldiers and with all sorts of munition of warre and prouision of victuals the Earle returned into Holland A while after the Earle and bishop of Vtrecht concluded together to force this towne and castle for the effecting whereof the Earle went and camped there in person and hauing planted three great engins of battery he did strangely teare and ruine the towne and castell of Hagenstein The bishop with his men besieged the castell of Euerstein the which hee annoyed with wonderfull great stones that were shot continually from his huge Crosbowes The Earle had enuironed the towne with Bauins and Reeds mingled close together so as no man could passe ouer nor vnder it And as the winter was very sharpe and the ditches frozen and very thick with Ice the Earle knowing that there was no great store of victuals in the towne prepared to passe ouer the Ice and to attempt it by scaladoe the which was done and the assault well defended But Iohn of Arckel siegneor of Soelen nephew to the Lord of Arckel being slaine with an arrow they of the towne fearing some greater inconuenience yeelded it vp by composition to the Earle of Holland who fiered both towne and Castell and would not depart vntill the last house was consumed to ashes which they of Euerstein seeing who in like sort were straightly besieged their victuals beginning to faile them so as they were forced to eate their horses they did yeeld the same day to the Bishops mercy who in like sort caused it to be ruined to the ground the which as they say are now in the riuer of Leck The Earle hauing done these exploits against the Lord of Arckel returned to the Hage his men being laden with the spoiles of these Townes Castels Then there was a truce concluded betwixt the Earle and the bishop of the one part and William of Arckel of the other by the which Iohn Lord of Arckel his father was excluded As this warre betwixt the Earle of Holland and the Lord of Arckel could not be appeased the richest and most apparent persons of the country of Arckel who were dayly
impouerished could not forbeare to murmure against their Lord and the rather for that it was commonly reported among them that the Earle had sworne neuer to pardon their Lord. William of Arckel his sonne was much troubled to see his father oppose himselfe so obstinately against so mighty a Prince perswading him often with liuely reasons to reconcile himselfe with such great and mighty enemies such as the Earle the bishop of Vtrecht and the Lord of Vianen were This yong Nobleman seeing that he preuailed nothing and that he could not mollifie his fathers hart had pitty of his subiects who were so pittifully ruined without cause through the obstinate wilfulnesse of their Lord he parted discontented from his Father and came to Gorrichom where he laboured to draw the chiefe and richest of the towne to be at his deuotion and to sweare faith and loyaltie vnto him among other Iohn Gerrits Prouost of the towne Conrard Iohn Arnold and Gerard of Haerlaer foure brethâ—…en Ambrose Wouters and Iohn van Donck issued from a bastard of Arckel being ioyned and vnited to their yong lord they concluded together to treate a peace with the Earle and to exclude the â—…d of Arckel his father seeing hee would so obstinately seeke his owne and his subiects ruine without cause At the same time the lord of Arckel was gone to Renald Duke of Iuilliers Geldres his wiueâ—… brother during his absence the yong lord of Arckel his sonne by the aduice of the aboue named Gentlemen deposed all the Magistrates Councellors and Officers of the towne of Gorrichom which his father had made establishing a new Baylisse and Iudge in the place of the old the like he did at Lederdam and in the castell The Lord of Arckel who knew nothing of all these practises returning out of the country of Iuilliers thinking to enter into Gorrichom found the gates shutt against him refusing to giue him entrance the like was done vnto him at the castell From thence he â—…ent to Lederdam where he had the same entertainement Being in this perplexiâ—…ie the Lord of Arckel returned presently the same way he came into the country of Gelders without eating or drinking But soone after he did write secretly vnto his sonne by men of good iudgement of his councell who could handle this yong Nobleman in such sort as without taking any aduice and councell of the aboue named and of the chiefe of the towne he went to Boisleduc to reconcile himselfe vnto his father Wheâ—…evpon those chiefe men being discontented that he had made an accorde without their priuity or aduice and that he would leaue them ingaged at his returne from Boisleduc thinking to re-enter into Gorrichom the gates were shut against him This yong Nobleman finding himselfe debarred from entring into the towne turned head and went to the Duke of Iuilliers his Vncle. Being gone those seauen men sent certaine deputies of qualitie vnto the Earle of Holland to require his ayde and protection against the Lord of Arckel in regarde whereof they offred him all duty of homage and â—…ealty The Earle being glad to winne such a towne and country without strikiâ—…g stroake and therewithall subdue his enemie with little labour hee came about Whitsontide to Wandrichom where hee was receiued and feasted in the Castell and acknowledged for lord of Arckel confirming and ratifying theâ—…r priuiledges as well olde as newe From thence hee went to Gorrichom and into the Castell and into Leederdam where he was likewise receiued for Lord of Arckel and generally inuested in all the countrie The Lord of Aspren hearing that the Earle was at Gorrichom came to meete him neere vnto Leederdam doing him all honor and reuerence and seeing Conrard Iohn Arnold and Gerard van Haerlaer bretheren Ambrose Woutsersen Iohn Van Donck whom the Earle had newly made Knights with their collers of gold wondring much he said My Lord beware of these new Knights for what they haue done this day vnto their Lord they may doe to morrow vnto you The Earle smiling made much of him raysing him vp vnder the arme he lead him to his lodging where hauing feasted him he returned into Holland The Lord of Arckel and his sonne deuised by what meanes they might recouer their inheritance The Earle to preserue it sent Philip van Dorp a Knight with 500. men to garde Gorrichom The yong Lord of Arckel hauing with the helpe of his friends gathered some men together came in the end of haruest and attempted to passe the walles of Gorrichom neere vnto a Tower called the Tower Robert by scalado which hauing effected those of the garde hearing that it was their yong Lord leauing the rampart fled heere and there This yong Nobleman passing on brake open the gate on the East side and drew in his men with their colours flying making great and fearfull cries The Burgesses that were affected vnto him turned presently on his side and in this enterprise there was not any man hurt but Henry Vander-streat that was slaine at the first entrance The next day Didier le Cocque neere kinsman to Ambrose Woutersen had his head cut off The rest that were opposite to the Lord of Arckel leaping ouer the walles escaped This yong Nobleman went presently to besiege the Castell of Arckel where the besieged expecting succors from the Earle of Holland defended themselues valiantly The Earle hearing of these surprises leuied men in all hast and went to besiege Gorrichom chasing the young Lord first from his siege and forcing him to retire into Gorrichom The Earle being fully resolued to force this towne called all the Gentlemen of his Prouinces and Seigneuries and required them of Vtrecht to assist him On the other side Renold Duke of Iuilliers and Geldres a man of a turbulent spirit demanded nothing more then some occasion to quarrell with the Earle whom he sent to defie by a Herald with open letters as he had presumed before to defie the French King where the bishop of Liege brother to the Earle of Holland imployed his credit happily to make his peace with the said King who else had ruined him This Duke then came with an armie and camped not farre from the towne of Gorrichom The inhabitants went forth in the night drew the victuals and munition which he had brought them into the towne The Earle hearing of the Dukes comming raised his siege and went and planted himselfe before the Chappell of Dalem vpon the dike right against the Geldrois to offer them battaile the which was deferred for that night in the which the Geldrois did rise and retired himselfe into his country The Earle seeing him gone went to continue his siege before Gorrichom and after that hee had well furnished the castell of Arckel and the places there-abouts he returned into his country A while after the Lord of Arckel and his sonne did transport vnto Duke Renold of Gelders all the right and
slaine The Bishop and the Earle of Holland his brother sent some Captaines into the Citie of Liege who in reuenge of the iniurie done vnto the Bishop put to death many of the Chanoins Priests and other Officers which the elect Bishop had placed the which were cast from the top of the bridge Those from whom any Prebends and Benifices had beene taken for that they had held Iohn of Bauarias part were restored to their dignities and offices many notable Burgesses were executed All their ancient Priuiledges Rights Freedomes and Statutes were burnt Their Banners Enseignes and Standardes were first ignominiously torne in peeces and then burnt and beside the Liegeois were taxed at 200. thousand crownes of the sun for a fine by means whereof and acknowledging their old Bishop the wars ceased in the countrey of Liege In the yeare 1409. after this great victorie the Earle of Holland went to the French kings Court and did mediate a peace for Iohn Duke of Burgongne his father in law with the King by reason of the homicide committed vpon the person of Lewis Duke of Orleans the kings brother and so a peace was concluded betwixt them whereat all France reioyced and commended the Earle of Holland for so good a worke In the yeare 1410. the Truce betweene the Earle of Holland and the Duke of Gelders being expired the Earle sent some ships of warre into the Zuyderzee to keepe them of Herderwyk and Elburch from going to sea The Earle had also drawne into his league the towne of Amersfort in the countrie oâ—… Vtrecht to which towne hee gaue many good Priuiledges and Immunities for that it was alwayes open vnto him and at his command and did serue him as a place of armes to enter by it into the Veluwe and the countrie of Gelders On the other side the Lord Iohn of Arckel Captain of the Duke of Gelders horse by the Dukes command seazed vpon the castle of Hofeslaeken neere vnto it caused a Fort to be built against them of Amersfort the which he manned with a good Garrison to defend the said Castell One day among the rest Hubert of Culenbourgh Iohn of Vianen and Arnold of Eienburch knights and captaines of the Hollanders issued forth with their men out of the towne of Amersfort to goe and skirmish with them of the towne and castle of Hoefslaeken But the garrison of the one and the other knowing of their comming abandoned both places These Captaines finding them emptie and forsaken razed them from thence they went to Nyekerke the which they spoyled and fired and so returned with their spoile into Amersfort In the yeare 1412. there was a peace made betwixt these two Princes William of Bauaria Earle of Holland and Renold Duke of Gelders By the which it was said That the Duke should yeeld vnto the Earle the towne of Gorrichom with all the appurtenances that depended thereon and that he should cause the yong Lord of Arckel his cousin to doe the like Moreouer it Was agreed that the Earle should pay vnto the Duke for the charges hee had beene at in the said Towne 100000. Crownes and that the Duke should resigne vnto the said yong Lord of Arckel the Seignorie of Bron the castle of Oyen and seuen villages depending thereon with fiue thousand Florins of the Rhine of yeerely pension assigned him vppon the towll or custome of Loebeck the which was thus concluded in the Towne of Wyck-terduyr-sted which done William of Arckell transported vnto the Earle of Holland for himselfe and his heires for euer the towne of Gorrichom with all the countrie and Seigneorie of Arckell And by that meanes the said Towne and countrie hath remained annexed vnto the Conty of Holland vnto this day These two Princes beeing by the meanes of this peace become good friendes the Duke of Gelders accompained with his chiefe Nobilitie went to visite the Earle of Holland who receyued him courteously and with great state staying there some time and disporting themselues together in all sorts of mirth feasts pastimes During this time there cameâ—…one vnto the Earle that was a secret seruaunt vnto the Duke aduising him in all dutie to beware of his secret enemies which he had in his countrey and of his owne Vassals who sought to attempt not only against his State but also against his person The which did somewhat trouble and perplex the Earle not knowing who wisht him so much euill The Duke being returned into his countrie Cont William of Holland had a like desire to goe and visit him the whiche he did being well accompanied The Duke knowing of his comming went to meete him as farre as the Velue and receiued him with inestimable courtesies and welcomes entertaining one another with great signes of loue his enteruiew continued eight dayes These Princes being once among the rest feasting and drinking together the Duke of Gelders hauing his head full of wine he said vnto the Earle Deare Cousin it falls out now happily for you that we are so well reconciled and good friends together Why said the Earle For said he if it were not so you had bin now my prisoner The other answered I cannot beleeue it Without doubt Cousin said he of Gelders it had bin so and wonder not at it for you haue some of your chiefe vassalls had bin actors in it These speeches being past the Earle casting vp his head they ended the banquet merrily The Earle being returned into Holland was still pensiue and wondred much who those might bee that would or durst attempt any such thing against him being their Prince And as he called to minde that in these last warres Iohn of Egmond had not serued him neither with his person nor with his subiects hauing refused to be enemie to the Duke of Gelders and that in fiue yeares space he had not come to the Court but vpon good warrants the which the other Noblemen and knights had neuer demanded hee beganne to suspect and to haue a bad conceite of him and of the Lord of Yselsteyn his brother yet at that time he made no shew therof concealing it in his brest vntill he had made some tryall thereof without attempting any thing rashly against them that it might not bee saide hee had done them wrong In the yeare 1414. the Frisons reuolted againe from the Earle of Holland leauied some men couertly and came secretly by night and surprised the Towne of Staueren those that were in gard performing their duties ill where they tooke many Hollanders whom they put to ransome which Towne had beene 13. yeares vnder the quiet command of the Earle of Holland This reuolt made the Frisons so odious vnto Cont William as hee resolued to suppresse them in such sort as they should neuer haue more meanes to rise against him nor against any others But as at that time there fell out affaires of greater importance he deferred the making of warre against them vntill
a better opportunitie and season In the yeare 1415. On Saint Katherines day as Iohn Lord of Arckel returned from the funerall of Anthonie of Burgongne Duke of Brabant passing by Arpenburgge he was surprised in a certaine Ambuscado which Didier vander Merwen Lord of Seuenbergen and Philip of Leckâ—… had layd for him leading him into Holland couered with a white cloake of the Order of the Dutch Knights to disguise him the better Cont William was very glad of this prize came to the Hage whether they said Lord was brought vnto him who sent him prisoner from thence to the Castle of la Goude who afterwards was brought to Seuenberghe with a straight gard where he was ten yeares a prisoner Those of Brussels hearing that the said Lord of Arckell who was their Bourgeois had been eâ—… taken vp on the iurisdiction of Brabant would with the help of other townes of the countrie from whence they drew some men go and take him away by force out of his prison at Seuenberghe but Duke Iohn of Burgongne their Prince would not suffer it nor enter into quarrell with the Earle of Holland his sonne in law for that Lords sake during the time that the said Lord of Arckel was a prisoner he was sometimes carryed before Cont William and his Councell before whom hee did protest it to bee true and declared by what meanes and by whom the Earle should haue beene deliuered prisoner vnto Duke William of Geldres The which the Earle dissembled for some reasons keeping it secret in his breast vntill it was time to discouer it As it was a common brute who should deliuer him during the time that the Earle and Duke were in warre one against another the kinsfolke and friendes of the Lordes of Egmond and Yselstein hearing that this imputation was laid vpon them vpon all their house would for the preseruation of their honors purge them from so foule an infamie as a thing that toucht them neere both in body and goods Iohn Lord of Egmond complained that therein they did him great wrong knowing himselfe innocent of that wherewith hee was generally taxed Yet he protested to be alwayes readie to iustifie himselfe before the Earle of Holland his Prince so as he might haue accesse vnto him vnder safe conduit The Earle being returned from a voiage which he had made into England with the Emperor Sigismonde to mediate a peace betwixt the Kings of France and England the kinsmen of the said Lord of Egmond intreat him that he would grante the said safe conduit that hee might purge himselfe of those crimes in his presence and before his Councell The which the Earle would haue him do and therefore commanded that he should be adiourned to appeare in person within fortie fiue dayes to iustifie himselfe of such matters as should bee layed against him The Lord of Egmond being thrice lawfully adiourned and appearing not was vppon the third default for his contumacie condemned by the Earles councell to bee attainted and conuicted of treason for the crimes and attempts obiected against him and to forfeite body and goods According to which sentence all his goodes landes and Seigniories were seazed on to the vse and profite of the Earle and of the Countie of Holland an attachment granted for his person and in case they could not finde him to be then banished for euer out of the countries and iurisdictions of the Earledomes This Lord of Egmond seeing himselfe thus intreated retyred vnto his brother William of Egmond into his towne or castle of Yselstein with some souldiers which he had at his deuotion Soone after the Earle sent some Deputies of his Councell to summon the said towne and castle to yeeld vnto his obedience the which being refused he presently caused a small armie to be leuied whereof he sent the one halfe before Yselstein and with the rest he went ouer towards Schonhouen from whence he went to ioyne with the other part that hee might besiege the castle on the other side but the Lords Iames of Gaesbeck Hubert of Culemburch and Iohn of Vianen neerely allyed vnto the house of Egmond fearing that they would be the cause of the ruine of their house did labor for their reconciliation with the Earle the which they obtained vpon condition that the said Lordes of Egmond should depart with their goods out of Yselstein and out of the Counties of Holland and Zeeland whether they might neither goe nor come without the Earles expresse leaue which towne and castle of Yselstein they did yeeld vnto him absolutely with the Seigneorie appurtenances and dependances In consideration whereof the Earle should pay yearely vnto the said William of Egmond sixe hundred Crownes of the Sunne and to the Lady Yoland their mother 800. crownes more yearly the paiments to remaine to their heirs for euer of the which authenticall letters were drawne And so Cont William was disposest of the said towne castle and Seigneorie of Yselstein But since it was restored to the said house of Egmond of the which Maximillian of Egmond Earle of Buren was the last Lorde of that name whose daughter and sole heire William of Nassau Prince of Orange tooke to his first wife by whom he had Charles Philip of Nassau now Prince of Orange Earle of Buren Cont of Iselstein Saint Anneland Saint Martins Dyck c. and the Lady Anne of Nassau his sister Contesse dowager of Hohenloo sister by the fathers side to Prince Maurice of Nassau at this day Gouernour Generall and Admirall of the vnited Prouinces of the Netherlands Cont William of Holland considering that being two and fitie yeares old hauing no heire but one onely daughter called Iacoba or Iaqueline married to the Dolphin sonne to Charles the sixth King of France assembled the Estates Gouernours Bayliffes and Officers of all his Prouinces landes and Seigneoris of whom hee required a promise othe that in case he should die without heires male that they should not acknowledge any other but the saide Lady Iaqueline for their Princesse and soueraigne ladie whom they should defend maintaine in this qualitie against all The which the Barons Nobles Knights and all the Estates in generall of his Countries did promise and sweare whereof an â—…nsturment was drawne in writing with the seales of some of the chiefe Noble-men and Townes in the yeare 1417. The Dolphin of France husband to the lady Iaqueline of Bauaria was sent for by the King his father to come to Paris the Earle of Holland his father in law conuoyed him into Henault where he should attend the kings men to conduct him to the Court But before he went he was poisoned and dyed soone after Some hold that it was in putting on a shirt of Male which had been giuen him He was 20. yeares old and Iaquiline his wife 19. when he dyed the fourth of April 1417. his bodie was carryed to Paris Soone after the last day
of May in the said yeare 1417. died William of Bauaria Earle of Holland Zeland Henault and Lord of Friseland of a sore he had in his leg which came with the biting of a mad dogge the which being opened by his chirurgeon did so impaire as it was the cause of his death The said Ladie Iaquiline widow to the Dolphin of France succeeded him in al his siegniories Her father recommending her before his death to his most faithfull seruants requiring them to marry her againe to Iohn Duke of Brabant He was interred at Valenciennes in Henault after he had gouerned his countries the space of 13. yeares The lady Marguerite of Bourgongne his wife daughter to duke Iohn of Bourgongne liued long after him and was interred at Quesnoy in Henault This Cont VVilliam was a seuere man against his rebels and enemies and very courteous affable and kinde vnto his friends a iust and bountifull Prince He had two bastard brethren Albert and VVilliam of Bauaria the which was Lorde of Schagen This William was twise at Ierusalem to see the holy Sepulcher and once at Mount Synay or Saint Catherines Mount in which voiages he was knighted and at his returne made Chastelain or Gouernor of Medemblyck Afterwards the good Duke Philip of Burgongne become Earle of Holland gaue him in West Friseland the seigneories of Schagen Bersinghorne and Harynckhuysen which William caused a goodly castle to bee built in the said village of Schagen and made a great circuit of the countrie to be dicked in and recouered from the sea neere vnto Sype and the village S. Martin calling it Nyelant he had to wife Alix the daughter of Iohn of Hodenpil by whom he had besides daughters three sonnes Albert Seignior of Schagen a knight Iohn Escoutette of Harlem and William He was a very famous and renowned knight all his life time for his vertues and valiant deeds he dyed old in the yeere 1473. His eldest sonne Albert of Schagen had to wife Adrian daughter to the Lord of Nyenrode and Velson by whome hee had one onely daughter named Iasine who was first married to VValter of Egmond Lord of Soetermeer and afterward to Iosse of Borssele Count VVilliam had also three Bastards two sonnes and one daughter Lewis and Euerard knights and Beatrix van Vlyet Euerard was the first seigneor of Hoochtwoud in West Friseland where he caused a goodly house in forme of a castle to be built and had to wife the daughter of Flores van Kyesweck by whom he had Anthonie seignior of Hoochtwoud This Anthonie had to wife Sophia the daughter of Iohn seigneor of Polgeest who bare him fiue sonnes Baldwyn seignior of Hoochtwoud a knight William Gerard Cornellis and Euerard who was a Monke in the Abbie of Egmond and one daughter named Iudeth who was a Nun in the couent of Poel by Leyden This Baldwyn sold the said seigniorie of Hoochtwood for that hee had no children to Iohn the first Earle of Egmond Bâ—…atrix the bastard daughter of count William was first marryed to Philip van 〈◊〉 a knight by whom she had no children afterwards she married againe to Iohn of Woerden siegnior of Vlyet by whom shee had Gerâ—…ard of Vlyet Esquire At that time their flourished among the chieâ—…e of the Nobilitie of Holland and Zeeland Williâ—…m lord of Arckell Wallerand Lord of â—…ederode Earle of Genap William of Brederode Iames lord of Gaesbeck Abcoude Wyâ—…k Putten and Streuen Philip vicont of Leyden lord of Wassenare Iohn and Henry â—…is sonnes Iohn of Egmond and William of Yselstein his brother Philip of Leck Wâ—…lsart of lâ—… Vere Henry of Vianen Ameiden Floris of Borssele lord of Seuenbergh Zuylen and S. Martins dycâ—… Faâ—…er to Franâ—… of Borssele the last husband of Iaqueline countesse of Holland Iames of Borssâ—…le lord of Brigdam and Dâ—…yuelandt Costin of Hemestede and 〈◊〉 of Hemestede Iohn of Cruninghen Iohn of Renesse Hubert of Culenburch Didier of Merwe Iohn of Laâ—…geraeck Didier lord of Henckelom Iohn vicont of Montfort Arnold of Lyenburch Henry of Naeldwyck and his two sonnes Wiliam and Albert squires Didier of Leck Iohn of Hodenpil William bastard of Holland first siegnior of Schagen and his brother Adrian both sons to count Albert of Bauaria â—…rard bastard to count William the first lord of Hoochtwoode and Lewis a knight his brother Iohn of Treslon bastard to Guy Earle of Blois Iohn of Vianen siegniâ—…r of Noordeloos Iohn of Woudâ—… lord of Warmoâ—…t and Alemada Iames of Woude his sons Daniel of Poele Clâ—…wer gouernor of S. Ghertruâ—…denbergh 〈◊〉 of Poelgeeâ—…t and his brother Gerrard Bartholomew of Raphorst Iohn of Hemisted siegnior of Beâ—…thusen Iohn of Vlyet Philip of Dorp Iohn Henry and Ghysbreecht of Croenenburch brethren Flores of Alâ—…mada Gerard of Woert Gerard of Zyl Giles of Cralingen Gerrard of Lyesuelt Floris of Abeele Gerard Conrad Iohn and Arnold brethren of Haerlaâ—…r Frederik of Seuenter Berthold of Assendolse Didâ—…er of Beets all knights Then Iohn of Egmond siegnior of Soâ—…termeer an other Iohn of Egmond siegnior of Wateringh Albert of Egmond of Maremsteyn â—…ugh of Alâ—…mada Herpert of Forest Didier of Assendelf Symon of Burcht Floris of Adricom Gerard vuytten Hage Gerard Potter Baldwin of Wietten Floris of Tol. Herpert of Bossche William Egger first lord and founder of the town of Pourmereinde Iohn his sonne Floris of Kyeâ—…oeck Iohn vander Myer Arnold Spyerinck Nicholas of Waterlandt William Nagle with many other squiers and gentlemen which were to long to number and most of all these noble Famylies are at this day extinct IAQVELINE OF BAVARIA THE 28 Gouernesse in Holland Zeeland and Friseland and Contesse of Henault 2â—… â—…acoba Bauariâ—… Foure times in marriage I my fruite did try Yet could I not increase my Progenie Gorrichom I won gainst William of Arckel In which Exploit three hundred English fell Beneath my Conduct while one day did shine My husbands ransome made me to resigne My Contries to the Duke of Burgondie Ten yeares with paine I sat in soueraigntye And now in one Graue with my Grandfather Peace did my bodye to his rest conferre THE Lady Iaqueline or Iacoba as the Hollanders terme her the daughter and onely heire of VVilliam of Bauaria Earle of Holland c. succeded after the death of her father in all his Earldoms and seigniories She was then widow as we haue said to the Dolphin of France being 17. yeeres old keeping with her mother the Lady Marguerite daughter to Iohn duke of Bourgongne father to Philip. Her fathers obsequies and funerall pompe being ended she was conducted throughout all the townes of Henault whereof she tooke possession and receiued the homages of her subiects and vassals By reason of her widowhood and her youth shee had much trouble in the gouernment of her Contries especially of Holland for that the two factions reuiued againe the Hoeckins holding the Countesses partie and the Cabillautins a contrarie one by reason whereof all the time of her
gouernment shee was much disquieted As soone as the Earâ—…e her father was dead all the banished men and those whom in his life time he had oppressed reioyced amongst others Iohn Lord of Egmond and William Lord of Iselstein brethren who consulted how they might recouer their Landes which the Earle had forfeited The Lord of Iselstein with some troupes hauing intellegence in his towne found the meanes to haue a port opened and entred secretly in the night without any discouerie or opposition yet he could not at that time get the Castle The Lady Iaqueline being then with her mother in Henault during her absence some Noblemen affectionate to her seruice preuailed so with the succors of them of Vtrecht and of Amerssord as they came and besieged the saide Towne of Iselstein At which siege there commanded Walrauen of Brederode and Iohn Vicont of Montfort Befoâ—…e they could be ready for the siege the two brethren of Egmond found meaens to get the castle into the which they shut themselues Those of Vtrecht did much affect this siege knowing that Herman of Lochorst and Iohn vanden Spiegel were also within it and therefore they built certen Bastillions Caualiers and other places for battery foure dayes after that the Campe was planted there almost all the townes of Hollande came with their coullors flying to conquer it Iohn of Bauaria bishop of Leige vncle to the Countesse Iaqueline came thither also with good troupes so as the Towne was besieged on all sides These brethren of Egmond seeing so mightie an armie before them consulted of their affaires so as by the meanes and intercession of Iohn of Heemskerk there was an agreement made with them by the which it was said that the said Lords of Egmond and the banished of Vtrecht should depart out of the towne and castle of Iselstein with bag and baggage the which they should deliuer into the handes of the Lieutenant and deputies of the Countesse of Holland and that all the inhabitantes of the towne aboue thirteene yeares old should take the oath of fealtie and submit themselues vnder her obedience which being done the armie entred into the towne Soone after the lady Iaqueline came out of Henault into Holland who hearing of this victorie obtained vnder her authoritie and in her name thanked her friends who had been carefull of her good Those of Vtrecht desired that the towne might bee giuen unto them to dispose thereof at their pleasure which being too lightly granted not thinking they would vse it in that sort they demanteled the Ports towers and walles and ruined the castle vnto the ground the which did much displease the Nobilitie of Holland And for that those of Vtrecht thought it was two neere a neighbour vnto them the same yeare they had leaue to burne the whole towne except the Church and Monasteries This ruin of Iselstein happened during the Consulate of Wolpert of Amerongen and Didier of Houdam Bourgmasters of Vtrecht Which towne remained thus desolate and ruined without walles vnto the time of Charles the warlike Duke of Burgongne Earle of Holland c. Of whom Frederik of Iselstein afterwards Earle of Buren obtained leaue to repaire it and to build a new castle In the said yeere 1417. the Contesse Iaqueline was in like sort receiued and tooke possession of her inheritance of Holland Zeland and Frise-land as she had been before in Henault To fulfill the will of Cont William her father hauing desired before his death that she should mary again with Iohn duke of Brabant although he were her cosin germaine The said duke hauing intelligence of the death of Cont William went to Gaunt to Duke Iohn of Bourgongne his vncle to whom he vsed some speech of this marriage Wherevpon there was a meeting appointed at Byervlyet whether came the said Duke Iohn Philip Earle of Charolois sonne to Duke Iohn of Bourgongne and many other great Noblemen and Barons The Lady Iaqueline came also with the Lady Marguerite of Bourgongne her mother Aunt to Duke Iohn of Brabant and Iohn of Bauaria bishop of Liege vncle by the fathers side to the said Lady all accompained with great traines of Noblemen There it was determined that the Will of Cont William the father should be fulfilled whereupon a marriage was concluded betwixt the Duke of Brabant and the Countesse of Holland and there they were made sure if the Court of Rome would consent thereunto wherof their were mutuall promises the first day of August the same yeere 1417. and there were letters drawn with a penaltie to be paid by any of the parties that should repent or oppose with other conditions among the which Iohn of Bauaria bishop of Liege should inioy all that which Cont Albert his father and Cont William his brother together with the Ladie Iaqueline his Neece had giuen and confirmed vnto him in consideration whereof they Bishop did consent vnto the marriage and therevpon the Assembly at Byervlyet was dissolued Presently there was a notable Embassage sent in the name of the Duke of Brabant and the Countesse of Holland his spowse to the Councell of Constance to obtaine a dispensation for their marriage notwithstanding the proximitie of blood the which was denyed them for that the Emperour Sigismond and this bishop of Liege crossed it all they could for this bishop had such a conceite and so great a desire to be Earle of Holland as the same yeere in September he went out of Liege and neuer after returned more came to Dordrecht in Holland and sent his deputies to the said councell with an ample Procuration to resigne into the Popes handes his bishopricke of Liege the which he had gouerned 27. yeers and also to hinder the dispensation of the marriage whereof the Duke of Brabant was secretly aduertised by some friends which he had in the said councell of Constance This Iohn of Bauaria hauing left his bishopricke of Leige and being at Dordrecht writ to all the townes of Holland that they should receiue him and acknowledge him for Gouernor and Tutor of the Contesse his Neece being a widow who could not be dispenced withall by the Councell for her marriage shewing that hee did onely seeke the aduancement and greatnesse of his Neece with the preseruation of her Estate But God knowes that he had a contrarie intent to dispossesse her And to that end he caused an assembly to be held at Schonhouen where he made this proposition but it was denied him by the said Ladie his Neece who notwithstanding offered to confirme vnto him what had beene concluded at the foresaid treatie of marriage Iohn of Bauaria seeing himselfe thus refused returned to Dordrecht much discontented where hee made a league with the Cabillautin faction of the which those of Egmond werethe cheef and was acknowledged in the said town of Dordrecht for Tutor and Gouernour of Holland and Zeeland Vpon which support he sent to somon the sayde Ladie to submit
her selfe vnder his charge else he would denounce warre against her He had drawen vnto his faction William of Arckell Iohn of Egmond William of Yselstein by whose fauour and assistance he thought to doe wonders promising them also to restore them to their lands that were forfeited to Cont William father to the Contesse Afterwards Iohn of Egmond found means to surprize the Towne of Gorrichom in the name of Iohn of Arckel his cousin The Lorde of Brederode and other Barons which held the Contesses partie seeing the towne thus surprized retyred themselues presently into the castle which Cont William had caused to be built William of Arckell ariued soone after being accompanied with many Knights and Gentlemen where he was restored to his siegniorie but the castle held good againg him Iohn of Bauaria went secretly to Gorrichom conferred with the said noblemen then returned to Dordrecht The Contesse being aduertised hereof drew what forces she could together out of all her countreys and with the assistance of them of Vtrecht and of Amersfort accompanied by her mother sayled vp the riuer of Merwe and went before Gorrichom The chief of her armie were Walrauen of Brederode then Lieutenant to the said Ladie in Holland Zeeland and Friseland Where the said Princesses being arriued they were welcommed into the castle and their armie camped round about The night following their men went to the Sapp and made a breach betwixt the castle and the towne the which was so great as they might enter with their armie in battell The Lord of Arckel seeing this breach put his men suddenly in order beeing about 4000. The Lord of Brederode hauing disposed of his troupes aduanced to enter but the Lord of Arckel had suddenly cast vp a trench betwixt the Towne and the Castle so as they could not passe nor easily approach Notwithstanding they of Vtrecht and Amersfort hauing lept ouer the ditch marched brauely in battell into the towne The Lord of Arckel hauing his troupes very resolute went boldly to incounter them the charge was furious and very bloody the one striuing to conquer the other to defende But in the end the Lord of Arckels men beginning to faint hauing no hope of any supplies and seeing the Contesses forces to increase hourely they turned their backes and fled there was the lord of Arckel slaine and with him the Earle of Osburch the siegnior of Pettersen Henry bastard of Arckell Allard of Buren Splinter the bastard of Nyenrood Otto of Gelechom Otto of Ghemmen William of Appeldorn about a 1000. other gentlemen Bourgeses and souldiers Amongst the prisoners were William Earle of Vernenburch the Earle of Hulberch Henry of Hoemoet the baron of Batenburch Didier of Lyenden Arnold of Ordange and Raes his brother Didier of Heumen The siegnior of Orflot Arnold of Egmond sieignior of Marestein Otto of Buren Iohn of Heteren Iohn of Oyen Arnold of Craenhem and Arnold of Haerlaer all Knights Those of Vtrecht had the Lord Iohn of Egmond and aboue a 1000. prisoners of all sorts Of the Contesse Iaquelines side their died Walrauen Lord of Brederode her lieutenant through the negligence of his seruants the which was a great losse for that Princesse which caused her to mourne This battell was giuen in the towne of Gorrichom the first of December The lord of Brederode left two sonnes Renold lord of Brederode and Ghysbrecht cathedrall Deane and afterwards elect bishop of Vtrecht of whom wee shall speake heareafter Pope Martin by his bulles of the 22. of Nouember of his owne authoritie notwithstanding the refusall of the councell of Constance dispenced with the marriage of Iohn Duke of Brabant with the Lady Iaqueline Contesse of Holland without ◅ny respect to the proximitie of blood sending the Bull secretly to the Duke by his Ambassadors The which being come to the knowledge of Iohn of Bauaria her vncle he made his complaint to the Emperor Sigismonde who taking it ill sent to the Pope letting him vnderstand what quarrels and Factions might growe thereby among Christian Princes the which did mooue the Pope to reuooke this dispensation of which reuocation Iohn of Bauaria sent an authenticall Coppie to the Duke of Brabant thinking to terrifie him therewith that hee should not proceed any further in this marriage But the Duke seeming not to know anything the 13. of Ianuarie 1418. sent cont Engelbert of Nassau Lord of Leck and Breda with Henry lord of Berghe vpon Soome to the Lady Iaqueline being then at the Hage in Holland with his Bull. The 8. of March following the Duke accompained with many Earles barons knights and Nobles his friends and vassals came to the saide lady Countesse at the Hage to aduise of their marriage The bishop of Tournay with other Noble men Ambassadors to Duke Iohn of Bourgongne were there present with the chiefe of the councell to the Countesse the Duke of Brabant and the Deputies of the Townes of Holland Zeeland Henault and Frezeland where they did view and examine the Bull of dispensation and the coppy of the reuocation the which not being found authenticall all well considered they concluded to proceed in the consumation of the marriage according to the ordinances of the church and so were accordingly married the fourth of Aprill by the Deane of the chappell at the Hage in the presence of the old Lady her mother of Philip vicont of Leyden lord of Waesenare Henry of Leck and many ladies and gentlewomen among others the lady of Saint Martins Dyke the lady of Ameyden the lady of Steenbergen and others The Duke of Brabant was 16. yeeres old and the contesse Iaqueline about 18. when as they were married by the which their patrimoniall inheritances were greatly fortified one by another A while after Pope Martin did write vnto the duke giuing him to vnderstand that the reuocation which he had made of the dispensation came through feare of the Emperor and the importunitie of Iohn of Bauaria and for no other cause that without any scruple of conscience they might liue freely in that state of mariage The which the Patriarke of Constantinople and the Cardinall of Ostia confirmed by their Bulles And so Iohn Duke of Brabant was receyued and acknowledged in the countries of Holland Zeeland Henault Friseland c. for their prince as husband to the said lady their princesse except in the Towne of Dordretcht and the Iland of Bryele As also the said Contesse Iaqueline was receiued with great honor in the Townes of the Dutchie of Brabant And for that Iohn of Bauaria through the trecherie of them of Dordrecht would not onely attribute vnto himselfe the gouernment of Holland but did also take vpon him the title of Earl and procured great troubles to the Contesse his Neece the Histories of Holland haue put him in the number but without rancke of their Earles the which we follow and will describe his gouernment as succin̄tly as wee can and the
disasters of the said Contesse vnto the death IHON OF BAVARIA CARRYING himselfe as Gouernor then Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland 28 Dn̄s Iohannes Bauariae Thy faith of Dordrect force and thy faiths loss◅ Made thee resigne thy Bishopricke and Crosse By Merlus ayde thy greedie chests to fill VVith great reuenues of thy Neece a Pupill At Luxenbrough thou took'st vnto thy spouse Elisa carlesse of her blood or House In thy Church Order long thou didst not liu◅ An Earle nor marryed One blacke day did giue End to all slipp◅rie t◅ares let fall for thee And to thy short vnstable memorie IHON OF BAVARIA hauing gouerned his Bishopricke of Leige 27. years for whose sake as we haue sayd before so much blood had beene spilt and so many good men lost their liues hauing resigned his Bishopricke into the Popes hands notwithstanding that he was a Deacon obtained a dispenspation to mary taking to wife the lady Elizabeth widow to Anthonie duke of Brabant father to duke Iohn and Duchesse of Luxembourgh his Gossip hauing beene Godfather to a sonne of hers He carryed himselfe at the first as Tutor to the contesse Iaqueline his neece and then Gouernor of Holland c. Then he obtained of the Emperor Sigismond his wiues vncle the Earldomes of Holland Zeeland and Henault the lordship of Frizeland in fealtie and homage as fallen vnto the Emperor by the death of cont William his brother for want of heires male excluding the contesse Iaqueline his neece The which the Emperor being at Constance did intimate vnto the Duke of Brabant his vassall with a prohibition not to challenge any thing to himselfe in the saide countries According to the which Iohn of Bauaria did presse the chiefe townes of the saide Prouinces to receiue him for their Lord and Prince The townes of Holland and Zeland made him answere that they had acknowledged and did acknowledge the said Ladie for their princesse as the only daughter sole heire to cont VVilliam the 6. their deceased prince and that the said Iohn her vncle had also acknowledged her for such and taken vp certaine fees and signiories of her so as they could nor ought not to leaue her Moreouer they said that the said Prouinces had fallen twise before to the female kinde whereof they had imperiall letters and therefore they intreated him to desist Those of Henault sent him their answere and among other pointes they laied open this more pertinently then the other Prouinces maintaining absolutely that the countrey of Henault did no way hold of the Empire in the which the daughters had often succeeded Yet Iohn of Bauaria tooke vpon him the title of Earle of Henault Holland and Zeland and lord of Frizland and was so acknowledged at Dordrecht and at Bryele notwithstanding the promise they had made vnder their oaths and seales with the other townes of Holland vnto Cont VVilliam father to the contesse Iaqueline whereupon Iohn of Bauaria was proclaimed enemie to Holland and Zeland He therfore gathers together all the men he could of what conditio soeuer with the which he made war in Holland Those of Dordrecht and of Bryele doing all the harme they could vnto their neighbors that held the Princesse part The duke of Brabant seeing this reuolt defied Iohn of Bauaria and came with his wife into Holland where with his Brabansons he went to besiege the Towne of Dordrecht lodging his Hollanders vppon the dyke of Papendrecht But this siege was vnfortunate Iohn of Bauaria being then in Dordrecht very glad of their deliuery seazed soone after on the towne of Roterdam whether he went caused himself to be acknowledged Earle of Holland staying there some time he sought to be master of Delfe and of Goude Whereof the countesse being aduertised she fortified them the towne of Schyedam with good Garrisons In the meane time Iohn of Bauaria ceased not day and night to molest the Hollanders and to hinder their Nauigation to the sea by the Riuer of Meuse And for that during this warre many places and castles were dayly ruined the countrey made waste and the mischiefe increasing dayly there was an assembly appointed in the towne of Wandrechom whether came for chiefe mediators betwixt both parties Philip Earle of Charolois sonne to Iohn duke of Burgongne Lewis of Luxembourg Bishop of Teroagne and Peter of Luxenbourg his brother during which treatie a truce was made there also came Iohn duke of Brabant and the lady Iaqueline his wife with the lady Marguerite Douager her mother Iohn of Bauaria sent his Commissioners in the company of a Baron of Bauaria Gerrard of Boel lord of Hemskerke and some others There was an accord made by the which it was said that Iohn of Bauaria should remaine lord of Dordrecht with the appurtenances of the towne of Gorrichom the country of Arkel of Lederdam Schoonwert of Bryele of the contrie of Voern of the towne of Roterdam and the siegniorie of Waerden and inioy them for him and his heires for euer the which hee should hold by fee and homage of the duke of Brabant in the right of the lady Iaqueline Contesse of Holland his wife And moreouer he should pay vnto him within a yeare a hundred thousand English Nobles remaining Lieutenant of Holland Zeeland and Frizeland for the space of three yeares with authoritie to dispose of halfe the officers and magistrates and the Contesse his Neece of the other halfe These conditions were confirmed reciprocally vnder their seales the 19. of Iuly in the yeare 1419. Those of Vtrecht and Amersfort were also reconciled and all acts of hostilitie laied aside both in Holland Zeeland and the Diocesse of Vtrecht yet in all these treaties of peace Iohn of Egmond nor his brother of Yselstein were comprehended nor spoken of About the end of the said yeare 1419. there sprung vp newe warres in Holland and the D◅ocesse of Vtrecht by reason of great robberies and spoiles committed by Iohn lord of Egmond who tooke all he could finde vpon the riuer of Leck comming out of Brabant or Flanders sinking their ships and taking their men prisoners Those of Vtrecht write vnto Iohn of Bauaria intreating him to doe them reason iustice of the wrongs which ths said lord of Egmond had done them but he regarded them not They considering therefore in what estate their affaires were and that they must expect no good from Iohn of Bauaria sent vnto Iohn duke of Brabant and the Contesse his wife to acquaint them with the wrongs which had been done notwithstanding the league which was betwixt Holland and Vtrecht The duke made no account of it and the Contesse being desirous to assist and helpe them had no meanes they therefore adrest themselues to Frederic of Blankenhein their Prince and Bishop and to the Townes of the hye diocesse which is the country of Oueryssel They seeing there would neuer bee any end of
these spoiles and thefts which the Hollanders of the Cabillautin faction holding the part of Iohn of Bauaria did commit vpon their friends of Vtrecht and Amersfort they held it their best course to make open warre and to that ende they allyed themselues to these Lords William of Brederode Philip vicont of Leyden the vicont of Montfort Iohn of Heemstede with all the rest of the Hoackins faction that were chased out of Holland against the lords of Egmond and Gerrard Boel lord of Hemskerke cheife counsellors to Iohn of Bauaria and against all their Allyes The yeare following Iohn of Bauaria and his faction did ruine many of their aduersaries castels in the quarter of Woerden Suylen Houthorst and Nessen On the other side the lorde of Broderode the vicont and the siegnior of Hemsted ioyned to them of Leyden did also burne some of the Cabillautins castels as Zuyck Raphorst Rhinburch others running as far as the Hage but they only spoiled it sparing the fire in respect of the Princes court palace the honor of the earls that had built it In the same yeare Iohn of Bauaria tooke the castle of Poelgeest situated in the village of Coekerke by assault causing all their heads to be cut off that were within it from thence hee went to the castle of Does the which was yeelded vnto him then he besieged the castle of Waert in the village of Leyrdorp the which hee battered and tooke by force killing most of the besieged then razed it to the ground he in like sort wonne that of Zyl by Leyden whereas there dyed many men and then hee ruined it Hauing taken all these castles and gathered together greater troupes hee went and besieged the towne of Leyden the space of nine weekes so as in the ende he forced them to yeeld vpon composition by the which it was agreed that all soldiers strangers and namely they of Vtretch should depart with bagge and baggage and that Iohn of Bauaria should be receyued into the towne without the oppression of any man The which being thus concluded the vicont Philip and the inhabitants did onely acknowledge him as Gouernor of Holland The souldiers of Vtrecht thinking to retire safely vnto their towne the lord of Egmond lay in wait for them at a passage and pursued them vnto their gates On the other side Iohn of Bauaria against the said Accord forced the vicont of Leyden to resigne and yeeld vp his viconty vnto him and not to retaine any thing for himselfe nor his successors but the castle the Toll and the Gruytte whereas before a vicont of Leyden had a great command and prerogatiue in the Towne as the placing of a Bayliffe foure Bourghemasters and seeuen Sherifs Henry the viconts eldest sonne held at this siege the part of Iohn of Bauaria against his father who also made session of the said Viconty This towne being thus yeelded to Iohn of Bauaria they went with them of Dordrecht to besiege the Towne and castle of Gheertruydenbergh whereof Didier vander Merwen was Chastelaine or Gouernor whom in the ende hee forced to yeeld to haue their liues and goods saued That yeare 1420. Iohn Duke of Brabant came from Antwerp into Zeeland at the request of Iohn of Bauaria and landed at saint Martensdyk whereat the pursuite of the siegnior of Aschen they assembled without the priuitie of the Contesse Iaqueline in the house of Floris of Borssele where the duke of Brabant did ratifie and confirme vnto Iohn of Bauaria the gouernment of Holland Zeeland and Frizeland for seuen yeares longer and moreouer did yeeld vp vnto him the towne of Antwerp and Marquisat of Herentael The duke of Brabant being returned to Antwerp by the aduice of Euerard Tserclaes his steward discharged and put away all the Contesse Iaquelines ladyes of honor and maydes and quite altred and changed her estate and traine giuing her the contesse of Moeurs the lady of Weesmael Asschen and others to attend on her The which did wonderfully displease the lady Marguerite of Burgongne Douager of Holland mother to the Countesse who departed presently with her daughter towards Brusselles and comming to the court to the Duke and his councell shee sought to perswade him to dissolue this new estate or traine The which not able to obtaine shee departed discontented and went to her Inne called the Looking glasse The Contesse her daughter followed her weeping with one only Page the which did breed admiration and pittie in all that beheld her The next day the mother and the daughter retyred themselues into Henault where they liued at Quesnoy le Conte Whilest these things were acting the barons nobles and townes of Brabant held an assembly in the towne of Louuaine where it was decreed to displace Euerard of Tserclaes steward to the Duke and the siegneor of Asschen whereunto the Duke opposed firmely for that they were his two mignons and chiefe councellors Whereupon the Estates of Brabant sent to Paris to Philip Earle of S. Pol brother to duke Iohn intreating him to come into Brabant to gouerne the countrey and to rule his fathers inheritance complayning that Duke Iohn suffered himselfe to bee ruled and gouerned by a companie of flatterers and pick-thanks who sought nothing els but to set diuision betwixt the Nobles and townes of the countries and their Lorde and Prince Although the Earle were loth to vndertake this charge yet at the intreatance of the king himself he went into Brabant where hauing saluted the duke his brother at Brusselles hee went to Louaine there hee vnderstood the causes of the complaints made by the state and the reasons of either partie which being heard he went to Quesnoy from whence hee brought the Contesse Iaqueline and her mother to Louvaine Then hee appointed an other assembly of the States on the 29. of September at Vilvoord whereas the sayde Earle being present with the two Ladyes Princesses mother and daughter and all the Deputies of the Estates of Brabant they attended the Duke onely who counterfeited himselfe to be sicke hauing expected him there some space hearing that he went from Towne to towne to auoid this Assembly the States by the aduice of the Ambassadors of the King of France and duke of Bourgongne resolued to create the Earle of S. Poll Reuward of Brabant which election was made the first of October Duke Iohn of Brabant hauing beene perswaded by William lord of Bergen vppon Soome his chiefe councellor and Euerard of Tferclaes to make Iohn of Bauaria gouernor of Holland and Frizeland hauing also beene the cause of the changing of the Contesse Iaqueline his wiues traine The Bastards of Holland beeing incenced for this cause slue the lord of Bergen in the Duke his masters chamber On the other side the Duke hearing that Cont Philip his brother had the title of Reuwart of Brabant and had displased and changed the magistrates of Brusselles came before the
B◅urgongne among the rest there was a condition that she might not marry againe without his liking and consent if she would remaine Ladie of all her countries of the which notwithstanding the duke should be Gouernor It happened in the yeare 1432. that the Lady Marguerite of Bourgongne her mother sent her by some Gentlemen goodly and riche Iewels and some horses The Contesse Iaqueline finding her selfe bare of money hauing no meanes to honour her Mothers seruants with presents or any gra◅uitie being destitute of money through the last warre to preserue her honour she sent secretly to the Vicont of Montfort hauing beene made Lieutenant of Holland by her before intreating him to assist her with a certaine summe of money to preserue her reputation with those gentlemen whom her mother had sent vnto her and to make them some honest presents according to their quallities The Vicont excused him selfe saying that he had spent all his meanes in her seruice during the warres The said Lady being much perplext and troubled sent vnto an other by whom she was denyed in like sort for the which shee was so greeued as weeping she retired her selfe into her chamber complaining of the ingratitude of her frie◅ds and seruants and of the dishonor which shee feared to purchase if she suffered her mothers seruants to returne emptie handed Where-vpon one of her houshould seruants called William of Bye seeing his Mistresse so desolate being carefull of her honour and pittying her said vnto her to◅ranc ◅ranc of Borsselle Lieutenant of Zeeland and acquaint him with your present necessitie I hope he will doe you some good The said Lady being full of teares answered him How he is one of our enemies and neuer receiued any good nor fauour from vs I feare he will refuse vs and then my disgrace will bee greater then before Notwithstanding if it please you Madam said William I will trie him by some meanes I feare said the Contesse wee shall not preuaile yet goe and let him vnderstand how the case stands and tell him that I will acknowledge it in time and place and will satisfie him soone William went into Zeeland and performed that which he had in charge Where-vpon the Lord of Brossele answered him Tell my Lady that not at this time onely but during my life she may dispose of me and all my meanes at her pleasure and hauing deliuered him the money which he demanded William re◅urned to his Mistresse who was wonderfully glad From that day after she euer held the Lord of Borsselle in great esteeme yea she did so affect him as shee desired to haue him to her husband the which was afterwards secretly performed in her chamber in the presence of her seruants The yeare following this secret marriage was diuulged and spred ouer all Holland and the newes came vnto duke Philip of Bourgongne being then at the warres in France with the King of England who left that businesse and recommended his armie to his Captaines and went into Holland seeming not to know any thing and yet much discontented in minde fearing that by this marriage he should be excluded from the Prouinces of Holland Henault Zeeland and Friseland and came to the Hage in Iuly where af◅er many conferences and treaties of diuers things he caused the Lord of Borsselle to bee apprehended in the presence of the Contesse Iaqueline his wife and to be presently imbarked and conuayed to Ruppelmonde in Flanders The Contesse following the Duke where-so-euer he went did presse him to haue her hu◅band againe the which hee refused vnlesse shee would resigne all her countries Some say that during the imprisonment of the lord of Borsselle they gaue him a refrigeratiue drinke others haue spoken of a more violent course to hinder the acte of generation In the end by the meanes of Frederic Earle of Maeurs hee was set at libertie vpon condition that the Contesse should resigne and transport vnto the sayd Duke her cousin all her countries of Henault Holland Zeeland and Friseland and so she should marry the said lord of Borsselle sollemnly and enioy him quietly for her husband prouided alwaies that if they had any children all the said Prouinces should returne vnto them Moreouer that the Duke should giue vnto the lord of Borsselle for him and his for euer the Earledom of Osteruant and to the said lady the siegneorie of Voorne with the Bryel the Iland of Zuy◅beuelant and the country of Tertolen with all the customes of Holland and Zeeland By this accord this marriage was confirmed and the siegnior of Borsselle made Earle of Osteruant Soone after the Duke with the Contesse and her husband went into the countreys of Holland Henault Zeeland and Friseland whereof shee gaue him reall possession in the chiefe townes thereof then the Duke held his Order of the golden Fleece whereof hee was founder at the Hage and among others hee made the Earle of Osteruant one of his Knights In the yeare 1436. on S. Denis Eue dyed this Princesse the Lady Iaqueline in the castle of Theilinghen for griefe to see herselfe thus spoiled of her estate through the ambition of the Duke of Burgongne and it may be for that she found not her husband as he had been before his imprisonment after that she had beene Lady and true heire of the Earldomes of Holland Zeeland Henault and Friseland in great troubles and continuall vexations for the space of 19. yeare She dyed at the age of 36. yeares and lyes at the Hage in the Chappell of the Court of Holland The most renowned in Holland Zeeland in the time of the Contesse Iaqueline were these noblemen that follow Franc of Borsselle Earle of Osteruant husband to the Contesse Hugh of Lanoy lord of Xaintes Lieutenant of Holland Zeeland and Freezland both Knights of the golden Fleece Reynold lord of Brederode of Vianen and Ameyden Baronies Ghysbrecht of Brederode Prouost Cathedrall and afterwardes elect bishop of Vtrect William of Brederode their vncle who was lieutenant to the Contesse Iaqueline in Holland Iames of Gaesbeeke lord of Abcoud Wyk Putten and Streyen Iohn lord of Egmond William of Egmond his Brother lord of Iselstein Who were restored by Iohn of Bauaria and afterwardes confirmed by Philip duke of Bourgongne Henry lord of Wassenare who without the resignation which he made vnto Iohn of Bauaria was vicont of Leyden Iohn of Wassenare siegneor of Woorburch his brother Henry of Borsselle lord of la Vere Arnold lord of Seuenberghe of Hemsted in Zeelād Iohn lord of Cruyninghen Henry vicont of Montfort Adrian of Borsselle lord of Brigdam Iames of Borsselle his brother William lord of Naeldwyk of Wateringhen Albert of Naeldwick his brother Phillip of Cortgeen Rutger lord of Boeaslaer of Aspren Didier lord of Henckelom Lewis of Treslon William of Holland bastard son to duke Albert to whom duke Philip gaue in Friseland the villages Schagen Baninghen Harinchuysen and
was the first sieigneor of Schagen Euerard of Holland bastard to Cont William father to the Contesse Iaqueline first lord of Hoochtwoode and his brother Lewis Iohn of Vianen siegneor of Noordeloos Didier vander Merwin Gerrard of Poelgeest siegneor of Homede gouernor of Schoonhouen Gerrard of Poelgeest his cousin Giles of Cralinghen Gerrard van Zyl Berthould of Assendelph almost all Knights Iohn vander Leck WilliaÌ„ of Egmond siegneor of Soetermeer Otto of Egmond lord of Merensteyn Gerrard of Hemsted Benthuseyn Iohn of Hodenpyl WilliaÌ„ of Langerack Iames vanden Woode Siegnior of Warment and Alcmada Adrien of Raphorst Gerrard van Vlyet Wouter of Mattenesse Herpert van Foreest Ghysbrecht van Swieten Iohn van Swieten Baliefe of Leyden Gerrard witten-Hage Frederick of Seuenter and Floris of Kishoek whereof some were Knights the rest Squiers and many Gentlemen which were too long to specifie here all valiant soldiers whereof many died in the seruice of their Prince as we shall see in the course of this Historie Among the chiefe families and nobles of Friseland were Otto of Broek Aurick and Emden Sicco Syaerda Wybrandt Hermana Sicco Liaucama Peter Campstra Aelko Campstra bretheren sonnes to Tako Douwe Tyessama Ieâ—…mer op Adeleen Sybrandt Tyaerda Wybet Walta Pibo Eelcxima Wopke In die Stedde Gerrit and Tyaert Iongama Herman Dowwema with an infinite number of other Gentlemen whom in their language they call Houelinghen which is as much to say as Courtiers An end of the 2. Booke 30 Philippus Burgund Cogn Bonus PHILIP DVKE OF BOVRGONGNE Earle of Holland and Zeeland lord of Friseland Duke of Brabant Lembourg and Luxemburg Earle of Flanders Arthois Henault and Namur Lord of Salins and Macklyn The first wife I espous'd was Lady Michell The second lady Bonne the third Isabell When the false Ganthois and the Brugeois â—…re Rebellious armes a peace with France I swore The golden Fleece I first of all deuisde Laide siege at Calais Luxembrough surprisde Subdued Liege In Holland I opprest The league of Hamecons foure and thirty yeares I raignd and Dijeon drunke my funerall teares The Argument of the third Booke PHILIP the first of that name called the good Duke of Bourgongne accompting Ihon of Bauaria Vncle to the Contesse Iaqueline was the 30. Earle of Holland c. the which he wrested 〈◊〉 the said Lady in her life time he takes reuenge of the Ganthois for abandoning him before Calais he was in great danger in Brugeâ—… who in the end were reconciled Warre betwixt the Hollanders Zelanders and the Esterlings The factions of Sceringers and Uetcoopers in Friseland Those of the Hoecks and Cabillaux reuiued in Holland warre betwixt the Duke and the Ganthois Hee disgraceth the two brothers of Brederode wrongfully to aduance Dauid his bastard to the Bishopricke of Utrecht Lewis Daulphin of France comes to the Duke for refuge who afterwards conducts him into France to bee crowned King A quarrell betwixt Arnold Duke of Geldres and Adolph his sonne who deales impiously with his father The Lord of Croy and Launoy hated of the Earle of Charolois Iohn of Koesteyn hauing vndertaken to poison the Earle of Charolois is conuicted and executed A diuision betwixt the Duke and the Earle of Charolois his sonne by reason of them of Croy but in the end reconciled King Lewis the 11. dissembles with the Duke of Bourgongne he sends Ambassadors to him which accuse the Earle of Charolois who answers them brauely A new dislike betwixt the Duke and the Earle for them of Croy. Ciuill warre in France called the warre of the Common-weale The French King and the Liegeois in league against the Duke of Bourgongne The Earle of Charolois goes with an armie against the Liegeois a peace is made Dissembling betwixt the French King and the Earle Those of Santroin and Dynant in the countrey of Liege breake the peace Dynant besieged by the Duke of Bourgongne taken and punished A second peace made betwixt the Duke and the Liegeois The Earle of Charolois marries the lady Marguerite sister to the King of England the death of Duke Philip. The arte of Printing inuented at Harlem in Holland and stolâ—…e away to Mentz PHILIP the first of that name the 30. Earle of Holland and Zeeland and Lord of Friseland sonne to Iohn Duke of Bourgongne slaine at Montereau faut-yonne was at the first Gouernor of those Prouinces as we haue said then by the death of the Lady Iaqueline Countesse of the said Prouinces he was right heire and lawfull successor both by father and mother And so was Duke of Bourgongne Brabant and Lembourg Earle of Flanders Artois Bourgongne Henault Holland Zeeland and Namur Marquis of the holy Empire and Lord of Friseland Salins and Macklyn He did afterwards purchase hauing conquered it by armes in the name of the widow of the deceased duke the duchie of Luxembourg other siegneories so as he was the mightiest Prince of all his Predecessors in the said countries Hee had to his first wife Michelle daughâ—…er to Charles the sixth king of France who dyed without children in the yeere 1422. and lyes buried at Gant Then he married Bonne or Olande daughter to the Earle of Eu by a dispensation from the Pope for that shee had beene formerly married to Philip Earle of Neuers his Vncle the which was a wonderfull faire lady and dyed also without children For his last wife he had Isabell daughter to Iohn King of Portugall Aunt to the lady Elenor who was wife to the Emperour Fredericke the third This Isabell was brought by sea into Flanders and landed at Scluse in the yeare 1430. by whom he had three sonnes the eldest at Brussels in the yeare 1431. called Anthonie who liued not long Then in the yeare 1433. an other sonne called Iosse who died also very yong The yeere following 1434 she was brought in bedde at Digeon in Bourgongne on S. Martins Eue of her third sonne called Charles Martin for that hee was borne the said day There was in this Princesse as some say some thing worthy of obseruation which was that when she tooke her leaue of her father to goe into Flanders to the Duke her spouse the father hauing giuen her his blessing said unto her that she should haue three sons whereof two which she should not nurse her selfe should be short liued as it happened to the two first and therefore shee her selfe gaue sucke vnto the last sonne Charles who after that hee was baptized was made Knight of the golden Fleece and his father gaue vnto him the Earledome of Charlois the siegneories of Bethune in Artois Chasteau-Bellam in Bourgongne and Arkell in Holland This Duke had some bastards among others Dauid bishop of Teroanâ—… and afterwards of Vtretch who did much mischiefe to them of Brederode Cornellis who died in his youth being slaine at the defeat of the Gantois before Ripelmond Anthonie Earle of Steenbergh Baldwin a Knight Philip his Admirall at sea and Iohn
hee made no great shewe to desire it for that it seemed the Liegeois would rebell againe by the perswasions of the Kings Ambassadors which hee had sent vnto them who notwithstanding answered that they durst not seeing the duke had vanquished them the last yeare and beaten downe their walles And if they should haue any such desire the accord made betwixt the King and the duke would distast them Yet notwithstanding all these difficulties the King resolued to come to Peronne hauing receiued a safe conduit from the dukes hand In the meane time the duke desirous to settle things in good order in the countrie of Liege sent their bishoppe his couzin for whome all these broyles had happened with the lord of Humbercourt his Lieutenant in that countrie with souldiars The King comming to Peronne brought no gard relying in the safegard which the duke had giuen him commanding the lord of Cordes captaine of the dukes gardes to march before him onely to conduct him The King approching neere vnto Peronne the duke went forth to meete him conducted him into the towne and lodged him in the Receyuors house which was a sayre lodging for that his was to little for them both Before this Enterueiwe or any speech thereof the Duke had sent for the army of Bourgongne being then full of Noblemen with the which came the lord of Bresse the Earle of â—…omont and the bishop of Geneua three brethren of the house of Sauoy with some Germaines bordring vpon Bourgongne and Sauoy of the country of Ferrette whome the King loued not greatly and among others the sayd lord of Bresse whome the King had detained prisoner with whome there was also the signior of Lac whome the King had also kept prisoner These foure Noblemen entred into the towne wearing redde Bourgongne crosses thinking to come time ynough to go and meete the King but they came a little to late They went all to salute the duke the lord of Bresse speaking for the rest beseeched him to take them into his protection notwithstanding the Kings comming as it had beene assured them in Bourgongne promising him to bee faithfull and to serue him against all men The duke granted their request by worde onely and thanked them The Marshall of Bourgongne of the house Neufchastell who hated the King no lesse then the other Noblemen by reason of the towne of Espinal in Lorraine which the King had sometimes giuen vnto him and afterwardes taken it away to giue it to the duke of Calabria was lodged abroad in the countrie as it had beene appointed by the duke The King beeing aduertised of the comming of these Noblemen and of the crosses of Bourgongne which they carried grewe amazed and fearefull you may see what the remorse of a guilty conscience may do in a man how mightie soeuer that hath wronged an other and sent to intreat the duke to lodge him in the castell saying that all those that were then arriued were his enemies The duke was very glad and caused the lodging which hee demanded to bee prepared assuring him vpon his word The dukes army was come about Peronne almost as soone as the King the which the duke could not countermande beeing alreadie come into Champagne when they treated of this enteruiew Yet these Princes treated as louingly of their affaires as might be Hauing spent three or foure daies in this treaty there came great newes from Liege The King comming to Peronne had forgotten those two Ambassadors which he had sent to Liege to stirre them vp against the duke wherein they wrought so well as the Liegeois hauing gathered togither a great number of souldiars went and surprized Tongree in the which they tooke their bishoppe and the lord of Humbercourt although they had a 1000. men to gard them whereof some were slaine others sauing themselues by flight left all they had there The lord of Humbercourt yeelded himselfe to a knght called William of Wilde who promised to saue his life but he could not do it for presently after hee was slaine The people ioyfull to haue their Prince prysoner and some Chanoins whom they hated put fiue of them to death and among the rest one named Robert very familiar with their bishoppe whome they did cut into many morcells casting them one at an others head in derision in the presence of their Prelate you may imagin in what feare he was of this mad inraged multitude marching to field they slue sixteene as well Chanoins as others that were faithfull seruants to the bishoppe These newes were soone brought vnto the duke by some that had seene the lord of Humbercourt and the Chanoins slaine saying also that they knewe no other wise but that the bishoppe was dead and that they had seene the French Kings Ambassadors naming them by their names The duke giuing credit to their wordes fell into a great rage and crying out that the King was come thether to deceiue him wherevpon he presently commanded the gates of the towne and castell to be shut The King seeing himselfe coopt vp in this little castell and many Archers at the port was not without feare and that which did more terrifie him hee was lodged neere vnto a great Tower whereas the Earle of Vermandois had caused one of his Predecessors Kings of France to die The duke hauing thus caused the gates to bee shut complained among his familiars among the which was Philip of Commines lord of Argenton Charles of Voisin a groome of his chamber and others without whose comfort and the counsell which they gaue him it was likely hee would haue played some bad part with the King or at the least haue lodged him in that great Tower These newes were presently dispersed throughout the whole towne and castell so as in the ende they came vnto the Kings eares who then was in greater perplexitie then euer for hee saw no meanes to escape from thence the castell gates were thus shut and garded three daies togither during the which the duke neuer came vnto the King The first day there was nothing but terror and amazement in the towne the second the duke was somewhat pacified and the third daie he held a councell most part of the daie and night The King caused some to bee delt withall who hee thought might assist him neyther did hee fayle to promise largely for hee feared those foure Noblemen which had serued him and whome hee had ill intreated beeing come with the army of Bourgongne Most of the dukes councell were of opinion that hee must keepe the sauety which he had giuen vnto the King inuiolable others maintayned flatly that they must detaine him prysoner without any ceremonie Others aduised him to send speedely for the duke his brother and to make a benificiall Peace for the Princes of France The King caused an offer to bee made that he would giue Hostage the duke of Bourbon the Cardinall his brother the Constable and
the factious disposition of the Ganthois who would not faile to attempt some newe thing against their Princesse and sti◅re vp some sedition in her Estate knowing how they had alwaies carryed themselues to their Princes and Lordes whilest that the King was before Arras there came certaine Ambassadors vnto him from the thre Estates of the sayd Princesses countries who were then assembled in the cittie of Gand for whome the Ganthois did not much care doing all things after their owne mindes and ouer-ruling their Princesse whome they detained among these Ambassadors there were also some deputies of the towne of Gand. The King heard them among other speeches they sayd that what they had propounded to his Maiesty touching a peace did proceed from the motion and will of their Princesse who in all things was resolued to gouerne herselfe by the aduice and councell of her States desyring his Maiestie to desist from making of warre as well in Bourgongne as in Arthois and that it would please him to choose a daie for a friendly treatie and that in the meane time there might bee assurance of armes The King tooke hold onelie of that which they had sayd That their Princesse would not doe any thing without the councell and aduise of the three Estates of there countries and answered them that they were ill informed for hee was well assured that shee would gouerne her affayres by priuate persons who desired not any peace and that they should bee disauowed Whereat the Ambassadors were much perplexed and like indiscreete men answered sodenly that they were verie well assured of what they sayd and that they could shewe their instruction if neede were Wherevnto some replied that if it pleased the King hee could shewe them letters written by such a hand as they would beleeue it the which did import that the Princesse would not gouerne her affaires but by foure speciall persons they answered that they were assured to the contrary Then the King shewed them a writing which the chanceller of Bourgongne and the Lord of Humbercourt had the time before brought vnto Peronne whereof part was written by the Princesse and part by the Duchesse Douager of Bourgongne widow to duke Charles deceased and Sister to King Edward of England then raigning and part of it by the hand of the lord of Rauestein brother to the duke of Cleues neere kinsman to the sayd Princesse So this letter was written by three sundrie handes although it went in the Princesses name onelie the which had beene done expresly to haue the more credit It was a letter of credit for the Chancellor and the lord of Humbercourt And moreouer the Princesse did declare that her intention was that all her affaires should bee gouerned by foure persons The sayd Ladie Douager her mother in lawe the Lord of Rauestein and the sayd Chancelor and lord of Humbercourt beseeching the King that whatsoeuer hee should please to haue managed with her might be by their hands and that he would be pleased to direct himselfe vnto them and not to confer with any other When the Ambassadors had seene this letter they were wonderfully troubled and perplexed being incensed more more by such as treated with them for the King In the end the same letter was giuen them and they had no other dispatch of importance Wherevpon they returned directly to Gand wheras they foūd their Princesse accompanied with the bishoppe of Liege and the duke of Cleues There was also William of la Marke a valiant goodly Knight but cruel il conditioned whom the bishop had taken into fauour although hee had alwayes beene enemie to him and to the House of Bourgongne holding the partie of the Liegeois to whom the Princesse had giuen 150000. Florins of the Rhin in fauour of the Bishop to reconcile him But soone after he banded against her and against the Bishop his prince hauing attempted by force and the fauour of the French King to make his sonne Bishop of Liege Afterwardes he defeated the said Bishop in battaile slue him with his owne hand and caused him to be cast into the Riuer where hee remained three dayes The Duke of Cleues was neerest vnto the Princesse hoping to make a marriage betwixt his sonne and her which seemed very fit and conuenient for many respects but his humors were not pleasing to her nor her seruants and muchlesse to her Ladyes for he had bin bred vp in that house and it may be the ordinary sight of him and the long knowledge they had had of him did him that harme The Ambassadors from the States of the Netherlands being returned out of France to Gaunt a Counsell was held and the Princesse set in her seat with these Noblemen about her to heare their report They began to charge her touching the letter aboue mentioned wherewith being suddenly mooued and in choller She answered That it was not so thinking assuredly the said letter had not beene seene Then presently the Pensioner or Orator of Gaunt who made the speech drew the sayd letter out of his bosome before all the world and gaue it her wherein hee played the part of a simple and vnciuill man to doe this publike disgrace vnto his Princesse in the presence of the Dutchesse Dowager the Lord of Rauesteyn the Chancellour and the Lord of Humbercourt They had before had some speech with the Duke of Cleues touching the marriage of his sonne which bred an alteration in them all and they beganne to enter into great diuision The Duke of Cleues had beene alwayes in hope vntill that time that the Lord of Humbercourt had fauoured this marriage But seeing this letter he found himselfe deceiued and became his enemie The Bishop of Liege loued him not nor William of la Marke for those things which had past in the cittie of Liege whereof the Lord of Humbercourt had beene Gouernor The Earle of S. Pol sonne to the Constable of France of whom wee haue spoken sufficiently before hated the Chancellour and Humbercourt to the death for that they deliuered his father at Peronne into the Kings seruants hands Those of Gaunt hated them not for any offence they had done them but only enuying their great authoritie and credite Finally the night following after that this letter had beene showne in the morning the Chancellor Hugonet and the lord of Humbercourt were committed to prison by the Ganthois notwithstanding that they were sufficiently aduertised thereof before yet could they not with all their wisedome auoyde their owne miseries as many others did who retyred themselues in time out of the Town They might well presume that their enemies aboue mentioned would helpe them forward There was taken with them William of Clugny bishop of Teroane who dyed afterwardes bishop of Poitiers all three were put together in prison Those of Gaunt obserued a certaine forme of proceeding against them the which they had not accustomed to doe in their reuenges and appointed some of
Freezland the Ganthois and Brugeois mutinue againe and keepe the King of Romaines prisoner to whose succour the Emperour Frederick his father came against whom and against the Frisons he made Albert Duke of Saxonie his generall a priuate warre in Holland a peace betwixt the Flemmings and the Arch-duke diuers Factions armed in Freezland Duke Albert seekes a quarrell against them both a peace betwixt the Arch-duke Philip of Austria and Charles the 8. the French King the Arch-duke takes possession of the Neitherlands war betwixt the Duke of Gelders the Arch-duke the Estates of Freezland held at Snâ—…cke whereof followed great wars Duke Albert obtaines of the Emperour the hereditarie gouernment of Freezland the continuance of the warre in Freezland Duke Albert slaine before Groningen the Arch-duke inherits the Realmes of Spaine by his wife Duke George of Saxonie after the death of Albert his father contiâ—…ues the warre in Freezland the Duke of Gelders reconciled to the King of Castile the death of the said King warre renewed betwixt the Geldrois and the Bourguignons MAXIMILIAN Arch-duke of Austria sonne to the Emperour Frederick was borne the 12. of March 1459. from his infancie vntill he came to be fourteene or fifteene yeares old he was of a heauie disposition and slow in speech for he grew some-what big before he could pronounce his words but being come to age hee recompenced that defect by wisedome and readinesse of speech especially in the Latin tongue Nature and the bountie of God did adorne and inrich him with so many vertues for the good of the Empire as by the iudgement of euery man he did exceed all the Christian Princes of his time in vigour viuacitie and quicknesse of spirit in domestick publike polliticke and militarie vertues in zeale to religion in bountie worthy of such a Prince and of an invincible courage as well in prosperitie as in aduersitie Hee was about 20. years old when hee married his first wife Marie Dutchesse of Bourgongne Countesse of Holland Zeeland c. By whom hee had the first yeare of their marriage one sonne named Philip who was father to Charles the fift the second yeare he had one daughter named Marquerite the which in her infancie was betrothed to Charles Dolphin of France sonne to King Lewis the 11. The third yeare he had a sonne named Francis so named by Francis Duke of Brittaine The fourth yere he dyed as we will shew in the deduction of this Historie This vertuous Prince marrying this Princesse of Bourgongne was withall wedded to great warres which we will discribe heare for that which shall concerne the Neitherlands as succinctly as wee can referring those of Italy and Germanie to Paulus Iouius Francis Guichardin and others that haue written of that subiect The French King had no care but how he should deuoure all the siegneories of this Princesse but hearing of her marriage whereon hee thought least he did somewhat moderate the least of his greedie couetousnesse He had already notwithstanding the Truce made with the Duke father to the said Lady wrested away violently all the Townes of Picardie on this side the Riuer of Some the countrie of Arthois with Tournay and Tournesis practising all hee could the Towne of Gaunt and the Flemmings beeing easie to mooue and which since gaue many crosses to the Arch-duke Maximilian It was therefore needfull for this Prince to craue the succours and means of his father and his friends in Germanie for the Neitherlandes were much vnpeopled both of their Nobilitie and of their best Commanders in warre and of common souldiers which had beene lost in those three defeates and those fewe which had remained in Picardie as the Lord of Cordes and others of the countrey of Arthois had imbraced the French Kings partie some for that their liuings lay in those Countries and others being drawne away by gifts and goodly promises The Arch duke hauing visited all the Prouinces of the Dutchesse his wife where he was well intertained and hauing receiued the oathes and hostages returned to Bruges where hee called an Assembly of all the Princes Earles Barons Knights and chiefe Gentlemen of the said Countries with the generall Estates to resolue of the best meanes and course that was to be taken to resist the attempts of the French king who did dayly seaze vppon some piece of his estate But for that hee was not yet Knighted his desire was before hee vndertooke any warre against the French to receiue the order of Knight-hood of the golden Fleece with the solemnities and Ceremonies accustomed as the good Duke Philip his wiues grand-father had instituted it Hauing therefore receiued the choller from Adolph of Cleues Lorde of Rauesteyn he held a generall Chapter of the said Order which hee renewed and added some other Knights Among the which were William of Egmond brother to Arnold Duke of Gelders father to Prince Adolph The feastes and tryumphs of this Ceremonie being ended the Arch-duke began to leuie men of all sides to expell the French out of his Territories who had already taken many places in Henault But hearing of this preparation for warre and of so great a leuie of men they left all and abandoned the countrey whether the Arch-duke went in person in a short time reduced all the countrie vnder his obedience and subiection after some light skirmishes and incounters which hee had often against the French in the which for the most part hee was victor The 22. of Iune in the yeare 1478. was borne in the cittie of Bruges Philip of Austria first child to the Arch-duke and the Lady Marie of Bourgongne which brought great ioy to all the Neitherlands giuing thanks vnto GOD that had giuen them a Prince who in time to come might gouerne them in peace and defend them against the French their naturall enemies Wee haue formerly sayd that Duke Arnold of Gelders had sold the Dutchie to Duke Charles of Bourgongne by reason of the great wrong which Prince Adolph his sonne had done him by his imprisonment wherof Duke Charles had taken possession in the life time of Duke Arnold But after the death of Duke Charles of Prince Adolph who was slaine as we haue said before Tournay the Geldrois did reuolt especially the Townes of Numeghen and Zutphen with their dependances The children of Prince Adolph were at that time bred vp in the Court of Bourgongne wherevpon the Geldrois sent for the Lady Katherine of Gelders sister to prince Adolph to come and gouerne the countrie the which she did which was the cause of great warre betwixt the house of Bourgongne and the Geldrois The Arch-duke Maximilian hauing reconquered the Countrie of Henault he marched with his troupes towards the Contrie of Gelders hee came to Ruremond where hee was receiued and at Venlo also and in all the quarters there abouts then he returned into Flanders went to Gaunt to set things in order In the Meane time
Companions remember Koeborch where our men were all murthered or hanged which they hearing fell vpon these poore prisoners and killed them all in cold bloud In the same yeare 1528. in September some Collonels brought two thousand Spanish souldiars out of Spaine who through contrary windes and great tempests were almost sixe monethes at sea hauing refresht themselues a while they were sent for a supplie to the Emperors men which made warre in Geldres At the same time the duke of Geldres gathered togither certaine men at Ruremonde Venloo and the Villages there abouts making fiue companies of the which Henry van Wyssche was Collonell sending them into the Mairie of Boisleduke to wast it Tâ—…yerry Barron of Batenbourg was then in Boisleduke Lieutenant to the Earle of Buren who hearing that the Geldrois were so neere him gathered togither some foote men out of the neere garrisons and hauing armed all the countrie-men went to charge the Geldrois whome hee defeated beeing all in a manner slaine or taken prisoners so as there returned fewe to their houses for they were pursued euen to the bankes of the riuer of Meuze where many were drowned Those of Boisleduke tooke many harguebuzes a crock many ladders and hardels to passe ouer the ditch leuers of iron which they call goates-feete and cords to binde the poore peasants and to carry them away prisoners They had also great store of victualls and munition meaning to make some stay there for the doing of some exploite but the chance turned These newes being come to Ruremonde there was great lamenting poore women for their husbands and children for their fathers At the same time that the Emperours army did rise from before Tyel the Barron Schenck hauing surprised the towne of Zutphen some Geldrois that were there in armes to repulse him were slaine The souldiars that were within Tyel during the siege had beene before in the castell of Hattem when it was yeelded by composition and had sworne not to carry armes for one month against the Emperor these soldiars came to Megen and made a fort within the towne whilest that the garrison was gone forth to conuoy certaine wagons laden with wine which the Geldrois had appointed to goe to Os and Nieulant those of Boisleduke sent the Earle of Burens troupe with a hundred horse to cut them off and withal to dislodge them from Megen but without any stay they abandoned the place flying away with their booty the prisoners they had taken there abouts The same yeare in May was burnt the goodly village of Scherpenisse in the Island of Tolen in the territory of Saint Martins dyke in Zeeland In the same yeare those of Franc and Bruges set out some ships of warre against the French among the which there were some of Zeeland Being at sea there was a ship of Scluse in Flanders which had her maine mast carried ouer-bord with a cannon shot before Deepe The Diepois seeing this went out of their hauen and pursued this shippe thinking to take it but the Admirall of the Flemings behaued himselfe so valiantly as he preserued his owne ship and sunke the chiefe of the French ships which they sayd was the Admirall of Deepe where there perished many gentlemen and Bourgeses of Deepe the other Frenchmen seeing this left the Flemings in peace who returned victors to Scluse Whilst that the Emperors men were thus busied in the country of Geldres some Burgeses of Vtrecht assembled secretly togither to prouide for the good of the poore commons who they did see so opprest by the Geldrois soldiars that were there in garrison as it was not possible to endure them any longer These good Burgeses imbracing the oportunity of the Earle of Maeurs absence who was Lieutenant to the duke of Geldres and Collonel of those soldiars who was gone to fetch money they consulted by what meanes they might drawe in the Bishops men who was the naturall Lord of that towne Some of them went to Amersfort to conferre with the Bishoppe who was much amazed and exceeding glad and for that hee would loose no occasion he gaue them William Turc with his company and part of the garrison of Vaert beeing in all foure enseignes the which all togither made a stand vpon the Black water vntill they had newes of the Intelligences which they had within the towne of Vtrecht most of the garrison beeing then runne for the pillage into the quarter of Goyland where they tooke great spoyles At their returne the Bishops men hauing cut off their passage incountred them and defeated them and tooke their bootie from them with many prisoners In this manner the Bishoppes men staying vntill the next daie kept all from passing to giue them aduertisement in the towne The next morning at the opening of the porte a woman went forth with a basket on her arme who gaue notice vnto the Bishoppes men that the soldiars of the towne had most of them left the gard and were gone to sleepe and therefore when as Saint Iames his clock did strike they might approach boldly and that they should finde all things prepared to giue them entrie vnto the towne So the second of Iulie in the yeare 1528. the Bishops men came to the port which they found wide open so as many entred The watch which stood in sentinell vpon the port perceyuing this let downe the Portcullies but presently fiue or sixe men of Vaert with Axes and Hatchets cut in sunder the beames so as the soldiars entred with the Horsemen and marched into the towne without any Incounter or let vntill they came to the Friars where some Geldrois soldiars beeing gathered togither thought to repulse them but it was in vaine for the Bishoppes men were to strong for them who slue foure and twenty of those Geldrois and tooke three hundred and fifty prisoners The Earle of Maeurs who was returned the day before was taken prisoner with some others who by the treaty of peace were afterwardes set free The soldiars which had the gard of the gates fled and so did some Burgeses partisans to the Geldrois The banished men of the towne which had alwaies held the Bishops partie returned with him before the conclusion of the peace there were twelue chiefe men of the town executed by Iustice and two Chanoins put into a sack cast into the riuer The Bishop had put more to death if the Earle of Hochstraten who came that day from Vianen had not preuented the mischiefe The soldiars spoyled al the houses of the Geldrois partisans breaking open dores and windoes and taking vp the flowers and planchers of houses to see if there were no money hidden where they found much doing moreouer great outrages vnto the Burgeses Notwithstanding the towne of Vtrecht was thus happely deliuered from the oppressions and extorsions of the Geldrois soldiars For if they had continued there longer it was to be feared that the towne had beene besieged and that it
The Dukes men were diuided to goe to Nymegen and Zutphen hoping to recouer by some Intelligence within the Townes but they were so well entertayned by the Inhabitants and soldiars as they were forced to retire with shame The Duke much discontented that hee could not preuaile ouer these Townes sent his horsmen into the quarter of the Veluwe to ruine the peasants and to spoile the country What doth a Prince get in ruining his owne subiects through wilfullnes to make him selfe poore he sent his Deputies to the aboue named townes to know the reasons why they ruined his Castells who answered that they did acknowledge him for their Prince and Lord and that they desired no other so long as hee liued And for the Castells which they had beaten downe that it had not beene for any other reason but that they feared they should haue bene forced to receiue in the French by them and to take an oth to the French King the which they were not resolued to do But during his life they would not acknowledge any other and that hee being dead they would receiue him for their Lord that had most right This remayned a while in suspence not long after hee sent his Comissioners againe to these Townes to command them to pay him his reuenues and that they send their Deputies with them of the Townes to Arnhem where hee was resolued to hold an Assembly of his States they answered that they were not resolued to paie him any thing vntill that hee discharged his horsmen and sent them out of the Country These Townes hauing beene long thus in bad tearmes with their Prince and that sometimes their soldiars fell vppon the Dukes men who ouerunne the Veluwe ill intreating the poore countrymen in the end by the meanes of some Noblemen an Accord was made about the end of December betwixt the Duke and the Townes after the which the Country of Gelders and the Country of Zutphen were at rest vntill the Dukes death About the end of this yeare the Lady Issabella Empresse was deliuered of a second sonne in Spaine called Iohn whereof there was great ioy in the Netherlands hoping to haue a particular Prince but hee died in Aprill following The second of Iuly in the yeare 1538. Charles of Egmont Duke of Gelders died beeing 71. yeares old hauing gouerned and molested his Country for the space of thirty six yeares Hee was the cause through his violence that the Prouince of Friseland the Diocesse of Vtrecht the Towne of Groninghen and the Ommelands came vnder the Emperors obedience the which he might easily haue preserued for himselfe if he had not continuallie ouercharged the people with new exactions by the which he lost the hearts of men This prince was of a turbulent spirit and a great louer of Innouations Being dead William duke of Cleues came into Gelders where he was honoubly receiued and sollemnly put in possession of the said Duchie and of the Country of Zutphen The 13. of September in the same yeare 1538. Henry Earle of Nassau father to William prince of Orange died in his Castell of Breda eight daies after hee had feasted the Queene of Hongarie Gouernesse of the Netherlands with great Pompe In February 1539. died Iohn Duke of Cleues to wome William his sonne succeeded who was Duke of Cleues Iulliers and Bergh Earle of La Marck and Rauensbourg Lord of Rauensteyn c. and heiâ—…e to the Ducthy of Gelders by the death of Duke Charles of Egmont The 17. of August the Ganthois began to mutine the companies of trades and occupations assembled togither in their seuerall halles and then they went to armes seeking to extort many things from the great Bayliffe and from the Magistrate of the Towne They committed many of the Court of Flanders to prison and among others one Lieuin Pin whome vppon their owne motion and authoritie they caused to be publikely beheaded The 25. of September the Bayliffe Bourgmaister the Secretary of the towne of Maestricht in a great popular tumult were all three massackred The 24. of October died Floris of Egmont the first Earle of Buren in his castell of Buren Maximilian his sonne Lord of Iselstein succeeded him whose daughter and onely heire William of Nassau Prince of Orange tooke to his first wife of which marriage are issued Philip of Nassau at this day Prince of Orange and the Lady Mary of Nassau widow to Count Philip of Hohenlo The thirty of the sayd month the Earle of Roeux entred into Gant hauing giuen them to vnderstand in the Emperors name that they should hold their lawes rights and accustomed preuiledges And the tenth of December the Emperour trusting to the French Kings word and safe-conduit parted from Spaine to come by land into the Netherlands through France The Prince Daulphin and the duke of Orleans the Kings sonnes were to receiue him at the foote of the Pyrenee Mountaines who conducted him to Paris Hee was receiued with great State in all townes where he passed with acclamations and great shewes of â—…oye hoping that his comming should bee a confirmation of a perpetuall peace Approching neere vnto Paris the King went to meete him beeing accompanied with all his Princes and Noblemen and 1500. gentlemen all richly appointed The Marchants did him all the honour they could comming to the Lovure his reception was great and stately by the King and Queene the Emperors sister Hauing taken his leaue of the King and Queene hee was conducted by the Daulphin and many Princes and Noblemen to Valenciences the first towne in Henalt whereas the Lady Mary Queene of Hungary went to receiue him from whence they went to Brusselles where hee arriued the nineteene of February 1540. In the beginning of the sayd moneth of â—…ebruary died that valiant captaine George Schenck Baron of Tautenbourg knight of the order of the golden fleece Gouernor of the countries of Friseland and Groningen in whose place succeeded to the same Gouernment Maximilian of Egmont Earle of Buren Lord of Iselsteyn The second day of Aprill died in the citty of Gant Anthony of Lalain Earlâ—… of Hoochstraten after that hee had beene eighteene yeares Gouernor of Holland Zeeland c. to whome succeeded Rene of Chalons Prince of Orange Earle of Nassau and Lord of Breda The Emperour beeing arriued at Brusselles hearing the many complaints that were made vnto him of the rebellion of the Ganthois hee parted from Busselles with foure thousand men towardes Gant comming neere the towne the Magistrates went to meete him and brought him into the towne with great honour During his aboad hauing beene dulie informed of all matters hee caused many Bourgeses to be apprehended and among others the great deane who was a carpenter by his trade the chiefe motiue of this rebellion Their Processe being made finished nine of the chiefe were beheaded and the Burgeses were forbidden to carry any kniues vnlesse the pointes of them
end there came into the saide towne many gentlemen Prelats deputies and orators of townes to be at the assembly which should bee the twenty fiue of Nouember At what time there came to court Maximilian King of Bohemia Sonne to King Ferdinand and William Duke of Cleues his brother in law to whome the Emperor before his departure gaue three goodly horses out of his Quiry The two and twenty of Nouember in the after noone the Emperor had sent for all the Knights of the Order of the goulden fleece to come to Court in whose presence hauing King Phillip his Sonne by him hee pulled the Coller of the said order of the fleece from his owne necke and put it about the King his Sonnes saying See my Sonne I doe now make you head and soueraigne of the Noble order of the golden fleece keepe it and maintaine it in the like dignity and honor that I my father and all my Prodecessors haue kept and maintained it GOD giue you the grace withall happinesse and increase the which hee spake with teares in his eyes Then turning to all the Knights of the order hee said Princepe hijo Prince my Sonne doe you see all these Noblemen here present These are the cheefe and most faithfull seruants that I haue had which haue beene the proppe and support of mine Empire and by them haue I vanquished and ouergone so many perrilles and dangers for which respect I haue alwaies loued them entierly If you doe the like I assuer my selfe they will carry you the like affection and obedience and will neuer abandon you at any need But if you intreat them otherwise they wil be the cause of the losse and ruine of your estate wherefore loue and honor them This was done in the great Hall of the Pallace at Brusselles which was furnished and hanged with ancient Tapistrie of the house of Bourgongne conteyning the Institution of the order of the golden fleece made in silke gold and siluer the which the Netherlands had in former times giuen vnto the Duke of Bourgongne At the end of the Hall was a rich royall throne with a low chaier with a backe and a cuission of cloth of gold where the Emperor was set and a skreene behind him before the fire The 25. of that month being the day of the Assignation all the deputies of the states and townes of the Netherlands came to Court euery one armed withful power authority as they had bin commanded to appeere except they of the towne of Louuaine who answered that they were not bound to go to any place to receiue and giue possession to a Duke of Brabant but that according to their ancient preuiledges which they had held aboue 500. yeares the future duke must first come to the towne of Louuaine and there take his oth then be receued there which priuiledge they would mainteine should bee entertained and kept Notwithstanding after many perswasions they appeared with the rest vpon protestation and preseruation of their rights The States that is to say the Dukes Princes Earles Barons Nobles Prelates and Deputies of Townes being assembled in the said great hall of the Pallace the Queene caused all Spaniards as well Officers as others of what qualitie soeuer to depart so as there remained not any one but those that had to doe and were called to this sollemne Acte The Emperor leaning vpon the prince of Oranges shoulder king Philip going on the side of him all the Princes of the order marching before him Being set downe in his seat King Philip did sit on his right hand foure or fiue foote behinde him and Queene Mary the Gouernesse on the left hand then did the Princes Noblemen Prelates and other deputies of States sit downe euery one according to his degree First they of Brabant so all the rest euery one in his ranke This done the first vsher of his Maiesties councell called all the States one by one in order whom hee demanded if they had sufficient procurations where-vnto was answered by the councellors or ◅rators of euery one with a lowd voice and a great reuerence that I. Where-vpon Philibert of Brussels Orator to the Emperor made a long oration in the French tongue in the name of his Imperiall Maiesty as followeth My Maisters besides that the Emperor our Soueraigne Lord and gracious Prince hath by his letters sent for you this day whereby you may partly gesse to what end this assembly doth tend yet his Imperiall maiesty hath cōmanded me to say vnto you That hauing had the charge and gouernment of these countries many yeares the which fell vnto him by inheritance in his tender age since which time he hath constantly perseuered to maintaine the publick quiet as much as he could possibly Towards whom he hath made many painfull and dangerous voyages abandoning his other countries and realmes And as well absent as present hath alwaies endeuored and beene carefull to haue you gouerned in all good order and iustice entertainment of your rights and priuiledges and all other things wher-vnto a good and louing prince is bound according vnto the fatherly affection which he hath alwaies shewed you the which he did inherit with the p◅trimonie of his predecessors following therein the path which they had made him in the loue and affection which you haue alwaies borne him the which hee hath made manifest by so many toiles and labours to ente◅taine you still in your duties that he hath not spared the hazard of his owne person the which hee holds well imploid hauing done it for such faithfull dutifull a◅d obedient subiects as hee knoweth you to be wherein he would desire to continue the remainder of his life if he could possibly any longer beare the toiles and troubles which he hath past And although his heart and will be still good yet age and the weaknesse of his person broken with forepassed toiles exceeds and maisters his good desires By reason whereof considering the estate wherevnto you see his person now reduced hee is resolued to abandon this burthen and seeking some rest to commit another in his place that may continue as he hath begone And as it is now twelue yeares past that his realmes of Spaine haue not seene him and that they haue greatly desired his comming whom he could not as yet so much gratifie as to visit them that now hee desired to settle his affaires and to prouide for his health the which begins greatly to decay by reason of this cold climate the ayre of Spaine being much more agreeable and healthfull for him and therefore hee is resolued with the helpe of GOD to passe this next Winter into these countries as well as he may And to substitute his deere sonne his onely heire and your Lord and lawfull Prince for that in truth it would trouble him much that after his retreate in his absence by reason of the tediousnesse of the way and length of time
spent in occurrents to receiue aduises and commandements from Spaine these countries for want of preuoyance should fall into some bad inconuenience One thing there is that comforts him in this his departure from you That hee leaues you vnder the gouernment of the King our Lord here present his onely sonne and naturall heire whom you haue accepted and also giuen your oth who is of ripe yeares and allied the second time vnto the Queene of England the which is an alliance very profitable for these countries besides that hee hath long had the gouernment of many realmes and prouinces wherefore he is the more capable of this charge with the good helpe counsell and support of you my masters his faithfull vassals and subiects who may supply the place of his imperiall Maiestie giuing thankes vnto God who hath giuen him meanes so to prouide and to preuent the inconueniences which might otherwise haue happened to one that had beene young of yeares and not capable of so great a gouernment knowing the king not onely sufficient but also endued with a desire and affection to maintaine you and to employ himselfe for the good of these countries whom hee hath resolued to inuest in all his prouinces and realmes one after another as he hath not long since begun that by little and little he may inure himselfe to beaâ—…e this burthen the which he shall doe more easily than if at one instant so great a chaâ—…ge should fall vpon him before that he had beene acquainted with it According to this dâ—…rmination his imperiall Maiestie trusting that for these reasons you will like thereof and that for the loue of him you will willingly accept in his place the King our Lord and Prince his Maiestie doth now with ioy giue ouer these countries resigning them generally into the hands of the king his sonne leauing vnto him from this day forward the full and absolute possession thereof as hereafter by his death should lawfully fall vnto him by succession to administer rule and gouerne as his owne proper and patrimoniall inheritance entreating you â—…arnestly to receiue him willingly and cheerefully And according thereunto he doth quit free and absolue you of your oath of fealtie and homage which heretofore you haue made vnto his imperiall Maiestie that you may take the same vnto the king at the reception of your estates and offices holding him hereafter for your prince and soueraigne lord His imperiall Maiestie doth also entreat you most louingly to take in good part the loue and affection which by the effects he hath shewed you hauing omitted no trauell nor care belonging to his dutie with the good aduice and assistance of those that haue beene seruiceable vnto him and namely of my lady the queene his sister who hath employed all her studie and paines therein and vnder-gone many a long and painfull iourney being sorry that he could not assist them as he desired confessing that hee hath had good and loyall subiects who for their parts haue giuen him all faithfull assistance and dutifull obedience His imperiall Maiestie doth also thanke you for the succours which you haue giuen him in all his great and weightie affaires as with your good counsels and meanes hauing supplyed him at sundry times with many and great summes of money the which with those of his other Prouinces and Realmes which haue beene very great you know haue beene employed for the good and preseruation of these countries being exceeding sorry that after so great toyle trauell and charge hee hath not the meanes to free you from this warre neyther are you ignorant of his endeauors therein wherewith the queene his sister hath acquainted you in the last assembly and what hath past at the ouertures of peace and vpon what tearmes the French were resolued notwithstanding he hopeth that God who is a iust and righteous Iudge will one day giue him meanes to bring them vnto reason And that the king our prince will seeke all meanes to defend and maintaine you hoping that you will alâ—…o ay de him as you haue euer done his imperiall Maiestie vnto this day seeing that all tendeth to your preseruation to repell the danger and to repaire the mischiefe which warre may breed His imperiall Maiestie entreateth you that you will shew your selues somewhat bountifull in your owne affaires and need as for him he will giue him meanes to entertaine him honestly in his estate and to be able to arme against his enemies how great and mightie soeuer they be by whom through want of succour and helpe you may fall into great disasters the which by your good assistance may be auoided hee helping you therein all that he can Moreouer his Maiestie cannot otherwise doe but before his departure for your owne good and honour admonish and recommend the holy seruice of God vnto you vnder the obedience and reuerence due to our Mother the holy Church and to keepe and entertaine inuiolably the Edicts thereupon made by his imperiall Maiestie it is the point which he doth commaund and especially recommend vnto the king that hee may haue an especiall regard and care thereon whereunto bee you also the more enclined by the example of others that haue made the way to the end that doing your best endeauours towards him he may striue to doe you good and deliuer you from the oppression of your enemies That you also beare all honor and reuerence vnto Iustice that for want thereof humane societie and the common profit be not lost but that thereby you may liue in peace and concord with a carefull regard that the countries be no otherwise seperated nor diuided than the members from the body euery one helping and succouring one another according to his office and function by which vnion not only the enemie shall be kept from annoying you but you shall liue together ioyfully in rest tranquilitie experience hauing taught how well these countries could defend themselues vnto this day against all them that would offer them violence Finally he recommends vnto you the honor respect reuerence and obedience which you owe vnto the king our soueraigne prince and so to carry your selues towards him as you haue done hitherto to his imperiall Maiestie his affection to you being as sincere as can be desired giuing him occasion to continue so still and that he may bee a mild and gentle prince to you seeing that in viewing his life past we may iudge of his inclination to whom God giue his grace and fortifie him for the encrease of his estate and your defence and preseruation This speech being ended the Emperor began to speake as if he would confirme that which the Orator of Brussels had said whereupon the king rose stood neere his father who spake French the better to vnderstand what he would verbally declare The Emperor then said That he had forty yeares since in the same place been emancipated by the Emperour Maximilian his grandfather and put in
possession of those countries since which time he had run through many fortunes and endured great trauell as well in Spaine to embrace the affaires of queene Iane his mother and the gouernment of her kingdomes as of other Estates and as the said Emperor Maximilian died soone after foreseeing the dissention that might ensue if the Empire should fall into some rigorous strangers hand desiting the quiet and prosperitie of those countries he procured the imperiall dignitie whereunto by the grace of God he attained He shewed also how many troublesome long painefull and dangerous voiages he had made in passing and repassing the sea as well into Spaine as into Italy to the great perill of his person and namely in the voyages of Barbarie to Tunis and Alger He shewed also into what danger he had willingly thrust himselfe passing through Fraunce to preuent the inconueniences and troubles that were like to grow in the Netherlands the which he had alwayes in singular recommendation And as they had alwayes beene to him and he had found them his good subiects seruants and faithfull vassals so he entreated them to be the like vnto his sonne into whose hands considering his age and weakenesse hee resigned all those countries In speaking those words hee shewed such passion as that sighes interrupted his speech the teares trickling downe his cheekes the which were accompanied with the like by some others then hauing a little taken breath hee tooke his spectacles and looking vpon a little remembrance which hee had in his hand hee said That his sight and memorie were not so good as they had beene and that he felt himselfe to decline and to grow weake hourely vnable to endure the trauell that was requisite for the preseruation of the countrey and of them all the which did moue him chiefely to returne into Spaine and not to prolong his life the which he referred into the hands of God In the end he entreated them to continue in the Christian Religion as they had done vntill then and likewise to obserue Iustice remaining friends and vnited together Whereunto God the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost giue you his grace These words of the Emperor did moue the hearts of many noblemen which loued him who seeing him in this anguish of mind tooke pitie of him that being so mighty a Monarch hee could not shew the sincere affection which hee bare vnto his subiects but by effusion of teares After these words king Philip went to his seat and sat him downe Then stood vp doctor Mars an eloquent Orator of the towne of Antuerpe chosen to that end by the deputies of the States who hauing made a great reuerence to the Emperor King and both Queenes he made answer in the name of them all to the speech which the Counsellor of Brussels had made in the Emperors name and to that which his imperiall Maiestie had deliuered with his owne mouth saying as followeth Most mightie Emperour we know that your imperiall Maiesty hath so many yeares ruled and gouerned this Estate carefully and religiously with the great and infinite toyles which your imperiall Maiesty hath endured in many accidents as well in the countries realmes of your obedience as others as by your Orator and your owne discourse hath beene related and how great weightie and vrgent affaires your Maiestie hath had in what place soeuer yet the loue and fatherly affection which you haue alwaies borne to these your countries of inheritance and to the subiects thereof hath beene such as you haue neuer failed to giue them succours and comfort in time and season the which duly and exactly considered we find that your Maiesty is wel and wisely aduised as proceeding from a good zeale and affection to that you haue now propounded Wherefore the nobles prelates and deputies of the towne here present representing all the States in generall of these Netherlands although it bee a sword which wounds them vnto the heart to heare of your Maiesties departure yet desiring to conforme themselues in all things to your good will and pleasure doe first humbly and heartely thanke your imperiall Maiestie for the great honour bounty succours and defence which by the approued rule and gouernment of your imperiall Maiestie they haue heretofore felt and tasted euery one being ready by the vertue and full power giuen him by his commission to consent irreuocably and with all obedience to the said cession transport or resignation made by your imperiall Maiestie in such forme and manner as by right is requisite of all these Netherlands to the behoofe and profit of my lord the king here present whom from henceforth we doe aduow and acknowledge as our naturall prince and lord the lawfull sonne and onely heire of your imperiall Maiestie being ready to renew the oth which heretofore in the yeare 1549 we made vnto him with all other necessarie duties vsuall in the like case giuing immortall thankes vnto God for this great fauour which he hath done vnto your imperiall Maiestie and to vs to haue giuen you such a sonne the sole and only heire of so many kingdomes and prouinces whilest you are yet in good health whom wee receiue generally and cheerefully acknowledging him for our prince and soueraigne lord of all these countries giuing and submitting all our persons and goods vnder his royall protection and fatherly care promising to obey him in all equitie and to bee seruiceable vnto him for euer praying the Almightie God to maintaine him with all prosperity a long and a happy life in the possession of so many kingdomes and seigniories and to graunt vnto his imperiall Maiesty his holy long and perdurable blessings and after this life eternall rest The which God the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost graunt you Amen The next day about nine of the clocke in the morning the deputies of the dutchie of Brabant were sent for to come to Court whereas king Philip before them of Antuerpe Brussels and Boisleduc together with the small townes and botoughes hauing the priuiledge of towns made and renewed the oath which he had taken at his ioyfull entrie the eight of Iuly in the yeare 1549 To keepe them maintaine them and preserue them in their ancient rights priuiledges and customes without breaking them or suffering them to be broken in any sort or manner Whereupon the deputies of the three chiefe townes of the said dutchie of Brabant that is to say Antuerpe Brussels and Boisleduc seeing that Louaine would not appeare as we haue said but by protestation did also take the oath of fealtie and homage vnto him acknowledging him for their lord and duke of Brabant with the solemnities and ceremonies vsuall in the like case wishing him much happinesse encrease of his estates and long life About that time ended the imperiall Diet held at Ausbourg whereas king Ferdinand did preside in the Emperours name in the which after long strife and debate there was concluded That
hauing assembled certaine gentlemen and others thereabouts set vpon foure companies of Netherlanders that were entred too farre within the countrey thinking to be seconded by the English men that were gone into their ships vpon the newes of the French mens comming and slew and tooke many of them prisoners whereupon they returned home againe with their ships without any further enterprise or that any man could certainely learne what their pretence was In the moneth of August both the kings of Spaine and France assembled their powers notwithstanding that the prince of Orange secretly parlyed with the constable of Fraunce and the marshall of Saint Andrewes as then prisoners concerning a peace And vpon the one and twentieth of August king Philip went vnto his armie as then being about Dorlens being thirtie thousand foot and foureteene thousand horse-men amongst the which were many high Dutch vnder the conduct of Ericke and Ernest dukes of Brunswicke the duke of Holst the earles of Wartstenborgh Mansfield Rennenbergh and others and besides Emanuel Philibert duke of Sauoy lieutenant generall for the king there was the duke of Parma and Plaisance the duke of Seminara the prince of Sulmona the duke of Arry the earles of Palicastro Bagin and Landi and the lord Ascanio de Cornia and of Spanish noble men there was the dukes of Alua Arcos Francauilla and Vilhermosa the marques of Balanga and Aquillar the earles of Fonsalida and Melito of Netherlanders there was William van Nassaue prince of Orange Lanioral earle of Egmont the duke of Arschot the marques of Bergen and Renti the earles of Horne Arenbergh Bossu Megen Ligni Teux and Hooghstrate the barons of Montigni Barlaymont Glayon and others The king of France also had assembled a mightie armie about Pierrepont most consisting of Dutch men Swissers and some Italians the Dutch men alone were 8000 horse-men to the which armie Henry king of France vpon the eight of August came thither in person accompanied with the king of Nauarre the duke de Montpensier the duke of Guise the kings lieutenant generall the duke of Lorraine Neuers Nemours Aumale and Boullion all French men The strangers were Hans William duke of Saxon second sonne to Hans Frederick the elector the duke of Lunenbourgh one of the Lantgraue of Hessens sonnes the princes of Ferrara and Salerne the duke of Somnia and diuers other marquesses earles and barons which would bee ouer long to rehearse and with this armie marched to Amyens and there past ouer the riuer of Some and incamped themselues not farre from the Burguignons that lay strongly incamped along by the riuer of Authie where many skirmishes were giuen betweene both those armies but the French men still remembring the two ouerthrowes that they had receiued not long before lay strongly intrenched and durst not venter to the hazard of a battaile for that the great power of those two kings on both sides that were there in person made them both lye still and to haue regard of their owne safeties and considering the great hurt that they might do each vnto the other if they had entred into battail and that on the other side their greatest powers consisted most of strange nations it made both the kings the rather to hearken vnto a peace and to that end by both their consents there was a place appointed for to meet in which was the abbey of Corcampe not farre from thence And to intreat of the said peace in October there appeared for the king of Spaine the duke of Alua the prince of Orange Rigomes de Silua Anthony Perrenot bishop of Arras and doctor Vigilius Swichem president and for the king of Fraunce the cardinall of Lorraine Annade Montmorancy constable of France Iaques de Albon marshall of Saint Andrewes that paying ransome were both released of their imprisonment Iohn de Moruilliers bishop of Orleans and Claude de Aubespine secretarie and with those deputies as allied on both sides there sat the duchesse of Lorraine with her sonne the young duke the meane time vpon hope of a peace both the kings began to lessen their armies and to seperate them one from the other and in the moneth of Nouember discharged diuers of their men And while the deputies were in treatie and had almost agreed vpon a mariage betweene the king of Fraunce his eldest daughter and Don Charles prince of Spaine and betweene the king of France his sister and the duke of Sauoy and thought verily to fall to an agreement nothing wanting but to content the queene of England who by her embassadours much pressed them to haue Calis restored vnto her againe without the which king Philip also would hearken to no peace It happened that queene Mary the kings wife died without issue vpon the seuenteenth of Nouember in the yeare 1558 after that shee had raigned fiue yeares and odde monethes whereby the said peace was prolonged off for the space of two moneths after This yeare vpon the first of Februarie queene Elenor Dowager of France and Portugal died in Spaine And vpon the 18 of October after died Mary queene of Hongary that had been regent in the Netherlands and one that greatly esteemed of that countrey who vnwillingly departed from thence but yet would not seeme to displease the emperour her brother that was in great care least she would haue taken too much vpon her in the Netherlands which might dislike the king his son wherunto such as were chiefe rulers vnder the king of Spaine were great soliciters least they should be troubled with any contradicters The emperour Charles the fifth likewise died the same yeare vpon the 21 of September being S. Mathews day in the couent of S. Iust of a hot burning feuer in the eight and fiftieth yere of his age after he had been thirtie six yeres emperour and fortie yeares king of Spaine Some write that when hee lay in his death bed by meanes of some admonition giuen him by the archbishop of Toledo or by that which he before had heard in Germany he acknowledged that hee hoped for his saluation onely by the death and passion of our Sauiour Iesus Christ and by no other meanes according to the opinion of the reformed Church This emperour Charles was a man of middle stature well proportioned of bodie and limmes faire faced high foreheaded friendly of countenance somewhat browne eyed high nosed his mouth somewhat gaping which he tooke from the Bourguignon princes and kings of France and a faire beard his haire browne both a good horse and foot-man familiar friendly speaking many languages in his youth sound of body of complexion sanguine which beeing mixed with melancholy bloud made him wise and politique but withall very suspitious and griple and in his aged daies salt flegmaticke humors falling into his pores caused him to be mild that so tempered his bloud and choler within him that he could master and ouercome his wrath and hastinesse He was in truth a religious deuout mightie
obtaine at that time The magistrat of Antuerpe was in the meane time in great perplexitie by reason of the cessation of traffique other inconueniences which they feared doubting also that the reception of a bishop would bring in with it the Inquisition of Spain On the one side they were importuned by the commons to maintaine them in their priuiledges liberties rights and on the other side they were prest by the court to vse their best means to instal the bishop without any inconuenience as the rest had bin admitted in other townes To satisfie both the one and the other they gaue the court of Brussels to vnderstand at large by writing the dangers inconueniences that were to be feared by this new episcopal election in a town of so great traffique so greatly peopled and frequented by diuers forein nations for that they feared chiefly that the Inquisition was hidden vnder it wherewith they had promised them they should neuer be troubled nor molested To the which answer was made by an apostile the 23 of Ianuary 1562 that they meant not to bring in the Inquisition nor to preiudice them in any thing but rather to fauor them notwithstanding they would send their request into Spaine to the king whereunto answer was made by the king conformable to the said apostile of the court at Brussels But the magistrat finding that the merchants and burgesses were so troubled as it seemed the apparent ruine of the towne was at hand by some tumult and popular sedition they addressed themselues againe to the Gouernesse who sent them as before vnto the king Whereupon they sent the seignior Godfrey Sterck Ampiman of the towne and the seigniors of Vâ—…ssel and Wezebeeck into Spaine vnder pretext of some other affaires least their passage should be prohibited deputies for them vnto the king doing their best indeuors in the meane time to contain the merchants bourgesses common people in their duties Being arriued in Spaine hauing deliuered their charge by mouth vnto the K. himself and presented their instructions by writing the same answer was made vnto them that before as well by mouth as afterwards by writing Wherupon the said deputies shewed vnto the K. that the people murmured that by the popes buls the Inquisition lay hidden vnder this episcopall introduction and that they could not otherwise persuade the marchants both naturall borne and strangers whereon vndoubtedly depended the totall ruine of this rich florishing town with many other reasons to that purpose beseeching his Maiestie to giue them leaue to stay so long in his court vntill they might vnderstand their minds to see if there were any meanes to satisfie his Maiesties intention and to maintaine the towne in her estate the which was granted them Whereupon they informed the magistrat counsell of Antuerp who hauing seen what their deputies did write vnto them did charge them with new instructions according to the which they shewed again the inconuenience which by this introduction of a bishop might happen in the said towne alledging some meanes whereby it seemed they might satisfie the K. intention not put this innouation in effect And for the last remedy they besought his Maâ—…that it would please him to make one bishop for all Brabant holding his residence at Louuaine who shold haue no more iurisdiction in Antuerp than their diocesan the bishop of Cambray had had the which request the deputies did also exhibit in writing But hearing that as in the former they should be sent back vnto the Netherlands to be ordered according to their instruction they besought his Maiestie that in that case it would please him to take the aduice of the knights of the order of the counsellors and states of Brabant with other prouinces But notwithstanding any instance they could make in 5 moneths they could haue no other answere In the meane time the Amptman hauing bin some time sick recouered againe after that he had receiued a verball assurance from the K. own mouth That the town of Antuerpe should not be charged with the Inquisition he departed with his Maiesties leaue returned to Antuerpe The like was said long after vnto the two other deputies in the end they were dismissed the 2 of August 1563 with an apostile That his Maiestie for good respects would for a time surcease his matter of Antuerp as in truth it was vntil the yeare 1564. In the meane time these great alterations and discontentments increased howerly in the Netherlands as well against the cruel persecutions of them of the religion as against the bishops the Inquisition so as nothing could be expected but extrcame desolation pitifull massacres if they were not preuented in time This businesse was propounded in the counsel of state at Brussels whereas the gouernors of prouinces the knights of the order laid open plainly vnto the duchesse of Parma Gouernesse president of the counsel al the difficulties dangers that might ensue which they hauing well considered of they found that all these inconueniences did partly grow for that the king was not duly informed of the estate of affairs that they in whom he did most rely that is to say the cardinall Granuelle would haue all things passe according to their own priuat passions yeelding nothing to the counsel of others It was therfore decreed in the said counsell by the Gouernesse noblemen that one of the knights of the order should go vnto the king informe him amply of the state and all the occurrents of the country According to which resolution the baron of Montigny went into Spain in August 1562 where hauing exposed his charge vnto the king had diuers conferences with his Maiestie touching these affaires some moneths after he returned ful of hope good words and promises But matters continued still in these innouations contrary to the aduice of the chiefe lords who were also much discontented so as in the end the prince of Orange with the earls of Egâ—…ont and Horne wâ—…t vnto the king the 11 of March 1563 That the chiefe cause of all the mischief was for the excessiue credit too great authoritie which the cardinall Granuelle did arrogat vnto himselfe in the managing of the affairs of the Netherlands the which should neuer be to his Maiesties content as he desired so long as the cardinal should haue to do in it for that he was therby growne odious to all the world intreating his Ma. to preuent it speedily else they did not see any other thing but an entire ruine desolation of the countrey And to the end his Ma. by the suggestion or report of any other should not think that what they had said was for ambition or their own priuat interest they besought him to dismisse them from the assembly of the counsel of state if his Ma. thought it good holding it neither fit nor conuenient for his Ma. seruice nor for their
consent counsell and aduice of the generall states yet they said in behalfe of the lords of the Order of the golden Fleece and others of the principalest of the nobilitie that they had all resolued and agreed together That if it pleased the king to graunt vnto these three poiuts to do their endeuors to pacifie the state of the Netherlands then so troubled and disordered and to be a meanes to plant peace and vnitie amongst them by secret practises of good men whereof there were yet a great number within the land and well addicted vnto them and so to compell the bad by force to liue in peace and subiection Which they were charged to desire at his Maiesties hands and had fully determined to put the same in practise so they might haue the kings good will and consent thereunto vnlesse it pleased his Maiesty to make great hast to come into the Netherlands and yet not without conuenient and fit oportunitie Much being argued and disputed hereupon both the embassadors said plainly and flatly as the Spaniards reported and after inserted the same in the processe made against the said lords that the noblemen and gentlemen of the Netherlands had no intent meaning nor purpose to rise vp in arms if it pleased the king to grant vnto the points of their embassage propounded but were fully determined euery man to keepe at home in his owne house making further complaint That they were scorned and despised of the Spaniards which presumed that they ought to haue the commaund and rule ouer the lords and knights of the Netherlands as they haue in Millaine Naples and Sicilia which the Netherlanders could not endure with many such like speeches as they report While they proceeded in this manner and that the counsell in Spaine were busied about this matter the Regents letters were brought from Brussels into Spaine to certifie of the peoples assemblies and gatherings together in many places of the countrey and of their open preachings which were done about Dornick Rissel S. Omers and Ypre and that certaine French preachers were among them and that the like was done in Antuerpe For which cause shee desired the king to send a good and a short resolution and to consent vnto the three points before alledged for that she nor the lords of the Order of the golden Fleece neither yet her counsell could find no other meanes to preuent the apparent troubles and the rather as she said for that the secretarie gaue it out That it was by their consent and commandement which they should preuent and make known by the effects that their intentions had beene and was good â—…lse the world might thinke that theiâ—… petition which they said was presented for the preseruation of the countrey had beene the onely cause of these preachings and if any one among them had incited the people thereunto hee had exceeded the bounds of their compromise and petition Whereupon the nobles answered by writing punctually to euery article in the forme that followeth Madame We cannot giue your highnesse sufficient thanks for the good offers which were propounded vnto vs at Duffel the 18 of this moneth by the prince of Orange and the earle of Egmont on your highnesse behalfe who left it vs in writing as followeth the which seems to containe nine articles whereof the first is That your highnesse hath sent the marquesse of Bergen and the baron of Montigny vnto the king to acquaint his Maiestie with our petition For the which Madame wee most humbly thanke your highnesse and we hope that those noble men being so sufficient will doe all good offices with his Maiestie whereby hee may vnderstand our iust intentions to be conformable to our petition Secondly We are put in mind of the promise which we made to die in his Maiesties seruice and 〈◊〉 your highnesse feet Wherein Madame we desire to continue alwayes neither had we euer any other will For the third That we know that since our petition there hath beene no innouation touching the Inquisition and edicts according to our demaâ—…nd and that therein your highnesse hath satisfied 〈◊〉 We beleeue that your highnesse hath altered nothing since our petition but the magistrats haue not duely obeyed your highnesse letters but haue continued still in the apprehension and imprisonment of people by vertue of the Inquisition and edicts That which we persuade our selues is directly contrarie to your highnesse intention and command Fourthly That aâ—… good and loyall subiects according to our promises we should restraine and suppresse the insolencie of sectaries As for our promises Madame wee hold that we haue wholly satisfied them both in generall and particular yea wee haue done our best endeuours to containe the people in all modestie and to hinder the preaching from whom wee cannot take away the persuasions which they haue conceiued vpon the stay of his Maiesties resolution for that it was said vnto vs That within two monethes after the presenting of our petition to your highnesse we should haue a direct answer And also the manner of assembling the prouincial states which haue beene held in some places contrarie to the vsuall custome and the threats which are vsed daily both against vs and the people namely by the church men all which reasons haue drawne the people together to their publike preachings the which they haue continued vnto this day as they themselues haue told vs plainly And wee desire your highnesse should know that had not beene the presentation of our petition and the good offices which we haue done both before and since they had not so long conteined themselues being prest by their conscences as they say Fiftly That matters tend to a popular sedition and that strangers are dealers in it and those which are our antâ—…ent enemies To that Madame we answere that whensoeuer any strangers shall bee dealers in it we will be the first that shall goe to horsebacke to hinder them but that we or any others ought not to oppose our selues against the kings vassals and subiects wee find it not for his Maiesties seruice but contrariwise the ruine and ouerthrow of al the Netherlands for that they submit themselues to the resolution of the generall estates as shall be related more amply hereafter The sixth article That the sectaries giue it out That it is by our consent and commandement so as it may well â—…e iudged that our petition which wee say wee had presented for the preseruation of the countrey is the onely cause of their publike preaching We answer Madame that neither in general nor yet in particular euer any one of vs did incite mooue or persuade the people to make the said preachings but contrariwise haue endeuoured to hinder them by all meanes by reason of the troubles and disorders which we did feare might grow but seeing that wee could not persuade nor diuert the people we haue suffered them to do as they thought good and so farre as
it may touch vs or any of vs we offer to purge our innocencies by sufficient proofes But that there are some of our company which do allow of them for that they are of the same religion we denie not notwithstanding wee know that their religion doth not hinder their deuotion to his Maiesties seruice as they haue assured both in generall and particular As for the seuenth point That we ought in duetie to hinder them and make knowne our good intention by the effects and that it tends to a good end and that our petition was presented for the kings seruice and the good of the countrey We say Madame that herein wee haue done our vttermost endeuours but seeing that the people would in no sort yeeld vnto our persuasions for the reasons aboue mentioned we beseech your highnesse that it may please you to find out some good meanes wherein we wil willingly imploy our selues The eight That we should not distrust the king who hath neuer vsed any tyrannie towards his subiects but all gentlenesse and fauour We answer Madame that we haue no distrust of the king knowing him to be so mild and iust a prince as if he were here present which wee do greatly desire to heare both parties we assure ourselues he would soone settle a good order The ninth and last That your highnesse doth not doubt but his Maiestie will forget all things and â—…hat your highnesse hath often written fauourably to his Maiestie We say Madame that as for his Maiesties forgetting wee doe not thinke that we haue done any thing contrarie to his seruice â—…or giuen any occasion for our parts why he should forget any thing But contrariwise it wil â—…e found that the aduertisement which we haue giuen by the presentation of our petition â—…ath alreadie taken effect if not all yet at the least in part wherefore the said aduertisement â—…ught to be taken as a most acceptable seruice done vnto his Maiestie And for that your â—…ighnesse hath written so fauourably and so timely vnto his Maiestie we most humbly thanke â—…ou yet Madame you wil pardon vs if we speak freely and discouer the secrets of our hearts â—…nto you It doth seeme vnto our company that your highnesse doth hold vs in great iealouâ—…e by the open demonstration which you haue made vnto vs vntill that we were giuen to vnâ—…erstand the contrarie by the lords at Duffel on your highnesse behalfe By which precedent â—…istrust wee haue purchased many enemies and some of them haue spoken with such spleen â—…s they haue dared to vse speeches publikely against vs tending to sedition saying That they â—…ere ready to breake our heads if they were commaunded And moreouer bruting it out â—…mong the people to make vs odious That the king comming into these parts hee would inâ—…at vs as rebels and seditious persons with many other wrongs which were too long to reâ—…ate in particular the which we haue for a time past ouer with silence without making comâ—…aints or demonstration thereof although we had iust occasion But the long delaves and the â—…cret practises which wee haue and doe daily discouer haue reduced vs to those extremities â—…r the apparent dangers which we see may happen thereby vnto vs as wee haue beene forced 〈◊〉 seeke the meanes to make friends in other countries to aid and assist vs in case they should â—…ke to proceed against vs and the kings subiects vassals by force and not to any other end â—…hich meanes are most necessarie for vs by reason of the distrust which your highnesse hath â—…ad of vs as it is said Wherefore we beseech you that you will not take this assurance but in â—…pod part for that it tends but to a good and iust end which is the assurance of our persons â—…ad goods And as our intent was neuer to any other effect but to the kings seruice and the â—…eseruation of the countrey we desire that order may be taken by other meanes lesse dangeâ—…us and we find no other meanes for our safetie and quiet but humbly to beseech your â—…ghnesse to giue vs assurance and to command all the noblemen and knights of the order in â—…se parts to doe the like that nothing may be attempted against vs nor any other of the kings â—…ssals and subiects directly or indirectly by force or any other meanes whatsoeuer touching â—…r petition compromise And for that the prince of Orange and the earles of Egmont and 〈◊〉 haue beene best acquainted with our affaires since the presenting of our petition with â—…om we must yet treat of many things which may auaile vs we beseech your highnesse to â—…mmaund them that they wil hereafter assist vs with their counsel and take vs into their proâ—…tion And that your highnesse charge vnto them may bee of such authoritie as they may â—…olutely prouide and giue order for all that shall concerne the guard and preseruation of the â—…untrey both within and without being the only meanes whereby we may assure our selues â—…d the kings vassals and subiects Knowing them to be such worthy and vertuous noblemen 〈◊〉 they would mannage all to the seruice of his Maiestie and the quiet of the country neither â—…ould they promise any thing but what they would keepe And knowing well that your highnesse cannot do it but by prouision we beseech you that at the same instant you will bee pleased to dispatch a post vnto the king that his Maiestie would bee pleased to giue the like commaundement vnto the said lords with the like authoritie that by their meanes wee may imploy our selues the more freely in his Maiesties seruice vntill that by the consent and resolution of the generall estates his Maiestie shall haue otherwise decreed Moreouer Madame and lastly we cannot conceale from your highnesse that being assembled at S. Trudon there was a petition presented vnto vs on the behalfe of a great part of the people here adioyned who haue offered to lay downe armes and to submit themselues to that which should be decreed and commaunded by the generall estates so as your highnesse will commaund vs to giue them such assurance and promise to ioyne with them and not to suffer any violence to bee offered vnto them attending the resolution of the generall estates Desiring that your highnesse will disperse some of vs that deliuered the petition into the townes and prouinces to containe them in all modestie to whom they will deliuer their armes else Madame they haue giuen vs to vnderstand for the feare which they haue that some violence should be offered them that they shall be constrained to haue recourse to others for their support which makes vs to feare that they would bring the French our antient enemies into the countrey We haue thought good to aduertise your highnesse freely of these things to the end you may dispose thereof according to the necessitie of the time and as you shall find it most conuenient for the good of the country
auoid many inconueniences and to set strife and contention betweene them of the reformed Religion While this was done in the towne of Antuerpe the like breaking of Images was done in other places In Mechelen certaine of the people began to doe it in the Friers church and other cloysters but it was soone stayed In Lier the people going about to doe it the magistrates of the towne to shun the same and to hinder the ransacking of the churches commaunded all the Images and other things to be pulled downe and the church to be emptied of such trash which done they shewed it vnto the deputies of the Image breakers The like was done in many other places of Brabant At Hertoghenbosch Breda and Berghen vp Zoome they indured the like destruction of Images and other things that they in Antuerp did The same did they in Gaunt Ypre Oudenard and many other towns in Flanders as also at Valentia Dornick and other towns in Waesland and at Vtrecht Amsterdam Leyden Delft the Hage Briel and other places in Holland At Middleburg Campuere Vlishing and other places in Zeeland at Groning Leenwerden and other towns in Friseland at Campen Deuenter Swol and Ouerissel at Arnhem Ruremond Nimmeghen Veulo Harderwike and other places in Guelderland and all abouts in the small townes and villages without number At Middleburg notwithstanding that both the magistrates and the shot of the towne stood two daies together but all in vaine to stay the furie of the people when all the Images and altars were pulled downe they were not content therewith but made meanes both vnto the bishop and the magistrates beeing assembled in great multitudes that such as were imprisoned for religion should be deliuered out of prison and giuen vnto them for which cause to shun the danger of great tumults and sheding of bloud they were compelled to set one and twenty persons freely out of prison otherwise they wold haue broken downe the prison and besides all that they were forced to suffer them to preach within the church At Delft they were not content that the magistrat had pulled down al the Images but they would proceed further and went and brake down all the altars notwithstanding the great watch holden by the townes-men tooke the friers cloister for them to preach in In the Hage a goldsmith went vnto the counsell and the magistrats requesting thē to haue leaue to pull downe the Images who being asked where his commission was he strucke his hand vpon his brest and told them that it was there The magistrats thereat beeing abashed desired M. Hippolitus Persin president of Vtrecht being as then with them to giue them his aduice and finding that the request was not well to be refused nor denied the trouble being so great in euery place they appointed certaine serieants of the towne to goe with the sayd goldsmith to keepe the church dores that no tumult should arise and the Images should bee taken down without any hurt or trouble They compelled likewise all such as had any Images in their houses either to deliuer them vnto them or els to breake them At Dorcht Tergone Harlem and Rotterdam the Images were preserued and kept from breaking by means of the magistrats as also in other townes when at the last they saw and perceiued that theeues vagabonds souldiers ruffians whores and knaues were mixed with the actors therein and in the end the greatest doers and not many of them of the reformed Religion although at the first they were very zealous and earnest therein But those rascals emboldened themselues vpon those of the religion who rather wondered at the action as being a wonderful work of God than praised or commended and in the end did themselues let and hinder the breaking down of the Images both by force and with their sermons The newes of this breaking downe and destroying of Images comming to the eares of the Regent and the counsell in Brussels strucke a great feare and doubt in their hearts so that both the court and all the towne were vp in armes to keepe them from doing the like within that place This notwithstanding the Regent would goe to Bergen Henegowe fearing to bee in danger of her person and to that end desired the gouernors of the prouinces and the knights of the order of the golden fleece to conuey her thither who sought by all the meanes they could to dissuade her from it alledging many great and weightie reasons to the contrary But when word was brought her by the president Vigilius That the townes-men had seized vpon all the gates therof and would not suffer her to goe out she was content to stay there that day vpon promise made vnto her by the lords that they would helpe to get her out of the towne if need were or els die for it Thereupon she willed Peter Ernest earle of Mansfield to take the charge of the gouernment of the towne vpon him who the next day summoned all the townes-men to assemble together into the towne-house and going thither took with him the prince of Orange the earles of Egmont Horne and Hoochstrate which shewed them That the Regent stayed there in the towne vpon their words and promises vpon condition That they should be carefull that no preaching nor breaking downe of Images should bee done within the towne which they likewise desired them to be carefull of and to be obedient vnto the earle of Mansfield as gouernor appointed ouer them and to aid and assist him in al things whatsoeuer Whereunto they of Brussels made answere That they would liue and die with the lords and not suffer any preaching nor breaking of Images within the towne and likewise to be obedient vnto the earle of Mansfield Which made the Regent somewhat quieter vntil euening that news was brought her That the same night the Images shold be broken down the barons of Arenbergh and Barlamont slaine and her selfe taken prisoner Whereupon the lords had worke ynough to doe to dissuade her from that opinion alledging That they of Brussels had not the power to doe it as long as so many noblemen and gentlemen were in the towne This feare caused the Regent to write vnto the king saying That she was betrayed by the prince of Orange the earles of Egmont Hoochstrate and that his Maiesty should eyther come thither or els send an army of Spaniards into the Netherlands The like also was written by the lords of Barlamont Norcarmes and the president Vigilius The next day the Regent perceiuing the great troubles and apparent generall reuolting and ouerthrow of the Netherlands at the last by aduice of the gouernours of the prouinces the knights of the order of the golden fleece the counsell of estate and the priuie counsell was resolued as touching the preaching after the reformed manner to be content partly to permit it in such places where it had bin at other times giuing the lords that by her commandement were appointed
to deale with the gentlemen about the same this commission ensuing That they should hold and obserue the points contained in the letters of protection and for that she perceiued the great and imminent necessitie then raigning she was content that the said lords should enter into an accord with the confederated gentlemen and certifie them that the common people laying downe their armes in such places where as the preaching was then presently exercised and keeping themselues from giuing any cause of scandale or disordered actions there should no wrong nor iniurie be done vnto them nor to any others that should for that purpose trauell to and from them vntill such time as his Maiesty with the aduice of the counsell of estate should take other order therein vpon condition that they should not in any wise hinder the proceedings of the Catholicke religion but should suffer the Catholickes freely to enioy their churches in manner as they had them before Giuen in Brussels the thirteenth of August 1566 with this charge to deale and conferre with the confederated gentlemen she sent the prince of Orange the earle of Egmont the earle of Horne the baron de Hachecourt and the counsellor Dassonuille which met and consulted with the deputies of the gentlemen being Lodowicke earle of Nassau Eustace de frenes baron D'esquerdes Charles de Reuel baron Dandreguyes Bernard de Merode baron de Rumen Charles vander Noot baron de Risoire George de Montigâ—…t baron de Noyles Martin de Serlues baron de Sterbeeke Philip van Marbays baron de Lounerual Iohn de Montigni baron de Villers Charles de Lieuin baron de Famars Frauncis de Haeslen Iohn le Sauage baron de Descouberque These after long conference at the last drew vnto a conclusion agreement and accord in his Ma. behalfe which for that it is of so great importance and consequence and that all the troubles and warres that after ensued had their foundation from the same I thought good to set downe the true copie both of the proclamation and act made in manner of a securitie or protection Marguerite by the grace of God Duchesse of Parma and Plaisance Regent and Gouernesse for the king my lord in these his countries to all to whom these presents shall come greeting Whereas many gentlemen of these countries haue presented in Aprill last a petition to the end that it would please his Maiestie to take away and abolish the Inquisition and both the old and new Edicts which they said were too rigorous and therefore might not be put in execution and to make others in their places by the aduice and consent of the generall estates of the countrey requiring that the said petition might be sent by vs vnto his Maiestie to prouide accordingly Whereupon wee held many great consultations with the gouernours of prouinces knights of the Order and counsellors of State to his Maiestie And after that wee had represented all with our aduice vnto the king for that wee thought it good that by reason the said gentlemen might haue some doubt or scruple that his Maiestie would not take in good part the said petition together with the compromise which they had thereupon made together nor that which followed after and that such doubt might be the cause of greater mischiefe and trouble in the countrey wee by the same aduice haue also entreated That his Maiestie would be pleased to giue them letters of assurance that hereafter nothing shall bee imputed vnto them vpon that occasion whereupon his Maiestie had aduertised vs of his good will and pleasure According vnto the which we desiring the good quiet and tranquilitie of the said countries and to make the gentlemen petitioners more willing to yeeld all obedience and seruice vnto his Maiestie according vnto that whereunto they are bound both by nature and oath and as they haue alwayes offered themselues wee haue at their request and according to the power and authoritie giuen vs by his Maiestie and as Regent and Gouernesse generall of the said countries and by the aduice of the knights of the Order gouernours and counsellors of State being with vs giuen for their assurance this writing signed with our hand in forme as followeth Her highnesse hath caused the gentlemen petitioners to returne the twentieth of August for answer of their petition during the which time she hath happily receiued letters from his Maiesty whereby she shall haue the better meanes to giue them a certaine and absolute answere And first she lets them know that his Maiesty hauing regard to her highnes informations seeing that they which are at this day altered for Religion or otherwise offer to submit themselues vnto that which shall be decreed by his Maiesty with the aduice of the generall estates for the good of Religion and the quiet and tranquilitie thereof with the aduice of the lords knights of the Order and counsellors of state is content that the Inquisition whereof they haue complained shall cease Secondly his Maiesty hath consented That there shall be a new Edict made but it was not fully resolued if it should be done by the generall Estates or otherwise yet her highnesse hopes that by the first she shall haue a resolution according vnto that which his Maiesty hath written vnto her wherein she will alwaies do her best endeuour that his Maiesty may graunt it as she hath already done by sundry letters And in regard of assurances whereof they make mention in their last petition that her highnes was well aduised to giue it them so farre forth as lay in her as presently she can assure them seeing his Ma. hath consented giuing her full authoritie to do it in what forme and manner shee shall thinke fit Wherefore she lets them vnderstand That his Maiesty desiring to free them of all suspition who might thinke that he were ill informed of them and to take away all distrust which was the cause of these troubles meaning to shew his accustomed clemencie abhorring nothing more than bitternes is content that her highnes for the auoiding of al diffidence and distrust shall giue them such letters of assurance as she shall thinke fit and requisite for their greater securitie and for that which is past so as they carry themselues like good and faithfull vassals subiects to his Maiesty hoping they will not faile in the duties which they owe him The which her highnes is presently ready to effect And as they haue full satisfaction in this point her highnesse will not refuse the offer which they haue often made to employ themselues in the seruice of his Maiesty and her highnesse for the peace quiet of the countrey as they are bound by nature and their allegeance according to the which her meaning is they should giue their Faith First That they shall not do nor procure directly nor indirectly any thing against his Maiesty his estates nor subiects but shall employ themselues to doe all things that good
and loyall vassales and subiects owe vnto their soueraigne lord and naturall prince and in doing so shall with all their meanes seeke to preuent these present troubles seditions and tumults and restraine the mutinous multitude and that all spoyling and ruining of Temples Churches Cloysters and Monasteries may cease yea they shall helpe to punish them which haue committed these sacriledges outrages and abhominations That no wrong nor violence may be offered to any spirituall persons officers of Iustice gentlemen or other his Maiesties subiects and vassales That they shall do their best endeuours that the multitude which is now armed whereby so many mischiefes haue beene committed and daily may be more may lay aside armes They shall do all good offices to hinder that the preaching be not vsed but in such places where it hath beene accustomed and that without carrying of armes or committing any scandale or publicke disorder Moreouer they shall giue all aid and assistance as they are bound by their oath and allegeance vnto his Maiesty to repell all strangers enemies and rebels to him and the countrey Finally they shall employ all the credit they haue without the countrey in his Maiesties seruice and the good of the country whensoeuer they shal be commaunded submitting themselues to all that it shall please his Maiesty to commaund them by the aduice and consent of the generall Estates Made at Brussels the 23 of August 1566. We make it knowne That all these things considered and according to his Maiesties liking and good pleasure and the authoritie which he hath giuen vs wee in his name and by vertue of his commaund haue promised and doe promise by these presents That by reason of the said compromise and petition and for that which hath followed vnto this present there shall not be any thing imputed vnto them by his Maiesty nor vs in regard of the oath which the sayd gentlemen haue taken as well for themselues as their other confederates conformable to the articles aboue mentioned and for the which they shall giue their bond requiring and in his Maiesties name commaunding all gouernors knights of the order chiefe president and counsellors of state and all other Iusticers and officers whom it shall concerne to entertain this present assurance and to cause it to bee entertained inuiolably for euer suffering the gentlemen and confederates to vse and enioy for euer without doing or giuing or suffering to bee done or giuen to them now nor hereafter directly or indirectly any trouble molestation or let to the contrarie nor attempt any thing against the said suppliants for the aboue rehearsed occasions in any sort or manner whatsoeuer For such is his Maiesties pleasure and ours In witnesse whereof we haue signed these presents and set to our seale Giuen at Brussels the 25 of August Signed Margareta The gentlemen confederats holding them assured by these letters gaue reciprocally an act in writing to the Gouernesse of their promise whereof mention is made in the letters of assurance signed by the deputies as followeth We Lewis earle of Nassau Eustace of Fiennes lord of Desquerdes Charles of Reuel lord of Andrignies Bernard of Merode lord of Rumen Charles vander Noote Seignior of Risoir George of Montigni Seignior of Noyelles Martin of Tserclaes Seignior of Tylly Philip vander Mere Seignior of Sterbeke Philip of Marbais Seignior of Louuerual Iohn of Montigni Seignior of Villers Charles of Lieuin Seignior of Famas Francis van Haeften Iohn the sauage Seignior of Escaubeque and Iohn of Casenbroot Seignior of Bacquerseel as wel in their own names as deputies for the other noblemen and gentlemen confederats hauing presented a petition vnto his Maiesty in Aprill last past touching the Inquisition and Edicts for matter of heresie Whereas we haue this day receiued from the high and excellent princesse the duchesse of Parma and Plaisance Regent and Gouernesse for the king in these countries certaine letters patents hauing authoritie from the king our soueraigne lord and naturall prince in the manner and forme that followeth The letters of assurance aboue mentioned being inserted at length with their bonds and promises this was the conclusion Be it knowne that according to the said letters of assurance we haue promised and doe promise vpon our solemne faith and the words of gentlemen true and faithfull vassales and subiects to his Maiestie that we will obserue fulfill and keepe all and singular the points and articles aboue mentioned as well for our selues as in the name of all the others for whom we are deputies and haue power commission and authoritie promising to cause them to bee entertained obserued and kept by our said confederates And therefore wee doe hold our confederation and compromise to be disannulled void and of no force so long as the said security promised by her Highnesse in his Maiesties name shall hold In witnesse whereof wee haue signed these presents Made at Brussels the 25 of August 1566. This promise was made by the said noblemen deputies to the prince of Orange the earles of Egmont and Horne to the Seignior of Hachecourt and to Christopher of Assonuille counsellor of State being committees to that end by the Gouernesse whereof the said lady aduertised all gouernours and counsellors of prouinces and townes commaunding them that in consideration of the said assurance and promise to the nobles they should do their best endeuours to restraine the people and suppresse all disorders vntill the kings comming which she said would be shortly And in truth these letters did somewhat pacifie the people and made them here and there to lay downe armes In the meane time the prince of Conde the admirall and other noblemen protestants of France sent one secretly with letters of credit to the lord of Brederode and the confederates assuring them that if they entred into any accord with the duches of Parma they would bee deceiued offering to succour them if need required within one moneth after they should demaund it with foure thousand gentlemen which should come into the Netherlands at their owne charge But the confederates being too much terrified and the assurance being then in question whereunto they would trust this offer of the French Protestants was not accepted Let vs now leaue the confederates in rest with their letters of assurance and the better to explane the matter let vs see what the kings letters contained the which were receiued by the duchesse the three and twentieth of August whereof mention is made in the said assurance the which had reference vnto those which shee had receiued in May before the which she kept so secret as shee thought that the three noblemen of Orange Egmont and Horne knew not any thing for that she held them to be of that partie or else to fauour the confederates notwithstanding any good shew they made whereof I haue set down a briefe extract as followeth First that it was not fit to alter any thing touching the Edicts but that they should be
Segobia sick of an ague This matter being brought before his counsel was by them much long debated many of them taking it in the worst sence but at the last they all generally agreed that the Netherlands had great need of his Maiesties presence therin and for that cause began to consult vpon the best way for his trauell and voyage thither and that in the meane time the Regents letters should be answered in such manner that the king should seeme to say nothing touching the Regents dealing with the confederated gentlemen and the sectaries nor once speake thereof that he might not thereby make any shew to like or dislike thereof least it should be occasion of new vprore or suspition And touching the assembly of the States generall that might not by any meanes be tollerated as it had beene oftentimes before determined without burthening the kings conscience Lastly That the Regent should be once againe put in mind to entertain and pay the dutch princes and pentionaries to the king and that his commaundements might be fully kept and obserued According to this resolution in the moneth of October the king writ two sorts of letters the one to be shewed to the counsell and the lords and the other to be kept secret in the first he wrote That for that the Queene his wife was then brought in bed of her first child being a daughter borne vpon S Clares day and for that cause named Isabella Clara Eugenia he was as then going from Segobia to Madril to make preparation for his voyage into the Netherlands and that he was not persuaded that the troubles in the Netherlands could be pacified by assembling of the generall States especially in his absence with other such like doubts He wrote likewise vnto the Emperour Maximilian much complaining of the troubles in the Netherlands Whereunto the Emperour as a wise experienced and politicke prince returned him an answere in the moneth of September satisfying him in euery point of his letter particularly desiring to hold and maintaine all loue and friendship with him as brethren are bound to doe one vnto the other amongst other things saying and by many reasons and arguments proouing that hee after due ripe and good deliberation and aduice taken considering the ground and depth of the same found it to be a matter of exceeding great consequence weight and trouble principally because the matter of the Catholicke Religion was become so hatefull and odious vnto many of the Germane princes allies and of affinitie with the noblemen and gentlemen of the Netherlands which might easily bee procured and induced to mount vpon their horses and to aid them whereby the Netherlands should not only endure and suffer great hurt hinderance charges and burthens but also no small doubt might be made how the same would be well holden and kept and therfore he said he thoght it the best meanes and wherein least danger consisted to end and pacifie the controuersie if it were possible by good and peaceable meanes and not by force and rigor Which to effect his Maiesty offered so the king would be content to be a mediator betweene him and his subiects with many such reasons more He wrote likewise to that end vnto the Regent the duchesse of Parma and therewiâ—…h sent her certain letters to be giuen to the lords of the Netherlands as to the prince of Orange the earle of Egmont the earle of Horne the earle of Mansfield others but referred the deliuering of them to the discretion of the Regent and the kings pleasure which the king did after forbid her to deliuer vnto them About this time many of the noblemen in the Netherlands wrot their seuerall letters vnto the king as the earls of Egmont Mansfield Meghen and Arenbergh the baron of Barlamont Noircarmes and Rassinghem the Burghgraue of Gaunt the Vniuersitie of Louen and diuers others euery man according to his affairs shewing in generall and particular what had passed especially in euery one of their seuerall gouernments Whereunto the king made them answer in most friendly wise thanking them for their good seruice in his behalfe and willing them to continue in the same commending them seuerally for their particular seruice with many and good speeches and wrot a very friendly letter vnto the president Vigilius with his owne hand thanking him for his great paines and good endeuor done in his seruice and desiring him not respecting his age feeblenesse and indisposition of body to continue therein till his comming thither And for that about this time the prince of Orange the earle of Egmont made complaint vnto the king and certaine lords in Spaine that were their friends that some complained of them behind their backs and had a bad and sinister conceit and opinion of them against all truth as time and oportunitie should well declare with such like speeches they were answered by the third hand of certaine counsellors of Spaine that the best meanes for them to cease all bad speechâ—…s and conceits was to shew and proue the contrary by their actions conforming themselues in all things to the good will of his Maiesty which was alwaies cleare allowable answerable and from the which there was no bad consequence to be feared for that the â—…ightest and truest point of the duty of a vassale or subiect is that knowing the resolute intent and purpose of his prince to endeuour himselfe by all means to effect fulfill and execute the same with all celeritie and promptnesse although hee had some particular feeling to the contrarie for that a particular member as all vassals are vnto their lords ought not to thinke or esteeme himselfe wiser than his soueraigne prince to whom onely belonged the gouernment and generall commaund and not to the particular vassale They wrote them likewise that in Spaine the common opinion was That if they namely the prince of Orange and the earle of Egmont or any of them both would haue behaued themselues stoutly and couragiously the troubles in the Netherlands had not proceeded to such an issue which notwithstanding if from thence forward they would doe their endeauours to doe good and vpright seruice for the State without dissimulation as dutie bound them they might thereby reforme all causes or at the least maintain them in esse vntill the comming of the king into the Netherlands with diuers such instructions The Gouernesse by her manifest demonstrations of mildnesse and by so many goodly assurances which she promised did not onely labour to retaine the people and marchants from retyring out of the countrey but also the nobilitie who notwithstanding any assurance shee could giue them were not without distrust but aboue al hauing disappointed the league and compromise of the gentlemen which made her hardie and yet dissembling shee studied to entertaine by all kinds of fauour and courtesie the prince of Orange with the earles of Egmont Horne and Hochstraten The king hauing sent her word that she
authoritie from the king not tied nor limitted to any instructions but inuested with liberty fully and freely to giue sentence in any thing without deniall or gainesaying This counsell likewise sought to haue all the customes old priuiledges and laws of the Netherlands brought to be perused by them that they might reforme and amend them according to their wils and pleasures but perceiuing the matter to be of so great consequence they durst not deale therewith Besides that they sought to haue all the charters that belonged vnto his Maiesty and the lords of the Netherlands giuen to euery particular prouince which had beene done but that certaine old counsellors tooke courage vpon them and aduentured to shew the duke the danger and great hinderance that thereby was to be expected and might fall out for that the secrets both of the king and the Netherlands should so be opened and made knowne whereby great inconuenience might arise betweene the neighbour potentates and others if they should bee broken or altered And to conclude they left nothing vntouched but brought it all to their arbitrement and perusing being most strangers borne out of the Netherlands all tending to this end That at the last they might haue meanes to dominiere ouer all mens riches and treasures to make the king rich seeking to cause the Netherlands to yeeld him more yerely reuenue than his Indies in the end proceeding to that point besides all the confiscations to demand taxes and tallages not only for a time but to continue for euer as the hundreth and the twentieth penny of all moueable and immoueable goods and the tenth penny of all marchandize bought and sold as hereafter when time serues it shal be shewed By meanes of this bloudie counsell the authoritie of the counsell of estate was likewise wholly diminished and put downe which had scarce a place permitted them in the court to assemble together but sometimes the sayd counsell of estate were sent for into the dukes chamber vnto whom He communicated as much as hee thought good and conuenient to shew them without any forme of holding a counsell after their auncient manner But after that when the duke de Medinaceâ—… came into the Netherlands they began againe to assemble in their accustomed chamber and to consult together So that during this new manner of counsell the ordinances of the counsell of estate were not once vsed but commaundement giuen That all men should hold and account the duke to bee absolute ruler and all men dispenced withall not to hold nor obserue any ordinance noâ—… instruction made by any others than by him and that all should be referred to his discretion which caused a great disliking in the people towards the king and hatred vnto the duke Hauing layed this foundation he began to imprison all sorts of people by reason of the troubles past much more than the Gouernesse had done causing them to be executed with all sorts of torments and punishments according to the tenour of the Edicts The which many seeing being terrified with such cruelties they retyred out of the countrey chusing a voluntarie exile the which hee caused to bee called by proclamation and if they did not appeare to answere to their accusations and to iustifie themselues hee did generally confiscate all their goods although at his first comming he caused it to be bruited abroad That the king would send a generall pardon for all that had passed during the troubles to the preiudice of his Maiestie and the Romish Religion but that was but a bait to stay them that had a mind to retyre The counsell of the troubles being once established it was not long idle but began to proceed presently by apprehensions executions confiscations and banishment of persons the which were neuer conuicted no not accused nor once suspected for the troubles or Religion he caused the children to be rebaptized which had beene baptized at the preaching and remarried them at the Romish church which had beene ioyned together by the Ministers but not without abiuration and great penalties both corporall and pecuniarie Such as vpon this vaine hope of pardon and generall abolition returned to their houses were apprehended and executed by fire by water by gibbets by ditches by the sword by diuers other kinds of deaths and torments To conclude there was nothing to be seene throughout all the Netherlands but gibbets wheeles stakes and pitifull spectacles accompanied with the teares and lamentations of poore widowes and orphanes who being depriued of their fathers and husbands after the confiscation of all their goods were chased away at all aduentures the widowes in despaire the sonnes to keepe in the woods and to rob and the daughters to become strumpets and to lead a miserable life This counsell of the troubles made a proclamation in the kings name That all that pretended any right or interest to the goods of such as had beene executed or banished should come in and demaund them within halfe a yeare by petition or libell conuentionall or else to loose the benefit of their right forbidding all debtors to pay any thing either to prisoners to such as were absent and fled or to their widowes and children vpon paine to pay it twice And that all should be answerable to the said counsell whereof no Iudges of the countrey might take knowledge in that respect the sayd counsell hauing their Commissioners and Receiuers in euery quarter of the countrey to keepe a Register of the goods that were confiscated and seized by their decrees and to receiue them hauing also erected a chamber of confiscations At that time there was borne in Brabant a child with two heads foure armes foure legs but with one onely belly and one nauell The duke of Alua for his greater assurance in the beginning of September tooke away the keyes from the magistrate of the towne of Gand putting the towne in guard to Colonel Alphonso a Spaniard The Gantois complayned to the earle of Egmont gouernour of Flaunders who acquainted the duke therewith and hee made him no other answere but what had beene done was for his Maiesties seruice The generall Estates of the Netherlands being assembled the foureteenth of September in the towne of Brussels at the earle of Culenbourgs place where the yeare before the banquet of the confederate noblemen was made at the deliuerie of their petition to see the dukes authoritie and commission he sent for the earles of Egmont and Home to come to court to conferre with them of some matters concerning his Maiesties seruice for the making of some newe forts which hee had designed for the preseruation of the countrey The earle of Horne went not willingly but vpon that that the earle of Egmont had sent him word That he should not feare to come assuring him that he should haue no worse vsage than himselfe he went These two noblemen being come to court the nineteenth of the moneth they caused them to retire into a
the English giuing to vnderstand that the Queene of England would be fauourable vnto them The prince had also tenne peeces of artillerie foure canons of batterie and sixe culuerins With this armie the prince marched in the beginning of September towards the countrey of Luxembourg to S. Vyt a towne of his owne patrimonie The duke of Alua hearing of his descent went and encamped by Maestricht at Vise vpon the Meuse with the regiments of the earles of Lodron and Ouersteyn fortie ensignes of Spaniards fortie of Wallons and foure thousand horse Spaniards Italians Germanes and the bands of Ordnance of the Low countries with great store of artillerie The prince marching in field tooke Aremberch and the strong castle of Carpen betwixt Cologne and Duyren then Hormsteyn belonging to the king of Spaine putting all to the sword that made resistance as also the duke of Alua for his part spared not any So the prince went along the riuer of Meuse towards Stockem where notwithstanding the vigilancie of the duke of Alua who had caused galthropes to be cast into the riuer at many foords hee passed with his armie to offer battaile vnto the duke approching neere vnto Maestricht the seuenth of October his men had a little before taken eighteene boats vpon the Rhyn laden with silkes cloth and other marchandize going towards Francfort The Liegeois would willingly haue stopped his passage if they could but he passed where as they did not expect him so as the fifteenth of the month he defeated some of the dukes troupes who to incommodate the prince had broken all the milles and stopped his victuals all he could The prince to ioyne with the French troupes of the lord of Genlis and the rest passed a little riuer called la Gheer the which diuideth the countrey of Liege from Brabant leauing Tillemont vpon the right hand to seeke all occasions to giue battaile vnto the duke who being loath to hazard any thing kept himselfe close in his trenches before Maestricht yet the duke sent his sonne Dom Frederic with foure thousand harquebusiers Wallons and Spaniards with some horsemen to cut off his passage as if he meant to fight with him But it passed in skirmishes with small losse on eyther side whereas the Seignior of Louerual was taken prisoner whom the duke caused to bee afterwards beheaded at Brussels The prince might easily haue defeated this small troupe of Dom Frederics but beeing ready to fight the Landtsknechts as before demaunding siluer would not hearken vnto it So as the prince being frustrate of his expectation hauing presented battaile once againe vnto the duke who would not accept it seeing that he sought onely to dissolue his armie for want of victuals and other commodities passing with his troupes through Brabant into Henault he was followed by the duke of Alua who euery night retrenched himselfe beeing loath to hazard any thing following him from lodging to lodging vntill he was entred into Fraunce yet the prince beeing neere to Quesnoy le Comte hauing encountred some of the dukes troupes which were too farre aduanced he defeated tenne companies of Landtsknechts eight of Spaniards and three companies of light horsemen where there were many gentlemen slaine and amongst those of account or marke the marquesse of Omares sonne Dom Ioan of Cales Dom Ruffin Henriques and others Being come to the castle of Cambresis his Germanes burned and spoyled all that they left behind them And there the duke of Alua left pursuing them Being entred into Fraunce the marshall of Cosse at the request of the duke of Alua coasted him with two thousand harquebusiers and two hundred horse but he could not annoy him there the prince Cont Lodowic and the French nobilitie went to counsell what they should doe whether to passe further into the Realme being amazed at so great forces or to returne towards Germanie to ioyne with the armie of Wolfgang duke of Deux Ponts the which he prepared to succour the Protestants of Fraunce which second aduice was followed so marching through Campaigne and Lorraine approching neere Strausbourg the prince sent to make his excuse to the French king But before the message was done vnto his Maiestie the king sent the lord Gaspar Schomberg to let him vnderstand that he wondered much how the said prince without any quarrell or cause should enter so into his Realme with an armie but if he demaunded passage onely to returne into Germanie it should not be denyed him so as he committed no act of hostilitie Whereunto the prince answered from Soissons the fourth of December as he had before sent his intention vnto his Maiesty That although he had many reasons mouing him thereunto yet he was not so indiscreet to addresse his armes against so mightie a king And therefore he protested that he was ready to doe his Maiestie that honour respect and seruice that was fit But for that the aduancement of the true Religion is a point which aboue all doth moue the hearts of men the which he vnderstandeth they meane to â—…oot out in Fraunce although his Maiestie had giuen him to vnderstand that hâ—… intention was not to force any one in his conscience but that the Protestants were â—…ll affected to him and that he held them for his enemies But if hee found that the said Protestants did seeke any other thing than the aduancement of the true Religion the libertie of their consciences and the suretie of their persons and goods That neyther he nor his armie would be friends vnto them but mortall enemies But hearing that the Protestants sought no other thing but the honour of God the assurance of their liues and the seruice of God and his Maiestie he desired his Maiestie not to take it in ill part if he were affected vnto them and that if he desired that his Maiesties publicke Edicts made touching Religion were entertayned and kept the which proceeded from a Christian zeale which he bare to his Maiesty and his subiects the which hee desired to see preserued from extreame ruine and desolation The king hearing this answere offered him a good summe of money for the payment of his armie whereof he had great need and by the same meanes caused Schomberg who was well knowne among the colonels and Rytmasters to sound the minds of his souldiers wherof some through pouertie were weary of the warres and others were content to enter into the kings seruice The prince his brother and the French nobilitie had propounded to march further into Fraunce whereupon there grew a great difficultie the troupes refusing to march any further but would returne into Germanie and bee payed there saying that their leuie was not made to goe into Fraunce but into the Netherlands against the duke of Alua. So as hauing no money ready no persuasions nor entreaties could serue to make them aduance vntill that the money which the French king had offered was come But the king vnderstanding of this diuision in the princes armie
bloudie counsell punish such breach of promise as rebellion and lay their heads at their feet with all such as vpheld and maintained the same and that generally specially to the states of Flanders great fauour had been shewed vnto all the states hauing all deserued no lesse rigour at the kings hands than the earles of Egmont and the prince of Orange had and that in recompence and redemption thereof the king was content to accept the said taxe of the tenth penie but hee might haue gotten a great deale more for the king by confiscations if hee would haue vsed that meanes as hee might well haue done than by the tenth penie caring not for the pretended priuiledges of the particular prouinces and townes specially the Ioyous entrie of Brabant which hee said they as well as those of Vtrecht had forfeited and lost Whereupon some made him answer That the declaration and sentence of depriuation or forfeiture must first bee published and that the attempting thereof would bee dangerous He made answer That hee would rather suffer himselfe to bee cut and hewed in peeces than to endure that the countrey should not hold their promise and that the Sunne and Moone should first loose their light before hee would faile of the tenth penie The states perceiuing the dukes resolution and intent at the last thought it requisit in the beginning of the yeare 1572 each prouince to send one into Spaine in their behalfes vnto the king which he neuerthelesse commanded to come backe again threatning them with death but yet they got through into Spaine but before any resolution was taken therein there happened an alteration in the Netherlands by the taking of the Bryele Flessingue and other places as hereafter shall bee shewed without the which alteration the messengers in Spaine had surely beene in great danger of their liues The duke notwithstanding in the meane time sought to raise the tenth penie in some particular townes appointing his officers to receiue the same and first in Brussels where he thought best to begin but they of Brussels shut vp all their shops and would sell nothing that they might not bee compelled to pay the tenth penie The Bakers nor Brewers woâ—… neither bake nor brew whereby there grew a great confusion and desperation amongst tâ—… people which to preuent the duke intended to deale by force resoluing in March 1572 to hang seuenteene of the chiefe townes men in Brussels that were against him whose names hee had al eadie written in a scroll in the night time before their doores or else hee would make them graunt to sell their wares and to pay him thereafter the which to effect hee had giuen charge vnto the executioners to bee readie with ladders and cords to execute them the next night after the newes came into Brussels that the earle Vander Marke had taken the towne of Bryele which losse of the said towne of Bryle made him see that hee had done better to haue put garrisons into the hauen townes and to haue dealt in milder sort with the people rather than to haue sought to haue his owne wil so much and to taxe the land at his pleasure whereas the Netherlands offered such great summes as that the state of the land could hardly raise Thus by meanes of the taking of the Bryele the raysing of the tenth and twentieth penie was stayed although it hath since beene sought and required They of Amsterdam because they would not absolutely consent to his demaund of the tenth penie were fined to pay the summe of fiue and twentie thousand gulderns towards the buylding of the castle at Flessingue but they excused themselues by their great losse endured by the great flouds and the mending and making of their ditches and aboue all that they dayly indured so great losse by the water Gueux that tooke their fleets comming from the East and West Indies As I said before a great number of banished and fugitiue persons of the Netherlands hauing prepared ships kept at sea and were conducted by certaine gentlemen and others who most by pouertie were driuen to seeke some recompence of their losses and hinderance by force and extremities After that other ioyned with them hauing a further intent to do something tending to the deliuerance and good of their natiue countrey This number daily increasing and doing great hurt vnto their enemies round about Holland as in the Vlie Texel and the Ems harbouring most commonly vnder England in the downes and at Douer and thereabouts amongst the which the prince of Orange as admirall by force of his letters of Mart had his officers that receiued the tenth penie of their prizes The duke of Alua made meanes to the queene of England to intreat her not to suffer them to harbor there alledging that she ought not according to the contracts made betweene England and the Netherlands to suffer the kings rebels to haue so open passage to and from her hauens The queene although shee had cause ynough to dislike of the duke in March 1572 made proclamation That they should all depart out of her hauens forbidding her subiects to sell them any victuals neuerthelesse with this condition That her English rebels should bee driuen out of the king of Spaines dominions Whereby they were constrained to depart and to enterprise something in the countries of the Netherlands whereunto they knew themselues not to bee strong ynough This necessitie compelled them to vse order and discipliâ—… amongst them and to that end they all put themselues vnder the commaund of William earle Vander Marke free heire to Lumey lord of Serrain Borset and Minderleyt and heire of Franchimont c. eldest sonne of Iohn lord of Lumey and of Marguerite youngest daughter of Iohn lord of Wassenare This earle Vander Marke made himselfe admirall and his lieutenant Bartel Entes van Meutheda viceadmirall hauing with him captaine William de Bloys called Threlon the lord of Sweten Lancelot van Brederode Iacob Cabilleaw one of Egmont Iaques Schooneual Antonis Wenthoue Antonis van Rhine William de Graue van Egmont Iaques Metens Nicholas Ruythauer captaine Eloy Iock and Iohn Abels Marinus Brandt Roybol Iaques Hennebert Iohn Clauson Spiegel Iohn Simonson Merten Merous Walter Franson captaine Ielande and diuers others All these together hauing about fortie ships most flie-boats in the moneth of March put out of England and tooke a great ship of Antuerpe laden with Spanish wares and another ship of Biskaie Their meaning was to saile to North-Holland although their enterprise there was as then not fully readie but determined in the meane time to spoyle certaine ships of war belonging to the duke that lay at Amsterdam and Enchuysen but the wind beeing against them they put into the Bryel the island being called Voorn and the town Bryel there to take certaine ships lying in the Meuse readie to sayle to Spaine but they perceiuing them to enter the Meuse hoysed sayle and went vp to Rotterdam whereby the earle
vpon all the approches which made the passages verie difficult They were also verie expert in speedie ramparing vp the breaches that were made with packs of wooll beds â—…ckes filled with earth and other materials so as with this ramparing they made their walls and rampars as strong as before The lord of la Noue with an hundred gentlemen and some harguebusiers kept the first rauelin to preserue that which the Spaniards could not beat downe and within at the foot of an old rampar there were other two hundred harguebusiers The duke of Alua finding no meanes to draw the ditches drie but there still remained more water than he wished hee therefore caused some barkes to bee made of harguebuse proofe and a bridge vpon emptie pipes tied together with cables to assaile the rauelin but all these preparations did not amaze the besieged who made continuall sallies vpon their enemies seeking some aduantage vpon them Whilest that the duke of Alua and the besieged within Mons maintained themselues in this sort the prince of Orange being in Germanie was not idle but hauing leuied a goodly armie he past the Rhine with it neere vnto Dousbourg in the countrey of Cleeues and the 4 of August he surprized Ruremonde in the countrey of Geldres then entring into Brabant he came before Louvaine where he burnt the false port wherewith the inhabitants were so terrified as they sent the seigniour of Timpel vnto him with doctor Elbert â—…eonin called Longolius who went vnto him to the abbey of the parke without the towne where they agreed vpon certaine conditions From thence he went to Macklin the which was opened vnto Bernard of Merode lord of Waroux by the intelligences which hee had within the towne The prince of Orange caused a certaine protestation to bee printed and published as well in his owne name as in his confedeâ—…ats giuing a reason of the armes which they had taken the second time as followeth Wee William by the grace of God Prince of Orange Earle of Nassau c. To all Noblemen Knights Gentlemen and others of what qualitie soeuer of these Netherlands which desire the libertie thereof beeing miserably tyrannized and oppressed by the duke of Alua the Spaniards and others their friends traitors and murtherers of their owne countrey Wee declare that euery one of vs for a particular loue and zeale â—…e beares vnto his countrey and for the glorie of God which we desire aboue all haue often sought by all meanes the good and quiet of the countrey as well by petitions and other mild meanes as by force of armes thinking to draw those that were as we are to do the like sometimes by sighes and prayers vnto God hauing patience vntill that it should please him to mollifie the hearts of the said tyrants but in the end solicited inuited and called generally and particularly by the inhabitants of the said countrey by reason of the inhumanities and oppressions Wee haue in the name of God according to our consciâ—…nces taken armes protesting before God and his angels and before all men present and to come that we haue not beene mooued hereunto by any priuat passion but with an ardent desire which wee haue to oppose our selues against this more than barbarous and insupportable tyranny to the proclamations edicts taxes imposts and charges of the hundreth thirtieth twentieth and tenth penie imposed by the insatiable couetousnâ—…sse of the duke of Alua against the lawes liberties freedomes and antient priuiledges of the said countrey which lawes liberties freedomes and antient priuiledges wee meane by the grace of God to restore vnto the said countrey holding it vnder the obedience of their prince and naturall lord as we are bound to doe assuring and maintaining that all princes noblemen gentlemen commonweales or others of what qualitie soeuer be they strangers oâ—… home bred that haue beene moued to giue vs aid and assistance in this so iust an enterprise haue not done it for any other intent but for a true pitie and compassion which they haue with vs of the said miseâ—…ies and calamities Wherefore we pray and intreat euerie one both in generall and particular to assure themselues that we pretend not to do wrong to any man nor to attempt vpon the goods estates or honour of any of what qualitie soeuer were he of the clergie but are readâ—… to aid and assist euerie one freely and willingly as for his libertie euerie one is bound to succoâ—… vs by all due and possible meanes In the meane time wee will giue order that God and the countrey may be serued in procuring the preseruation of the people and the defence of their houses wiues and children Praying vnto God that he would fauour and bring to a good end so holy and necessarie an enterprise About this time captaine Blommart surprized the town of Audenarde in Flanders at which surprise the bailife being retired with some others into the castle and puâ—…sued refusing to yeeld he was shot thorow and cast out at a window into the riuer the cloisters churches and all the goods of clergie men were spoyled The towne of Deuremonde was also surprised by the practises of Arnold van Dorpe The prince parting from Macklin marched directly towards Mons in Henault to succouâ—… his brother and to seeke to raise the duke of Aluaes siege He might haue taken many townes in passing but he still aduanced hauing a great care to furnish his armie with victuals some of those townes which he had taken were forced to assist him with money Those of Niuelle in Brabant were summoned to furnish him both with money and victuals but they refused it hoping that the duke of Alua would defend them hauing first aduertised him that the prince of Orange marched but for that hee would not diminish his armie that was before Mons where he had worke ynough he could not preserue them as they expected but they must enter into the dance The duke hearing that the prince approached and that he was neere him hee resolued not to stirre but to keepe himselfe close within his campe the which he caused to bee intrenched and fortified with all speed planting his artillerie vpon all the approaches to hinder the prince that he should not force him and sent fiue hundred horse to discouer him The prince hearing by his fore runners that the Spaniards came to discouer him hee sent cont Henry his brother with foure companies of carabins or harguebusiers on horseback the which incountred these Spaniards whom they charged put them to rout and pursued them euen to the foot of their trenches This first charge did so amaze the dukes campe as he was almost readie to flie thinking that the prince had followed with his whole armie the which if he had done without doubt that day had beene the last of the duke of Aluaes warres The prince was so resolued but it was too late causing his armie to march in battaile euen vnto the mills where hee
maisters of his Maiesties countries and to reduce them to perpetuall slauery to the great preiudice of his Maiesties seruice as it hath beene often heretofore made knowne and protested by the saide Estates So as they meane not now to capitulate of any pacification with his Maiestie whom they haue alwaies sought to obey and serue with all humility as their naturall Lord and Prince which makes them humbly to beseech him that it would please his Maiesty as a good father to looke vpon the pouerties and afflictions of his contries with a louing and tender eye and thereby draw them to vnion peace and trafficke as well to augment his estate as the prosperity of his subiects The which without doubt can neuer be effected so long as strangers shal vse their force and tirany who make a greater benifit by troubles and disorders then when the country is orderly gouerned regarding only their owne profit which hath bin the cause of all these warres And therfore that it would please his maiesty to cal away those strangers afterwards by a free conference with the aduice of the general estates of the country duly assembled set such an order as his maiesties subiects may be hereafter assured from all dangers and inconueniences that might happen And for that the contynuance of this warre to speake truly can produce nothing but a depopulation and total ruine of his Maiesties countries and the rather for that it is manifest that the inhabitants thereof do giue them selues daiely to the exercise of Armes forgetting and neglecting their trades and traffick of Marchandise being an vsuall thing for men to giue them-selues to all the licentiousues which war brings with it So as by this meanes a dangerous and preiudiciall decay is to bee feared of all trafficke negotiation marchandise and nauigation redounding to the ruine of his Maiesties seruice The sayd Estates doe also beseech that regard may bee had heerevnto to the end that as well Holland and Zeeland as the other neighbour Prouinces might by his Maiesties authoritie bee discharged of either side from the oppression of these strange souldiars and that presently by way of prouision all acts of hostilitie may cease So as the Comerce and conuersation of the inhabitants bread in your Maiesties countries may be hereafter restored with al security and the one reconciled with the other Wherefore the States do trust that the great Commanders excellency and all other his Maiesties saithfull vassalls will put to their helping hands as they doe intreate them with all reuerence and humility and doe all the good offices of loyall and faithfull subiects This answere made by the States did not please them that had sent the signior of Matenesse and Treslon the which doth well appeere by a letter which the Lord of Chaâ—…paigny writ vnto Saint Aldegonde beeing yet with the Prince and States dated the 2â—… of Iuly where hee saith amongst other pointes speaking of this answere which hee confesseth to haue receiued these words following But that which they haue brought is farre from the present affaires For neither the title which they take in this writing can bee vsurped by them nor the reasons which they giue for their distraction doe concurre with his Maiesties reputation notwithstanding that they say that their intention was to maintaine his greatnesse the which hath no ground And as for the meanes which the propound they are not accompanied with the respect which I did hope for For it seemes by their writing that the townes which are distracted from his Maiesties obedience carrie themselues towards him as good and faithfull subiects doe to their Soueraigne Prince Therefore you must bring other matter c. These letters beeing imparted to the States that they might not commit any thing that might bee demanded of them with reason and to shewe that they did seriously demand a good peace that might bee firme and permanent they would not shewe themselues vnwilling to propound their greeuances and demandes by petition directed vnto the King the which was deliuered to Saint Aldegonde returning to Vtrecht to prison who deliuered it to the Lord of Champagny to present it vnto the great Commander whereof the tenor was To the King MOst humblie shewing the Nobles Knights and townes of Holland and Zeeland That they haue euer like good and faithfull vassalls and subiects in all things as well to your Maiestie as to your Predecessors of famous memorie yeelded all humble obedience dutie and seruice whensoeuer for the preseruation of your Maiesties greatnesse and State their obedience and humble seruice hath beene required So as they haue no doubt but your Maiesties loue towardes them hath beene thereby greatly augmented to preserue and maintaine them in their rightes and liberties with peace and tranquilitie vnder Iustice and order And although the Duke of Alua carrying himselfe for Gouernor in your Maiesties place should haue behaued himselfe accordingly yet contrariwise vnder the title of his gouernment hee hath vsed such Iniustice and violence to your Maiesties counâ—…rie and subiects aswell Ecclesiasticall as Secular Noble and vnnoble as the Petitioners for the preseruation of their preuiledges rightes and auncient lawdable customes and liberties haue beene to their great greefe foâ—…ced to oppose themselues with an armie against the proud commande and violent manner of gouernment of the sayd Duke and his adherents that were strangers seeking to trouble the publike quiet by Innouations strange exactions and the generall oppression of your maiesties subiects Hauing no other designe but to subiect the sayd countries the inhabitants to their appetites and insolencies to impouerish them and bring them into seruitude to the great preiudice of your Maiesties seruice greatnes reuenues whereon your suppliants haue heretofore made complaint protested openly as also the States of other countries haue respectiuely done the like diuers times But yet notwithstanding the Duke of Alua persisting still in his bad resolution your Maiesties said countries and the inhabitants haue not onely beene drawne into great alterations troubles and calamities of warre but also the neighbour Nations and kingdomes haue growne to hate and to abhorre this ouerweeniâ—…g pride of 〈◊〉 strangers enemies of the publike quiet of the sayd Countries with a dâ—…sion aâ—…d losse of all traffick trades negotiation and of their prosperity And as the sayd Petitioners haue neuer sought nor doe not at this present seeke any thing but to aduance and by all meanes possible to procure the generall good of all the country for your Maiesties seruice as it belongs to loyall subiects they beseech your Maiesty withall humility that you would bee pleased as a kinde father to regard with a pittifull eye the present estate of the Netherlands so lamentable and miserable and to restore them to a vnion comerce and quietnesse wherby your Maiesties greatnesse may increase and the prosperity of the inhabitants growe and florish for your seruice And as it can by no meanes be effected so
time and long since protested to liue and die therein and that all those that would not liue as they had done hearetofore in the Catholike Religion his Maiestie was content for that time onely that they should depart out of the land and sell all the goods and liuings they had within a certaine time prefixed and yet during that time should not haue any exercise thereof for assurance whereof although his Maiesties word with letters of ratification ought to bee sufficient for them yet if they were not content there-with hee was pleased that they should set downe and show what further security they would demand in that behalfe that it might bee considered of The twentith of March the deputies for Holland c. made answer here-vnto by writing signed by the Prince of Orange the Earle of Culenborgh Otto van Egmont and others being assembled with the deputies of Holland Zeeland and their associates after the manner of the estates first persisting in the contents of their first petition touching the with-drawing of all strangers in regard of their cruell and insolent gouernment who in regard of their seruice had beene well recompenced and were become rich for that the like with-drawing of the Spaniards and for lesse cause had beene sought by them of Gaunt in the yeare 1559. and accordingly graunted they denied not but the Spaniards were subiects to the King of Spaine but not of the duke of Brabant Earle of Flanders Holland c. nor yet of any of the seauen-teene Prouinces against the which they had shewed them-selues to bee to much vnnaturall who euen at their first comming into the land held the Netherlands to bee heretickes and rebels without any exception as it appered by the spanish bookes made and put in Print by licence and priuiledg from his Maiestie as also by letters and instructions sent from the great Commander and of one Iohn de Sousa written vnto his Maiestie in the which hee bouldly maintained that the Netherlands and all the goods and lands of the inhabitants thereof were giuen by his Maiesty vnto them vnder pretence thereof vsing all kinds of force â—…iolences vnnaturall actions shamefull to bee heard or spoken of as the townes of Gaunt Doornick Antwrep Meechelen Liere Hertzhogenbosk Deuenter Vtrecht Rotterdam and other places where they lad lodged could beare witnes so that as then the prophesie by their fore-fathers so offten fore-tolde was found to bee true that the Netherlands should complaine and repent the time that euer they were alied to Spaine Therefore to seeke to suffer such Spaniardes which all the townes and Vilages in the Netherlands sought to keepe out to remaine in the land was nothing else but the onely way to cause his Maiesties to loose the hearts and good willes of his subiects with-out the which no Lord nor Prince can raigne but with greart greefe and care taking away the reciprocall and mutuall loues that should bee betweene the Prince and his subiects which they hoped to be farre from his Maiestie thoughts as being a thing much against his dignity reputation as also contrary to his nature Touching the seruice that the Spaniards had done vnto his Maiestie and his fore-fathers for the defence of the Netherlands and the honor of his Maiestie and his said countries it would bee found to haue beene more hurtfull then profitable to the same and nothing comparable vnto the faithfull seruices don for the aduancement honor and reputation of his Maiestie by the naturall vassales and subiects of the Netherlands who were forced to sustaine the long and burthen-some warres against France there by to maintaine the Spaniards in Mylan Naples and elssewhere as also that then the Lords Gentlemen and others of the Netherlands had spent both their liues and goods to get his Maiesties great victories at Saint Quintines before Graueling and in other places where they had ayded his maiestie as also the Emperor Charles in many places as before Argile in Africa in Italy and else where out of the Netherlands and yet would not the Spaniards in the yeare 1520. indure any command of the Netherlanders in Spaine although they behaued them-selues with all ciuility and farre other-wise then the Spaniards haue done in the Netherlands That those of Holland and Zeeland were forced to helpe them-selues against the Spaniards with strang soldiers as French-men English-men Scottes and Dutch-men but yet had not giuen them any authority ouer the country and yet that amongst them the Dutch-men ought not to bee accounted for strangers The said Netherlands beinge alwaies accounted Earledomes and prouinces of the Empire not-with-standing they were well content and ready to cause the said seuerall nations to depart out of the country when-soeuer they should haue no cause to vse them any more And whereas it was said that his Maiestie would hold the Spaniards in the Netherlands no longer then necessity required without further compulsion so would they humbly Intreat his Maiestie to doe the same willingly seeking all meanes to moue his Maiestie therevnto Thouching the assembling of the Generall estates which his Maiestie seemed as then to put of vntill all things weere pacified and ended and that they would limite and appoint them vnto certaine orders and lawes they were of opinion that the generall estates would not assemble and meete together to that end nor in the quality and forme as the writing sent declared and appointed as long as the Spaniards bore armes or were in gouernment with-in the Netherlands for that it apeared there-by that they sought to bind and restraine the assembly of the estates with their powers and offices to certaine limites and strict rules which should extend as wide and as farre as the common causes of the country required they knowing best what belonged there-vnto and that therefore they could not other-wise coniecture by the said writing but that couertly they sought to lessen and diminish the priueledges authorities and credits of the said countries and of the estates of the same and not to vse the same in any other causes but onely to get them to consent vnto any taxes or subsedies to bee paid by the said Netherlands and if they refused to compell them there-vnto by force and to bring them vnder the supple obedience and absolute command of his Maiestie according to the aduise and writing of Don Francisco de Alua that once wrot out of France vnto the Duches of Parma Regent of the Netherlands that the noble men of the same must bee destroyed and the States thereof impouerished as the Duke of Alua had allready begunne and as it yet seemed to bee put in-practise by the meanes and prouocation of those that were in the gouernment fearing that by the assembling of the States there bad gouernment ambition and couetousnes would bee discouered and punished pretending the highnes soueraignity and reputation of the King and yet all depending vpon the wel-fare of the Country That the other articles might with certaine
annotations in the Margent passe wel inough therby to prouide to a pacification but touching the restrictions and conditions thereafter ensewing as of deliuering ouer the prouinces townes and forts of Holland Zeland together with the ships artilery and other things it apeared that they sought to circumuent them as it is said to be done in the fable of the wars betweene the Wolues the Sheepe after the Sheepe had deliuered the dogs that were their protection defence vnto the wolues That the Prince of Orange and the estates of Holland and Zeeland were wrongfully holden and accounted for rebells and open enemies to his maiesty which they could by no meanes vnderstand to bee so for that they had not in the least point once sought to deminish ot detract any thing from his Maiesties highnesse and authority in any sort what so-euer but rather for his maiesties profit and the preseruation and defence of the land and the townes there of to gether with their houses liues and goods wiues and children from the tirany of the Duke of Alua and his adherents with great labour and toyle had vsed all the meanes they could to driue their aduerse party from thence whereof they had alwaies made declaration that they neuer ment or intended to beare armes against his maiesty nor by the same sought to refuse obedience or to alienate them-selues from the same but with all duty to continew in his maiesties grace and fauour with other Prouinces vnited vnto them as they did before hauing beene free from any meaning or intent to take away the goods of their aduersaries either spirituall or temporall as in the said conditions were inserted in such sort that they could not thereby perceaue any good opinion to bee conceaued of them and the rather for that by the other conditions of holding and maintaining the Romish Catholik religion or els to depart the land it appeared that their religion was accounted heresie and consequently they them-selues to bee heretikes although no other religion was vsed there amongst them then onely the catholike and apostolike religion agreeing with the holy scriptures wherein they onely trusted and had settled their consciences onely disalowing and banishing open and great abuses and disorders vsed in the church vnpleasing to God thereby to giue that vnto God that was Gods and vnto the King that which belonged vnto him And therefore withall reuerence and humility they said that they could by no meanes be perswaded to accept and allowe of the said articles as they were propounded caling to minde the example of the Earles of Egmont and Horne as also of the Baron of Montigny and others with seuerall breakings of securities promises and assurances that also it was not conuenient that so great a nomber as were inclined to the reformed religion should depart out of the land and forsake their natiue country and that in truth it was a much more harder condition that so great a nomber of the Kings Maiesties faithfull subiects to their great losse should bee forced to sell away their goods which they could not doe but to their exceeding great hinderance although they found marchants and buyers great store and bee compelled to dweld and wander like banished men in other countryes rather then they would send three or foure thousand Spaniards that had made sufficient gaine and prey of the country home againe whereas the departure of the subiects out of the Netherlands would not onely cause a great depopulation of the country but a decay of all kindes of trades trafickes handy-workes occupations and sea-faringe wherein the whole wel-faire of the Netherlands consisted for that it was â—…anyfestly knowne that the sending away of the people at other times by meanes of the rigorous proclamations and terrible executions of the same the industrious handi-crafts that were in the land were by that meanes caried into other countries to the vnspeakeable decay and hinderance of his maiesties rents and reuenewes and from thence by the condition propounded of selling their goods for that time onely they vnderstood that the proclamations and the inquisition touching religion should againe bee put in practise which euery man so much abhorred that those that should remaine in the country were likely to fall into a new trouble and dissention and that at the last a great peece of his maiesties crowne would bee torne in peeces desiring with all humility that their declaration and aduise might bee taken in good part as proceeding from a good deuotion vnto his maiestie and the countries wel-faire beseeching GOD that it would please him of his infinite mercy to inspire his maiestie and the Lords that were comissioners with other counsell knowledge and aduise Vpon this declaration the Kings Deputies vpon the first of Aprill made a replication in writing wherein they seemed to blame the said declaration to be too sharpe and bitter against those with whome they ought to liue in peace and amity and that the King was content according to their desires to cause the Spaniards and others to depart out of the land when all controuersies should bee ended and appeased so as they of Holland and Zeeland would doe the like blaming them like-wise that they should account Holland and Zeeland to bee Earledomes belonging vnto the Empire excusing the great Commander and not beleeuing that he would write any such maâ—…ter as they had charged him with all Thâ—… assembling of he generall estates they agreed vnto peace being made being the second point of their request Touching the deliuering ouer of the townes places forts shippes and artillery they wondred to what end they alledged the fable of the wolues and the sheepe whereas it was not sought or desired otherwise then with proffer of good and sufficient caution wherof they not once made any mention offering besides the Kings word which in reason should be sufficient to make them al due conuenient satisfaction that they could demand as also that the States of the prouince each one in particular should haue the said declaration and the Kings promises to bee set downe vnder his great Seales and if need were to be confermed by the Emperors Maiesty and by other Lords and Princes of the blood Touching the religion his Maiesties meaning was not to yeeld in any thing therevnto but that such as would depart the land should haue six moneths time granted vnto them for their departure and in the meane time should behaue them-selues modestly without any scandale and as for the selling of their lands and goods to aduance them to the highest rate and most aduantage and they should haue 8 or 10. yeares time for the sale thereof so as they suffered them in the meane time to bee vsed and held by Romish Catholikes that the departure of the people out of the land was a greefe vnto the King but seeing they would not conforme them-selues to liue as other men did it was their owne and not the Kings fault and whereas
whatsoeuer had neuer bin vsed as the hundreth and the tenth penny whereby some Prouinces vpon mere extremity had with-drawne them-selues from the absolute subiection of the said Duke which to reduce againe vnder his authority he prepared certaine fleets of shipes and vnder pretence thereof he vnfurnished the townes of their ordinance and armes and after that sent part thereof secretly into Spaine and an other part thereof was lost making account that a disarmed country was not greatlie to be feared and to the end that he might pourchase the fauour and loue of the soldiars as the tyrants Sylla Synna and Marius in Rome did he suffered them to vse al the tirrany they could deuise against the townes of the Netherlands as to Mechelen Naerden Harlem and others after whome followed Don Loys de Requesens great Commander of Castille a man of the same humor who hauing for a while playd the foxe brought likewises all the priuileges of the country in question whereby the mutinous soldiers after there victory at Moukerheyde without any great cause were suffered in his presence to force the townes as they did at Antwerp and compell them to pay them their entertainements whereas the Barron de Champigni had good meanes to haue hindred them from the same by which meanes the said soldiers tooke occasion and imboldened them selues to thinke that it was permitted them with the aide of the neighbours garrisons to ouer-rule ransake and spoyle the townes where they lay in garrison which had likewise happened in the towne of ould Naerden where he was gouernor if God had not giuen him the grace to preuent it in such sort that Spaine it selfe woundred at the Netherlands great submission and patience thinking it strange that after the death of the Commander the country did not kill and destroy all those mutinous soldiers when as the light horse-men mutined as the States had beene well informed out of Spaine which mutinous and insolent dealings were certefied vnto the King himselfe both in the Commanders time and sence and whereas the said Commander had twice sent to sommon the Knights of the order of the golden fleese the gouernors of the Prouinces and the Bishops and presidents of the Prouinciall councels with the counsell of estate and the secretaries that conuenient order might be taken therein it was there generally agreed and consented vnto to preuent further inconueniences that they should seeke to agree and make peace with the Prince of Orange and the states of Holland and Zeeland that all the Spanish and other strange soldiers both horse and foot-men should be sent out of the Netherlands that so the Catholike Kings seruice might the better bee effected That the Generall estates should be assembled that all other points of controuersie and contention happened betweene the Kings seruants and the aforesaid estates might be ended alwaies obseruing the old religion and the lawfull soueraignite of the King which there resolution being writen and signed by the parties aforesaid was sent into Spaine vnto the King where-vpon the King taking long consultation and aduise in the meane time more inconueniences happening through the proud and insolent behauiour of the Spaniards the King made answer that it was his onely care to find the best meanes to preuent all the said disorders and that as sone as he could he would send the Marquis of Haurec with order for the same At the last the King by his letters written vnto the States consented and agreed vnto their desires and willed the same to bee made knowne vnto the perticuler Prouinces as it was don according to the aduise of the aforesaid counsell of estate But the effect execution and charge thereof was remitted vnto Don Iohn de Austria as then nominated by the King to be sent gouernor into the Netherlands to cause the said country to be better counâ—…d of him as the Kingâ—… letters specified and contayned In the meane time after the winning of Ziricxzee the Spanish soldiers beginning againe to mutine tooke in Herentales and after that Alost liuing therein at discretion as euery man saw The Lords of the counsell of estates perceauing the mischiefe like a canker more and more to spred abroad within the Netherlands thinking it to be necessary to vse a speedy remedy fearing a generall reuolt of the country and that of mere necessity and pouerty quia noscit plebs ieiuna timere declared the mutinous soldiers in Alost and there adherents to be rebelis and meaning to punish them according to their deserts had determined to raise certaine tropes and to that end wrote to assemble the estates in Brussels there to take councell about the affaires of the land and to cause the Spaniards and all other strangers to depart out of the Netherlands and yet not without contenting them of their paines according to their accounts and reckonings but they to the contrary made a mock at all reasonable motions carrying themselues more insolently then before openly boasting that they would cut the throats of all their enimies and wash their hands in their bloud So as the estates could doe no lesse then by authority of the councell of state then ruling to take armes for their defence and securities as it is permitted both by godly naturall and humaine lawes and so made peace with the Prince of Orange the estates of Holland and Zeland determining after the driuing out of the strangers to haue a generall assembly of the estates to take order for the keeping and maintaining of the catholike religion the honor and authority of the kings maiesty their maister therby to preuent a greater mischiefe which meere necessity forced them vnto that they might not suffer the ruine of so goodly Prouinces before Don Iohn could come thether saying that her Maiestie might thereby well vnderstand what had past in the Netherlands and what reasons moued the generall estates by order from the Lords of the councell of estate then gouerning and representing the person of the King their soueraigne Lord to haue their refuge and recourse vnto armes And for that cause desired her Maiesty to consider if that they were therein to bee blamed when as they neither sought alteration of religion nor change of Prince but onely desired to serue the king and sought to deliuer and free themselues from the bloudy practises of the Spanish soldiers and to maintaine themselues in their ancient lawes rights and priuiledges which his Maiestie had confirmed by oath as also to bee gouerned by naturall borne persons of the land as they had beene in times past all which their so lawfull and reasonable causes the deputies of the generall estates knowing her Maiesty to be a princes of great vnderstanding and wisdome farre from all ambition and yet most pittifull had giuen him in charge to shew vnto her hoping that she of her gracious fauour clemencie and good will would not forsake nor abandon them in a matter of so necessary and of so great
importance and that her Maiestie at that present should binde the Lords of the estates generall most strictly vnto her if it would please her to assist them in that their need by lending them the summe of a hundred thousand pounds starling for the space of sixe or eight moneths vpon condition to pay it againe at the same time and for assâ—…ance thereof the said states should giue her their obligations wherby with Gods helpe she might assure and make them able to compell and force the Spanish souldiers and their adherents to leaue the country either by faire or by foule meanes and to be a meanes that no man else vnder pretence of lending them ayde and assistance should make them-selues maisters of the Netherlands which she knew to be subiect vnto the lawfull gouernment of the king of Spaine their naturall prince as also that it should not bee conuenient for her Maiestie to haue any such neighbours whom she well knew to be no lesse ambitious nor of lesse proud behauiour then the Spaniards were which they neuerthelesse if shee could not ayde them with some ready money must bee forced to vse for that they could haue but small seruice of their soldiers which they had already leuied if they were not paied where-vnto as yet they had no meanes vntill they had taken a generall order therein wherein they begin to proceede but that before the same could be effected the enemy might strengthen himselfe and oppresse them to the vtter ouer-throw of the Netherlands and all the estates of the countries bordering vpon For which cause they desired that her Maiesty would shew how highly and deerely she esteemed of the old aliances and contracts made betweene her kingdomes and the Netherlands by the treaties of intercourses and trafickes of Marchants so necessary for both countries which would not bee maintained if any other Prince should rule ouer the said Netherlands which if it should so fall out as God defend them from it without doubt in time her Maiesty would find her selfe in as great difficulty as the Netherlands desiring her to remember the verse Tunc tua res agitur paries cum proximus ardet These reasons graciously heard by the Queene of England she presently made answere by word of mouth saying that she was sory that the King his Maister was so badly councelled and that shee had twise or thrise sent vnto him to desire him to consider the nature and condition of the Netherlands and to remember how obedient the inhabitants thereof had beene to their naturall Princes which at all times had gouerned them so fortunately and that it was fitter for him to followe the same course then to vse the extremity which is alwaies accompanied with great iniustice and force and can not long subsist as being a most certaine and an assured ruine of all common welthes and that if hee thought it good that shee should bee a mediator betweene them both shee would gladly doe her best to end and pacifie all quarrells with condition that they should obserue such religion as the King would haue them to follow to gether with his soueraine authority and reputation which she as a Princesse vnderstood did of right belong vnto all Princes and that all Princes were bound to ayd and assist one the other for the maintenance of their soueraingty as being a common cause belonging vnto them where-vnto shee sayd hee made her answere that he gaue her thankes for her good offer and that hee hoped to deale so well with his subiects of the Netherlands that hee should not need to trouble any other Prince therein and that if it should come to that point hee would rather trust her therein then any other of his neighbours in that sort as she said reiecting her Princely offer with good words and therefore she said that the Netherlands might assure them-selues that shee would not endure that the Spaniards should rule absolutely amongst them in regarde of the daunger that thereby might bee incident vnto her as also in regarde of the ancient amity confederations and trafickes that her kingdomes had with the said Netherlands alwaies conditioning that they should deale faithfully vprightly and plainely with her maintaining the authority of their King and the religion as they were wont to doe in which respect shee would not let them want nether for mony nor men And when the Lord of Sweuenghen made further request vnto her for money she made answere that shee would doe it and that she would shortly resolue vpon the same After that entring into some other speeches with him she seemed to haue some dislike of the Prince of Orange and of the French-men saying that shee vnderstood of his motion therein made vnto them but shee would by no meanes seeme to like better of the French-men to bee in the Netherlands then of the Spaniards further speaking of the warres and of their commanders leaders and of their army she disliked that the commanders were all in manner young men and as she thought and had beene informed from thence had small experience in the warres to take such a charge in hand councelling them to vse the ayde and aduise of Lazarus Zwendâ—… a man of great experience and one well knowne in the Netherlands and the like old soldiers of that nation Shee said further it was not long since shee had sent one of her Gentlemen into Spaine to shew the King plainely that if he would not retire the Spaniards out of the Netherlands shee would helpe to driue them out Where-vnto the Ambassador according to his commission answered her at full and after that delt with the Queenes principall councellers as the Lord Bâ—…rghley Lord high treasor or of England The Earle of Lecester secretary Walsingham and others who thought it conuenient to send Captaine Horsley vnto the States to vnderstand their full intents and meanings and whether their pretence were to maintaine their old religion and the authority of their Prince the driuing out of all forraine soldiers and to bee gouerned by the naturall borne subiects of the land and to liue according to their ancient right and priueleges and being thereof assured that then the said Captaine Horsley should presently ride vnto Don Iohn of Austria to desire him that hee would graunt to their request or else flatly and plainely to tell him that her Maiestie would not suffer the Netherlands to bee tyrannized by the Spaniards as shee had likewise sent word vnto the King of Spaine him-selfe With this charge and commission Captaine Horsley went into the Netherlands and there effected his message meane time the Barron of Sweuenghen dealt further with the councell of England which told him that according to the aduise and intelligence that was brought vnto them the Netherlands were not to exâ—…ect much good at the Frenchmens hands saying that they had the coppies of the instructions of Mounsier Boniuet the French Ambassador in Brussels and of the duke of Aniou
of Meuse were incountred the same moneth neere vnto Iupille halfe a League from Liege by Balfour a Scotish Collonel who charged them so furiously as many of their souldiars were slaine vpon the place and the rest of them that scapt were all put to flight Whilest that the States made warre of all sides against the Spaniards those of Antwerp Alost and there aboutes in the Prouinces of Flanders and Brabant had a desseigne to beseege Brussells but hearing that Don Iohn of Austria the King of Spaines Bastard brother was come to Luxembourg to bee Gouernor and Lieuetenant Generall for the Kings Maiestie in the seauenteene Prouinces they desisted and would know how matters should after that time passe Don Iohn hauing staied some time in Luxembourg the Generall Estates sent the Noble Lords of Rassinghem and Villeruall the Bourgraue of Gaunt Meetkerke and other deputies to treate with Don Iohn so as after manie voyages at the last hee came to Marche in Famine the fifteene of December where they agreed vpon a generall truce and surcesance of armes for fifteene daies in the meane time hee sent Octauio Gonsaga and his Secretarie Escouedo to Antwerp Mastricht and Liere to deale about the sending away of the Spaniards as hee sayd and on the twentie and one of December the estates sent their deputies to Namur thinking that Don Iohn would haue come thether that by conference to gither they might roote out all iealousies but hee came not himselfe but sent the Lord of Rassinghem for to desire them to grant a longer respite for eight daies whereby hee might haue a full resolution from the Spaniards in Antwerp and other places Desiring moreouer to know what securitie and assurance the States would giue him for their obedience vnto the King after the departure of the Spaniards saying that it stood not with his honour to disarme himselfe and to put himselfe into their hands that were armed and therefore hee desired that the Estates should in like sort resolue to haue their souldiars disarmed and all strange souldiars amongst them to depart out of the countrie as well the Spaniards as any others Moreouer hee desired to knowe with what securitie the Spaniards should depart and whether by water or by lande And for that the matter in controuersie with the Estates of Holland and Zeelande and the Noble Prince of Orange was to bee decided by the generall Assembly of the States hee desired to knowe when and where that assemblie should bee kept and held and what pledges and securitie they would apoint for his person By which demands the estates found that his meaning was not to let the Spaniards depart out of the Prouines and countrie before the question for Relligion and other controuersies with the Hollanders and Zeelanders were ended wherevpon they resolued to follow and persist in their demands that the Spaniards should presently depart out of the Netherlands and vpon the last day of December for his full satisfaction they sent vnto him by their deputies fiue attestations Two beeing written in parchment signed and sealed by the Bishoppes Prelats Abbots Deanes and Pastors bearing date the seauenteene of December in the yeare of our Lord 1576. A third signed and sealed by the Deanes and facultie of diuinitie in Louvaine of the six and twenty of December 1576. A forth attestation of the doctros and professors of both lawes in the same Vniuersitie the same daie and yeare and a fifte from diuers Prelats directed vnto the Pope conteyning the state of relligion in the Netherlands dated the eight of Nouember last past betweene the generall estates of the one part and the Prince of Orange with the Estates of Holland and Zeeland on the other part And further-more to let him vnderstand that in the sayd contract of pacification there was not any thing that might diminish or any way preiudice the lawfull obedience due vnto the Kings owne Royall Maiestie they also deliuered him an Attestation from the Lords of the councell of State appointed by the King to gouerne the Netherlands bearing date the 20. of December 1576. signed Bartii The first of Ianuary 1577. the Abot of Saint Gelein chosen bishop of Arras the Marquis of Haurec the Bourgraue of Gant the Baron of Liedekerke and Adolph van Meetkerke deputies for the States offered to meet him at the townes of Lovuen or Mecklen to determine and conclude vpon that which was agreed vpon at Luxemburg betweene him the counsell of Estate for his Maiesty and the deputies of the generall Estates And for the assurance of his person besides the security offred by the generall Estates he should chuse a Commander and a garde of Netherlands such as were in the States seruice which Commander with his soldiars should take their othes vnto him to keepe and defend his person therewith to content him and that further they were content to deliuer him 4. Hostages to be taken out of the Estates or their deputies that should yeeld themselues into the bishop of Liege his hands a Prince that was their Neighbour vntill the peace were full concluded wherevnto vpon the same day Don Iohn made answer that in regard of the great loue hee bare vnto them and the desire hee had to the welfare and peace of the land hee would chuse the Lord of Hierges for the captaine of his guard with a regiment of 3000. souldiars that then were vnder his command as well for the defence and preseruation of his person as of the place which the would chuse to bee one of the two which they had offered vnto him and for Hostages hee would haue the Marquis of Haurec the Burgraue of Gant Emanuel of Lalain Baron of Montigny and the Abot of Saint Gertrude which should remaine in the castell of the Bishop of Leige and there be kept as he sayd they promised him and so hee would bee ready to meete them at Lovuen or at Mechelen there to bring the matter to a good conclusion Wherevnto the States made answere that al the Prouinces in the Netherlands had promised and vowed each to other and signed it with their hands not to abandon one the other but to make warre vntill that the Spaniards were gon out of the country promising neither to change Prince nor religion wherevnto they of Holland and Zeeland likewise had signed still holding their religion till it were otherwise ordered by the generall estates As also that they had not granted him to chuse his Hostages for that those which he had named they could not spare but they would nominate others not of the same qualitie and yet men sufficient inough and also touching the Lord of Hierges they sayd they could not grant him for diuers reasons to be commander ouer his guard but if hee would come parle with them he might if it pleased him meet them at Huy in the Land of Liege a newter place and with the like number of men as they brought
sayd estates haue promised to take on them the charge to satisfie and content our high-dutch souldiers of their paies as much as after account and reckoning made with them both what they can demand and what is reasonably to be deducted out of the same shall be found to bee due vnto them wherein wee and our said brother will aide and assist them and by our authorities credits and countenances procure those that haue the said accounts reckonings and registers in their hands to deliuer the same as also with the sayd high-dutches to induce and procure them to bee contented with that which shall by account be found due vnto them As likewise the sayd Lords Ambassadors and Messengers of the Empire and the deputies for the Duke of Iuilliers and Cleaue haue freely of their owne good willes promised to procure the said high Dutches to doe the same and that they will write vnto the Emperors Maiesty to desire him to vse his authority in that behalfe with the high Dutches and vntill the said high Dutches shall be fully satisfied contented and paid they shall liue peaceably and quietly and in such places as we by aduise of our councell of estate shall appoint them to remaine in for the protection security both of our persons the said estates Item the estates haue promised and by these presents doe promise after the departure of the Spaniards Italians and Burguignons out of our Netherlands to receiue and accept our sayd good brother vpon shewing presenting and deliuering vnto them our Letters of Commission to him to that end giuen and vpon his accustomed and vsuall oath in that case taken with the obseruation of the other solemnities which at such times are commonly done as Gouernour Lieutenant and Captaine generall for vs in our sayd Netherlands and that the sayd estates shall honor and respect him with all obedience and submissâ—…nesse as in that case belongeth and appertaineth The sayd contract of peace made in Gaunt notwithstanding still remaining in all things and in euery point in full force and power Item we ordaine and appoint that our successors and our aforesayd good brother and euery one of the Gouernors that by 〈◊〉 our successors shall bee appointed to gouerne our sayd Netherlands generally and perticularly at their ioyfull entries as also all and euery one of our presidents councellors officers and Iustices before their entring into and beginning to take the charge of their gouernments states offices and charges shall solemnly sweare to maintaine and obserue and as much as in them lyeth to cause to bee obserued and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 our present ordinance accorde and reconciliation Lastly we are content to allow ratefie and approoue all and euery condition assignation of rents and pentions and other obligations and assurances made and passed by the afforesaid estates and which as yet they shall make and passe with all and euery one that haue ayded assisted or holpen them with any mony or that shall ayde assist or helpe them with mony to serue them in their need for the auoyding of the troubles aforesaid and especially with the high and mighty Princesse our very louing sister the Queene of England And to the end that all and euery one of the aforesaid points and articles may bee truely really and vprightly holden obserued fullfilled effected and kept and that the whole contents of our said contract may continew and remaine firme permanent and inviolably for euer we haue caused our seale to bee anexed hereunto and to bee signed by our aforesaid good brother and the aforesaid estates on the other side haue likewise caused to bee hanged thereunto the seale of the estates of the Duchie of Brabant for and in the name and at the desire of all the estates and haue caused the same to bee vnder written by especiall and expresse command of all the estates by our louing friend and seruant Cornelis Wellemans clarke of the afore-said estates of Brabant and likewise at the desire and request both of vs and our good brother as of the estates the said Lords ambassadors messengers of the empire and deputies of the Duke of Iuilliers and Cleues as intercessors and mediators of the said reconciliation accord and Vnion conteyned in our said contract haue signed the same and of their good willes and speciall fauors haue as farre as in them lieth by the said committies from the Emperors maiestie recommended praysed aprooued and ratesied the same by all the meanes they can and as much as neede requireth giuen in our towne of March in famine the 12. of February in the yeare of our lord 1577. and in the yeares of our raigne of Spaigne and Cicilia c. the 23. and of Naples the 25. Signed Iohn and vnderneath by ordinance commission from his Highnes Fâ—…le vâ—…ssuer And on the other side was written giuen in our towne of Brussels the 17. of February 1577. in the 23. yere of our raigne of Spaine and Cicilia of Naples the 25. vnder that was written by ordinance from my Lords of the counsell of estate of our soueraâ—…ge Lord the King appointed by his Maiesty from hence-forwards to gouerne the Netherlands and signed Dâ—…ppe and vnder that was written by especiall and expresse command of my Lords the generall estates of the Netherlands vnder-written Wellemans and some what lower Gerrard bishoppe of Liege Phillippus Semor Barron of Winnenbergh Andreas Gail Doctor Wernhertro Gumioh and Iohn Lauwerman and some-what lower was written published in Brussels the 17. of February 1577. in presence of my Lords of the counsell of estate committed by the King to gouerne the Netherlands and of the Lord bishoppe and Prince of Luycke and other Lords Ambassadors and messengers of the Emperors Maiesty and of the Lords the generall estates of the Netherlands aforesaid by me the secretary of the towne of Brussels vnder written Aâ—…rssens This accord made by Don Iohn in frome of a perpetuall Edict was in the end proclaymed at Brusselles the 17. and at Antwerp the 27. of February 1577. to the incredible ioy of all the people Before the publication of the said Edict the generall Estates had by the Seignior of Hierges long beâ—…eeged the Spaniards that were in the castell of Vredenburch in the I owne of Vtrecht who were so prest with want and beaten with the canon as the tâ—…d of February they were forced to yeeld by composition to Cont Bossu and the said Castell was after-wards razed by â—…he Bourguers as it is at this present This accord made in forme of a perpetuall Edict was in the behalfe of the Generall estates by the Seignior of Willâ—… and Maister Paul Buys Aduocate of the Country of Holland accompanying the Baâ—…on of Wynenberg President of the Emperors councell Weâ—…r Laâ—…dt Drossart of the Duchiâ—… of Iuiâ—…ers and Iohn Lauwerman Councellor to the Duâ—… of Cleues sent to the Prince of Orange and the States of Holland and Zeeland to 〈◊〉 their consent there-vnâ—…
obtained that which hee so much desired which is the restitution of his goods and honour with the departure of the Spaniards whereon hee did ground his taking of armes that it is more then time to settle the countrie in peace and to banish all suspition on his behalfe imploying himselfe sincerely in so good a worke And if hee bee not satisfied with all this but doth demand some other thing let him speake plainely what hee pretends more for his safetie to the end that full contentment may bee giuen him For the effecting whereof it is verie requisite that the perpetuall Edict of the treatie made by the generall Estates with his highnesse and proclaimed at Brussells the seauenteenth of February and successiuely in other townes and Prouinces in confirmation of the sayd pacification of Gant may bee also proclaymed in Holland Zeeland and other associat places whereas hetherto it hath not beene published In like sort seeing a peace is made and proclaimed it is necessary that generally all acts should cease which tend to hostilitie and may giue any occasion of distrust as the entertayning of souldiars the fortification of townes and places practises and allyances leagues and confederations euen with strangers casting of new Ordinance the which ought to remaine in the same Estate vntill the resolution of the generall Estates And for that and other things specefied in the pacification to giue order for the full accomplishment of a desired peace and the publike tranquillitie it is fit to aduise speedelie when the sayd generall Estates shall assemble All which points the sayd Commissioners for his Highnesse require the Prince of Orange and the Deputies of Holland and Zeeland to carry them vnto the Estates of Holland and Zeeland as they will doe vnto his Highnesse and to the other Estates the points and articles which shal be giuen them by the sayd Prince and deputies Hoping there shal be a fauorable answere giuen reciprocally of either side and that all things in the meane time shall remaine in peace and tranquility The answere of the Prince of Orange and the Deputies of the Estates of Holland and Zeeland to the sayd Proposition MY Lords vpon the Proposition which it hath pleased you to make on his Highnesse behalfe that to take away all iealousie and distrust which seemed to hinder the sinceritie of the peace wee should propound assurances which wee thinke conuenient for the effecting thereof The Prince of Orange and the deputies of the Estates of Holland and Zeeland haue made answere that it were a superfluous thing to demande new assurances seeing that the conditions promised by the pacification were not yet accomplished and that to take away distrust there was no better meanes then to beginne by the fulfilling of the points and articles of the pacification of Gant the which wee beeing readie for our parts to accomplish if any remayning desiryng that you would doe the like on your behalfe and that moreouer it hath pleased you my maisters to require vs to put in writing the points and articles which wee pretend are not yet fulfilled To satisfie your desire therein the Prince of Orange and the deputies of the Estatâ—…s of Holland and Zeeland haue thought good to exhibit these articles following First that the aduice and answere which the Prince of Orange and the Estates of Holland and Zeeland haue giuen by writing to all the generall Estates of the Netherlands by the hands of Mounsier de Villerual dated the nineteenth day of February in the yeare of our Lord 1577. containes many Articles by which it appeeres that the pacification made at Marche in Famine was not conformable to all the Articles of the pacification of Gant for which cause the sayd Prince Estates haue not allowed of the said pacification but vpon expresse condition that the generall estates should for their parts passe an act obligatory in due forme signed by them and the Gouernors of Prouinces commanders and colonels conformable to that which is more particularly specified in the said aduice and answer Where-vpon they haue by an act giuen and dated the first of March declared their intention to haue alwaies beene to maintaine effectually the pacification made at Gand and to seeke to redresse all that they should finde done or attempted to the contrary or against the preuiledges rights liberties and customes of the Netherlands as well in generall as in particular and they promised to cause the like resolution to be signed by the Gouernors of Prouinces commanders and collonels as being bound to gouerne them-selues accordingly which promise and condition hath not beene effected nor accomplished for the Germains are not yet gone out of the country which is contrary to the said pacification of Gand. Item the goods haue not beene neither are yet restored to the Prince of Orange as well in these parts as in Bourgongne and Luxembourg Neither is the Earle of Buren his sonne deliuered which doth not onely impugne the said pacification but also the preuiledges and liberties of the country and the conditions of the said aduice and answer Item the Prince hath not his gouernment yet restored vnto him as hee had it by commission from his Maiesty seeing that neither the country and towne of Vtrecht nor the townes of Tholen Heusden and others are not yet vnited to their ancient gouernments as they were in former times where in my Lords of the councell of State haue shewed them-selues partiall writing letters to them of Vtrecht by the which they haue kept them from submitting them-selues vnder their ancient Gouernor according to the said pacification and the preuiledges of Vtrecht although that they of Vtrecht haue often required that they might submit them-selues Moreouer in steed of augmenting and maintaining the priuileges of the country as had beene specefied not onely in the said pacification but also in the conditions of the said aduice and answer giuen vnto the generall estates we see them now deminished yea broken and violated in diuers sorts for my Lords the States haue by their Instruction giuen to certaine deputies sent vnto Don Iohn lately sence the said aduice and answer where it had beene expresly mentioned subiected the assembly of the States as wel general as particular vnto the good pleasure of Don Iohn the which should remaine free according to the ancient rights preuiledges and liberties of the Countrie in those Prouinces and places that haue preuiledges Item those of the religion are not admitted in any places and townes of other prouinces to remaine there according to the pacification of Gand as may bee verified by many examples if they will take informations And yet not-with-standing all this and that the promises and obligations contained in the said pacification of Gand and sence in that which the estates haue promised to the Prince to the estates of Holland and Zeeland be not accomplished yet they haue receiued the said Don Iohn for Gouernor and Captaine generall without the aduise
of the said Prince and estates of Holland and Zeeland not that the said Prince and States will say they would haue opposed them-selues but for that it seemes that the vnion brought in by the said pacification hath beene by that meanes neglected And which is more they haue accepted of Don Iohn with his traine of Italiens and Spaniards the which is euen against the Edict of pacification made by Don Iohn at March in famine Also wee see that contrary to the said pacification of Gand many strangers Italiens Spaniards and others which haue shewed them-selues partiall and Spaniolized haue great credit with Don Iohn as the Seignior Octauio Gonzaga Fernand Nunno the Secretary Escouedo the Seignior of Gaste who hath beene imployed into England to breake the Vnion of England and these Countries with Iohn Baptista Taxis and many others haunting daily the court of the said Don Iohn although they haue done very bad offices against the good of the Countrie and as the common brute is Don Iohn hath some secret councell with the aboue named and others of the like humor Finally it seemes that by vertue of the clauses contained in the league and vnion which my Lords the Estates haue made although peraduenture they had no such intent there bee in effect a new inquisition brought in yea more greeuous then that in former times or that which they vse in Spaine the which informe not against any person of what religion soeuer vntill that hee bee suspected or haue giuen some occasion whereas hee here by this newe forme of league all men serche after for their consciences and religion vnder collour of maintaining the vnion contrarie to the pacification of Gant and all concor Wee omit the complaintes of priuate persons touching the restitution of goods and the fraudes and abuses of the Receiuors of confiscations for that wee will not trouble the Estates with trifles which may be handled at an other time Made at Geertrudenbergh the foure and twenty of Maie 1577. AFter that Don Iohn had bin receiued into Brussells with all his traine vpon a hope grounded vpon his promises that in time hee would dismisse them and that after hee had setled an order in his house hee would not bee serued but by them of the countrie Notwithstanding when as hee found that for so much as his followers were greatly suspected to the Bourgers of Brussells and to all the Estates in generall who had often intreated him to discharge them hee could not well execute that which hee had long proiected vpon the sayd towne Hee therefore sought an occasion to goe to Macklin vnder collour to treat with the Germaine Collonels where hee did freely and without any scruple cause all sorts of Italians Spaniards and them that were of the Spanish faction to enter and frequent his Court and all that had declared themselues enemies to their countrie and fauorers of the mutinies sedytions spoilings and outrages of the sayd Spaniards hauing open conuersation and familiaritie with them holding councells of the State and affaires of the sayd countries with them as the effects conformable to the letters written to the Germaines Collonels haue since made manifest for at that time insteed of treating in the States name of their paiement and retreat out of the countrie as hee was bound by the sayd Accord and Edict sollemnely sworne by him vpon the Euangill in the hands of the Bishop of Boisleduke all the States assisting and in the presence of the Popes Noncio and the Emperors ambassadors hee practised with the sayd Germaines to bandie them against the States and to do that which hee since effected as it appeeres by his letter written to the Baron of Frundtsbergh and to Charles Foucker their Collonels the 16. of Iuly in these words Worthie Gentlemen I thinke you remember well what I treated with you at Macklin and the order which I gaue you concerning that which it behoueth you to doe for his Maiesties seruice And although I assure my selfe that you will not faile therein but will put it in execution according vnto the vertue and wisdome you haue hetherto vsed what hath beene giuen you in charge for his Maiesties seruice Notwithstanding the businesse beeing of so great importance I haue thought good to recharge you by these my letters and to put you in minde of what wee haue treated and to require and command you as I doe in his Maiesties name that as soone as possible you can you effect and put in execution what was concluded betwixt vs for that therein you shall doe that wherevnto you are bound and which is requisite for the assurance of your persons and your paie whereof the States pretended to depriue you wherevnto it is not reasonable that either you or I should consent seeing that his Maiesties intent nor mine were neuer other but to haue you honored paied and fauored Our Lord keepe you c. And moreouer for a more ample declaration of the great desire hee had of the execution of his desseignes plotted there hee added with his owne hand You knowe my Maisters what I haue giuen you in charge at Macklin and that in the execution thereof you shall discharge the dutie and seruice which you owe vnto his Maiesty assuring moreouer by the same meanes your liues and entertainments for that the intention of the States being to leaue you yea and to take al from you I am bound with the rest to doe that seruice to his Maiesty seeing it is hee that must paie you and â—…in his name am to take the charge And to the priuate Captaines hee did write with his owne hand vnderneth the letter written in high Duch in these termes My friends I referre my selfe to that which your Collonels shall deliuer you more at large Beleeue them and continue as you ought in his Maiesties seruice which is the King whome you serue and who must satisfie and paie you and the like will I doe vnto you if GOD permit as your Generall friend and fellowe souldiar The same month of Iulie sending Ierome Curiell with letters of credit vnto the Collonels hee writ also with his owne hand these words in substance I send Ierome Curiel againe vnto you to declare vnto you more particularly what hee hath in charge and seeing the chance is cast and cannot bee recalled againe it is necessarie to proceede and that which doth most import is expedition and great dilligence in the execution of that which hath beene agreed vpon and concluded Whereby it did plainely appeere that insteed of treating with the Germaines for the States as hee had promised by the said accord hee treated and practised against themâ—… And insteed of reconciling them one with an other hee did incense them more perswading the Collonels that the States would defraude them of their entertainement and take awaie their liues And whereas hee was bound to cause them to depart out of all the Townes and places of
and subscription there was written by Don Ihon himselfe I beseech your Maiestie as farre as your seruice doth require to accomplish this as soone as may bee seeing this body hath no other remedie but to cut off that which is putrified the which must now bee done with that prouision For the which I doe againe beseech you for if it faile nothing can stand firme and in the meane time wee haue great neede to pray that God will ayde the present state In the second letter vnto the King written the same day hee saith By this which I presently write and by the other your Maiestie may see what hath past and doth passe and in what estate the affaires bee that doth assure you that if this wound may bee cured by patience it shall bee helpt if by too much forcing of my condition I fall not sicke or that the naturall inclination of man doth not otherwise force mee But hetherto I see this Phisicke hath wroughe small effect and I am doubtfull what it will doe In that which Don Iohn did write vnto the Secretary Antonio Perez dated the seauenth of Aprill hee saith I haue and will sacrifice my selfe for his Maiesties pleasure whilest that I shall see that iâ—… doing it it shall not bee directly against his seruice Wherefore I say that so long as there shall bee any danger or that any thing shall require my presence I will not make any vse of the leaue which I haue demanded although it bee granted mee But that bâ—…ng done and after that I haue ended things wherein I may doe any seruice it is no reason it should bee refused mee For beeing then to obsâ—…e the old gouernment 〈◊〉 and that which these people would haue as of force wee must a womans or childs steart will without all comparison bee more fitte then mine for they will neuer rest assured of mee So as I say that whereas his Maiestie hath pardoned them freely and 〈◊〉 hee hath forgotten the offences which they haue done seeing that hee hath takeâ—… from them the man of whom they had conceiued such iealousie and that hee shall send them an other of whom they can haue no doubt for as their offence is exceeding great they thinke that his Maiesty will not leaue it vnpunished and do certainely beleeue that I shal be the Instrument c. In that which Iohn Escouedo Secretary to Don Iohn did write vnto the King of the 27. of March After that hee had complained of the small credit he had among the marchants by reason of the decree whereof Don Iohn complaines in like sort hauing inueighed greatly against the States and Noblemen of the countrie and against the Prince of Orange and the Hollanders he sayeth my Leege the affaires standing vpon these tearmes and those here being vnwilling to admit Don Iohn vnto the gouernment vntill that the Spaniards be quite out of the country who might serue for some remedy your Maiesty wil consider what paine and care this may wil breed if it had chanced for the good of your Maiesties seruice to haue had money here for the finall rooting out c. In that of the 6. of Aprill vnto the King Escouedo sayd the states haue not performed what they ought that is a hundred and fifty thousand crownes neither do they assist in any thing although that I haue beene expresly at Brusselles to present it vnto them and to the Councell of state whom it did import to aide me Wherevpon I made them along discourse but they loue your Maiesty so coldly as no reasons can make them to hinder themselues neither do I see any one man that will shew them the way wherefore it doth the more import to recouer credit among the marchants that your Maiesty be carefull thereof By the third letter written by Escouedo vnto the King bearing the same date he sayth My Leege I will tell your Maiesty that I see neither deeds nor words in any one which giue me hope that these men should be pacified nor performe that which they haue promised for all that we can see or heare tends to liberty of conscience the which your Maiesty may hold for certaine and that withall it is necessary to endeauor here by al humaine means to redresse these your Maiesties affaires with the least preiudice that may be Your Maiesty will consider what is to bee done in case they will put this ill in execution forgetting God and your Maiesty to become heretiks There is an other thing which may helpe this which is their priuate pretensions Those that were prisoners thinke they haue deserued that which was giuen to others and herevpon they will grow into factions if it bee true as I doe verely beleeue then the liberty of conscience which they pretend will not bee hurtfull vnto your Maiesty for one part of them wil fly vnto your Maiesty being so diuided we may the more easily reduce and chastise one by an other In the conclusion of his letter he sayth And seeing that I am come so far as to speake it your Maiesty may beleeue it and preuent it in time being assured that this disease will not bee cured by any milde remedies but by fire and bloud and therefore you must prouide for it And in that of the 8. of the same month he writs vnto the King for my part I know not what to say more but that suspition increaseth daily by the bad proceeding of these men your Maiesty may beleeue for certaine that at the least they will haue liberty of conscience By that of the ninth wheras he tooke it ill that the duke of Arschot had past out of Brabant into Flanders in the Prince of Oranges ships being accompanied with the Vicont of Gant and the Lord of Borselle he saith Your Maiesty may consider if these things be done the Spaniards being not yet out of the country what wil be afterwards attempted If this must be cured by miracle it is time if by hands and force your Maiesty must prouide in time what shal be needfull for my part I would not much regard they should hold the places vpon the firme land the Islands are chiefly to be lookt vnto And this I hold more difficult theÌ„ the action of England If the one were taken the other would be also and for the effecting thereof reasonable forces will suffice I speake not this for the aduancement of Don Iohn for I lay all priuate respects aside but for that I haue long since sayd that your Maiesty had no other remedy the time had shewed it will shew it daily more and more By all which letters and others to the Empresse inueighing much against the Netherlands Don Iohn and his Secretary Escouedo sought nothing but to incense the King of Spaine the Emperor against the sayd countries by the which Don Iohns intention did manifestly appeere that all his promises and the rewards which
they deliuered the Abbot Wee haue said that before the mutine of the discontented Wallons which had seazed vpon Menin although that this seazure and surprize was not done by the sole and onely authoritie of the Lord of Montigni him-selfe but by a long pretended practise was at the first colloured for their pay and not as they sayd to alter any thing in the generall Vnion of the States The which Montigni him-selfe shewed his letters written vnto the Arch-duke and to the Prince of Orange Where-vpon the said Noblemen were perswaded to send the Seignior of Bours Gouernor of Macklin to treat with them and to reclaime them He went and propounded certain articles vnto them yeelding vnto all they could demand The Malecontents according vnto the articles which were granted vnto them vpon their demands tooke a new oth But the countries of Arthois Lisle Douay and Orchies seeing the Dukes of Aniou and Casimire retired with their forces and that the Malecontents were yet within Menin refusing to leaue it notwith-standing all the promises of the States and their new oth began then to make open shew of the desire they had to forsake the Vni on the which they had kept secret since the moneth of August in the yeare before when as they of Arthois failed to send their contribution for the entertainment of the army And first of all the Prelates of Arthois and Henault did corrupt with readie money the sayd Lord of Montigni of all which trafficke La Motte-Pardieu was the broker for the which he receiued a hundred and fifty thousand florins and as they of Arthois thrust on by the Seignior of Capres and the Abbot of Saint Vaast and also by them of Douay who had bene the first mutines hauing torne the Arch-dukes letters and committed the messenger to prison could not do any thing without them of Lille whereas the Seignior of Ville◅val was Gouernor who seemed some-what suspect vnto thē or atthe least hard to bee drawne one of these Prelates sayd that he would giue 40000. florins for his part to be assured of him Wherevnto a certaine Gentleman of Arthois replied that he assured him-selfe that for that sūme he would draw him into their faction And in the meane time the Seignior of Villeruall sent one Charles of Calonne an aduocate of Lille vnto the Prince of Orange with letters of the seuenth of August 1578. and goodly protestations that he would continue in the generall Vnion The Seignior of Bours who had bene as wee haue said sent to treat with the Malecontents of Menin suffred him-selfe also to be corrupted deliuering the towne of Macklin to the Spaniard as well in hope of a marriage which he afterwards obtained as for that he had no greater aduancement from the States nor the pension which hee expected from them of Antwerpe hauing helpt to reduce the Castell The Seignior of Mauny Lieutenant Collonell of the Earle of Egmonts Regiment being entred into Saint Omer and put the Burgers into a tumult ready to cut one an others throat when as some suffred themselues to be ouer-ruled by the perswasions of the Seignior of Rumenghien newly crea◅ Earle of Roeux was also corrupted with money The Seigniors of Heze and Alenes marcht in the same round True it is they said that al this money was to pay their Male-contented soldiers but since it was well knowne how they were paid For the making of all these bargaines the Seignior of La Motte treated long before they could agree with Alonso of Curiell a Spanish pay-maister as it appeared by their letters which wee haue seene Finally the capitulation being made in Grauelingh by the King of Spaines Commissaries made mention of seauen hundred thousand Florins that is to say to buy our faith good cheape whereof 200000. were payd to the Lord of Montigni according to the agreement made by La Motte at Mont Saint Eloy Which accord was set forth by them and printed at Douay by Iohn Bogard a sworne printer the same yeare as followeth Wee Emanuell of Lalain Baron of Montigni c. Do acknowledge and declare that wee haue this day the sixt of Aprill 1579. concluded and agreed with Mounsier De la Motte Gouernor of Grauelingh in his Maiesties name in the presence and with the reuerent consent of the Bishop of Arras the Baron of Selles and Mounsier de Valliuon as well for our owne person as for that of the Lord of Heze by vertue of the authoritie which he hath giuen vs and also for all other Collonels Captain◅s Officers Soldiers as well of foote as horse which haue obeyed vs in Flanders and other places for these seauen or eight moneths being at this present about seauen or eight thousand foote and some 400. horse and certaine Pioners to serue his Maiestie with that forme of oth which followeth Wee sweare and promise to maintaine and entertaine the Chatholike Apostolike and Romish religion to performe the obedience due to his Maiestie and all according to the pacification of Gant the Vnion which followed and the perpetuall Edict to which end wee promise to serue his Maiestie faithfully against all men and to obey his Lieutenant and Captaine generall whome soeuer he shall appoint beeing pleasing to the vnited Prouinces to maintaine them-selues in the aboue named points To which Prouinces if his Maiestie giue reasonable assurance and doth not retire the Spaniards Italiens Albanois Bourguignons and other men of warre not pleasing vnto the said Prouinces by the day and time that shall be prefixed we shall not be then tyed nor bound by vertue of that promise as also we shall not bee bound to attempt nor vndertake any thing before the retreat of the Spaniards other strangers out of the countrie which oth we will cause to be sworne by our troopes according to the same we will deliuer into his Maiesties handes the townes of Menin Castell and all others which we hold with their artillerie and munition to be disposed of as shall bee thought fit for his seruice And for the paying of what is due vnto the said troopes and for the making of them more voluntary orderly and subiect to Martiall discipline for the well seruing of his Maiestie VVee Valentine de Pardieu Seignior of La Motte Gouernor of Grauelingh promise in his Maiesties name to pay and deliuer into the hands of the Baron of Montigni the summe of two hundred and fiue thousand florins that is forty thousand presently threescore fiue thousand by the sixt of Maie next and the other hundred thousand by the seauenth of Iune following in regard whereof wee Lord of Montigny do promise to entertaine our troopes for all the moneths of Aprill and Maie next cumming and to make a generall muster of the sayd troopes to enter into seruice and ordinary paie in the beginning of Iune next And we Seignior of La Motte do promise to cause them to be receiued in his Maiesties name
Stuper and Berenbroeke to whom there was not much due were well paid But it was to be supposed that want of money was the cause of it Captaine Cornput with the rest of the valiant captains bourgers and souldiers got great honour prayse and glorie amongst all wise men in regard of their industrie constancie resolution diligence carefulnesse labour and dangers considering with what people they had to doe as also what small meanes they had beeing simple people that wanted a gouernour ordnance and horsemen During this siege Sonoy with a few souldiers had besieged both the houses of Vollenhove wherein the earle of Renenbergh had garrison which were soone yeelded vnto him The Englishmen Wallons and Iselsteins souldiers were sent vnto the Kuynder and there besieged the church which within few dayes vpon composition was yeelded vnto them The companies of the Friseland regiment vnder the lord of Merode went before Lemmer and Sloten which being battered yeelded vp and after that the Englishmen and Wallons were diuided into seuerall garrisons The lord of Nienoort went presently into the territories thereabouts wheras they of Groning had besieged his sconce at Winsum which heat his comming thither releeued by the which sconce at Winsum and those at Winsumerziel Warsum Warsumerziel and other places he held a great part of the countrey vnder contribution The earle of Renenberghes souldiers were then come into the territories of Steenwick and lay at Midlesum where the lord of Nienoort thought to hem them in but they beat him from thence and shut two companies conducted by Renoy and Vercken into a church who were forced to yeeld vpon safegard of life and goods because their captaines were absent Oyenbrugh whose reuolt was ascribed vnto the earle of Renenbergh at a skirmish before Loppersum was shot in the leg whereof he died in Groning The earle of Renenbergh himselfe with a companie of souldiers went into Zeeland and tooke the house of Boxburgh fortified Goore and other places and tooke great store of bootie with him Hauing related what was done in the campe before Steenwicke and in other places thereabouts I will now returne and shew what was done in the later part of the yeare 1580. The king of Spaine hauing setled it in his imagination that the prince of Orange was the onely man that crost his designes in the Netherlands and that he could not reduce Holland Zeeland and their associats vnder his obedience for as the secretarie Escouedo had written vnto him he must first begin with the islands hee thought that so long as the said prince should liue he should neuer see an end of those troubles Wherefore seeing he could not attaine vnto it by armes in the time of the duke of Alua and of Dom Louys de Requesens nor by the policie and practises of Dom Iohn whereas the townes of Holland and Zeeland in generall were not at the said princes deuotion nor allied with mightie neighbors as the prouinces of Gueldres Vtrecht Friseland and Ouerissel he resolued at what price soeuer and whatsoeuer shold chance vnto him to practise the meanes to attaine vnto his pretended end and to haue the said prince of Orange dispatched by what way soeuer yet something to colour and excuse the fact and the execution thereof he would vse a kind of forme of proceeding as depending vpon the order of iustice vsing first a proscription or banishment decreed against the said prince whom afterwards he leaues as a prey abandoning him to all the world Of which proscription we haue thought good for breuities sake to set downe the substance and chiefe points being proclaimed by the prince of Parma in two seuerall languages vpon the nineteenth day of Iune Philip by the grace of God King of Castile Duke of Bourgoigne Brabant c. Hee sheweth first how gratiously and fauourably the late deceased emperour Charles the fifth of famous memorie his lord and father had dealt with William van Nassau to procure him the succession of Rene of Chalons prince of Orange his cousin and although hee were a stranger had aduanced and furthered him in all he could as also the king himselfe hauing made him knight of the order of the golden Fleece and gouernour of Holland Zeeland Vtrecht and Bourgoigne colonell of a regiment of horsemen and a counsellor of Estate declaring further all other the fauours that had beene done him And to the contrarie how vnthankfull hee had beene in moouing and procuring the confederat gentlemen to present a petition vnto him bringing in of the reformed religion with the exercise of the same and the casting downe of images rooting out the Catholike Romish religion and chasing away the clergie And lastly bearing open armes against his soueraigne lord and that hee had resisted and withstood all treaties of peace and had broken the pacification of Gant and the perpetuall edict carrying himselfe in most tyrannous manner ill intreating all the chiefe nobilitie of the countrey that hee might rule and dominier more absolutely among a furious and tumultuous multitude the good being chased away And for that all this confusion and miserie which his subiects he said suffered are found to proceed from the counsel persuasion and instigation of that wicked hypocrite by his turbulent spirit who put all his felicitie in the trouble of his subiects For which causes being as he said iust reasonable and according vnto iustice vsing in that regard the authoritie which he had ouer him by vertue of the othes of fealtie and obedience which hee had often made vnto him for all his peruerse and wicked acts beeing the sole author head and contriuer of those troubles and the chiefe disturber of all his Estates he declared him a rebell heretike hypocrite like to Cain and Iudas hauing his conscience obdurat a villaine head of the Netherland tumults a plague to Christendome and an enemie to all mankind And as such a one did proscribe and banish him for euer out of his said countries and out of all his other estates realmes and seigniories forbidding all his subiects of what estate qualitie or condition soeuer to liue or conuerse talke or conferre with him openly or secretly nor to receiue nor lodge him in their houses nor yet to releeue him with meat drinke fire or any other necessaries Giuing all his goods lands life and liuing to them could take it And that it might bee the better effected and brought to passe and thereby to release and deliuer the poore people from his tyrannie desiring to reward and recompence all good actions and to punish and chastise the bad and such as are offendors and transgressors hee promised vpon the word of king and as the minister of Almightie God That if any one would bee of so generos a resolution and so zealously affected to his seruice and the publike good as to put in practise and execution the foresaid edict and decree and to free him from such a plague deliuering him the
estate And euery one knowing how long hee hath dealt in the affaires of this countrie and of the councel of estate may persuade himselfe that it is not without reason that hee doth attribute vnto himselfe this knowledge And therefore bee intreats all men of iudgement especially those that make profession of the religion to allowe him something which cannot bee knowne but to such as haue pierst into the bowels of the affaires of Spaine as he hath often and long time done But hee is content that all good men which haue interest in the cause should consider of that which is set to the viewe of euery man and knowne to all the world and then iudge of the king of Spaines resolutions that is whether the beginning of this monarchie of Spaine bee not wholly grounded vpon the strict leagues intelligences and correspondencies which the kings of Castile and Aragon haue had heretofore with the Pope which amities beeing many yeares since begunne haue still increased by the continuance of mutuall offices which they haue done one vnto another the pope augmenting this crowne of Spaine and the king of Spaine embracing the popes quarrels against all the world without any reseruation The popes haue augmented the house of Aragon with the realmes of Naples and Sicile and haue made the way for the house of Spaine to conquer Lombardie and to hold the princes of Italie subiect at his deuotion some by citadels some by feare and some by practises alwaies managed and coloured by the popes So as if at any time the house of France hath practised some little fauour from the Pope presently the house of Spaine hath felt the foundations of his Seigniories in Italie to shake and readie to fall the historie whereof is well knowne to all men of state If then there were no other reason but this onely the house of Spaine knowing well of what importance the estate of Italie is would neuer attempt any thing but as he should be instructed by the spirit of the court of Rome with the which no good man can haue any greater familiaritie then Christ had with Belial But euery man knoweth that the great empire at the Indies which Spaine doth at this daie enioy is due by the Spaniards vnto the free gift of the Romish Sea and likewise the coniunction of the crownes of Aragon and Castile to the popes dispensation as also the conquest of the kingdome of Nauarre and of late of the kingdome of Portugall and countries subiect to the crowne For these reasons then we must thinke that neither the king of Spaine nor any of his successors after him will euer seperate themselues from the amitie of that sea and consequently he will be of necessitie an open enemie to the true religion the which can no more endure the the pope and his adherents than the sea doth a dead carcasse And for as much as all the dangers whereunto the said prince may be exposed with these countries the which are very great to iudge according vnto man are yet nothing in comparison of the ruine of the true religion whereof they that persecute it are enemies and the said prince should be treacherous if he should abandon it for these considerations hee is resolued with the helpe of God to continue constant in his first resolution vnto the end of his life and if God giue him the grace so to assure these countries as after his death he will leaue it able to defend it selfe against the power of Spaine and his adherents The said prince is not ignorant what reports are spread abroad by his enemies in regard of that which is treated betwixt the Estates of Holland and his person and that before that hee would yeeld vnto them he had foreseene and dulie considered both by himselfe and with many men of worth and reputation and moreouer hauing condescended thereunto he had protracted the busines to auoyd the slaunders of the wicked and the suspition of some who are not of themselues badde but may interpret the said treatie sinisterly not knowing the true cause and ground But the said prince beeing vnwilling to make any long discourse vpon this point wherein hee should do himselfe wrong for that it could not be so simply written but it would tend something to his praise he is content to say intreats monsieur Norris to assure her Maiesty the lords of her councel al good men that if the said prince had not bin persuaded by many pregnant reasons which haue beene propounded vnto him by many men of qualitie whose pietie to religion affection to their countrie and wisdome to iudge are well knowne vnto him that it was necessarie and conuenient for the preseruation of religion and to keepe so many good men from vniust deaths by the crueltie of their enemies and that others liuing in simplicitie and ignorance should not bee seduced by the practises of the children of this world hee had neuer proceeded further and yet matters being as they are if they can shew him a more safe way hee protests that he is ready to follow it and to march constantly after him that shall guide him The said prince doth intreat all good men so to temper their iudgements as they giue no place either to slaunders or false reports nor to opinions grounded onely vpon suspition hoping that his word shall be sooner credited than a bare suspition the which may bee as soone refuted as it growes in the spirit of man without ground and assurance Nothing then hath mooued the said prince to take that course which he hitherto followed but this holy resolution aboue mentioned And if it shall now please her Maiestie to vnderstand what meanes the said prince propounds vnto himselfe for the maintenance of so iust and yet so difficult a quarrell to obey her Maiestie to whom he desires to continue a most humble seruant and not to forget to aduertise her as much as he may of the estate of his affaires hee intreats the Seignior Norris to acquaint her Maiestie with that which followes That first of all the great and eternall power of God is knowne vnto him not onely by his holy doctrine where he hath learned it but also by many experiences which hee hath made and diuers effects which he hath felt in the aduancement preseruation of the true Church and first in the time of his ancestors in the kingdom of Bohemia and in his time in Germanie Switser-land England Scotland France and in the end in these countries and euen in his owne person And that in all these kingdoms and prouinces God hath made it visibly known to all the world that he suffered men to propound in their councels but he knew how to dis pose of all things and to him alone belonged the honour and glorie of the preseruation of his people And although that this resolution he setled in his heart and that he referres himselfe to his holy prouidence yet he knoweth the
will of God is that with his blessing wee should vse the meanes which are giuen and distributed vnto vs by that singular prouidence of God Wherefore looking vnto that which God puts into his hand to vse it to his glorie if many times councels and resolutions succeed not as he desireth yet hee comforts himselfe in that he hath obeyed God putting that in practise which he hath made him to see and beeing nothing grieued after that he hath done his dutie that God doth make it knowne that he is the master and controller of all our councels wisdoms and resolutions This is the cause why he doth first seeke so to vnite the hearts of all these prouinces as with one resolution and will they may repulse the violence of their enemies he hath hitherto felt many contradictions for diuers towns and many priuate persons some through want of courage and others through manifest treacherie haue chosen the enemies partie choosing rather not the delights of Egypt but the cruell yoke of Pharaoh which they will feele too late to be insupportable rather than to endure with the people of God a temporal affliction And as her Maiestie and the lords of her councell know well that there is in the world great diuersitie and peruersitie of willes and iudgements he doth also beseech them to consider that euen among them which hold firme against the Spaniard there are many whereof part through pride part by couetousnesse and some through errour doe very much hinder the aduancement of that which is most profitable for them The which the prince will forbeare to discourse of for the small delight her Maiestie would take in such a subiect and he in deliuering it the which he referres to the sufficiencie and discretion of the Seignior Norris who for his long continuance in these parts is able to satisfie her Maiestie if it please her to do him the honour to demand it This designe was managed a whole yeare and more and yet the said prince to his great griefe could neuer effect his intentions so as euery one gouerning himselfe after his own fantasie and he hauing only a goodly name and title of honour could not execute any matter of importance neither in assailing nor defending hauing not the meanes nether yet could he aide as he desired the townes and priuate prouinces for that they haue relected his counsell and the meanes which he laid open vnto them as well to vse the meanes which they had as to seeke succour and an assured support in Germanie when it was time By these errours there haue not onely ensued losses but also such confusions in the publike and priuate affaires of prouinces and a generall ignorance of that which was done and treated or that should be done as the said prince could not with his honour write to any nor aduertise them of that which was vnknowne vnto him and ouer the which hee had no power nor authoritie The which the said prince intreats generall Norris to represent vnto her Maiestie and to beseech her most humbly to hold him excused in this point And moreouer to let her vnderstand how long the said prince had beene in speech with him to take the opportunitie of his voyage to aduertise her Maiestie more particularly of all things concerning the affaires of these countries The said prince then seeing such disorder and foreseeing yea feeling by effect the miseries that might ensue continuing notwithstanding the solliciting of this generall vnion of all the prouinces not in name title or paper but in resolution will meanes and faculties hee hath thought it necessarie to deuise the meanes vntill that this generall vnion might be concluded and put in practise to vnite most of the townes and prouinces he could that they may serue as a firme rampar for a time to oppose against the violence and furie of the enemie whilest that the others should resolue in one will And in the meane time also to preuent all extreamities that the said prouinces in case that worse should happen should defend themselues by their owne proper forces and meanes and also succour their neighbours allies and confederates according to their small power and forces hoping that God would blesse and prosper their resolutions According to the which the said prince hath of late set downe a proportion of horse and foote which may be entertained at the charges of the said prouinces which haue committed vnto him the charge of the warre with the which he will endeauour with the help of God not onely to defend the said prouinces but also to succour the rest as hee hath done within these fewe daies and doth now at this present hauing sent what forces he could to hinder the enemies incursions into the dutchie of Gueldres and to chase them out of the said countrie if it may be He hath not also omitted by the same meanes and forces to succour the countrie and countie of Flanders in releeuing the towne of Oostend and forcing the enemie to raise his siege making it knowne to all the world that the enemie did not thinke to take the townes of Flanders by force but by practises and amazement for as soone as they found men resolute to resist them they thought it best not to spend their time against such but to continue their designes with them that had other discourses which were ill grounded ouer whom they haue easily preuailed holding it for a great honour the which they haue not purchased by force but by the in esolution of many who it is said held their partie Since to fauour the towne of Gant which was resolued against the Spaniard and to keepe the enemie from taking away the nauigation to Antuerp he hath caused Terneuse to be fortified with the same forces and by the same meanes to entertaine the garrison the which besides the benefit which our men hold and retaine thereby hath disappointed many of the enemies enterprises And thus the said prince is resolued to continue according to the occasions which shall be offered beeing well assured that a conuenient armie to oppose against the enemie and to chase him away were very necessarie But hauing not the meanes without some better resolution of the prouinces and forraine succours to raise it he is content with that which hee can doe which is but little if it please not God to assist him from aboue as he praies and hopes The prince doth what he can to perswade them that haue not this resolution to embrace it that by their vnited forces they may breake the course and proceedings of the enemie in the which he will labour vnto the end seeing that such as will not giue eare to this resolution are some of them vndone and some in the way to be vndone through their owne follies And although that these affaires be so great and so waightie as it is impossible for the said princeto beare them without the singular assistance of God yet besides all these
or els to make a treatie for protection and defence or for aide and assistance by some English forces the Hollanders for their parts were resolued and content to deliuer ouer some of their townes vnto the Queene for her securitie Their deputies procuration and authoritie was made from the nobilitie gentlemen and townes as Dort Harlem Delft Leyden Amsterdam Gant Rotterdam Gorcum Schiedam Briel Alcmar Hoorn Enckhuysen Schoonhouen Eedam Monickedam Medenblick Woerden Oudewater Heusden Gertruydenberghe Weesp Naerden Muyden and Purmerend answering for the rest of the small townes lordships and villages of Holland and West-Friseland in generall These embassadours beeing arriued in England they were well and courteously receiued and while they abode there honourably feasted and entertained at the Queenes charges and vpon the ninth of Iune were admitted to her Maiesties presence beeing then at Greenwich where with all honourable and submissiue dutie in humble wise they presented their request by word of mouth deliuered by Ioos de Menin the effect whereof was as here followeth That the Estates of the vnited Netherland prouinces greatly thanked her Maiestie for the honourable and many fauours which it had pleased her to shewe and vouchsafe vnto them in their necessities hauing not long since renewed and confirmed her princely clemencie when after the cruell murther of the prince of Orange it pleased her Maiestie by her Embassadour M. Dauison to signifie vnto them the great care shee had for their defence and preseruation and after that againe by the lord of Grise by whom shee let them vnderstand how much shee was discontented to see them frustrated of their expectations reposed vpon the hope they had in the treatie of France and that neuerthelesse the care shee had for their prosperitie and welfares was not in any thing diminished but rather increased in that shee saw greater reason to mooue her thereunto for the which the whole Netherlands in generall and euery of them in particular should rest bound vnto her Maiestie for euer to deserue and requite the same with all fidelitie and submission And therefore the Estates aforesaid obseruing that since the death of the prince of Orange they had lost many of their forts and good townes and that for the vpholding and defending of the said vnited Netherlands they had great need of a soueraigne prince and chiefe commander to gouerne the same who by his power and authoritie might protect and preserue them from the insolencies and oppressions of the Spaniards and their adherents who sought daiely more and more all the means they could with their vnreasonable arms other sinister means to spoile and vtterly roote vp the foundation of the aforesaid Netherlands and thereby to bring the poore afflicted people of the same into perpetuall bondage worse than the Indian slauerie vnder the vnsupportable and accursed inquisition of Spaine Finding likewise that the inhabitants of the said Netherlands were persuaded and had an assured confidence that her Maiestie out of her princely minde would not suffer nor endure to see them vtterly ouerthrowne as their enemies expected and desired by molesting them with such long and tedious warres the which the Estates according to their duties and in respect of their places in the behalfe of their fellowes and brethren were forced to withstand and as much as in them lay oppose themselues against the manifest slauerie which they thought to impose vpon the poore common people and by their best indeauours to defend and maintaine their auncient freedomes lawes and priuiledges with the exercise of the true christian religion whereof her Maiestie truely and by good right bare the title of defendresse against the which the enemie and all their adherents had made so many leagues attempted so many fearefull and deceitfull enterprises and treasons and yet cease not daiely to seeke inuent practise and deuise the destruction of her Maiesties royall person together with her estate and kingdomes which the almightie God vnder the protection of his euerlasting goodnesse hitherto had preserued and kept from all dangers for the good and vpholding of the church of Christ here vpon earth For these reasons and many other right good considerations the Estates aforesaid with one full and free consent had altogether determined and fully resolued to flie vnto her Maiestie in regard it is an vsuall thing for all oppressed and distressed people and nations in their great need and necessitie to seeke iust aide and assistance against their enemies from the kings and princes their neighbours and especially from those that were indued with courage feare of God vprightnesse of heart and other princely ornaments and to that end the Estates aforesaid had sent them and giuen them charge to desire and beseech her Maiestie to accept of the soueraigntie and lawfull gouernment of the said vnited prouinces vpon good and reasonable conditions especially tending to the vpholding maintaining and furtherance of Gods true religion and the auncient priuiledges and freedomes to them due and belonging together with the gouernment and managing of the warres policie and iustice of the said vnited prouinces of the Netherlands And although the said Netherlands had indured diuers wrongs and that many of their townes and forts had beene wonne from them by the enemie during those warres neuerthelesse in Brabant Guelderland Flaunders Macklyn and Ouerissel there were yet many good townes and places that held against the enemie and the prouinces of Holland Zeeland Vtrecht and Friseland were by Gods grace and wonderfull prouidence still kept and preserued in their whole and entire possessions wherein they had many great and strong townes and places faire riuers deepes and hauens whereby her Maiestie and her successors might haue good commodities seruices and profits whereof it were needlesse to make any longer discourse and one in speciall that by the vniting the countries of Holland Zeeland Friseland and the townes of Oostend and Scluse vnto her Maiesties kingdomes and dominions shee might haue the absolute commaund gouernment power and authoritie ouer the great ocean and consequently shee might haue a perpetuall assured and happie traffique for the subiects and inhabitants of her Maiesties kingdomes and dominions Most humbly and submissiuely beseeching her royall Maiestie to vouchsafe of her royall fauour and princely bountie to agree and consent to the foresaid points of their request and so to accept for her and her lawfull heires or successors in the crowne of England defendors of the true Christian religion the soueraigne principalitie and chiefe gouernment of the said Netherlands and in regard thereof to receiue the inhabitants of the same countries as her Maiesties most humble and obedient subiects into her perpetuall safegard and protection a people as true faithfull and louing to their princes and commaunders without vaine boasting bee it spoken as any other in christendome And so doing shee should preserue and protect many faire churches which it had pleased almightie God in those latter daies to gather together in seuerall countries
charges for taking vp and transporting of new souldiors in place of them that are gone away 30 That the gouernour generall chiefe commaunders colonels captaines officers and other her Maiesties souldiers shall take the accustomed oath as aforesaid to the Estates of the same Prouinces alwaies excepting the homage and fealtie by them due vnto her Maiestie This contract was in this forme made and concluded at Nonesuch vpon the tenth of August 1585. In memorie of this contract the Zeelanders caused certaine counters to bee made hauing stamped on the one side thereof the armes of Zeeland being a Lyon rising out of the waues of the sea with this inscription Lâ—…ctor emergo 158â—… On the other side was the armes of the townes with this inscription Authore Deo fauente Regina that is The Zeelands Lyon clymeth out of the water by Gods power and her Maiesties aid And according to the said contract there were certaine souldiers sent ouer vnder the commaund of Sir Iohn Norris and others At this time the Queene of England caused a booke to bee printed both in English and in French therein shewing the reasons that had mooued her to aid assist and protect the miserable and oppressed Netherlands wherein there was at large declared what auncient contracts intercourses and alliances had from time to time beene made and passed not onely betweene the princes of those countries but with the Estates and inhabitants of the same as namely the Gentlemen Spiritualtie and Commons for their particular defence In the same likewise was shewed the barbarous and cruell gouernment and oppressions of the Spaniards vsed in those countries and what meanes the said Prouinces and shee had sought to make a peaceable end but all in vaine and therefore she was now enforced to aid and assist them for three causes especially The first that the Netherlands might be restored to their auncient freedomes priuiledges and gouernment and so brought to a peace The second that she might for her part be assured against the inuasion of her malicious and enuious neighbours and thirdly That the traffique betweene her subiects and the Netherlands together with the aforesaid intercourse and trade might be assured and kept To the same declaration was added the Queenes answere vnto two seuerall slaunders imposed vpon her and published by a certaine famous libell written in Italian The first for vnthankfulnesse shewed by her to the king of Spaine who as the author reporteth in her sister Queene Maries time had saued her life The second that shee had sought to procure certaine persons to kill the prince of Parma and that two men were executed for the same To the first the Queene said That her faith and fidelitie was neuer in any such question in her sisters time and much lesse that euer any sentence of death was pronounced against her and that therefore hee had no cause why to seeke to saue her life confessing and acknowledging neuerthelesse that she was as then somewhat beholden vnto him and that in all princely and honourable manner she had beene thankfull vnto him for the same Touching the prince of Parma she sayd That shee had no reason to bee more enemie to him than to any other of the gouernours before him and that shee had alwayes held a good conceit of him and neuer sought any other course against him and that euery man of iudgement might well conceiue that if shee should practise his death by any sinister meanes yet the troubles in those countries could not thereby be ended with many other reasons to that purpose According to the contract aforesaid vpon the nine and twentieth of October 1585 the Estates caused the earle of Hohenlo in their behalfes and in the name of prince Maurice the lord thereof to deliuer the towne of Flessingue and the castle of Ramekins to Sir Philip Sidney knight to the vse and behoofe of the Queene of England who presently put an English garrison into the same and was himselfe made gouernour thereof The like was done at the Bryel which was by the earle of Hohenlo and some of the deputies of the Estates of Zeeland deliuered into the hands and authoritie of Sir Thomas Cecile knight gouernour thereof for her Maiestie where hee tooke his oath in the towne-house in the presence of the sayd earle of Hohenlo and the magistrates of the same towne Prince Maurice himselfe likewise as marquesse of the townes of Campuere and Flessingue by aduice of Loise de Coligni princesse Dowager of Orange the lords of his bloud and others his friends and seruants wrot vnto the embassadour of England as then M. Dauyson touching the deliuering ouer of Flessingue vnto her Maiestie saying That hee thanked God for the fore-passed contract made betweene the Queene of England and the Estates of the vnited Prouinces beseeching God to blesse the proceedings thereof and that he was very willing and well pleased that the towne of Flessingue being his patrimonie should bee deliuered into her Maiesties hands and that although the towne was of so great importance that they in reason for it and for many other good seruices done by his father might well aske some recompence notwithstanding respecting the good and furtherance of the Netherlands he was content to yeeld thereunto and the rather for her said Maiesties commoditie hoping by her good fauour to doe her such seruice as that in time to come both he and the house of Nassau should deserue thankes for the same and that as the house of Nassau had alwayes beene her Maiesties humble seruants and well-willers so now they thought themselues much more bound vnto her in respect of the said contract made with the Netherlands which both he and Graue William of Nassau by that their protestation auouched and so he with the princesse the children and the whole house of Nassau desiring nothing more in this world than the fauour good will and assistance of her Maiestie recommended themselues most humbly vnto her protection praying the embassadour to recommend them likewise to the earle of Leicester desiring him to vse all the meanes hee could if it pleased almightie God to graunt it that some one of great qualitie should fall prisoner into his hands that his brother the prince of Orange and earle of Buren c. might be exchanged and set at libertie and that he would be pleased to be a meanes therein As also that if any new souldiers were to be raysed for her Maiesties or the countries seruice that those of the house of Nassau might be aduaunced and preferred to some places of commaund And whereas since the death of the late prince of Orange certaine gentlemen of Prouence and Dolphine sought to persuade the French king to graunt them the title of the principalitie of Orange which for that cause was brought in question before his priuie Counsell without any knowledge or consent of the house of Nassau hee besought her honourable Maiestie to bee an intercessour for them
and if occasion serued to bee a meanes that the sayd house of Nassau might continue in the auncient authoritie and honour that his auncestours the princes of Orange had alwayes held and maintained according to the contract of peace made in the castle of Cambresis Anno 1559 betweene Fraunce and Spaine And whereas the principall inheritance that belonged vnto him and his brother prince Fredericke Hendericke lay in the earledome of Burgundie and that there might bee some hope in time to recouer the same into their hands hee besought her Maiestie to ayde and assist them with her fauour and authoritie vnto the French king and the Switzers bordering thereupon and especially to the lords of Berne that some meanes might be wrought for the recouerie of the same as occasion should serue And further as it was manifestly knowne what great losse of lands and possessions the said house of Nassau had sustained and endured by the king of Spanies and his adherents meanes he besought her Maiestie to interpose her authoritie good occasion beeing offered that they might bee recompensed being now almost depriued of all their inheritance with some possessions and lands of the like nature vnto those which they had lost And if it should so fall out as the sayd prince Maurice and the princesse in heart desired that her Maiestie would be pleased to take the chiefe soueraignetie and gouernement of those countries vpon her he besought her to haue a regard vnto the articles as shee should find them conuenient presented vnto her by the Estates touching the house of Nassau inserted together with the articles offered vnto her Maiestie concerning the soueraignetie Also if it pleased her Maiestie to employ any men of honour and qualitie of the countrey of Germanie in her seruice he besought her to preferre Graue Iohn van Nassau as one well affected to doe her Maiestie any seruice whatsoeuer and one that alwayes had beene true and faithfull vnto those countries and whose zeale vnto religion wisedome and experience was knowne vnto all men Lastly he besought her Maiestie to be pleased to cause some act to be drawne and made in such order as shee should thinke good concerning the aforesaid humble petition made by the said princesse earles and children of the house of Nassau to no other end than only to serue for a sufficient testimoniall for those of the said house to shew and beare witnesse of their endeuours and good meanings for the welfare and vpholding of the sayd house of Nassau Written in the Hage the foureteenth of October 1585. Signed Loise de Coligni Maurice de Nassau And before the comming ouer of the earle of Leicester the generall Estates gaue vnto prince Maurice of Nassau a commission for the gouernment captaine generals and admirals place of Holland Zeeland and Friseland with due respect to be had vnto the gouernour generall which her Maiestie should send ouer They likewise ordayned and thought it expedient to set downe the title of the said prince Maurice which should be vsed in all commissions and executions of thinges that should passe out of the Courts of Holland Zeeland and Friseland in the same manner as followeth Maurice prince of Orange earle of Nassau Catzenellebourg Vianden Dietz c. marquesse of Campuere and Flessingue baron of S. Vijt Doesbourg of the towne of Graue and of the land of Guycke c. gouernour captaine generall and admirall of Holland Zeeland and Friseland and since that time there was added thereunto the earledome of Moeurs and others The nineteenth of December Robert lord Dudley baron of Denbigh and earle of Leicester sonne to Iohn lord Dudley duke of Northumberland appointed by the Queene of England to bee her gouernour generall ouer the English forces in the Netherlands and in all things to represent her person beeing followed with a goodly traine arriued in the prouince of Zeeland where he was honourably and courteously receiued of whom and what was done by him wee will speake hereafter and shew while these thinges passed and were agreed vpon in England what was done in the warres in the Low countries After the losse of Antuerpe the Seignior of Saint Aldegonde who had beene bourgomaster of the said towne and a chiefe actor in the treatie with the prince of Parma for the yeelding of the towne was fallen into disgrace with the Estates of the vnited prouinces of the Netherlands vpon the false suggestions as hee pretended of his enemies whereupon hee wrote a letter vnto the Seignior of Metkerke on the foure and twentieth day of October concerning the peace the which I haue thought good to insert here A Letter of aduice written by the Seignior of Saint Aldegonde to the Seignior of Metkerke president of Flaunders touching the peace MY good cousin I doubt not but you are informed of the particularities of the yeelding vp of the towne of Antuerpe and how that since mine enemies hauing sought by false and slaunderous suggestions to blame me and to wrong mine honour haue gotten so great credit with the Estates which gouerne there as they haue written plainely vnto me that they would not suffer me to remaine in the vnited prouinces I haue made many complaints to the Estates of Zeeland but it hath auailed me nothing so as I am resolued to leaue the countrie and to seeke my fortune applying my selfe to that wherunto God shall call me attending only the comming of my yong sonne to make him partaker of his fathers fortunes assuring you that aduersities shall neuer change me nor take from me the assurance that I haue in my God and Father by his sonne Iesus Christ. I am sorrie to see my selfe reduced to that extremitie to go wandring vp and down like a vagabond depriued of wife children and all domesticke commodities yea in my declining age which hath most need of rest But I must truely confesse that the miserable estate of our poore country doth afflict me much more than mine owne priuate fortune and the more for that I cannot assist it neither with counsell nor with action And on the other side I see in my example as in a cleere glasse that such as gouerne the helme in this horrible tempest suffer themselues to be carried away by the winds of reports and passions not giuing place to reason the which in the end must needs be the cause of all miseries for this manner of proceeding doth incense many against them hauing alreadie too many enemies and puts them in danger with their owne fall to drawe the whole countrie into ruine We haue seene the examples of times past when as trusting to some smiles of fortune we made no account to offend all the world and vpon light and vaine iealousies we did often laie the foundations of great quarrels For the present it seemes that our miserie is come to some Crisis the good or bad conduct whereof will be of great importance and may qualifie the last euent I would they would take
by some that shee sought to make a peace without their consent This in effect was the contents of the letters on both sides sent and receiued touching the Earle of Leicesters gouernment where-with her Maiesty seemed to be some what pleased but yet it was an occasion that many men esteemed his Excelencie the lesse With this authority the Earle of Leicester was instauled in his gouernment and the contributions of the countrie deliuered into his hands amounting vnto the yearely valew of foure and twenty hundred thousand gilders and aboue besides the connoy mony the profits of the admiralty and her Maiesties ayde his owne intertainement being 100000. gilders a yeare presently therevpon hee set downe an order for marshall discipline amongst his souldiers and made a proclamation bearing date in Vtrecht the fourth day of Aprill whereby was forbidden the transporting and carying of all kind of necessaries victualls ammunition for warre or any manner of marchandise whatsoeuer vnto the enemy and their associates or to any newtrall places as also all manner of dealing or correspondence by letters of exchanges or otherwise not onely with Spaine but with France and the East countries vnder what pretence soeuer it might bee vpon paine of death and losse of shippe and goods The letter to execute these things one Iaques Ringoult a man verie familier with the Earle of Lecester and the onely inuentor of the sayd proclamation had gotten by an extraordinarie commission wholy without the aduise of the Councell of Estate thereby to deale and proceede extraordinarily with those that had any dealings with the enemie by forme of inquisition search and examination searching all the marchants letters bookes and secret accountes a thing not vsed nor accustomed in these countries and wholy against manie priueledges old orders and freedomes of the Prouinces and townes and not content therewith he sought meanes to haue the same order vsed in England against the Netherlanders inhabiting there in Sandwich and other places This proclamation and commission much disliked the Estates and mooued them to cōplaine against it At that time likewise it was put in practise hoped to be effected to raise a generall contribution vpon all nations trafficking to sea for the furtherance of the warres in regard that England being vnited with Holland and Zeeland it might prescribe and giue lawes as Lords of the sea how and whether men should traficke which lawe beeing set downe the Earle of Leicester thought to compell all sailors and sea-faring-men to come and buy passe-ports or saffe conducts of him thereby to haue libertie to deale freely in euerie place contributing some thing to the warres But when many letters of complaint concerning the same were sent into England The Noble Councell of Estate esteemed it a verie hard matter for to bring the French Scottes Danes and East-countrie-men there vnto and therevpon the contribution beganne to bee behinde-hand and the proclamation standing in force caused great trouble and hindrance in the Netherlandes for that by it much traficke was conuerted and ceased in these countries for that many rich marchants and sailers of Antwerp and other places withdrawing them-selues and flying from thence would not staie and inhabite in the lowe countries because they might not vse there trade as they were wont to doe but went to inhabite and dwell at Hamburgh Breame Emden Stode and diuerse other places from whence they might freely traficke into Spaine Italie Portugale and the Islandes and by that meanes made other Nations acquainted both with their traficke by sea and brought much dealing into many other townes so that at the last in Holland and Zeeland they were forced to dispence with that proclamation and againe to permit the traficke by sea West-ward or els in short time they should haue driuen all trade of marchandise and sea-faring out of their countries togither with their richest inhabitants those Prouinces liuing most by fishing and sea-faring hand-labors and trade of marchandise The fiue and twenty day of Iuly the Earle of Leicester being in Vtrecht made an act concerning the erecting of a new tresory in the vnited Prouince whereof hee apointed to bee principall in that office the Earle of Niewenar and Menes gouernor of Gelderland Zutphen and Vtrecht with authority to sit in the councell of Estate for the second man hee apointed Maister Henry Killegray one of the receiuers of her Maiesties Exchequer in England and a Councelor of Estate in the low countries the third person was Reynardt de Aeswin Lord of Barkelo and for tresorer Iaques Reingoult Lord of Canwenbergh and for commissioners Sebastian Loose Iosse Teylink and Maister Paul Buys The Receiuers generall the Treasuror for the warres the Clarke nor the Vssher beeing not named but blankes left to put in their names one Danell Burgrate being apointed chiefe secretary with free liberty to goe into the Councell of Estate and there to haue audience After the contract and vnion made by the Netherlands with the Queene was past and agreed vpon the King of Spaine caused all the Englishmen through all his dominions to bee arrested and their shippes and goods confiscate vsing them most rygorously wherevpon many of them became men of warre hauing commissions from the Queene for that they might not otherwise doe it in regard that as then there was no open warre proclaimed with Spaine who beeing at sea made good vse of the sayd arrest in Spaine for that all shippes going or comming West-ward that they could come by vnder that pretence were taken and made prize and at that time the Netherlanders could hardly deale or traficke into Spaine Portingall and the Islandes vnlesse it were vnder Spaniards names their Factors dwelling there and esteemed for naturall bred and borne Spaniards and vpon this suspition the shippes were brought into England and the keeping and possession of the goods that were in them was deliuered into the hands of them that tooke them and if it were such wares as would not keepe long they had authoritie to sell them giuing securitie for restitution thereof if the sayd goods were not found to bee good prize In the beginning of this winter in Ianuary Taxis Lieutenant to Verdugo Gouernor in Friseland for the King of Spaine gathered togither the garrisons thereaboutes and entred into Westergoe where hauing found meanes and oportunitie for to passe through the countrie by reason of the great frosts and yee hee had wonne Worckcom Coudom Hindeloopen and some other places The nine and twentie day of Ianuarie it beganne to thawe wherefore the Spaniards beeing loath to bee shut vp in that waterie countrie thought to make their retreate and not to attend anie further hazard In his retreat he met with some pesants armed whom he defeated wherof some saued themselues in a Church and refusing for to yeeld were burnt from thence they went to the village of Boxom a league from Leeuwaerden where they were told that there was nere them 2000. Frisons Protestantes
cause a great number of Gentlemen Marchants Countrie people and others to the number of some three thousand strong beeing assembled at Berghen in the countrie of Iuilliers to goe to a Fare as then to bee holden at Cologne with many Wagons and great store of marchandise were set vpon by the souldiars of the garrisons of Bobert and Ghenadeneal most part of them were Spaniards seruing vnder the Bishoppe of Colen which conuoie beeing as I say three thousand strong had deuided themselues into three partes and had with them about the number of a hundred and fiftie souldiars out of Iuilliers to conuoy them who marching in good order with their Cartes and Waggons by 〈◊〉 not aboue halfe a mile from Colen were by the garrisons aforesayd assailed and set vpon charging them that were in fore-front and killing all that made any resistance vpon which alarme the second troupe comming on to ayde the first were all likewise slaine and spoiled three hundred of them at least lying dead and scattered here and there in the waie men women and children gentlemen and diuers others were most cruellie murthered not respecting nor regarding any man whatsoeuer and all they had was taken from them They that escaped fled to Colen many hundreds of them beeing sore hurt and wounded this warre beeing a thing taken in hand by the towne of Colen more of selfe-will then for any reason they had onelie because they would not suffer their Bishoppe and chiefe Commander Truxis to marry a wife and yet could indure not without great speech and clamor that their new elected Bishoppe should keepe and entertaine many other mens wiues and concubines this murther and spoile made vpon the people traueling in this sort was much complained of but no redresse nor punishment ensued The like disorders and insolencies were committed in many other places of the countrie for that the Earle of Niewenard Sir Martin Schenck and captaine Cloet made many roades into diuers places and almost vpon all the townes of Westphalia and the Diocese of Colen burning and spoiling all the countrie round aboute whereby at one time there might haue beene seene standing vpon the walles of Collen at the least fiftie villages and places on fire altogither besides the robbing spoyling and murthers by the high-waies which was committed by their owne souldiars that ranne through the countrie spoyling and wasting all the townes and villages In this great perplexitie there was a generall assemblie of the Estates held on the sixt daie of February at the Hage to redresse their affaires least they should growe desperate Wherefore by vertue of the authoritie which they had reserued to themselues they commanded Prince Maurice of Nassau sonne to the deceased Prince of Orange their Gouernor whome from the death of his father they had taken care to bring vp to take vpon him in the absence of the Earle of Leicester at that time Gouernor generall the managing of the Gouernment with the councell of Estate commanding all Collonels Captaines and Officers especially those that were in pay vnder the Generallity of the sayd Prouinces and not of the Queene of Englands to take an oth of sidelitie and obedience vnto the sayd Prince Maurice as vnto their captaine generall sending their deputies to that end into all partes to receiue the oth Not that they ment thereby any way to blemish or dyminish the Earle of Leicesters authoritie but onelie to settle the sayd Prince Maurice in the particular gouernments of Holland Zeeland and Vtrecht as his father had beene for that by reason of these occurrents some things had beene altered in the sayd Gouernmentes against the constitutions and ancient customes of the sayd countries which by his meanes they would haue restored whereby they might hold the other Estates and townes in good tearmes with them and the English souldiars in their fidelitie and obedience for that some had murmured by reason of the treasons of Stanley and Yorke that they must make a distinction betwixt the good and bad English whome they must not mesure all a like to the end that the faithfull and vertuous from whome long before as from Collonel Norrys and others they had drawne great seruices might not confusedly bee comprehended in the number of wicked men and traitors The Estates seeing this dangerous alteration of their affaires had on the fourth of February written letters of complaint vnto the Queene of England and to the Earle of Leicester with an ample relation of the causes of their complaintes and a representation of the poore estate into the which the vnited Prouinces were reduced and the great and apparent inconueniences if they were not speedily preuented which letters by reason of their tediousnesse I thought good to omit beeing verie ill taken by the Earle of Leicester who thought him-selfe wronged in his honour and reputation making them to seeme distastfull vnto the Queene who beeing better informed by the Councell of State which remained there with the Earle of Leicester hauing in the Generall Estates name made their excuse for their sharpe manner of writing beseeching her gratious Maiestie to impute it to the perplexitie of the time and the griese by them conceiued for the soden losse of Deuenter and of the sconce before Zutphen in the end at the instant request of the Councell of State shee sent the Barron of Buckhorst a Nobleman of her Maiesties priuie Councell and of great authoritie into the vnited Prouinces with Doctor Clarke a ciuill Lawier to the end that with the aduise of Collonel Norris and Maister Wilkes they might pacesie all controuersies and reforme all errors to the best contentment of the parties The Lord of Buckhorst beeing arriued in Holland about the end of March in the assemblie of the generall Estates hee required in the name of the Queene his Mistris a more ample declaration of certaine pointes mentioned in their letter of the fourth of February The estates entred vnwillingly into it and would haue wisht that all those complaints had beene forgotten without any further reuiuing of that wound Notwithstanding seeing that hee vrged it so vehemently they answered by an act of the 17. of Iune first they had complayned that the Earle of Leicester would keepe no order in his gouernment nor take any aduice from the Estates or the councell of States as all precedent gouernors of royall bloud yea the Emperors sister had done in the Nethelands That hauing in his absence committed the gouernment vnto the councell by an act of the twenty three of Nouember 1586 the same day by an other act hee had taken their authorty from them retayning vnto him-selfe all absolute power That hee renewed and changed the seale and counterseale of the vnited Prouinces hauing set his owne armes in the midest of the great seale the counter-seale being onely of his armes which neuer any Gouernors had done That vnder collour of piety and relligion hee beleeued flatterers and liars who had taxed the
more plaine declaration the which they deliuered vpon the twenty foure of October as you shall hereafter see Whilest that matters passed in this manner betwixt the Estates and the Earle of Leicester there grew daily more hart burning and Ielousie betwixt them so as the Earle of Leicester kept not among the Estates but was still resident at Flussing Dordrecht or Vtrecht all things passing betwixt them by messengers who by insinuating did many bad offices and were the greatest cause of all the troubles Besides this alteration there was at that time a great heart-burning betwixt the Earles of Leicester and Hohenlo which the Estates sought to reconcile where-vpon they sent on the eigh-teene of August the Lords of Capell and Noortwick the councellors Cooper and Camminga William Bardesius and Iacob Walck of the councell of estate vnto the earle of Hohenlo being a man much esteemed and beloued of the soldiars to whome the Estates were greatly beholding for many good and valiant seruices who was then at Campfeere in the Iland of Walchren intreating him to come to Midelbourg to the Earle of Leicester to end all controuersies betwixt them and to acknowledge him for gouernor in the behalfe of the Queene of England the which he ought not refuse to doe for that Prince Maurice whose Lieutenant he was had acknowledged him for the gouernor and had promised him faith and obedience To whom Hohenlo answered that he was a free Earle of Germany no way subiect vnto the Netherlands nor tide vnto them by oth and that he had before refused the Arch-duke Mathias and the Duke of Aniou and Brabant and therefore he was not yet resolued to subiect himselfe vnto his Excelence hauing some reasons not to trust him not onely in regard of the difference betwixt them two but also for the quarrell betwixt him and Sir Edward Norris to whome hee imputed the onely cause or at the least that he did mainetaine him therein and made him a knight More-ouer hee said that hee sought to alter the garrisons vnder his command without his priuity and that hee had not kept his word with him in certaine things which he had promised him to do wherevpon being intreated by the deputies for the good wel fare of the contry to be somewhat tractable for that the one or the other must yeeld and to assist them with his aduise and councell Hee said that the vnited Prouinces ought not in any sort to withdraw them-selues from the Queenes Maiesty of England nor from the Earle of Leicester requesting them to giue him an honorable passport that hee might retire him-selfe to his friendes into Germany or else into Denmarke And that it would please them one day to remember the seruices which hee had done to the vnited prouinces during all their warres as well vnto the Prince of Orange Prince Maurice his sonne as vnder the said Earle of Leicester being redy to deliuer vp all the townes castles forts men of warre artillery and other things where hee had any command into the hands of Prince Maurice and the Estates to bee gouerned according to their auncient rights and priuiledes as they were in the time of the Prince of Orange of famous memory The which hee said hee desired for that hee saw that by some sinister practises the country was ill gouerned And that some which did openly bandy them-selues against the soueraignty of the Estates and did thereby pourchase great credit among the people should bee first punished and then banished from court which done and the Estates restored to their former authority hee would willingly apply him-selfe to any thing and acknowledge the said Gouernor but especially the Queenes Maiesty with all honor and obedience so as they should haue no cause to complaine of him intreating them with all not to giue any cause of offence or discontentment vnto her Maiestie The Earle of Hohenloo being intreated to say so much himselfe vnto his Excellency and to doe as Prince Maurice had done he sayd that for that time he could do no more desiring them not to trouble him any further vntill the authority of the Estates were restored and the lawfull priuiledges of the Prouinces maintained as before and touching Prince Maurice hee sayd he was a vassall and subiect but hee was a free Germaine Earle and that they could not compell him vnlesse hee would freely of himselfe consent therevnto and yet hee would continue a friend and well-willer vnto the vnited Prouinces wherein hee had already serued foureteene yeares together and had spent a hundred and fifty thousand Dollers aboue his entertainment in their seruice intreating them to report fauourably of him and so after many other words and honorable protestations the Deputies tooke their leaues This conference was the twenty of August but no good end could be made by reason of the bad offices which were done by some ill Instruments by a mistaking which happened the which bred a great alteration in the country Vpon the twelfe of September the Earle of Leicester aduertised the councell of Estate by his letters sent from Vtrecht that whereas he had brought many souldiers with him out of England for the releefe of Scluce which vntill that time he had maintained without any charge or burthen to the country and being resolued to send them presently backe againe into England hee had beene requested by them to stay them for that they dayly expected the Duke of Parmaes comming to besiege Berghen vp Zoome and hauing kept the sayd soldiers some weekes aboard the ships without any refreshing hee was forced to lodge them in Maselant Sluyse Delfshauen and other places there-abouts in such order and with such pay as he had appointed for them holding it a shame they should make so small esteeme of these English soldiers which aboue her Maiesties ordinary succors were sent vnto them In the meane time he was aduertised that the Earle of Hohenlo about the nine twenty and thirty of September had assembled a great number of soldiers about Williams-stat intending to dislodge his sayd soldiers from Delfs-hauen as one of the chiefe men in Delft had aduertised him whereof hee was not informed by any light reports but by men of such credit as hee could not choose but beleeue it wherevpon hee desired them to take some speedy order therein saying that hee would no longer endure any such indignities that euery man should in that sort haue soldiers by himselfe and that the Earle of Hohenlo did all as it pleased him and therefore he desired to know if they had giuen him any such authority If not then hee wisht them to command all Collonels Captaines Officers and Soldiers to desist from their enterprise presently and from all other factions and to obserue the oth which they had sworne vnto him vpon paine of punishment if they failed therein and that if they delayed to execute his commandement he should be forced according to the authority and
end the controuersie betwixt him the Earle of Hohenloo which they thought proceeded from the matter in question touching the authority of the Prouinciall Gouernors beeing in hope to bring it to a good end They shewed how ready they had bin to furnish money for the leauying and paying of certaine troupes of horse and foot in Germany for the seruice of the country that they might haue an army in field for two monthes Also their paying of soldiars and the furnishing of the townes with victuals and munition That they had delt with their Admirall Prince Maurice touching their war by sea hoping and desiring that it might go forward That the Nobility and States of Holland had presented a certaine declaration vnto his Excelencie being in Dordrecht desiring some conference and that there might be a good correspondencie betwixt his Excelencie as Gouernor and Captaime general the generall and particular Estates and the gouernors of particular Prouinces that the charges of the war should not exceed as nere as might be the means of their contributions that order might bee taken for the repayring of that which had beene done the yeare before contrary to the contract and for the punishing of such as sought to sowe dissention betwixt his Excelency and the Estates That it was no wonder if the Estates complained when any extraordinary burthen was layd vpon them for if it be wel weighed how the country of Holland which now for these 15. yeares hath maintained warres against so mighty an enemy hath borne so great burthens these two last yeares only towards the ordinary charges of the warres within the country besides the warres at sea diuers particular charges as fortifications of fronter townes forts lodging for soldiars many other known and vnknowne charges haue brought in and paied at the least thirty nine hundreth thousand gilders they may easily suppose that so great a summe of money could not bee leuied without great difficulty so as there was no cause of complaint against them of Holland hauing brought in much more then was spoken of in England notwithstanding their great losses by sea and otherwise by their shipping and trade of marchandise which made them to wonder that such a motion should be made to looke into their Estate to consider if their contribution with her Maiesties aide were sufficient to maintaine the wars as they ought to be The Prince of Orange with the helpe of God and without any great aide from her Maiesty the townes and forts being then vnfortefied did withstand the enemy with lesse then halfe the charges they were now at and yet entertained great forces both by sea and land without any questions of further assurance or better meanes and therefore there was no reason now to doe it vnlesse that men distrusted more now then at other times in the grace and mercie of God In respect whereof seeing they found that her Maiesty would not take the soueraignty of the country vpon her nor yeeld to any greater succors there remained no other hope but with the helpe of God and their contributions to settle some good course for their warres and to entertaine so many horse and foote as they might well pay obseruing good order vnity and discipline and lastly to expect from God a good and prosperous end They sayd they knew not of any proclamations made by them whereby her Maiesties subiects should be molested in France but they had more then once complained against the proclamation made in Vtrecht dated the 4. of Aprill 1586. forbidding al traficke without once hearing the allegations of the Estates touching the inconueniency and discommodity thereof the which would haue bin a great hindrance vnto all those Prouinces and haue bred a dislike betweene them and their neighbors Touching the dealing for a peace they had so great considence in her Maiesty and in his Excelencie that according to the contract they would do nothing therein without the consent of the generall Estates They had herd what the King of Denmarke had propounded in anno 1586. and what was done therein as also of her Maiesties answere touching the imploiment of Andreas de Loo They had bin likewise aduertised by word of mouth from the Lord of Buckhurst and what his Excelencie had certefied them by Walck and Menin councellors of Estate the which was secretly imparted vnto the Estates of the country to haue their aduise therein where her Maiesty was not spoken of but with al honor and due respect giuing no cause wherby any suspition might grow that they should report her Maiesty had sought a peace without their consents and therfore they which had inuented such false surmises deserued to be punished That the Estates of Holland determined to obserue the cōtract made with her Maiesty to put to their helping hāds for the maintenance of his Excelencies honor authority were likewise content to contribute the monthly sum of 200. thousand gilders to bee at the disposition of his Excelencie and of the Councel of State with condition that the other Prouinces should do the like and that out of their contribution the garrisons the charges for the wars which was to be disbursed in Holland for the which they had giuen their words should first be paied They spake of some other particularities as that the State of the warres made with the Lord of Buckhurst was not so chargeable but that if her Maiesties aide of 5000. foote and 1000. horse were complete and the contribution of 200. thousand gilders a month well paied it would serue for the maintenance of their wars and some ouer plus remayning towards the leauying of a good number of horse foot for certaine monthes in the yeare and when need were to bring them to field being well managed Touching the preparation of ships of war the Estates did alwaies vnderstand that the prizes taken at sea would not only be found sufficient for the defraying of that charge but being well vsed there would be a surplusage to be imploied in the offenciue warres Hauing made this answer to euery point of the Earle of Leicesters propositions they besought him that it might bee fauorably interpreted and that reposing their trust in God his Excelency would cōtinue his noble resolution in the defence of those coūtries and so by the helpe of GOD with her Maiesties promised succors being complete and orderly mustred and the contributions of one hundred thousand guilders monthly besides that which shal be gotten by force and otherwise out of Brabant Gelderland Flanders Oueryssel and other places belonging to the enemy the charges of the war should be sufficiently maintained with good order and martiall discipline and by conuerting of the conuoie and license monies to the most benifit of the country The which would not onely bee a meanes to vphold and fortefie the Prouinces but also a great aduancement of her Maiesties and his Exelencies honors reputations and
ouer and aboue the charges disbursed for the maintenance of the shipps of warre a defensiue warr might be well maintayned and withall an army for certaine moneths euery yeare brought into the field so as the managing of the mony and contriâ—…utions might not be committed to priuate persons but to the noble councell of estate All this was presented by some vnto her Maiesty in manner of a declaration and that there ought no peace be spoken of as being altogether vncertaine and that the propositions of peace might be a meanes to seperate and breed diuision in in the vnited Prouinces as euery one by the first reconciliation would pretend their owne furtherance that the collonels captaines and soldiars would euery one seeke to be the first should make his composition and that the king of Spaine would gladly make peace with the vnited Prouinces that so he might with more ease ouer-runne and conquer England and that the kindome of England although it had many enemies by reason of the goodly scituation gneeded not to feare him much hauing Holland Zeland and Freezland for friends but the great number of shippes and saylers and the welth of the said Prouinces being ioyned with Spaine were dangerous for England as it appeared the last yeare by the bringing in of so many ships laden with corne of what power they are at sea and how they stop the riuers of Elbe and Ems with other hauens shewing allso what great meanes they had to impeach the trade of marchandize and the free venting of the English clothes and other commodities And if they were able to doe so much now being in a manner forsaken of all the world what will they doe when they shall bee ioyned to the power countenance and authority of the King of Spaine which would strike a great feare into Denmarke and other countryies and therfore they concluded that her Maiesty should do well not to forsake the vnited Prouinces neither yet to discomfort them least they should be constrayned to make a priuat peace The Queene of England finding that these diuisions partialities betwixt the Estates and the Earle of Leicester increased daily more and more sence his departure out of England into Holland she resolued to call him home into England and to make him giue ouer his gouernment In the meane time the councell of the estates laboured to make a reconciliation betwixt them whereof they were in great hope and to that end had written to the Earle of Leicester But the Queenes Maiesty all matters set a part sent for the Earle to come into England who before hee had receiued the said letter from the councell of estate did write vnto the generall estates on the 26 of Nouember saying THat he was much greeued that her Maiesty was so displeased with their bad cariage towards him without occasion hauing giuen no aduertisement thereof wherevpon her Maiesty had commanded him by one of her seruants to returne againe into England touching certaine especiall affayers saying that it greeued him much hee had not the meanes while he remayned there to aduenture his person in some seruice for the country as hee desired and had alwaies earnestly pretended protesting before God that hee should depart from thence with a good and a cleare conscience as hauing done no more thâ—…n his quality and place required leauing the rest to be answered by them that openly seeke the ouerthrowe of Gods Church and of so many poore people to satisfie their owne priuat willes and appetites but he ment not thereby to charge well minded men who hee hoped would conforme them-selues to her Maiesties good will and pleasure whome it had pleased to giue so fauorable ayde and assistance to these Prouinces as by the charge which her Maiesty had giuen to her Ambassador a Gentleman of good esteeme well affected to the good of the country more plainely will appeere He could be content to bee a meanes to further their cause to her Maiesty so as they made any accoumpt to hold and esteeme her as a friend according to the contract made with her with that which therevnto belonged as reason requireth vntil that by her Maiesty and a common consent it shall be otherwise determined whervnto he desired their answer with the first And as he found by the contract made with her Maiesty that the Gouernor generall appoynted by her should together with the councell of estate haue the ordring and managing of the chefest causes concerning the estate and the wars therefore he thought it conuenient in his absence that the authority should remaine in the hands of the councell of estate according to the contract where the said ambassador should be resident in her Maiesties name and that all dispatches shall bee signed by the cheefe of them there resident the which should continue vntill it were other wise prouided by her Maiesty wherof he would aduertise them with al conuenient speed and for the command of the English forces vnder the Queenes pay her Maiesty had appointed the Lord Willoughby to whome he had giuen in charge to hold good correspondency with them with the councell of the state and other commanders so he referred them to that which Maister Harbert had in her Maiesties behalfe to shew them Subscribed Your good friend ROBERT LEICESTER THis letter came vnto the Estates hands the second of December where-vpon the next day after the generall Estates wrot vnto the Earle of Leicester how that they vnderstood of his going into England beseeching him to recommend the estate of the country vnto her Maiesty saying they had written vnto the estates of the particular Prouinces to meet together who for want of sufficient authority were not yet al come at which their meeting they would resolue vpon certaine deputies to be sent into England to deale with her Maiesty about the affaires of the country So within few dayes after the Earle of Leicester departed out of the Netherlands leauing the Lord Willoughby generall of the English forces and Doctor Harbert her Maiesties Ambassador to sollicit the generall Estates toyeeld vnto a peace The Earle of Leicester beeing returned into England the Queene commanded him to resigne his gouernment of the Netherlands into the hands of the generall Estates from wome hee had receiued it the which hee did the seauenteenth of December by an Act vnder his hand as followeth ROBERT Earle of Leicester Baron of Denbighe c. Lieutenant for the Queenes Maiestie of England Gouernor and Captaine generall of the Vnited Prouinces To all to whome these presents shall come greeting As it was her Maiesties pleasure to giue vs the charge to bee her Lieutenant generall of all the forces sent by her for the ayde and assistance of the vnited Prouinces according to a contract made with the Estates concerning the same where-vppon the said generall Estates had also imposed vppon vs the gouernment of the said Prouinces both for matters polliticke
officers before to view the commodiousnesse of the ground before Berghen which hee meant to besiege as well for the planting of his ordinance as for the quartering of his men One of these officers who was a commissarie of the ordinance called Pedro de Luco and an other named Thomas Swegoe who professed himselfe to bee an Italian were taken prisoners by certaine soldiars of the garrison of Berghen who were at that time sent out as Scoutes which prisoners being thus surprized were committed to the safe keeping of maister Read-head who was then appointed by the Lord Willoughby to be deputie Prouost of the towne of Berghen These prisoners had not continued many dayes in his custodie before that William Grimeston hauing had some conference with Swegoe found cause to suspect him to be an Englishman borne and there-vpon deuised with Read-head how to discouer him who hauing good oportunitie to discourse with them for that they were in his custodie hee told Swegoe that hee was much discontented with his entertainment and vsage on that side wishing that he were with the Kings forces vnder the command of Sir William Stanley vnder whom hee had serued in Ireland Where-vpon Swegoe wisht Read-head to bee merry and of good comfort saying that hee was an English man and borne in Seething lane in London that his Mother was one of the Queenes women and that hee had a sister which attended on the Lady Lomley protesting that it was a happy time for Read-head that euer hee was taken prisoner and if hee would be aduised by him hee would be the meanes both to aduance him to great wealth and to make him liue in great reputation where-vpon Read-head did willingly yeeld to performe any thing that hee would direct him in Then did Swegoe acquaint the foresaid comissarie of the ordinance with all this conference which had past betwixt him and Read-head where-vpon the comissary told him that if he could deliuer any port of the towne or any of the sconses or any peece of ground of aduantage he would assure him he should bee so bountifully entertained by the King as hee should neuer want whilest hee liued to whom Read-head made answer that hee had no command neither within the towne nor sconses but hee had a friend who hee knew was as greatly discontented as him-selfe whome hee would acquaint there-with not doubting but to effect their desire The same day Read-head did conferre with William Grimeston who had then the command of Captaine Thomas Baskeruile his company lying in the North Sconse and told him that hee had discouered the foresayd Swegoe to bee an English man and that if he would secretly ioyne with him hee doubted not but they should giue the enemie a great ouerthrow doe good seruice to the country and purchase great credit and aduancement to themselues where-vnto Grimeston did very willingly assent who presently went and aduertised the Lord Willoughby their generall of all that had past who seemed to be very glad thereof willing the sayd Grimeston to proceed in this practise and to promise to deliuer vp the North sconse vnto the Duke of Parma and for a discharge of Grimestons dealing in this action the Lord Willoughby gaue him a warrant vnder his owne hand Then did Read-head bring Grimeston to the Comissarie of the ordinance and to Swegoe who told them in what manner Read-head had broken with him and that hee was willing to doe the King seruice but hee would haue some assurance how he should bee entertained for that hee was not able to liue in his owne country and had many friends of worth all which he must forgoe and therefore he would be assured of some certaintie where-vpon the Comissarie of the Ordinance and Swegoe did assure Grimeston of the Duke of Parmas honorable dealing with him if he did performe that seruice and deliuer vp the North sconse wherewith he seeming to rest satisfied the comissarie of the ordinance and Swegoe did write three letters one to the Duke of Parma an other to sir William Stanley and the third to Owen of all their practise and proceedings which letters they could not deuise to send without discouery where-vpon Read-head told them that rather then the seruice should be any way hindered or protacted hee himselfe would aduenture to carry the letters whereof hauing giuen copies to the Lord Willoughby hee past with them accordingly in the night time through Grimestons sconse to the enemies campe where at his comming the Sentinell gaue an alarum and some fiue or sixe shotte were discharged at the sayd Read-head but in the end hee was receiued by a Sargeant and some two shotte carrying him presently to the Marquis of Renty who after many questions sent him with a Captaine and some twenty soldiers vnto the Duke vnto whom he deliuered his letters which when hee had read hee sent for his councell and for Sir William Stanley who examined the sayd Read-head of diuerse matters as well of the strength of the garrison within the towne as how they were furnished with munition and victualls with sundry other questions concerning himselfe and the seruice he had in hand how he came out of the towne without descouery and how hee could returne againe with many others all which were answered to their contents Then the Duke of Parma desired to know when hee should haue the sconce deliuered vnto him wherevnto Readhead made answere that hee could not tell for that it was in Maister Grimeston to performe who had the commande thereof And if it pleased his highnesse to send some one with him whome hee might trust he would bring him to conferre with Maister Grimeston by whome hee should vnderstand his full and certaine resolution wherewith the Prince was well pleased and sayd that hee would send one with him to talke with Maister Grimeston protesting to deale honorably with them and to performe whatsoeuer his men had promised with an increase wherevnto Readhead made answere that for his owne particular hee did vereliebeleeue it because hee heard him speake it but to satisfie Maister Grimeston and to incourage him the better to effect the seruice hee desired him to haue it vnder his hand wherevnto hee did willingly consent And at that instant Readhead brought away certaine Articles signed by the Duke the which hee deliuered to Grimeston and with him the Duke of Parma sent one Alford a Yorkeshire man and a guide to speake with Grimeston and the chiefest reason was to know when hee should haue the sconce deliuered Wherevpon Grimeston willed Alford to tell the Duke that hee could not appoint any certaine time for that hee was suspected for his Religion and had many eies to ouer-looke him But when hee had made all matters cleere and readie to bee performed hee would come ouer to the Duke beseeching him in the meanetime to haue patience and not to thinke the time long for that it should bee effectually performed On the sixt of October beeing
condemned and doe condemne the said prisoner to bee led to the place of exemplarie Iustice of this Court there to be executed by the sword vntill he be dead then his bodie to be cut in foure quarters and hung vp at foure waies comming to the Hage and his head set vpon a stake for al men to behold declaring his goods to bee confiscate This sentence was pronounced vnto the prisoner in open audience of the Court of Holland the 3. of Iune 1594. and executed the same day In the beginning of Maie the Arch-duke Ernest to purge him-selfe of the accusations wherewith Michaell Renichon the Apostat priest had charged him in his confession vnder coullor of writing concerning a peace to the general Estates he sent Otto Hartius and Ierome Coeman-Lawiers vnto them with letters as followeth MY maisters the loue and naturall inclination which we haue had from our birth to the good and publike quiet of these Netherlands the great displeasure we haue alwaies had for the troubles dissentions and calamities thereof haue beene the chiefe and greatest occasion to perswade and moue vs to vndertake the gouernement thereof Trusting fully that the Almightie will giue vs the grace in the end to deliuer them from this burthensome destroying and ruinous war the which hath continued so many yeares to the great dissolution and spoile of the said countries and the preiudice of all Christendome for if we shall consider their prosperitie past in the which they were maintained whilest they were vnited in good peace and concord vnder the lawfull and due obedience of the house of Burgongne and Austria the good order which was then in all things as well in matters of Iustice pollicie and martiall discipline by which they haue bin renowned and preferred before all other Kingdomes and common weales togither with the great riches which they did inioy by meanes of the treaties alliances confederations nauigations and trafficke which the had with Portugal Spaine and the Indies wee are assured that there is not any man of iudgement but is very much grieued to see this lamentable alteration which hath hapned in these countries within 25. or 30. yeares besides an infinite number of charges taxations and waighty burthens where-with the poore commons are surcharged are at this time forced to beare in diuers quarters And who with all doth not desire that some good meanes may bee speedilie put in practise for the reducing of the said countries to their ancient Estate publike quiet and concord where-vnto all our thoughts are also bent Being come into these parts with that inclination and intent leauing the good companie of his Imperial Maiestie our most honored Lord our other Bretheren Kinsfolks and friends the place of our birth and breeding the gouernment of so many goodly Kingdomes Prouinces whereof the charge was committed vnto vs and many other goodly and great commodities which are not needful to repeat hoping that we should finde you tractable readie to yeeld to our desire and intention And although wee doubt not but this is well known vnto you as well by common fame as by the report of some men and that it is not as pleasing vnto you the which we desire withall our hearts to see your selues and all your posteritie in assured peace and tranquilitie yet we would not faile to make an offer thereof vnto you by these presents as well to root out all old Iealousies and distrusts as to let you vnderstand more particularly our good and sincere inclination and what you may freely attend of vs. And as the matter doth touch you neerest so it is your duties to lay before your eyes and before all them that are vnder you the happinesse prosperitie and safety which both you and the whole countrie may reape thereby hauing beene so long afflicted and almost ruined by these continuall warres As for the happie successe which you haue had these yeares past as the euents of war are variable and vncertaine which may make some forget their former losses and miseries and not to remember those which are to come and so perswade them-selues that they are secure and safe neglecting the good occasion that is offered Wherefore it were most expedient to call to minde many things past and diuers examples remembring that they could not obtaine that by intreatie and praiers which a little before might haue beene had with honour and reputation Wherefore wee intreat you louingly and friendly that after you haue duly consulted and considered you your selues will propound vnto vs such honourable reasonable and tollerable conditions as thereby we may the sooner the better know that you seeke not the continuance and prolongation of this war which brings with it besides many other discommodities nothing but oppression of the people as it is well knowne to all men But rather that by these meanes we may attaine vnto a good happy firme peace For our parts we wil lette you vnderstand by the effects that there is nothing counterfeyt hidden in vs as not seeking a dissembled but a true and firme peace So as all our actions are iust and sincere to the aduancement of the publike good And if in like manner for your parts you carry the like zeale good affection you will shew in what estimation you hold vs that you desire to prouide for that which is most requisite profitable as the like shal be more amply declared vnto you by Maister Otto Hartius Ierome Coemans Lawiers the bearers hereof to whome we refer our selues with offers of our loue to you Praying God to send you a good happy life From Brussels the 6. of Maie 1594. These two Lawiers being come to the Hage in Holland and the cause of their comming knowne they had audience in the Assemblie of the generall Estates the 16. of the moneth whereas Doctor Hartius spake after this manner My Lords whereas of late we haue had pasport frō the Councel of Estate to come into these parts to treat of some priuate busines for the which wee most humbly thanke them al those that haue therein imployed themselues with seruiceable offers of acknowledgement in our quarters to those that shall haue any need of vs. This beeing come to the knowledge of my Lord the Arch-duke Ernest it pleased him to charge vs to salute your Lordships on his behalfe with offer of his loue and to let you vnderstād that the chiefe cause which moued him to come into these parts was the singular loue natural inclination which he hath alwaies had to the good quiet of these countries hoping that God would giue him the grace to see them by his meanes vnited again restored to a good peace and sincere amitie as they were before the beginning of these intestine troubles to which end and the better to make his intention knowne he commanded vs to bring the letters which we deliuered vnto your Lordships the 12. of
succor his naturall subiects and hauing soone after lost Dam finding his forces to weake to make head against so great Princes hee quite abandoned them of Groning who seeing themselues forsaken and the danger that hung ouer them they fell to consult amongst themselues of making an accord with the Duke of Saxony sending their deputies vnto him with offer to yeeld vp the towne reseruing their preuiledges and certaine other conditions among others that it should be lawfull for them to raise the cittadell which Cont Edsard had built The which Duke George refuzing the deputies returned after they had told him that neuer hee nor any of his should bee Lord thereof Herevpon the Cittizens tooke a new aduise to choose an other Prince that might defend them against the Saxons So with a generall consent they made choise of Charles Duke of Geldres who greatly affected this Estate sending VVilliam van Oyen Generall of his horse thether who beeing entred into the towne the cittadell was razed in his presence This done the Bourgers tooke their oth in his hands to the crowne of France and to the duke of Geldres This did cause a great warre betwixt these two dukes George of Saxony and Charles of Geldres betwixt the which the battailes were often variable but in the end the Saxon discontented with this inconstant gouernment of Friseland yeelded vp all his interest vnto Charles Prince of Spaine afterwards Emperor for two hundred thousand crownes and so leauing Friseland hee returned into his countrie of Misnia Herevpon grew a great and a long warre betwixt the Bourguignon and the Gueldrois the duke hauing made the Earle of Emden his Lieutenant there In the end the Groningers refuzing to pay a certaine tribute of ten thousand florines of gold which they had promised him hee forsooke them and was abandoned by them after that hee had beene acknowledged twentie yeares together for their Prince Protector Herevpon the Groningers hauing assembled their Estatets they sent to demaund succors of the Ladie Marguerite the Emperors Aunt Douager of Sauoy and Gouernesse of the Netherlands promising him the same tribute which they had paied to the Duke of Geldres She who desired nothing more then to inlarge the limmits of her Nephewes Estates sent George Schenck of Tautenburg gouernor of Friseland thether who entred into Groning the eight of Iune and receiued the peoples oth in the Emperors name recouering all which the Geldrois had held in a short time but there was an accord made afterwards betwixt the Emperor and the duke as you may read in the fift booke From the yeare 1536. that towne hath remained vnder the obedience of the Emperor and the King of Spaine his sonne vnto the yeare 1576. that by the mutynie of the garrison against their Collonel and gouernor Gaspar of Robles Lord of Billy it submitted it selfe vnder the generalitie of the vnited Prouinces and afterwards in the yeare of our Lord 1580. it was againe yeelded to the Spaniards by George of Lalain Earle of Rheneberg vnder whome it hath suffered much vnto this yeare of our Lord and Sauiour 1594. that it was reduced vnder the generall vnion of the confederate Prouinces of the Netherlands as you shall here After that Prince Maurice had releeued Coevoerden he came with all his army being a hundred and fiue and twenty companies of foote and six and twenty cornets of horse with artillery and all other things necessary conducted as well by land as by the riuers which are within the countrie and camped the 21. of May before the towne of Groning about the which after that he had with great speed intrenched his whole campe he caused six great forts to bee made vpon all the approches well furnished with men and good artillery Of the which that of the West part had ten companies of foote and twelue peeces of ordynance and the rest accordingly The chiefe campe was on the West side betwixt the Drasport and the tower of Drentelaer betwixt the which were the raueling of Oosterport the Heereport the Pasdam with a case mate otherwise called Breemers buyck and the plat forme at the end of the waters all mounted with good artillery the which might greatly annoy the campe yet did Prince Maurice cause his ordinance to bee planted on that side which was against the tower of Dehtelaer fiue peeces against the Rauelin of Oosterport ten against Heereport twelue against the Asses hoofe six and two or three against the platforme The Prince had his own quarter retrencht apart within the great trench vpon the way of Helpen nere vnto Horen and Cont William Lewis of Nassau his cousin Gouernor of Friseland in the midest of the campe with the Frisons English Germains and Zeelanders They of the towne had made all necessary prouision to defend themselues and to endure a long siege so as they neither wanted victualls nor munition of warre true it is they had no garrison within the towne but it was before their port on the side of Drentelaer as you goe to Dam and Delfziel and to the fort of Schuytendyep which is one of the suburbes of the towne seruing for a small hauen for that which comes from Emden through the country which garrison they might receiue into the towne whensoeuer they pleased And withall they had the fort of Auwerderzyel which did defend that side in the which there were some 100. and thirty men which Cont William before all others went to besiege he battered it and the nine and twenty day of May tooke it by assault The besieged seeing themselues forced laied downe their armes and intreated to haue their liues saued but for the proud answere which they had made vnto the dromme which did sommon them they were all cut in peeces with the Lieutenant of Lankama Gouernor of the towne excepting some fewe which saued themselues at the first by swymming when they see their rampar forced Prince Maurice hauing wonne this fort made his approches neerer and hauing sommoned the towne to submit vnder the vnion of the Estates they answered that the Prince should stay a yeare before hee made that demand and then they might consider of it but not before Vpon this answere the cannon being planted as wee haue saied it beganne to play furiously against the Tower of Drentlaer the which stood not long before it was beaten down and against the portes and Rauelyns aboue named the which were strangely torne besides that the fiery bullets and other fire workes which were shot into the towne did much amaze the besieged The English and Scottish were lodged within the counterscarpe along the towne ditches nere vnto the artillery vpon whom the besieged did sometimes sally with losse of either side One night beeing fallen vpon the English quarter they slue a good number hauing surprised them sodenly but of the besieged there was the sonne of a Bourguemaster slaine and some other Bourgers This they did often vntill their passage out of their portes
and breaking open one of the Ports about fiue of the clocke in the morning hee drew in his horsemen and the rest of his foote Against whom Alonso de luna Gouernor of the towne made some resistance in the Market place and at the towne-house but finding him-selfe to weake he retired ouer one of the Ports with his men resoluing to make it good vntill hee had some succors from Antwerp whether he had sent with all speed the which arriued the same day by the same Port whilest that Herauguieres men who should haue laboured to dislodge them and pursued their victory were most buisie to rob and spoile and hee not able to rallie them in time being dispersed here and there he resolued to saue himselfe with as many of his men as he could Thus the spoilers were spoiled and defeated after that they had beene maisters of the towne aboue eight houres not caring to winne the said port and yet Herauguiere did cry out importune threaten and strike There were aboue 500. of them slaine besides prisoners and the losse of horses This should serue as an example for all other vndertakers Cardinall Albertus being vpon the way towards the Netherlands and bringing with him Phillip of Nassau Prince of Orange and Earle of Buren the Estates of the Vnited Prouinces being aduertised thereof they wrot a letter vnto the Prince bearing date the 22. of December 1595 as followeth My Lord it was no small ioy and contentment vnto vs all to heare of your deliuerie from so long and vndeserued imprisonment as well in remembrance of the great seruices which this Estate hath receiued from my Lord the Prince of Orange your father of famous memory as in regard of the murther which was committed vpon his person which considerations do continually bind vs to loue and affect all such as haue the honour to belong vnto him especially your Lordship who haue so pittifully spent not only your youth but euen the best time of your life in the tedious and melancholy prison the which you could not beare without great griefe for the death of your honourable father the which was procured as vniustly as your imprisonment yet your Lordship hath therein shewed great constancy as the necessity of the time cause required in regard wherof we thought fit to congratulate your liberty but my Lord as we are informed the enemie preteÌ„ds to effect great disseigns by this action of your honors deliuery to the great preiudice of this Estate for that it wil be no smal griefe discontent vnto vs to haue any cause to alter and withdraw that entire loue and affection which we beare vnto you although we do confidently beleeue that your Lordship wil neuer be made an Instrument for the Spaniards to vndermine and ouerthrow our freedome built vp with such great care dilligence and wisdome by your honourable Father the Prince of Orange who for the maintenance and defence thereof was so cruelly murthered and thereby to blemish that worthie memory which is euerlastingly to be had of him For which cause they haue thought good to intreat you that if your Lordship should haue any desire to come into these Prouinces that it would please you to stay your iourney for a while vntill a more fit and conuenient time whereof we will aduertise your honor send you to that end fit assurance according to the orders which we haue set downe all along our frontiers not suffering any one to enter into these our vnited Prouinces without our pasport And so assuring our selues that your Lordship will take this aduertisement in good part we will here-with end beseeching GOD to send your honor long life and happy daies This letter being deliuered to the Prince comming to Luxembourg he made answer there-vnto bearing date the first of February as followeth My good Lords I thanke you most hartily for the contentment you receiue by my libertie and for the good remembrance you haue of me as appeareth by your letters And although vntill this time I haue not beene allowed to make my loue knowne vnto you who haue alwaies so well deserued yet I hope by this good occasion of my deliuery to shew you such effects to your good likings and contents as you shall haue no cause to complaine or bee discontented there-with And when-soeuer any occasion shall be offered whereby I may let you know how much I desire to do you seruice as he that affecteth nothing more in this world then to see his poore oppressed countrie restored to her ancient florishing Estate I will not vndertake any thing but with your good likings and to your content And I hope that you for your parts will not refuse any dutie and seruice that may helpe to settle a peace make an end of so great troubles and miseries to the generall good of all these Prouinces which God graunt may succeed for this seruice and giue you my Lords the full fruition of all your good desires recommending my selfe most earnestly vnto you all From Luxembourg Signed Philippe William of Nassau The Executors of his fathers testament vppon the last day of December against his comming sent him ten thousand gilders in ready money as part of his owne goods and in October after at the said princes instance by meanes of intercessors it was concluded that there should bee a meeting in the Duchie of Cleues betweene him and his own sister by the mothers side now Countesse of Hohenlo where they did salute visit each other conferring about their patrimoniall goods where she had licence to send him tapistry hangings and other houshold stuffe making great shewes of loue friendship one vnto an other The generall Estates sent Mounsier Hessels one of the Councel vnto him to congratulate his comming and to let him vnderstand what order had bin taken about their reuenues in Breda least he should haue some false reports made concerning the same ALBERTVS CARDINALL OF AVStria Lieutenant and Captaine generall for the King of Spaine in the Netherlands ALBERTVS D. G. ARCHIDVX AVSTRIAE BELG PROVIN GVBERNATOR Fifth brother of the house Imperiall Of Austria was I borne and seeing fate Fail'd â—…ne in lands and meanes proportionate To my great birth became a Cardinall But my great Cousin hauing euermore From my greene yeares accepted my aduise In points of statisme by his Kingly choyce Grac'd me with place of chiefe Inquisitor And thinking none of all his linage bore Perfection fitting such a match of price As Isabel chose me but first of all Stil'd me these lands Lieuténant generall THE Cardinall Albertus of Austria long attended with great deuotion in the Netherlands by the King of Spaines subiects all beleeuing that hee would bring a good peace and an assured reconciliation with the vnited Prouinces arriued at Brusselles the eleauenth of February bringing with him Philip of Nassau Prince of Orange elder brother to Prince Maurice hauing beene kept
good effect if it had not pleased God to take him so sodainely out of this world But now that his present Maiestie their Prince and Lord hauing succeeded the King his father not onely in his realmes and Estates but also in his Christian and Godly vertues to follow his steppes in the entertainment of amitie good neighbor-hood and correspondencie with the sayd vnited Prouinces by demonstration of the loue and affection which hee beares them desiring nothing more then to see them discharged of these miseries and calamities and of whatsoeuer might grieue or annoy them which desire and zeale hath mooued his Maiestie to send them as his Ambassadors vnto his Excelencie and their Lordships to vnderstand if they had any inclynation and could bee content that his Maiestie with other Christian Princes and Potentates should deale and labour that these long warres and publike calamities common to them all might once bee supprest and quencht and peace so much desired generally setled and planted hoping that the King of Spaine their aduerse partie might in like manner bee drawne vnto it And the generall Estates may rest well assured that the King their Prince would not herein seeke nor procure any thing that should bee preiudiciall to the Protestants religion in the which his Maiestie hath beene borne bred and brought vp and with the grace of GOD will continue vnto the end but onelie procure the meanes by the which they might bee preserued and maintained with increase of their happinesse Wherevpon his Maiesty doth most affectionatly intreat the sayd Prince and Estates that they will giue eare vnto it and resolue to propound conditions and Articles whereby they may bee inclined to enter into conference and that the King their Master might bee thereof informed by them which his holie and Godly intention his Maiestie had made knowne vnto the renounced Queene of England Elizabeth his deare Sister and Allie with all good and holesome admonitions and exhortations vpon the horrible amazements doubtfull euents and iminent dangers of this war as in like sort he would haue them represented vnto his Excelency and their Lordships His Maiesty requiring also the sayd Estates that all neutrall persons which haue no community with this bad warre might haue free nauigation comerece and traffick of Marchandise into any place whatsoeuer so as they forbeare to carry any munition of warre vnto the enemie And much lesse that his Maiesties naturall subiects should be restrained in regard of the perpetuall contracts neighbour-hood friendship and good correspondency which hath alwaies beene betwixt his subiects and them of the vnited Prouinces to whom the like is freely allowed in all his hauens passages and straights Then afterwards hauing beene intercessors for Steyn Maltesen Amptman of the castle of Bahuysen in Denmarke that he might bee paied the arrerages of his account for the seruices which hee had done to the particular Estates of Holland and Friseland The sayd Ambassadors hauing in his Maiesties name wisht all happinesse and prosperitie vnto Prince Maurice and the Estates with offer of his loue and good neighbor-hood in im◅tation of his Ancestors and especially of the deceased King his Lord and Father And they for their parts did offer vnto the Estates their humble seruice Beseeching them aboue all that they might carry vnto the King their Lord and Master in the Estates behalfe a good and a pleasing answere Wherevpon the generall Estates of the vnited Prouinces made aswere vnto the sayd Ambassadors as well by mouth as by writing the foure and twenty day of October as followeth THat the Lords of their assemblie deputed and representing the sayd generall Estates had beene exceeding glad to here and vnderstand the good remembrance which his Maiestie had retained of the friendship neighbour-hood correspondency and ancient contracts which had bin of long time betwixt the crown of Denmark Norway c. with the Prouinces of the Netherlands in generall and especiall of the good opinion which the worthie King Frederic the second of that name King of Denmarke c. had of them and of the worthy remēbrance which he hath had of the deceased VVilliam of Nassau Prince of Orange c. The said Estates hauing neuer had any doubt of the loue and good inclynation of the sayd King to the vnited Prouinces which giues them the greater cause of ioye for that his Maiesty doth offer to continue and perseuer therein for the which they did most humblie thanke him Hoping that they neither haue nor euer will neglect any endeauor that may serue to entertaine and augment his Maiesties good will and affection to them and the sayd Prouinces That the sayd Estates will neuer forget the good affection which the deceased King did carry to these Prouinces desiring to retire them from vnder the heauy burthen of warre and to restore them to peace and rest assuring themselues that his Maiesty now raigning hath not onely inherited his fathers Kingdomes and Estates but also his vertues and the same inclination which hee had to the friendship good neighbourhood and correspondency with the said Prouinces Whereby they do firmely beleeue that his Maiesty desires nothing more then to see the prosperity and health of these countries by the rooting out of all acts of hostility and of all that might be preiudicial and chargeable vnto them for the which they hold themselues so much the more bound vnto his Maiesty And as they do herein know his good will so they hope that by the reasons hereafter produced his Maiesty will beleeue that the sayd Estates haue neuer desired any thing more then once to see an end of this warre and it changed into a good and firme peace for the attayning whereof they haue done what possible they could for their safeties preseruation of their religion and good of the country Whereas contrariwise on the Kings behalfe and of the councell of Spaine in all conferences of peace as well in his name as otherwise they seeke nothing but practises and cunning shifts to surpresse the countrie and the good Inhabitants thereof As it appeared by the first conference in the yeare of our Lord 1574. betwixt the Lord of Champigny in the King of Spaines name and the signior of Saint Aldegonde for the Prince of Orange and the Estates of Holland and Zeeland the which went to smoake for that they would not yeeld to the least point that was demaunded for the safetie of religion beeing the Spaniards onelie intention during the sayd conference to breed a diuision betwixt those two Prouinces and so beeing masters of the good towne of Leyden to lodge themselues safely in the heart of Holland The which by the fidelitie and good endeauors of the sayd Prince and Estates together with the besieged in the sayd towne by the helpe of GOD was preuented The like was seene in that solemne assemblie held at Breda in the yeare of our Lord 1575. at the intercession of the Emperour Maximilian hauing sent the
which we haue renounced and doe renounce by these presents for our resolute and determinat will is that nothing whatsoeuer shall bee of any force and efficacie against this donation cession and transport which hath beene made of the said Netherlands in the maner and forme aboue mentioned Whereupon we haue giuen our faith and taken our othe vpon the holy Euangilists which we haue touched with our hand to hold maintaine obserue and keepe and cause to bee held maintained obserued and kept punctually all that hath beene said without any excuse or exception nor yet to suffer any other to vse any The which we do affirme and promise by the word of a prince and that we shal giue all aid assistance for the ful accomplishment thereof for that it is our sincere and resolute will In witnesse whereof we haue caused these our letters patents to be made the which we haue signed with our owne hand and caused to bee signed by the secretarie of estate for the king my lord father for the affaires of the Netherlands and Bourgoigne and to be sealed with the great seale of his Maiesties armes hanging thereunto in strings of gold To these were present as witnesses Dom Gomes d'Auila marquesse of Velada our gouernor and lord steward of our houshold Dom Christophel de Mora earle of Castel Roderigo great commaunder of the Alcantara a gentleman of his Maiesties chamber and butler for our person Dom Ioan d'Idiaques great commander of Leon all three of the counsel of state and Nicholas d'Amant knight also counsellor of state and keeper of his Maiesties seales for the affaires of the Netherlands and Bourgoigne chancelor of his duchie of Brabant Giuen in the citie of Madril in the realme of Castile the 6 of May in the yeare of grace 1598. Paraphed M. E. R. T. Signed Philip and vnderneath By the commandement of my lord the prince A. de la Loo These two patents of the kings resignation and of the princes agreation were both sealed with one seale in vermilian waxe with strings of gold These instruments being thus read past signed and sealed in autentike forme the prince of Spaine rising went and kist the king his fathers hands thanking him for the good affection he bare vnto his sister then going to his said sister he did congratulat with her for the good which she had receiued that day who rising in like maner went and kist the king her fathers hands and gaue thanks for his fauours and benefits as in like sort shee did thanke the prince her brother and so the assembly brake vp The rest of the day was spent in ioy and sport in the court yet more had beene continued if the kings indisposition had not beene who began now to grow verie weake Two daies after which was the eight of May the empresse sister to the king and mother to the archduke Albert came to court being accompanied by the embassador of the emperour her sonne the marquesse of Vellada Dom Christophel de Mora Dom Ioan Idiaques and others whereas the mariage spoken of was confirmed the Infanta binding her selfe by an othe in the hands of the empresse to marie the archduke Albert of Austria according to his Maiesties good pleasure Whereupon the said ladie empresse bound her selfe reciprocally that the said archduke her sonne should take her to wife by vertue of a speciall procuration which hee had sent Then the Infanta aduanced to kisse the hand of the empresse her aunt and future mother in law but she retired her hand and would not suffer it and for a greater shew of her loue imbraced her very fast In the end after many kind speeches and mutual curtesies as the empresse retired the Infanta bending downe vpon her knee would againe haue kissed her hand which she pulled backe and making her to rise the empresse kist her cheeke and so they parted All this being thus performed the Infanta sent a procuration in qualitie of princesse of the Netherlands to the archduke her lord by mariage and future spouse as followeth Isabella Clara Eugenia by the grace of God Infanta of all the realmes of Spaine Duchesse of Bourgoigne of Lothier of Brabant Lembourg and Luxembourg Countesse of Flanders Arthois Bourgoigne Palatine of Henault of Holland Zeeland Namur and Zutphen Marquesse of the holy Empire Ladie of Friseland Salines and Macklin of the countrie and citie of Vtrecht of Ouerissel and of Groning To all present to come that shal see these present letters greeting Wheras as wel for the good of all Christendome in general as for the Netherlands in particular and for other good considerations it hath pleased the king my lord and father for the aduancement of my future mariage by the dispensation of our holy father the pope with our most deere and well beloued cosin the archduke Albert with the good liking allowance consent and assistance of the high and mightie prince our most deere and wel beloued good brother to make a gift cession and transport vnto vs of all the Netherlands and of Bourgoigne according to the letters patents which haue beene made and signed respectiuely with their owne hands the sixt of this present moneth of May with other our letters patents touching the acceptation of the said donation and transport To the end that the said Netherlands and Bourgoigne might bee by vs our heires and successors held and enioyed in manner and forme and according to the conditions particularly comprehended and exprest in the said letters patents by the which his sayd Maiestie hath granted vnto vs with absolute power and irreuocable of our owne priuat authoritie not beeing bound to require any other consent or agreation to take and receiue by vs or by procuration to our future spouse the archduke Albert the full and entire possession of all the Netherlands and countie of Bourgoigne and Charolois and to that effect to do in particular according to the said letters patents Wee therefore make it knowne for the reasons aboue mentioned and to follow in euerie poynt the will and pleasure of his Maiestie yea to aduance all that in that regard may be necessarie before our departure towards the said countries wee haue of our certaine knowledge and absolute power authorised and giuen full power and commission irreuocable as well generall as speciall to our future spouse the archduke Albert in our name and on our behalfe by himselfe or other his substitutes as hee shall thinke fit by vertue hereof at once or at diuers seuerall times to doe all things as well in our name and in our behalfe as in the behalfe of the Netherlands and the countie of Bourgoigne and Charolois in generall or by the Estates of euerie prouince in particular that shal be requisit and necessarie to be done and past respectiuely to take accept or retaine in our name the full reall and entire possession of all the sayd countries and of euerie prouince thereof and of
violence by murthering spoyling burning and other execrable actions against the territories and subiects of the empire as also in changing and altering of lawes policies and religion which proceedings should be displeasing vnto the archduke yet they keepe still the townes of the empire in their possession and bragge that they haue gotten a great victorie against the forces of the empire as it may be sufficiently prooued hauing no intent to yeeld vp the said townes so vsurped but to hold them for their owne vse and commoditie Moreouer it was neuer more apparant than at this present that the Spaniards and their adherents designe is perpetually to disturbe and subuert the Estates rights and priuiledges of the Netherlands and vtterly to ruine them to the vnspeakable preiudice of all neighbour kings princes and common weals but especially of the Estates of the empire whom they seeke to ouerrule to keep the archduke with the Infanta their heires in perpetuall subiection not allowing them authoritie to yeeld any thing vnto the petitions of the Netherlands and the inhabitants thereof concerning the Catholike religion and other principall points belonging to the wel fare of the same We shal not need to speake of the letters by the which it is agreed that alwaies foure or more of the chiefe townes or forts in the Netherlands shall haue Spanish garrisons in them nor yet of the secret aduice giuen by the late deceased king of Spaine vnto the king that now is shewing by what meanes hee may alwaies take occasion to regaine the Netherlands but it shall suffice to produce the said pretended donation whereby the archduke the Infanta and their successors haue for euer promised and bound themselues by oath to follow the wills and appetites of the Spaniards not onely in regard of the freedomes rights and priuiledges of these countries but also for the disposition of the succession of the Netherlands the protection and bringing vp of their heires by the Spaniards and the power and prerogatiue which the kings of Spaine will haue to dispose of them and their childrens mariages or to giue in mariage to whom they please to hold the Netherlands of them in chiefe and to restraine them from their free nauigation and trading by sea and all and euery of these points vpon forfeiture of the same adding hereunto that they and their heires shall be bound to hold and maintaine the catholike Romish religion vpon the like penaltie as doth plainely appeare by the articles of the said donation hereunto annexed so as there is small reason for the emperours Maiestie the empire or these prouinces if they will maintaine their respectiue freedomes priuiledges and religion to enter into any treatie of peace with the archduke considering the late rigorous proceedings both in the Netherlands and vpon the frontiers of the empire And it is manifest that the treatie not long since made betweene the Queene of England the Spaniards and the archduke was according to their old manner vnder colour of a treatie to effect some further designe as the armie sent of late yeares out of Spaine to inuade England doth sufficiently witnesse as also in August last the like should haue beene done if almightie God by his grace had not diuerted that pretence forcing them to employ that fleet to follow our ships of warre which were then sent out vpon the coast of Spaine Besides the archduke and the Infanta haue such great spirits as notwithstanding they cannot pretend any right to the vnited prouinces by the said gift or by any other title yet by their proclamations they publish hold them for rebels actions vnworthie of so great princes the which can neuer bee forgotten Touching the second point wee hope not onely by presentation but actually to haue made manifest our iust and true intents vnto the emperours maiestie the princes electors and the Estates of the empire so as it seemeth strange to vs wee should be further molested and troubled for that wee seeke to bring our common enemie to reason and to abate his pride By these and many other reasons it may be thought vnnecessarie that for the preseruation of the honor of the emperors maiestie and of the whole empire your lordships should come hither to treat of the said points which wee also thinke not fit wherefore wee haue not sent you any pasport to that end hoping that the emperour and the Estates of the empire hauing seene these our letters will conceiue our meanings herein which is that wee hereby desire to ease your lordships of the paines and trouble which you may indure in this iourney humbly beseeching the emperours maiestie and your honours to haue a good conceit of vs and to aduance the cause of the Netherlands wherein the welfare of the emperour the seruice of the empire and our good consisteth and we will not faile alwaies to acknowledge and requite the same vnto the honours c. Dated in the Hage the seauenth of December 1599. This letter beeing deliuered to the emperours embassadours they returned an answer on the 8 of December as followeth Right honourable wee haue receiued your letters and vnderstand by the contents therof that you are informed ex relatione aliorum of our comming and of the effect of our embassage wee must confesse that touching the restitution of places belonging vnto the holy empire and the dammages receiued thereby we haue especiall charge to sollicite both parties in all friendly manner but concerning the other point it is not intended that we by the emperours commandement should enter into any new treaty of peace with you but onely for the furtherance of a treatie which was begun at Regsensborgh in the yeare 1594 the which the princes electors and the electors of the Estates of the empire referred to some other conuenient time And concerning the other points contained in your letters and copies touching the doubts risen betweene the kings Maiestie of Spaine and the Netherlands to the great dishonour and preiudice of all Christendome experience hath taught vs to iudge thereof as time and occasion shall serue And although wee haue commission from the emperours maiestie our gratious lord and soueraigne prince to treat with either partie yet you may assure your selues the emperours maiestie the princes electors and other Estates of the empire know how to remedie the wrongs done both by the Spaniards for their parts and by you of the vnited prouinces not to free the empire but also the oppressed members thereof from all vnneighbourly force and inuasion yet his Maiestie at the earnest request of the princes electors and Estates of the empire hath thought good to impose this commission vpon vs as your honours at our comming shall vnderstand more at large And although according to these our instructions gratiously giuen vs by the emperour we may not as it seemes by your letters be heard at this time nor allowed to shew thē vnto the general Estates yet we
of hope of all reliefe were amazed and did trye if they could free themselues of their vnnecessarie mouthes especially of their slaues whom they sent once more out the same way but they were beaten backe into the towne as before and yet some fortie of them escaped There was another letter surprised from the gouernour vnto the archduke whereby hee did aduertise him That he was straitly besieged without the towne but within he was incountred with two cruell enemies hunger and gally slaues The besieged and the besiegers entertained one another daily with their shot but they within the towne were better husbands reseruing their shot and powder at greater need for an assault There appeared dayly some of the archdukes troups to giue courage to the besieged and to trye some meanes to succour them Once among the rest there came 9 corners of horse towards cont Ernests quarter who seeing good guard kept retired through fauor of the night without any exploit The prince in the meane time as well to keepe the souldiers occupied as to be prepared for all euents caused diuers trenches platformes and bridges to bee made as well to passe ouer waters as to goe couered vnto the assault Sometimes a dike brake in the campe which filled all their trenches with water and made them worke for eight dayes to repaire it during the which the besieged seeing that the princes men shot not at them they cryed out Where is now your canon haue you layd it to pawne in the Lombard be gone ye beggers be gone To whom they answered You shall see it but too soone to your losse with the which wee will haue you shortly and then wee will goe and rayse the siege of Oostend with other such souldier like threats The besieged had set a float neere vnto their castle to plant some ordnance thereon the princes men went thither with boats but they were so entertained with musket shot as they were forced to retire The prince did often visit his whole campe and past into Cadsant to set al things in order causing his men to repaire and fortifie where hee saw it needfull His armie grew daily stronger in men and souldiers arriued howerly both Switsers and other nations by bands of twentie thirtie or more There came foure hundred Switsers at one time the which with others that came before had their quarter vnder cont Ernest. The lord of Termes arriued also with a good troupe of French horse who was verie kindly entertained by the prince and after they had walked about an hower with cont William of Nassau they supt together There was verie good martiall discipline and seuere iustice in the campe which made all things verie good cheape there comming great aboundance of victuals out of all parts of Holland and Zeeland The campe seemed a good towne and there was a storehouse well furnished with munition and all other things necessarie The besieged shot much at the princes ships which lay in the hauen to driue them out or to sinke them but the captaines hauing commaundement to continue there still they vanquished their importunat shooting by patience so as they were forced to cease and to spare their powder The princes men shot at the wind-mils within the towne and beat them downe By reason of the inundation of the countrey which was couered with water the towne could not bee so straitly besieged on all sides as the prince desired for there are certaine medowes and other places which the sea doth inuiron or couer at a high water and the tide being spent they are left drye there they incountred daily and still some were slaine or taken prisoners Wherefore the prince to spare his men that he might be the better able to resist the succours which the besieged attended made a defence that no souldier should go to the war without commaundement vpon paine of death causing a souldier to bee hanged who had beene saued from the gallowes twice in one day to giue example vnto the rest The vnited Estates commaunded publike prayers and fasting throughout all their prouinces to craue assistance at Gods hand in this important action The prince did also command the like throughout all his armie forbidding them to buy or sell any thing that day vpon paine of death If the prince did presse the towne without hunger did afflict them more within among other necessaries they had great want of wood to bake their bread so as they were constrained to pull downe houses to that end which made them to practise all meanes to write vnto the archduke and to acquaint him with the estate of the towne A Spaniard went out of the towne on horsebacke to trie if hee could finde a passage but being discouered by the guards he fled backe into the towne leauing his horse behinde the which was drowned The next day he returned againe with eighteene musketiers and hauing past the same way which hee viewed before hee had layed his companie in ambush at a certaine passage soone after there went eight Switsers whom they slue which they of the campe perceiuing they did inuest them and cut them all in pieces The besieged made also a sallie but the guards were so well placed as they were still forced to retire The fourth of Iuly Cont Henry Frederick the princes brother with Cont Ernest and Lewis with some soldiers being wearie to lye so long idle without any action went euen vnto the gates of Dam where as the sentinell gaue the alarme presently these yong noble men staying to braue it before the towne were soone charged with the garrison which was much stronger than themselues so as they were forced to retire with the losse of foure or fiue horse The mutinous soldiers of Hochstraten hauing made their peace and compounded with the Archduke being two thousand strong they went to serue him in Flanders at the reliefe of Sluse where they shewed themselues more forward than any and diuers of them were slaine but many of them hauing receiued their full pay ran away some home into their own country others fearing punishment went and serued prince Maurice among the which two of the chiefe being both horsemen left their fellowes being in Roemonde and went to the Graue their names were Thomas Viller and Papouken with a good troupe with them who vpon the 17 of August came before Sluse to the princes armie where they carried themselues verie valiantly so as Papouken being banished out of the vnited prouinces for that he had been one of them that had sold Geertruydenbergh in regard of his valour and experience was reconciled to prince Maurice The prince assuring himselfe to take Sluse by famine caused his batteries to cease for that he would spare his powder and shot And the Archduke weighing the necessitie of the besieged and the great importance of that place meaning not to deferre it after the taking of Oostend as he had hetherto done hee resolued to
of the vnited Prouinces into his hands which the vnited Prouinces would not yeeld vnto only they thought it good to put certayne townes into his hands for his securitie thereby to procure further ayd from him For this cause the French King sent the President Ianin Mounsier de Roussy and Mounsier Buzenuall as Ambassadours into the vnited Prouinces who arriued there vpon the foure and twenty day of May and vpon the eight and twenty of the same month had audience where first they showed what aide their King had giuen vnto the vnited Prouinces and then they complained that the Estates had delt so secretly with their enemy concerning a truce without their Kings aduice offering withall their Kings fauor and further aide vnto them with a presentation of an ordinary prouision to aide them as long as they continued warre or if they made a peace that hee might deliuer his aduise therein and giue consent to the effecting thereof To which end they desired them to appoint certaine deputies on their behalfes that might treate with them touching all causes not onely concerning the Estate of the countrie and the meanes thereof but also touching the reasons and considerations that might bee most necessary and conuenient to be propounded in the treaty of peace and best to preserue their Estate in freedome Wherevnto there were certaine committies appointed out of euery Prouince as for Holland Mounsieur Barneuelt for Zeland Mounsieur de Maeldere so of other Prouinces who vpon the 29. of May with Mounsieur de Beye the treasorer hauing full instruction they began to conferre with the French ambassadors and concluded that they should stay there in the Kings behalfe to aide them in the treaty of peace and to further the same The like aide and assistance they desired of the King of England who willed them first to send certaine deputies vnto him to giue him full instructions of their Estate and meanes to which end in Iuly they sent Iohn Berck counselor and pentionar of the towne of Dort for Holland and for Zeland Sir Iacob van Maldere knight into England accompanied with their ordinary ambasador Sir Noel Caron who vpon the 16. day of Iuly had priuat audience of the King and after that seuerall times of his councell beeing well and honorably entertained and feasted in euery place especially in London with the King and the Prince at Marchant-taylors hall where they were honored with certaine freedomes belonging vnto the sayd company of Marchant-taylors whereby did appeere the old mutuall affection and inward contracts of friendship made betweene the Netherlands and the Realme of England at last they tooke their leaues of the King and the Prince with satisfaction according to their desires and promise from the King to aide the vnited prouinces both with counsell and otherwise especially in their proceeding with the treatie of peace promising to send Sir Richard Spencer and Sir Raphe Winwood ambassadors into the vnited Prouinces and so the ambassadors hauing either of them a chaine of gold giuen them one of them being also made knight tooke shipping and vpon the tenth day of August ariued in Zeeland I showed before that within three monethes the King of Spaines agreation of the truce made for eight monthes was to bee brought vnto the Estates out of Spaine and to that end the Archdukes vsed all the dilligence they could to procure the same which at the last was obtained and vpon the sixteene day of Iuly Spinola wrot vnto the Estates of the vnited Prouinces to certifie them that his Secretary Birago had brought the said agreation out of Spaine desiring a pasport for Mounsieur Vereycken to come into Holland to deliuer the sayd agreations and withall to proceed to some pointes touching the treatie in hand which letter vpon the eight day of Iulie was by Spinolaes trumpet brought to the Hage and the next day a pasport was made accordingly whereby the sayd Vereycken vpon the foure and twenty day of Iulie came to the Hage and that daie had audience of the generall Estates where hee shewed them the King of Spaines agreation placed vnder the acts made the foure and twenty day of Aprill and the first of Iune written in Spanish bearing date the last of Iune the contents thereof being that his Maiesty hauing seene the contents of those acts sent him by his deare brother and sister the Archdukes Albertus and the Infanta Clara Eugenia Princes and soueraigne Lords of the Netherlands touching the truce and abstinance from armes for the space of eight monthes with ceasing from surprising of all townes and sorts inuading of countries and making of new forts during the said time as also of an intent on both sides to cause certaine deputies to assemble together about the concluding of a generall peace or long truce as the same at large declarethâ—… hauing well and duelie considered thereof declareth that not to restraine withhold nor any wayes to hinder the good that is to be expected thereby hee not onely hath commended approued and ratified the aforesaid abstinance from armes and by these presents doth commend approue ratifie and confirme in all points the said abstinance from armes as much as it concerneth him promising vpon his Princely word and faith to hold and maintaine the same in euery point as well as if he had consented therevnto at the first and that the matter had beene begun and treated by his consent and authoritie without any contradiction of the same In witnesse whereof he had signed the same sealed it with his seale dated in Valiodolid the first of Iune That which stood vnder the act of the first of Iune was of the same substance and almost verbatim as neere as might bee but both the acts vnder the which those agreations stood were written in French wherein especially in the acte of the foure and twenty of Aprill in the chiefest and most substanciall clause there was forgotten or left out these words Vniâ—…s en qualite et comme les tenans pour pais prouinces c. The aforesaid agreation being also written in paper sealed with the small seale and signed Io el Rey and to auoide all further difficulties a motion was made that the Estates would countermaund and call home all their shippes of warre from the coast of Spaine The Estates for their partes dislâ—…ked much that by the said agreation the Arch-dukes should bee termed Soueraigne Lordes of all the Netherlands and withall they found out the aforesayd error not knowing whether ignorantly or of purpose it had beene so omitted and there-vpon they showed him with what abuse such a fault had beene committed in the principall acte which hee confessed to haue beene perceiued and found out also in Brussels saying that it was but the writers fault who in coppying the same negligently omitted a whole line and for that the agreation was generall the Arch-dukes thought good to send it onely to let them know
learne the scituation and humors of diuers particuler places and persons and to bee instructed therein the which as some men thought shoulde alwayes bee a very greate aduantage for them whether this Treatie of peace tooke any effect or not Many men here-vppon made diuers strange discourses thinking it to bee contrary to the Estates former gouernement to suffer an enemie yea and a chiefe Commaunder of the enemies sorces and Armies to enter in that sort into the heart of the countrey there to discouer both the vnitie and dissention strength and weakenesse the consent of the people to the gouernement and their detraction from the same and that thereby they had meanes giuen them to incite diuers euill affected persons to reuolt from them Others were of opinion that it was a great ouersight committed by the Estates to enter into a treatie concerning so great and weighty a matter with such Deputies as were bound vnto such instructions from the which they might by no meanes varie and that they ought not knowing it before hand in any wise to deale with them But the Estates of the vnited Prouinces being better acquainted with their owne affaires then other men thought it their best course thinking that the curiositie of the common people was not so great as in regarde thereof they should neglect their duties for the defence of the countrie And to the end that the vnited Prouinces might make the better vse and reape the more benefit by the said treatie and thereby preserue their estate long before the comming of the sayd Deputies they made diuerse motions vnto the Ambassadors of France and England to the end that their maisters might enter into an assured and firme defensiue vnion tending to the vpholding and maintenance of peace if it should so fall out that it were concluded and agreed vpon and the freedome of the countries and on the other side to ayde and assist one another if the said peace should not bee obserued or that it were broken by the Spaniards or the Archdukes meanes which the sayd Ambassadors certified vnto their Princes and to that end vpon the three and twentith of Ianuary there was a league made betweene the French and the aforesaid generall Estates containing diuerse meanes and conditions whereby they might ayde one the other if the said peace were made and after that broken either by the King of Spaine or the Archdukes The second of February Prince Maurice with diuerse Lords and Gentlemen went to salute and welcome Marquis Spinola and the rest of the Deputies with many complements after that the generall Estates of the vnited Prouinces went also to congratulate their comming at which time they onely vsed a ceremoniall kinde of welcomming them and so departed presently againe After that the French Ambassadors went to salute Marquis Spinola in his Chamber at whose comming to the sayd Chamber the rest of the Deputies went to the Chamber doore to meete them who hauing saluted the sayd Marquis and the rest and taking their leaue each of other the Marquis himselfe accompanied them to the Chamber doore and so left them causing the rest of the Deputies to bring them to the streete doore of his lodging where their Coaches attended them which the French Ambassadors disliked thinking that the Marquis did it as if hee thought him-selfe of greater state then they in regarde of his place The same day also the Ambassadors of England went to visite and welcome him whome hee in like manner receiued intertained and suffered to depart which they also disliked The next daye after hee was saluted by the Ambassadors of Denmarke of the Palsgraue of the Marquis of Brandenburgh and other The third of February the Archdukes Deputies inuited Earnest and Iohn Earle of Nassaw the young Earle of Hohenloe the Lord of Chastillion Iustinus of Nassaw Captaine Bax and diuerse others to dine with them where they were honorably intertained and feasted and the same day after dinner they went to the Court to salute Prince Maurice and his brother with William Earle of Nassaw where there past many congratulations and complements betweene hem from thence they went to see the French Ambassadors in the President Ianins lodging who receiued them at the doore of their Chamber and at their departure conducted them to the doore againe and from thence caused them to bee accompanied by Monsieur de Russy to the streete doore where their Coaches attended them They also went to salute the Ambassadors of England at Sir Richard Spencers lodging who also in like manner receiued them at the entery of his Chamber and when they departed brought them no further as the French Ambassadors had done before each shewing thereby that their Princes were of no lesse Maiestie then the King of Spaine to whose Deputies they were not to yeelde in any point of preheminence The fourth of February Iohn van Burgh Landt-Vooght of Hessen Ambassador for the Lantgraue of Hessen came to the Hage to assist the Estates in their sayde Treatie with the rest of the Ambassadors who with in few dayes after had audience of the generall Estates to whome hee deliuered the great loue and affection which his maister bare vnto the sayd Estates Marquis Spinola during the time of his aboade in the Hage was most sumptouously serued and attended on in his house In his dining chamber there stoode two stately great Candlesticks of siluer the which standing vppon the flower before the table which reached much higher then any mans head in the which at night they sette great waxe candles that gaue light ouer all the table At his meales hee was serued with a rich cupboord of plate his Chamber was richly hanged with cloth of Arras and the like Carpets on his boord and in his Chamber there was a cloth of Estate by the Table but hee satt not vnder it and alwayes when hee went to dinner or supper all his Plate with other siluer ornaments were brought forth as if it had beene a Goldsmiths shoppe At noone at night hee suffered euery man that would to come into his house that they might see him as hee satte at his meate and euery day there was Masse saide openly in his house wherevnto euery man that woulde might resort vsing as greate state as if hee had beene a mighty Prince And although many men were of opinion that it was dangerous example to suffer so great a resort of people to flocke about his house yet the States would not in any sort seeme to hinder or lette the same whether it were for that they would minister no occasion of dislike or offence vnto him therein or for that they esteemed not thereof thinking it a matter of small importance to preiudice them or their Estate The generall Estates of the vnited prouinces thinking it time to enter into the treatie of peace or truce which was intended vppon the fourth of February they sent to Marquis Spinola and the rest
of warres which all wise princes desire to auoyd as much as possibly they may and neuer desire to enter thereinto vnlesse by compulsion and great necessitie they are constrained or that they expect some great benefit to be gotten thereby It is euident that this warre is not necessarily to be vndertaken by you if by a peace for many yeares you may free your selues thereof and it is most certaine that if you enter into warres you shall bee a meanes to put both your selues and vs to great charges and be a cause of great hurt and spoile It is our intents and meanings to giue the like aduice vnto the archdukes deputies and if they refuse to yeeld vnto a truce we will then tell them plainely that our princes for your good defence will doe all that which belongeth vnto true and faithfull allies This being likewise imparted vnto the archdukes deputies Spinola and the rest desired 4 daies time to peruse their instructions and thereupon to returne an answer and after foure daies were expired they made answer That their commission from the king of Spaine contained no point nor article of truce vpon any such conditions as were propounded and that therefore they could not deale therein without expresse commission from Spaine and for that cause they desired sixe weekes longer time to procure the same but if in the meane time the Estates would enter into treaty touching the same they said they hoped that for as much as imported the archdukes they should giue them full contentment And vpon the ninth of September they gaue certain articles vnto the Estates which were That the archdukes were content to enter into a treatie of truce for seauen yeares as well by sea as by land That either side should enioy and possesse that which they then held That during the said time the king of Spaine shall graunt them free traffique into Spaine and that the said king of Spaine within two moneths after the conclusion of the truce should declare whether he would cōprehend the Indies within the truce or not and if that the king of Spaine were to be ioyned in this action they desired twentie daies longer respite and continuance of the said treaty and that the said kings and princes should be aiders and assisters to keepe and maintaine the said truce in like sort as if an absolute peace were made This dilatorie answer being receiued the generall Estates were of diuers opinions amongst themselues for that president Ianin embassador for France thought it expedient to let them stay the propounded time that was set downe by them to expect an answere out of Spaine some of them resolued to grant so much time but they of Zeeland and many others were of another opinion for that they had not kept any time by them demanded and limited withall finding the peace to be in a desperate and doubtfull estate they thought it best for them not to hold their enemie any longer within their countrey wherein they had so many catholike friends and might procure many more which might tend greatly to their hurt and preiudice and so at last they fully agreed vpon a generall resolution which vpon the thirteenth of September they caused to be deliuered vnto them in writing the contents thereof beeing as followeth The general Estates of the vnited prouinces hauing duely considered of that which hath beene propounded in their full assembly first vpon the ninth and after that vpon the 11 of September by the embassadours of Fraunce and England together with those of the princes electors and others of Germanie that they would graunt vnto the deputies for the archdukes sent into Holland to treat of a peace longer time of staying in the Hage vntill the last of this moneth of September to attend a more ample commission out of Spaine doe to that end by these presents declare that they had rather see the departure of the said deputies for the archdukes towards Brussels there to attend for their said further commission for certaine good reasons deliuered by them vnto the said embassadors in their generall assembly vpon the 11 of September and for diuers other considerations but calling to mind how much they are bound vnto the said kings and princes they are content to pleasure them that the said deputies shall stay here to attend their said commission vntill the last day of this present moneth which commission must be made to confirme the freedome of the vnited prouinces not onely by the king of Spaine but also by the archdukes and that without any restriction or conditions and withall to acknowledge that the said confirmation shall not continue onely for the said time of truce but for euer to the contentment of the said general Estates so as the said deputies for the archdukes shall dispose their affaires hereafter and for want of such full commission to depart vpon the first of October without seeking any further delay neither of the said embassadours nor of the Estates if they cannot obtaine the same Dated in the Hage the 13 of September 1608. Whereupon the deputies for the king of Spaine and the archdukes hauing receiued no other answer from their princes and finding that their departure was so absolutely and so resolutely determined and set downe they made preparation to depart complayning that they had so strict a day giuen them and withall protested that they were sorrie that a peace could not be made doubting not that if the Estates would haue had a little more patience they should haue attained to a good end this done the deputies of the generall Estates went euery man home to their owne houses they of Zeeland openly protesting that they would appeare no more there vnlesse the Spanish deputies were gone out of the countrey or that they could shew an absolute commission Vpon the last of September when they were readie to depart marquesse Spinola and the rest of the deputies were inuited to dine with prince Maurice whither they all came except auditor Vereicken for that he was hurt in one of his legges and was carried in a coach from his lodging after dinner prince Maurice and the rest of the lords went with them to Risewicke and there taking his leaue he left his brother Henrie earle of Nassau to conduct them to Delft hauen where the same euening they tooke shipping in prince Maurices pinnace accompanied by diuers gentlemen as Emery van Liere gouernour of William Staet Haultaine admirall of Zeeland and others who brought them to Antuerpe and returned backe againe from thence they went to Brussels where they found the people in great expectation and desire of peace but all the comfort they could giue them was that they were in good hope it would be concluded Thus ended this long and fruitlesse treatie of peace betwixt the deputies for the king of Spaine and the archdukes and the deputies for the generall Estates of the vnited prouinces the which had filled all Europe
surprise Courtraye 1030. they attempt Lochen in vaine 1046. they ouerrunne the neutrall Countries 1174. they mutine and seaze vpon Hochstrate 1281. a sentence of proscription against them and their answer 1282. Staueren a towne in Friseland their prosperitie and declining 30 Stanley an English Colonell sels Deuenter to the Spaniard 942 Steenwicke a towne in Oueryssell besieged by the Spaniard 752. victualed 761. freed from siege 762. surprized by the Spaniard 810. besieged and yeelded to Prince Maurice 1059 Steward a Scottish Collonell entertained into the Estates seruice 656 Submission of the West-Frisons to the Earle of Holland 94 Substance of the Deputies Letters assembled at Dortmont and of the Prince Electors to the Emperor 1187 Sparendam taken by the Spaniard 498 Supplies of men and munition sent to Sluys 958. Swol in an vprore 737 Successe of the Estates armie at the Canaries 1213. Sluys sommoned by Prince Maurice 1310. in extremitie for victuals 1312. they desire a parle 1315. yeelded to Prince Maurice 1316. Shippes and men comming out of Spaine defeated by the Estates ships 1347 Spinola marcheth with his armie towards Frizeland 1347 Spaniards repulst at an enterprize vppon Berghen 1349 Spinola goes into Spaine 1353 Sentence pronounced against the Gouernour and Captaines which yeelded Linghen to Spinola 1354. Spinola seekes to enter into the Suider sea 1359. T. TEmples built for the Protestants in Antwerpe 409 Temples granted for the Protestants in diuerse places of the Netherlands 665 Testimonie of the prouidence of God at the â—…iege of Leyden 567 Teligny taken prisoner vpon the riuer of Antwerpe 866 Tenth penny imposed by the Duke of Alua 465. Tergoes besieged by the Protestants 478. Thierry of Aquitaine the first Earle of Holland 3. his genealogie 5. Thiâ—…rry the second Earle subdues the Frisons 7. Thierry the third the fourth Earle defeates the Frisons and reuengeth his fathers death 14 Thierry the fourth the fift Earle of Holland slaine in Dordrecht 16 Thierry the fift the tenth Earle of Holland defeated the Frisons twise 27 Thierry the seauenth the foureteene Earle of Holland 41. in quarrell with his brother William 42. his death 43. Tillemont a towne in Brabant yeelds to Don Iohn 654 Tongres a towne in Liege yeelded to Charles Duke of Bourgongne 532 Tournay besieged and yeelded to the Archduke Maximilian 193. besieged by the Duke of Parma and taken 790 Treatie of peace betwixt Iohn of Bauaâ—…a and the Countesse of Holland his Neece 133. betwixt the Earle of Câ—…arolois and the Liegeois 155. in Frisland betwixt the Scheringers and Vetcoopers 27â—… at Vtrecht for the vnion 700. at Breda in vaine 574. at Cologne fruitlesse 713. at the Hage ibid. Transactions of the Abbays in Brabant to free themselues from incorporations 350. Treslon prisoner in the Castle of Antwerpe 645. Treslon Admirall of Zeeland imprisoned by the Estates 875. Tournay and Tournesis refuse to enter into the reconciliation with Arthois c. 695. Troubles in Antwerpe 394. other troubles for the hurting of the Prince of Orange 800. Troubles at Embden 1154 Truchses Elector of Cologne allyes himselfe vnto the Estates 831 Tumult of the Commons in Amsterdam 146. at Leyden among the factions 147. at Macklyn 161. at Bâ—…uges for their Coynes 208. In West-Friseland for the Impositions 221. at Brussels 276. at Gand 834. at Vtrecht ibid. at Leeuwarden in Friseland 647. At Vtecht by the Clergie against the Magistrates 1007. at Bruges for the Vnion 702. Tournhout surprized by the Estates 1407 Trafficke into Spaine for the Netherlanders forbidden by the Infanta 1197 Truce in Arthois and Henault with Cambray 868 Theodore Triuulce Lieutenant of all the Archdukes light horsemen slaine at Mulhem 1353 V. VAlenciennes zealous to the religion refâ—… garrison 446. is besieged and yeelded 417. and surprised by the Protestants 476 a tumult in the towne 663 Venlo a towne in Gelders yeelded to the Spaniard 951. they chase away their garrison and Gouernor 1â—…45 Verdugo seekes to force Prince Maurice his trenches in vaine 1064 Vetcoopers in Freezeland cause of great troubles 221 Vicont of Leyden opposeth himselfe to Cont Thierry 2 Vicont of Leyden and their descendents 134. Villevorde a towne in Brabant surprized by the Estates 984 Uillers defeated neere vnto Dalem 448 Villars and the French defeated neere vnto Doâ—…lans 1106 Lord of Vere put from his gouernment in Holland 194 Vianen abandoned to the Spaniard 428 Victorie of Prince Maurice against the Archduke Albert neere vnto Nieuport 1247. Vicont of Turene prisoner to the Spaniard 778. Vnion generall of the Estates of the Netherlands 615 Vnion made by the Prouinces which continued in the first confederation at Vtrecht 700 Vlricke first Earle of Embden of East-freezland 220 Vniuersitie erected at Leyden in Holland 583. Vtrecht besieged by the Earle of Holland 34. Vander Aa Captaine of Prince Maurice gards slaine by Sluys 1309 W. Waginengen a towne in Geldres besieged and taken 194 Walger Earle of Teysterbaut Brother to Thierry of Aquitaine first Earle of Holland 2. Walchren an Island of Zeeland against the Spaniard all but Middelbourg 475 Wachtendone a Towne in Geldres besieged and yeelded to the Spaniard 510. recouered againe by Prince Maurice 1128. Land of Waâ—…s yeelded to the Spaniard by Seruaes van Stelandt 833 Wandrichom taken by the Spaniard 551 Warre proclaimed betwixt the French king and Spaine 1101. Warre betwixt the Duke of Bourgongne and the Ganthois 147 Weertdenbras a Fort in Friseland 230 Weed yeelded to Cont William of Nassau 1068. Weerd a towne in Brabant taken by the Spaniard 682. recouered and spoiled by the Estates men 828 Wyricke of Daun Earle Vanden brouck murthered by the Admiral of Arragons men 1182. Wynschoten yeelded to Cont William of Nassau 1068 Warre betwixt the Earle of Holland and the Lord of Arckel 118. betwixt the Bishop and the towne of Vtrecht 19. betwixt the Archduke Philip and the Geldrois 227. betwixt the Esterlings and the Netherlanders 246 Walrauen Lord of Brederode Lieutenant to Countesse Iaqueline in Holland slaine in Gorrichom 130 Westerlo yeelded to the Spaniard 826 William the sixteene Earle of Holland enters Holland and disposesseth his Neece 45. conquers Zeeland 46 William the eighteene Earle of Holland chosen King of the Romaines 55. wounded traiterously with a stone in Vtrecht 59. slaine in West-Freezland ibid. William called the good the two twenty Earle of Holland 87. does Iustice vpon a Bayliffe of South-Holland for a Cowe 89. his death 90 William the fourth the three and twentith Earle of Holland 91. makes warre against the Russian Infidels 93. makes warre against the Frisons and is slaine in battaile 94 William of East-Friseland Brother to Thierry the seauenth Earle of Holland escapes out of prison 42. is called by the Nobles of Holland 45. is made the six and twentie Earle of Holland 49. heyre to the Crowne of Scotland the which hee neglects ibid. William of Bauaria the fiue and twentie Earle of Holland 102. spoiles the countrie of Vtrecht 103. is distracted ibid. William Earle of
children of Cont Tbierry Cont Thierry chaseth the Flemings The Frisons will acknowledge no other soueraigne but the empire Warres bewixt the Earles of Holland and Geldres A new quarrell betwixt the two Bretheren of Holland The Earles of Holland and Geldre reconciled 1198 Trouble in Frizeland The Earles of Holland and Geldre fall vpon the bishop The bishop reuengeth himselfe of the Earle of Holland An accord betwixt the two Earls the duke of Brabant the bishop 1203 Cont Thierry sicke The death of Cont Thierry The Nobilitie of his time The Contesse of Holland maried Cont William sent for to vndertake the gouernment of Holland Cont William comes into Holland He puts the yong Contesse in guard and becomes master of the countrey Cont William conquereth Zeeland The Kennemerâ—… pacified The Zeelanders call back Cont William CoÌ„t Williams children The castle of Aspren rased 1218 The Contesse of Holland dies His wife and children The beginning of the towne of Gorrichom in Holland Cont Floris a louer of iousts and tourneys Cont Floris slaine The earle of ClermoÌ„t slain The bishop of Vtrecht guardian to the yong Earle of Holland A wonderfull del 〈◊〉 of 365 children An Epltaph of the Contesse of Henneberg mother to so many children The chiefe Nobilitie of Holland The wife and children of Cont William How Cont William was chosen king of Romans The king comes to Vtrecht and ratifies their priuiledges 1253 The contesse of Flanders pretends to conquer the isle of Walchren by arms A great deseat of the Flemings The contesse goes â—…o succours into France The duke of Aiou comes to succour the contesse The wise answer of the king S. Lewis to the duke his brother The duke of Aniou retires The birth of Cont Floris 5. The contesse labours to be reconciled The pope sends for the king of Romans to come to Rome The king being in Vtrecht is traitorously wounded with a stone The king miserably slaine being sunke into the ice They burie him secretly in a countrey house The kings body found and interred at Middlebourg in Zeeland Factions for the gouernement of the Earles person and of the countrey Great trouble an Holland Cont Floris takes armes against the Frisons The Frisons defened Foure eâ—…es â—…lt by the Earle to subdue the Frisons Friseland wholy subdued The Earles of Flanders and Holland reconciled The Earle makes war against the lord of Amstel and Woerden 1290 Cont Floris his voiage into England and why A mariage betwixt Cont Floris eldest son and the king of Englands daughter The earle of Flanders pretends to assaile Zeeland The chiefe nobilitie A historie of the death of Cont Floris the 5. The violent death of Cont Floris the fifth The wonderfull loue of 〈◊〉 grey hounds The end of the conspirators The reuenge of Cont Floris death Too cruell a reuenge The Frisons send to the king of Denmarke to be their protector The gouernment of Holland diuided during the absence of Cont Iohn The Frisons defeared The Frisons ioyned to the bishop of Vtrecht are defeated The teâ—…or of the letters of reparation submission made by the Frisons Mourmont taken and rased Troubles at Dordrecht A foolish answere of the magistrat of Dordâ—…echr The death of the Earle of Holland Who the gyant Claes van Knyten was The beginning of two wicked factions in Friseland The Earle of Henaults brethren Iohns wife and children 1301 The Earle seekes to ruine Iohn de Renesse The bishop of Vtrecht taken prisoner by his owne people The bishop goes to armes The bishop slaine in battaile being ouer-bold 1301 The Epitaph of this bishop Iohn without mercy slame 1302 1303 1304 The Earle of Flanders pretends to land in Walchren The Hollanders armie defeated The earlâ—… of Flanders wins a good part of Holland Great alteration in Vtrecht The lord of Hamstede defeats the Flemings The lord of Hamstede chaseth â—…he Flemings out of Holland A great defeat of the Flemings The Hollanders besiege Iohn de Renesse in Vtrecht The death of Iohn de Renesse 1305 Death of the earle of Flanders The death of the Earle of Holland The chiefe nobilitie The wife and children of Cont William 1311 1316 An extreame famine in Holland Amstel Wâ—… erden vnited to Holland 1323 1327 1328 The Earle ouerthrowne from his horse 1332 1336 A historie of a bailife of South Holland for a cow A memorable example of iustice The death of good Cont William The chiefe nobilitie in Holland and Zeeland The chiefe families of Friseland in those daies The wife of this Cont William 1338 1342 1345 Vtrecht besieged by the Hollanders Those of Vtrecht reconciled to the Earlâ—… Cont William slaine and leaues no lawfull heires 1346 The Earledomes of Holland and Zeeland adâ—…dged to the Empresle sister to cont William She takes possessió of those countries Confiscation of â—…cclesiasticall goodâ—… The emperoâ—… children by the empresse 〈◊〉 William of Bâ—…uaria the empresse son gouernor of Holland The bishop of Vtrecht goes to liue priuatly in France The bishop of Vtrecht goes to field He defeateâ—… the Hollandeâ—…s The Empresse resumeâ—… againe the gouernment of Holland The Earle her sonne retires into Holland 1349. The bishop of Vtrecht makes warre in Holland The Hollanders deâ—…eated A truce betwixt tâ—…e Hollanders and Vtrecht 1350. 〈◊〉 in Holland of Cabillâ—…ux and Hoeâ—…ks The fruites 〈◊〉 factions to stir the sonnâ—… against the mother Cont Williaâ—… receiued in Holland A battaile betwixt the mother and the sonne 1351. The sonne raiseth a 〈◊〉 armie The sonne dâ—… fines his mothâ—… to battaile A second battaile The mother defeated 1351. An accord betwixt the mother and the sonne The factions cease not Cont Williams wife had no 〈◊〉 135â—… The Earle de fies the bishop of Vtrecht Two strange knights â—…aken pâ—…oners The Eaâ—…le enters the country oâ—… Vtrecht with â—…n armie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fâ—…om the bishop The bishop takeâ—… Wâ—…p by assault and then Muyden The 〈◊〉 of Montâ—…ort 〈◊〉 from the bishop A combâ—…te betwixt two commanderâ—… 1357. Cont Williâ—… himselfe enters into the country of Vtrecht A finall accord betwixt the Earle and bishop 1358. The Eaâ—…le of Holland becomes mad Diuision betwixt the two factions for the gouernement Albert duke of Bauaria called by the Hoeketins He is receiued for gouernor Hee agrees with his sister in lavve Alberts wiues and children By this Marguerite the earldome of Holland Zeeland and Henault came to the house of Bourgongne The Cabillautins seeke to kill the yong lord of Brederode The castell of Hemskerke besieged for Cont Albert. The Delfoi reuolt Cont Albert besiegeth Delf The inhabitants speake of a composition The captaines oppose The captaines retire in the night The towne of Delf yeelded The duke of Gelders defies the Earle of Holland The warre ended by marriage 1365. 1367. The Baron of Enghien beheaded in Henault which caused great troubles 1373. The castell of Ghildenburch 〈◊〉 to defâ—…d the sluses The lord of Vianen and those of Dordreâ—…ht discontented for the sluses Cont â—…ert spoiles the Frâ—…sons
1374. They of Vtrecht 〈◊〉 Woerden â—…n vâ—…e Cont Albert 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ghyldenburch Ghyldâ—…burch yeelded by composition The forâ—… taken againe by them of Vtrecht Cont Albert makes sharpe warres against the Traiectins An accord betwixt the Hollanders and Vtrecht 1377. The death of Cont Williâ—… the madde Cont Albert receiued for Earle of Holland 1386. 1389. Iohn of Bauaria sonne to Cont Albert made bishop of Liege 1392. The murther of Cont Alberts concubine and of his Steward Noblemen 〈◊〉 for thâ—…â—…ther Thâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…men 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 The muâ—…her reuenged 〈◊〉 Coâ—…â—…bert 〈◊〉 Alteâ—… Thâ—… Earle his sonne 〈◊〉 The bishop of Lâ—…ge 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tâ—…e faâ—…her and the sonne The Earle of 〈◊〉 reâ—…s into 〈◊〉 An affront done to the 〈◊〉 of Osteâ—…t the Kings 〈◊〉 The sonne all the noblemen reconciled to Cont Albert. 1396. The chiefe of the Earles arâ—…e Cont Albert enters into Friseland with a mightie armie A crueâ—… baâ—…taile The Frisons defeated A second battaile and the Frisons defeated A braue skirmish betwixt the â—…nglish the Frisons The English besieged by the Frisons A braue answer of the Delphâ—… to Cont Albert The English degaged by the Delphois The Frisons subdâ—…ed The body of cont William fetchâ—… out of Friseland and buried at Valenciennes 1398. 〈◊〉 Frisons rebell againe The Earle sends his sonne against the Frisons Staueren besieged and yeelded to the Earle of Osteruant The Frisons subdued Seuen pence faâ—…thing oâ—… thereaboâ—…s English money A new reuolt of the Frisons The Frisons submit themselues againe A priuate quarrell betwixt two Knights of Holland A battaile wherein the Frisons were defeated The Earle of Esteruant proceeds against the Frisons many sâ—… for mercy The Groeningeois acknowledge him for prince The Frisons thinke to surprise the earle but in vaine 1400. The Frisons rebell againe They besiege the towne of Staueren They flie at the comming of the Earles armie The Lord of Brederode hurt and prisoâ—…r 1401. A great contention betwixt Cont Aloâ—… the lord of Arckel He defies Cont Albert. He desies the Earle of Osteruant The Lord of Arckel braues the Hollanders The Hollanders take â—…r reuenge The Lord of Arckel burns Nyeuport in Holland The Earle of Osteruent besiegeth Gorrichom Cont Albert comes in person to the siege of Gorrichom A braue sally of the besieged vpon the Zelanders Frisons An accorde made betwixt the Earle of Holland and the Lord of Arckel A seawoman found in Holland 1404. Duke Albert of Bauaria Earle of Holland dyes Cont Williams wiues children 1404. The towne of Liege â—…ned for their Bishops pleasure 1405. The Lord of Arckel breaks the peâ—…ce His meÌ„ spoile Wandrichom The Earle makeâ—…â—…rre â—…nst the lord of Arckel The Earle â—…esiegeth Hagenstein The Bishop ioynes with the Earle and besiegeth Euerstein An assault giuen to Hagenstein The towne yeelded and burnt to ashes Euerstein ruinated A truce betwixt the lord of Arckels sonne and the Earle of Holland The yong lord of Arckel will make his peace with the Earle The yong lord of Arckel makes himselfe master of Gorrichom The Lord of Arckel shut out of the towne and â—…stell of Gorrichom and Lederdam The sonne reconciled to the father The yong Lord of Arckel excluded ouâ—… of Gorrichom The Lord of Aspren acknowledgeth the Earle of Holland The yong Lord of Arckel tâ—…s Gorâ—…hom by scaladoe He â—…geth the â—…ell of Arckell The Earle of Holland besiegeth Gorrichom The duke of Gelders desies the Earle The duke reâ—… into his country The father and sonne of Arckel transport their siegnorie to the duke of Gelders 〈◊〉 strange â—…oute An Act worthy of laughter 1408 Truce betwixt the Earle of Holland and the duke of Gelders Great warre of the Liegeois against their bishop A battell betwixt the Liegeois and the princes allyed to the bishop A great defeat of the Liegeois A reuenge vpon the motâ—…s of this warre 1409. The Earle of Holland reconciles the Duke of Bourgondie with the French king 1410. The duke of Geldres and the Earle of Holland returnâ—… to war 1412. A peace betwixt these two Princes The Articles of peace Gorrichom anexed to Holland The duke of Gelders and the Earle of Holland meet An aduertisement giuen vnto the Earle The Dukes speeches confirme the former aduertisment The Earle grovves iealous of them of Egmond 1414. The Frisons reuoult 1415. The old lord of Arkel taken prisoner The Lord of Arckel discouers who they were that practised against the Earle of Holland The kinssolke of the Lord of Egmond offer to iustifie themselues The Lord of Egmond adiourned to appeare in person For not appearing he is banished and his goods forfeited Iselsteyn sommoned and Yeelded by them of Egmond Iselsteyn restored since to them of Egmond To whom it doth novv belong The Earle causeth the Lady Iaqueline to be acknovvledâ—…ed for hiâ—… onely heire in his life time 1417 The Dolphin of France husband to the Lady Iaqueline poâ—…soned and dies Death of William the 6. Earle of Holland The first particular Lord of Schagen Cont Williams bastards 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nâ—… 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…nd 〈◊〉 â—…n 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The factions reuiue againe in Holland Those of Egmond returne into Holâ—…nd The Lord of 〈◊〉 recouers his towne And the Castlâ—… into wâ—…ch the breâ—…hren put themselues The towne and câ—…tle of 〈◊〉 yeelded to tâ—…e Countesse Those of Vtrecht 〈◊〉 Iselstein The Contesse Iaqueline receâ—…ed in Holland c. Anthonie father to Iohn duke of Brabant was brother to Marguerite who was mother to Iaqueline A marriage concluded betwixt the Contesse of Holland and the duke of Brabant the 1. of August 1417. The bishop desirous to spoile his Neece Iohn of Bauaria seekes to make himselfe Barle of Holland Egmond surpriseth Gorrichom Contesse Iaqueline besiegeth Gorrichom Gorrichom taken againe The lord of Arckle with many others â—…ne The Lord of Brederode slaine The Pope dispenceth with the marriage of the Duke of Brabâ—…nt with the lady Iaqueline The Pope reuoketh his dispensation 1418. The marriage consumated beâ—…wixt the duke of Brabant and the Contesse of Holland The Pope confirmes his dispensation againe Iohn of Bauaria gets a dispensation frâ—… the Pope to marry He obtaines the 〈◊〉 of Holland c of the Emperor The answer of the Prouinces to Iohn of Bauaria Iohn of Bauaria takes vpon him the title of Earle of Holland c. He makes war in Holland The Duke of Brabant defâ—… Iohn of Bavaria A treatie â—…etwixt the duke of Brabant Iohn of Bauaria The articles of the treatie 1419. New waâ—…re beâ—…wixt them oâ—… Vtrecht and Holland The Cabillâ—… and Hoâ—…ckins â—…ke â—…rmes againe 1420. Sundâ—…y ex ploits oâ—… war The â—…king of â—…s castels by â—…n of Bauaâ—…a Leyden besieged and yeelded vpon composition The accord 〈◊〉 by the â—…d of â—…gmond The vicont forced to resigne his vicoâ—…ty of Leyden to oâ—… of Bauaria 1420. The Duke of Brabâ—…nt comes into zeeland without the priuitie of the Contesse Iaqueline Contesse Iaqueline goes from the duke of Brabant her
husband The Earle of S. Pol sent 〈◊〉 into Brabant An assembly of the states of Brabant Thâ—… Earle of S. Pol made Reuward of Brabant The Lord of Berghen slain in the Dukes chamber Many of the duke oâ—… 〈◊〉 seruants apprehended The Emperor anâ—…â—…ce Elector write into Bâ—…abant so the prisoners The prisoners set a libertie Whâ—…t the office of Reuwâ—…rd â—…s Many beheaded at Brussels The Contesse Iaqueline causeth the Dâ—…ke of Brabant her husband to be cited to Rome The Contesse Iaqueline made â—…re to the duke of Gloceâ—…r He comeâ—… with an Army into Henault 1423. Iohn van Vlyer beheadded at the Hage Iohn of Bauaria gouernor of Holland dies The Duke of Brabant acknowledgeâ—… Earle of Holland in the right of his wife Captaine Albert Beyllincâ—… buâ—…ied aliue 1425. Schoonhouen besieged A Truce made at Schoonhouen The duke of Brabant bebesiegeth the Contesse his wife in Mons A treatie made by the duke of Bourgongne to atteme vnto the Countesses countrey The Contesse laqâ—…e is deliuered into the Duke of Hourgongnes hands The Contesse of Holland led against her will vnto Gant The Contesse it freed out of the duke of Burgongnes hands The Contesse comes into Holland The battel of Alphen whereas the Coneesse was victor The English and Zeelanders defeated by the Duke of Bourgongne at Brouwershâ—… Anno 1424. The Cardinals sentencâ—… touching the duke of Brabants marriage with the Contesse of Holland The Duke of Glocester abandons the Contesse Iaqueline The Duke of Bourgongnes ambitious desugne Scuenberghe besieged And yeelded vp in despight of the Lord. 1426. Harlem besieged by the contesse A second battaile at Alphé where the Contesse is victorious The Contesse makes knights William Nagel Captaine of the Kennemers Captaine Na gel by the Kennemers defeated 1427. The death of Iohn Duke of Brabant A sâ—…a battaile fought neere to Wyeringhen The Lord of Brederode defeatâ—…d and taken prisoneâ—… An accord betwixt Duke Philip and the Contesse Iaqueline 1429. Philip of Bourgonge buyes the County of Namur 1430. Philip Duke of Brabant dyes Philip of Bourgongne makes his entrie as duke of Brabant The Lady Iaqueline Contâ—… of Holland 〈◊〉 thâ—… fourâ—…h tiâ—…e The Contesse denyed mony by her seruants Reasós which moued the Conâ—…esse Iaqueline to louâ—…â—…ranc of Borsselle â—…he marâ—…yes him secretly The Lord of Borsselle appâ—…ended by the Duke of Bourgongne The Contesse resignes aâ—…l heâ—… Coâ—…ntries to the Dukâ—… for her husbands liberty The Duke of Bouâ—…gongne takes possession of Holland c. 1436. The death of the Conâ—…esse Iaqueâ—…ine Noblâ—…men in the time of the Contesse Iaqueline The chiefe Nobility of Friseland 1437. Duke Philip right heire to Holland zeeland and Friseland His wiues and children Duke Philips â—…ards 1438. Warre betwixt the Esterlins the Hollanders zelanders 1444. The factions reuiued in Holland A tumult at Amsterdam by the factions The Dutchesse comes into Holland to pacifie the troubles She returnes without any effect The Duke sends for the heads of both factions Institution of the 〈◊〉 President in Holland A tumult at Leyden The Duke comes into Holland He reconciles the two factions War betwixt the Duke of Bourgongne and the Ganthois 1452. The cause of this warreâ—… 1453. The Ganthois submit themselues vnto the Duke and are reâ—…onciled 1455. The death of the Bishop of Vtrecht Great competitors for the bishoprick Sugiestions by the â—…oeckin faction against the bishop of Vtrecht The duke belâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…ports against them of Brederode The duke of Bourgongne meanes to make his bastard sonne bishop of Vtrecht by force Dauid the duke of Bourgongnes bastard made bishop of Vtrecht Levvis Daulphin of France comes to Brusseles to the Duke of Bourgongne 1460. Death of king Charles of France Levvis King of France falles in dislike vvith the Duke of Bourgongne 1461. Certaine signtories come to the Earle of Charolois 1462. What Iohn of Koesteine vvas Croy lanoy Koestein conspire against the Earle of Charolois They seeke to poison him The practise discouered vnto the earle Koestein committed to prison He is condemned to loose his head Iohn of Iuy â—…hat accused Koestein beheaded also Causes of dislike betwixt the king of France and the duke of Bourgongne The answer of the Lord of Chymay to the French King 1463. The Freâ—…ch King comes to 〈◊〉 to the Dukâ—… of Bourgongne The Earle of Charolois 〈◊〉 to come to the King which discontents his 〈◊〉 The duke of Bourgongne and his sonne reconciled The Earle comes to his fathâ—…r 〈◊〉 speech vnto the Duke his father The Duke of Bourgoâ—…gne reconciled to his sonne 1464. Which is 20000. pound starling Certaine demands made by the French King vnto the duke of Bourgongne The Dukes requests vnto the King The bastard of Rubempre sent into Holland to surprise the Earle of Charolois Rubempre his companions apprehended The Kings intention touching Rubempres acte The duke of Bourgongne reâ—…res in hast from Hesdin 1464. The â—…rench king sends Ambassadors to the duke of Bourgongne The French kings demands The Earle of Charolois answere The Earle of Charolois sends a message vnto the King The Duke of Bourgongne falles sicke The Earle of Charolois made Gouernor of his fathers contries Hiâ—… speech vnto his friends A new quarrel betwixt the Duke of Bourgongne and his Sonne The Earle of Charolois writs to all the Townes 1446. The towne castell of Lanoy taken taken Letters from the Earle of Charolois to them of Arras 1465. The Earle of Charolois reconciled to his father The duke of Bourgongne leauies an army to succor the duke of Berry The Earle of Charolois forces The dukes speech to his Sonne at his parting The French King makes a league with them of Liege The Liegeois in armes against the duke of Bourgongne The death of the Contesse of Charolois Peronne surprized for the Duke of Bourgongne The insolencie of them of Dynant The Earle prepaâ—…res an armie against the Liegeois The Liegeois sue for peace 1465. A peace concluded with the Liegeois The Liegeois offer an affront to the Earles men The Earle of Neuers reconciles himselfe to the Earle of Charolois 1466. The Dynandois 〈◊〉 the peace Dinant besieged Dinant taken and razed The Liegeoiâ—… reconcile themselues againe to the Earle of Charolâ—…is 1467. The Earle of Charolois marries Marguerite sister to the King of England The death of duke Philip of Bourgongne Duke Philips qualities Printing first â—…uented Duke Charles pourchaseth the County of Ferrette His wiues Duke Charles takes posseâ—…on of his coun tries The Ganthois mutine against their Duke The Duke yeelds to the Ganthois The Ganthois submit themselues vnto the Duke A tumult at Macklyn The Liegeois breake the peace The Duke goes with an armie against the Liegeois The Duke sends back the 300 hostages The Liege ois came to raise the â—…eege at Saintron A battaile betvvixt the duke and the Lâ—…geois The Liegeois defeated Saintron yeelded Tongres yeelded Liege yeelds vnto the duke The Liegeois in doubt to deliuer the town The duke enters
himself went into Zeeland all which he reduced to his deuotion The Lords of Wassenare and Theylinghen prouided carefully for all things causing two block-houses or forts to be made the one within the towne of Leyden the defence whereof was committed to Floris of Holland Prouost Cathedrall of Vtrecht and the other at Zuvamerdam which Cont Otto of Benthem had in charge The Lords of ◅gmont and Bauiart came with their ships to Amstel where they cut through the ditch and drowned all the country of Amsterlandt the Kennemers boording the Amsterlanders barks drew out all the spoyle and then fired them The bishop of Vtrecht on the other side to bee reuenged went himselfe into Holland and passing by Mydrecht he chased the earle of Benthem out of his fort of Zuvamerdam burnt many villages in Holland the which hauing succeeded happily marching on he commanded his souldiers to take out of euery village the best hostages so went to besiege Leyden wheras the Prouost Floris was whom he forced with small losse for that they within protested that they would not defend it against the said bishop the Prouost was taken prisoner led to the castle of Horst The next day the bishop entred into Leyden whether the earle of Loos came also with such men as hee had brought out of South-Holland which is the countrey about Dordrecht they of Leyden did him homage and did acknowledge him for earle of Holland in the right of the contesse Ada his wife Among the chiefe of the nobility of North-Holland there ioined with him the Lord Iohn of Persin Iohn and Isbrand of Harlem Arnold and Henry of Ryswick and Vuouter van Rymen These sent vnto the Earle of Loos to come boldly vpon their faith to Harlem whether he went reduced all the villages therabouts vnder his obedience The Kennemers fearing this storme would fall vpon them went to armes to defend thēselues and to stop the Earle of Loos his passage no◅withstanding any faith giuen them by the said Noblemen who holding the Earls party knowing the forces of these Kennemers desired rather to win them by mild and gentle meanes than by arms wherein they wrought so effectually as in the end they were reconciled to the earle of Loos paying vnto him and to the bishop 500 pounds great for the damages which they had done in cutting the ditch burning in Amsterlandt and so euery one returned to his owne home This done the bishop earle feared not any other enemies but taking their way towards Egmont in passing they burnt the village of S. Agathe the which at this present is the town of Beuerswike the castle of Brederode And thus they reduced all Holland before diuided into South and North South-Holland holding for the earle of Loos and North-Holland or West-Friseland for Cont William but this sudden change continued not long Soone after the earle of Namur entred the Isle of Walchren in Zeeland pretending to subiect it vnder the earle of Flanders but seeing his attempts to proue vnfortunat he returned as he came Hugh of Voorn was then in Zeeland who reduced all those Islands vnder the earle of Loos and chased away Cont William who with great difficultie retired himselfe for hauing lien long hidden in the end he saued himselfe in a small boat causing himselfe to be couered with fishers nets The earle of Loos had made the said Hugh Van Voorn gouernor with great authoritie and power who caried himselfe so insupportably in all his actions that in the end the Zeelanders would no more endure nor obey him but against the will of the earle of Loos put him from his place sending to Cont William of Holland and entreating him to returne vnto them who willingly imbraced this occasion giuing notice thereof first to Gualter of Egmont Albert Bauiart William van Theylinghen and Philip of Wassenare intreating them to come vnto him with all the forces they could leuie in the towne of Leyden and that they should do no act of hostility against the earle of Loos vntill that he himselfe were present and then he went into Zeeland The earle of Loos hearing of the Zeelanders reuolt and that the Kennemers were in armes to fight with him hee entred with all his forces into the towne of Leyden to make head against them for that they made all the hast they could to seize thereon marching without order or any warlike discipline Hauing preuented them in the sayd towne he attended them and then went to charge them so as they were much disordered Some being in their shippes thinking to ioyne with the formost found the waies cut off by the Earles men as they would haue past at Catwick by a bridge ouer the Rhyn marching close together the bridge brake a great number were drowned Philip of Wassenare Gualter of Egmont and Albert Bauiart escaped but VVilliam of They linghen was taken prisoner The Earle of Loos hauing had this good successe went camped with all his army at Voorschoten to keepe his men together for that he doubted much the comming of Cont William lest hee should surprise him In the meane time Cont William arriued with his forces of Zeeland being come into Holland he planted his campe in the ditch of Ryswicke from thence he went to lodge neere the Wood of la Haye meaning to giue the Earle of Loos battaile the next day who knowing him to be so neere and that he had a desire to fight he sent Iohn duke of Lembourg speedily vnto him to intreat him to enter into some accord with him but cont William would giue no eare vnto it finding himselfe by the death of the Contesse Ada the true and onely heire of Holland and Zeeland The said duke hauing made his report tooke vp his tents and pauilions being loath to attend the danger of a doubtfull battaile The Earle of Loos much amazed seeing himselfe abandoned by the duke who was his chiefe support forsaking his camp and all his cariages he fled with all speed to Vtrecht yeelding vnto the bishop for his entertainment in that he had assisted him all the Hollanders that he had takē prisoners The disorder and confusion was so great in the flight of the Earle of Loos his men as the women chased them with their distaues and in flying did massacre them with staues Many cast away their armes for lightnesse that they might saue themselues by the ditches that were full of water whereas many were drowned and a great number taken prisoners All th◅ Earle of Loos pauilions tents mooueables plate iewels and munition was taken diuided among the Hollanders And thus the Earle of Loos was chased out of Holland and neuer returned more The South-Hollanders of Dordrecht hauing no more cause of reuolt through the death of the Contesse Ada Cont William remained absolute Prince of Holland Zeeland and Friseland WILLIAM THE FIRST OF THAT name the sixteenth Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of