King of Spains power And none of them were well pleased to see the Provinces of Flanders joyned to his Crown which by reason of their situation circuit and opulency were of such consideration as when they were only in the hands of the house of Burgundy had oft-times reduced France to great straits and troubled England and the near adjacent parts of Germany more then once In France after the unfortunate mischance of Henry the second who was wounded as he was running a Tilt and died at the celebration of his daughters marriage with the King of Spain and his sisters with the Duke of Savoy Francis the second succeeded in the Crown whilst he was yet a child The Government of the Kingdom was therefore wholly in the hands of his mother Catherine of Medicis but so distracted and so full of factions as it could not be in greater disorder nor more confused Heresie which was first in secret and fraudulently crept into France shew'd it self now bare-faced And her Fautorers hiding their own ambitious ends under the deceitfull visard of conscience proceeded from their first Court-contentions to the taking up of arms to the great detriment of the whole Kingdom Those hereticks were called Hugonots nor is it well known from whence that word proceeded and Lodovick of Burbone Prince of Conde made himself the chief head thereof he was brother to Anthony King of Navar first Prince of the bloud-royal and his chief rather guider then follower was Jasper di Coligni Admiral of France who proved afterwards the plague of that Kingdom and at last his own ruine But the chief heads who maintained the Catholick cause were not less suspected and especially those of the house of Guise out of a received opinion that under the specious zeal to religion they hatched divers designes of bringing themselves to greater power France whilst thus afflicted within her self could not contribute much to the afflictions of others Yet it was evidently discerned that what fomentation from thence could be expected to the troubles of Flanders would never be wanting especially by the instigation of the Hugonots In England the succession of that Kingdom and of Ireland was fallen to Elizabeth daughter to Henry the eight Queen Mary who was wife to Philip King of Spain dying without issue Mary was not more resolute in restoring the Catholick faith in England then Elizabeth was in resuppressing it incited thereunto by the example of her mother Anne of Bullen and for fear lest by the Laws of the Church her succession might prove illegitemate from which fear she thought her self secure under the Dogmata of heresie Elizabeth making Religion thus subservient to State Interest would have heresie to be received throughout all England and Ireland And detesting the Pope and King of Spain by which two she might be the most indamaged she likewise endeavoured to prejudice them as much as she could She therefore persecuted the Church infinitely in England and was very intent upon all those sinister successes which might befall the King of Spain especially in Flanders where his power was nearest unto her and from whence she did most suspect it From those parts of Germany which lie nearest to Flanders all those heretick Princes who were there Masters of any States or Dominions shewed the same disposition against the Church and the King of Spain But the most considerable amongst them and of whom the greatest fear was had for that he was more amidst the Austrian Forces of Germany and Flanders was the Prince Elector Palatine of Rhine 'T was therefore much to be feared that from these external parts all the inward commotions of Flanders were upon all occasions to be fomented This was the condition of Affairs and the disposition of minds in Flanders when the King was there and upon his departure for Spain I will take my rise in the History which I undertake to write from hence after having with as much brevity as I could acquainted you with what hath already been said The King was resolved to go for Spain to the which he was moved not only out of his particular natural addiction to those Kingdoms as out of mature wisdome and advised choice He saw his vast Empire hardly well setled and consolidated after the so many voyages and great pains of his Father and finding it composed of so many members and so far divided one from another he thought it expedient that he should share out and disperce the vigor and spirit of government from out the principall part thereof as doth the heart in humane bodies and certainly Spain was to be reputed not onely the most important but the fittest place for this purpose there wanted not moreover many other urgent necessities which required the Kings presence and particularly those which were occasioned partly by the danger of Heresie which was already begun there and partly by jealousies of the Moors wherewith Spaine was greatly infected and with whom it was greatly feared that upon any intestine commotion the neighbouring Moors of Africa would joyn themselves The chiefest business which before the Kings departure was taken into consultation was to whom he should leave the government of Flanders in his absence Two Ladyes neerly allyde unto the King by blood were taken into consideration the one was Christierna Dutches of Loraine who was daughter to a sister of the Emperour Charls the fifth and the other Margaret Dutches of Parma naturall daughter to the same Emperour great was the contestation before it was resolved which of the two was to be preferred Christierna was the elder very well known in Flanders by reason of the neighbor-hood of Loraine praised for her great wisdom in having worthily discharged the Government of that State remaining still a Widdow and the afore mentioned Peace of Cambray which by her means she being there present in person was managed and concluded had very much increased her reputation By which successe Flanders being freed from the molestation of Arms she won more upon the affection of the Flemings Orange was chiefly for her out of the hopes he had of marrying one of her Daughters and therefore labored her Election as much as he could hoping also by that marriage that the government of Flanders might be more sway'd by him then by Christierna But the Kings inclination bore him at last to like best of Margaret as she who had been born and bred up in Flanders and who having her Husbands Estates of Parma and Piacensa in midst the forces of the Dukedom of Millan in Italy and resolving to send her onely son Alexander to the Court of Spain promised a more absolute dependency upon the King where on the contrary the house of Loraine by reason of the condition of the Country and more in respect of interest was inforced to depend almost wholly upon the Crown of France besides the great desire which the Flemish themselves shewed to have Christierna for their Regent made the King Spanish officers
manner as it will be too hard a matter for any Foreign Nation to land there much more hard to keep there when they are landed That Kingdom is inclosed and fortified on all sides by the Sea the Havens there are but few and any Fleet may be easily kept from entring thereinto The English yield not to any Nation of the world for skill in maritime affairs and their maretime Forces together with those that will be added to them by Holland and Zealand may without doubt oppose whatsoever Fleet Spain can set forth at least by way of defence But say that our men were landed in the Kingdom how can we hope to establish them there Usually in the making of Conquests some internal disposition is required and there is a continual necessity of external aids to maintain them There can no safe correspondencie be hoped for from the English it being a Nation which will suffer no other Government then its own And succours from elswhere will be so hard to be effected so expensive and so uncertain as the Forces of Spain which are already so distracted will never be able to supply them Hath not your Majesty experience by your marriage with Queen Mary how much the English doe hate all manner of Foreigners and how contrary all the Laws of the Kingdom are there unto Is not the Rebellion of Flanders sufficient to let out the best blood of Spain without adding thereunto that which you shall suddenly see arise in England Then since there is so little hope of any good success in this affair methinks it were better to let it alone and so to resent the wrongs done unto you by the Queen as fighting with her at her own weapons not to come to open war upon her States If war shall be made and the design not succeed how much more will she oppress the Catholicks of England and of Ireland How will she foment the troubles in Flanders nourishing still her own desire of usurping the government thereof And how much more justly shall she plot all manner of mischief with the Hollanders and Zealanders to the Crown of Spain in the Indies and in all other parts So as by this enterprise no glory or advantage will redound to your Majesty but shame and loss Let your Majesty therefore bend all your might to end the Rebellion of Flanders The Duke of Parma's Army being reinforced by Land and the Provinces of Holland and Zealand being set upon by Sea with the same Forces which would be imployed against England your Majesty may safely believe to see that Rebellion subdued and the Church restored to its former right as also your Royal Crown If in the mean while the Queen of England shall continue to aggravate her offences yet more against your Majesty then may you resent your self against her in open war with more expedition more advantage and more happy success The former success will doubtlesly very much help the other where as on the contrary if the design of assaulting England misgive as it is to be feared it will for my part I fear and I wish my fears may prove false the Rebellion of Flanders will never have an end The Duke of Parma being desired to signifie his mind in this point seemed to incline to this second opinion And howsoever if the business concerning England were to precede he said that some Port or Haven in Zealand was first to be won and this out of two very important reasons The one that upon any occasion the Spanish Fleet might have some safe and near refuge and the other that the Kings Havens in the Province of Flanders might not be hindred by the Hollanders and Zealanders in the Duke of Parma's transporting his Army into England The King staggering between these two opinions was a while in dispute with himself which of them to follow But in fine it appeared that the securing of England did so absolutely draw with it the putting an end to the Rebellion of Flanders as it was resolved in Spain to make all the speed and all the greatest preparations that might be for the execution of this enterprise The King was afterwards the more encouraged herein by the disposition he found in the Pope not only of approving but of favouring the design Sixtus Quintus was then Pope who appeared very zealous in maintaining the universal cause of the Church In the particular of England he considered what had befaln in the time of Pius Quintus by whom he had been made Cardinal When Pope Pius found that the Queen of England grew still more perverse in prosecuting the Catholicks and to doe all ill to Religion both at home and abroad he at last published an Apostolical Bull wherein was contained such punishments against her as the Church in like cases had alwayes wont to inflict But instead of being thereby bettered the Queen grew more cruel and impious Nothing was seen or heard of in that Kingdom but a perpetual irremissible fury against Catholicks some were banisht others imprisoned others deprived of their goods together with their Country and many bereft both of goods and life The Priests were chiefly persecuted and Heresie triumphing over their punishments and to see their Ministery already wholly routed out 't was thought the Queen intended fully to extinguish all the remainder of Catholick Religion and all the footsteps of that Piety which for so many Ages had so exceedingly flourisht there Nor was her hatred towards the Church bounded within her own Dominions it was known how greatly and how continually she fomented the Heretical factions of Germany France and Flanders to nourish troubles there and particularly to beat down the Catholick religion by her means likewise Scotland was greatly subverted and her beheading of the Queen of Scots who had been alwayes very zealous in the Catholick cause was generally detested by all the Catholick Princes of Europe and in particular had caused much horror in the Pope Wherefore joyning this with many other actions whereby the Queen did so cruelly afflict the Church and disturb the publike peace almost every where he considered he was not to let slip the occasion now presented of favouring the King of Spains aforesaid enterprise thereby to advantage the Catholike cause universally over all Europe and particularly in England and Ireland To this purpose he thought it fit to make a Subject of England Cardinal and this was Doctor Allen who was one of the antientest and most qualified Ecclesiasticks both for learning wisdom and goodness of all those of that Nation that were abroad Allen was then at Rome and the Popes intention was to send him into Flanders and then into England in case the design should succeed there to exercise such Ministerial duties as should upon such an occasion be most needfull for the service of the Church and particularly for those Catholicks The Pope being thus minded the King applied himself with all fervencie to the business and to make very
then essential Afterward at several times they by degrees joyned one with another The male Line failed in many of them and Women came to succeed by whose Marriages the States in those Parts began chiefly to increase and together with the strength of the States the prerogative of Princes By this means the house of Burgundy did at last unite those Provinces into one body and govern'd them with such greatness And afterwards the Houseof Austria came to possess and govern them in greater glory The first of this Family on whom the Inheritance fell was Philip the first Son and Successor to Mary the last Princess and Heir of the Burgundian bloud From Philip who dyed in the flowre of his age came Charls and from Charls Philip the second Charls possest Flanders in great quiet but in the first year of Philips succession those Provinces grew into such alteration through divers home-bred and foreign occasions as the mischief creeping in from the very beginning by degrees now in one sort now in another it at last broke forth into open tumults and from tumults into one of the longest and most bitter Wars that hath at any time happened The events of this war is that which I undertake to describe which doubtlesly are the greatest and most famous which can be expos'd to the Worlds Theatre Forty years of continual troubles have past over since the first tumults to the beginning of the Truce for twelve years In which time as also in the times following wherein the Truce being ended Arms were reassumed he who shall consider the successes of this war shall find so many and so illustrious Scenes of various accidents as he shall be compell'd to confess that never any afforded more copious matter of Humane Instructions or that any war more memorable then this was ever written of either in Antient or Modern Histories You shall see Countries of a small circuit contesting with a mighty Monarchy but you shall see them so favour'd by the Arms of Nature by the Sea and Rivers and by Forces from abroad with all possible assistance as it is not to be wondred if they have made so long opposition and if they continue still to make it more vigorously then ever You in their unvanquish'd Rebellion shall see the rage of Heresie against the Church joyned to the like of Subjects against their Prince And Flanders divided within her self miserably to consume by wars caused no less by Religion then by State-Interest and set on fire no less by internal then by external Forces You shall see bloudy battels unheard of sieges dreadfull sackings firings and ruins Successes at Sea which will not yield for cruelty to those by Land and wars carryed with no less Atrocety from the neighbouring Seas of Europe into the most remoted Seas of the Indies Business will sometimes appear amidst Arms and amidst the raging noyse of war the natural desire of peace Yet ruine death and destruction shall be seen to prevail on all sides And it shall appear that on the fatal fields of Flanders as on the Lists of a publick Combat almost all the Nations of Europe have strove and as it were vied to vent forth their anger and malice and with their sword in hand to buckle themselves still more obstinately one against the other These two personages though of almost clean contrary genius and nature were in equal authority and favour with the Flemish Orange was more for Civil then Military affairs wary wise a great Master of speech and no less good at Councel in his fashion and behaviour popular and of whom it was questionable whether his ability was greater in comprehending businesses or his wariness in managing them Rare qualities all of them when they are level'd at right ends but do strangely degenerate when they are made use of as they were afterwards by Orange to ambitious and corrupt designes Egmont on the contrary was more given to studie war then peace of a free nature can did in his thoughts and words popular likewise but rather amongst soldiers in the fields then with the vulgar within walls and in all things else Much apter to win preferment amongst Arms then at Court The Government of the Provinces and Military commands were put into these two mens hands and some others of the chiefest of the Country And though till after the Kings departure thence none of them had any ways opposed the aforesaid Edicts yet it was well enough known that many of them were not well pleased with them and 't was feared that those would make use thereof who under palliated pretences had a mind to disquiet the present Government and introduce some novelties Orange had till then given greatest suspitions thereof for whilst he was in France with Henry the second for one of King Philips hostages in performance of the peace which was concluded in Cambrey between those two Kings the year 1559. he honesting the occasion thereby slipt into Flanders and revealed to his adherents a strong plot which those two Kings had in secret to exterp Heresie And the Nobility of Flanders having spent very much in Charls his time and many of the best of them being but in bad condition therefore the King being to leave Flanders they did in that behalf begin to murmure aloud and very much to complain as if by the Kings perpetual future absence the Dutch were to be deprived of those advantages which they had so largely enjoyed in the time of his Father the Emperour Which might occasion fear that they would endeavour the preservation thereof by exciting of troubles as having but little hopes to effect it by the way of peace Nor were many of the Church-men much better satisfied then were the people and the Nobility by reason of the new erection of Bishopricks which were instituted in the chiefest Cities of the Country which being at first procured by Charls for the better Church-government in Flanders and especially to bridle Heresie were after compleated and constantly continued by Philip. Upon the reason of these new erections it was necessary to suppress many Abbies and Priories And the Bishops being to enjoy the first place in Ecclestastical Orders the Abbots held themselves thereby offended who formerly made the greatest number of Ecclesiasticks and held the chief place at publick meetings To these several distastes in all the three Provincial Orders another was added with the introducing of forainers as Germans and Spaniards into the chief Forts which were formerly Garison'd by people of their own Provinces These and many other passions wherewith the minds of the Flemish were agitated were not unknown to the neighbouring Princes who watched all occasions which might cause commotions in Flanders and were desirous to propagate them And though they were not all of a mind in point of Religion and divers other things yet they all joyned in one end which was to see the greatness of the house of Austria somewhat lesned and especially the
that the Dutchess was not much troubled to see Granville gone as one who was upheld by the King in too great Authority with her Yet the truer opinion was that she was very much grieved to be deprived of such a man and one so well experienced in the affairs of Flanders To boot that upon any sinister events whereof many and of very great moment did ensue after his departure he might have justified her behaviour therein unto the King and have easily freed her from those accusations which were afterwards often laid unto her charge in the Councel in Spain THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF FLANDERS Written by CARDINAL BENTIVOGLIO BOOK II. The Contents The Nobility are glad at Granvilles departure Factions in the Councel of State The Regent makes the Councel of Trent be received Orange opposeth it and shews an unquiet disposition Heresie begins to appear bare-faced in Flanders The Inquisition still more detested Egmont goes into Spain The King persists in his former resolutions Egmont returns and the Country is distasted The Nobility do in particular conspire and form an Instrument in writing by the name of Compromise or Covenant Some of the chiefest meet together at Breda a Town belonging to the Prince of Orange The Dutchess grows very apprehensive of these proceedings She understands that a great many of the Nobility meet together to present her with a Petition she endeavours but in vain to hinder the delivery of it Brederodes Oration to his other Companions They present the Petition They take upon them the name of Beggers And why they do so The Marquis of Berghen and Monsieur Montigni are sent into Spain and are not admitted of by the King The practise and profession of heresie is publickly introduced in Flanders The Nobilities audaciousness in defending it Their assembling together at Getrinberg The Regent endeavours to satisfie them And is at last inforced to take away all manner of Inquisition The hereticks and unquiet people are hereby encouraged From whence they come to open violencies against the Churches WHen Cardinal Granville was gone from Flanders occasion of complaining did rather cease in Orange and the rest then a will to complain And therefore seeming very well satisfied with this the Kings resolution they made publick demonstrations of joy in all places That now the Country was freed of him who sought to oppress it The Councel left in its former dignity and the Regent her self in the reputation which was due to her in the Government That Flanders had not a sorer enemy then the Cardinal nor the Nobility a more malitious interpreter of their actions to the King Let him in Gods name carry that pride and arrogancy which he so much joy'd in somewhere else and let him exalt himself where either the obscurity of his birth was not known or where the splendor of others was less esteemed of They accompanied the Cardinals deperture with these words full of bitterness not yet satisfied with the hatred which whilst present they had in so many sorts shewed towards him On the other side they shewed all due observancy to the Regent they never intermitted commg to Councel neither did they let slip any other occasion by which they might reconcile her unto them and make her their protect or unto the King We told you before that the President Vighlio and Barlemont did side with the Cardinal in all things in Councel he had made the King have a great good opinion of their fidelity and wisdom as also the Councel of Spain so as when the Cardinal was gone 't was soon seen that the Regent confided more in these two in many resolutions then in all the rest and 't was easily to be judged that she had Orders from the King so to do and that though the Cardinal was gone yet his Councels remained still in Flanders Vighlio was an upright man and no less pious in matters of Religion then faithfull in what concern'd the King And where it was needfull he opposed the ambition and arrogancy of great ones more then became his condition Succeeding then in Granvilles sence and encouraged thereunto by the esteem which was put upon his Councels in Spain he forbore not to put the Regent in mind How little cause she had to confide in those great ones who having no other end then to make themselves every day greater could not receive any addition to their Authority which tended not to the diminution of the Regal power That their eyes were now upon France and by the example of those Contrivers of Innovations they would introduce the same troubles and Faction into Flanders that they might afterwards fall out within themselves who should have the greatest share of their Country when they had made a prey of her Was there any doubt but that all those pretences were false which they had made use of to remove Granville from Flanders How had he offended them unless they would esteem themselves injured by the service which he had done the King and which with such loyalty and constancie of mind he had alwayes endeavoured to sustain not regarding their complaint nor threats That she would be soon enough aware of this For one pretence failing they would raise up others and after having warred against the Kings Ministers of State they would bare-faced make war against the King himself This speech of Vighlio's proved a prophesie so fully was it confirmed by the event Nor was it long ere just as he had foretold Orange and the rest took up new occasion of Complaints in a business which fell out in Religion and 't was this The Councel of Trent was already published and the controversies which arose between the Catholicks and Hereticks in matter of religion were truly determined by that divine Oracle of the Church neither had her sacred Decree brought forth less fruit in the reformation of Ecclesiastical discipline Of all the Princes of Christendom the King of Spain had made it his particular care to see that Councel take good effect He was alwayes fixed and unalterable not to admit of any Religion in his Kingdoms and States but the Catholike profession For his Territories being so far divided one from another he thought that they might be the easilier united in their obedience under him by the bond of an uniform zeal which might equally fasten them in their devotion to the Church The Councel then being ended the King was resolved for what concerned his Temporal authority that the Decrees made thereby should be observed in all his Dominions and therefore had given such orders as were needfull to the Dutchess of Parma to make them be received and observed in Flanders She propounded this to the Councel of State and there wanted not some who presently opposed the proposition They said That the Conncel was in many things contrary to the priviledges of the Provinces that the Ecclesiastical government would be too much advantaged thereby that the strictness thereof did too much
Monark of new worlds and he who was more glorious in renouncing them then in possessing them He even he was compeld by Orders from the Inquisitors to do publick penance at his return to Spain for having onely treated with the Lutheran Hereticks in the wars which he made in Germany Now if the dangers of the Inquisition be so many and if they be so hard to be evaded by the very Spaniards and Italians who are by nature so wary and cautious how shall we Flemings ever hope to escape the least part thereof We I say whose hearts are with such candor seen in our words who lead so free and so conversable a life and who hold it for a particular law of faithfull friendship not to keep any thing concealed one from another in our baals feastings cups and invitations shall it be imputed as a fault of misbeliefe if some vain or idle word escape our mouths amidst those our innocent delights The Inqusition will quickly take from us these our contentments we shall be turn'd Savages in our demeanours and our Cities will at last be turned into Desarts and our Provinces into solitary habitations Commerce will be every where destroyed which consists almost wholly in contracting with such foraigners as profess liberty of conscience and who cannot tolerate so much as the very name of the Inquisition Thus Flanders will in a short time fall into ruine and desolation And thus our formerly so fortunate Provinces will for the future be an example of infinite misery to all Europe whereas formerly their felicity hath been envied by all other Countries By the condition of the evils which I have laid before you the justice of the desires which we shall make to escape them will consequently and clearly appear The King hath sworn to maintain our Countrey in her liberties and what doth more destroy them then doth the Inquisition The King himself hath for a long time been vers'd here in our customes and what is more averse unto them then these his Edicts The Spaniards will introduce the government of Spain into Flanders and what greater repugnancy can there be then what is seen between their Laws and ours between Subjection ' which is there adored and by all men here so much detested Kings cannot extend their Laws beyond those of Nature nay they are as liable to her Laws as are their subjects Let Spain and Italy then retain and enjoy their Inquisition as they shall like best which Flanders never received but by force and from which force she is now resolved to free her self But since 't is understood that those amongst our selves who partake of the Regents most secret resolutions and which are now more Spanish then Flemish endevour to divide us who is he amongst us that will be found faulty in his faith Faulty in things so solemnly promis'd and sworn unto And finally faulty to himselfe to his blood to his honor and to the so great danger of his Countrey God forbid that any such thing should be dream'd of much less seen Let each of us consider the ancient glory of our Belgicks and esteem it a good fortune to be able upon this occasion to imitate them The worth of progenitors ought to passe together with their blood into those that descend from them And the later ought not onely to approve themselves heirs but even competitors of the former in all glorious actions I then most noble companions will with all humility lay before the Regent the bitterness of the evils which we undergo and the necessity of our being relieved therein But if all due respect obsequy and reason shall prevail no more in these our present instances then they have formerly done what is to be done in such a case but to have recourse to such remedies as desperation useth to suggest against violence I shall for my part be as ready to hazard my life then as I am willing now to use my tongue upō this present occasion We shal find the greatest in the Councel wil agree with our sense and we shall find their assent to what we shall say by their silence And doubtlesly all the rest of the Countrey wil cheerfully take up such resolutions as we shall do in such a case which cannot be more just since they cannot be more necessary Thus did Brederode inflame himself and the rest against the inquisition But it was not true as hath been often said that the King intended to introduce a setled form of the use thereof in Flanders Nor was it true that Alanson Del Canto was come to Brussels for any thing concerning the inquisition and what he affirmed touching the Emperour Charls the fifth was a meer fable rashly invented and beleeved who accompanying so many of his other excellent vertues with his innate piety did never treat with the Hereticks in Germany but when necessitated so to do that he might rid them of their Frenzy either by the usuall way of their Diets or by force of Arms in Battel and for what concerns the inquisition though the Country were generally averse thereunto yet there were many of try'd wisdom and zeal who found in themselves desired to inform others by the benefit which Spain and Italy had received thereby how advantagious it would be to Flanders to have a moderate form thereof introduced in her Provinces They said That some little seeming of severity being taken away from the inquisition there were not in effect any Tribunals lesse severe then hers Nor whereby more just and Candid wayes the preservation of the Honour and Purity of Faith was endeavoured That the name and use thereof was to be esteemed most sacred That if so many temporal Lawes were made in favour of Princes to keep humane Majesty unharmed spirituall Lawes were much more to be approved of in favour of the Church by punishing those who were guilty of high treason against the Majesty of God That by defending this right which doth so straitly binde the faithfull to God and to Religion the other which was due from the people to Princes and their States was the better sustained That if Calumny were to give way to truth as of right it should it must necessarily be confest that nothing maintained States in the sincerity of Faith more then the inquisition where as when Heresie once enters Factions suddenly arise from Factions civil Wars and from civil Wars Forrein ones inevitably So as Princes together with their People were suddenly seen to fall into deplorable miseries and calamitie what unhappy proof may Flanders fear herein through her own evils and to how many fat all seenes may Germany and France serve for a Theatre by reason hereof nor were the same revolutions and misfortunes lesse in other Countries where Heresie hath been able to open the Schools of error and display the Ensignes of Rebellion That Spain and Italy this mean while did enjoy a perfect and happy peace which was the supream good of mortals
the Provinces neerest thereunto Norchermes was also sent thither so as they quickly drove Brederode from thence who of a chief Commander being become a single man and of a mutiner an exile was forced to flie to the nearest parts of Germany and tarrying at Embden a Sea-Town he not long after dyed there The Regent encouraged by this good success betook her self suddenly to re-order the affairs of Antwerp To this purpose she shewed at one and the same time both lenity and force Orange and Hostrat laboured to compose the affairs of that City the best they could though to place a Garison there which was the Regents chiefe drift stood not with their particular Interests Divers tumults had happened there since that first great one wherein the hereticks had violated the Churches trampled the sacred things and insulted in all unworthy manner over the Catholicks One sedition being allayd another was presently ready to be set on foot which made still more for the advantage of the hereticks They grumbled that they had not so many Churches as they desired There were almost as many sects as sectarists with the Inhabitants Foreigners did combine and plots from abroad accompanied those within They strove to provide themselves of arms to better their cause thereby One Tolose appeared more seditious then all the rest a bold man and of good retinue This man betaking himself to raise men had gathered a considerable number together not above a league from Antwerp in a certain Village called Ostervel on the other side the Scheld The Dutches had notice of this and making those men be set upon on the sudden by a good many of hers they were soon scattered Tolose endeavored to save himself in a house but was therein burat the rest either fled or were slain or drowned in the river This success caused a great revolt in Antwerp and they were ready to fall together by the ears in the City the hereticks growing mad hereat on the one side and the Catholicks taking advantage and courage on the other side But Orange Hostrat and others of Authority with the people did so handle the business as the apparent danger was provided for by a new agreement which was there made in matter of Religion This agreement had much reference to the others which had preceded but in this some things were added touching the Government of the City the better to prevent future tumults To which purpose the City itself raised certain foot Companies and armed some boats to guard the Scheld where it was most needfull yet let them do what they could to keep peace in that City none took effect or at least they lasted not In fine where Religion is not united there can be no union in obedience This new agreement was soon observed to be kept as ill as were the former The Regent whose forces still increased taking occasion from hence resolved to put a good Garison into Antwerp which she could not very well do before All necessary preparations being had to this end and the Catholick party in Antwerp being much advantaged the Cities deliberations were sutable to her desires She first sent for some to Brussels who were chosen by the City to this purpose and treated with them touching the form of re-ordering the Government wherein the Catholick religion and obedience to the King were above all things to be considered The agreement being made wherein she now no longer received but gave conditions the City seemed willing to execute them All heretical exercises were thereby forbidden and all new erection of Temples for sectarists their preachers were driven out and order taken for the repairing of the Churches by them violated A Magistrate was chosen who was zealous for the affairs of religion and of the King And the soldiers which the City had taken into Garison took an oath to be faithfull to the King and to execute if need should require all things which were agreed upon The Regent immediately sent Charls Count Mansfield into Antwerp with his Regiment of Walloons to establish all things better by arms and that it might be seen she would no longer use only intreaties The Garison was received by the City whereinto Mansfield entred in good order so as the hereticks could neither endeavour any novelty nor the soldiers on the other side use any licentiousness The Garison being placed in Antwerp the Regent thought she her self might now safely and with honour go thither so as leaving Brussels she went thither waited on by many of the Nobility and chief Lords She entred as it were in triumph so great a concourse of people met her and with such acclamations was she received though the heretick party forbore not to murmure seeing themselves reduced to so mean terms The Regent staid awhile in Antwerp till she thought she had reduced the affairs of the Church and King into convenient order she used severity tempered with clemency She returned from thence to Brussels It cannot be said what good consequences this example of Antwerp wrought in amendment of the preceding evils The tottering condition of the Provinces was on a sudden reduced to tranquility almost in all parts the Churches were repaired Altars restored Images worshiped and wonted obedience given to Magistrates The chief Lords strove who should be forwardest in their service to the Church and to the King in their obsequiousness to the Regent and in waiting personally upon her in so much as it was generally hoped that the peace of those Provinces should for ever be perpetuated and that heresie being either totally extinguisht in them or at least mightily quel'd the antient worship of God and their former devotion and loyalty to their Prince was to flourish again Whilst affairs went thus in Flanders great consultations were had in Spain to resolve how the disorders which had hapned in those Provinces might best be remedi'd One of the chiefest debates was whether the King should go thither himself in person or no or whether he should send a Commander of known valour and authority It was not doubted but that his going in person would be the most efficacious remedy which could be apply'd to the necessities of those Countries Many examples were hereupon alleadged to shew of what power the very presence of the Prince was with the people And amongst the rest that which the King might take from his Father the Emperour who with the very sole majesty of his aspect had assoon queld as seen those of Gaunt The Dutchess urged this as the only remedy and shewed how that assoon as the King should be arrived Flanders would suddenly be quieted and that his presence would in all other respects be very acceptable to those people The Marquis of Berghen and Montigni gave out the same opinions in Madrid were it either that they did really desire the King should go into the Low-Countries or that thinking it very hard to be effected they believed it would be yet much more difficult
of the Covenant Petition and of the violences used against the Churches and the Catholick religion He forthwith accompanied the terror of his Threats with the severity of Punishment He caused the Prince of Orange his brother Lodovick Count Hostrate Brederode and Colemburgh and the rest of the prime men who were gone out of Flanders to be publikely cited to appear before him within a certain prefixt time upon pain of rebellion and the loss of their goods in case they did not appear He caused a great many others of all sorts to be imprisoned in sundry parts of the Provinces who were fallen into the aforesaid faults and they were in so great numbers that all the prisons throughout the whole Country were on a sudden full of them To imprisonment he added Death and made the market-places the places of execution to the end that the publikeness thereof might infuse the greater terror At the same time he designed divers Citadels and began to lay their foundations where he thought either the situation of the Towns or the condition of the Inhabitants did most require it The first was placed in Antwerp with five royal Bulwarks upon the Scheld upon which River the City is seated to hasten the which he went in person to Antwerp and made the City contribute towards the expence thereof giving them assured hopes that as soon as the Citadel should be put into a posture of defence Lodroneas Regiment of High-Dutch which were there in garrison should be removed He began to build a Fort in Flushing the chief Haven of Zealand and which opens and shuts the entrance into the Scheld He designed another in Groninghen upon the confines of Germany and another in Valentiennes which lies towards France But unless it were that of Antwerp the rest were not built for so many troubles arose from so many parts as the Duke had not fitting opportunity to doe it He notwithstanding secured the Frontiers on all sides by good garrisons against all innovations which might be endeavoured from abroad and within he disarmed many of the most suspected Cities and distributed forces in divers parts where he thought it most needfull to curb the Flemish more straightly This so rigorous a beginning of Government put the Country every where into such fear as it was on a sudden abandoned by a great number of people of all sorts they were reported to be above thirty thousand Those who were no wayes concerned were affrighted to see the faults of others so severely punished and they groaned to see that Flanders which was wont to enjoy one of the ealiest governments of all Europe should now have no other object to behold but the Terror of Arms Flight Exiles Imprisonments blood death and confiscations The people fled to the neighbouring parts of Germany to France and England But those of best quality retired to Germany drawn thither by Orange who encouraged them more then all the rest to follow his example and run his fortune And who from thence did answer the Dukes citation in writing refusing to submit himself to his Tribunal as to that of a Judge too much suspected and of too inferior a condition to take cognisance of such a cause saying that he was a free Prince of Germany and therefore in the first place a Subject to the Emperour and that being a Knight of the Golden Fleece he was only to be judged by the King himself who was the supreme Head of that Order Hostrat answered almost in the same sort save only that he left out the reason of being Feudatory to the Emperour for he had no estate in Germany Horn had some estate of that nature and therefore his Mother when he was imprisoned had suddenly recourse to Caesars Authority and had from thence procured favourable offices in her sons behalf to the King and Duke of Alva The like is done by divers Princes of Germany in Orange his behalf and those that were joyned with him in the same cause for indeed the Catholike Princes were no less displeased then were the Hereticks of those parts with the Dukes severity and that such an alteration should be made in the Government of Flanders with which Country they had such conformity both in language customs and laws The King promised all fair intreatment so as the Citation might be obeyed But none of those that were cited daring to trust and the time of citation being already elapsed the Duke proceeded to punishment and amongst other things he made Colemburghs house in Brussels be pull'd down to the ground in memory of the detestation of the seditious practises which were there chiefly woven and concluded Orange was Master of divers fair Towns in sundry Provinces of Flanders The Principality of Orange is in France though not subject to that Crown and of a great many likewise in the County of Burgundy in Brabant amongst others he had Breda a noble pâ—ace having a stately Castle in it and of such consequence as the Duke of Alva would suddenly secure himself the better thereof by putting a garrison into it To the confiscation of his goods the Duke added the retension of the Count di Buren a Youth of twelve years of age who was the Prince of Orange his eldest son and who was then at the University of Lovain following his studies and under pretence that the King would have him follow the same studies and exercises in the University of Alcala d'Enares he sent him well guarded into Spain Orange and his companions together with other Nobles who were fled from Flanders exasperated at these proceedings did what they could to shew their resentment Their chief end was to raise Forces and lead them into Flanders hoping assuredly that when any Forces should appear from without they that were within the Country would suddenly rise This was therefore hotly endeavoured and it was managed by their Adherents in almost all the Provinces of Flanders The Duke of Alva's government infused horror into them and by all dreadful exagerations they endeavoured to make the people abhor it From without they themselves endeavoured by all possible means to draw other Princes to favour their cause From England 't was known the Queen had a great inclination to foment whatsoever novelties which might happen in the Low-Countries She considered that if the King of Spain should possess them peacefully his Forces would be too formidable both by sea and land throughout all Europe That she in particular was greatly to apprehend his Forces by Sea since England and Ireland would be as it were invironed by the Fleets which might be maintained on the one side in Spain and on the other in Flanders That the King would not be backward in molesting her having opportunity to doe it as he who knew she sought to indamage him as much as she might as he had already had several experiences These outward dangers appeared unto the Queen to be the greater when she considered also those within She saw
river side and without much gainsaying quickly put them to the rout Many of them were drowned in the river many slain and many taken prisoners Amongst others Hostrat was wounded and soon after died of his wounds This action put a period to all Orange his hopes of seeing the Countrie rise and to the like of the Flemish malecontents of ever exciting any He was the more troubled at this success because his hopes were much increased at this time by advertisements that he had received of great succours sent from the French Hugonots which were at hand They were led on by Monsieur Genlis and sent by the Prince of Conde out of the abovesaid ends which the Hugonots had to foment the neighbourghring revolutions of Flanders that they might the better establish their own in France Orange thinking now on nothing else but how to put himself into some safe condition left Brabant and went into the Contiguous Provinces of Namures and Hennault to meet the French succour which he did and so make his retreat the surer Genlis had about some 4000 foot with him and 1500 horse Orange was somewhat inheartned by the coming of these men for many of his own men were missing and many ran away every day and the rest being ill disciplined and worse paid and threatning continually to mutiny he thought to return back the same way to Germany But finding the Mause at that time very high and greater opposition then before in the Legeiois he turned again into the Province of Hennault From thence he continued his retreat towards France and having in vain tryed the Castle of Cambray before he quitted Flanders being still close pursued by the Duke of Alva he at last went out of Flanders and staid near St. Quintains at the entrance into Picardy Here according to the diversity of designes he divided his men and those of France into several parts The High-Dutch quite spent by hunger and hardships returned to Germany Orange staid a while in France to renew the former practises with the chief Hugonots and his brother Lodovick tarryed there afterwards for the same end till their second coming from Germany and France against the Duke of Alva as shall be said in its due place The Duke having gotten so important a Victury without the loss of almost any one of his Army or rising of any place he distributed his soldiers into their several quarters and about the end of the year returned as in triumph into Brussels And for that it appeared he had merited no less for his service done to Religion then to the King Pope Pius Quintus sent him soon after the Helmet and Trunchion which are presented only to great Princes and particularly to such who by some famous action have deserved well of the Church This mean while these prosperous proceedings of the Spanish forces in Flanders were looked upon with a clean contrary eye by the Queen of England She had hitherto assisted the troubles in those parts rather in secret then barefaced but when she saw that those of Nassaw were driven out and that the King of Spains forces were now more potent there then ever she returning to her former fear of having them so near at hand resolved to let slip no occasion whereby she might more openly prejudice the Kings affairs in those parts There were two of her privy Councel who then bore great sway with her The one was Robert Dudly Earl of Lester a Gentleman of Noble descent and great imployment And the other William Cecil her Secretary of State who being but of mean bloud though of great wisdom passing through divers Court-Offices to the managing of State-affairs had drawn almost the whole Government of the Kingdom upon him Both these had chiefly perswaded the Queen still to establish the heresie of England and consequently to indamage the Catholick Church and the King of Spain as much as she could for those respects which have been formerly spoken or She persecuted the Church cruelly in her Kingdom And watching for an opportunity whereby she might still more incommodate the Kings affairs in Flanders it was not longere she met with one of very great consequence which was this The King by means of means of Givers Genua Merchants had raised a great sum of money for the affairs of Flanders whereof 400 thousand crowns were sent by sea to Antwerp the ships which brought this money met with some Pyrats so as to save themselves they were forced to fall in upon England The Spanish Ambassador who was then with the Queen hearing of this apply'd himself presently to the Queen that the money might be freely carried to Antwerp and received answer from her sutable to his desire But she being resolved within her self and councelled thereunto by Lester and Cecil to detain the money so as at one and the same time she might accommodate her self and disaccommodate the King of Spain let the Ambassador know that being informed that those monies were not really the King of Spains but that they belonged to some Italian Merchants she had resolved to make use thereof her self allowing them just consideration The Ambassador laboured to make it appear that the money belonged unto the King and sent by his direction to Flanders and to strengthen this the more he made the Duke of Alva write to her about it But she feigning one difficulty after another gave such delatory answers as it was plainly seen she had no mind the money should goe into Flanders The Duke stormed mightily hereat and presently dispatched away Assonville to London about it who with much earnestness renewed what the Ambassador had formerly prest for But look how much the Duke made his need of the monies appear the greater by his so earnest desiring them so much the more did the Queen by the interposal of new and subtill Impediments on her behalf deny them He being thus deluded in his Negotiation and being by nature inclined rather to overcome then to sweeten difficulties resolved at last to see if he could bring the English over to his will or no by reprisals He therefore first made the goods and the persons of such Merchants of that Nation be detained who did in great numbers traffick in the Low-Countries and made it be known unto the Queen that the like should be done in all the King of Spain's other Dominions unless the monies of Spain were set at liberty which were so unjustly detained in England The Queen was not inwardly displeased hereat but growing the bolder by such a pretence to make good the mony-business she began to pretend satisfaction in stead of giving it and complained bitterly of the Duke of Alva to the King himself To her complaints she added resentment on her behalf she commanded that the same reprisals should be made in England against the King of Spains subjects And appearing much incenst against the Duke of Alva's person she publikely threatned to indammage him as much as she
A moneths space past over therefore before the Kings men did any thing of consideration concerning the siege In which interim the Harlemites received a succour of 800 French and Walloon Foot who had been at the defence of Mons led on by Signior di Serras together with good store of ammunition and victuals The enemy grew so proud upon this success as becomeing rather insolent then audacious they appeared openly upon the walls jeering and scoffing at the Spaniards And joyning impiety to their insolence they caused themselves to be seen in usual places as it were in Procession with Priests and Friars habits upon them with Mitres and other Church-accoutrments contending who could best express their hatred to the Spanish Nation or their derision to the Church and Catholick religion And this their heretical frensie grew to that height as exposing in that wicked Scene the sacred Images and chiefly such as were most frequented in the Churches they made them a mark to be shot at and finally cut them all to peeces with their swords This mean while the Kings men when they had made necessary provisions desirous to redeem the time they had lost they betook themselves with all fervencie to the siege intending notwithstanding to pursue it not with immature assaults but with well ordered patience Whereupon opening their Trenches they diligently pursued them The Battery followed which they made not in the former place but placed it against the Curtain which ran between the Gate de la Croce and that of Sil which lay nearest the Camp on the right hand They made a great breach therein and yet those within did so well repair it as they without thought it not yet fit to fall to an assault And because the Curtain was too well fenced by the aforesaid Ravelin therefore 't was thought absolutely necessary to bereave the Defendants of so great an advantage Leaving then the Battery for a while they came in a short time to the entrance of the Ditch here their whole endeavour was against the Ravelin For going the longest way about but yet the most secure they would advance by degrees with the pick-axe spade and mines and thus drive the enemy from thence At last they made themselves masters of it but with no less expence of blood then of time such valour did they within shew and plaid so often their parts rather of Assaulters then Assaulted The Harlemists lost not their courage though they had lost their Ravelin But their diligence increasing answerable to their danger they ran suddenly from every place women as well as men to fortifie the gate de la Croce which the Ravelin being lost lay altogether open They did the like to the Curtain which was already battered and which ran as hath been said toward the gate Sill. And fearing lest the Kings men should play likewise upon the other Curtain on the left hand which joyned with the next gate called S. Johns gate they fell industrionsly to repair that side also not omitting any labour either in making of Ditches Traverses Countermines and other Inventions which are usually found out by the most industrious Defendant against the most cunning Opposers But they without lay at too much disadvantage in comparison of those that were within The Kings men by reason of the Enemies continual excursions came hardly by their victuals Great store of men were required to conduct them the remainder were not able to maintain the siege well And together with other hardships being mightily tormented by the cold their numbers lessened every day by sickness death and running away The Harlemists on the contrary did abound in warlike men they were easily succoured with men and victuals their houses saved them from the injuries of the weather and the ice was not of greater use to the Kings Camp for ordering the Country then it was to them by affording them means to bring all necessaries into the City It is not to be said how dexterous the Hollanders are upon the ice Their Country as we have often said is full of standing waters which are usually frozen over every year though they be not so excessive there as in other less humid and watry Countries The waters doe therefore then loss their nature and the use of Boats being changed into the like of Chariots those Fields of ice as if they were so much firm land are travel'd on by men and horses Their Chariots are usually little and drawn but by one horse they are not born upon wheels but upon little joysts or rafters according to those sledges which are used in Lombardy Their men are likewise very ingenious in going a great pace and yet very safe upon the ice They harness the whole length of their feet with sleek and narrow irons bowing a little outward in the part before they govern themselves upon these and upon these wings if I may so call them they rather flie then walk their course being then so fast as it can hardly be followed by the eye Nor is the use hereof less practised by women then by men nay in contentions which have somtimes hapned herein between both sexes the women have often had the better The women there find no trouble at all in running upon the ice but at the same time when they go fastest do some one or other of their womanly works By means then of these Chariots or Sledges the Harlemists received whatsoever they needed they came in troops upon that great neighbouring Lake call'd Harlem-meer All that side is call'd by that name which looks most upon the City whereinto the River Sparen enters on that side And because the same Lake comes almost as neer Leyden on another part it is there called Leyden-meer This communication between Leyden and Harlem by means of this Lake furnished the besieged with all things necessary who with frequent excursions received in their succours and oft times made the Kings men repent the going about to hinder them Nor did Orange forbear to bring in such aids into the City as he could by the usual land-way But to secure the succours the better from those parts he made a Fort be erected almost half way between Leyden and Harlem whither bringing the provisions he conveyed them the easilier from thence to the besieged But the Kings men though upon such disadvantagious terms ceased not to pursue what they had begun They pursued to batter the broken walls and to endeavour the undermining them hoping thereby to make the breach more commodious and consequently the assault more easie On the contrary the Defendants were not less vigilant in using all possible means to obviate all the Enemies endeavours and make them invalid To Mines without they opposed Mines within meeting thus with them spoiling them and springing them They repaired the walls where they were amiss So as they no wayes feared the threats of being assaulted from without This mean while December ended and the new year of 1573. began which
the King particularly inviting the Duke to endeavour to raise a Fortune worthy of himself in Flanders now that he had little hopes of finding any in France Don John was easily acquainted with all these practices who notwithstanding patiently bearing with them and willing to take away all pretences which the discontented Flemish could make use of confirmed the aforesaid offers in satisfaction to the Provinces and concluded that obedience being rendred by them to the Church and to the King he would in all things else accept of such Propositions as they should propound unto him The Vicecount of Gaunt and Lords of Rassenghean and Viglirual went sundry times to and fro between the States and Don John and the easilyer to agree upon what was fitting for the receit of Don John into the Government a Truce was made for 15 days which was afterwards prolonged for some few days longer All the difficulties arised from diffidence For the States would that in the first place all the Spaniards and whatsoever other foreign souldiers should go out which Don John seemed to agree unto but then he thought it a just demand that at the same time the States foreign Militia should likewise go out And because the States appeared very obstinate against this it was propounded that at least for security sake some considerable men of theirs might be put as Hostages into the Castle of Huy a Town in Liege under the custody of the Bishop of that City till such time as the Spanish Forces being first sent out their foreign Militia might likewise be made depart And 't was added that at the same time a Guard should be given to Don John under some Captain of that Country who should swear due loyalty to him He chiefly desired to know what form of obedience should be observed to the Church and King and instanced that the condition of his being received into Government might be such as Religion might not thereby receive too much prejudice nor the Royal Dignity be too much offended The Town of Huy as a nutral place was likewise propounded for a place of security where the agreement which was managed on both sices might be made between Don John and the States But divers difficulties arose in all these points which Orange particularly fomented with all his might because his end was either that Don John might not at all be received or at least that he might only have the bare title of Governour and that the Government might remain absolutely in the States hands which was almost as much as to say absolutely in his own power The Emperour Maximilian was dead a little before this And the Flemish having had recourse to him for protection before he died they therefore made the same application to his son Rodolphus who succeeded him in the Emperial dignity Not could the King of Spain be hereat offended Rodolphus had therefore made choice of Gerard Grosbeck Bishop of Liege together with two other of his Councellors to mediate some agreement between Don John and the States Cesar thought it likewise fitting and herein the King did likewise agree with him that the Duke of Cleves as a Prince so nearly interessed in the neighbourhood of Flanders might likewise send some express personages in his behalf to facillitate the accommodation In the beginning of the year 1577 these Ambassadors went to the Town called Marcha in Famines which is in the Province of Lucemburg towards the Country of Liege where Don John was himself in person that he might be nearer Huy where the Commissioners were which the States made use of in the abovesaid Treaty The States stood inflexable to two points The one was That first of all the Spaniards together with all the other foreign souldiers should be sent away The other That this new agreement with Don John should in no ways prejudice the union made between the Provinces at Gaunt Very great were the difficulties which were met withall in these and divers other points and Don John knew very well how much the Kings Authority and his would at last suffer by this accommodation But rather then return to arms he being desirous to try all means of accommodation and being much prest thereunto by the Imperial Ambassadors and by those of the Duke of Cleves who were perswaded that when the Spaniards should be sent away Don John should receive all manner of satisfaction from the Flemish in all things else he at last condescended to the agreement in such manner as the Ambassadors thought fit Which was That all the Spanish souldiers as also the German Italian and Burgonian should effectually depart out of the Low-Countries within forty days That the Towns and Castles should forthwith be delivered up into the hands of the Flemish That all prisoners should be set at liberty particularly Count Buren who was prisoner in Spain upon condition that his father the Prince of Orange should after the meeting of the States General make good on his side whatsoever they should determine That the King should permit the Provinces to enjoy all their former priviledges and immunities That on the contrary the Catholick Religion should be by them maintained in all places That they should likewise dismiss all their foreign souldiers and should renounce all foreign confederacies and leagues That they should presently pay down 60000 pound sterling for satisfaction to the Spaniards who were to be gone and should take upon them also to satisfie the Germans These were in substance the chief Articles of the agreement and upon these conditions the States obliged themselves to receive Don John for their Governor This agreement being made order was immediately given by Don John for the departure of the Spaniards and all the other foreign Souldiers and he sent Octavius Gonzaga and the Secretary Escovedo a Spaniard to see it effected But Orange hearing the Agreement declared publickly that they were not such as did satisfie him nor yet the Provinces of Holland and Zealand He complained That his son was not freely restored unto him that sufficient provision was not had for the safety of the Provinces since there was no order for the demolishing of the new erected Castles That it was an unworthy action to pay the Spaniards the great wealth considered which they had got by plunder from the Flemish That convenient respect was not given to those Princes whose favour and assistance had been so advantagious to the Flemish That by this agreement that other of Gaunt was not sufficiently made good from which he and the Provinces of Holland and Zealand did not intend to recede nor run such hazards as the rest were quickly like to do The States replyed unto these Objections and endeavoured to make it appear that the agreement of Gaunt was not any ways altered and that howsoever they would see it observed But Orange by cavils or subterfuges continued still of the same mind so as it was impossible to get him nor the other two Provinces which
sight of their own works and under the shelter of their own Canon might easily repress the violence of the Spanish souldiers whereas the others not having any of those helps must trust only to their courage and to their swords Don John knew this very well and advancing with all his squadrons in order to give battel he staid a while to try again whether the enemy would accept of it But failing in his designe he caused a retreat to be sounded and withdrew his foot in good order from the fight This action was on the first day of August it lasted many hours with equal valour and slaughter though the Flemish pretended to be victors and that the Kings men not being able to compass their ends were worsted Don John departed then from thereabouts and resolved to put himself wholly upon the defensive part in some strong situation which might joyn his quarters with the City of Namures hoping that the tempest of so many contrary Forces would soon vanish and that then he might have his share of the advantage He considered that though the ends of England Frrnce and Germany were the same in general either to make the King of Spain lose the Low-Countries or at least to keep them troubled with war yet their several particular ends did very much differ The Queen of England aimed at some particular conquest of her own especially in those Maritine parts of Holland and Zealand and she could not any ways tollerate those advantages which were to redound to France out of the ruining of Flanders The French on the contrary were very jealous of those aids which were lent unto the Flemish by the English The Germans ends were rather plunder then purchase who when they should have overrun the Country wanting mony to maintain themselves they would soon be inforced to return to their own homes Amongst the Flemish themselves Orange had likewise his particular ends The Archduke Mathias had his ends also and the whole body of the Provinces was greatly divided in its parts as well in point of Religion as in their obedience to the King For those parts which were infected with heresie seemed well inclined totally to throw off the Spanish Government and those which remained Catholicks desired to be rid of the Spaniards and other foreigners but yet still to remain in their obedience to the Crown of Spain So as amongst such diversity of ends Passions and Opinions Don John verily believed that this machination prepared and plotted against him would soon dissolve and that he might afterwards meet with many happy occasions whereby to maintain the cause of the Church and King with honour and advantage And really at that time the two Provinces of Hennault and Artois began to fall out with the Province of Flanders and particularly with the City of Gaunt which is the chief Town thereof The two abovesaid Provinces had always kept firm to the Catholick Faith together with the rest of the Walloons Country which contains all that large Frontier which lies along the whole body of Flanders towards France In the Peâ—ce of Gaunt which was so solemnly concluded by the States General and which was afterwards confirmed by Don John in his agreement with them the Walloon Provinces had laboured more then all the rest for all advantages to the Catholick Religion nor were the people thereof ever inclined to forgoe their obedience to the King so long as they might enjoy their ancient Priviledges and he according to the form of their former Government On the contrary the two Provinces of Holland and Zealand had still fomented the new Sects and the more the Country was troubled the more did they labour to make the evil thereof be felt every where These were Orange his inward drifts and his efficacious Councels And to his industry in knowing how to give them the favour of the times had added great Authority in him to make them be received Briefly his end was to increase the heretical faction and still to alienate the Flemish further from the Spaniards out of those reasons that we have often mentioned Wherefore minding the conjuncture of times he thought it now a very fitting season to bring together the two Armies which came from Germany and France the one of which was composed almost altogether of Lutherans and the other in a great part of Calvenists The Sectaries were not then idle in Flanders Some of them joyned together and presented the States with a Petition in the names of them all wherein under the most specious pretences that they could find out they desired that liberty of conscience might be permitted throughout the Country There wanted not those who opposed this request but the contrary side prevailed Nor had Orange forborn tacitly to infuse a great fear suggesting that upon the coming up of so many Forces who profest the Reformed Religion it was not good to deny that to the pressures of intreaties which might easily be afterwards gotten by force of arms And because the peace of Gaunt made against this the sense thereof was so wrested as that the peace was judged rather favourable then contrary to this sort of concession Yet the Provinces of Hennault and Artois and the rest of the Walloon Countries were firm for the sole exercise of the Catholick Religion But the Provinces of Brabant and Flanders did for the most part give way to the liberty of conscience This mean while the Palatine John Casimire was come as hath beeen said and Alanson drew still nearer on the other side Whereupon the Sectaries boldness increasing not contented with many Churches which were assigned to them but resolute to have the best and the greater number they brought affairs to that pass as on a sudden there was hardly any Churches left for the Catholicks And because one presumption usually cals on another after they had usurped the Churches they came soon after to the driving out of Votaries and their fury and madness grew to be such as there was hardly any safety to be found for any Catholicks Those who had any zeal of true religion in them were therefore highly scandalized hereat and the Walloon Provinces fell particularly into such commotion by reason of these novelties as they began to separate themselves from the rest first in their Councels and then in their executions The Flemish souldiery was maintained by the Countries contribution mony And by the same moneys provision was to be had in a great part for the pay and other necessaries of the foreigners The Provinces of Hennault and Artois becoming therefore refractory to this contribution the States began to be in great straits for money and to foresee the disorders which would quickly insue hereupon They used all means industry and authority to overcome the aforesaid difficulties but they increased rather every day for the occasions thereof did so likewise The Catholicks in those parts stormed mightily complaining That under false pretences of liberty Flanders was now faln
go on with this endeavour the Pope determined to send John Baptista Castagna Archbishop of Rossano to be present there on his behalf A man of great fame for the many Nunciatures which he had with much reputation discharged Who was afterwards created Cardinal by the same Gregory and after Sextus Quintus ascended though but for a very few dayes to the Popedom Otto Henrico Count of Suarzemburg was by the Emperor deputed to this Negotiation together with two other Commissioners And the King himself would likewise send some Personage of quality thither which was Charles of Aragon Duke of Terranova one of the chiefest and most esteemed Subjects of Sicily and joyned some Flemish Deputies with him The Duke of Cleves and Bishop of Liege by reason of their neighbourhood sent likewise particular Deputies on their behalfs to the same Treaty All these together with the two abovesaid Electors met about the beginning of May at Colen to treat of the aforesaid business The Heretical faction of the Flemish Rebels were unwillingly brought to listen to this endeavour and they particularly Orange used all possible means to disturb it for they feared that such Mediators would favour much more the Churches and the Kings cause then theirs But because the Catholick part was as yet maintained by the Rebels the contrary part could not sufficiently withstand the necessary deputation to the Treaty Wherefore by authority of the Archduke Mathias as Governour of the Confederate Provinces and chiefly by their own a good many Deputies were chosen to this purpose and the Duke of Ariscot for their Head and these met at the appointed time and in the same place with all the rest There was great expectation had of this Treaty but it was soon known that the event would not be answerable For coming to the Treaty they fell upon the same difficulties which were formerly met withall when the Emperor likewise interceded in the Conference at Breda Nay they were the greater on the Rebels behalf for that they thought they had got advantage by the since succeeding novelties They therefore appear'd more resolute then ever in point of Religion that they would have Liberty of Conscience especially in Holland and in Zealand which were already the Heretick Sanctuaries And for what concerned their obedience to the King they would mingle so much of advantage therein for themselves as the Government should partake much more of a Commonwealth then of a Principality And even then it was seen that the common sense of the Rebels was to bring themselves to that form of Free-government which now the United Provinces of those Countries enjoy after having totally withdrawn themselves from the obedience of the Church and King Those who intervened in the Treaty used all diligence to moderate the difficulties and to bring them to some fair agreement but all was but lost labour especially for what concerned Religion for the stiffer the Deputies of the Flemish Union were for the Liberty of Conscience the more resolute were the Royalists in not admitting that any Religion save the sole Catholick should be professed throughout the whole Country For all things else the King would have been willing to have used those same favours towards such Sectaries as would depart the Country which were so largely offered in the Conference at Breda But the contrary Deputies sometimes cunningly dodging sometimes plainly denying and most commonly turning the Proposals into bitter complaints against the former Spanish Governours and against the whole proceedings of that Nation shewed apparently at last that the Rebels would by no means be drawn from their former resolutions Wherefore there being no hopes of agreement the Treaty after some moneths broke up In which because the same things were treated of which were discust formerly in the Conference at Breda and afterwards in Gaunt in the Peace concluded amongst the Provinces and lastly with Don John in what was lately establisht between them and him therefore to shun the prolixity of saying the same things over again here we have only given you an incling of what may suffice to know what was done in this new Meeting at Colen Yet in it the Kings cause was greatly justified in that the Duke of Ariscot resolved to take part no longer with the Rebels as did also some of their Commissioners especially those of the Ecclesiastical Order who at last discovered plainly that Orange and the other Fautors of the Heretical faction would have beaten down too much the Kingly Authority together with the Catholick Religion Whilst they were in Colen upon the Treaty of Peace they did not any whit omit the managing of Arms in Flanders The Prince of Parma had ended the Siege of Mastrick as you have heard Upon the which he got another considerable place which was Malines This City was in the Rebels hands but therein was a great dissention amongst the Citizens some of which won by the Prince wrought it so as they conveyed in some of the Kings men by stealth and drove out the States garrison The Village of Villebruck which the States had fortified as being a place of importance between Antwerp and Brussels fell likewise into the power of the Prince And on the contrary the Rebels grew every day stronger beyond the Rhine The Count of Rinemberg commanded for the States in Friesland Who not only in that Province but every where else thereabouts endeavoured the advantage of the Flemish Union Deventer in the Province of Overisel was fallen into his hands and afterwards Groninghen more luckily And on this side the Gaunteses in their particular war against the Malcontents had by surprise recovered the Town of Menin And the Malcontents had made themselves masters of Alst. Insomuch as the Hostility grew hotter then ever on each side The Agreement being made between the Prince of Parma and the Walloon Provinces and all the Foreign Souldiers being sent out by the Prince according to the Articles the Kings Forces were so weakned as the Prince could no longer be Master of the Field nor besiege any considerable place The Walloons laboured to gather men together who might be sufficient for their numbers to prevail over the Enemy But neither had they sufficient monies for their expences not other such preparations as their need required there was particularly such wants in point of the Cavalry as the Prince was inforced to keep some Italian horse called Albanois under the name of his Guard to which the Walloons had given way till such time as they could raise so many of their own men But howsoever the contrary Forces were no whit the stronger For the Flemish having likewise cashier'd their foreign Aid their Forces were but weak and those without any Commander in chief of their own Country The Count Bossu was dead a little before and the other principal Walloons who were most considerable next to him had imbraced the Kings side Archduke Mathias young in years and yet younger in experience could only undergoe a
Churches which were ruined either before or upon the occasion of this siege That the City should be fuly restored to her antient priviledges and to all her former liberty and prerogatives of Traffick That in the mean while she was to pay 40000 pounds sterling to help to relieve the Army for the so much pains and expence which it had been at in that siege That the Antwerpians should give way to the receiving into the City and longing of 2000 foot and 200 horse in Garison till it should be seen what resolution should be taken in Holland Zealand and the other confederate Provinces of turning to the Kings obedience which if they should do the Prince promised to free the City of all Garisons and not to remake the Citadel as it was before That prisoners on all sides should be set at liberty except Monsieur de Tiligni concerning whose person the Prince was of necessity to receive some particular Orders from Spain and that the Signor de Aldegonda should promise not to bear Arms against the King of Spain for the space of one year These were the chiefest Articles of the surrender to which many others were added touching the restitution of Goods the restoring of Traffick and Merchandizing to the City and divers other petty interests which respected the accommodation and satisfaction of the Inhabitants This agreement being made the Prince for his greater applause in having made such an atchievement received the Order of the Golden Fleece which the King had sent him a little before The Ceremony was performed in the Fort St Philip accompanied with all the greatest Military celebration of joy and Jubilee and 't was done by Count Mansfield one of the antientest of that Order in all Flanders The Prince entred afterwards solemnly into Antwerp not only as a Conqueror but in Triumph he appeared in stately Arms on horseback many horse and foot in arms went before him and many in the like sort followed him Long files of armed foot were on each side And a little before him was all the flowre of the Nobility on horseback whereof there were very many then in the Army Thus he entred by the Cesarian Gate where he was received by the Magistrate by the heads of all the Orders of the City and by an infinite number of common people He found many Arches many Statues many Colums erected in divers parts with whatsoever else of glory could be shewn upon the like occasion by the conquered to such a Conqueror He then returned all due thanks to God in the chiefest Church and being still accompanied with both Military and City-like acclamations he lighted at the Castle and staid awhile in Antwerp to put in order such things in the City as stood in most need thereof THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF FLANDERS Written by CARDINAL BENTIVOGLIO The Second Part. BOOK IV. The Contents The Cities of Gaunt Brussels Malines and Niminghen return to the Kings obedience The Confederate Provinces are hereupon in so great straits as they offer the Queen of England the Soveraignty of their Provinces that they may the more freely enjoy her protection The Queen accepts not of the offer but takes upon her their defence much more then formerly In lieu whereof she hath some of their Towns deposited in her hands The Earl of Lester arrives in Holland sent by her as Supreme Head of the Confederate Provinces The Prince of Parma resolves to march into the field He besiegeth Graves and takes it He continuing his victories takes Venlo Nuys passes the Rhine and succours Zutfen Lester looking on Distastes between Lester and the United Provinces The Duke of Parma continues his acquisitions takes Sluce a place of mighty importance During the heat of War an endeavour is moved between the King of Spain and Queen of England to accommodate in some sort the affairs of Flanders but the endeavour is thought but artificiall on both sides The King this mean while considers whether he ought to make open War upon the Queen or no. Consultations had hereupon in Spain The King at last resolves to set upon England with most powerfull forces Preparations made hereupon in Flanders and in Spain Preparations made by the Queen The Spanish Fleet begins to move and with an unhappy beginning is detained many days by a great tempest it comes to the English Channel The English Fleet hasts to incounter it The Spanish ships begin to suffer prejudice Fire-boats like those of the siege of Antwerp The Spanish Fleet is afraid of them and grows into great confusion At the same time the sea grows rough and makes the disorder the greater Some of the Spanish ships are lost and the rest at last are forced to return for Spain A horrible tempest ariseth which occasions the loss of many of their ships as they return and their whole Fleet is parted torn and shattered by the fury of the sea THese were at this time the advantages of the Kings Forces We told you before that ere Antwerp was taken Gaunt Brussels and Malines were reduced And not to interrupt the siege of Antwerp we forbore as then to acquaint you with what befell them if at least they may be called sieges For they were taken by only stopping up their Passes and keeping the Cities from victuals on all sides We will now briefly relate the several successes together with what insued in other parts during the siege of Antwerp After that the City of Bruges was faln into Fernese's hands Gaunt began to suffer great scarcities especially of victuals The Confederate Provinces held two places of very great importance on that Maritine Coast of Flanders to wit Sluce and Ostend And because relief might be sent from thence to Gaunt Fernese after the getting of Bruges endeavoured to possess himself of all the Passes thereabouts so as there could no communication be had between Gaunt and those two places and the success was answerable to the designe Those of Gaunt not being able to receive any help from abroad fell suddenly into great necessities yet they continued still to be contumacious And persisting in their opiniatracy against the Church and King they seemed as if they would rather undergoe any thing then submit themselves again to the Kings obedience and to the Catholick Religion On the other side Fernese though already busied about Antwerp ceased not to use all diligence to reduce those of Gaunt to the utmost necessity of Famin. Wherefore scouring the Country round about with his horse and destroying all every where he kept those Inhabitants from receiving any help or security from without their own walls There were not wanting many in the City who were well minded towards the Church and King Famine increasing then every day more and more those that were better inclined took occasion to lessen the obstinacy of the most contumatious which Fernese had formerly indeavoured to moderate by many gratious offers And so finally to keep from falling into greater mischiefs the
Treaty of accommodation in the Affairs of Flanders Which it may be believed she was chiefly perswaded unto thereby to try whether she could avoid the Tempest of Arms which the King of Spain already threatned her withall She thought the King of Denmark might be a fitting Instrument for this purpose wherefore she turned her self to him Nor was he backward therein but readily imbracing it sent John Ronsovio forthwith to Brussels who was well received by the Duke of Parma and was afterwards well approved of by the King of Spain The Schools from whence the negotiations of Princes proceed are always full of deep mysteries And though it be desired their hidden and reserv'd ends either cannot or ought not to be penitrated into It was notwithstanding conjectured that the Queen and King desired interchangeably to delude one another in this kind of negotiation so as those provisions which were making on both sides might be a little slackned The United Provinces seemed most averse to this kind of negotiation For their answer to Leicester who had sundry times made several proposals to them about it was resolutely this That they would never return again under the King of Spains obedience and that though the Queen should abandon them they would not notwithstanding desist from doing what they could in their own defence even till the last gasp But whatsoever should come of it or what ever the end of this Treaty might be the King and Queen resolved to set it on foot and chosing Burborg a little Town between Dunkirk and Gravelin for the place they sent some perticular Commissioners thither to that end In the Kings name there did intervene Count Aremberg Knight of the golden Fleece Mousieur de Campigni Lord Treasurer and John Richardotto President of the Councel of Artois And for the Queen the Earl of Darby Knight of the Garter and two others of her privy Councel whilst arms were handled in Flanders in one part and this Treaty was in hand in another many frequent consultations had been had and were yet had in Spain touching in what manner the King should rescent the injuries done unto him by the Queen of England The King had been provoked long before this by the Queen of England by her continual fomenting the troubles of Flanders yet he thought he might dissemble the offence because she dissembled the injuries But the King was so moved at this last action wherein she had by so many helps so openly revived the rebellion of Flanders when it was almost extinguished as he thought he could no longer forbear shewing how ill he took it by declaring open war against her Yet openly to make war upon England was of great consequence to the affairs of Spain so as the King before he would resolve thereupon would have it very well disputed by his ablest ministers of State Alvaro di Bassano Marquess of Sancta Croce a Personage very much cryed up for Naval Militia was one of those that perswaded him most to this enterprise he bore a great command at this time over the Kings Fleets in the Ocean and by reason of his imploymenr hoped it would fall to his share to be the prime man in this famous expedition Wherefore whilst they were treating one day of this business in presence of the King he spoke thus When I consider most mighty Prince the glory and advantage of the proposition in hand and the hopes of seeing it happily effected I confess I cannot forbear exhorting your Majesty with all the power and efficacy I have by all means to lay hold of it your Majesty may chiefly glory in the August Cognomen of most Catholick and that you have much more made it good in your actions then used it in your Title What greater glory can you then desire then in the first place to restore so great and so noble a Kingdom as is England to due obedience to the Church and to the ancient veneration of the Altars And what greater renown then to beat down Heresie there where her most rebellious ensignes are raised up that Island being made as it were an inexpugnable Sanctuary thereof How much hath Piety and Religion flourish'd formerly in that Kingdom How many Catholicks are there yet there And how do they long to see an end of that bitter persecution which they suffer there And to proceed to the advantage of the proposal It is well known that Spain can reap no greater advantage then in being no longer opposed by England From thence are the Indies infested and your Fleets threatned From thence is the Rebellion of Flanders fomented and the manifest usurpation of the Dominion therefore aspired unto And finally From thence proceeds all the greatest damages which the Crown of Spain suffers at this present and from thence will the greatest evils alwaies derive which shall at any time hereafter befall it And for the happy success of the enterprise why should not your Majesty assure your selfe thereof Your Forces at Sea have formerly been most powerful How much more formidable wil they be made now by the addition of Portugal And your resent succession to that Kingdom does plainly denote that God hath been thereby pleased the more to facilitate this enterprise 'T is then to be beleeved that the Spanish Fleet by Sea will be of that Potency as it will not to be withstood by all the maritime Forces of England though assisted by Holland and Zealand The Army by land which the Duke of Parma hath lately increased in Flanders may at the same time correspond with the Fleet which shall come from Spain When the Channel shall be possest by your Fleet the Army may be easily conveyed over into the Island where when it shall be landed and all your Majesties Forces joyned what shall withctand them from entring suddenly into the heart of the Kingdom For it being an Island nature defends it onely by situation no use being made to fortifie it by industry When this shall be once done and England 's fomenting be ceased it is not to be doubted but that the Rebellion in Flanders will soon cease likewise Fire lasts as long as do the materials where with it is fed when those fail the greatest fires go out and end in ashes John Idiaques one of the Kings Officers most imployed in Court at that time appeared in Councel to be of a contrary opinion Idiaques had been for many years Ambassador first at Genua then at Venice and after his return to Court the King had always imployed him in managing the most important affairs of the Crown He spake thus The first thing that is to be taken into consideration most mighty Prince is in my opinion the difficulties of the undertaking which is now in dispute And to speak my mind freely I think them so great as there is but very little hope of good success England as every one knows is so situated hath such Forces such Inhabitants and is governed after so peculiar a
according to custome they fell to work upon their Trenches and to prepare for Battery The ground was rather moyst then dry on the one side and therefore they began their works there where the ground would best permit them so to doe The two Camps contended in the making of them and especially in that of Flanders the Spaniards Italians Germans and Walloons strove according as usually to outdoe one another in opening and in advancing the Trenches The besieged made some sallies but with weak forces and weaker courage by which it was judged the City was not in condition to make any long resistance One of their best defences was a Ravelin without the walls built about with good stone and furnisht with a Platform The Batteries were therefore chiefly turn'd upon that Ravelin Nor was it long ere they fell with their Trenches into the Ditch where Mines being joyn'd to the Batteries so great a breach was soon made in the Ravelin as it was now thought fitting to make an assault Which hapned luckily The Spaniards and Walloons did herein particularly signalize themselves and of all others the Camp masters Luis Velasco a Spaniard and Claudius Barlotta a Walloon Barlotta and divers others were wounded and some were slain The Ravelin being taken those that won it lodged there and planted some peeces of Artillery upon it to play upon the Town nearer hand and with the more terror A certain strength of Horse and Foot was still maintained by the Apostolike Sea who were commanded by Appius Conti who plaid his part valiantly But a quarrel arising between him and the Baron Chateaubrain a Lorainer and Colonel of the Germans and falling from words to blows Appius was wounded whereupon he quickly dyed to the grief of the Army which held him in great esteem This occasioned some disorder in the Pontificials for Chateaubrain's German Regiment was maintained by the monies of the Apostolike Sea Yet was the Siege so hotly continued by all parties as those within were within a few dayes reduced to parley and at last yielded upon honorable terms their hopes of succour failing them though the King of Navar had often endeavoured it but more by stealth then openly After the taking of Noyon the Duke Du Mayne went suddenly towards Paris The Catholick States-Generall which followed the League were then met in that City and this meeting was chiefly had for the chusing of a King that would be obedient to the Church and who would preserve that Kingdom in the antient Religion The two aforenamed Officers of State Mendosa and Tassis were then in Paris for the King of Spains service in the business then on foot and a little before Don Diego d'Yvara was come thither likewise on his behalf a man of courege and who was likewise thought very fit for the conducting of that business But to give it the greater reputation and advantage the Duke of Feria was at last sent by the King of Spain to Paris A personage who to the prerogative of his family had the addition of all others which upon such an occasion were to be desired Their chief endeavour was to overthrow the Law Salique which excludes Women from succeeding to that Crown In which case the Infanta Isabella the Kings eldest daughter was to have succeeded as daughter to Queen Isabella who was the eldest daughter to Henry the 2 King of France and who had been formerly wife to the King of Spain And as for a Husband for the Infanta since she could not have one of the House of Austria as the King her Father would have desired but it may be all in vain by reason of the invincible repugnance of the French it was discovered that in such a case the King would condescend to the choice of some one of that Nation and particularly of the House of Lorain upon which the League in France was chiefly built It was foreseen by all the aforesaid Agents how much advantagious it would be for the maintaining their negotiation that the Flanders Forces which entred France in favour of the League should be vigorous wherefore they prest this point hard upon the Governour Mansfield and upon Fuentes who as we have said was next under him But these on the contrary represented That the affairs of Flanders were not to be abandoned that the Enemy began already to move with potent Forces on that side and that it behoved to maintain the Kings cause there likewise as much as might be And yet the event shewed in a short while that the thus dividing of the Kings forces did so weaken and disorder them as that they did little or no good in France and were the cause of very great losses in Flanders And that which greatly increased the disorders was that almost at the same time divers Mutinies broke forth by occasion whereof the King of Spain was more indammaged by his own Souldiers then by his Enemies Now to return to the affairs of Picardy When the Duke Du Mayn was gone from Picardy Count Charls parted from thence likewise and went with his Camp towards the Sea-side into the lower parts of that Province where there were yet some places which held for the King of Navar and especially the Castle of Rue strong both by situation and handy-work as hath been said And because to besiege it would be a business of long time and which did require greater Forces then Count Charls had with him he therefore contented himself with making easier acquisitions Hembercourt a weak place and more within land and S. Vallery more considerable as being seated upon the Some where that River falls into the Sea fell into his hands Here when the Count would have made Further progress he must sheath his sword by reason of a Truce which was at that time made for three moneths between the King of Navar and the Duke Du Mayne Arms being laid aside in Picardy the Count distributed his Army in the parts of that Province which lay towards Artois The expences which the King of Spain was then at in France was excessive wherefore the Souldiers being but slowly paid it was impossible to keep them from rapine so as those parts found more of damage by the cessation of Arms then they had done in the time of war Neither did the mischief rest here licentiousness increasing every day and pillage degenerating by degrees into disobedience at last they fell into divers mutinies The first fell out amongst the Spaniards which being first practised with great secresie was soon after concluded and except it were the Officers and some Souldiers of more respect then the rest it was exactly performed by all others They murmured according as is usual to see their labours so ill requited And to honest their Error they endeavoured to excuse it by Necessity Having then gathered together a sufficient number of men and horse they designed to possess themselves of some of the nearest Towns in Artois and there afterwards to fortifie and
and of still preserving that between the two Crowns particularly in respect of the service that Flanders might receive thereby Paul sat at the helm of the Universal Goverment of the Church this very year of 1607 which was the second year of his Popedome Cardinal Maffeo Barberino was then Nuntio in France who was a little before promoted to the Cardinals Cap together with Jovanni Garzia Millino Nuntio of Spain with divers others of great merit amongst which the same Cardinal Barbarino by the eminency of his deserts came afterwards to the Supreme dignity of the Church and continues still happily therein These two Cardinals did in the name of Pope Paul the fift do all the best offices they could still better to establish the aforesaid Peace between the two Kings But great were the difficulties which were met withal on the behalf of France in order to the Affairs of Flanders by reason of the near confederacy which was between the United Provinces and that Crown Yet Cardinal Barberino took often occasion to put the King in minde how much it became him to see the pride of the Flemish Rebels abased He told him how that they had alwaies conspired together with the Hugonots of France and the French Hugonots no less fervently with them that each of these had at all times with mutual intelligence favoured the others rebellion That in point of Religion Calvenism raigned equally in them both a Sect which was no less an Enemy to temporal Monarchy then to the supreme premecy of the Church and that it had already been seen and was still seen to what end the Politick Government of the Hugonots did tend and particularly by their so many Towns of safety wherein doubtlessly their onely ayme was to make a separation of themselves from the State and to bring the Government of Holland into France These reasons together with divers other which the same matter did administer prevailed much with the King But because the Cardinal knew very well how desirous the Pope was to fasten the two Crowns close together by all possible means he bethought himself of uniting them together by marriage They had both of them several sons and daughters and though they were very young yet by the example of so many remote espousals which had at all times insued between great Princes in order to the Publick good he thought the negotiation hereof ought very suddenly to be commenced The Pope approved of his purpose and gave order to the Cardinal that he should as dexterously as he could set on foot the Treaty there in France Monsieur de Villeroy was then chief Secretary of State in the Court of France a State Minister very much versed in the management of the weightiest affairs of that Crown wherefore by reason of his place and the particular esteem that he was in with the King of all the other State Officers the Cardinal did most usually negotiate with him He therefore made the first overture to him and thought he found such a disposition in him thereunto as he began afterwards to move it to the King who seemed to approve of it from the very first The Pope was hereat very well pleased and so much the more for that the like introduction being by his order made by the Cardinal Milino in Spain upon the same motives which Cardinal Barbarino had made use of in France he found alike inclination there also applying himself especially to the Duke of Lerma who was in chiefest favour and authority with the King of Spain And though by reason of the tender years of the Princely progeny and for divers other reasons the business past no further at that time yet the same Pope having at other times set the negotiation more maturely on foot it was at last to the great honor of the Holy See and to the great glory of his endeavours perfected and consummated in two mutual marriages between those two Crowns But amongst Barbarino's main motives and Paulus quintus his chief ends this was one that by the near alliance of the two Crowns for both their general welfares a third marriage might be made by joyning a second son of Spain to a daughter of France and by placing this young couple near the Infanta Isabella who might succeed in the Principallity of those Provinces now that there was no hopes of succession between her and the Arch-duke and this would at the same time have redownded to the advantage of the affairs of Flanders and without doubt it might be thought that no tye would have proved more tenacious then this to unite both the Crowns together by interchangeable advantages and to make Flanders injoy the benefit which by the precedent marriage between the Arch-duke and the Insanta Isabella was hoped for as well in matter of Religion as in point of State and which for want of succession did not afterwards insue A thought which the Pope himself alwaies had and which often was made known to us in the time of our Nuntioture in Flanders to the which he was chiefly moved by the example of what had been done in the case of the same two Princes by Philip the second a King of great piety and prudence and by the same considerations which were then discerned in Clement the eighth who was so worthy and so zealous a Pope These intercessions which were so efficatious made in the name of Pope Paul to the two Kings still to establish more good intelligence between them made much then for the service of the affairs of Flanders There was a Treaty begun that Winter touching some suspention of Arms that they might afterwards come if it were possible to some former negotiation either of a perpetual Peace or of a long Truce The Authority which the King of France had with the United Provinces could not be greater then then it was and it was plainly seen that no overture made by the Spaniards would have been listend unto by those Provinces and would much less have had any good end without his appearing and particular favour therein Wherefore it was not to be doubted but that the aforesaid intercessions would greatly help to dispose that King to favour so much the more the negotiation which was already begun and which afterwards by his authority chiefly was concluded and ended in a Truce of twelve years as shall hereafter be related though through the wonted jealousies of Princes he seemed at first rather averse then willing thereunto At this very time were we destined to be Nuntio in Flanders and came to Brussels just when the suspention of Arms was which afterwards past into a greater Treaty Before the suspention was had which was about the beginning of May no military action was done that deserves any relation We will therefore fall to give you an account of all the aforesaid negotiation and because when the Truce was established we did then compose a full historical Narration thereof apart which was afterwards printed