out the new religion yet it is most manifest that it is no new thing to endure two religions in one countrey yea and that all wise kings and princes haue so done according to the necessitie of the time for although the religion of those emperours were bad yet they held it good holy as the king holds his and it was the religion which they had receiued from their ancestors aboue three thousand yeares past But wee find also that Christian emperours haue endured false religions as it appeares by the examples of Theodotius Honorius and Arcadius who gaue temples to the Arrians and Noâ—…atians sometimes within sometimes without the citie as the necessitie of the time and place required In the Ecclesiasticall hystorie it is reported for a remarkable thing that Valentinianus the emperour was Orthodoxe and a good Christian yet he suffered the Arrians though he fauoured them not so much as the others Valens his collegue or companion in the empire was an Arrian and would by no meanes suffer the Christians in his gouernment but did persecute them in all sorts whereby wee may easily gather that in all well gouerned commonweales to auoid seditions and tumults it is sometimes necessarie to grant temples vnto hereticks not to the intent they should disperse their heresies more but that the people hearing the truth confronted with falshood might without mutines or tumults apply themselues quietly vnto the true and right religion But our Lord and Sauiour saith That he came to bring warre and not peace into the world so as in one house there shall bee dissention betwixt the father and the sonne the brother and the brother c. How can we then maintaine the religion of Iesus Christ if they will reduce all the world to one faith and one law seeing that for the ordering thereof he doth not command the faithfull to kill the rest but contrariwise he saith That the Apostles and faithfull should bee betrayed excommunicated and put to death for their faith and religion and therefore hee will haue them win the field through patience and the vertue of his word So as I cannot wonder sufficiently at the impudencie of these men who making a shew to be well read in all antient hystories dare maintain that there were neuer two diuers religions in one commonweale For what will they answer to the diuersitie alreadie alledged betwixt the Pharises Saduces and Essâ—…es without doubt they shall neuer find that by reason of these sects there was any great difficultie in the gouernment nor that Iesus Christ or his Apostles did euer command to burne them for their law What shall we say of the diuersitie of religions that were among the Heathen wherof one did not know anothers gods no not the names and some also maintained publikely That God did not care for humane things and yet wee find not that the gouernment of the Romans was troubled for this cause But who doth not see at this day vnder the great Turke a great diuersitie of religions so as among the Christians alone there are fifteene or twentie sects and sundry religions besides the Iewes Persians and Mahumetists all subiects to his empiâ—…e the which are more contrarie one vnto another for matter of religion than water is contrarie to fire Without doubt if these diuersities were the true cause of seditions and tumults it were not possible that the Turkes power should grow so great It is then a great ignorance to thinke that subiects cannot bee maintained in quiet when they are of diuers religions for who so will looke neerely to the spring and beginning of tumults and seditions hee shall find that they proceed not so much from the diuersitie of religions as through priuat passions as couetousnesse ambition reuenge hatred and such like from the which â—…all quarrâ—…ls may grow and when the magistrat preuents it not in time then by little and little they inflame and are cause of tumults and publike seditions Witnesse the troubles and seditions in Italy betwixt the Guelphes and Gibellins the which continued foure hundred yeares and was the cause of infinit murthers rapes warre and al sorts of violence and yet there was no difference in the religion but all did grow for that the magistrat did feed the priuat passions of their subiects in steed of suppressing them by iustice And as for controuersies touching religion it is not two hundred yeares since that the controuersies betwixt the Franciscans and the Iacobins for the conception of the virgine Marie had caused great troubles throughout all Christendome not that the controuersie was of any great importance but through the negligence of the magistrats who nourished these factions and became partisans Seeing then it appeareth that whereas good order hath beene setled people of diuers sects and religions haue beene quietly gouerned without any sedition or tumult and contrariwise whereas no order was not onely diuersitie of religion but euen smal quarrels haue bred horrible seditions and tumults any man of iudgement may gather thereby that seditions and tumults take not their increase from the importance of the quarrell whereon they are grounded but rather through the want of good order for that the magistrats neglect to punish them that entertaine them or else themselues maintaine one partie the which is confirmed by many antient and moderne examples And who so will examine strictly the last troubles of France shall find that the greatest part haue happened for that some mightie men or gouernors themselues hauing no regard to the publike good nor to the ordinances of the states haue at their owne pleasures plaid the kings and insulted of their owne authorities ouer them of the religion I thinke no man is so ignorant but knowes that the murther committed at Vassy by the duke of Guise against the lawes of the king and state hath beene the true and onely cause of the ciuile warres which followed to the ruine of the whole realme for whilest the kings proceeded by their authoritie there was no newes of any sedition how greeuous soeuer the persecutions were But when as gouernors of their own authorities offered violence to them of the religion presently all these tumults grew the which may serue vs for a good example whereby wee may learne to auoid the like inconueniences and take some good course for the benefit of the king and the good of all his good subiects which seeke onely to obey him It is then easie to resolue that good order would be setled if libertie should bee graunted to them of the religion to assemble and exercise their discipline restraining and bridling them with such lawes as shall be thought good And that the kings magistrats and officers be carefull to execute his Maiesties intention foreseeing aboue all things that the people vsurpe not the authoritie of the sword vnder colour of the factions of great men So as aboue all things there must be a preuention that all violence be forbidden of
were broken and then to keepe the towne in better order then it had beene the Emperour caused a great and strong Cittadell to be built in the place whereas the Abbaie of Saint Bauon was wont to stand into the which hee put a good gouernor and a sufficient garrison to hold them in subiection that they might neuer rebell any more Moreouer the towne payed 50000. florins vnto the Emperour besides their Annuall duties All the preuiledges which they had enioyed for so many yeares which had beene the cause of their often and many mutinies and rebellions were taken from them fifty of the chiefe of the towne attired all in mourning weedes cast themselues at the Emperours feete and other fifty in their shirts with halters about their necks crying for mercy with their hands lift vp with other indignities that were done them as you may reade at large in the Chronicle of Flanders On Saint Mathews day Ferdinand King of Romaines arriued at Brusselles with a smal traine whereof the Emperor being aduertised the same night he tooke post with foure horse only whereof the Earle of Buren was one and the Lord of Conde an other it was very darke before they arriued at Brusselles whereas hee was welcome to his brother King Ferdinand and to his sister the Queene of Hungary This same yeare was published by the Emperor the 4. bloudy Edict against them of the religion in the Netherlands the which confirming the 3. precedent was the subiect of al those that haue since bin granted both by himself King Philip his son beeing called the great Edict of the yeare ◅540 the which is yet daylie obiected against them of the relligion inthe lowe countries Whilest that the Emperour made some aboade in the Netherlands being much troubled to suppresse the Ganthois Hee consulted also what was to bee done against the Protestants of Germanie the Popes Legat incensed him against them all he could vpbraiding them with all the opprobrious termes that might be terming them worse then Turkes and proclayming warre against them charging them with heresie and rebellion The Emperour following his accustomed course without aduertising of the Legat appointed a diet at Haguenau where King Ferdinand was president for the Emperor and as King of Romains where after some conferences it was sayd that matters were in that estate as they could not determine any thing especially through the absence of the Elector of Saxony and the Landtgraue of Hessen and therefore they must referre the businesse vnto an other daie when as the Ambassadours and Diuines of eyther side should meete in equall numbers to conferre togither vpon the Articles of the confession of the Protestants faith prouided notwithstanding that the Edict of Ausbourg should stand in force and that it should bee lawfull for the Pope to send his deputies thether if he pleased The diet was referred to Wormes and in the meane time the Emperor writ his letters confirming the former conclusion promising an Imperiall diet whereas hee would be himselfe in person whither that should bee brought that should bee treated at Wormes Hee sent his Ambassador Granuelle to Wormes with his sonne Anthony Perrenot Bishop of Arras and some Spanish diuines Granuelle in the Emperors name exorted them that were there present to studie for peace and vnion The next daie Campege the Popes Ambassador made his speech to this effect that the Pope would for his part do all that was possible excepting relligion But nothing was done in this assemblie for that matters inclyned in fauor of the Protestants who desired nothing more then to enter into conference hauing brought many learned men to that end among others Melancton Bucer and Caluin After many remises for a countenance onely there were some publicke disputations betwixt Melancton and Eckius touching originall sinne But the third daie Granuelle and the other Ambassadors receiued letters from the Emperor by the which hee referred the businesse vnto the diet at Ratisbone commanding the Protestants to be there also and Granuelle to returne vnto him In the beginning of February 1541. the Emperor leauing the Netherlands came to Mets in Lorraine and so passing by Spire came to Ratisbone He was receiued at Nuremberg with great state In March many Princes the states of Germany came to Ratisbone where he attended them who on the day of the assembly begun the 25. of Aprill propounded many excuses why matters had beene so long delaied yet prefering the quiet of Germany before all other things yea before his owne health hee was come thether to intreat them to aduise of some good agreement and to the end that euery one might know how much he desired peace his opinion was if they found no better expedient that there should be some learned and quiet minded Germains chosen out to conferre friendly togither of all differences and report as well to the Emperor as to the States how they might come to some agreemēt Wherevpon there were diuers conferences betwixt three Doctors of the Protestants and three of the Romish relligion but they agreed in fewe things the Romanists offring still to refer their controuersies to the Popes decision the which the Protestants did mightily impugne The Emperor hauing heard all their opinions discoursed in order concluded that seeing their differences could not be there determined and that there were other important affaires hauing also staied long there hee referred all to a councell whereof the Popes Legat had giuen him hope and that hee himselfe would in person sollicit it vnto the Pope promising also to returne into Germany If that the Pope did not aduance any thing to prouide himselfe for the pacification thereof William duke of Cleues of Iuilliers c. vpon the word of Ferdinand King of Romaines went vnto the Emperour to see if they might agree touching the duchie of Geldres but hee could neuer obtaine a confirmation from the Emperour As for his proximitie and neerenesse to the succession there was no doubt of it But the Emperour pretended the Inuestiture which his Grandfather the Emperour Maximillian had made vnto him to hold it in fee of the Empire and the purchase which the Duke of Bourgongne his great Grandfather had made of Duke Arnhold and lastly the acco◅d made betwixt him and Charles of Egmont the last Duke of Gelders With which allegations and pretensions the Duke of Cleues could not be satisfied maintayning all these sales seazures and accords to be voyd and of no force for that they could not be made to preiudice the next heire apparent with out his consent The French King hearing of the Du◅e of Cleues discontentment resolued to make an alliance with him that by his meanes and others hee might make warre in the Netherlands and there-vpon offered not onely to take him and his countries into his protection but also to giue him all assistance and ayd to inlarge his limits with a good annuall pension and moreouer to giue
be executed against the Moors Saracens Iewes of Granada ofter they were subdued by the Spaniards without the which Inquisition they perceiued that many men specially such as could behaue themselues warily and closely could not for religion be once touched nor hurt concerning body and goods without witnesses produced against them to haue offended against the proclamation nor yet contrary to the rights and customes of the land might be put to torture to make them confesse any thing against themselues and therefore in the end it was deuised that the spiritualtie should haue the charge thereof and to haue power to examine men touching their faith and what they knew of other men thereby thinking to procure an absolute power vnto the emperor and to exalt the authoritie of the spiritualtie This maner of proceeding seemed ouer rigorous and cruell vnto the Netherlands cleane contrarie to the priuiledges rights and freedoms of the same who in that point ought not to haue been subiect to any spirituall iurisdiction and the rather because the number of the said Lutherans Protestants or reformed religious persons as then so termed were much augmented and increased in the Netherlands because their neighbors held and accounted them and such as they were to be Christians and who so persecuted them they accounted esteemed to be their persecutors and enemies with which their neighbors countries bordering vpon them they did daily traffique and conuerse whereby it happened that when the emperour Charls the 5 in anno 1550 would haue brought the Inquisition into the Netherlands The said prouinces and aboue all Brabant and specially the towne of Antuerpe were against it esteeming it to be the only way to driue all forrein merchants from thence and by meanes thereof they got Mary queen of Hungarie the regent in loue fauor of the Netherlands to ride personally to the assembly of the princes of Germany at Ausburg vnto the emperour her brother shewing him by word of mouth the estate maner of the land and there obtained a kind of moderation of the proclamation for religion and that the Inquisition should not proceed Which great and good worke of the said good queen was taken in such euil part of the Inquisitors of Spaine that they wrot out of Spaine to accuse her for an heretick vnto the emperour her brother whereas therby she held the said countries in such good order and wel-liking of their prince that they denied him no maner of taxes nor other impositions whatsoeuer in his need as also after vnto king Philip his son to whom although a certaine forme of Inquisition was in his time vsed in Flanders they contributed towards his warres in France although the said wars proceeded not vpon any occasion concerning the Netherlands many millions of gulderns in the space of 9 yeares We haue before made mention in diuers places of the numbers of them that made profession of the reformed religion the which increased daily both in Germany the Netherlands notwithstanding the kings rigorous edicts made by the persuasion of the clergy who sought by al means possible to suppresse ruine them for the effecting whereof in the end they found no better expedient among all they could inuent but for the putting of the said edicts in execution according to their forme and with al rigor they should appoint make choice of certaine Inquisitors of the faith who should haue a carefull regard that not any one should read or keep in his house any booke mentioned in the edict containing a catalogue of all the forbidden books and that no man should dispute of the Romish religion to contradict it in any sort For the execution whereof they began to appoint throughout all the Netherlands such like Inquisitors with ample commission absolute authority in that respect notwithstanding the promises which the king of Spaine had made no to charge his subiects with any such a burthen intollerable yoke The promise being vnderstood by the Inquisitors other clergie men they persuaded the king that his authoritie was contemned that there was no other means to preserue maintain it but in establishing the ful execution of the Inquisition But as they had wel seen and experience had taught them that notwithstanding all their practises for aboue 40 yeares yet they could neuer put it in execution they resolued therefore so to disguise this businesse as they would not doubt to bring it to the same effect but vnder another colour pretext the which should be mannaged so cunningly as the people shold be ingaged snared in the Inquisition before they should discouer it seeing they could not attaine vnto it openly the which came vnto the knowledge of the lords of the countrey notwithstanding all their secret practises This was the deuise Doctor Francis Sonnius a diuine of Louuaine at the instance of cardinal Granuelle and his ministers of the Inquisition was sent to pope Paul the 4 to giue him to vnderstand that the Netherlands were within these few yeres greatly augmented inriched in people and wealth and that the diocesses of bishopricks had such large limits ample iurisdictions as it was not possible for the bishops being so few to haue a fit care of their flock with other such like informations for the which the pope as supreme pastor should be intreated to prouide after that he had represented vnto him the map description of al the said countries with a roll of the qualities welth and bounds of all the clergy besides the diuersitie of tongs which were intermixt with them Wherfore Sonnius being at Rome furnished with instructions and directions from cardinall Granuelle he intreated that it would please his holinesse to cut off that which did exceed in great antient bishopricks and to diuide it among new the which he should erect in diuers places of the said countries whereas there had neuer been any fitting euery one to the naturall language of the countrey and to supply the want of entertainment of the new bishops hee should appropriat incorporat vnto their bishopricks not the least but the richest most sufficient abbies priories prouostships other good benefices The pope consented easily the 19 of March 1559 and granted this request of the Inquisitors priuat clergy men of the Netherlands without calling or hearing of the antient bishops which were foure Cambray Arras Tournay and Vtrecht so as besides these foure there were 14 new created among them three archbishops of whom all the rest should depend and be no more subiect vnto them to whom in old time they were wont to resort So for the three seats of the three new archbishops were appointed Macklyn Cambray Vtrecht Macklyn a good a goodly towne scituated in the midst of the duchy of Brabant and as it were in the center of the 17 Belgicke prouinces which was wont to be of the diocesse of Liege should be the Metropolitane of
darkenesse is come from them The knowledge of the Tongues especially of the Greeke and Hebrâ—…w hath beene beautified more by them than by any others To conclude their aduersaries themselues are forced to confesse that there are singular men among them in all sorts of sciences besides that the life of many of them is irreprehensible If then there were not so great a number as there is yet they should haue a respect not to ruine and chase away those whom God hath endued with such excellent graces and depriue the king and his countries of so great a good in chasing away or murthering them which might haue serued eyther for counsell learning or some other way seeing it is ordinâ—…ly found that they desire to yeeld all obedience and dutie vnto the king and to serue him with bodie and goods so as they would leaue them the exercise of their Religion free To conclude then if it pleased his Maiestie to graunt this libertie he should not onely preuent troubles and inconueniences which haue happened in France and elswhere through this occasion but also it should be a meanes by the which his subiects should be induced euâ—…ry one to imploy himselfe in his vocation to the seruice of his Maiestie and the aduancement of the commonweale seeing that in the end they shall be forced to come vnto it were it after his decease as in other countries where the like accidents haue happened It remaines now to consider the inconueniences that may arise the which I find to be two principal The first that if the exercise of their religion were allowed them they might multiply in such sort as the antient religion would decay and come to nothing the which the king would not endure by any meanes The other is That they hold commonly that in one countrey there cannot be two diuers religions without great trouble and disorder As for the first they must vnderstand that all religions are grounded either vpon the authoritie of God or the authoritie of men for a religion may be grounded vpon the authoritie of men when hauing regard vnto that which our auncestors haue done and followed or to that which our king commands or to that which some great personage doth inioyne vs we ground our religion vpon those respects without any other firme reason or feeling in our hearts that we do well or ill as the Turkes Pagans and idolaters haue alwayes done yea and the greatest part of the world do at this day changing their religion and maner of seruing God in what sort and as often as it shall please the king or those to whom they deferre this credit But for that those religions proceed not from a religious heart fearing God but rather from the respect and reuerence of men it is easie to hinder the course and to plant in other by humane meanes as by armes and violence So as it was no difficult thing for the Romanes to bring their gods and religions into Greece and other countries of their conquests the which were grounded but vpon the authoritie of their princes and kings But if the religion hath his foundation vpon the authority and word of God or vpon the testimonie of their consciences be it with reason or therwise force and outward violence cannot preuaile as we haue shewed and there is no meanes to hinder the course and progresse thereof but in shewing that the foundation is il laid If then the king will maintaine the old religion and stop the course of the new it is necessarie that he giue them libertie to be heard to the end that they may be confuted and that all the world knowing wherein the abuse doth consist may flie their acquaintance If it be heresie which they sow you cannot but stop the course in suffering them to publish their doctrine so as their errours may be laid open vnto the people by the truth of the word of God else the more you seeke to suppresse it the more it will encrease But contrariwise if haply their doctrine be conformable to the word of God it is not to bee presumed that his Maiestie would oppresse it wherefore that inconuenience alledged is of no consequence The second point seemes to be of great moment for they say commonly That to entertaine the publike quiet we must haue but one Law one Faith and one King a thing without doubt which were greatly to be desired for that it should bring vs to that golden age But seeing that religion and faith is a meere gift of God ingrauen in the heart of man ouer the which none can command but God onely it were a great indiscretion to thinke it possible to reduce all the inhabitants of one countrey to one faith by force and corporall violence It is true that they say That as in a family the father ought to foresee that all those of his house worship but one onely God and be of one religion so the king should prouide that in his realme there should be but one faith and one law the which were wonderfully good and healthfull but it is not possible to attaine vnto it if it bee not among those people whose religion is grounded vpon the kings simple authoritie the which is no true religion but a meere hypocrisie counterfeiting whereunto they haply may be drawne that haue no feare of God As it was seene among the Romanes who receiued as many new gods as their emperors commanded them But this shall neuer take place among them which haue any inward feeling grounded vpon any reason be it vpon the word of God or of their owne conscience in which case you are so farre from reducing a whole nation to one religion as you shall hardly reclaime one familie The which was manifest among the Iewes where there were three famous sects more contrarie one vnto another than those of the new religion vnto them that maintaine themselues vnder the antient obedience of the pope But which is much more from the beginning of the world vnto this day it was neuer seene that all were of one law and one faith no not according to the exterior exercise for before the comming of Christ the kings of Aegypt Persia and Babilon were forced to leaue the Iewes in their country and to allow them the free exercise of their religion the which they held to be abhominable And after his comming the Romane emperours haue also suffered it as Antonius Pius and Marc Antoâ—…ne not that they were of an accord with them for they had the name of a christian in horror but for that they found they were not seditious nor disturbers of the publike quiet and so of many other emperours who haue suffered them and forbidden that no iniurie should be done them although they were of a meere contrarie opinion True it is that some one may say That all these examples serue but to aduance the Christian Faith which the king intends to maintaine in rooting
resolued to seise vpon some townes and forts and to defend themselues and to liue out of feare wherin some shewed their valour and vertue for being in armes with such men as they could gather together they surprised some townes in diuers parts On the other side the duchesse hauing dissolued the vnion and compromise of the nobles holding her selfe halfe a conqueresse did also arme making a diligent search and punishing all those that had assisted at the breaking downe of images forbidding the preaching absolutely and all exercise as well publike as secret of the religion commaunding generally that the edicts concerning it and the Inquisition should be put in execution according vnto the kings letters the which shee durst not attempt before fearing to spoyle all vntill that the noblemen were seperated from their confederation and retired to their houses being pacified by her letters of assurance Among other towns of the Netherlands which had taken vnto them the free exercise of the religion that of Valenciennes of Henault a strong and a renowned town as wel for her greatnesse and beauty as for the traffique of merchandise being serued by two goodly riuers wherof the Escaut is chiefly nauigable the which doth serue many good townes euen vnto Antuerpe where as it runnes into the sea was one of the first and most zealous to religion The duchesse to hinder the said exercise and to haue his Maiesties pleasure put in execution touching the Inquisition and the edicts sent the seignior of Noircarmes thither being lieutenant to the marquesse of Berghes who was gouernor and great bailife of Henault with fiue companies of foot and foure of horse to bee there in garrison Where hee arriued the two and twentieth of December the same yeare 1566. The Valenciennois knowing the strength and state of their towne being able to defend and maintaine themselues without garrison excused themselues The Gouernesse moued with this refusall sent the duke of Arschot the earl of Egmont to let them vnderstand that for his Maiesties seruice they should not refuse to keep their gates open at all seasons vpon any commaundement they should receiue from him But they knowing that this garrison was onely to suppresse them excused themselues offering a good summe of money for his Maiesties profit to bee freed from the souldiers they would haue brought in alledging certaine priuiledges and exemption of garrisons of the said towne The report of this refusall made by the noblemen vnto the duchesse she commanded Noircarmes to besiege the towne with those troups of horse and foot which shee had gathered together long before For the effecting of which charge Noircarmes approached with his forces spoyles the countrey round about and brings them those discommodities which are incident to warre Hee takes the Borough and the Abbey of S. Amand betwixt Valenciennes and Tournay whereof the Protestants were seised and there shewed how hee would vse them whom hee afterwards besieged The towne beeing of all parts inuested hee prest it all he could and kept them in that were accustomed to sally forth The besieged prepared for their defence what they could and to withstand the attempts of Noircarmes they sent to intreat the other neighbour townes not to faile them at their need and namely the gentlemen vnder whose assurance they had taken armes But the nobilitie fainting in their extremitie some of the people assemble to aid them especially they of West-Flanders goe to field but wanting commaunders they marched not like souldiers busying themselues in spoyling of churches and running after priests they had not marched farre but they were discouered by the seigniour of Rassinghem gouernour of Lille Douay and Orchies who sent some horse with a troupe of harguebusiers drawne out of the neighbour garrisons who easily brake them being all foot and charged them in an open champion Some thought to saue themselues in the village church of Waterloos the which was set on fire and all of them burnt or smothered Those of Tournay hearing of this enterprise of the West-Flemings were gone to field to succour them that beeing ioyned together they might by that meanes put themselues into Valenciennes But Rassinghem who had all night aduertised the commons the which were inrolled for such accidents and the garrisons of the countrey hee had by six of the clocke in the morning neere two thousand men of the said commons and three hundred harguebusiers and a hundred horse together who notwithstanding were not troubled to hazard any thing in the combat for Noircarmes was in front with ten ensignes of foot and six hundred horse who charged them in such sort as a third part remained vpon the place The nimblest foot-men were the happiest for they saued themselues in Tournay whereas afterwards by meanes of the castle he caused nine companies to enter in garrison and after that hee had taken a number of the chiefest burgesses and some ministers he made the towne obedient vnto the king Noircarmes seeing that their neighbours miserie did not mooue the Valenciennois hee drew out of Douay Arras Tournay and other places all the canon hee could the which hee planted before the said towne of Valenciennes and in a short space made such a breach as the poore besieged seeing themselues without commaunders and without souldiers but some light French foot beeing abandoned by the nobilitie and without all hope of any helpe or succours together with the threatning letters which the Duchesse had againe sent vnto them hauing endured three monethes siege vpon many goodly promises they yeelded vnto Noircarmes the fourth of March against the opinion of the French and some others by composition the which was not kept For as soone as Noircarmes was entred into the towne with his troupes as he was a cruell man and exceeding couetous he kept the gates of the towne shut for some dayes that hee might with more ease see the French souldiers hanged with the ministers and the richest Protestant merchants confisking their goods among which the two Michels Herlin father and sonne were of the chiefe reading whose iudgement as the clause of confiscation of their goods was the conclusion the father answered This is the sauce and so those two notable persons and of the richest of the towne lost their head whose goods especially their gold siluer plate iewels and the richest mouables Noircarmes did appropriat vnto himselfe The taking of this towne did much amaze the other places for Cambresis was abandoned Mastricht yeelded and in a manner all the other towns receiued the kings garrisons Anthony of Bomberghen who had seised vpon Boisleduke detained prisoners there the seigniors of Merode Petersheim with M. I. Schyff chācellor of Brabant being sent by the duches thither to settle things in good order after that he had caused his souldiers to be paid he retired hearing that the earle of Megen came to besiege him The towne of Hasselt in the countrie of Liege hauing beene surprised by
Christendome a more foolish and indiscreet nation nor that is more easily abused than is the Flemish God punishing their infidelitie by this meanes These articles were sent out of Spane in Latine to Iames Hessel Atturney generall of Flanders and afterward councellor of the troubles and found written by his hand and translated into French among his papers in Gand when hee was taken prisoner and afterwards hanged without the towne in the yeare 1578. And as for the sentence of the said Inquisition this it was The office of the most holy and most sacred Inquisition required by the presence of his royall Maiestie to resolue vpon the most abhominable defection Apostasie and heresie committed by his Maiesties subiects of the Netherlands hauing viewed and diligently examined his Maiesties information thereupon hauing also seene the letters muniments and documents autenticall and worthy of credit added to the said information by the officers of the holy Inquisition sent into the Netherlands They say and resolue so far as their Theologicall profession and conscience can aduise them That all and euery subiect of the Netherlands and the whole bodie thereof except such as are especially noted in the information as well in respect of those that are publike and manifest Apostats hetetikes and fallen from God and our holy church and the commandement of the Catholike king and their obedience as of such as counterfeiting themselues to be Catholikes haue not done their dueties whereunto and to God and to his Maiestie for the respect of the Catholike religion and the othe taken by them they are bound to resist with al their force and might the publike and apparent Apostats heretikes and seditious persons and to hinder their wicked and damnable factions the which in the beginning of the troubles and tumults had beene easily done without any great difficultie but contrariwise haue forborne from that godly and holy resistance and therfore deserue to be reputed and esteemed fauourers and adherents to those publike and manifest Apostats heretikes and seditious Such also as among the nobilitie and in the subiects names presenting petitions and admonitions against the most holy Inquisition haue cunningly inflamed incensed the heretikes Apostats and seditious and therfore al guiltie of high treason in the highest degree So said and resolued in the citie of Madril the 16 of Februarie 1568. His royall Maiestie hauing seene the information made by his commandement vpon the execrable crime of Apostasies heresies and seditions committed by his subiects of the Netherlands Hauing also seene the muniments and documents autenticall and worthy of credit added to the said information by the officers of the holy Inquisition sent into the Netherlands Hauing also seene the holy aduice and resolution of the most holy sacred Inquisition here with the pregnant reasons inserted thereunto administring and doing right and iustice in this behalfe vsing his royall and absolute power saies and decrees That all and euerie subiect of the said Netherlands and the whole bodie thereof those onely excepted which are noted in the said informations whose names we will send in time to be kept in the records of our Netherlands as well for their publike and manifest Apostasies heresies defections from God and our mother the holy church and his Catholike commandement the obedience thereof As also for such as counterfeit themselues Catholikes haue not done their duties wherunto notwithstanding and to God and his Maiestie for the respect of the Catholike religion and the othe which they haue taken they are bound to resist the publike manifest Apostats heretikes and seditious persons with all their power and force and to hinder their wickednesse the which in the beginning of the troubles and tumults had been easie to do without any difficultie but contrariwise haue abstained from this holy resistance yea haue reioyced thereat and therefore are rightly to be reputed fauourers and procurers of the said manifest Apostats heretikes and seditious Such also as vnder the name of the nobility and the subiects hauing presented petitions and admonitions against the most holy Inquisition haue inflamed and incensed the parts of the Apostats heretikes and seditious vnder colour of pietie haue committed the crime of high treason condemning them all without respect of sexe or age to the paines and punishments appointed by the law for such offendors His Maiestie willing and commaunding who pretends by this seuere sentence to giue example and to terrifie posteritie to come that the punishments of this sentence shall bee duely executed and take full effect without respect of grace or fauour in such order and maner notwithstanding as shal be prescribed to our Registers of the Netherlands So iudged in the citie of Madrill the 26 of Februarie 1568. Behold in truth a most cruell and rigorous sentence We read of an emperor that wished al the people of Rome to haue but one head the which hee might cut off at one blow What doth the king of Spain lesse by this sentence The greatest persecutors of the Primitiue church haue sometimes giuen such sentences against the Christians yet they would neuer put them in execution but seeing their constancie patience and perseuerance in their faith they did in the end surcease the persecutions some did moderat them others did quite forbid them although they had no feeling of their religion nor knowledge of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ. But the king of Spaine who knowes Iesus Christ is a Christian and termes himselfe Catholike king by this sentence doth not only persecute but seekes to ruine all his subiects as well Catholikes as other good and true Christians for the profession of their faith wherefore we may not wonder at the duke of Aluaes cruel gouernment but we may think it strange that he hath not done more considering the charge he had as appeareth by this sentence These cruell proceedings caused daily more and more feare and terror in the people forced many to flie out of the country and diuers wild headed fellowes forsaking all their goods and some their wiues and children went and kept in the woods in West-Friseland and other places and there set vpon priests and monks which they got by night and hauing taken them tooke all they had from them and cutting off their ears and noses let them go for which cause they were called wild Gueux who being increased to a great number the duke of Alua was forced to send certaine souldiers out against them but to no great purpose as not finding many of them which made him send out proclamations against them commanding the country villages to watch and guard their priests and pastors and to be carefull to defend them as also to restore them that which they had lost or that might bee stolne from them to the vttermost peny by estimation and award of the judges and magistrats and further to answere and warrant the liues and goods of their pastors notwithstanding any priuiledges whatsoeuer
married before his departure in Spaine but one daughter that died very young After his death his wife maried the lord of Floyon of the house of Barlamont and after earle of Barlamont who after her death maried with the onely daughter and heire of the earle of Lalaine These lords manner of life and Religion could not escape the Spanish furie although they were most earnest and good catholickes the marquesse of Berghen being so earnest therein that he commaunded all catholicke offices to be performed within his gouernment and caused the children of those of the reformed Religion to be baptised againe neither yet could the intercession of the emperour the princes of Germany and others preuaile any thing therein Touching the liues actions and seruices of these lords done for the king and the benefite of the Netherlands many men in other countries round about were of opinion that they only were the principallest instruments both by counsell and action of the kings good and prosperous proceedings victories and greatnesse and that his affaires through his father the emperours crosses in Germanie and his weakenesse of bodie being at an ebbe were by theirs and other Netherlanders means so much furthered and aduanced that thereby they brought Fraunce to graunt to so good and an honourable peace in his behalfe But it was their euill fortunes that they were too well beloued and fauoured of the common people and by their vpright and good seruices together with other Netherlanders had gotten ouer-great credite and report in euery place whereby they had not onely mooued and enticed the people to yeeld great tributes taxes tallages and honours vnto the king but also procured great seruices to be done for him in other countries as in Germany c. And when the king with his counsell in Spaine had fully resolued to bring the Netherlands vnder full obedience and subiection by the Inquisition and other strange deuices brought into it and other countries whether it were of zeale vnto the Romish catholicke Religion or that he ouer-much desired his owne profite and greatnesse hee sought and expected from those lords that they should and would vse and put in practise their authoritie and power aforesaid among the common people as they had done before wherein they did not acquite themselues so well as the vnexperienced counsellors in Spaine concerning the affaires of the Netherlands desired and expected they should haue done which the said lords esteemed to bee cleane contrarie vnto the kings seruice and the profit of the Netherlands as also thinking it to bee a thing vnreasonable for them to withstand and contrary their owne friends kindred countrey lawes and priuiledges knowing better than they of Spaine wherein the profit and commoditie of the Netherlands and consequently the aduancement of the kings honour and seruice chiefely consisted esteeming it vnpossible to hold and maintaine a people that had alwaies liued in freedome in peace and quietnesse by such odious kind of rigour as the proclamations and the Inquisition brought in and inflicted vpon them For which cause they seeing the proceedings of their neighbour countries sought to procure and induce the king to a necessarie kind of altering or moderating of his pretended course by diuers and seuerall meanes for the maintenance and preseruation of the catholicke Romish Religion which otherwise stood in great danger to be ouerthrowne which disliked and much displeased the king and his counsell and was the matter of Treason as the Spaniards supposed for the which they must die others measuring their actions by another way esteemed and iudged them both by God and mans law to haue iustly deserued to die for that in so good 〈◊〉 cause wherein so much consisted the honour of God Religion the countries welfare and the kings profit they were not more vigilant carefull prouident and earnest than they had beene but through feare and suspition of the kings carelesnesse beeing badly informed by the enemies of the countrey suffered themselues to be easily carried away and to let such cases of importance as the abolishing of the proclamations for the assembling of the States and such like priuiledges graunted in times past to be taken away from the Netherlands by prouiso whereby they made the other lords and gentlemen become faint hearted and partly holpe and assisted to persecute them contrarie to their owne promises wils and consciences seeing and knowing wherein the honour of God the Religion the countries welfare and the profite of the king most consisted better than any other counsellors about him did as time it selfe hath sufficiently made manifest and declared Some others argued to the contrarie excusing them That they thereby hoped to pacifie the kings wrath when he should see and perceiue the obedience of his subiects and the weightinesse of the cause together with the daungers therein consisting and so might be mooued to a softer and more conuenient remedie Wherein also they were much deceiued which the prince of Orange and others had sufficiently foretold them as that they would bee the bridge and onely instrument vpon the which and wherewith the Spaniards would enter into the Netherlands counselling and aduising them rather to kepe all strangers out of the land vntill the king by aduice of the generall States should be better counselled Generally euery man esteemed that the king could reape no good nor profit by the rigor and crueltie that he had vsed against those earles and other noblemen and gentlemen but be a meanes to breed much hatred euill will and desperation among the people towards him which since hath cost many mens liues and consumed a great masse of treasure These were the common and generall opinions of all well experienced persons in matters concerning estate in other princes countries and courts touching their deaths Cont Lodowic of Nassau hauing gotten the victorie against Cont Arembergh and the Spaniards diuided his armie into two with the which he went to besiege Groningen a great and mightie towne in the countrey of Friseland not without great admiration of all men how hee durst with so few men and so little munition attempt such a towne whereas the earle of Meghen was with eighteene ensignes of Germanes and a thousand Spaniards and Curio Martinengue with three hundred horsemen The besieged made many braue sallies and among others one on the two and twentieth of Iune in the which the earle of Nassau lost aboue two hundred men seeking to hinder them from building of a fort betwixt two riuers In the meane time Chiapin Vitelli marshal of the campe to the duke of Alua gathered together what men he could with the which he aduanced whilest that the duke prepared to rayse the siege Chiapin camped on the one side of the towne not farre from Cont Lodowics Protestants who sent to offer him battaile but he excused himselfe The duke of Alua sent to entreat the emperour in the king his masters name that he would commaund the earle of Nassau to leaue the siege
the Barron of Freesin and the signior of Lyesneldt a councellor of State deputed by the generall Estates assembled in the towne of Saint Guislain to treat as well of the succors as of the assurances the resolution of their treatie was referred to the States assembled in Antwerp for the daie after this defeate the Archduke Mathias and the other Noblemen leauing the towne of Brussells retired to Antwerp the Prince of Orange remayning there still for some daies with the Earle of Bossu to prouide for the safetie of the towne and to fortefie the weakest places the which they did making a halfe Moone within the towne towards the high part The towne of Saint Guissain which is but two leagues from Mons in Henault being after the defeat of Gemblours readie to fal into Don Iohns power by the practise of Mathew Moulbart Abbot of the same place and elect Bishoppe of Arras the signior of Herissart found meanes by pollicy to seize vpon the towne with some soldiars of his traine then hauing prouided for the safety thereof the second of Frebruary he deliuered it into the hands of the Earle of Lalain Gouernor of Henault and so by that meanes the Abbots practise was disapointed The towne of Amsterdam hauing still obstinatly defended the Spanish sactions receiuing great promises and incouragements from Don Iohn the Prince of Orange as gouernor and the States of Holland sought all meanes to force them to yeeld by stopping vp of their passages and otherwise seeing that all their reasonable offers made vnto them in the beginning of anno 1577. would by no meanes perswade them The greatest difficulties consisting here in were that they would not suffer their fellowe Burgers that had fled and were returned home againe to haue the exercise of the Religion nor to burie their dead but would onelie haue the Catholike and Romish religion vsed in the towne and their old garrison of six companies of soldiars and not suffer the fugitiue Burgers to beare any office amongst them nor the companies of harguebuziers according to the ancient custome to bee erected for the preseruation and keeping of the towne This passing in this sort the Prince and the States by aduice from the general estates practising many waies to surprize them but none taking effect at the last Collonel Hellingh and captaine Ruychauer a Burger of the same town made a certaine enterprize vpon them of Amsterdam thinking to take the towne to that end vpon the 13. of Nouember 1577 taking certaine soldiers vnder three Ensignes hid them closely in diuers shippes and comming before the towne forcibly tooke the Harlem port and from thence marched into the market place strengthening themselues in diuers places but Collonel Hellingh that was speaking with the Burgers to perswade them to lay downe their armes being shot the Burgers with their six companies of soldiers began to take corrage taking armes drew the Hollanders back and as God would haue it a barrel of their poulder falling on fire in the gate the Hollanders were so abasht as they were beaten out againe with great losse of their men and amongst them captaine Ruychauer being taken prisoner was slaine by one of his old enemies a man that in the precedent warres had done much good seruice But although this enterprize fel out badly for them yet the towne of Amsterdam beeing thereby brought into great feare of surprize and hauing bin long beseeged both by water and land resolued to fal to an agreement with the Estates of Holland which was made vpon the 8. of February 1578. the principall points of the same being that those of the reformed religion should haue liberty to preach without the towne should haue an vnhalloed place within the town for the buriall of their dead that their garrison of sixe companies within the towne should bee discharged and that they should haue foure fiue sixe other companies of soldiars in the same vnder the captaines of the towne for the defence of the same that the olde companies of Harguebuziers should bee erected againe without any difference and that the places of those that were dead should be supplied as well of the fugitiue Burgers as others and diuers other points But this composition lasted not long for that they of the Religion complained of the Catholikes for not keeping the couenant and agreement and for not accomplishing the Article of the erecting and guiding of the Harguebuziers but to the contrary attempted many secret enterprises and for that Don Iohn had still many friends within the towne which daily practised diuers attempts the Burgers generally fearing a new vprore and tasting the benefit of their trade and traficke in the towne which as then beganne to increase and to liue in vnity and conformitie with the rest of the townes and terretories of Holland caused the Romish Catholike magistrates and the Friers to goe out of the towne and all munkes and Priests pulling downe the Images in the Churches permitting nothing but the reformed religion to be vsed therein which during the warres was most beneficiall for their towne and conformable to the manner of the rest of the townes in Holland although the States of Vtrecht Harlem other reconciled townes maintained the Romish religion long time after togither with the reformed religion but for that they found and perceiued many secret enterprises to be deuised by the spirituality they thought it necessary and conuenient during the warres wholy to put it down which caused a great hinderance to Don Iohns affaires much furtherance to the states The Spaniards hauing vnder the command of Charles of Mansfeldt beseeged the towne of Villeuoorde whereas the signior of Glimes commanded with some companies of Wallons seeing after he had lien before it but two daies that he should get nothing but blowes hee retired and from thence went to beseege Niuelle in Brabant where the signior of Villers commanded for the States with fiue companies of foote and some few horse refusing to yeeld at the first summons hee battred it furiously with eight Cannons so as hauing made a sufficient breach the Wallon souldiars whome they had made beleeue that Don Iohn did not much trust to shew their fidelity desired to go first to the assault but they were so valiantly repulst as they were forced to send others so as from twelue of the clocke vntill night the beseeged defended themselues valiantly and endured foure furious assaults the assailants being forced to leaue it with great losse and in disorder The Gouernor held it yet two daies without parle hoping for succors but the Prince of Orange and the Earle of Bossu sent him word that he should retire himselfe as well as he could and saue his men the which he did vpon composition to depart with bag and baggage and the soldiars with their swords by their sides and the Commanders and Captaines on horsbacke with their men Thus was Niuelle yeelded vp to Don
made betweene the Duke of Aniou and the States their power hauing so great an army and mony like wise to maintaine the same saying that he might depart with honor when as his departure should be procured by the Mediation and intercession of the Emperor the King of France and the Queene of England which dying they said hee might assure the Netherlands vnto their naturall Prince and by that meanes procure the maintenance and furtherance of the Romish Catholiks religion touching the said articles the Ambassadors had many conferences and meetings betweene them the estates and Don Iohn speaking with Don Iohn him-selfe at Lovuain and there abouts but it was al in vaine for that Don Iohn would haue the states to giue ouer their armes to send the Prince of Orange into Holland and then he said he would harken to a peace yet telling them plainely that hee would permit no new religion and many things else and yet hee made a shew as that in regard of the miseries of the country hee would haue consented to a truce for a time that so hee might deale further about the conditions of peace propounded but this was done onely to winne time and in the meane while to gather more forces and to make the States weary but the States there affaires not permitting it would not harken to it Don Iohn likewise for his part hauing gotten more soldiars and being aduertised that the States men wanted pay at the last he made answeare to the Ambassadors that the King of Spaine had referred the whole dealing for the peace vnto the States only to whome full power and authority should bee giuen for the same being indeed some-what iealous of France and England and to that end hee shewed them lettters so thanking them for their paines hee tooke his leaue and departed and by that meanes that treatie of peace proued frutelesse The generall estates thinking verely that they had well secured and assured the Catholike Romish Religion by the new publication of the pacification at Gaunt found it to auaile them little for that they were forced neuer-the-lesse to satisfie and content the mindes of the peolpe in euery place thereby to maintaine the warres and that they had need of such soldiers as they might trust which they esteemed to be Hollanders and those of the religion and therefore in euery place they put such as were of the religion into offices within the townes as knowing them thereby to bee bound not onely for the loue and good will they bare vnto their natiue country but also in regard of the religion to bee faithfull trusty and true obseruing that it was not onely the meanes for them to defend their bodies liues goods wiues and children but chiefly for the honor of GOD as they were perswaded whereby many being of the reformed religion and aduanced to offices in diuers places of the Netherlands were forced by all the meanes they could to further the said religion although some through simple zeale dealt vnaduisedly therein From these and the like causes it fell out that they of the reformed religion imbouldned them-selues to present a request vnto the Arch duke Mathias and the generall estates bearing date the twenty two of Iune therein shewing that they desired to liue according to the reformed religion and that they had separated them-selues from the Romish Church for many causes as it appeared by diuers bookes put in Print containing the summe and contents of their faith which many had sealed with their bloods and that the more it had beene persecuted the more it had spred abroad and increased as it appeared by the tiranie of the Duke of Alua that had put eight-teene or nine-teene thousand persons to death by the hand of the executioner after whome followed Don Loys de Requesens the great Commaunder of Castile who also had driuen an innumerable number of good men out of the Netherlands and caused all traficke and good handycrafts wherein the chiefe riches of the land consisted to be caried into strange and forrene countries by which meanes the warres began shewing the Spaniards practises and desseignes and their reddinesse and willingnesse to defend their natiue country and that yet neuer-the-lesse they feared that they should bee once againe put to the slaughter after that the countrie should haue made vse of them and by expence and losse of their liues and goods gotten the victory which must of necessity procure great vnwillingnesse from whence many difficulties were to bee expected by nise vsing liberty amonst the Burgers and the townes men which difficulties and inconueniences by meanes of the free permission of the reformed Religion would be let and hindered where-as to the contrary the refusing and deniall thereof would bee the originall of all euill intents and of such enterprises which neither the Protestants would like of nor they them-selues bee well pleased withall They likewise showed that they were content to put in securitie to them of the Romish religion that they desired not to roote them out nor yet to take their goods from them nor to doe any thing that should bee contrary to the duties of good Townes-men and fellow Burgers but alwayes to bee ready for the common cause to defend and maintaine their natiue countrey whereby all discord beeing layd away a perfect peace might bee established They likewise hoped that touching the reformed religion some order would before that time haue beene taken by the generall estates which by many hinderances had beene put off and chiefly by the meanes and practises of the enemy or else by some that hoped the enemy being ouercome once againe to roast the Protestants at a fire and therefore they desired that no credit might bee giuen vnto such men as reiected the pacification of Gant thinking that two religions could not bee maintayned in one kingdome and that there could bee no securitie giuen to the spirituall persons saying further that the enemy had manifestly broken the pacification of Gant and that for as much as it concerned the land they might by common consent breake mitigate expound and declare the same for the good of their natiue countrey thereby to resist and with-stand the secret practises of the enemy yet they desired that it might not bee broken but that rather according to the contents thereof the point concerning the free exercise of their religion might bee discided by the generall estates Shewing further by their request that two religions might well bee indured in one countrey by examples of the first Christians and their Emperors and after that in our times permitted by foure Emperors and by the Kings of France Poland the great Turke and the King of Morocus and others yea and by the Pope himselfe that permitted the Iewes to haue their Synaguogues And touching the securitie for spirituall persons they desired that the States would set downe an order for the same and that they were ready according to their
abilities to performe it hoping that there would bee some Noble-men and Princes found that would giue both their words and bonds for their good behauiors therein But for that they got no answer presently here-vnto in regard of the waightinesse of the cause vpon the seauenth of Iuly being foureteene dayes after they gaue a second request wherein they sought to satisfie certaine doubts as if there were no securitie to bee found from the Protestants if they should graunt their request And therefore that there should bee no alteration they propounded and set downe that in euery towne some of the Magistrates might bee appointed to take particuler knowledge of all oppressions and abuses or certaine good Burgers men of good name and same ofâ—… both religions equall in number to whom should bee committed the inquiry and repayring of iniuries and wrongs offered on eyther side both by word and deede and that in euery Towne some of the principall Burgers on both sides should answere for their parties with promise that they should not protect not defend the peace breakers but rather vse all the diligence they could that they might bee punished And besides that all Preachers Elders and Deacons should likewise promise the same as on the contrary side the Priests Deanes Pastors Vicars and Treasurers of the Parishes should doe the like That they would also faithfully promise and protest before GOD not to practise to hurt nor trouble any of the Prelates or Spirituall persons that make profession or shew of the Romish Catholicke religion neither in their persons goods nor in the vse or exercise of their religion but as much as in them lyeth to hinder the same And that if it proceed so farre that any such thing should bee pretended and come vnto their knowledge that they would make it knowne vnto the Magistrate that order might bee taken therein as cause required Where-vnto the chiefest persons amongst them should make promise to performe the same in such places or townes where the free permision of the sayd religion should bee granted and in such number as they should thinke good Once againe promising according to the contents of the first request to intreate some great Lords or Princes to giue their words for them requiring the like of them that made profession of the contrary religion desiring nothing else but to liue peaceably vnder the protection of their Magistrates and that the breakers of the common peace might bee punished To pacifie and satisfie the people touching this request the Arche-duke Mathias the Prince of Orange the counsell of Estate and the generall estates after long and mature deliberation deuised a religious peace in Antwerp for all such townes as would desire the same the which did not in any sort contradict the pacification of Gant so that thereby the prouinces of Brabant Flanders Arthois and Henault were not bound one vnto the other but remained free at liberty amongst them to do as they should thinke conuenient and that so likewise they of Holland and Zeeland might not attempt any thing in the other prouinces against the Catholicke Romish religion and for that the pacification tended onely to the driuing out of the Spaniards and other strange garrisons they thought it a necessary peace and politicke vnion for that as then it was no time to trouble molest persecute kill or murther one the other for religion while they had so great a warre in hand Many and seuerall causes too long to beâ—… rehearsed mooued the sayd estates to yeeld there-vnto as by the sayd religious peace more at large appeareth and for that cause I haue set it downe verbatim as it was deuised Euery man apparantly knoweth that the tyrranous proclamations which had before beene made touching religion by the secret counsell and practises of strangers specially of the Spanish nation with-out hearing the estates of the Netherlands once speake therein and since that great rage and extremitie hath bin showne for the vpholding of the same which are the causes of all our present calamities for that by meanes thereof the priuileges rights and lawdable customes of the countrey haue in some sort beene broken and troden vnder-foote and in fine procured a miserable warre which is vndertaken by the enemies of our natiue countrey onely to bring vs into vtter ruine and slauerie and for that there was no other remedie to withstand the same but to bring all the Prouinces into one vnitie and accorde thereof proceeded the pacification of Gant which after many and seuerall deliberations and consultations taken therein as well by the Bishops and Diuines as by the counsell of estate and others from that time forward had beene approoued confirmed and by publicke oth sworne vnto not onely by the estates of all the Netherlands both spirituall and temporall in generall and particuler but also by Don. Iohn of Austria in the name of the King making an accord with the estates aforesayd touchching the pacifying of the warre and the auoyding of all other inconueniences and although wee hoped that in the obseruing of the same no faults would bee committed by the sayd Don Iohn whose office specially was as beeing appointed to gouerne and rule the sayd Netherlands to haue holden and maintained the same in peace and tranquillitie neuer-the-lesse dooing the contrary hee had broken the sayd pacification in many points and by diuerse meanes contrary to his oth made shewe hee would not bee satisfied there-with so that the afore-sayd warre is once againe renewed by him which hath for the preseruation of our naturall libertie and defence mutually to beare armes together beeing thereby and by meanes of the extremities where-into the sayd warre as the mother of all disorders and insolencies hath brought vs forced to doe and permit diuers things that are preiudiciall to religion and the obedience due vnto his Maiestie which wee otherwise neuer thought nor pretended and at this present cannot with-stand as at diuerse times before the begining of this warre we haue protested both by letters and Ambassadors sent vnto his Maiesty and also vnto the said Don Iohn and although wee want neither will nor meanes to procure our defence not-with-standing for that the diuersity of the prouinces and of mens opinions hinder the cause it is to bee douted that neither our good wills nor yet our abilities will preuaile vnlesse we proceed to a more strict and stronger band of amity indissoluble accord and vnion especially in the matter of religion for considering that not onely by reason of the warre but also in regard of the ineuitable frequentation and conseruation of the marchants and other inhabitants of the countries and Prouinces bordering vpon vs as of France England Germany and others hauing the pretended reformed religion amongst them the same religion hath for some time beene followed and maintained in diuers Prouinces of the Netherlands so it is much to be feared that if the liberty and exercise of the same as well as
They caused to bee published vnder the authority of the duke of Mayene as Lieutenant generall of the Estate and crowne of France the entertayning of the councell of Trent the which in the time of the precedent Kings could neuer bee allowed nor receiued by the courts of parliament nor the French church It was published the eight of August with a new forme of oth the which they did for the vpholding and maintayning of their league against the King whome they sought to haue treacherously murthered by one Peter Barriere called la Barre borne at Orleans who being descouered araigned and found guilty was broken vpon the wheele in the sayd month of August During this generall truce their were sundry discourses and many propositions made for the setling of the affaires of the realme The King who desired nothing more then the reunion of his subiects and the abolition of that pernitious party of the league labored to reconcile and to winne vnto him the duke of Mayene with offers of charges and very honorable aduancements The duke hauing in his opinion many strings to his bow stood vpon doubtfull termes sometimes be promised and then he refused againe prot acting the businesse with many delaies and vnder hand procuring that the decision which was made by the Sorbonists in the yeare 1590. in the month of May should take place which was That Henry of Bourbon was declared incapable and fallen from all right and pretension to the crowne of France although hee did reconcile himselfe and adhere to the Romish relligion The Agents of Spaine both in France and at Rome did further and aduance all these rebellious practises crossing the Duke of Neuers all they could in his negotiation On the other side the people and many great personages continued in their old song of the incompatibility of the exercise of two religiōs within the realme and many were of opinion that the King should not bee admitted nor receiued vnlesse he would first promise to banish all them of the reformed religion or at the least cause the publike exercise of the religion to cease There was yet an other sort of people well affected to the league and yet seemed to be friends to the publike quiet and tranquility of the land who secretly and vnder hand gaue out speeches of the Kings weakenesse and disability saying that he wanted means to force obedience and that hee had to mighty yea inuincible enemies who would soone tread him downe and ruine him That France would but languish vnder his raigne and in the end after many calamities and miseries shee should remaine a prey to a more powerfull maister this by their estimation was the King of Spaine whose greatnesse they did so magnifie and extoll his double pistolets sayd the true hearted Frenchmen hauing dazeled their eyes and blinded their vnderstandings they also sought to terrifie such Frenchmen as were faint-hearted and not well assured with his name Finally they had for the most part beene so seduc'd by the practises of the heads of the league as they admired nothing but the greatnesse and Maiesty of the King of Spaine in comparison of whom that of France was little esteemed Whilest this truce continued the King resolued to call an assembly at Mante of some of the greatest personages of his realme to consult consider of diuers affaires among others the deputies of the reformed religion came thether in Nouember whome the King commanded to come before him on the 12. of the sayd month hauing giuen them audience and heard their complaints vpon many breaches of his Edicts and strange wrongs and iniustices done vnto them throughout all the Prouinces Hee sayd vnto them in the presence of many Noblemen and of the Chancellor My maisters I haue sent for you hether for three reasons the first to let you vnderstand from mine own mouth that my conuersion hath caused no change of my affection towards you The second is for that my rebellious subiects had made some shew to giue eare vnto a peace the which I would not enter into before you were called to the end that nothing should be done to your preiudice as you haue bin assured by the promise made by the Princes of the crown who did sweare in my presence that there should not be anything treated in the conference of peace against them of the reformed religion The third is hauing beene aduertised of the ordinary complaints touching the miseries of the Churches in many Prouinces of my realme I would willingly heare them and take order for them More-ouer you may beleeue that I affect nothing more then to see a good vnion betwixt you my good subiects both Catholikes and of the Relligion and I assure my-selfe that no man will hinder it It may be their are some malicitious spirits which will seeke to crosse it but I hope to punish them I assure you that the Catholikes which are about me wil maintaine this vnion and I wil be a caution and pledge that you will not seperate nor diuide your selues from them I haue this contentment in my soule that during all the time that I haue liued I haue made proofe of my faith and integrity to all the world Nor any one of my subiects hath trusted in me but I haue relied more in him I beleeue your informations and command you to depute foure of your number to treat with such of my councell as I shall appoint to whome I will giue this charge and to resolue of what shal be held fit and conuenient In the meane time if any among you haue any affaires with mee they may haue accesse with all libertie Afterwards the Kings affaires remayning long in suspence and the heads of the league continuing in their peruers courses to trouble the estate of France they of the relligion remayned in their accustomed condition vntill that the league was disperst and vanished I haue made a long digression concerning this act of the French Kings conuersion to the Romish Relligion the which I haue presumed to insert here for the rarenes of the example although it doth not properly belong to this subiect but now I will returne vnto the Netherlands The 24 of Iuly George Euerard Earle of Solms past into Flanders by commandement from the Estates and from Prince Maurice his cosin with 800. horse and 2500. foote he entred into the land of Waes where hee sent his horsemen to inuest the fort of Saint Ians Steyn and the footemen to the village of Steeken where there was a fort held by the Spaniards the which they abandoned before any seege flying to the fort of Waert vpon the riuer of Escault right against Antwerp whereof there were some thirty horses taken hauing at their retreat burnt the village The Earles horsemen met with eighty Spanish horse neere vnto Saint Nicholas Bourg all which were slaine or taken prisoners This done the Earle went with his artillery before Saint Iaques fort the
consumed them And for that in these later times since the emperor Charles the 5 there haue beene so many writers of diuers religions euerie one writing according to his passion or according to the affection which hee bare to them of his religion I haue endeuored to hold a meane I will not say but such as are most passionat may sometimes discouer what religion I hold most pure for I neither can nor ought to denie it before men no more than before God yet hath it not in matter of truth made me to incline more to one part than to another to publish or suppresse the vertues and vices the honour and disgrace of one or other And for that the ground of our ciuill wars is written too partially or rather inuectiuely by some as by Surius the Chartrous monke by Ersingerus vander Haec Iansonius Documensus others built vpon a meer accusation of rebellion and disobedience to the king of Spaine and his edicts touching matters of religion and the Inquisition as those words of rebellion and disobedience comprehend much in them and haue a large interpretation But the better to informe posteritie who it may be will not be so partiall as to interpret all things past to rebellion and disobedience as these partiall men haue done I haue bin very large in the description of the originall and first spring together with the causes and motiues of our troubles and of the wars which haue followed against the Spaniards and their adherents by the insertion of many declarations which I haue thought very necessarie for this subiect for the explaining thereof I haue also of purpose extended my selfe to serue for an instruction and direction to posteritie in the description of the most remarkable sieges of towns of either part as of Harlem Leyden Alcmar Hulst and Bomel by the Spaniards of Middlebourg Gheertruydenbergh Steenwic Groningue and others by the Estates in which sieges haue bâ—…ene seene the dexteritie diligence industrie directions errours and omissions of the commanders of either armie I would also intreat the courteous Reader not to stumble nor take exception at the tearmes of Roman Catholikes and Protestants which I vse speaking of the one or the other Persuading my selfe that the Catholikes wil not except against this epithete Roman as also they of the Religion who pretend it to be reformed will not reiect the name oâ—… Protestants seeing they not onely pretend it to be reformed but protest and maintaine with all vehemencie that it is so be they of the confession of Ausbourg or others howsoeuer they will call them be they Lutheâ—…ans Caluinists or Zuinglians as well of Germanie France England the Netherlands as of other places disagreeing from the Romish Religion all which indifferently for the aboue named reason we call Protestants As for that which concernes the war armies exploits enterprises surprises stratagâ—…ms incounters embasies sieges of towns battailes victories and routs although I haue seene and learned something as well in France as in these parts I leaue the censure of the stile and phrase which I haue vsed to describe them to commanders colonels captaines and other souldiers who haply know them better and haue a better militarie methode to write them than my selfe who I hope will courteously supply my defects THE TRANSLATOR TO THE READER COurteous Reader it is now almost two yeares since I published to your view the Inuentorie of the French Historie I must confesse it had beene more safe to haue made that worke the period of my labours and not to haue vndergone a new taske of greater difficulty But by the intreaty of some whom I much respect and mine owne desire to giue my countrie-men some more contentment and to acquaint them that haue not read it in the French with the whole historie of the Netherland warres as wel as with the estate of France I haue thus venturously once againe put forth from a safe port into an ocean of dangers and vndertaken the translation of this historie of the Netherlands Whereunto I was the more incouraged by the gratious reception of my noble patrons and the kind testimonies of approbation of many courteous and well minded gentlemen who haue bin content to wincke at my weakenesse and defects in that worke and to allowe of mine indeauours yet will I not arrogate any thing that was praise worthie in that storie vnto my selfe nor attribute the worthinesse of those authors to mine owne merit who could both grace themselues in writing French and me in teaching them to speake English I doubt not but some will thinke it a great indiscretion to meddle with this subiect whereas the soueraigntie and prerogatiue of a mightie monarch in those vnited prouinces is called in question I confesse it were so if it were originally done by me but beeing written in the French Italian Latine and Dutch I thought I might without any imputation impart it to our owne nation which hath had so great a share in those warrâ—…s I assure my selfe it will be diuersly censured as men stand affected to the cause some I doubt not will read it to be satisfied of the true causes and proceedings of this long and bloodie warre some I presume will curiously search out but for matter of exception and not instruction and I feare some will be so transported with passion and out of charitie as whereas before they would haue exchanged a friendly good morrow with me they will now shunne my company and take me for a capitall enemie to their cause But good God how are they abused in their conceptions I would intreat those men to remember that I neither take vpon me to be an aduocate to plead the cause nor a champion to defend it by armes but am onely a bare translator who am tied to my teacher and cannot exceed the limits prescribed me by mine author There is nothing of mine owne in this worke neither haue I added nor kept backe anything that was materiall for the subiect and I may lawfully protest that I haue beene free from passion without aggrauation or detraction hauing vsed all the moderation I could in the relating of any thing where there might appeare either spleene or affection As for the truth of the historie and the integritie of mine author I must referre you to Iohn Francis Petit who must plead for himselfe and therefore I haue planted his owne preface or apologie in the front of this booke where you may both see his reasons for the course of the historie beginning with the earles of Holland and Zeeland and read his protestations for his sinceritie in the faithfull relating of all things that haue passed during the warres If this may not suffice for his iustification he himselfe is yet liuing here in London and ready to satisfie any doubt that may arise I must aduertise the reader that to make this historie more perfect and to continue it vnto these times I haue beene forced to vse some other
About Aprill in the yeare 1526. hee sent one of his Captaines called Meynard van Ham a lame man towards Dam with some soldiars commanding the peasants there-abouts to come and to helpe to fortifie it The Duke had drawne these souldiers out of the country of Holsteyn to the end it might seeme that it was not his action but the Duke of Holsteyns Wherevpon the Groningeois made a Proclamation forbidding the peasants vpon paine of fiering their villages and houses not to aide nor worke at this fortification in any sort whatsoeuer Wherevpon the third of May Meynard van Ham caused all the suburbes of the towne of Groningen to bee burnt whereof the Inhabitants neuer drempt there was great slaughter done and many men made poore there were 30. ships also burnt the fire whereof flew ouer the Rampart and burnt fiue houses in the Towne Some dayes after hee returned and burnt in like sort the suburbes of the ports Ebbing and Boteringe who hauing committed all the outrage they could they retired to Dam. The Groningeois not knowing what to doe to this troope of souldiers nor well whose they were writ vnto the Duke of Geldres that there were enemies entred into their countrie the which did pittifully spoile and burne them wherefore they desired to know if it were done with his priuitie and consent as some did boldly say the which not-with-standing they sayd they could not beleeue To which letters they had no good answer wherevpon there was a day of meeting appointed in the towne of Essen whither the Duke of the Groningeois sent their Deputies to reconcile their differences the which could not be done for that the Duke would build a Cittadell within their Towne and the Dam might be fortified where-vnto they would by no meanes yeeld Herevpon the Consuls of the Towne and of the countrie which they call Ommelandes writte vnto the Lady Marguerite Dutchesse Dowager of Sauoy Aunte to the Emperour and Gouernesse of the Netherlands shewing vnto her the great wrong and violence that was done vnto them by the Duke of Geldres men offering to submit themselues to the Emperours obedience and to pay vnto him such yearely tribute as they were accustomed to pay vnto the Duke of Geldres if it should please her greatnesse in the Emperours name to vndertake their protection and defence against the sayd Duke and all other enemies the which the said lady did accept with an honorable acknowledgment promising to free them very speedily the deputies hauing receiued good entertainment in all places returned home ioyfully The Dutchesse would not loose this goodly occasion but taking hold therof did presently leuie men the which she sent into Frisland with an expresse charge to Schenck Baron of Tautenbourg gouernor of the coūtry to vse all care in that action marching presently to Groningen and there to receiue an othe of the Bourgesies and swearing likewise vnto them in the Emperors name Schenck according to his charge marched towards Groningen where he receiued the said towne in the Emperors name in S. Walburges church the 7. of Iune whereof he tooke possession receiued their homages This done Schenke made hast to besiege Delfzeel which the Geldrois held and had halfe fortified The Duke of Holsteyn with whom the Duke of Gelders had made a league sent two thousand foote to succour it and to raise the siege But Schenck hauing prouided for the gard of his campe the Inhabitants of Groningen some peasants went to incounter the troupes in Westerwollingerlandt whome the third day following on Saint Iames day he quite defeated George van Manster Drossart of Wedden was taken and many gentlemen with him The Drossart was carried to Leewarden and the rest of the prisoners to Groninghen The Geldrois that were in Dam seeing Delfzyel yeelded and the succors which they expected from the Duke of Holsteyn defeated began to parle demaunding a safe retreat the which was granted them by the Gouernor Schenck vppon condition that they should depart with white wands in their hands and deliuer their Captaines Meinard van Hem and Bernard van Hackfort the which they did willingly and departed the fifth of September according to the composition the Gouernor causing the fort which they had made at Dam to be presently laied euen with the ground This done the Castell of Wedden was besieged the which was also yeelded vnto Schenck vpon condition to haue their liues and goods saued the besieged being out of all hope of succors from thence he returned to Groninghen to see his wife and Ladie Iane of Egmont who attended him there hauing sent his troupes in the meane time to besiege the Towne and Castell of Coeuoerden and Kinckhost whether he himselfe went after some daies hauing lyen about two monethes before Coeuoerden the Drossart Selbach yeelded it vpon condition to depart with their Armes and baggage where hauing placed a good garrison the said Gouernor Schenck hearing that there were some Geldrois in troupe neere vnto Deuenter he caused his men to marche that waie tooke the towne of Diepenhem the twenty nine of Nouember and the next daie the Castell of Kinckhost neere vnto Meppel the which was also yeelded vnto him whereas Captaine Magreheyn was taken prisoner The Duke of Gelders seeing that all things succeeded all for him in Freezeland and that the towne and countrie of Groninghen the Drent and Dwent were in the Emperors hands he began to growe weary of his toile and charge knowing well that the more he made warre the more he lost He resolued therefore and wisely for himselfe to make an hereditary accord with the house of Bourgongne the which was done and proclaimed in Groninghen before the State-house the 17. of December in the yeare 1326. to the great content of the whole countrie being tyred in the forepassed warres so as by that meanes there was throughout all the country of Freezeland and Groninghen a most desired peace the which had not continued so long for 200 yeares before which was from that time vnto the yeare 1568. that the Duke of Alua entred into those countries In the same yeare was published by the Emperor the second bloudy Edict against the Protestants of the reformed religion which they called Lutherans by vertue whereof many were burnt or otherwise executed in the Netherlands In the yeare 1527. there fell out a great tumult in the Towne of Vtrecht the inhabitants men of trade hauing taken armes would needs know the reason why they had banished some wherefore they had forbiddē handicrafts men to vse their trades within the circuit of any Abbay whereof there are many in that towne whereby the poore commons lost their profit who hauing no meanes to set vp any shoppe who had beene wont to labour and get their liuings there moreouer the Magistrates and Councell had promised to furnish their Bishop with a great some of money to be payed at two payments where-vppon they
Emperor by the meanes and mediation of his good friends For the effecting whereof he went accompanied with the Duke of Brunswyk and the Elector of Cologne and cast himselfe at the Emperors feet deliuering into his hands all the townes and fortresses of the Duchie of Geldres Conty of Zutphen confessing that he had held them wrongfully and crauing pardon for all The Emperor to shew his mildnes and clemency considering also what persons did sue and mediate for him pardoned him gratiously restoring all that he had taken from him in his contries of Iuilliers and Cleues which restitution was made in December following the same yeare vpon conditiō that remaining in the Emperors seruice he should renoūce the league he had made with the french King and the mariage which he had contracted with the Daughter of the King of Nauarre and not yet consumated beeing broken he caused him to marrie his Neece the Daughter of Ferdinand King of Romains Afterwards he remained a good seruant to the Emperor although his mother did not much loue him for this marriage but died afterwards of griefe The Emperors affayres succeeding well in this warre of Cleues beeing loath to loose any time he caused his armie to march beeing ioyned to the Dukes whereof Martin van Rossem was commander whom the Emperor had in like sort receued into grace towards the fronters of France to recouer that which the Duke of Orleans had wonne in Luxembourg and Arthois and namely Landercye which the Seignor of la Lande the Kings Lieutenant had wonderfully fortefied and manned with a good garison and all other things requisite for such a place which garrison did greatly afflict the contries of Arthois and Henalt who besought the Emperor to goe thither According to which resolution he marced with his armie through the countrie of Cambresis into Vermandois Don Fernando of Gonzague Generall of the said armie propounded to beseege Guise first which is not farre from Landrecy and planted his Campe at Marolles neers vnto it where the french came to visit him with a gallant skirmish in the which Peter Strossy a banished man of Florence was taken of the french party and of the Emperors side Don Francisco d'Este Generall of the light horse his horse beeing slaine vnder him hearing that the Earle of Roeux was already planted before Landrecy with some Netherlanders and foure thousand Spaniards that were newly ariued vnder the command of Don Pedro de Toledo with two thousand Germains the Emperor who was ill disposed at Quesnoy le Conte in Henalt commanded Gonzague to go and ioine with the rest before Landrecy where beeing ariued he seperated his Campe from the Netherlanders and the English hauing euery one his Campe a part These three Campes began euery one to batter the towne but Gonzague seeing he aduanced little thought to famish it and in the meane time sought to ruine it la Lande the gouernor made many sallies now vpon one Campe then on another still taking some thing The french King came with all his power and vitualed the towne then winter being neere the Emperor raised the seege and dismissed his armie Landrecy being thus victualled the Emperor came to Cambray where he put some bands of Ordynance in garrison for that he doubted this towne was to much affected to the French wherof he had obserued some tokens in former warres The Inhabitants desiro us to make proofe of their loyaltie to the Emperor excused themselues laying all the blame vpon their Bishop whom the Emperour did pardon then hee caused a strong and mighty Cittadell to bee built to the end the cittie might no more bandy against him nor stand as Neuter as they would doe the citty holding of the Empire but that as vnto Charles of Austria Earle of Arthois and Henalt his successors and not as Emperor it should be sub iect vnto him and the Burgeses forced to hold his party Wherein hee himselfe did impugne and breake the preuiledges of that cittie giuen by former Emperors the constitutions of the Empire and his owne oth The last day of September Rene of Chalons Prince of Orange after that the soldiars were fled out of the towne of Amersfort tooke possession of the sayd towne in the Emperors name and then of all the townes of the Duchy of Geldres whereby there was peace and quietnesse in all those quarters of Iuilliers Cleues and Geldres The second of Ianuary 1544. the Emperor parted from Brussels to go to an Imperiall diet at Spyre which shold be held the 22. of February following during the which the Admirall of Egmont sonne to the Earle of Egmont married with Sabina of Bauaria Palatine at which marriage the Emperor assisted in person About that time was proclaymed throughout all the Netherlands the fift rigorous and bloudy Edict which they called Lutherien against them of the religion The warres grew hot betwixt the French King and the Emperour who entred into Champaigne with a great army and tooke diuers townes King Francis had leauied a goodly army to incounter him and was ready to giue him battaile yet by the mediation of some good men louers of peace and to auoide the effusion of so much Christian bloud a peace was concluded betwixt these two great Princes and the Emperor retired from Soissons to Brusselles The Emperor beeing returned to Brusselles the second of October the peace was proclaimed And the 22. of the same month arriued in the same towne the lady Elenor the French Kings wife and the Emperors sister accompanied with the duke of Orleans who entring into the towne marched betwixt the two Princes of Hungary sonnes to King Ferdinand being followed by the Prince of Piedmont the duke of Camerino and many Princes and Noblemen There was nothing omitted that might giue delight and contentment to the Queene and to Madame d' Estampes the Kings Mistres The Emperor sitting downe at the table tooke Madame d' Estampes on his right hand and the French Queene his sister on the left beeing followed by the Queene of Hungarie and so of the rest thirteene daies were spent in feastes bankets maskes turneys and all other sports during the Queenes aboade there who tooke her leaue of the Emperor and departed from Brusselles with the duke of Orleans the third of Nouember Then began things in Germany to incline to warre The Pope was exceeding glad of the peace concluded betwixt the Emperor and the French King and renewed the assignation of a councell to the 15. of March 1545. Herman Archbishop of Cologne according to that which had beene decreed at the Imperiall Diet at Ratisbone meaning to reforme his diocese according to the word of God hauing sent for Bucer and other ministers to that end his Clergie banded against him and appealed to the Pope and the Emperor The Pope did excomunicate him and a while after he was depriued of his Archbishoprike and all other dignities The Argument of the seauenth
Booke THE Emperor returnes into Germany and treates of religion Herman Archbishoppe of Collogn◅ seekes to reforme his diotese the Pope and Emperor oppose themselues The Protestants assemble at Francfort The Emperor giues them good words whilest that hee prepar◅ to armes A conference of Diuines at Ratisbone The Emperor and Pope make a league against the Protestants who arme also and make a league printing their Iustifications and go to field the Emperor banisheth the duke of Saxony and the Landtgraue of Hessen who defie him the Emperor in danger at Inghelstade whereas the Earle of Buren ioynes with him the Protestantes army disbandes Duke Maurice troubles the Duke of Saxonies state the Duke of Wirtemberg and the Imperiall townes reconciled to the Emperor who sends to succor Maurice A battaile betwixt the Emperor and the duke of Saxony whereas the Duke is taken prisoner Sute to the Emperor for the Landtgraue of Hessen who comes to make his peace is detayned prisoner Magdebourg a Protest◅nt towne holds onely against the Emperor Maurice made Elector Prince Philip the Emperors sonne comes out of Spaine into the Netherlands A bloudy Edict against the Protestants the Emperor affects the Empire for Prince Philip his Sonne which breeds a quarrell betwixt the Emperor and his brother Ferdinand King of Hungary the Protestants refuze to come to the councell of Trent The constancie of them of Magdebourg who are freed from siege the Landtgraues restraint is preiudiciall to the Emperors affaires in Germany Duke Maurice takes armes against the Emperor the French King comming with a great army to succor Maurice takes Metz ◅houl and Verduen Martin van Rossem makes warre in France the Emperor flies hastely from Inspruch through the mountaines An ass◅mbly at Passau to treat a peace Albert of Brandebourg makes warre a part the Emperors fruitlesse siege before Metz the taking and razing of the towne of Teroane A battaile betwixt duke Maurice and Albert of Brandebourg the siege and taking of Hesdin the battaile of Talma Philip King of Spaine marries Marie Queene of England the French besiegeth Renty the Emperor releeues it in person An Imperiall Diet at Ausbourg A defeate of the Arreer-ban of the French the Emperor resignes his countries to his sonne the resolution of the Imperiall Dyet at Ausbourg The Emperor resignes the Empire to his brother Ferdinand His departure out of the Netherlands with his two Sisters THE 3. of Aprill the Emperor parted out of the Netherlands to go to an Imperiall Diet which was to be held at Wormes where he arriued the 16. of May. Being there he writ to the King of Poland to incense him against the Protestants The Pope was wonderfully desirous to haue warre attempted against them and notwitstanding the councell which hee had published hee promised the Emperor 12000. foote and fiue hundred men at armes for that warre In Ianuary 1546. the Protestants assembled at Francfort where as they consulted what was to bee done touching the coūcel of Trent to continue the league for the charges of the warre against Henry of Brunswick a great persecutor of the Protestants Not to abandon the Archbishop of Cologne To sollicit the Emperor to giue peace vnto relligion and to rule the Imperiall chamber In this assembly the Ambassadors of Herman Elector of Collogne made their complaints of the wrongs his Clergy did him and of the commandements and Citations sent from the Emperour and Pope In the meane time Frederic Count Pallatin Prince Elector appointed Ministers and Preachers of the Gospell throughout all his countrie suffring them to receiue the Sacrament of the Lords Supper in both kindes and in the vulgar tongue and that Preests might marry The Emperor beeing arriued at Wormes the sixteene of May his councellors treated with the Protestants touching the generall councell and other things laboring to perswade them to yeeld to that which should be resolued on at Trent and to come thether to propound their causes of recusation to the which regard should bee had whervnto they replied as before so as after a long consultation the affaires were referred to Ianuary in the yeare 1546. And in the meane time the Emperour seeing that the Protestants were not willing to contribute to the warre against the Turke if he did not grant their demaunds touching a free councell and the reformation of the Parliament of the Empire he sent Gerard Veltwycke a learned man and who spake many languages to the Turke to make a truce desyring rather to make warre against Christians his owne subiects then against the Turke Some daies after it was bruted that the Emperor made secret preparation to warre and they could not coniecture that it was against any other then the Protestants for hee was at peace with the French King and was assured to haue a truce with the Turke Wherevpon the Landtgraue of Hessen did write vnto Granuelle to preuent it But Granuelle did what hee could to lull him a sleepe And in the meane time there were flatterers which informed the Emperour that the Protestants had conspired against him at Francfort so as matters began then to growe more bitter and in the meane time they sought to blinde the Protestants vntill the Emperour had his armie ready to worke what hee pretended Then began the councell of Trent where the Pope did preside by his legats the Emperor hauing vowed to make the decrees thereof to be receiued by the point of the sword Whereof the Landtgraue tould the Emperor openly in the towne of Spier and he sought to excuse himselfe saying that hee demaunded nothing more then the quiet of Germany In December during the diet of Ratisbone the conference which had beene appointed betwixt the diuine of both religions was begunne Where there were learned men and of great authority of eyther side for the Emperour were sent Peeter Maluenda a Spaniard Euerard Billic a Carmelite Iohn Hofmeister an Augustin Friar and Iohn Cocleus all foure diuines George Loxan Gaspar Caltental George Islinger Bartlemew Latome Auditors for the Protestants came Bueer Brencius George Maior Erard Schnepf diuins Volrad Earle of Walder Balthazar Gutling Laurence Zoch a lawier and George Woltmer Auditors Maurice Bishop of Eister and Frederic of Furstenberch were aboue them all There they disputed vpon the Articles of the confession of Ausbourg The Emperour would haue all kept secret and the Protestants would haue the contrary So as after some conference not able to agree the assembly was dissolued the which serued to no other end but to abuse the Protestants with a shew of that which was not intended The same yeare was published by the Emperor the sixt bloudie Edict against them of the religion in the Netherlands At that time Adrian of Croy Earle of Roeux Maximilian of Bourgongne Admirall of the sea and Cornellis Schepper Seignior of Eyken were appointed by Queene Mary Gouernesse of the Netherlands in the Emperors name to build a fort or castell in
of the contract of matrimonie in Paris for him and in his name with the lady Isabella and at the same time the duke of Sauoy rid thither with a great traine to marry with the kings sister which was done with great triumphs where there was a great running at tilt appointed to be holden in Paris wherin the king himselfe the duke of Guise the prince of Serrare and the duke de Nemours were chalengers against all commers The king in the first and second daies ran brauely and the third day the queene fearing hee would ouer-labor and heat himselfe too much or hauing a secret conceit of some misfortune that might happen vnto him desired him to refrain from running that day but he would not and the third day when he had run two houres and was about to giue ouer he would needs shew that he was not wearie and calling Monsieur Lorges earle of Montgomery then captaine of his guard that was esteemed to be one of the best runners at tilt in France willed him to breake one launce more with him who excused himselfe by the wearinesse of his horse and other things but the king would not be denied and so as they were running one against the other it fortuned that Montgomery breaking his launce vpon the kings breast the splinters thereof slew into the kings visor of his helmet which was forgotten to be close shut and by reason that the visor gaue vp one of the splinters strucke the king in the right eye and wounded him deadly and when he began to stagger he was vpholden and taken downe from his horse sore bleeding with great crying of all the court and many of the people and being vnarmed and his wound visited by diuers expert surgeons whereof one was Andreas Vesalius sent thither by king Philip it was found to be mortall and altogether deadly and yet by the great experience and policie of the said surgeons he liued ten daies after and died vpon the tenth of August 1554 at the age of fortie yeres and in the twelfth yere of his raigne at his death complaining of his owne lightnes and also amongst other things that he had been ouer-rigorous against those of the reformed religion but the Cardinall of Lorraine told him that it was the diuell that troubled his mind so much willing him to striue and resist against him He was a wise prince and a right souldier couetous of honour and high minded The earle of Montgomery after the deed done fell downe vpon his knees before him acknowledging that hee had well deserued to die but the king would not in any wise that it should bee imputed vnto him but freely forgaue him as hauing compelled him thereunto but he presently departed from the court keeping himselfe solitarily as a man desolat comfortlesse but being counselled to read the holy Scriptures for his consolation as the Frenchmen write in the end it was the meanes to cause him to alter his religion and being before that a Romish Catholick and one that earnestly persecuted the reformed religion after that became a great protector defendor thereof in Fraunce and at the last being besieged in a small towne of Normandy called Damsron he was taken prisoner from thence caried to Paris and there openly beheaded whose death was imputed vnto the queene her children to be a point of cruelty reuenge King Henry left issue foure sonnes and three daughters Isabella the eldest was then espoused to the king of Spaine the second was dutchesse of Lorraine and the third queene of Nauarre Francis the eldest sonne was maried to the queene of Scotland and succeeded his father after him Charles after him Henry that was also king of Poland Francis the fourth son in Ann. 1582 was made duke of Brabant all which died without issue In K. Henry the seconds time two great sinnes raigned much in France as Atheisme Nigromancie which was much imputed to the Italians that were attendants vpon Q. Katherine de Medices and thought to be they that brought it in wherein many French poets and rymers were great helpers which many wise and learned men ascribe to be the cause of the deserued punishment that fell vpon the country of France Those of the reformed religion in Fraunce write that strange death of the king to be iustly sent vnto him and a great fauour of God towards them as thereby shewing his church his great power and a deliuery from a great persecution which the duke of Alua being there at that time sought to put in practise by the said kings aid according to the first article of the last peace concluded tending to the destruction of all those of the reformed religion throughout the world which it seemeth that the king sought to begin with the lords of his parliament among the rest committed Anna du bourg prisoner that openly spake vnto the king in the parliament house to be fauourable to those of the reformed religion for which cause the K. being fore moued threatned him that he would himself see him burnt which God by the wound in his eie would not suffer him to do but the said duhourg was afterward burnt notwithstāding the kings death This yere in August Pope Paule the fourth of the familie of Caraffa that was the cause of breaking the peace and had made war against the king of Spaine and the first founder of the Iesuits died in Rome at such time as with all his kinred and sect he had vndertaken and concluded to make a great persecution vnder pretence of religion against all good persons His death gaue many men cause to reioice especially the inhabitants of Rome in regard of the innumerable warres taxations burthens that he his practised procured so that the people of Rome arming themselues ran vnto the Inquisition house where they wounded the chiefe Inquisitor the rest flying away to saue their liues which done they burnt the house and released the prisoners would haue burnt the cloyster of Minerua because they were addicted vnto the Inquisitors if by meanes of Marcus Antoniu◅ Columna and Iulius Caesarino it had not beene preuented who by many faire words dissuaded them from it whereby also the Popes nephewes and kindreds houses were likewise spared The Popes image standing in the Capitoll they beat downe and drawing it through the streets cast it into the riuer of Tyber and commandement giuen in the name of the counsell and people of Rome vpon paine of great punishment that all the Popes and his familie of Caraffes images armes shields and titles should be broken downe in euery place of Rome as deadly enemies vnto mankind whose memorie deserued not to bee kept in the world Pope Pius the fourth his successor although hee had promised Cardinall Caraffa and the duke of Paliano his cousin and their familie to forgiue all offences fore-past and assured them thereof by his hand writing yet neuerthelesse he caused them all to
Which their request he would gladly haue denied them but for that they earnestly alledged all their priuiledges and shewed him the copy thereof and what he had promised and sworne and to the contrary must haue beene forced to protest against him he was content to grant that they should depart out of the countrey within three months after but it fell not out in halfe a yere at the least when he had great need of them about the losse of the Island of Zerby in Barbary The cause why the states were so earnest to haue the Spaniards out of the countrey was for that many courtiers wholly depending vpon the king in great credit with him and as then staying in the Netherlands had made it knowne abroad that they were much moued and hoped for a reuenge for that in the last of the nine yeares schating they were denied the receiuing and distribution of the mony and that the states themselues receiued it and paid it vnto their owne countrimen by their seruants whereby the said courtiers nailes were pared which they openly interpreted to bee a kind of disobedience as if they would prescribe lawes vnto the prince and not trust him with the managing of the common mony With them diuers that sought gouernment and authoritie ioined themselues both strangers and others that sought to further and aduance the opinion of the king and the duke of Alua and also the Spanish Inquisition and the Spaniards which was that it was not possible to driue the Lutherans or heretickes out of the Netherlands nor out of Spaine but they must first find means to obtaine absolute and ful obedience authoritie and commaund for the king whereby they might then plant the Spanish Inquisition therein without the which two points they were to account the Netherlands as lost countries which was to be brought to passe by strange garrisons which things being known and perceiued by the best experienced men amongst the states caused them so earnestly to desire the departure of the Spaniards out of the Netherlands This pretence of these counsellors and the Spanish hatred was at the same time sufficiently made knowne vnto the greatest personages of the Netherlands and that it was resolued that the authors of the petition touching the departure and withdrawing of the Spaniards should be well punished and namely a Spanish counsellor that bare a good affection vnto the nobilitie and gentlemen of the Netherlands came to the prince of Orange the earle of Egmont and others playing at Chesse and giuing them warning asked them if they had so much time to play and made no more account touching the request made then vnto the king with such like words which they earnest at their play esteemed to be spoken in ieast but when they had made an end of their play the prince of Orange said to the earle of Egmont as he was a very politicke prince that those words vttered by that counsellor were not spoken in vaâ—…e and therefore desired the earle of Egmont as being very familiar with the said counsellor to speake more at large with him about the same which he did who made him answere That they were to looke vnto themselues and esteeme them to be forewarned by a friend namely that it was determined by the king and his counsell That all those that signed to the petition to haue the Spaniards withdrawne out of the Netherlands or once consented thereunto should be punished for the same at conuenienter time whereof as a friend he gaue them warning And so when all things were ordained and made readie for the kings iourney hee tooke his leaue of the states at Gaunt aboue all things recommending vnto them the maintenance of the Catholicke religion and punishment of heretickes and went to Zeeland where there was a great fleet of ships ready to saile with him exceeding well prouided of all things and amongst the rest great store of capons and hennes to the number of 15000 at the least whereby you may esteeme what the rest of the prouision might be and vpon the 26 of August 1559 he set saile and departed from Vlishing with 20 Spanish and Biscayne shippes 30 hulkes and 40 other shippes and with a good wind in few daies landed at Lacedo in Biscaye where presently the wind changed The counsell of Spaine thought his returne into those countries to be very necessary in regard that the Lutherans began greatly to encrease within the land for the which cause presently vpon his arriuall in Spaine he caused great and rigorous execution to be done not only vpon men but also vpon women and with great and solemne pompe and ceremonies burnt diuers of them and punished others with seuerall kinds of torments and in the moneth of September when he came to Valedolit in October after being personally present with all his court he caused 28 gentlemen of great houses and some of the best in Spaine to bee burnt before him and after that great persecution ensued This yeare in Ianuary Isabella the French kings daughter was brought to the frontiers of France by the king of Nauarre and the Cardinall of Bourbon in great magnificence where she was receiued at Rouceaulx by the Cardinal of Burgos and the duke of Infantasgo and by them conueyed into Castilia to the king and vpon the 31 of Ianuarie with great pompe and solemnitie she was maried vnto him where it is said that during the feast it cost the king two thousand duckets euery day and not long after prince Charles the kings onely sonne was openly proclaimed and declared to be heire apparent vnto all the kingdomes and dominions then in his fathers possession and oath of fidelitie made vnto him for the same This yeare likewise the new riuer made from Antuerpe to Brussels was fully finished which aboue thirtie yeares before had beene begun by them of Brussels digging through many small hilles fields and wayes for which purpose they had bought all the grounds where the said riuer should passe thorow vpon the which they made foure faire great sluces to keepe out the vpper water and digged it so deepe that great ships might passe along within the same Amman van Brussels duke of Lockeghem a great furtherer of this worthy worke was for the same much commended and praised of all the people This yeare vpon the sixteenth of October king Philip erected an Vniuersitie in Doway and endowed it with great reuenewes wherein the Iesuites haue certaine colledges which they of Louen much disliked and in the time of the Emperor Charles in Anno 1530 hindered and staied the erecting therof but at this time without the knowledge of Louen or of the townsmen of Doway it selfe by the procurement of Cardinall Granuelle president Vigilius and the counsellor Nigri it was by the king strongly granted and confirmed by Pope Paul the fourth The reasons the king had to moue him thereunto were That youth might there to the furtherance of the Catholicke religion be
priuiledges and that their predecessors could not so strictly bind their successours and especially to that which they pretended to shew might be hurtfull vnto the subiects themselues But to the contrary there is a custome vsed in the said Netherlands That they neuer acknowledge nor will install any of their superior lords and princes before he personally sweareth to hold and maintaine all their said priuiledges and vpon that condition they accept him and swear to be true faithfull and obedient vnto him and so receiue him into their townes and prouinces with great ioy and triumph But how Maximilian of Austria sped in his high minded enterprises concerning this matter vnder couerture and pretence of the protectorship of his son Philip we haue alreadie shewed The like discontentment did the Emperor Charles euidently shew in Anno 1539 touching them of Gaunt determining to cut off their priuiledges which at that time fell not out as hee desired by meanes of certaine persons that withstood him for the which he punished many of them grieuously and for that cause comming through France out of Spaine hee intended to reduce all the prouinces in the Netherlands vnder one kingdome which is called an absolute authoritie that is euery prouince which now hath seuerall and speciall priuiledges and authorities to bring them all vnder the gouernment of one kingdome law measure and authoritie But the Emperor being hindered herein by other busines and affaires that then fell out as warres and such like troubles he was constrained to leaue that vnto the discretion of his sonne king Philip which he intending to do by the greedy and couetous desires of his counsell which vnderstood not the manners and customes of the Netherlands to that end first concluded a peace with the king of France and yet meant to keepe the Spanish souldiers and other garrisons in the Netherlands notwithstanding the peace agreed vpon throughout all their dominions which garrisons the said Netherlands by power and authoritie of their said priuiledges not long after caused to retire and depart from thence Secondly vnder pretence of furthering the Catholike religion the Spaniards and others the kings counsellors being angry offended that they by force of the said priuiledges of the Netherlands could not obtaine any offices in those countries thought it conuenient not to slacke any time to put the same in practise and to make religion a cloake thereof although by that which wee shall hereafter shew manifest and declare it is easie and sufficiently to bee knowne and perceiued that they by breaking of the priuiledges sought not nor intēded any other things than only to procure full power absolute authoritie vnto themselues and no religion which they commonly set aside when they perceiued it to be any hinderance vnto their pretended authoritie whereby they by raising a taxe of the tenth peny vpon euery mans goods and lands whatsoeuer within the said Netherlands thought to haue gathered such a treasure and great summe of money far surpassing the yearely value that cometh out of Peru that they would therwith haue inriched the king and all his subiects as it shall appeare by the kings sentence bearing date in anno 1576 whereby he declared all their freedomes and priuiledges to be forfeited and lost troubling and molesting the people thereby to moue them to make certaine rebellions and to rise vp in armes and so to haue iust cause to dislike them and by that meanes to enterprise that which he intended to do The emperour Charles in anno 1521 not respecting these priuiledges and freedoms of the Netherlands and without the consent of the states of the said countries at such time as Martin Luther first began to preach and teach against the pope and his doctrine did for the aduancement of the Romish Catholike religion and thereby to root vp and extirpe the said Luthers doctrine out of the Netherlands sent forth most rigorous and cruell proclamations and commandements generally against all sects and kinds of Religion which were almost yearely renewed and to the end that not only the states of the land that were not summoned nor called to the making thereof but also the common people should not dislike nor think amisse thereof the said proclamations were grounded vpon pretence of punishing the wicked practises actions of sectaries and hereticks without any difference as against men liuing without rule order or law as also not acknowledging the magistrat whose authority by their false learning they sought to annihilat imbase in containing in their doctrine al heresies of times past and such like reasons as in the said proclamations may at large be seene so that they were in force and authoritie before euer the states did once confirm them and the rather for that they were greatly furthered by the pope and the spiritualtie as tending to the obedience of the mother church of Rome and generally at the first there was no complaint made but of particular meane persons By force of these proclamations no man might haue buy giue beare read communicate nor dispute of the doctrine writings or books made by Martin Luther Wicklife Swinglius Melancthon and such like in any language whatsoeuer nor yet confer nor dispute with any man touching the holy scriptures nor to read them before others vnlesse they were diuines or doctors or such as were thereunto lawfully permitted No man might secretly receiue into his house lodge feed victuall apparell nor furnish with money any suspected persons but must presently bring them forth vpon paine of forfeiture of life and goods The men to bee beheaded and the women to be buried quicke within the ground if they recanted their opinions and denied the same but if they would not but remained firme and constant in their religion then they were condemned to be burnt and made incapable to dispose their goods either by gift testament or any otherwise By force power and authoritie of these proclamations there were in Charles the emperors time aboue fiftie thousand people put to death by seuerall torments as beheaded drowned hanged buried quicke and burnt as some men write and at the first many were executed for small matters as for that they had simply eaten flesh vpon daies forbidden as also that they had had and read books accounted heretical although in their consciences they condemned and disallowed of the said doctrine and priests and monks which to auoid fornication had maried wiues and many for that they had beene in companie with some of the Anabaptists of Munster and yet knew them not to be such and such like faults so accounted by them as by diuers books thereof made and printed you may at large perceiue Besides this persecution yet not much auailing because the knowledge and inquirie thereof rested in the temporall judges the emperor thought good that the Inquisition after the maner of Spaine should be appointed to be kept and obserued in the Netherlands which was first brought into Spain to
all wherof the archbishop should be called the Primat of Belgia Cambray also a faire a strong town seated betwixt the frontiers Picardie Arthois and Henault depending before vpon the archbishoprick of Rheims in Champaign Vtrecht lies betwixt Holland the country of Geldres Ouerissel was wont to be vnder the archbishop of Cologne Of new bishopricks in Brabant were made Antuerpe and Boisleduke which were wont to resort to Liege and to Cambray respectiuely In Flanders Gand and Bruges of the bishopricke of Tournay and Ypre although Ypre had beene erected before being issued from that of Teroane rased in France In Arthois besides Arras an antient bishoprick the towne of S. Omer issued also from that of Teroane with that of Bologne vpon the sea which is in France of which onely bishoprick of Teroane were erected these 3 of S. Omer Bologne Ypre besides the town of Namur for that quarter the countie of Namur the which in former time depended vpon Liege In Holland Harlem in Zeeland Middelburg before of the dioces of Vtrecht In Friseland Leeuwaerden For the Groningois and countrey of Wedde the towne of Groningen before also vnder Vtrecht In Geldres Ruremonde belonging vnto Liege And in Ouerissel Deuenter the which was wont both for the temporal spiritual iurisdiction to belong vnto the princes bishops of Vtrecht Vnder which three archbishopricks that is to say vnder Macklyn should be submitted the bishopricks of Antuerp Boisleduke Ruremonde Gand Bruges and Ypre Vnder that of Cambray Arras S. Omer Tournay and Namur And vnder Vtrecht Deuenter Harlem Leeuwaerden Middelbourg Groningen The cardinall of Granuelle took the archbishoprick of Macklyn for his share wherunto was incorporat the abbey of Affleghem the best in Brabant the which was wont to be worth to his priuat prelat 50000 florins of yearely rent Vigilius Aita of Zuychem president of the counsell of state being a widower retained for his part the bishoprick of Gand with the prouostship of S. Bauon The chancellor Nigry a high Burguignon who could not speake three words of the country language had Antuerp with the abby of S. Bernard Doctor Sonnius had Boisleduke with the abbey of Tongrelo Martinuâ—… Rithonius had Ypre with the abbey of S. Martin Claude of Americort before abbot of S. Bertin had S Omer with the prouostship of Watenes Petrus Druthius had Bruges with the prouostship of S. Donas Anthony Hanet a Iacobin of Arras had Namur with the tithes and Monasteries of the same countie Nicholas van Nâ—…eulands or Noua terra had Harlem with the abbey of Egmont Nicholas of Castro had Middelbourg with the abbey of S. Peter in Zeeland Cunnerus Petrâ—… had Leeuwaerden with the abby of Maâ—…iengaerden Lidden Iames Ruiff had Groningen with Golswaert Gulielâ—…us Damasi Linâ—…anus had Ruremonde with the regulers Frieâ—… Giles vander Bergh a Franciscan had Deuenter with the Prouostship of S. Lievin Behold how all these new bishopricks were distributed and enriched with the best spirituall liuings of the countrey the collation presentation whereof should belong vnto the king of Spaine the confirmation vnto the pope It was also decreed that there should be nine prebendaries three for learned diuines three for doctors of the ciuile law and three for the canon vpon condition that they should do their duties and yeeld all assistance to the bishops in the execution of the Inquisition Before we passe any farther for that we haue much to speake of cardinall Granuelle whom many haue held to be the author aduancer and nourisher of the troubles of the Netherlands you must vnderstand that he was called Anthony Perrenot his grandfather for farther it is not knowne was a smith at Nozeâ—…oy a towne in Bourgoigne whose name is suppâ—…est for that it was of so base a stile His father was Nicholas Perrenot who first tooke vpon him the name of Granuelle of a seigniorie which he had bought hauing beene first a simple clearke and afterwards a subtill 〈◊〉 atturney following the court of parliament at Dole who for his quick wit by the recommendation of the chancellor of Bourgoigne was aduanced to be secretarie to the ladie Marguerite dowager of Sauoy aunt to the emperor Charls thes whereas he carried himselfe so well as after the death of the said chancellor he came to serue the emperour not only in qualitie of a secretarie but as a chiefe councellor and so by little little he grew into such credit as in regard of him al the rest were not esteemed as it may be wel seen in the raigne of the said emperor so as he had good meanes to gather together great treasure the which he left vnto his children but the greatest part with his credit came vnto the cardinall whom he had bred vp from his youth at schoole in many sciences wherein with his naturall wit he did so profit as the father finding him capable of great affairs presented him to the emperor but in steed of prouing a wise and vertuous man ill applying his knowledge he grew through the corruption of his nature cunning craftie peruerse counterfeit hauing a foxes spirit and the courage of a lion This man as he was ambitious beyond all measure seeking onely his owne greatnesse with a disordinat tyranous appetite hunting after honor and wealth although it were to the great preiudice of his masters their subiects yet could he cloke it with an hypocriticall shew care of the commonweale of his masters seruice and the preseruation of the Romish religion By the first he got into his hands the absolute managing of the kings affaires and of his countries yea euen of those that were most secret of greatest importance possessing the kings person wholy applying himselfe so vnto his humors as the king held nothing wel said or done if it came not out of the cardinalsshop As he vsed great art to inthâ—…onise himselfe in the only managing of all affaires of importance so did he vse no lesse subtilâ—…ie to maintaine himselfe in this absolute credit for he had so managed the kings affaires and with such dexteritie as he had alwayes great need of him for the direction therof the which he continued or surceased aduanced or recoyled as he thought good And moreouer he had a free power by counterfeit deuises to disguise matters at his pleasure Such is the common rule of such treacherous ministers be they in war or peace to draw their princes to that necessitie as they must alwayes stand in need of them to the end they may be imployed whereby they shal reap more credit and profit He practised by the meanes of some of the chiefe of the Spanish counsell whom he had corrupted by presents to haue the king call the duchesse of Parma his base sister to the gouernment of the Netherlands for that being a woman a stranger vnacquainted with those affaires he might rule more absolutely wherein he shewed his subtile
reputations to continue any longer there so discontented as they were with the said cardinall And in the end they intreated that their aduertisment might bee taken in good part by his Ma. and that he would beleeue that what they did was for a true zeale they had to his seruice and for the discharge of their duties Wherunto the king answered them the 6 of Iune That he was well assured that what they did aduertise him by their letters proceeded from a good zeale and affection which they bare vnto his seruice whereof hee had long since made good triall but it was not his custome to change his seruants without good reason seeing that by their letters they did not set down any particular occasions c. Wherunto the noblemen replied the 29 of Iune That their intention was not to frame any action before his Ma. against the cardinall but they did hope that the simple aduertisement which they gaue him without any forme of charge or accusation shold be a sufficient inducement to moue him to meditate of some honorable good meanes of satisfaction to the iust complaints of his good subiects imploying the cardinall in other affairs whereas according to his vocation and profession he might serue more profitably They said they had no intent to charge the cardinal but rather to discharge him yea of a burthen which was not only extraordinarie and vnfit for him but which could not long remaine in his hands without feare of trouble and great inconueniences And if in their former letters they had not specified any occasions it was not for want of matter nor pregnant reasons but for that they held it not fit to fall into more bitternesse against him yet if it pleased his maiestie to be better informed they should find matter ynough and too much whereon his faithfull subiects did ground their complaints And their desire was that his Maiestie would enquire more amply of others that were not suspect whereby his Maiesty might comprehend that it was not without good and iust cause that the commons did greeue and if there were no other occasion but the generall murmuring of the countrey against him it was a sufficient testimonie that his presence great authoritie was too dangerous and therefore not to be imploied Which considered seeing the smal seruice which they could do in the counsel of state with the wrongs disgraces and affronts which they endured they besought his Maiesty to excuse them if they came no more there vntill some other course were taken that should bee held most fit for his seruice and the good of the commonweal in the mean time they would not faile to discharge their duties faithfully in their gouernments or in any thing that it should please the Gouernesse to command or should haue need of their aduice out of the said counsell of state c. Notwithstanding al these admonitions nothing followed and as the practises of the clergy did grow more more odious so the number of the Protestants increased daily notwithstanding al their persecutions the which in the end were so abhorred of al the world as they might easily perceiue that this feare of bishops and Inquisition nor the rigor of their edicts was no longer to be endured And then brake out openly the diuision betwixt the nobles which had lyen long smothered hauing the chiefe gouernment of the affaires of the countrey for that they which would gouerne all alone wherof the cardinall was chiefe could not endure that the princes knights of the order being with them in the counsell of state should propound any mildnesse or moderation of affairs to the kings content and the preseruation of the commonweale without these rigors innouations which made them to absent themselues from the counsell of state And withal the cardinal did continually bite and iniure these noblemen calling some fools others Lutherans with other reproches in reuenge wherof some attired their seruants in fools coats and caps with coxcombs others with quiuers of arrowes importing some league carrying their hats turned vp in despight of the cardinall and of his faction The cardinall informed the king of all this and made his profit therof This dissention among the nobles made the perplexitie of the commons greater who began to bee much discontented seeing that they did not imbrace this businesse resolutely as they ought The Gouernesse priuie to this diuision sent her secretary Armenteros vnto the king at whose returne the cardinal being called away went into Spaine where being resident if he euer did bad office in the Netherlands against the noblemen and generally against the whole commonweale hee did now much worse interpreting all things to the worst construction In the meane time the persecutions ceased not throughout all the countrey against them of the religion but were more violent than euer not without great danger to the magistrats officers of iustice during the time they did their publike executions at which times the people did commonly mutine casting stones against the sergeants executioners as it happened at that time at the execuâ—…ion of C. Fabrâ—… a minister in Antuerpe hauing bin in former times a Carmelite he was betraied by a certain woman who made a shew to beare a great zeale vnto religion hauing â—…dured long imprisonment many miseries in the end he was condemned to be burnt aliue And as the Marcgraue with the bailife his lieutenant hauing brought him to the place went to execute him the people hauing first song Psalms fell to casting of stones against the executioner and his seruant neither was the Marcgraue nor his lieutenant free from touch notwithstanding any helpe they called for of the burgesses the sworne companies who would not stir so as the poore patient being bound and fire beginning to be set to the Marcgraue and his lieutenant not daring to stay any longer fled into the state-house and so did the executioner who yet by the lieutenants commandement before he leapt from the scaffold to saue himself stroke Fabri on the head with a hammer and beat out his braines and stabd him in the backe with a dagger so as the people running to preserue him from the fire found him dead and there the dead bodie lay in the mire vntill 4 of the clock in the afternoone that the Marcgraue with his guaâ—…d hauing put him into a tumbrell seeing the great multitude of people which followed him he caused a great stone to be tied about the dead bodies neck and to be cast into the riuer of Escaut Afterwards some being rescued out of their hands by force for a time they durst not execute any one publikely but in the prisons either by the sword halter water or other torments til after the comming of the duke of Alua then the persecutions began to be done publikely and greater than euer The Winter after Christmas grew extreame cold and the â—…rosts continued most bitter vntil mid
points of the kings letter they sent the copie thereof presently vnto the townes of their prouinces with expresse commaundement to gouerne themselues according to the same The sending of these letters made it to be generally bruited that the king had expressely commaunded That the Edict should be obserued with all rigor and that the Inquisition together with the counsell of Trent should be published and executed This rumor did thrust the people into strange alterations greater than before The marchant was amazed especially the stranger that was resident in Antuerpe meditating nothing but of his retreat And as these alterations did encrease dayly there was found the three and twentieth of December at night a certaine writing set vp in three or foure streets of Antuerpe contayning a complaint and exhortation in the name of the bourgesses to the magistrates against the Inquisition wherein consisted their ruine alleadging that in doing so they should offer them violence and goe against their priuiledges and the kings promises made vnto that towne as well in the Netherlands as in Spaine requiring the magistrates to defend them and to cite the king according to the priuiledges of the countrey to the imperiall chamber to haue those violences disannulled there pretending that Antuerpe a town of Brabant was comprehended vnder the fift circle of the holy empire and contributarie to the charges therof and therefore ought to enioy the priuiledges of the empire protesting that if by the introduction of the said Inquisition any trouble did happen that it could not be held for any rebellion c. The magistrate of Antuerpe hauing recouered one of these writings considering the apparent tumult by the continuation of this bruite sent one of their Colledge with all speed vnto the Gouernesse as well to shew her a copie of this writing as to let her vnderstand what they feared He being accompanied with two deputies of the towne who before had beene sent to Court hauing had audience in the counsell of state in the presence of the Gouernesse and declared his charge answere was made vnto him That those which had made such reports deserued to be punished and that neyther his Maiesties intention nor her Highnesses was to bring any Inquisition into Antuerpe Notwithstanding soone after in the same counsell an ouerture was made vnto them in the Gouernesse name of the kings letters come from Spaine and there were propounded vnto them the said three points with commanndement to gouerne themselues in Antuerpe according to the same Whereat the said deputies being much amazed answered That they had no commission to accept any such commaundement and charge but if it were giuen them in writing they would informe their magistrate The which was done and although vpon the said rescriptions after a generall assembly of the Bourgesses and Companies of occupations the magistrate sought to colour these propositions with diuers glosses and counterfeit interpretations to pacifie the common people yet could hee not possibly free them from this preiudiciall feare and perplexitie the which encreased for that they saw them begin to visit the quarters of the towne and to informe if there were any suspected of the contrary religion which seemed to them a fore-runner or preamble to the Inquisition the name whereof was so hatefull to all men of what Religion soeuer as they could not endure to heare speake of it About that time a peace beeing concluded and made in Fraunce after the battaile of Dreux the Queene mother led the king and the duke of Aniou her sonnes vnto the frontiers of Spaine whither came the Queene of Spaine their sister The king conducted her to Bayon where they stayed long During their abode there the duke of Alua with diuers others of the Counsell of Spaine had very secret consultation and conference with the Counsell of Fraunce Their conclusion was to root out them of the reformed Religion as well in Fraunce as in the Netherlands and that they must begin with the heads following the apothegme of the Spanish duke the which he put in practise soone after vpon the heads of the earles of Egmont and Horne and diuers others also at Brussels That it was but a follie to busie themselues for Frogges they must first fish for the great Salmons Those of the Netherlands during so many cauillations wherewith they sought to bring them asleepe thinking to persuade them That the Edicts should be moderated that the Inquisition of Spaine should not bee planted there and that nothing should bee altered touching the bishops were more vehemently yet more couertly persecuted than euer for the king of Spaine caused wonderfull executions to bee done vpon them that could bee knowne to be of the Religion putting them to death in prison by sundry torments Yet those of the Religion did not forbeare by a common consent to present a confession of their faith vnto the king of Spaine and to publish it to the world with a complaint vnto the king and to the magistrates of the said countries containing among other points That it was a hard and an vniust thing to iudge and condemne men before they were heard being impossible to vnderstand any mans right to whom they denied audience beseeching his Maiesty and the magistrates for this cause to heare them and in so doing to receiue their confession which being well examined would shew that they were condemned wrongfully by an extraordinarie forme of iustice with many other speeches to the like purpose the which I omit for breuitie sake But notwithstanding any endeauours they were in so lamentable an estate as any man of a meane capacitie and sence might very easily conceiue that the peoples mindes being thus wonderfully perplexed and strangely altered could not bee long contained nor continue in that sort but were very likely in short time to breake out into some popular tumult against these foure poynts so much descryed As the Inquisition of Spaine the rigorous Edicts the institution of new bishops and the entertainment of the counsell of Trent and that for that cause the commerce and accustomed traffique decayed dayly It happened that almost all the chiefe noblemen of the Netherlands met together both at Breda and Hochstrate to entertaine some noblemen strangers among the which were the prince of Orange the marquesse of Berghen the earles of Egmont Horne and Hochstrate the lord of Brederode and others that were well affected to the good of their countrey who lamenting the miserable estate thereof which had beene so flourishing considering the â—…mall care was vsed to order things in time and to apply conuenient remedies after they had debated all things well and found that the eminent perill proceeded from nothing but from those cruell and horrible persecutions from the new erection of bishops from the Inquisition and from the counsell seeing they would giue no eare to that which the townes and they had so often and so zealously propounded and that they would not applie themselues in
to confute heresies as euer But to condemne them by the very name and authoritie of some counsell without alledging the Scriptures and reasons of the said counsell were out of reason for they submit themselues to proue that the counsels by the which their doctrine hath beene condemned were but petie counsels assembled and allowed by the tyrannie of some who alone haue decreed what they pleased against the authoritie of the Scriptures without hearing or admitting their aduerse parties And doubtlesse in the auncient primitiue Church there were many bishops which haue reiected some counsels as suspect and not lawfull nor grounded vpon the authoritie of the word of God but rather vpon the authoritie of men as we read of Maximus bishop of Ierusalem and of S. Hillarie bishop of Poitiers yea and of S. Athanasius Chrysostome and Photinus So as it is not without reason if many ages after them there haue beene counsels suspected to these men But as for the most auncient and receiued on eyther side they are content to allow of them so farre forth as they proue their sayings by the word of God There resteth then nothing but that their reasons may be heard that the truth may be knowne and their errors and heresies auoided seeing there is no other meanes to procure a publicke peace and to draw all the subiects to one Religion That if their aduersaries as if there were no controuersie in this point challenge the name of the Church and without hearing their reasons examined by the Scripture will that all which they shall ordaine or decree shall bee infallibly kept as an Ordinance of the Church and so of God as they haue done in the last Counsell of Trent where the Pope was head and the aduerse partie not called but to bee condemned and iudged according to the Ordinances of the Church that is to say of the Pope and Prelates or els to recant and then to bee receiued into fauour without doubt there will neuer be any meanes to draw them from their beleefe seeing that this Maxime will alwayes remaine grauen in their hearts That they must in all things follow the word of God the which alone hath authoritie to iudge all controuersies and to define which is the true and the false Church Which Maxime can neuer be wrested away by the authoritie of any man much lesse that the Pope and Prelates haue any such credit not by fire nor sword so as if their aduersaries would not giue them free audience as it is said but vse violence they should but impaire their owne cause and make theirs better and more fauourable whom they seeke to root out Seeing then it is a point resolued among all men of iudgement that touching the faith and inward beleefe no corporall violence can commaund and that men must be confuted of errour in their consciences wee must examine the second point which wee haue propounded which is whether it were not possible to hinder the outward exercise of their Religion forbidding them to assemble preach teach nor to make any outward profession of that which they beleeue in heart And first in case it were feasible whether it were fit and conuenient to doe it No Religion whatsoeuer can subsist if it hath not some exercises and exteriour ceremonies by the which it may be entertained whereupon the Emperour Gracian was wont to say That it was necessarie the people should be maintained in some outward discipline of some Religion whatsoeuer it were good or bad For as man by nature is enclined to reiect the yoke of God it is necessarie he should be kept in awe and discipline else he will be like vnto an vntamed horse reiecting the feare of God and man Being then impossible to root out the faith which they haue in their hearts it were not conuenient although it were possible to hinder their exteriour discipline and exercises by the which the people are maintained in their Religion and in the feare of God and of the magistrate vnlesse whereas in their assemblies they are taught to be good men and to feare God and honour the king and his officers they will make them wicked Atheists libertines and seditious perturbers of all good order policie as we see plainly by daily experience for we see a number which haue cast off the yoke of the Romish church mocking at the masse priests yet fearing to loose their goods or honours refusing to apply themselues to discipline and exercise of any other Religion haue become very Atheists without faith or law yet there are no small numbers of villanous libertines which make Sects of themselues teaching that we must not serue God outwardly with any exteriour forme or discipline but onely in Spirit and vnder this pretext they giue themselues to all villanie and abhomination to murthers rapes incests and adulteries holding that the outward things serue to no end so as the heart bee cleane as they persuade themselues yea some haue beene so audacious as to haue vaunted themselues to be Christ himselfe others the Spirit of God others Charitie To conclude they are prophane people and contemners of God and the magistrate maintaining That there ought not to bee any sword or superioritie vsed among men but that the Spirit should gouerne and guide the heart of man as it pleaseth The which groweth through no other occasion but that seeing the great abuses which haue raigned and doe still raigne in the Church and not being suffered on the other side to ioyne themselues to any discipline and exercise of Religion they are growne to that passe as to thinke that dissimulation is not bad so as the heart be good and so mocking at Religion whereof they make a shew they must needs fall into wicked Atheisme And there are none in the world more seditious and greater disturbers of all good order than these people as hath beene seene in the Anabaptists of Munster and their like for the rooting out of which there were no better meanes who so would duly consider all things without passion than to suffer them yea to commaund them expressely That all they which made profession of the Religion which they call Reformed should assemble in view of all the world and keepe good discipline fit for the obedience which they owe vnto God and the magistrate correcting vices and excesse For although there were no other good yet by this meanes they should get thus much which is of great importance for the preseruation of the publicke quiet That whereas wee dayly see spring vp new and abhominable sects full of sedition and mutinies yea and of horrible blasphemies against the Maiestie of God when as there should be but two publicke kinds of profession in the view of all the world either of them performing the obedience which they owe vnto God and the king when as any new one should spring vp it should be easie to suppresse it by the word of God But for
as much as this seemeth strange to some to giue heretickes leaue to sowe their heresies let vs see if it be possible to preuent their assemblies and doubtlesse if we looke vnto experience the perfect mistresse of all things we shall find it is as possible to hinder it as it is impossible to keepe them from beleeuing of that which they think fit and agreeing with the word of God Haue we not I pray you seene the great power of the most victorious Emperour Charles the fifth of famous memory who made all the world to tremble Haue we not seene his incredible diligence to suppresse this Religion Haue we not seene the rigorous Edicts which he made And wherto tended it but to hinder the preaching of this new Religion and that they which made profession thereof should forbeare their assemblies for he knew well their hearts could not be forced and yet he preuayled nothing notwithstanding all his prohibitions It may be they assembled in some strange countrey where they had greater libertie no no but contrariwise all the princes in Christendome together with the Pope were resolued to root them out and to giue them no place of retreat but all was in vaine How doe we then thinke that the kings power the which out of doubt is not greater than the Emperors can hinder it seeing that now France England Germany Scotland and all the countries about are open vnto them to retire themselues and to vse the libertie that is here denied them whereas they haue so many princes and kings on their side whereas the number is multiplied by infinite thousands Without doubt they that gaue his Maiesty this counsell shew plainely that either they want iudgement or els they seeke to settle their owne greatnesse to the preiudice of the king and the ruine of the countrey Let them examine all the hystories of the world and they shall find That when any new Religion hath beene grounded vpon the inward persuasion of the word of God that all the striuing in the world could neuer hinder but the exterior discipline thereof would haue it course The Romane Emperors could neuer force the Iewes to receiue their statutes into their Temples nor hinder the Christians from their assemblies who desired rather to liue like sauage beasts in caues and rockes than to abandon the exercise of their Religion I will not examine if their quarrell be like vnto this so it is that they are as well persuaded in their hearts that they follow the word of God and that they are commaunded to assemble and preach as they were which persuasion can neuer bee wrested from them by any violence For they say among themselues That if they should be allowed to beleeue what they would so as they would forbeare to teach and assemble were as much as if they should suffer a man to liue so as he would take no refection and nourishment for they maintaine that Faith is entertained by the preaching of the word euen as the life of the body is by the nourishment of meat But admit it were possible to forbid their assemblies they must proceed either by rigour and force or by gentlenesse and persuasions that is they must either corrupt them or els force them to doe against the testimonie of their consciences and falsifie their faith which they owe vnto God It is most certaine that the constant and vertuous will rather chuse a thousand deaths than to doe any thing against their consciences so as with them there were nothing to bee gotten As for the rest who for feare or hope would denie their faith first they should grieuously offend the diuine Maiestie and damne their owne soules by this false-hood and dissimulation for that they should sinne doubly first to haue embraced the error and afterwards more to haue falsified the faith and testimonie of their conscience and to haue dealt doubly whereas God requireth synceritie and plainenesse so as they that should force them thereunto should be the cause of their more grieuous damnation They then which counsell the king to force or corrupt his subiects to the end they should dissemble and make shew of any other Religion than that which they beleeue in their hearts are the cause of the disloyaltie which they commit against God and the king For without doubt he that shall carrie himselfe disloyally vnto God eyther for feare or hope it is to be presumed that by the same passions he will carry himselfe as disloyally vnto the king when as time and occasion shall be offered Constantius father to Constantine the great although he were a Pagan yet hee called Christians into his Court and admitted them to fauour whom hee did see ready to abandon goods and honours yea their owne liues rather than to be disloyall vnto the God whome they did worship yea hee held them worthie of his friendship and did impart vnto them his most important affaires And in truth the king hath no subiects more faithfull than those which obey him for conscience that is to say because God hath so commaunded it They which falsifie their conscience to please the king or for any other priuate respect shew that they doe not obey the king for conscience onely but for some other particular affection And if they make no difficultie to falsifie their consciences in the seruice of God without doubt it is to bee feared that when any passion or affection should moue them eyther the feare of death or the losse of goods and credite or some such like things they would make no greater difficultie to falsifie their faith which they owe vnto the king So as they which giue this counsell vnto the king shew their ignorance for that they seeke to root out them which in simplicitie and synceritie of heart yeeld obedience vnto God and the king And as for those which proceed disloyally and against their consciences they are not onely content to suffer them but also to aduaunce them vnto honours as wee haue seene by some examples of those who hauing before made profession of this Religion haue afterwards without being condemned of errour onely to aspire to honour and credit turned their coats To conclude although it were a thing possible to force or corrupt the Protestants to abandon their Religion and to doe against their consciences yet were it not expedient for the good of the Commonweale But as I haue said it is not possible to hinder them vnlesse they will ruine them and put them to death The which were hard to compasse for in the place of one they should put to death tenne others would rise and those which die so constantly rather than renounce their faith are held for good men by the common people who haue more regard to the constancie than to the cause which they maintaine whereupon they haue a desire to examine the cause and come to fall into the same opinions so as this must needs cause them to multiplie
and encrease Wherefore they that aduise the king to vse this meanes are much abused for besides that they frustrate his Maiesties intention they thrust the countrey into great desolation and a most apparent danger of a ruine It is plainely to bee seene That the Arts Occupations and Trades by meanes whereof this countrey was wont to flourish aboue the rest doe now decay and are transported to their neighbours the auncient enemies of the house of Bourgoigne and Austria It is almost incredible what preiudice the persecutions haue brought within these fortie yeares to the making of cloth sayes and tapistrie which trades being as it were proper and peculiar to the Netherlands they haue chased away by this meanes to the French English and other Nations I forbeare to speake of an infinite number of other good and profitable Trades which are retyred into forraine countries to enioy the libertie of their consciences For in generall the traffique of Marchandise hath bin wonderfully interessed as many good men can witnesse in Antuerpe Lille Tournay Valenciennes and other such townes And this hath beene one of the chiefe occasions why of late yeares the English haue beene persuaded to leaue Antuerpe to goe to Embden that is to say from the flower of all marchant townes full of infinite commodities to a petie towne obscure and of no commoditie yea they are growne so prowd by reason of this Drapâ—…ie the spoyles of his Maiesties Netherlands as they seeme to haue no care to compound thinking that wee haue more need of them than they of vs. The French in like sort brag that they are clothed with our spoyles by reason of the marchants that are fled for Religion so as that which did serue them as a bridle to bring them the sooner vnto reason in time of warre will now make them more proud and vntractable Besides it is well knowne that within the countrey there are many sufficient marchants which vpon this occasion refuse to contribute in time of necessitie fearing that this question of Religion will be a subiect vnto their enemies to make them confiscable But aboue all it is to be considered That the profession of armes and warre which hath beene flourishing in these parts hath and will bee greatly interessed if it bee not otherwise preuented I will not speake of many gentlemen good and faithfull souldiers which might doe good seruice to his Maiestie which are now retyred quietly to their houses fearing for this onely occasion to employ themselues in any action whatsoeuer Neyther will I say that many others who desired to doe the king good seruice euen of those which knew the seats and situations of countries are forced to leaue their natiue soyle and to retyre to their enemies preferring the libertie of their consciences before all thinges in the world Without doubt there must a care be had for if any warre should happen eyther against the French the English or any other neighbour countrey we know not whom to trust And without doubt the enemies will not forget to make their profit vpon this occasion by all manner of practises to the great preiudice of his Maiestie and all his countrey And it is to be feared that among so many men there will be some which vnder colour to seeke their libertie will be persuaded to attempt some innouations The desire to liue and serue God in libertie of conscience is of so great force as it maketh men forget all other affections and passions how vehement soeuer for it not onely maketh the subiect neglect the dutie which he oweth to his naturall king and prince but it doth euen estrange and withdraw the hearts of fathers and mothers from their children yea it maketh them forget themselues so as they make no difficultie to expose their bodies to the burning flames and to all sorts of torments and to abandon wife and children leauing them nothing but pouertie and infamie rather than to loose this good in regard whereof there is nothing in this world that they esteeme So as it is no wonder which some report for a truth That many among the Gascoines and Prouensals during the persecutions in Fraunce for matter of Religion haue treated to yeeld themselues tributarie to the Turke hoping by that meanes they would suffer them to liue in libertie which they valued aboue all things And it may be they had put it in execution to the great preiudice of all Christendome if one onely respect had not restrayned them which was that they held it too grieuous to giue their first borne children to the great Turke to be bred vp in Mahomets Religion for this affection is incredible and exceedeth all others The which beeing well considered with the great diuersitie of humours and conditions of men it were no strange thing if in so great a multitude of them that are persecuted for their conscience some should bee found more suddaine or more reuengefull and impatient than the rest who would make no difficultie to attempt such exploits yea if it were but to reuenge the grieuous wrongs and iniuries that were done for that cause vnto their kinsfolkes and friends Wherein it is greatly to be considered That there are no forts nor castles that maintaine kings in their greatnesse so much as the faithfull loue of their subiects So contrariwise the king doth but prouoke their hatred against his Maiestie yea of them who otherwise are good and well gouerned men and liue without reproch If the Inquisitors and their adherents feare not the Huguenots for that as they say they haue not the wit to reuenge themselues who maintaine that they must doe good for euill yet they may well haue heard the common prouerbe That patience too much vrged in the end turneth to furie And if they be not void of all sence they must thinke that all the kinsfolkes friends and allies of them that they persecute are not all of one mind and equall patience that they can so easily passe ouer the wrong which they thinke they haue receyued so as although there were no danger that they should attempt any thing against his Maiestie or his estates yet will they carry an irreconcileable hatred against his officers whereby there will grow bad intelligence among the kings subiects which is a matter as euery man knowes of very great importance as we may well see by the troubles of Fraunce the which partly tooke their beginning from such occasions And it is most manifest that if king Henry or his father king Francis had in their times graunted free exercise of Religion restraining them with good lawes and ordinances without doubt they had left their realme much more happie and flourishing and had preuented so many calamities which haue ensued I know there are some which say that the like is not to bee feared here considering the small number there is and therefore it were no reason that for a handfull of men and of the baser sort they
should bring in any innouation But they that vse such speeches discouer their grosseignorance or their insupportable malice If there bee any question to giue assistance to the Inquisitors to install the new bishops or to send garrisons into any townes then they can say That if they vse not extreame rigour and great diligence it will not bee possible to maintaine the auncient Religion importuning the Court with their continuall complaints how wonderfully the heretickes doe multiplie But if there be any question to find some mild and fit course to settle the countries quiet without any great effusion of bloud then they say there are so few Huguenots and of so base qualitie as nothing ought to be altered for them So as any man may easily see that their entent is to maintaine themselues onely in their greatnesse were it with the totall ruine of his Maiesties Countries And they that doe earnestly affect the kings greatnesse and the preseruation of his Subiects must reiect them as partiall and suspect and make diligent information and search of the number qualitie and sufficiencie of them that desire to bee the kings faithfull subiects so as they may satisfie and enioy their consciences and without doubt they shall finde a greater number than is generally beleeued Let them looke to the multitude of those that are retyred into England where they haue their publicke assemblies in infinite numbers then let them turne to those that are gone into Fraunce in as great numbers from thence let them muster vp them that are at Francfort Strausbourg Heidelberg Franckendal Cologne Aix Dousbourg Embden Geneua Hambourg Breme and other townes of the East countries without doubt in my opinion they shall find an hundred thousand And as for those that remaine yet in the countrey it is most manifest there are many more There haue beene sometimes seene at an assembly or preaching at Tournay foure or fiue thousand persons The like hath beene knowne at Valenciennes besides those that haue remained secretly in their houses else the garrisons had beene needlesse which haue beene sent thither if the multitude had not beene so great It is thought that Lille hath not many lesse who so will looke into the petie townes and neighbour villages shall vndoubtedly find an infinite number Come into West-Flanders the numbers are wonderfull great notwithstanding any search or pursute which the Deane of Renay hath made Haue we not seene at Messines as I remember seuen or eight hundred countreymen force the prison and deliuer a prisoner and they could neuer discouer who they were I leaue Eand Bruges and Ypre in which notwithstanding are good numbers What multitudes meet together at Antuerpe is apparent and at Brussels where the Court remayneth yet can they not by any meanes keepe them from assembling themselues together in good numbers What shall I speake of the Countries of Holland Zeeland Gueldres and Friseland where it seemeth they haue greater libertie and in truth the officers dare make no more searches nor executions by reason of the great numbers Haue we not seene at Vtrecht an â—…piscopall towne and sull of â—…ich chanons one called Thys or Steuen preach this doctrine publickâ—…ly for the space of a whole yeare in the view of the whole world in despight of all such as did oppose themselues and notwithstanding all their pursute yet could they neuer apprehend him for that all the people did accompanie him both going in and comming out of the churâ—…h so as sometimes hâ—… was carried vpon their shoulders and lodged sometimes in one house sometimes in another Whereby we may see that the number is not so small as some maintaine yea they complaine that they cannot furnish them with ministers and preachers ynough Without doubt if they were gathered together in one place as well those which are â—…tired as they which remaine there would be found at the least two or three hundred thousand If they will haue respect to them that are of the same opinion and yet dissemble attending some change or fitter oportunitie I doe certainely beleeue that all ioyned together would equall the number of the rest So as they which maintaine that the number is so small and that for them they should not alter nor change any thing shew that they haue no sence nor iudgement or else that they would raigne alone in the world Whereas they say That they be all people of base condition The contrary hath beene seene in Germanie France England Scotland and Denmarke whereas not only the common people but also princes and kings haue embraced this Religion and doubtlesse if they might discouer themselues without danger of life and goods they should also find here a great number of gentlemen and others of good sort that would declare themselues to be of their partie But although the number were not so great yea if there were but very few yet it were beâ—…itting the clemencie of a king to haue regard vnto the health of the meanest of his subiects The emperouâ—… Traian was wont to say That he had rather saue one citizen and subiect than defeat a whole armie of his enemies a speech worthy of a Monarch and Emperor Such then as thinke they should not spare to ruine as much as in them lies the bodies and soules of the kings poore subiects shew themselues ignorant what Christianitie humanitie or the clemencie of a king requires the very name whereof makes his fame more glorious than all the trophies and victories that he could obtaine of his enemies But some will say That these men are wicked and prophane and that they corrupt the rest Whereunto I answere That the point of Religion onely excepted whereon it is not my intent here to iudge you shall find that they are otherwise good men fearing God yeelding obedience to the king and magistâ—…ate and doing wrong to no man although there bee some that couer themselues with their name and are not so the which happeneth for that they are not suffered to haue the exâ—…rcise of their Religion as they would and as for the point of their Religion let it be what they please but so it is they are not all persecuted so much for that they follow heresie and errour but for that they are constant and faithfull in that which they thinke conformable to the word of God for they suffer them to beleeue what they please which indeed they cannot hinder so as they will be disloyall and hypocrites And seeing they submit themselues to be instructed by the word of God there is no reason to esteeme them so wicked Moreouer we must in despight of our selues confesse That the greatest and best wits and the most learned men maintaine their partie I will not disgrace the others But if we will lay aside all sauour and affection we shall sind that the most excellent wits haue beene and are of their profession yea the restauration of arts and sciences the which were buried in
either side and that those which proceed by any other vnlawfull meanes as by taxing and slandering shall bee well punished which doubtlesse will be a most assured meanes and the subiects shall liue in good vnitie and concord together and will carrie a perfect obedience vnto his Maiestie And in the meane time truth will lay open falshood in such sort as the king shall not need to feare that heresies shall multiply by this meanes to root out the truth but contrariwise wee shall see truth flourish and al heresies and false sects decay Gods glorie shal be generally celebrated and the kings greatnesse and prosperitie increase The which God grant vs by his holy grace to whom be all honour and glorie for euer and euer and euer Amen Such was the discourse of M. Francis Baudwin wherein he toucht the true point concerning the remedie of the troubles the which the king and his counsell might since haue known to be true if they would haue confest it freely or whether that the point of religion and the great zeal which his counsellors did counterfeit were the matters which toucht them neerest as they made great shew of or else couetousnesse and ambition euerie one aiming at his priuat greatnesse to the preiudice of the king and his countries and if the king who was then giuen to his pleasures and without any knowledge of state the which hee hath since learned to his owne cost referring all wholy to his cardinall and counsell had not beene so easie to suffer himselfe to be persuaded to the contrarie Whilest that both great and small in the Netherlands were thus distempered for feare of the troubles which were at hand by reason of the new bishops Inquisition bloudy edicts and counsell of Trent Alexander Farnese prince of Parma sonne to duke Octauio and the duchesse gouernesse of the Netherlands maried the Infanta of Portugal in the towne of Brussels whither most of the nobles and best qualified gentlemen of the countrey came to honor the feast during the which there were diuers conferences among them all concurring in this opinion That they held it an inestimable losse and a miserable case that a countrey so abounding in people and so flourishing in riches should for the aboue-named causes come to ruine and de solation and that so many faithfull and loyall subiects should kill and murther one another so grosly for that they would not yeeld a little to their inclinations nor discharge them any thing of the violence that was offered them seeing that the peoples requests were so reasonable Wherein seeing that they which had the gouernment in hand were abused or hindered by some bad spirits to preuent the apparent mischiefe they thought themselues bound as wel in regard of their duties and othe as of the ranke which they held to imbrace this matter effectually and to aduance it all they could But they would first trie if by the generall complaints of the people together with their praiers and intercessions they might obtaine any thing Wherin many of them did imploy themselues the more earnestly for that they had of a long time been affected to the religion and therefore hated the edicts and all other cruell innouations The noblemen which were as we haue said assembled at Hochstrate were dealt withall but they would not hearken to it but reuealed it to the duchesse for that some feared the euent yet notwithstanding the noblemen and gentlemen assembled at S. Trudon in greater numbers resoluing to make a petition in the peoples name they concluded of the order and the day when they should meet at Brussels to make the said petition vnto the gouernesse and the chiefe of the countrey as well by mouth as by writing And to the end that through the persuasions of some seditious instruments the matter might not be so disguised as their assembly and good intention should be taken in ill part and otherwise interpreted than was sincerely intended they thought it conuenient for their assurance to make a confederation or league together by the which they did promise to succour one another and not to forsake it for any cause but what should bee done vnto the least of them for that occasion should be taken as done to them all in generall and to euerie one in particular and that they should iointly defend themselues with all their powers whereof they made a compromise signed by euery one of them the tenor whereof followeth Whereas wee haue beene lately duly informed and it is most true that certaine peruerse creatures cunning and malitious making a counterfeit shew of great zeale which they haue to the maintenance and increase of the religion and Catholike faith and of the vnion of the people but indeuouring onely to satisfie their instiable couetousnesse ambition and insupportable pride haue by their â—…gred words and false suggestions so persuaded the king our lord notwithstanding any petitions to the contrarie that haue beene made vnto him that contrarie to the othe which his Maiestie hath made vnto God and to his faithfull subiects of the Netherlands he would forcibly bâ—…ing in and plant that pernitious Inquisition the which is not onely vnreasonable and contrarie to all diuine and humane lawes but also exceeding all the rigours and cruelties that euer were put in practise by the most cruell tyrants Infidels and Heathens The which also cannot but redound to the great dishonour of the name of God and the losse desolation and totall ruine of the said Netherlands for that it doth subiect all authoritie and iurisdiction vnder the power of the Inquisitors making all men perpetuall and miserable slaues exposing all good men to continuall and apparent danger both of bodie and goods by their searches and visitations so as if a priest a Spaniard of some wicked instrument meanes to do a mischiefe to any man by meanes of the Inquisition he may accuse him cause him to be apprehended yea put to death be it iustly or vniustly and confiscat all his goods were he the vprightest man in the world without hearing of his cause reasons and lawfull defence Wherefore we that haue subsigned hauing duely weighed and considered all these things haue and do thinke it our dueties according vnto reason to preuent the said apparent and intollerable inconueniences and by all good meanes to prouide for the safeties of our goods and persons that we be not made a prey vnto them who vnder colour of religion or Inquisition would inrich themselues with the losse of our goods and liues Whereupon we haue resolued to make and do make a good firme and holy league and confederation binding our selues and promising one vnto another by a solemne othe to hinder with all our power that the Inquisition be not brought in in any publike sort whatsoeuer either openly or secretly vnder the name of Inquisition Visitation Edicts Commandements or any other pretexts whatsoeuer but to abolish and root it out as much as in
conspiracy and enterprises The six and twentieth of March she writ vnto all the gouernors and particular officers of all the prouinces admonishing them to stand vpon their guards and to preuent all inconueniences The gouernours knights of the ordâ—…r and other noblemen beeing assembled at Brussels vpon the Duchesse commaundement with the kings counsell of state it was propounded how they might moderate the rigour of the edicts and the punishment of the offenders so as they might still maintaine the auntient religion and pacifie the troubles which began to arise thereupon they concluded to write vnto the king and to vnderstand his good pleasure But as soone as the people vnderstood that they would take no other course but by moderation and changing of the accustomed rigour this made them to enter into greater suspition than before and the more for that they sought to keepe that secret which they had resolued in the sayd counsell touching the moderation thinking they should haue small ease or reliefe thereby And if before they had cast about pasquils now they set vp protestations against the magistrats taxing them that they did winke and dissemble with the Gouernesse the which was not done in the countrey of Brabant alone but also in Flanders vpon foure seuerall petitions which they presented as well to the kings Maiestie in Spaine as to the Gouernesse and to the counsell of state to the which they answered doubtfully to hold them in suspence and lull them asleepe And for that the said petitions of Flanders and Brabant were substanciall and full of pregnant reasons to mooue the king to veeld vnto their humble supplications I haue thought it good to insert one to the which that of Flanders was conformable sent by them of Brabant into Spain the which was as followeth Sir although that all your obedient subiects as well of your towne of Antuerpe as of the rest of the duchie of Brabant bee not ignorant of your Maiesties good affection to the preseruation of your countrey and good of your subiects which are there resident being continued as it were by hereditarie succession from your Maiesties most noble auncestours yet notwithstanding for as much as wee feele and haue for many yeares felt that there are many about you which do not with so good an intention as it were to be desired seeke the aduanâ—…ement of the countries and prouinces that are subiect to your Maiestie but beeing oftentimes thrust on some by enuie others by priuat hatred abuse your mildnesse and accustomed clemencie to the great preiudice thereof informing you of many accusations which should rather bee troden vnder foot than presented vnto your Maiestie It is a thing not onely commendable and conuenient but also profitable and more than necessarie to discouer in some sort and lay open the slanders that haue beene layd vpon your most obedient subiects to the end that hereafter the countrey of Brabant and all the Netherlands yeelding all duetie of loyaltie and obedience vnto your Maiestie may bee eased and releeued according to that which shall bee held expedient for the seruice of God the preseruation of your dignitie and the tranquilitie of your faithfull subiects And although it bee not our intent to prescribe you a law for the gouerning of the things which are committed vnto you by the grace of God yet we doubt not but your Maiestie is sufficiently instructed what the duetie of the members are shewing where their pain and griefe doth most presse and trouble them that they may bee releeued As also it hath pleased you to grant this grace vnto your faithfull subiects of the duchie of Brabant promising them by expresse priuiledges to heare their petitions and complaints and to prouide for them according vnto reason Wherefore relying as well vpon your clemencie as vpon the promise which it hath pleased your Maiestie heretofore to make wee hope that it shall not be troublesome vnto you if wee first lay open the spring of these accusations with all the effects that would follow if it should not please your Maiestie to preuent this mischiefe presently so as it may not enter into the countries of your subiection then after to shew the manner how to entertaine this good of peace and quietnesse among your subiects the profit whereof shall come vnto your cofers and the honour vnto your Maiestie For the saying of Demades is alwayes true That it is more easie to gouerne the helme of a ship when shee is whole and vnder saile than to gather the peeces together when it is broken through the violence of the waues or against some dangerous rocke Whereof we must all haue a care to the greatnesse and dignitie of your Maiestie the quiet of all your subiects and the priuat profit of euerie towne and citie that is vnder your commaund It doth not seeme fit nor reasonable that your faithfull subiects who are readie to imploy body and goods yea and their verie liues for your Maiesties seruice as much and more than euer they did heretofore should receiue wrong by the suggestion of any one who vnder some colourable pretext practise that which will be an irrepairable losse to you and to your obedient subiects For we find that all the speeches which are held against your countries in your Maiesties presence proceed to two principall parties whereof the one seemes to be wholy supported by the hatred and enuy which is inueterat to the ruine and vtter desolation of the countrey were it not that God prouides for it by his bountie and you gouerne it by your wisdome the other puts forth still an infinit number of heresies the which serues many for a cloake to incense you more and more and had done it long since without the wisedome and moderation wherewith God hath endued you in such matters to their great good and comfort who desire nothing more than to enioy a good and a happie peace vnder your Maiesties gouernment and commaund And this is our comfort the which makes vs to hope for better in the middest of al our cares and crosses into the which we haue often fallen for the maintenance of your dignitie and of the difficulties wherein we are at this present through the enuy and malice of some And as for accusations they are not so receiued of your Maiestie but thâ—…re is still a place reserued by your clemencie for the defence of the innocents for that which is spoken through hatred or enuie chargeth the whole countrey that is an infinit number of people which protest to liue vnder your obedience so long as God shall giue them the grace but in accusations the danger must bee priuat liable against them which make sects apart and sow heresies and false doctrines to the end that in iudgements the faults that shall bee found may bee punished without enuie and that enuie may bee layd aside if there bee no offence found True it is that if these things were spoken nakedly and simply
prouision vntill that his Maiesti◅ by the aduice and consent of the general estates assembled shal otherwise decree Made at Brussels the eight of April 1566. And the more to delude the said gentlemen the ninth of the said moneth she writ her letters to some chiefe gouernours and counsellors of prouinces conformable to the answere giuen vnto the petition the tenour whereof was Cousin most deere and welbeloued whereas many gentlemen of these parts of the countrey haue presented a petition vnto vs to abolish the Inquisition and the Edicts of the king my lord touching matters of Religion and to make a new Edict with the consent of the generall estates whereunto we haue made them answere by an apostile That we will send and represent vnto his Maiesty the contents of their request and do all good offices therein hauing already somewhat moderated the Edicts and for that our authority doth not extend so far as to surcease the Inquisition the said Edicts as they require that it is not fit to leaue the countrey without a law that attending his Maiesties answer we would giue order that the Inquisitors should proceed discreetly and modestly in their charges Desiring to effect the said apostile we thought good to aduise you by these presents and to commaund you to write giue charge in his Maiesties behalf to al officers of your gouernment that in the execution of their charges for matter of Religion they should proceed with all modesty and discretion yet not suffering any innouation or change in the ancient Catholicke Religion which is now obserued in these parts nor any scandalous or seditious act And in case any such matter should happen to aduertise vs thereof that all informations being viewed by vs and his Ma. counsell we may giue such order as we shall thinke fit whereof we will them not to faile least some inconuenience should arise c. Written at Brussels the ninth of April 1566 signed Margareta and beneath Ouerloepe By these letters wheras she vseth these words That for matters of Religion they should proceed with all modesty discretion wisdome She confessed that the Inquisitors and their officers had before vsed too great cruelty indiscretion and brutishnesse and that for the present in steed of rosting burning them they should be contented to cut off their heads hang them as they did soone after and that as they said in doing thē grace if the parties condemned did not abiure renounce their religion In the meane time the gentlemen were like Tantalus fed with vaine hopes for they persuaded themselues that the libertie of their consciences hung ouer their lips and that they were ready to tast of it and yet the more they thought to embrace it the further off it was from them The regent and her counsell determined to fend certaine lords into Spaine to certifie the king of their proceedings and to desire and beseech him to grant some fauourable protection and order vnto the Netherlands who she knew would be much moued at the assembling and proceedings of the gentlemen of the countries which was written and sent vnto him in the worst manner as expecting a worse euent To which end many promises and persuasions being made vnto them the marquesse of Bergen and the baron of Montigny were moued to take that charge vpon them being two wise and politike lords both knights of the order of the Golden Fleece by whose wisedoms and discretions all men were in good hope that the kings wrath would be pacified which notwithstanding fell out cleane contrarie to the great and hard fortune of both those noble personages for that in time it cost them both their liues and to that end they went into Spaine with full instruction as also with a draught of a moderation of the proclamation for religion This moderation which as then was framed contained thus much That all fauourers of religion harbourers of heretikes scandalous persons and such like shold in steed of burning be punished with hanging but if they recanted their opinions they should but lose their heads and the common people should be banished This moderation so called by the common people the court and the counsell sought to haue ratified by the states of the land vpon whom the common people so much called and to that end first sent for the smallest prouinces as Artois Henault and Namure c. and none but they who being so called were sent with full commission to do whatsoeuer shold be requisit without further instruction from their masters townes or counsels and withal were charged to keepe it secret from the common people When those prouinces had giuen their consents as it was reported the like was propounded vnto them of Brabant and Flanders but they of Holland Zeeland Friseland Guelderland c. were not summoned because they had many and greater priuiledges But this manner of proceeding to get the said moderation consented vnto by the states without knowledge of the common people was at the last by certain libels and verses made knowne and published amongst them whereupon great tumults and suspitions began to arise because the generall states might not be suffered to assemble together according to their old and auncient customes This suspition more and more encreased for that many men that had fled out of the land for their Religion being returned againe were committed to prison and that in Oudenard one Hans Tuiscaen a tapistry weauer was put to death for Religion in Iuly after At which time the baron of Montigni went alone into Spaine because the marquesse of Berghen had hurt one of his legges but not long after followed him who beeing come into Spaine in the month of Iune were oftentimes heard both by the king and his counsel who as then lay at Segobia his counsell being Don Aluares de Toledo duke Dalua c. Don Gomes de Figuera Don Anthonio de Toledo great master of the Order of S. Iohn Don Mauriques de Lara high steward of the kings house Ruygomes de Silua prince of Euoli and earle of Melito Lois de Quixada chiefe esquire of the princes body all men of great authoritie wisdome and experience in Spaine but no more Netherlanders than Monsieur Tisnack president of the counsell of estate in the Netherlands the counsellor Hopperius keeper of the kings seale and Secretarie Corteuille Before the king and this his counsell the embassadors of the Netherlands oftentimes shewed That the alterations in the said countries happened onely vpon the kings letters touching the planting of the Inquisition executing of the proclamation for Religion and such like and that there was no other nor better meanes to remedie the same than vtterly to abolish the Inquisition and to consent vnto a moderation of the proclamation as they desired and to grant a generall pardon without contradiction if the gentlemen confederates would bee content therewith for that they desired that all might be done by the
to consider of this businesse without passion according to equitie and right to the aduancement of the townes good graunting them a fit and conuenient place to that end offering to signe this petition by as many men as they should thinke good to appoint On the other side the magistrat of Antuerpe seeing how they of the reformed religion increased daily and the auditors of Romish Catholikes decreased visibly considering also that the people murmured by reason that they had deposed two curats of the parish of Kyel by the towne preaching to the great content of the people one being chased away and the other imprisoned It was therefore resolued by the said magistrat that it was their best course to allow them some ecclesiasticall preacher that was pleasing vnto them to draw them from strange preachers to whom they were wholly inclined Whereupon they called home the curat that had beene chased away charging him to preach as he had done before in his parish but with modestie who beeing held to be of the confession of Ausbourg the multitude increased wonderfully yea more than of those of the reformed religion who hauing a greater respect to the generall tranquilitie and quiet went not to their preachings armed with such libertie knowing that it was against the will of the magistrat and that in the beginning their ministers were forbidden The prince of Orange according to the charge which he had from the duchesse at the suit of the burgesses of Antuerpe beeing come into the towne he conferred presently with the magistrat from whom he vnderstood the pitiful estate of the towne and perused certaine articles which they had drawne for the ordering thereof and to maintaine it in the kings obedience and its antient beautie and prosperitie where he promised them al fauour and assistance Then hauing called together the other members of the bodie of the towne as the old aldermen the masters of the quarters the deanes of trades the sworne companies the nations of merchants the clergie and some priuat persons after that he had heard them hee found that the distrust which was among them was one of the principall causes which put the towne into that combustion for the magistrat did put no trust in the bourgesses and much lesse in them of thereligion On the other side the inhabitants in generall of what doctrine soeuer distrusted the court fearing the garrison which they wold giue them and much more their magistrat who seemed to incline thereunto all whose actions were suspected Then they of the religion feared and distrusted not onely the court and magistrat but also all the members of the towne and which is more they were in iealousie one of another they of the confession of Ausbourg of the one side and those of the reformed religion of the other Hee found also that those of the religion were in wonderfull great numbers and armed who according to the weake gouernment that was in the towne might haue made themselues masters thereof if they had listed or if their designes had beene other than good The which made him to thinke that for the seruice of the king and the safetie of the towne it was necessary to take from them these distrusts as much as might be and that they should worke by all good meanes so as they of the religion should carrie no more armes to their preachings And as the prince gaue the magistrat to vnderstand that it were too great a toyle for him and for them to go for the smallest occurrents sometimes to one sometimes to another as to the members the nations of merchants the consistories yea to some priuat persons to confer with them It were therefore requisit to haue some man of qualitie appointed that were acquainted with affaires sworne vnto the towne Whereupon the magistrat named Wesenbeeâ—… their orator vnto him whom he accepted To begin then to settle an order in Antuerpe and to suppresse all growing troubles the prince caused it to be deliuered to them of the religion to their ministers and consistories That it was not seemely nor fit that their sermons should be held and maintained by armes vsing many reasons to that purpose and therefore they should lay downe armes Whereupon they answered That they were readie to lay them downe hauing the princes word the promise of their magistrat and the assurance of the court that no force nor violence should be offered them in their preachings On the other side to assure the towne from all inconueniences and from any sodaine inuasion the prince thought it good that with the consent of the members of the towne there should bee some twelue hundred men chosen out of the bourgesses which should be armed entertained and placed vnder captaines like men of warre the which the magistrat did also find requisit And to take all distrust from the commons which might hinder their consent the prince caused the great counsell and all the members of the towne to assemble to consult with them what course were fittest to be taken for euerie mans securitie At which assembly he laid open vnto them the chief cause of the merchants feare and retreat and of the richest of the towne whereof some were alreadie retired and others had packt vp all to be gone the which proceeded for that in their opinions the towne was not sufficiently guarded and assured against all oppressions and sodaine inuasions as in truth it seemed not to bee with many other allegations which were exhibited in writing And comming to touch the point of the leuie and inrolment of twelue hundred men drawne out of the bourgesses and of the surceasing of the preaching and assemblies of them of the religion seeing that as wel the members as magistrat and the prince himselfe had found the mildest way to be the most expedient it was said that they should inquire of them of the religion with what assurance they might persuade them to surcease their preaching vntill that his Maiestie with the aduice of the generall estates should otherwise prouide Whereupon there was a day of aduice and deliberation demanded by the commons and a copie giuen of the writing that was exhibited Whereunto they answered That the leuie of those souldiers was not fit in a towne of such traffique but that they were readie to subiect themselues to those duties which such souldiers or bourgesses inrolled should obserue so as they should haue the like seruice from them and with lesse trouble and charge And as for the preachings they would do their best endeuours to diuert euery one and that the mildest way seemed the most safe vnto them so as in their opinions a generall pardon for them that had been at these preachings should be verie necessarie But aboue all they did insist that as the assembly of the generall estates was the true remedie they should presse to haue them presently called to apply a generall remedie to a generall sore and that in the meane
time the said prince would aduise of some gentle meanes fit for the present which they required to be communicated vnto them And as euery member gaue his answer and his meanes in writing whereof the copies were sent to court the offer was accepted of by prouision which they made to subiect themselues to the guard of the town And as for the preaching that they would make report thereof vnto the court intreating them in the meane time to diuert and retire them as much as was possible As for the conuocation of the generall estates they caused it to be required by their deputies but that point was referred to the kings resolution And as during these actions they had so wel laboured with them of the religion as they began to forbeare the carrying of armes and that it was to be hoped that soon it would be wholly left it happened that the Drossard of Brabant which is as much as a Prouost Marshall hauing some horse and foot and a commission as the brute was to fall vpon their assembly to apprehend the ministers antients and deacons and by that meanes to disperse the preaching passing the 19 of Iuly at night along the ditches and before the towne gate he was discouered and knowne the which put all the commons presently into suspition that hee came expresly into those quarters with other people which he had in the village of Mercxhem where his dwelling was not far from Antuerpe to fall the next day vpon their assemblies which were made without the towne Wherefore the people being moued more than before tooke their armes againe resoluing to resist the Drossards attempts by force The prince of Orange fearing this disaster sent presently to court requiring that before the next day morning which was Sonday commandement might be giuen to the Drossard not to attempt any thing but to retire himselfe from thence seeing that one of these two points was to be feared ither they of the religion would make themselues so strong and so well armed as they should haue no occasion to feare the Drossard who should get nothing but blowes or if they found not themselues strong ynough it was to bee feared that they would seize vpon some place within the towne to keepe their preachings without being in danger of him wherein there was such diligence vsed as the same night the gouernesse writ vnto the Drossard commanding him to retire which letters were deliuered him early on the Sonday morning wherewith the people were somewhat pacified but from that time the preachings were more carefully guarded and with greater strength than before the which they continued for that the Drossard was many times seene on the Saterday about Antuerpe About that time came certaine aduertisements that duke Erick of Brunswick continued stil to leuie men by the kings commandement and that about Linghen there were some readie to enter into the countrey the which bred new alterations And wheras moreouer vpon the pursutes made in court by the deputies of Brabant the Gouernesse had the 23 of August giuen a resolution vpon certaine points the commons receiued contentment by the one part and discontentment by the other for whether it were that shee had pardoned some repenting Anabaptist except his abiuration and accomplishment of penance at the suit of some of the town made vnto the prince and the magistrat who were intercessors for him vnto the said lady this did somewhat content the people as also for that the said lady was content to pardon by proclamation all those that had beene at their preachings and assemblies but to the conuocation of the generall estates which was required she made no other answer but that they must attend his Maiesties answer to whom she said she had written and for that she had refused to inlarge one of the reformed religion which was apprehended in his house against the priuiledges notwithstanding that in other places some of the like had beene set at libertie the people tooke it ill and were greatly moued seeing that all the merchants they of the religion in generall yea the prince himselfe and the magistrat to auoid some greater scandall had beeâ—… intercessors for him to the Gouernesse yet would she neuer yeeld to his deliuerie vntill that afterwards he was freed in despight of her by a mutinie all which serued as prouocations to incense the people more considering how the said lady contemned the earnest requests of those that were suters for the prisoner We haue said before that the nobles confederat intreated the earle of Egmont who sent vnto them from the Gouernesse to carrie her their answer vpon the ambiguities which shee desired to be explained the which they promised to doe The said answere and explanation was as followeth Madame the earle of Egmont hath giuen vs to vnderstand That your highnesse desired to be satisfied of some points set downe in certaine articles presented by vs vnto your highnesse the which in our opinions are plaine ynough and that the rest will be but tedious yet Madame to satisfie your commaundement wee haue thought good to make this declaration which followes to the end that our iust intentions may be thereby the better vnderstood and that hereafter they may haue no cause to interpret them sinisterly And to answer first vnto the third article of our answer Whereas your highnesse requires that we should set downe in particular in what townes the prisoners bee and the occasioâ—… wherefore and that your highnesse pretends that it is not come to your knowledge Wee say Madame that in Tournay Lille Mons Aire Bethune At h Bruges Gand and other plaâ—… there haue beene many prisoners apprehended for religion by vertue of the edicts as will appeare vnto your highnesse by the informations which you may call for As for the 4 5 and 6 articles that we should make apparent how wee haue discharged our dueties conteining the people and hindering the preaching Wee say that your highnesse may send into euerie prouince to the consistories and ministers of the religion to vnderstand our endeuours both in generall and in particular and your highnesse shall find that all will bee conformable to that which wee haue giuen you to vnderstand As for the point of the fourth article where there is a question of the manner that hath beene held at the assembly of the prouincial states in some parts against the ordinarie custome Wee answere That it doth not concerne vs any thing to prooue it for that they bee the peoples allegations who say that they haue been accustomed to assemble the states of Flanders before them of Arthois and that in the proceeding of most of the other estates they haue sent for some that were not accustomed to be there and others who were woont and ought to assist were not sent for or at the least they sent the letters so late as the states were assembled before they receiued them And they haue told vs moreouer
hearts leapt for ioy to see the confederats thus altered and although she had long before from the moneth of May receiued letters from the king as we shall presently see quite contrarie to that which she said vnto them and caused the said prince and earle of Egmont to deliuer to whom nothing was imparted of these letters that they might take the more tast thereof and be the better assured fearing to marre all if shee had beene too hastie or that her practises had beene discouered wherein she was more politike than the counsell of Spaine shee left them in suspence of their last petition vntill she had discouered whereto all the mischief tended and that the apostume of the people which she said was supported by the nobilitie came to break and to shew the effects After that shee had sent for the said gentlemen the 20 of August to make the promise which shee required of them according to the contents of their petition holding her selfe then a conqueresse and to haue preuailed ouer that which before she had so much doubted yet shewing them still a good countenance she gaue them letters of assurance whereof we will hereafter speak and she writ her letters to all the townes and prouinces of the Netherlands as followeth Most deare and well beloued As we do visibly see the apparent and instant ruine and generall desolation of our antient Catholike religion and of the common estate of these countries if it be not speedily preuented by fit conuenient means and the greater more apparent and neerer that the danger is the greater care and diligence should you vse to answer before God the king oâ—… lord and all the world of your duties fidelities and executions of your charges and othes Wherefore we require you and in his Maiesties name expresly command you that presently you confer with the principall and chiefe men of the towne of honor respect the best affected to the preseruation maintenance of the antient Catholike religion seruice and obedience to his Maiestie and the quiet and prosperitie of the country and aduise together of all sit meanes and remedies by the which the said perils and dangers may be preuented and auoided and that aboue all your towne your persons your wiues children and goods may be assured and preserued from all sedition oppression and spoile as well within as without keeping good guard in all places day night diuiding your men into squadrons and quarters as in such dangerous times you are accustomed to do for your preseruation and as the necessitie and importance of the case shal require so as the commonweale may not incur any inconuenience nor danger doing your best deuoirs to retire and diuert the people from their preachings and vnlawfull assemblies be it by mild and amiable exhortations or by force and constraint shewing them the danger wherinto they run incensing thereby the king their naturall prince and their lords superiors magistrats and gouernors besides the plagues and punishments which God doth commonly send in those places where there is change of religion whereof doth follow the desolation and ruine of the commonweale state Assuring moreouer fortifying and comforting the commons as much as you can vntil his Ma. comming who hath promised to be here shortly in person to settle an order in all things and to defend preserue all his good subiects countrey And to the end this may be the better effected and accomplished you shall confer in like sort with your gouernour and the prouinciall counsell entertaining good mutuall correspondencie with them in that respect so as in all cases his Marshal retaine the supreme authoritie command the forces And in case you should haue need of our succors assistance or of the said gouernor you are presently to aduertise vs and the gouernor with a declaration of what you shall stand in need of to assist and succour you or to aduance put in execution the means which you haue thought fit that with as much speed as may be whereof we wholly trust in you who for the faith you owe vnto his Ma. and the preseruation of the countrey would not faile in any thing that shal be thought requisit for the aduancement of Gods glory his Ma. seruice and the preseruation of his countries c. In this sort the duchesse entertained both the one and the other the nobles by a promise of their assurance and the towns to confirme them in their duties for their discharge vnto the king although it were difficult yea impossible to satisfie both parties equally For on the one side she was priuy to his Ma. intent touching the noblemen on the other side she could not keepe the people in awe by the magistrats and gouernors of prouinces vnlesse shee cut off the the right arme from the nobles as also she could not frustrat and disappoint the intention of the noblemen but she must presently quench the heat fury of the commons who in the beginning depended onely vpon the hope of good that should come vnto them by the presentation of the noblemens petition whereon they did ground all assurance of their consciences and libertie of their religion Whilest that all this past betwixt the noblemen and the duchesse the prince of Orange was much troubled in Antuerpe to conteine the people who were greatly moued for many reasons according vnto the complaints which they made daily the which were satisfied but by halues and as they said for a fashions sake Among others the 10 day of August there was a great tumult for that one Peter Rythou a diuine and pastor of the parish of S. Peter at Louuaine came in a disguised habit to reprehend the minister which preached at Kyel ioyning to the towne of Antuerpe comming out of the pulpit and as the minister or preacher answered him That they should go into some neere house out of the presse of the people to confer together This doctor persisting in his loud clamors with such allegations as came in his head a great number came running thither and seeing that their minister by many arguments and texts out of the holy Scripture had made the doctor mute the people gaue such a shout and crie as he was forced to retire some incensed against him pursuing and would haue massacred him if certaine burgesses had not preserued him with the hazard of their liues drawing him into a house where they hid him in a seller the common people remaining before the said house and offering to draw him out by force The brute hereof being come vnto the towne moued the rest of the people and this had turned to a bad consequence if the prince had not sent the officer of iustice thither in time who apprehended the doctor and put him in prison the which pacified the people but he was soone after sent out of the towne by the riuer And for that the prince was forced
vpon vrgent causes to be sometimes absent out of the towne as well to goe to court as to Duffel to the confederat noblemen on the behalfe of the Gouernesse The masters of the quarters and deanes of trades of the towne of Antuerpe intreated the prince that he would be a sutor vnto the Gouernesse that during his absence shee would substitute the earle of Hochstraten fearing least for want of a commander those that were mutinous might attempt something which would bee preiudiciall to the good of the towne and publike assurance Moreouer they required him to take a lieutenant to assist him to beare the toyle of the gouernement seeing that the bourgmasters and other officers were sufficiently charged recommending the seigniour of Straelen vnto him a gentleman that was verie pleasing vnto them of the towne Whereof the prince aduertised the Gouernesse but she delaied to grant it In the meane time the prince did insist all he could to the end that they of the religion should forbeare carrying of armes to the preaching at the least within the towne going and returning sending to the ministers and consistories to that end who promised to gouerne themselues accordingly so as they might be assured that neither the Drossard nor any other should offer them outrage the which was promised them and notice giuen to the Drossard in his house But this hope and assurance which they expected continued not long turning into distrust and so great bitternesse as they were much troubled to pacifie it yea it proceeded so farre as they of the religion tooke an occasion grounded vpon foure occurrents happening at one instant to hold their preachings from that time forward within the towne of Antuerp The first occurrent was That the masters of quarters receiued letters of aduertisement from Brussels of the thirteenth of August of a certaine resolution concluded betwixt the Gouernesse and the deputies of the towne being in court to massacre all those that they should find at the preaching The second That the Drossard of whom they were alwayes in feare caused about that time certaine wagons laden with armes to passe through the towne to goe to his house one of the which beeing stayed by the people and released by the magistrat who fauoured the Drossard did much distemper the commons Thirdly for that they were aduertised That the Drossard was neere vnto the town with 1000 horse lodged here there and a good number of foot in the neighbor monasteries attending but the ringing of a bell to fall vpon the assembly and to murther them during which exploit the lawyers should keepe the towne gates shut that no man might enter in so as not any one should escape The fourth reason was That they were aduertised by one of their assembly whom his companion persuaded to inroll himselfe to bee readie against them of the religion when as the great bell should found and would haue led him to the Arcenall of the towne to chuse what armes he could best vse saying That the same day there had beene fourescore inrolled in that quarter These foure points bred a terrible alteration and put the towne in danger and although the greatest trouble were pacified yet they of the religion resolued to haue their preaching in the towne The prince of Orange being desirous to hinder them sent the orator Wesenbeek vnto the ministers and two gentlemen of his houshold to the chiefe merchants of the religion to aduise them to forbeare this presumption or else he would seeke to hinder them by all meanes yea if it were by force and that they should attend the regents resolution the which she should giue to the confederats petition Although the princes gentlemen vsed al the means they could to persuade them yet they of the religion persisted in their resolution notwithstanding the same night late they sent certaine merchants vnto the prince with a writing containing a iustification of their resolution which they said they had taken to auoid greater mischiefs considering the foure occurrents the doubts and fears and other occasions which caused the people to murmure promising to make them forbeare carrying of armes at their assemblies as they had been often prest by him beseeching the prince that hee would not take it in ill part protesting in all things else to be obedient vnto him and to keepe good guard that for their parts no insolencie should be committed and if hee were not pleased to accept of their excuses and iustifications they had rather though to their great griefe to haue his ill wil than to incurre the indignation of the people who feared that many things were practised by the magistrat of the towne without his priuitie The prince not satisfied with these excuses the deputies of the merchants persisting in their resolution offering notwithstanding to doe their best to diuert the said preachings he sent vnto the magistrat to put all the sworne companies in armes the next day by fiue of the clocke in the morning with an intent to hinder the beginning of their assemblies by policie But in the morning the deputies returned vnto the prince declaring vnto him That for his onely respect they had forborne their preaching within the towne yet by reason of their doubts feare of danger and the time of Winter drawing on it should not be possible to conteine themselues long if they were not assured that no outrage should be done them abroad whereof the prince aduertised the court by his letters of the 15 of August The earle of Egmont in the meane time was for his part much troubled in his gouernment of Flanders to containe the people who began to be much moued and the more for that they heard of no answers to the confederats petition whereby they thought that the nobilitie had abandoned them and that they had bin won by the regent And wheras in stead of moderation of the edicts which had been so often promised they found that they were daily augmented but vnder another pretext and vnderstanding that the gouernesse the court tooke the petition and the actions of the nobles in ill part the people were generally much altered and the Protestants of the religion went to armes fearing as they said to be opprest and that the officers would disturbe their assemblies for there was no meanes now to make them leaue their preaching and the exercise of their religion being thus armed and well fortified to defend their ministers and their wiues and children being at the sermon and to resist all violence In the end it happened that some of the bafer sort meaning to shew an inconsiderat zeal vnto their religion and that they were deadly enemies to al that did impugne it aduanced and incouraged one another to beat downe images and crosses set vp in the high waies then they went to out chappels and so to churches and monasteries in the countrey and in the end to townes the beginning of all which was in the
auoid many inconueniences and to set strife and contention betweene them of the reformed Religion While this was done in the towne of Antuerpe the like breaking of Images was done in other places In Mechelen certaine of the people began to doe it in the Friers church and other cloysters but it was soone stayed In Lier the people going about to doe it the magistrates of the towne to shun the same and to hinder the ransacking of the churches commaunded all the Images and other things to be pulled downe and the church to be emptied of such trash which done they shewed it vnto the deputies of the Image breakers The like was done in many other places of Brabant At Hertoghenbosch Breda and Berghen vp Zoome they indured the like destruction of Images and other things that they in Antuerp did The same did they in Gaunt Ypre Oudenard and many other towns in Flanders as also at Valentia Dornick and other towns in Waesland and at Vtrecht Amsterdam Leyden Delft the Hage Briel and other places in Holland At Middleburg Campuere Vlishing and other places in Zeeland at Groning Leenwerden and other towns in Friseland at Campen Deuenter Swol and Ouerissel at Arnhem Ruremond Nimmeghen Veulo Harderwike and other places in Guelderland and all abouts in the small townes and villages without number At Middleburg notwithstanding that both the magistrates and the shot of the towne stood two daies together but all in vaine to stay the furie of the people when all the Images and altars were pulled downe they were not content therewith but made meanes both vnto the bishop and the magistrates beeing assembled in great multitudes that such as were imprisoned for religion should be deliuered out of prison and giuen vnto them for which cause to shun the danger of great tumults and sheding of bloud they were compelled to set one and twenty persons freely out of prison otherwise they wold haue broken downe the prison and besides all that they were forced to suffer them to preach within the church At Delft they were not content that the magistrat had pulled down al the Images but they would proceed further and went and brake down all the altars notwithstanding the great watch holden by the townes-men tooke the friers cloister for them to preach in In the Hage a goldsmith went vnto the counsell and the magistrats requesting thē to haue leaue to pull downe the Images who being asked where his commission was he strucke his hand vpon his brest and told them that it was there The magistrats thereat beeing abashed desired M. Hippolitus Persin president of Vtrecht being as then with them to giue them his aduice and finding that the request was not well to be refused nor denied the trouble being so great in euery place they appointed certaine serieants of the towne to goe with the sayd goldsmith to keepe the church dores that no tumult should arise and the Images should bee taken down without any hurt or trouble They compelled likewise all such as had any Images in their houses either to deliuer them vnto them or els to breake them At Dorcht Tergone Harlem and Rotterdam the Images were preserued and kept from breaking by means of the magistrats as also in other townes when at the last they saw and perceiued that theeues vagabonds souldiers ruffians whores and knaues were mixed with the actors therein and in the end the greatest doers and not many of them of the reformed Religion although at the first they were very zealous and earnest therein But those rascals emboldened themselues vpon those of the religion who rather wondered at the action as being a wonderful work of God than praised or commended and in the end did themselues let and hinder the breaking down of the Images both by force and with their sermons The newes of this breaking downe and destroying of Images comming to the eares of the Regent and the counsell in Brussels strucke a great feare and doubt in their hearts so that both the court and all the towne were vp in armes to keepe them from doing the like within that place This notwithstanding the Regent would goe to Bergen Henegowe fearing to bee in danger of her person and to that end desired the gouernors of the prouinces and the knights of the order of the golden fleece to conuey her thither who sought by all the meanes they could to dissuade her from it alledging many great and weightie reasons to the contrary But when word was brought her by the president Vigilius That the townes-men had seized vpon all the gates therof and would not suffer her to goe out she was content to stay there that day vpon promise made vnto her by the lords that they would helpe to get her out of the towne if need were or els die for it Thereupon she willed Peter Ernest earle of Mansfield to take the charge of the gouernment of the towne vpon him who the next day summoned all the townes-men to assemble together into the towne-house and going thither took with him the prince of Orange the earles of Egmont Horne and Hoochstrate which shewed them That the Regent stayed there in the towne vpon their words and promises vpon condition That they should be carefull that no preaching nor breaking downe of Images should bee done within the towne which they likewise desired them to be carefull of and to be obedient vnto the earle of Mansfield as gouernor appointed ouer them and to aid and assist him in al things whatsoeuer Whereunto they of Brussels made answere That they would liue and die with the lords and not suffer any preaching nor breaking of Images within the towne and likewise to be obedient vnto the earle of Mansfield Which made the Regent somewhat quieter vntil euening that news was brought her That the same night the Images shold be broken down the barons of Arenbergh and Barlamont slaine and her selfe taken prisoner Whereupon the lords had worke ynough to doe to dissuade her from that opinion alledging That they of Brussels had not the power to doe it as long as so many noblemen and gentlemen were in the towne This feare caused the Regent to write vnto the king saying That she was betrayed by the prince of Orange the earles of Egmont Hoochstrate and that his Maiesty should eyther come thither or els send an army of Spaniards into the Netherlands The like also was written by the lords of Barlamont Norcarmes and the president Vigilius The next day the Regent perceiuing the great troubles and apparent generall reuolting and ouerthrow of the Netherlands at the last by aduice of the gouernours of the prouinces the knights of the order of the golden fleece the counsell of estate and the priuie counsell was resolued as touching the preaching after the reformed manner to be content partly to permit it in such places where it had bin at other times giuing the lords that by her commandement were appointed
Segobia sick of an ague This matter being brought before his counsel was by them much long debated many of them taking it in the worst sence but at the last they all generally agreed that the Netherlands had great need of his Maiesties presence therin and for that cause began to consult vpon the best way for his trauell and voyage thither and that in the meane time the Regents letters should be answered in such manner that the king should seeme to say nothing touching the Regents dealing with the confederated gentlemen and the sectaries nor once speake thereof that he might not thereby make any shew to like or dislike thereof least it should be occasion of new vprore or suspition And touching the assembly of the States generall that might not by any meanes be tollerated as it had beene oftentimes before determined without burthening the kings conscience Lastly That the Regent should be once againe put in mind to entertain and pay the dutch princes and pentionaries to the king and that his commaundements might be fully kept and obserued According to this resolution in the moneth of October the king writ two sorts of letters the one to be shewed to the counsell and the lords and the other to be kept secret in the first he wrote That for that the Queene his wife was then brought in bed of her first child being a daughter borne vpon S Clares day and for that cause named Isabella Clara Eugenia he was as then going from Segobia to Madril to make preparation for his voyage into the Netherlands and that he was not persuaded that the troubles in the Netherlands could be pacified by assembling of the generall States especially in his absence with other such like doubts He wrote likewise vnto the Emperour Maximilian much complaining of the troubles in the Netherlands Whereunto the Emperour as a wise experienced and politicke prince returned him an answere in the moneth of September satisfying him in euery point of his letter particularly desiring to hold and maintaine all loue and friendship with him as brethren are bound to doe one vnto the other amongst other things saying and by many reasons and arguments proouing that hee after due ripe and good deliberation and aduice taken considering the ground and depth of the same found it to be a matter of exceeding great consequence weight and trouble principally because the matter of the Catholicke Religion was become so hatefull and odious vnto many of the Germane princes allies and of affinitie with the noblemen and gentlemen of the Netherlands which might easily bee procured and induced to mount vpon their horses and to aid them whereby the Netherlands should not only endure and suffer great hurt hinderance charges and burthens but also no small doubt might be made how the same would be well holden and kept and therfore he said he thoght it the best meanes and wherein least danger consisted to end and pacifie the controuersie if it were possible by good and peaceable meanes and not by force and rigor Which to effect his Maiesty offered so the king would be content to be a mediator betweene him and his subiects with many such reasons more He wrote likewise to that end vnto the Regent the duchesse of Parma and therewiâ—…h sent her certain letters to be giuen to the lords of the Netherlands as to the prince of Orange the earle of Egmont the earle of Horne the earle of Mansfield others but referred the deliuering of them to the discretion of the Regent and the kings pleasure which the king did after forbid her to deliuer vnto them About this time many of the noblemen in the Netherlands wrot their seuerall letters vnto the king as the earls of Egmont Mansfield Meghen and Arenbergh the baron of Barlamont Noircarmes and Rassinghem the Burghgraue of Gaunt the Vniuersitie of Louen and diuers others euery man according to his affairs shewing in generall and particular what had passed especially in euery one of their seuerall gouernments Whereunto the king made them answer in most friendly wise thanking them for their good seruice in his behalfe and willing them to continue in the same commending them seuerally for their particular seruice with many and good speeches and wrot a very friendly letter vnto the president Vigilius with his owne hand thanking him for his great paines and good endeuor done in his seruice and desiring him not respecting his age feeblenesse and indisposition of body to continue therein till his comming thither And for that about this time the prince of Orange the earle of Egmont made complaint vnto the king and certaine lords in Spaine that were their friends that some complained of them behind their backs and had a bad and sinister conceit and opinion of them against all truth as time and oportunitie should well declare with such like speeches they were answered by the third hand of certaine counsellors of Spaine that the best meanes for them to cease all bad speechâ—…s and conceits was to shew and proue the contrary by their actions conforming themselues in all things to the good will of his Maiesty which was alwaies cleare allowable answerable and from the which there was no bad consequence to be feared for that the â—…ightest and truest point of the duty of a vassale or subiect is that knowing the resolute intent and purpose of his prince to endeuour himselfe by all means to effect fulfill and execute the same with all celeritie and promptnesse although hee had some particular feeling to the contrarie for that a particular member as all vassals are vnto their lords ought not to thinke or esteeme himselfe wiser than his soueraigne prince to whom onely belonged the gouernment and generall commaund and not to the particular vassale They wrote them likewise that in Spaine the common opinion was That if they namely the prince of Orange and the earle of Egmont or any of them both would haue behaued themselues stoutly and couragiously the troubles in the Netherlands had not proceeded to such an issue which notwithstanding if from thence forward they would doe their endeauours to doe good and vpright seruice for the State without dissimulation as dutie bound them they might thereby reforme all causes or at the least maintain them in esse vntill the comming of the king into the Netherlands with diuers such instructions The Gouernesse by her manifest demonstrations of mildnesse and by so many goodly assurances which she promised did not onely labour to retaine the people and marchants from retyring out of the countrey but also the nobilitie who notwithstanding any assurance shee could giue them were not without distrust but aboue al hauing disappointed the league and compromise of the gentlemen which made her hardie and yet dissembling shee studied to entertaine by all kinds of fauour and courtesie the prince of Orange with the earles of Egmont Horne and Hochstraten The king hauing sent her word that she
the Protestants who had chased away the Romish religion being besieged by the bishop yeelded by composition vpon condition to pay the charges of the siege to repaire that which had been taken out of the churches and monasteries and from thenceforth to entertaine the Romish religion receiuing such garrison as the bishop should place there The seignior of Thoulouse with some other gentlemen Protestants by the intelligence of Peter Haâ—…k bailif of Middlebourg in Zeeland had an enterprise vpon the island of Walchren being imbarked at Antuerpe but the maâ—…hants ship of Antuerpe hauing seen them imbark departed before them and arriued first in Zeeland giuing aduertisement of the said enterprise the which by this meanes failed and withall the prince had forbidden them of Zeeland before to receiue any garrison of which defence wee shall haue cause to speake hereafter In the meane time the people seeing the hot pursuits of the clergie to increase daily to their great losse and preiudice and that the Gouernesse seeing that shee had woon the game by the disiunction of the nobles made no account of their sighes and complaints they resolued to appeale to the king sending him a supplication full of teares to mooue him to take pitie of his people who demaunded nothing but to bee maintained in the libertie of their consciences And to make it knowne vnto his Maiesty how much they desired to aduance his affaires they offer him three millions of florins so as it would please him to entertaine the transaction in his full force And withall they imployed certaine princes of Germany to bee suiters in their fauour But this offer and demaund being imparted to the counsell of Spaine was held for a presumptuous ostentation of their riches and bred iealousie in many that by this ouerture they would seeke to win the hearts and draw in the forces of strangers to come to succour them Yet the people left not to trie other meanes as well with the Gouernesse whom they found rough and inexorable as with the confederat noblemen who being summoned as being in the like sort interessed and paâ—…takers of the like perill and danger of the doubtfull issue which this tragedie seemed to promise to keepe their faith othe and promise so often reiterated vnto them that they should not be molested for their consciences but should haue 〈◊〉 exercise of their religion with preaching they protested to impute all the fault vnto them and the occasion of the miseries that might fal vpon the Netherlands The 2 princes of Orange and Gauere or Egmont being as before is said of seuerall opinions the other lords also did likewise participat with the one or the other and as they diuided themselues so did the confederaâ—… gentlemen so that a third paâ—…t of them held not with the confederats but those that were of the reformed religion sought all the meanes they could to confirme and vphold that confederacie and tâ—… procure some great lords to resolue to hold with them to preserue and maintaine the countries in their freedomes and to keepe all strangers out of the same hauing most regard and respect to the prince of Orange in regard of his wisedome and experience as also because of his power friends and allies in Germanie who they knew should bee seconded by the earle of Hoochstrate and many others But the prince in his great discretion marking and considering the kings great power and force whom he knew both of his owne nature and by the prouocation of his Spanish counsell to beare a grudge vnto the countrey not onely for the religion but also for their priuiledges thereunto adding that the zeale of the common people that were addicted to the reformed religion at the first would be great but not certaine to make a full account or reckoning thereof and lastly seeing that within the Netherlands hee should haue the aforesaid earl of Egmont with the principallest and most part of the old souldiers noblemen and implacable spiritualtie enemies against him would by no meanes bee induced nor persuaded to attempt any thing For which cause the baron of Brederode and others of the principallest confederats determined to seeke all the meanes they could before they would enter into any extremities and for that cause wrot a letter vnto the regent to craue leaue to be admitted to come vnto the court to shew her what wrong was vnto them contrarie to the securitie by her giuen vnto them but the regent returned them an answere saying That they should not come within Brussels for that their comming thither vpon the fifth of Aprill last past had caused all the trobles and businesse in the land And hauing certain soldiers within Brussels she gaue them charge not to suffer any of the confederated gentlemen to come within the towne For which cause the baron of Brederode wrot another letter out of Antuerpe vnto the regent bearing date the 8 of Februarie saying That not their petition but the Inquisition and new deuises that men sought to bring into the country together with the long delay made to answer their request were the true and onely causes of the â—…roubles in the countrey and that she might know that his intent and meaning was no other than onely to propound some meanes of peace and vnitie and for that she would not suffer him to come at the court he sent her two requests from the confederated gentlemen wherein they shewed how that in August before the countrey being full of troubles and the people in euerie place readie to rise vp in armes by meanes of the good resolution then taken all was pacified wherein they well and truely acquiâ—…ed themselues And although it fell not out so well in some places it was the fault of those that were not well addicted vnto the seruice of his Maiestie and that when as an assured amendment and reformation was in euerie place expected attending the good â—…esolution of the king with the aduice of the states generall sodainely against all hope and expectation letters were sent out by her to forbid the preaching and exercise of the reformed religion who for that cause as then blamed them as appeared by a petition sent vnto her and thereunto annexed besides that they perceiued by the letters aforesaid as also by other her proceedings that shee sought by foâ—…ce to forbid the preaching vnto the people imprisoning and vsing other kind of rigour vnto the preachers contrarie to the agreement and without order taken by the king with the aduice of the generall states Besides that they saw the bad entertainment that had beene and as yet was giuen vnto the confederated gentlemen together with the distrust that men had in them without cause or reason That the lords were counselled and aduised not to bee conuersant with them willing them to keepe out of his Maâ—… towns without any cause pursuing and following after to take them as if they were enemies to the king and their natiue country which
they had not by any means deserued They perceiued likewise the taking vp of souldiers both within and without the lands which gaue them al cause to thinke that the same were to be imploied against them and those of the religion to whom shee had giuen contrarie securitie vntill his Maiestie with aduice of the generall states should take further order therâ—… in For which cause they perceiuing the generall ouerthrow and destruction of the Netherlands to be prepared and at hand and power and force to be daily more and more vsed against them contrarie to all promises and assurances thought good to mooue her once againe as they had done before to doe them the fauour to shew them if it were her pleasure that the contract made with them should be obserued and kept and to suffer the preaching and the exercises thereon depending to bee done as they in her and the lords names had shewed and declared vnto the people and whether shee meant not to hold and obserue the securitie by her granted vnto the said confederated gentlemen but to the contrarie that the good fauour that shee bare vnto them and the common people might the better be seene and perceiued they desired her to vouch safe them the fauor to discharge all her souldiers and recall her commissions not long since sent forth into the Netherlands which doing they would assure her that the countrey should liue in peace and quietnesse and they themselues be readie to venture liues goods in the seruice of his Maiestie and her the which if it were not presently done it was to be feared that much greater hurt and inconueniences would ensue with great bloud-shedding amongst the common people who vpon her and her word now reposed their securitie And therefore they thought good to shew her so much to discharge their duties wherein they stand bounden vnto his Maiestie and their natiue countrey desiring her to giue them a good short and resolute answer The request sent by those of the reformed religion vnto the gentlemen which they sent with theirs vnto the regent held in effect a great complaint of the miserable persecution and wrongs done vnto them in euerie place contrarie to the promises and securities made vnto them wherin also they said That the said gentlemen had sought to begâ—…ile and deceiue them vnlesse they could shew them that they had such expresse charge and commission from the regent and the lords of the order of the Golden Fleece and if that no promise would bee holden with them they desired that it might be plainly told them that euery man might know to gouerne himselfe thereby to shun the persecution Whereunto the regent answered with a more proud and haughtie stile than shee had formerly done That she could not conceiue what noblemen nor what people they were that had presented this petition for that many noblemen confederats held themselues satisfied as well for that they had caused the Inquisition and the edicts to cease as by reason of the assurance which was promised them and that for this cause they did present themselues daily to doe such seruice as it should please his Maiestie But she could not sufficiently wonder how they could haue any conceit that she would euer suffer the exercise of the religion considering that contrariwise she had sufficiently declared how much she was offended for that after the conclusion of the treatie some noblemen had assured the people of these exercises contrarie to her will and meaning seeing that the promise which the noblemen made to take away all armes troubles and scandals did inferre withall that the exercise of their religion should cease whereunto she had not consented Moreouer they well remember with what griefe of mind she had suffered the preaching in accustomed places without armes or scandall they may thereby easily know the small affection which she had to allow them any other exercise As for libertie she had onely granted it so farre forth as the petition of the fifth of May should not be imputed vnto them but not touching religion although against her owne conscience they had wrested so much from her and therefore had iust cause to be offended that they did attribute it vnto her and that his Maiestie was iustly incensed notwithstanding that the people had vsurped al exercise that by the new magistrat they ouer-ruled his officers the which his Maiestie was resolued to reuenge And for answer to that which they said That she had not kept that which she had accorded she said That all that was grounded vpon a false and too large interpretation of her words and that rightly many magistrats had neuer allowed it but that she had not gone against her promise in any thing if after it was giuen they had apprehended some for their offences as the breakers of images and robbers of churches the which happened since the accord yea by some gentlemen confederats That they had caused the preaching to be vsed in towns wheras it had been before in the field Besides they had seized vpon churches monasteries noblemens houses c. chased away the religious threatned the clergie and preached in vnaccustomed places The people animated by them had seized vpon some townes and royall places carried away the artilerie munition chased away the kings officers kept the field in martiall maner threatning all the Catholikes yea comprehending her highnesse So as by letters surprised which their souldiers had written to them of Valenciennes it might bee sufficiently gathered whereto all these tumults tended that is if God had not otherwise prouided to haue depriued the king of all his countries And in that they intreat to haue all the souldiers discharged they seeke thereby to take the sword from him to whom God hath giuen it Finally she aduiseth them if they be so much deuoted to the kings seruice as they say that they should hereafter shew themselues more conformable to his Maiesties will and pleasure and to satisfie the people touching the sufferance of religion the which brought but a contempt of his Maiestie and of iustice and that they should carrie themselues in such sort as they might turne away his Maiesties wrath and indignation that it might not bee forced to exceed the limits of his bountie and clemencie Also that they should forbeare such threats as they seeme to vse in their petition wherein if they persist she leaues them to thinke what a dishonor and infamie it will be to them for euer aduising them to retire euery man to his owne home and not to trouble themselues with the affairs of the country but to carry themselues in such sort as his Maiestie might receiue contentment aduertising them that if they did otherwise shee would prouide as she should thinke fit and conuenient for the publike quiet without any need of a more ample answer to the said petition vntill she may know which be the noblemen and the people which desire it whereof
the lord of Brederode hath taken the charge To this answer of the duchesse there was a certaine replie divulged by the which among others the nobles laid all the blame of that whereof the duchesse accused them by her answere vpon the secret instructions which she had sent vnto the priuat magistrats touching the obseruation of the kings intention whilest on the other side shee caused the assurance giuen vnto the nobles and the Protestants to be published who notwithstanding knew well by the said answer that the gouernesse who was now armed would no longer dissemble but proceed by force of armes to the execution of that which she had for a long time kept secret in her bosome Besides they found that many of the nobilitie disbanded and that many for their greater assurance sought to mannage their affairs apart wherof they were aduertised from al parts Among others that cont vander Berghen had written vnto president Vigilius letters full of excuses with protestations to remaine a loyal and faithfull seruant vnto the king as also the seignior of Estambruges brother to the earle of Lygni had done the like and that many others sought to make friends in court to returne into fauour As these complaints of the nobles answers replies cares and distrusts continued among them they sought to prouide for their affaires as well as they could especially the Catholikes who made themselues to be feared by the forces they had leuied and by the kings authoritie The earle of Egmont running throughout all the townes of Flanders laboured to make the preaching to cease The earle of Megen being at the request of the Catholikes and by the gouernesse command entred into Vtrecht with his regiment of foot the next day hee fortified the garrison of the castle with three hundred men And to stop the courses of them of Vianen belonging to the lord of Brederode he built a fort vpon the riuer in a village called Vaert right opposite against it then he went to Nymeghen Harderwic and Elburch where he supprest the preaching caused the churches to be repaired and the armes to be brought into the state-house and in the end he chased away all the Protestants The earle of Arembergh did the like in the countries of Friseland Ouerissel and Groninghen as well by surprises of townes and places as persuasions and diuers accords past betwixt him the consuls and townes But the prince of Orange beeing in his gouernments of Holland and Zeeland going from towne to towne sought to pacifie the troubles by gentle meanes to the content of the estates of the said countries yet appointing the exercise of the religion to be without the townes especially in those of Holland who for a thankfull gratuitie for the paines which hee had taken to pacifie their trobles offered him a present of 55000 florins which hee honestly refused least it should haue been some blemish to his reputation to haue suffered himselfe to haue beene corrupted by them with money in his gouernment In the meane time the Gouernesse was counselled to propound a new othe to al gouernors of prouinces knights of the order counsellors of state and other noblemen by the which among other things they did promise swear to remain faithful obedient seruants vnto the king and with all their power and meanes to maintaine defend and preserue the Catholike Apostolike and Romish religion and to root out and helpe to root out all new doctrine and religion to punish and chastise all breakers of images and robbers of churches Which othe was taken before the duchesse by the duke of Arschot the earles of Egmont Mansfield Megen the lords of Barlamont Noircarmes and many others But the prince of Orange and the earle of Hoochstraten refused to take that othe saying That the othe of their order and of their gouernment was sufficient finding themselues much grieued that the duchesse should doubt of their loyalties The like was required of the lord of Brederode who made the like refusall to the secretarie Torre who was sent expresly vnto him to persuade him by many reasons Whereunto he answered modestly That the Gouernesse had no cause to doubt of his faith and loialtie and that he was content to go vnto her highnesse to demaund the causes of her distrust and to iustifie himselfe of all matters wherewith hee might bee charged This new othe was not offered for any other cause but to discouer who would refuse it who thereby should be taken for fauorers and supporters of the Protestants And also to curbe them that either for loue force or dissimulation had taken it and thereby to put a conceit in them that they were held for good Catholikes and the kings faithfull seruants The earle of Horne was at that time retired to his castle of Waert being resolued to return no more to court vnlesse the king commanded him expresly and therefore he was not required to take this new othe The duchesse being thus assured by this new othe and hauing all the towns of the Netherlands reduced by their gouernors vnder the kings obedience and the publike preaching abolished except in Antuerpe then she vnmasked her selfe and began to play her part openly All that could be taken and conuicted to haue carried armes broken images and spoiled churches were hanged Those that were absent were adiorned to appeare within a short time if not they were declared rebels and their goods forfeited the which made an infinit number retire into forrein countries and especially into England those that were most couragious kept the fields in great troups The seignior of Thoulouse hauing failed in his enterprise of the island of Walchren retiring into the riuer of Antuerpe he went and lodged halfe a league from the towne in the village of Austreweel whither men came to him from all parts who made no gentler war to the priests and monks than the Papists did to their companions The prince of Orange was then returned to Antuerpe with the earle of Hoochstraten who during the princes absence in Holland and Zeeland had done his best endeuour to conteine the people of Antuerp these two noblemen sent a gentleman to the seigniour of Thoulouse and his troups to will them to retire from thence the which they did passing into Flanders but the next day they returned to the same place whereupon hee had a second charge to retire and the seigniour of Thoulouse answered That hee was ready to obey yet he remoued not yea his people grew the more insolent seeing themselues fortified by two ships ful of souldiers which arriued that night from base Flanders and that howerly their numbers increased The magistratâ—… of the towne seeing this came vnto the prince where they conferred together with the earle of Hoochstraten how they might make these troups dislodge being of opinion to send their swornâ—… companies with such souldiers as they had in the towne to fight with them but the prince and the 〈◊〉 oâ—… Hoochstraten did
not like thereof fearing that in seeking to prouide for their affaiâ—…es without they should fall into some greater inconuenience within as it was to be doubted that those troups were not come thither so boldly but they had some adherents and good intelligence in the towne Whereupon the magistrats aduertised the Gouernesse who with all speed sent Philip of Launoy lord of Beauvoir with foure hundred men of her guards accompanied with la Motte-par-Dieu who had two companies of the earle of Egmonts regiment besides foure hundred men drawne out of the garrisons and Hans of Graue prouost marshall of Brabant with fiue hundred horse to surprise them before they were stronger who finding them scattered and out of order defeated them soone many cast themselues into the riuer of Eschaut but they were slaine with the shot many were burnt in barnes whereinto they retired To conclude there died about fifteene hundred men few escaped such as were taken were afterwards hanged or otherwise executed The seigniour of Thoulouse their leader was slaine there and they tooke one which carried a list of such as should assist at certaine enterprises whereby they discouered some practises The magistrat of Antuerpe hearing that the Duchesse troupes marched against them of Austeâ—… reâ—…ring least their bourgesses should sallie forth and receiue some harme they caused â—…e bridges at the port of Austerweel and at the red gate to bee broken which gates they kept shut placing the three companies which they had raised for the guard of the towne along the rampars of that quarter doubling the watch and hauing lanternes and lampes light all night in the streets The news of this assembly at Austerweel and that there was an intent to chaâ—…ge them was no sooner come to the knowledge of the inhabitants of Antuerpe but they presently went to armes the fourteenth of March marching towards the gate to issue forth and to succour their friends but the prince of Orange and the earle of Hoochstraten told them That it was impossible to succour them and not bee defeated as soone as they were sallied forth they beeing vnable to withstand the prouost of Brabants horsemen and therefore they intreated them not to stirre But this people beeing halfe madde intending to go brake downe the red gate threatning the prince and the earle if they suffered them not to goe calling them traytors yea there was a Clothworker so rash as to offer his harguebuse to the princes breast so as these two noblemen in this tumult were in great danger of their liues yet disgesting all these indignities they retained them so long as this first furie beeing past it was agreed That onely fiue hundred of them should issue forth with protestation that it was granted vnto them by force but they seeing that they would not suffer them to goe foorth in greater numbers returned and continued in armes till noone hauing seised vpon the Meeres bridge and the Tanners street then the three companies of the towne came vnto the market place The people had alreadie drawne certaine peeces of artillerie out of the arcenall which they call Eerhof the which they brought vnto the Meer and planted them vpon all the approches to withstand all force that should come against them The prince fearing some great inconuenience caused euerie one to retire to his house and commaunded the artillerie should be carried back to the accustomed place so as by his good reasons and persuasions the people were somewhat pacified But the next day being the 15 of March the reformed Protestants finding that the Protestants of the confession of Ausbourg were ioyned with the Catholike Romanes with whom the Spanish Italian and Portugall merchants had also taken armes some hauing seized vpon the horse market other on S. Michaels place the said reformed did also assemble together in armes and to make the Catholikes and the strange nations retire there was a brute giuen out That those of the confession were ioyned with them Whereupon one of the bourgmasters caused the contrarie to bee published and that this tumult was not for any question of religion but that some licentious and disordered people among the reformed sought onely to rob and spoyle the houses of the Catholikes Confessionaries and Nations which was the cause that either seeking to preserue themselues the tumult was greater than euer beeing inflamed and readie to charge one another the which continued two dayes so as it was greatly to be feared that it would not haue past without effusion of bloud and that the houses would bee in the end spoyled by them that were victors if they were suffered to come to blowes so as the citie was full of feare crying out and teares of women and children so neere the danger was yet by the prouidence of the prince the earl of Hoochstraten and the magistrat all in the end was pacified by good exhortations giuen to either partie who agreed together vpon articles concluded betwixt them for the gouernment of the towne and the assurance preseruation of all the burgesses inhabitants and merchants of what religion soeuer The next day being Sunday either partie gaue thanks vnto God in their sermons for that he had preserued them from shedding one anothers bloud The 17 of the moneth the magistrat hauing giuen thanks vnto the principal merchants and to the nations to euerie one in particular for their good endeuours he sent deputies to the gouernesse to informe her of all that had past beseeching her to interpret in good part the accord which had been made and concluded among them the which they said they had found expedient not to diminish any thing of the kings authoritie but for the preseruation of the towne and the inhabitants thereof as well spirituall as temporall making withall many excuses touching some articles of the said accord which the Gouernesse disliked as to haue placed the artillerie vpon the rampars answering thereunto That what they had done was to retire it out of the peoples hands Item touching the leuying of horse-men and preparation of ships they said they would not do any thing without her highnesse consent And for that they did not receiue any garrison without the consent of all the members of the towne that they of the reformed religion had required it for that they held the gouernors that is the prince of Orange the earle of Hoochstraten and the magistrat for suspect and that they feared they would put in a garrison to sacke and spoyle them as they had done their brethren at Austerweel and as it had happened in the towne of Tournay Finally they said that they had beene forced to passe this accord yeelding to necessitie and the time for the preseruation of the said towne This tumult in Antuerpe heartened and much incouraged the regent and the Catholikes together with the victorie gotten at Austerweel and to the contrarie brake and disannulled all the proceedings and pretences of the confederated gentlemen and the Gueux
authoritie from the king not tied nor limitted to any instructions but inuested with liberty fully and freely to giue sentence in any thing without deniall or gainesaying This counsell likewise sought to haue all the customes old priuiledges and laws of the Netherlands brought to be perused by them that they might reforme and amend them according to their wils and pleasures but perceiuing the matter to be of so great consequence they durst not deale therewith Besides that they sought to haue all the charters that belonged vnto his Maiesty and the lords of the Netherlands giuen to euery particular prouince which had beene done but that certaine old counsellors tooke courage vpon them and aduentured to shew the duke the danger and great hinderance that thereby was to be expected and might fall out for that the secrets both of the king and the Netherlands should so be opened and made knowne whereby great inconuenience might arise betweene the neighbour potentates and others if they should bee broken or altered And to conclude they left nothing vntouched but brought it all to their arbitrement and perusing being most strangers borne out of the Netherlands all tending to this end That at the last they might haue meanes to dominiere ouer all mens riches and treasures to make the king rich seeking to cause the Netherlands to yeeld him more yerely reuenue than his Indies in the end proceeding to that point besides all the confiscations to demand taxes and tallages not only for a time but to continue for euer as the hundreth and the twentieth penny of all moueable and immoueable goods and the tenth penny of all marchandize bought and sold as hereafter when time serues it shal be shewed By meanes of this bloudie counsell the authoritie of the counsell of estate was likewise wholly diminished and put downe which had scarce a place permitted them in the court to assemble together but sometimes the sayd counsell of estate were sent for into the dukes chamber vnto whom He communicated as much as hee thought good and conuenient to shew them without any forme of holding a counsell after their auncient manner But after that when the duke de Medinaceâ—… came into the Netherlands they began againe to assemble in their accustomed chamber and to consult together So that during this new manner of counsell the ordinances of the counsell of estate were not once vsed but commaundement giuen That all men should hold and account the duke to bee absolute ruler and all men dispenced withall not to hold nor obserue any ordinance noâ—… instruction made by any others than by him and that all should be referred to his discretion which caused a great disliking in the people towards the king and hatred vnto the duke Hauing layed this foundation he began to imprison all sorts of people by reason of the troubles past much more than the Gouernesse had done causing them to be executed with all sorts of torments and punishments according to the tenour of the Edicts The which many seeing being terrified with such cruelties they retyred out of the countrey chusing a voluntarie exile the which hee caused to bee called by proclamation and if they did not appeare to answere to their accusations and to iustifie themselues hee did generally confiscate all their goods although at his first comming he caused it to be bruited abroad That the king would send a generall pardon for all that had passed during the troubles to the preiudice of his Maiestie and the Romish Religion but that was but a bait to stay them that had a mind to retyre The counsell of the troubles being once established it was not long idle but began to proceed presently by apprehensions executions confiscations and banishment of persons the which were neuer conuicted no not accused nor once suspected for the troubles or Religion he caused the children to be rebaptized which had beene baptized at the preaching and remarried them at the Romish church which had beene ioyned together by the Ministers but not without abiuration and great penalties both corporall and pecuniarie Such as vpon this vaine hope of pardon and generall abolition returned to their houses were apprehended and executed by fire by water by gibbets by ditches by the sword by diuers other kinds of deaths and torments To conclude there was nothing to be seene throughout all the Netherlands but gibbets wheeles stakes and pitifull spectacles accompanied with the teares and lamentations of poore widowes and orphanes who being depriued of their fathers and husbands after the confiscation of all their goods were chased away at all aduentures the widowes in despaire the sonnes to keepe in the woods and to rob and the daughters to become strumpets and to lead a miserable life This counsell of the troubles made a proclamation in the kings name That all that pretended any right or interest to the goods of such as had beene executed or banished should come in and demaund them within halfe a yeare by petition or libell conuentionall or else to loose the benefit of their right forbidding all debtors to pay any thing either to prisoners to such as were absent and fled or to their widowes and children vpon paine to pay it twice And that all should be answerable to the said counsell whereof no Iudges of the countrey might take knowledge in that respect the sayd counsell hauing their Commissioners and Receiuers in euery quarter of the countrey to keepe a Register of the goods that were confiscated and seized by their decrees and to receiue them hauing also erected a chamber of confiscations At that time there was borne in Brabant a child with two heads foure armes foure legs but with one onely belly and one nauell The duke of Alua for his greater assurance in the beginning of September tooke away the keyes from the magistrate of the towne of Gand putting the towne in guard to Colonel Alphonso a Spaniard The Gantois complayned to the earle of Egmont gouernour of Flaunders who acquainted the duke therewith and hee made him no other answere but what had beene done was for his Maiesties seruice The generall Estates of the Netherlands being assembled the foureteenth of September in the towne of Brussels at the earle of Culenbourgs place where the yeare before the banquet of the confederate noblemen was made at the deliuerie of their petition to see the dukes authoritie and commission he sent for the earles of Egmont and Home to come to court to conferre with them of some matters concerning his Maiesties seruice for the making of some newe forts which hee had designed for the preseruation of the countrey The earle of Horne went not willingly but vpon that that the earle of Egmont had sent him word That he should not feare to come assuring him that he should haue no worse vsage than himselfe he went These two noblemen being come to court the nineteenth of the moneth they caused them to retire into a
of their men were slaine and the rest were put to rout the 25 of Aprill The furie of the victors was so great as without any respect they flew the gouernour of Heynsberg and his lieutenant being come to Dalem to summon these French troups to retire out of the limits of the duke of Iuilliers his prince The prince of Oranges intention was to assaile the duke of Alua in diuers parts at one instant and to make him so much worke as he should not know which way to turne him The seigniour of Coqueuille a Norman gentleman of the religion being vpon the frontiers of Arthois with the captains Vaillant and S. Amand and some 600 foot and 200 horse most part of them being come out of England hauing fled out of the Netherlands and others that they had gathered together and were ioyned at S. Valery at the mouth of the riuer of Some the duke of Alua writ vnto the French king That the prince of Condes men sought to trouble him in his gouernment of the Netherlands Whom the prince disauowing the king sent the marshall Cosse who besieged S. Valerie and tooke it by assault Coqueuille was taken with some others but the most part slaine such as could saue themselues were taken by the prouost marshall sent into the Netherlands and executed by diuers punishments Coqueuille lost his head at Dourlans Valentin de par Dieu seigniour of la Motte sergeant maior of the regiment of the earle of Roeux pursued the Protestants with all violence in base Flanders and tooke the seigniour of Hanescampe a gentleman of Bethune in Arthois who was afterwards excuted by the sword in Brussels In the meane time cont Lodowic accompanied with cont Adolph of Nassau his brother with cont loos of Schouwenburch and others being in Friseland in the countrey of Groningen tooke the fort of Dam neere to Delfziel and the great castle of Wedde with many other places which gaue a good incouragement to the princes armie The duke of Alua after a peace concluded in Fraunce had called home the earle of Aremberg with the bands of ordnance which hee had sent to succour the king against the Protestants beeing retired hee sent two captaines speedily into France to entertaine the German horse-men which were dismist vpon the treatie of peace and for the fortifying of the frontiers he sent the seignior of Hierges eldest son to the lord of Barlamont who as then was not created earle to leuie 2000 Wallons The duke of Alua hauing gathered all the forces he could together to make head against the prince of Oranges armie which was in Friseland vnder the commaund of Cont Lodowicke sent Cont Arembergh who being come into the countrey of Groningen was aduised not to charge the Protestants vntill that the earle of Meghen were arriued with his troupes that hauing ioyned their forces they might charge them together Some Spanish captaines being impatient and discontent with this delay began to murmure against him and to braue him yea to taxe him of cowardise calling him Lutheran for that they found themselues so said they not knowing the passages of the countrey strong ynough and the more vehement they were for that they vnderstood Cont Lodowicke was retyred but it was to haue more ground to put his armie in battaile and that to goe and charge him in his campe they must march close and in a long ranke by reason of the marishes that were on eyther side Whereupon Arembergh answered them That seeing they had a desire to fight hee would make them see their enemies and let them know that hee was a faithfull seruant to the king and no Lutheran the which he would maintaine vnto the last drop of his bloud Cont Lodowicke had caused a squadron of a thousand harquebusiers to aduance with the which the Spaniards went brauely to skirmish but the approching night parted them Cont Lodowicke retyring a little further backe The Spaniards thinking that he sled made hast to follow him but the earle turning head charged Aremberghâ—… squadron and then all their troups whereof he defeated tenne companies of Spaniards and fiue of Germanes Arembergh hauing defended himselfe valiantly a long time was in the end beaten from his horse crying out that they should saue his life but he was not vnderstood being shot through the bodie whereof hee died presently the remainder of his troupes were put to rout Such as could saue themselues from the battaile retyred to Heylegerlee thinking to defend it but they were presently assayled where at the first approch Cont Adolph of Nassau brother to Cont Lodowicke and the prince of Orange was slaine The Germanes that could escape saued themselues in Groninghe The duke of Alua lost in this defeat a thousand six hundred men six pieces of artillerie with the munition and a great summe of mony appointed for the payment of this armie the which he esteemed a greater losse than the death of the earle of Arembergh This defeat happened on the foure and twentieth of May 1568 betwixt the abbey of Heylegerlee and the village of Wynschote in the countrey of Groningen The earle of Arembergh of the house of Barbanson gouernour of Friseland and Oueryssel knight of the Order of the golden Fleece a braue knight was interred in the church of the same abbey and Cont Adolph of Nassau a young nobleman of great hope in the chappell of the castle of Wedde The losse of this battaile did wonderfully incense the duke of Alua whereof hee would reuenge himselfe vpon many gentlemen that were prisoners in the warre and other noblemen And to draw more into his power he made a proclamation vpon the twentieth of May in the towne of Brussels against all those that were retyred out of the countrey by reason of the troubles commaunding them to appeare at a certaine day prefixed vpon paine of confiscation of bodie and goods few returned and they sped ill but the greatest part remayned behind hoping for a day that should bring them home with greater assurance The duke seeing the small number of them that were returned vpon whom he vngorged his rage the first of Iune hee caused the heads of eighteene gentlemen and captaines to be cut off vpon the sand hill at Brussels and among others Ghisbrecht and Thierry barons of Batenbourg young men brethren when as neither the emperors letters nor the intercession of some princes of Germany nor the great expences of the lady of Batenbourg their mother to redeeme them from death could not preuaile any thing Whilest they executed such as died constantly in their Religion the drummes sounded continually to the end they might not heare what they said but if any of the Romish Religion died they were silent The next day being the second of the moneth he also put to death the Seigniors of Villers and Dhuy prisoners taken at the defeat of Dalem with Quentin Benoit baylife of Engien and Cornellis of Mee minister Afterwards he caused to be
for the siege of Leyden as for the victualling of Middlebourg and the recouerie of Zeeland Behold how the Netherlands had successiuely two strange gouernours against the rights liberties freedomes and the kings oath which did not allow any other gouernor or gouernesse but of his bloud or borne in the countrey Being come to the end of the duke of Alua his gouernement I thinke it not amisse to satisfie the mind of the reader that may be desirous to know more particularities touching him to make a briefe rehearsall of the said dukes actions gouernments and cruelties the which are set downe in writing by his aduersaries First they charge him That hee had counselled the king to vse all extremities in all causes concerning the Netherlands and was alwaies the head of such as were worst affected vnto those prouinces That he was the onely meanes and nourishing of the disliking and contention betweene Dom Charles prince of Spaine and Dom Iohn de Austria and betweene others and him by his bad reports And that hauing gotten the charge and gouernment of the Netherlands that he had procured his instructions and commission to be made according to his owne will and desire conformable to the auncient hatred that he had conceiued against that countrey adding thereunto That he had beene receiued more peaceably and friendly into the Netherlands than he hoped or desired which was onely in regard of the honour and duty they owe vnto their naturall prince and vpon the promise made by the regent the duchesse of Parma who would haue seene all things past forgiuen and forgotten for that euery one had done his best endeuour to the vttermost of his power for his Maiesties seruice and the peace of the land But the duke being come hee presently declared That the priuiledges and freedomes of the countrey the institution of the order of the golden Fleece and the priuiledges of the Vniuersitie of Louaine which the king had personally sworne to obserue were all forfeited and lost thereby to hold and account the land to be as a strange countrey newly woon and conquered by the sword and therein to rule and raigne according to his will and pleasure They say further That his cruelties were so vnnaturall and vngodly that neither Nero Pharaoh Herode nor any Heathen tyrant could euer haue deuised or inuented greater That he had brought the king into a contempt and great dislike of the Netherlands although they were his patrimoniall inheritance contrarie to the admonition and counsell of Aristotle giuen to Alexander the Great That to the Grecians he should shew himselfe a father and as vnto a free Nation but to the conquered Barbarians and strangers as a lord and commaunder That hee had caused iudgement to bee giuen and execution to bee done vpon noble men and great personages by strangers defamed persons and men of base condition and qualitie and not without great and particular desire of reuenge beeing such personages without the which the king nor the emperour his father should neuer haue attained to so great estate and glorie And that in Brussels vnder pretence oâ—… hatred of religion hee had tyed one Anthonie Vtenhowe a gentleman to a stake with a chaine compassing him about with a great fire but not touching him for the Spaniards to passe the time withall turning him round about like a poore beast who was forced to liue in that great paine and extremitie roasting before the fire so long vntill that the halberdiers themselues hauing compassion of him thrust him thorow contrarie to the will and intent both of the duke and Spanish priests That hee had mooued the king to helpe himselfe by foure tyrannicall meanes First to disarme the countrey not suffering the inhabitants to exercise armes but to imploy strangers in his warres Secondly to make and keepe them poore by oppressions and laying great taxes vpon them Thirdly by making of castles and citadels which some call the dennes and nests of tyrants to bridle them And further by feeding and nourishing of diuision among his subiects for religion They obiect That hee had withholden the king for so many yeares in so great dangers from comming personally into the countries of the Netherlands as the emperour his father did only for the towne of Gand. That hee had incensed the king so much against the Netherlands as he would not vouchsafe to heare them but rather flatterers their enemies as it appeared by a packet of letters sent into Spain where they were kept vnopened nine monethes together vntill the comming of the cardinall Granuelle into Spaine That he had contemned the generall estates of the Netherlands persecuting iudging condemning and executing the nobilitie and gentlemen thereof as traytors to their countrey hauing onely presented an humble petition to the Duchesse of Parma being Regent to craue an assembly of the generall estates That hee was not content to haue destroyed and brought so many noble men gentle men rich and poore people vnto their ends and to haue banished and driuen so many out of the countrey but had so hardly and badly vsed those that remained in the countrey as they were fallen into dispaire and were pitied and lamented in all kings and princes courts whereby those that were in the land had beene compelled to ioyne with the banished persons when as they perceiued that the pardon made by the pope and the king by his onely meanes and procurement tended onely to deceit as beeing full of double interpretations exceptions and restrictions wherein they might not trust the Netherlands for the most part that are a people that commonly are good old and Catholike Christians beeing esteemed for heretikes by the new Spanish Mauritane Christians for which cause many spirituall persons fearing the rigour and crueltie vsed by punishing and banishing of the people procured attestations certificats and testimonials from their bishops and pastors to testifie them to be cleer and not to haue offended whose names hee caused to bee written and sent into Spaine thereby to bring the Spiritualtie into suspition of heresie and so to bereaue them of all honour and credit seeking to bring the Spirituall goods and liuings of the countries of the Netherlands into the kings hands after the Spanish manner thereby to bestow them vpon the Spaniards That his crueltie appeared by his ransacking spoyling ruining expelling destroying imprisoning chaining banishing and confiscating of mens goods burning hanging beheading breaking vpon wheeles hanging men aliue by the feet and with most horrible and vncredible tormenting racking and murthering of so many noble and vnnoble rich and poore young and old widowes and orphanes men women and young maids of all estates and conditions So as hee bragged sitting at meat That hee hauing done the best hee could to root out all heresies had caused eighteene thousand men to bee executed and put to death by the ordinarie minister of iustice within the space of six yeares that hee gouerned the Netherlands not accounting those that his
annotations in the Margent passe wel inough therby to prouide to a pacification but touching the restrictions and conditions thereafter ensewing as of deliuering ouer the prouinces townes and forts of Holland Zeland together with the ships artilery and other things it apeared that they sought to circumuent them as it is said to be done in the fable of the wars betweene the Wolues the Sheepe after the Sheepe had deliuered the dogs that were their protection defence vnto the wolues That the Prince of Orange and the estates of Holland and Zeeland were wrongfully holden and accounted for rebells and open enemies to his maiesty which they could by no meanes vnderstand to bee so for that they had not in the least point once sought to deminish ot detract any thing from his Maiesties highnesse and authority in any sort what so-euer but rather for his maiesties profit and the preseruation and defence of the land and the townes there of to gether with their houses liues and goods wiues and children from the tirany of the Duke of Alua and his adherents with great labour and toyle had vsed all the meanes they could to driue their aduerse party from thence whereof they had alwaies made declaration that they neuer ment or intended to beare armes against his maiesty nor by the same sought to refuse obedience or to alienate them-selues from the same but with all duty to continew in his maiesties grace and fauour with other Prouinces vnited vnto them as they did before hauing beene free from any meaning or intent to take away the goods of their aduersaries either spirituall or temporall as in the said conditions were inserted in such sort that they could not thereby perceaue any good opinion to bee conceaued of them and the rather for that by the other conditions of holding and maintaining the Romish Catholik religion or els to depart the land it appeared that their religion was accounted heresie and consequently they them-selues to bee heretikes although no other religion was vsed there amongst them then onely the catholike and apostolike religion agreeing with the holy scriptures wherein they onely trusted and had settled their consciences onely disalowing and banishing open and great abuses and disorders vsed in the church vnpleasing to God thereby to giue that vnto God that was Gods and vnto the King that which belonged vnto him And therefore withall reuerence and humility they said that they could by no meanes be perswaded to accept and allowe of the said articles as they were propounded caling to minde the example of the Earles of Egmont and Horne as also of the Baron of Montigny and others with seuerall breakings of securities promises and assurances that also it was not conuenient that so great a nomber as were inclined to the reformed religion should depart out of the land and forsake their natiue country and that in truth it was a much more harder condition that so great a nomber of the Kings Maiesties faithfull subiects to their great losse should bee forced to sell away their goods which they could not doe but to their exceeding great hinderance although they found marchants and buyers great store and bee compelled to dweld and wander like banished men in other countryes rather then they would send three or foure thousand Spaniards that had made sufficient gaine and prey of the country home againe whereas the departure of the subiects out of the Netherlands would not onely cause a great depopulation of the country but a decay of all kindes of trades trafickes handy-workes occupations and sea-faringe wherein the whole wel-faire of the Netherlands consisted for that it was â—…anyfestly knowne that the sending away of the people at other times by meanes of the rigorous proclamations and terrible executions of the same the industrious handi-crafts that were in the land were by that meanes caried into other countries to the vnspeakeable decay and hinderance of his maiesties rents and reuenewes and from thence by the condition propounded of selling their goods for that time onely they vnderstood that the proclamations and the inquisition touching religion should againe bee put in practise which euery man so much abhorred that those that should remaine in the country were likely to fall into a new trouble and dissention and that at the last a great peece of his maiesties crowne would bee torne in peeces desiring with all humility that their declaration and aduise might bee taken in good part as proceeding from a good deuotion vnto his maiestie and the countries wel-faire beseeching GOD that it would please him of his infinite mercy to inspire his maiestie and the Lords that were comissioners with other counsell knowledge and aduise Vpon this declaration the Kings Deputies vpon the first of Aprill made a replication in writing wherein they seemed to blame the said declaration to be too sharpe and bitter against those with whome they ought to liue in peace and amity and that the King was content according to their desires to cause the Spaniards and others to depart out of the land when all controuersies should bee ended and appeased so as they of Holland and Zeeland would doe the like blaming them like-wise that they should account Holland and Zeeland to bee Earledomes belonging vnto the Empire excusing the great Commander and not beleeuing that he would write any such maâ—…ter as they had charged him with all Thâ—… assembling of he generall estates they agreed vnto peace being made being the second point of their request Touching the deliuering ouer of the townes places forts shippes and artillery they wondred to what end they alledged the fable of the wolues and the sheepe whereas it was not sought or desired otherwise then with proffer of good and sufficient caution wherof they not once made any mention offering besides the Kings word which in reason should be sufficient to make them al due conuenient satisfaction that they could demand as also that the States of the prouince each one in particular should haue the said declaration and the Kings promises to bee set downe vnder his great Seales and if need were to be confermed by the Emperors Maiesty and by other Lords and Princes of the blood Touching the religion his Maiesties meaning was not to yeeld in any thing therevnto but that such as would depart the land should haue six moneths time granted vnto them for their departure and in the meane time should behaue them-selues modestly without any scandale and as for the selling of their lands and goods to aduance them to the highest rate and most aduantage and they should haue 8 or 10. yeares time for the sale thereof so as they suffered them in the meane time to bee vsed and held by Romish Catholikes that the departure of the people out of the land was a greefe vnto the King but seeing they would not conforme them-selues to liue as other men did it was their owne and not the Kings fault and whereas
the departure out of the land was limited vnto them for that time onely they said it was done for that there was no reason to alter the religion at euery time and thereby to procure and raise confusion and scandale among the common people and might likewise tend to a disgrace of Iustice and the Kings prerogatiue That his Maiestie doubted not that if the strange preachers and consistories with some other priuate persons who by meanes of the troubles vnder pretence of complayning for losse of their priueledges had brought in diuers Inouations would alter their opinions or were once gon out of the Netherlands that the common people being better informed in all things would be contented to liue in peace and obey his Maiesties will and pleasure who onely sought to defend and keepe them from all inconueniences and perticularly from the inquisition which his Maiesti pretended not to bring into the Netherlands Vpon this replication the deputies for the Prince and the estates of Holland and Zeeland vpon the fourth of Aprill desired a monethes libertie to make there report in regard that they seemed to charge and laie all the burthen vpon certaine perticuler persons and strangers and that therefore they would fetch lawfull and authenticall testimonialls of their authorities desiring withall a passport for certaine of their Ambassadors which they ment to send with the Earle of Swartzenburgh who as then was vpon his departure vnto the Emperor and that in the meane time the hostages might also returne againe The Earle of Swartezenburg likewise vpon the sixt of Aprill wrot vnto the great Commander to Brussels saying that hee had commission from the Emperors Maiestie to bring certaine Ambasadors with him from the estates of Holland and Zeeland that his Maiestie might bee fully informed of the cause for the better furtherance of a peace to bee made with the King of Spaine promising and giuing his word that the said Ambasadors should not in their said lourney vse any secret or vnlawfull proceedings The liberty of a monethes time sought by the deputies of the estates was partlie graunted vnto them but the Pasport required for the Ambassadors was by the Commander vtterl◅ denied Vppon the sixt of Aprill the Earle of Swartzenburgh tooke his leaue of the deputies on both sides assembled in Breda shewing them what labour and trouble ◅e had had both by intercession vnto the great Commander the Kings gouernor Generall and with the Prince of Orange and the estates of Holland and Zeeland to extinguish and quench the secret hatred and burning fier of enuy that flamed in their hearts and that although as then there was little effected for that the differēce of religion much hindered their proceedings yet he was not altogither out of hope neither wished he that therefore the matter should be neglected and not goe forward but rather gaue counsell that both partes should cease from armes that the truce should be made betweene thē for sixe moneths and for that the reformed religion was so deeply grounded in the hearts of the one party that it could not so sodenly be rooted out he thought it good that during the time of the truce they of Holland and Zeeland might freely vse the excercise of their religion and not to deny the said truce for religion sake The condition of the said truce on both sides he referred vnto the discretio as of the parties desiring them to take his meaning in good part as fore-seeing the generall ruine and destruction of the Netherlands if the cessation and laying aside of armes were not granted that so their hearts might be vnited togither and thereby a peace procured it being other-wise to be feared that the Netherlands being diuided might so fall into the hands of other Princes the which in regard of the great affectiō he bare vnto the Kings prosperous happy proceedings he would gladly seeke to hinder and preuent to that end desired an answer from the Commander within two dayes after earnestly desiring them not to take his departure in euill part it being apparant and sufficiently knowne with what labor and cost hee had performed that charge and that yet with great greefe hee had heard that hee had reaped and gotten the euill will and disliking of diuers great Lords for that cause onely and was had in suspition and that therefore he thought it necessary for him to returne backe againe vnto the Emperor and to discharge him-selfe of his ambassage not doubting but that his Maiestie if the truce were once agreed vppon would vse all the meanes and wayes he could to procure a firme and an assured peace and that so the Netherlands might bee kept and maintained in obedience vnder the King wherein he himselfe will neither spare his labour nor his meanes for the good of his Maiestie and his subiects of the Netherlands To this oration made by the Earle of Swaertzenbrugh touching his departure the great Commander made answer vppon the eight of Aprill giuing him great thankes for his labor and paines which hee knew the Kings Maiestie would take ◅n good part But touching the truce he said his Maiestie would not agree therevnto for certaine reasons and that hee saw no cause why hee should desist from his disseins but was content that there should bee a truce concluded for two monthes so that in the meane time the excercise of the reformed religion might cease both in Holland and Zeeland and they that vsed the same to go into some other place and that hee thought it not a thing pertinent vnto his office and charge to grant pasports vnto the Kings rebells to passe through his country whereas they had meanes ynough to go otherwaies In his voyage to the Emperor hee wished him all good successe giuing him great thankes for his paines taken therein in the Kings behalfe The like answer was made him by the Deputies as then in Breda so the Earle of Swaertzenburgh took his leaue and departed Vppon the last of Maie the Deputies mette againe at Breda where-in the behalfe of the Prince of Orange and the States of Holland and Zeeland c. Vppon the last of Iune there was a wrighting presented by them wherein they said that they liked well of the offer made of holding and obseruing of their priuiledges for the profit of the Netherlands but that they could not perceiue how that would or might be in any sort beneficiall for them when as they by the articles propounded must leaue and for sake the country Moreouer for-that they perceiued speaking freely that it was not as yet conuenient for them to forsake their natiue country as also the reformed religion they humbly besought his Maiestie that it would please him with a fauourable countenance to behold and regard the great zeale and holy intents of his obedient subiects and in the matter of conscience whereof account is onely to bee made vnto GOD him-selfe to with-hold and cease the fier and
king of Spaine was sent as agent into England by the Commander to intreat her maiesty to banish all the Kings rebells that were retired thether The which was at the first refused him the Queene finding it very strange vnworthy the Maiesty of a Prince to chase away the poore exiled Netherlanders who were fled into her dominions to saue their liues and to auoide the Spanish tirany practised both against their bodies and consciences Shewing the mischiefe which had insued how much the King his maister had bin preiudized in the like case 3. years before when at his request she had driuen out of her Ports the Earle of Marck and them of his company with their ships who beeing thus chased away to all aduentures seeking a place of retreat they seized vpon the Iland and towne of Briele so as it had bin better for the King hee had not made any such request notwithstanding at the instance of the Agent the Queene gaue cōmandment to all captaines officers of her Ports and hauens not to suffer any one to enter and to cause al those retire that did carry armes against the King of Spaine Among the which that might not enter or that were there already were particularly named The Prince of Orange al those of his house the Earles of Culenburg Vandan-bergh and la Marck the signior of Esquerdes and of Lumbres brethren Rumen Carnesse Noielles Blioul Bredam Boisot Saint Aldegonde Mansart Vanden Dorpe Vander Aa Houtain Vanden Timpel Iunius and many others to the number of fifty by name This was granted by the Queene for that by doctor Wilson her agent she had obtained of the Cōmander that the Earle of Westmerland al other English rebells should be in like sort banished out of the low-counties and that the English ships 4. at once the which she had also obtained from the Prince of Orange might traffick freely at Antwerp and in al other places During this negotiation the Prince of Orange and the States of Holland and Zeland finding by that had past at the last cōference at Breda that there was no assurāce of peace with the King of Spaine whereby they might enioy the exercise of their relligion they consulted to what part they should turne whom they should seeke vnto to preserue their liues wiues children and goods against the violence of the king of Spaine wherevpon they propoūded to choose one of 3. great mighty Monarks for their Protector which was the Empire France or England As for the Empire they found great difficulty least hope there considering the diuersity of relligion and the small vnion that was betwixt the Princes of Germany one distrusting an other and euery one troubled with care how to maintaine his owne estate in peace free from the practises as well of the Spaniards as of the aduerse party besides the said Princes would neuer endure that any one of them in particular should take vpon him aboue the rest the state gouernment of the Netherlands wherby he might exceed the rest in force and means Moreouer the King of Spaine had many great friends there first the Emperor his brother in law then the dukes of Bauiere and other Protestants besides the bishops And that before they should incorporate the said Netherlands vnto the Empire their would be a yeare and a day spent before the States thereof would agree vpon so important a businesse the which could not be effected without an Imperial diet wherin they should wāt no opponents that would contradict it As for France it was not found counenient not only by reason of the periuries massakers cruelties lately committed there but for many other inconueniences which would follow it and that France was now exhaust and drawne dry of money and meanes by reason of the ciuill warres the which were not yet fully pacified And admit the French were wel affected to them yet could it not be done without great distrust of either part which would haue bred a continuall war betwixt the vnited Prouinces of Holland Zeeland and their associates and the Brabansons Flemings Artesiens and them of Henault who had rather haue warre against the French by reason of their old quarrells then against the vnited States As for the English notwithstāding the difficulties of the tongues they found not any in their opiniōs more fit to receiue them vnder their protection not onely by reason of the conformity of religion but also for the Queenes greatnesse her neighbourhood and the nauigation and traffick from one country to another whereby Spaine should be out of hope to be commanders at sea besides the realmes of Denmarke Sueden the county of Emden and the Hans townes of the East countries did not onely desire it but also intreated it might take effect that they might ioyne with them in a new league The which would also cause Brabant Flanders and other prouinces to seeke to be comprehended in this league yea and France it selfe that they might with their common forces weaken the Spaniards and reduce him vnto reason so as by the means of England those countries should be for euer maintained in peace rest and prosperity The estates and the Prince hauing duly considered which of these three might be most auaileable for them seeing that the estate of their affaires required a speedy resolution of the one before that their enemies should preuaile more ouer them they concluded that they must seeke to the Queene of England wherefore applying themselues vnto the time and to reason to that which their religion required their estate had most need of they sent into England Philip of Marnix signior of S. Aldegunde Iohn Vander-dorpe signior of Nortwyck William of Nyuelt Paul Buys aduocate for the states of Holland Doctor Malson a Lawier with others with cōmission to make a league with the Queene or to submit thēselues vnder her prot◅tiō or if necessity so required to acknowledge her for their Princesse soueraign Lady issued from the Earles of Holland Zeeland by the Lady Philipot daughter to William the third of that name Earle of Henault and Holland c. Wherevpon the Queene waighing of the one side the hatred of the Spaniards the iealousie of the French the great charges she must bee at if she vnder-tooke their cause grew cold in satisfying of their demands Besides the great Commander had sent the Lord of Champaigny vnto the Queene who preuailed so with his eloquence ' as she resolued rather to entertaine the amity of Spaine then to accept the offers the states made vnto her and to seeke some meanes to reconcile both parties for the quiet of her realme for the which she intreated the King by a particular discourse by protestation that if he would not agree with his Netherlands giue them peace that he should not thinke it strange if for her owne safety she did lay hold vpon Holland and Zeeland
richest marchāts were made poore and the very beggers o◅ the Spaniards were inricht in an instant but some did not long inioy their great wealth for there were simple soldiars which lost ten thousand Crownes in a day at dice vppon the Bursse which was their playing place Other not knowing what to do with their treasure made hilts for rapiers and daggers of pure gold yea whole Corslets A goldsmith hauing made one the Spaniard desirous to haue it varnished that it might not be discouered to bee of gold the workman fled away with it and came to Flessingue The riches that was taken there was so great as some haue affirmed that there was aboue some fortie tunne of golde spoiled in ready money There was a soldiar which tooke out of a windowe of a house seuentie thousand Florins Captaine Ortis made choise of a bootie which no man else dreampt of which was the prison where hee set at libertie for great ransomes all the prisoners that were in it as well for ciuill and criminall causes as them of the religion among the which there was some ministers and many Anabaptists whereby hee gathered a great treasure The Cittie of Antwerpe being thus miserably subiected vnder the enemies yoake the Spaniards fearing that the States to cut of the passage of the riuer towards Gant should build a Forte at Burcht before the which all the shippes must passe that went to Gant Tenremonde Macklin and Brusselles made hast to preuent them and to build one there which they gaue in gard to Francisco Valdes with 400. Spaniards DON IOHN OF AVSTRIA BAStard sonne to the Emperor Charles the fift Gouernor of the Netherlands for the King of Spaine JOANNES AVSTRI CAR. V. F. PHIL. RE. CAT. NOM◅ APVD BELGAS GVB ET CAPIT GENERA Although I issued from an vnlawfull bed Yet was I not the lesse esteem'd but greatly honored For when the Emperor dying did acknowledge me To be his naturall sonne the King did hold me for to be His bastard brother and did such affection beare To me that to most great affaires he did me stil prefer The Turke I fear'd not but did him ouerthrow And forc'd the Granadian Moores obedience to shew My minde aspiring vnto high conceites was bent And made me practise many things to further my intent But being hether sent chiefe Gouernor to be Death crossed al my purposes and made an end of me DON Iohn of Austria bastard brother to the King of Spaine sent to gouerne the Netherlands arriued in the towne of Luxembourg in Nouember 1576. the verie daie that the Spaniards practised their furie in Antwerp by murthering burning and spoyling of the Cittie sparing no age sex nor qualitie Being there hee writ his letters to the Spaniards in Antwerp and to the generall Estates assembled at Brussells seeming in his letters to the States to bee somewhat discontented for the insolencies that had beene committed in the Netherlands promising to take due punishment so as they would shew due obedience vnto the King and maintaine the Romish Catholike relligion whereas on the other side if they continued obstinate he was not onely prouided but resolued as well for warre as peace according to the instructions of the Spanish councell The councell of Estate merueyled much at the first that hee came not personally to Brussells but they were much amazed at the contents of his letter which seemed to threaten them who thought to haue executed their charge wisely and carefully shewing himselfe therein not as their Gouernor but as their aduersary which iealousie of theirs encreased the more for that hee would not come among them but vpon hostages desiring also to haue their troupes vnder his priuate commande or a great part of them for his securitie as if they were his enemies This seemed very strange vnto the generall Estates and the whole Countrie and bred ill bloud in them and the rather for that they discouered that the mutinous and rebellious Spaniards first secretly and after openly had all fauour and accesse vnto him and that hee affected the sole gouernment to himselfe that so hee might punish and controule reward and honour whom hee pleased being held strang in Spaine that the Netherlanders who were there esteemed as a conquered people and subiects to the King should vndertake such great matters as had beene effected all much derogating to the Kings prerogatiue and honour and so much the more intollerable for that in Spaine they were generally suspected and held for Lutherans and heretiks The generall Estates being likewise assembled at Brussells consisting of the deputies of the spirituallty the nobilitie townes and members of the Prouinces vnder the lawfull subiection of their naturall Lord after declaration made touching their preuiledges customes lawes ancient liberties sworne vnto by their Prince himselfe they found the proceeding of Don Iohn to bee verie strange and the rather for that they vnderstood out of Spaine that the oppressions and insolent behauiour of the Spanish souldiars were rather applauded then disallowed and that in steed of exemplarie punishment there were more rewards and honours appointed to bee giuen vnto their captaines and Commanders and they found by certaine letters that Don Iohn had charge to follow such instructions as Ieronimo Rhoda had left in Antwerp with a Spanish Marchant called Ieronimo Lopez and that Rhoda had the managing of all the Netherland causes in Spaine The effect of Don Iohns instructions were that hee should vse all the faire meanes hee could to winne the hearts of the common people that by their aide hee might subdue Holland and to punish the rest according to their desarts and that in the meane time hee should dissemble which instructions although they were not knowne at the first yet were the generall Estates and the Nobilitie presently estranged from him by meanes of his disorderly proceeding for which cause they sent vnto the Prince of Orange beeing an old experienced councellor in affaires of State and then a member of the Netherlands to heare his aduice who in the end of Nouember writ vnto them from Middelbourg as followeth A letter written by the Prince of Orange To the Generall estates of the Netherlands assembled at Brussells the last of Nouember 1576. MY maisters you haue before seene by my letters what in my opinion vnder your correction I thought fit to be treated of with Don Iohn of Austria And although it may seeme vnto you that what I do so often re-iterate proceeds from some priuate passion or to entertaine this country in alteration Notwith-standing I may call GOD to witnesse with a good conscience that my disseigne was neuer other but to see this Country gouerned as it hath allwaies beene by the generall Estates Which consists of the ◅lergie Nobilitie and the townes members depending thereon vnder the lawfull obedience of their naturall Prince And as since by the length of time this gouernment hath beene by little and little abolished
whatsoeuer had neuer bin vsed as the hundreth and the tenth penny whereby some Prouinces vpon mere extremity had with-drawne them-selues from the absolute subiection of the said Duke which to reduce againe vnder his authority he prepared certaine fleets of shipes and vnder pretence thereof he vnfurnished the townes of their ordinance and armes and after that sent part thereof secretly into Spaine and an other part thereof was lost making account that a disarmed country was not greatlie to be feared and to the end that he might pourchase the fauour and loue of the soldiars as the tyrants Sylla Synna and Marius in Rome did he suffered them to vse al the tirrany they could deuise against the townes of the Netherlands as to Mechelen Naerden Harlem and others after whome followed Don Loys de Requesens great Commander of Castille a man of the same humor who hauing for a while playd the foxe brought likewises all the priuileges of the country in question whereby the mutinous soldiers after there victory at Moukerheyde without any great cause were suffered in his presence to force the townes as they did at Antwerp and compell them to pay them their entertainements whereas the Barron de Champigni had good meanes to haue hindred them from the same by which meanes the said soldiers tooke occasion and imboldened them selues to thinke that it was permitted them with the aide of the neighbours garrisons to ouer-rule ransake and spoyle the townes where they lay in garrison which had likewise happened in the towne of ould Naerden where he was gouernor if God had not giuen him the grace to preuent it in such sort that Spaine it selfe woundred at the Netherlands great submission and patience thinking it strange that after the death of the Commander the country did not kill and destroy all those mutinous soldiers when as the light horse-men mutined as the States had beene well informed out of Spaine which mutinous and insolent dealings were certefied vnto the King himselfe both in the Commanders time and sence and whereas the said Commander had twice sent to sommon the Knights of the order of the golden fleese the gouernors of the Prouinces and the Bishops and presidents of the Prouinciall councels with the counsell of estate and the secretaries that conuenient order might be taken therein it was there generally agreed and consented vnto to preuent further inconueniences that they should seeke to agree and make peace with the Prince of Orange and the states of Holland and Zeeland that all the Spanish and other strange soldiers both horse and foot-men should be sent out of the Netherlands that so the Catholike Kings seruice might the better bee effected That the Generall estates should be assembled that all other points of controuersie and contention happened betweene the Kings seruants and the aforesaid estates might be ended alwaies obseruing the old religion and the lawfull soueraignite of the King which there resolution being writen and signed by the parties aforesaid was sent into Spaine vnto the King where-vpon the King taking long consultation and aduise in the meane time more inconueniences happening through the proud and insolent behauiour of the Spaniards the King made answer that it was his onely care to find the best meanes to preuent all the said disorders and that as sone as he could he would send the Marquis of Haurec with order for the same At the last the King by his letters written vnto the States consented and agreed vnto their desires and willed the same to bee made knowne vnto the perticuler Prouinces as it was don according to the aduise of the aforesaid counsell of estate But the effect execution and charge thereof was remitted vnto Don Iohn de Austria as then nominated by the King to be sent gouernor into the Netherlands to cause the said country to be better counâ—…d of him as the Kingâ—… letters specified and contayned In the meane time after the winning of Ziricxzee the Spanish soldiers beginning againe to mutine tooke in Herentales and after that Alost liuing therein at discretion as euery man saw The Lords of the counsell of estates perceauing the mischiefe like a canker more and more to spred abroad within the Netherlands thinking it to be necessary to vse a speedy remedy fearing a generall reuolt of the country and that of mere necessity and pouerty quia noscit plebs ieiuna timere declared the mutinous soldiers in Alost and there adherents to be rebelis and meaning to punish them according to their deserts had determined to raise certaine tropes and to that end wrote to assemble the estates in Brussels there to take councell about the affaires of the land and to cause the Spaniards and all other strangers to depart out of the Netherlands and yet not without contenting them of their paines according to their accounts and reckonings but they to the contrary made a mock at all reasonable motions carrying themselues more insolently then before openly boasting that they would cut the throats of all their enimies and wash their hands in their bloud So as the estates could doe no lesse then by authority of the councell of state then ruling to take armes for their defence and securities as it is permitted both by godly naturall and humaine lawes and so made peace with the Prince of Orange the estates of Holland and Zeland determining after the driuing out of the strangers to haue a generall assembly of the estates to take order for the keeping and maintaining of the catholike religion the honor and authority of the kings maiesty their maister therby to preuent a greater mischiefe which meere necessity forced them vnto that they might not suffer the ruine of so goodly Prouinces before Don Iohn could come thether saying that her Maiestie might thereby well vnderstand what had past in the Netherlands and what reasons moued the generall estates by order from the Lords of the councell of estate then gouerning and representing the person of the King their soueraigne Lord to haue their refuge and recourse vnto armes And for that cause desired her Maiesty to consider if that they were therein to bee blamed when as they neither sought alteration of religion nor change of Prince but onely desired to serue the king and sought to deliuer and free themselues from the bloudy practises of the Spanish soldiers and to maintaine themselues in their ancient lawes rights and priuiledges which his Maiestie had confirmed by oath as also to bee gouerned by naturall borne persons of the land as they had beene in times past all which their so lawfull and reasonable causes the deputies of the generall estates knowing her Maiesty to be a princes of great vnderstanding and wisdome farre from all ambition and yet most pittifull had giuen him in charge to shew vnto her hoping that she of her gracious fauour clemencie and good will would not forsake nor abandon them in a matter of so necessary and of so great
of Meuse were incountred the same moneth neere vnto Iupille halfe a League from Liege by Balfour a Scotish Collonel who charged them so furiously as many of their souldiars were slaine vpon the place and the rest of them that scapt were all put to flight Whilest that the States made warre of all sides against the Spaniards those of Antwerp Alost and there aboutes in the Prouinces of Flanders and Brabant had a desseigne to beseege Brussells but hearing that Don Iohn of Austria the King of Spaines Bastard brother was come to Luxembourg to bee Gouernor and Lieuetenant Generall for the Kings Maiestie in the seauenteene Prouinces they desisted and would know how matters should after that time passe Don Iohn hauing staied some time in Luxembourg the Generall Estates sent the Noble Lords of Rassinghem and Villeruall the Bourgraue of Gaunt Meetkerke and other deputies to treate with Don Iohn so as after manie voyages at the last hee came to Marche in Famine the fifteene of December where they agreed vpon a generall truce and surcesance of armes for fifteene daies in the meane time hee sent Octauio Gonsaga and his Secretarie Escouedo to Antwerp Mastricht and Liere to deale about the sending away of the Spaniards as hee sayd and on the twentie and one of December the estates sent their deputies to Namur thinking that Don Iohn would haue come thether that by conference to gither they might roote out all iealousies but hee came not himselfe but sent the Lord of Rassinghem for to desire them to grant a longer respite for eight daies whereby hee might haue a full resolution from the Spaniards in Antwerp and other places Desiring moreouer to know what securitie and assurance the States would giue him for their obedience vnto the King after the departure of the Spaniards saying that it stood not with his honour to disarme himselfe and to put himselfe into their hands that were armed and therefore hee desired that the Estates should in like sort resolue to haue their souldiars disarmed and all strange souldiars amongst them to depart out of the countrie as well the Spaniards as any others Moreouer hee desired to knowe with what securitie the Spaniards should depart and whether by water or by lande And for that the matter in controuersie with the Estates of Holland and Zeelande and the Noble Prince of Orange was to bee decided by the generall Assembly of the States hee desired to knowe when and where that assemblie should bee kept and held and what pledges and securitie they would apoint for his person By which demands the estates found that his meaning was not to let the Spaniards depart out of the Prouines and countrie before the question for Relligion and other controuersies with the Hollanders and Zeelanders were ended wherevpon they resolued to follow and persist in their demands that the Spaniards should presently depart out of the Netherlands and vpon the last day of December for his full satisfaction they sent vnto him by their deputies fiue attestations Two beeing written in parchment signed and sealed by the Bishoppes Prelats Abbots Deanes and Pastors bearing date the seauenteene of December in the yeare of our Lord 1576. A third signed and sealed by the Deanes and facultie of diuinitie in Louvaine of the six and twenty of December 1576. A forth attestation of the doctros and professors of both lawes in the same Vniuersitie the same daie and yeare and a fifte from diuers Prelats directed vnto the Pope conteyning the state of relligion in the Netherlands dated the eight of Nouember last past betweene the generall estates of the one part and the Prince of Orange with the Estates of Holland and Zeeland on the other part And further-more to let him vnderstand that in the sayd contract of pacification there was not any thing that might diminish or any way preiudice the lawfull obedience due vnto the Kings owne Royall Maiestie they also deliuered him an Attestation from the Lords of the councell of State appointed by the King to gouerne the Netherlands bearing date the 20. of December 1576. signed Bartii The first of Ianuary 1577. the Abot of Saint Gelein chosen bishop of Arras the Marquis of Haurec the Bourgraue of Gant the Baron of Liedekerke and Adolph van Meetkerke deputies for the States offered to meet him at the townes of Lovuen or Mecklen to determine and conclude vpon that which was agreed vpon at Luxemburg betweene him the counsell of Estate for his Maiesty and the deputies of the generall Estates And for the assurance of his person besides the security offred by the generall Estates he should chuse a Commander and a garde of Netherlands such as were in the States seruice which Commander with his soldiars should take their othes vnto him to keepe and defend his person therewith to content him and that further they were content to deliuer him 4. Hostages to be taken out of the Estates or their deputies that should yeeld themselues into the bishop of Liege his hands a Prince that was their Neighbour vntill the peace were full concluded wherevnto vpon the same day Don Iohn made answer that in regard of the great loue hee bare vnto them and the desire hee had to the welfare and peace of the land hee would chuse the Lord of Hierges for the captaine of his guard with a regiment of 3000. souldiars that then were vnder his command as well for the defence and preseruation of his person as of the place which the would chuse to bee one of the two which they had offered vnto him and for Hostages hee would haue the Marquis of Haurec the Burgraue of Gant Emanuel of Lalain Baron of Montigny and the Abot of Saint Gertrude which should remaine in the castell of the Bishop of Leige and there be kept as he sayd they promised him and so hee would bee ready to meete them at Lovuen or at Mechelen there to bring the matter to a good conclusion Wherevnto the States made answere that al the Prouinces in the Netherlands had promised and vowed each to other and signed it with their hands not to abandon one the other but to make warre vntill that the Spaniards were gon out of the country promising neither to change Prince nor religion wherevnto they of Holland and Zeeland likewise had signed still holding their religion till it were otherwise ordered by the generall estates As also that they had not granted him to chuse his Hostages for that those which he had named they could not spare but they would nominate others not of the same qualitie and yet men sufficient inough and also touching the Lord of Hierges they sayd they could not grant him for diuers reasons to be commander ouer his guard but if hee would come parle with them he might if it pleased him meet them at Huy in the Land of Liege a newter place and with the like number of men as they brought
by all demonstrations of ioy feasts and kinde vsage all men shewing as much respect vnto him as if hee had beene naturall Prince of the countrey euery one expecting that by his meanes the Strangers oppressors of the countrey being retired the gouernments should bee put into their hands that were naturall borne well affected to the good and publike quiet the peace and vnion of the countrey inuiolably kept the priuiledges rights and liberties restored and all points of the pacification of Gand obserued and accomplished to the end that thereby an ouer-ture being made for the assembling of the generall Estates of all the Prouinces which had beene promised of either part they might in the end settle a generall and perpetuall good order throughout the whole countrey with a firme establishment of vnion and of all good intelligence and correspondencie betwixt the Prouinces as well in regarde of the maintenance of the Catholick and Romish religion as of the full and perfect obedience due vnto his Maiestie and the good and publicke quiet of the said countries But the greater this hope ioy and contentment was to all in generall the greater was euery mans care and hearts-greefe when they see themselues frustrate of this hope and expectation For after the departure of the Spaniards insteed of putting to his hand for the accomplishing of the rest of the points which remained of the pacification of Gand and of his accord to roote out all occasions of iealousie and distrust they see Don Iohn by little and little fill his Court with strangers enemies to the countrie and the publike quiet most part Spaniards and Italians or so affected and simbolizing with their humors as besides the apparent wrong which hee did vnto himselfe and to his faith and promise by the which hee had bound himselfe not to vse them hee made his will and intention manifest which was to reduce the sayd countries already too much opprest vnder the yoake of them whom hee himselfe had made shew and profession to abhorre For vnder colour that hee had sent for his traine out of Italie hee caused a good number of Spaniards and Italians to enter into the countrey by whome hee was euer chieflie serued recoyling and putting from him as much as hee could those of the countrey vnlesse it were some fewe that were Spaniolized or of the like humor or such as were altogether suspected to them that loued their countrey hauing aduanced Baptista Taxis to bee Steward of his house and others of vile and base condition hauing serued as spyes to the Duke of Alua to chiefe offices yea into his councell although in the beginning hee made shew that hee would onely imploy them of the countrey and put off strangers yet by the effects they found the contrary for in all occurrents of importants hee onely vsed the councell of the Lord of Gonsague and of his Secretarie Escouedo doing nothing of importance without their aduise contrary to the Edict and Accord Article ten And when hee made shew to call any of the countrey to councell hee made choise of such as were of the Spanish faction or suspected to them that loued their countrey finding themselues greeued for that they had beene suspended from their Offices and gouernments in the beginning of their last alterations raysed against the Spaniards and their adherents beeing held to bee the Authors of the comming and reâ—…ning the Spaniards in these parts and of all the miseries and calamities which the countrey had since endured Also hee neuer put from his councell and companie some priuate persons of meane calling who through their violent passions had alwayes kindled the fire of ciuill warre in Holland and who had retired into the Castell of Antwerpe with the Spaniards holding their part against the States and hauing ayded both with their councell and persons to sacke and burne the Towne And more-ouer hee hath alwayes imployed and beene serued by them that were suspect vnto the States for that they held them-selues wronged as the Earles of Meghen and of Barlamont the Seignours of Hierges of Floion of Haulte-penne his sonnes the councellor Assonuille Taxis and others Whereby there could no other coniecture bee made but that hee pretended to entertaine the seedes of hatred and factions among the Noble-men and in the end when occasion should serue bandie one against another and by that meanes bee reuenged of them all as the effects in the end did shew If happily at any time hee called the rest it was but for an outward shew not to giue them occasion of complaint in the beginning and the better to couer his desseignes After the publication of the perpetuall Edict Don Iohn sent his Deputies to Gheertrudenberghe to treate with the Prince of Orange and the Deputies of Holland and Zeeland of which conference and of their speeches of eyther side I haue set downe a true narration THe Duke of Arschot the Lord of Hierges Monsieur de Villerual Grobbendoncque Metkerke and Doctor Elbertus Leoninus assisted by Doctor Gail Ambassador deputed for his Imperiall Maiestie being assembled on the one part and the Prince of Orange with the siegniors of Saint Aldegonde Nyuelt Vander Mylen Conynck and Vorsbergen on the other Monsieur Mertkercken began the speech and after some demonstration of the sinceritie and faithfull diligence which Don Iohn of Austria had vsed since hee was receiued for Gouernour in performing of the promises made by him and the good which hee had done vnto the countrie in causing the Spaniards to retire and that hee was still ready to pursue and bring to a good end what had beene so well begun to restore this countrey to her ancient beautie peace and happinesse from the which they were fallen through the gouernment of his Predecessors and the insolencie of Strangers Desiring to gouerne after an other manner by the councell and aduise of them of the countrey as shall be thought conuenient for their greater good and quiet Hee sayd more-ouer that it was reason also seeing that hee shewed himselfe so willing and desirous to redresse all things and reduce them to a good vnion and concorde that there should bee assurance also of the Princes behalfe and of the countries of Holland and Zeeland that after they haue finished all things and reduced the country to a better estate that they for their parts should make no difficulty to submit them-selues vnto reason and to the obedience due vnto his Maiesty and laying aside all Ielousy and distrust they will procure with all their power this desired vnion and will vnite themselues with the other Prouinces in one body vnder one obedience as it hath beene alwaies here-tofore And as there are many things whereby it seemes they haue no desire nor intent to come vnto this point but contrarywise that they will still hold them-selues diuided and in perpetuall distrust and disunion It were necessary before that his heighnesse proceed any
delt withall and found her aduice giuen both vnto the King and his Gouernors of those countries so little regarded or respected would haue delt in such friendly sort as shee hath done Notwithstanding all these discouragements her Maiestie thinking it honourable for her and meete for the place shee holdeth being the most ancient Allye which the Kings Progenitors as Dukes of Bourgongne haue to continue still her former course in giuing friendly aduice vnto the King cannot but proceed to the second point aboue mentioned which is to yeeld her aduice what course in her opinion is to be taken for the pacefying of these present troubles and the continuing of his subiects vnder his obedience First it is very apparant that the pacefication is broken and as great hostilitie intended on either side as may be whereof shee is heartily sorry The end if it continue will either be the ruine and desolation of the countrie or the losse or allyenation thereof from the Kings obedience For the preuenting whereof her Maiestie thinketh that there cannot bee a more expedient remedie then that it would please him to receiue his subiects into his grace and fauor that hee would suffer them to inioy their ancient liberties and freedomes command that the pacifiation might bee duly obserued and that hee would appoint such a Gouernor of his owne bloud as might bee pleasing vnto him-selfe and gratefull vnto them whereby they might willingly and with content yeeld him all due obedience continue in their religion according to his pleasure and do all things sette downe and agreed vppon in the pacification the which by reason of the great Iealousies betweene Don Iohn and them can neuer take effect so long as Don Iohn shall continue Gouernor For it seemes they haue put on a resolution that rather then they will indure the rigorous dealings which they expect during his gouernement they will put them-selues vnder the protection of any other Prince They charge him with the breach of the pacification and hee on the other side offers to iustisie him-selfe and layes the blame of this breach vppon them Her Maiestie hauing heard the allegations of the Ministers sent hether both from Don Iohn and the Estates meaneth not to bee a Iudge betweene them hauing rather a desire to reconcile them and to doe them good if shee could then to discouer the errors and imperfections of either partie To reconcile them shee findeth it impossible and therefore to preuent all further troubles that are otherwise like to insue the onely remedie will bee to make choyce of some other allyed to him in bloud to command vnder him in that gouernement By which temperate course the troubles may soone bee pacefied the great effusion of blood auoyded and those Prouinces continued vnder his obedience which other-wise are like to bee allyenated and distracted from him If hee shall like this aduice shee seeth no dispotition in the people to châ—…nge their King bing dutifully minded towards him hauing no intent so as they may bee releeued to innouate any thing but duly to obserue the late pacefication made at Gaunt And whereas for the contentment of the Estates and the pacefying of these troubles shee wisheth Don Iohns reuocation so considering how euill affected hee hath shewed him-selfe towards her as well by letters intercepted as by other secret practises which were very dangerous to the good and quiet of her Estate as the bearer can more amply informe him of diuers particularities in that behalfe shee cannot for the good amitie which shee wisheth might continue betweene the King and her Maiestie but presse the King more earnestly therevnto expecting no continuance of any good amitie and neighbourhood so long as a Minister so ill affected to her should reside there beeing desirous that such Ministers might be imployed on both sides as would rather seeke to increase the amitye then any way to infringe or breake it This her aduice tending to no other end but to maintaine those countries vnder her obedience and the continuance of good amitie betweene them shee hopeth the King will accept as friendly thereof as it is by her sincerely meant And in the meane time vntill his mind were knowne in that behalfe her Maiestie hearing the great forces prepared by Don Iohn with the assistance of the French already marching towards him will force her ancient friends the Estates of the Netherlands to one of these two extremities either to be ouercome by forraine soldiars and so subiected to forraine seruitude or else constrained for the preuenting thereof to giue them-selues ouer to some other Prince both which must needs bee preiudiciall and dangerous to the King for the present perillous to her Maiestie after and an vtter ruine to those countries Her Highnesse therefore for the Kings good and to preuent her owne danger vppon promise and assurance giuen by the said Estates to yeeld the King all due obedience and to make no further innouation in matters of religion but to obserue the pacification of Gand hath promised for the causes and respects aboue mentioned to yeeld them a support of money and men onely to keepe them from further danger of allyenation or of their ruine Which proceedings of hers if the King shall not bee induced to like of Whereby her Maiestie shall discouer that his intention is by force of armes to alter and dissolue the ancient forme of gouernement and by taking away their ancient Lawes and liberties to make it a land of conquest and to people it with garrisons of men of warre And that the end and scope of his disseignes should tend to that which is discouered by Escouedos letters wherein he writeth that the enterprise of England is of more facilitie then that of the Ilands wherby her Maiestie shall find the disposition of so bad a neighbour to her and her royall Estate then her Maiesties resolution is to imploy all the power shee shall bee able to make for the defence of her neigbours and preseruation of her owne Estate As on the other side if hee shall incline to their reasonable demands in giuing them such a Gouernor as they shall better like of then of Don Iohn and they notwithstanding shall continue in their disobedience against him and make other Innouations contrary to their protestations and promises made vnto her shee will then turne her forces against them and in assistance of the King yeelde him the best ayd shee can to bring them to reason and conformitie And in the meane season vntill shee may be throughly informed hereof shee hath thought good to auoyd the effusion of Christian bloud and for many other good and necessary respects to deale both with Don Iohn and the Estates for a surceance of armes which if he shall refuse to yeeld unto and the Estates shall be willing for that she doth plainely see that it doth much concerne the Kings honour and the good of his countrie she will not cease to proceed with the like
seditionâ—… but shall behaue them-selues indifferently and modestly saying or speaking nothing else but that only which tendeth to the instruction and edification of their audience vpon paine aforesaid Forbidding likewise vpon like paine all soldiers of what religon soeuer they be to beare any signes tokens or showes whereby they might moue or stirre each other to strife or contention That they of the afore-saide resormed religion both in Holland and Zeeland and elsse where should bee bound to obserue the lawes and customes of the Catholike Church touching Marriages allready made and which there-after should bee made in respect of the degrees of consanguinity and affinity and that touching the mariages as now done in the third and fourth degree they of the said religion shall not bee molested nor troubled for the same nor the validitie of the said Marriages brought in question or doubt neither yet denied nor with-held from the children produced or to be produced of the sayd mariage Prouided alâ—…ayes that the spirituall affinitie shall not hinder such mariages and that there shall bee no distinction nor more difference made touching religion in the receiuing of Schollers sicke or poore persons into the Vniuersities Colledges Schooles and Hospitalls then there is to receiue them into publicke Almes-houses and other charitable places That they of the religion out of Holland and Zeeland should bee bound to keepe and obserue the festiuall dayes ordained and kept in the Catholick Romish church as Sondayes Fayre dayes the feasts of the Apostles of the Anunciation of the Virgin Mary the Ascention of Christ Candlemas day and the Sacrament dayes and shall neither worke open their shops nor buye nor sell vpon the same That also vpon such dayes as by the sayd Church it is forbidden to eate flesh the Butchers houses and the shambles shall bee shut vp and euery man shall behaue himselfe according to the ordinances of euery place And the better to vnite all the inhabitants of the Netherlands wee declare that both the one and the other of each religion shall bee capeable beeing fitte to bee imployed to hold vse and exercise all manner of offices and states as well of Iustice as otherwise neither shall they of the sayd reformed religion bee forced to take any other oth nor bound vnto any other duties then well and truly to exercise their office and function and to keepe and obserue the ordinances appointed for the same And for that the administration of Iustice is one of the principalest meanes to keepe and maintaine the subiects in peace and vnitie and that the same by meanes of the diuersitie of religion and other wayes is troden vnder-foote in many places to the great oppression and iniury of the innocent and others seeking and desiring iustice Therefore to preuent all slanders at this day too much raigning it is commanded and forbidden vpon paine aforesayd vnto all Iudges Magistrates and particuler persons from hence forth not to apprehend nor lay hold vpon any man without obseruing three accustomed wayes that is in the deed doing or by order from the Iudge vpon lawfull information before giuen or where the party plaintife appeareth and giueth due information by writing And that the persons being by any of the three meanes aforesayd apprehended shall presently bee deliuered into the hands of his or their competent Iudge there to bee iudged and ordered touching his cause or offence as equitie requireth And to the end that all bad humors in the common wealth may bee purged and rooted out euery man is permitted without any perticuler interest to accuse one the other so it bee done by due information and before a competent Iudge that shall be bound within eight dayes after or before according to the custome of the place to doc the party accused right and iustice and therein to proceed with all diligence either to condemne or discharge him as he in iustice shall finde it requisite and conuenient And yet it shall not bee lawfull for any man to slander an other without cause or reason neither yet to bring his name or fame in question or to back-bite him vpon paine aforesaid And touching the execution both of ciuill and criminall iustice to giue euery man reasonable contentment it is ordayned that from hence-forth all the offices of the Magistrates of the perticuler Townes Villages and Lordships of the Netherlands shall bee executed by men of the best qualitie and such as are fauourers and louers of their natiue countrey without distinction of religion Which Magistrates shall onely deale with the causes of Iustice policie or gouernment of the Townes and places where they are appointed in such cases to bee resident Without any trouble molestation let or impeachment to bee done vnto them by any man whatsoeuer neither yet shall any seeme to meddle there-with in any sort whatsoeuer And when as the Magistrates shall be renewed and new chosen those that are called the eighteene or otherwise which were put in their places in greater or smaler number shall bee wholy left of with expresse command not to deale any more therein nor to trouble them-selues with the publicke affaires nor with the fortifications and watches of the townes vnlesse they shall bee specially appointed and chosen therevnto by the Magistrates aforesaid And that touching the same they shall therein giue no commission nor command that is of any importance but by fore-passed knowledge of the Magistrates of the Townes wherein they remaine and by their expresse Commission vpon paine as aforesaid And that this our Edict may the easilier and the better bee obserued and kept the Committies and other Deputies or such as haue power to renew the Magistrates shall nominate and appoint foure notable and sufficient persons of good qualities and behauiours at all times to bee ready and that without request made by any man to inquire about the defects and breaches of the aforesayd Edict which information by them taken and put in writing beeing signed by three of them shall presentlie bee deliuered vnto the Magistrate to take knowledge thereof and there-vpon to proceed by speedy iuâ—…ice and execution of the paines aforesayd against the breakers and suppressers of the sâ—…me Alwayes prouided that the offices of the sayd foure persons shall not continue aboue the space of a whole yeare and that they shall bee likewise renewed and altered with the Magistrates Giuen in Antwerp the two and twentith of Iuly 1578. As this religious peace was a remedie and medicine for many Townes so did it likewise serue such as were ill affected and troublesome to moue and stirâ—… vp strife and contention in some Townes and Prouinces which otherwise likewise were not very well pleased nor contented as here-after I will show In Antwerp Brussels Mechelen Bergen Breda Liere Bruges Ipre c. as also in Friseland Gelderland and other Prouinces and Townes it gaue great contentment and in those places those of the reformed religion had Churches appointed for them
euery Towne according to their affections the one sooner the other later In Antwerp they appointed those of the reformed religion to preach in the Chappell belonging to the Castle called the Moabite the Iesuites Church the Fryers Churches the Dominican or preaching Fryers and Saint Andrews Church and after that also in the great Church of our Lady and Saint Iames Church they of the Catholike religion keeping the Quiers and Chappels and part of the great Church for themselues The sayd Churches beeing deuided amongst the French-men and the Netherlands that were of the reâ—…igion Saint Georges Church and the Nunnes Church with other places were appointed for them of the confession of Ausbourge as making profession of the reformed religion with the Swinglians Caluinists and agreeing in the points thereof and with them as they said lesse varrying then the Monckes and Friers do as in the ceremonies of the Church and in the exposition of the words of Christ about the ordaining of the Sacrament both sufficiently tending to the declaration of the true effect of the fruits or end wherevnto it was ordained for the which all louers of peace and vnitie did not much contend They had likewise their Churches in Brussels and many other places more In Brussels the Lords of Champigni and Heze the Marquis of Bergen the Lord of Fassigen and the Lord of Glymes with others presented a request to hinder the religious peace in that place and that the Protestants might not preach there allâ—…dging that it was a principall towne whereas the Princes of the land were commonly resident saying That thereby the sayd Towne might bee in hazard to loose the sayd priuileges and spake very boldly touching their former seruices saying that they had charge from the councell of estate and the generall estates to resist and with-stand the reformed religion and that they ought not to suffer any alteration for seauen or eight hundred mens opinions but being discouered they did it of their owne authority the Bourgers opposed themselues against them whereby they were much hated of the people and the Lord of Champigni notwithstanding his former seruices was with the rest by Golonell Vanden Temple apprehended and committed to prison and the better to be kept as being found culpable of the same action for the which the Lords were committed in Gant hee was by meanes of some of the Bourgers sent to Gant to the other prisoners the rest beeing released againe in Brussels At Dorincke Ryssell and other Townes and places in the Wallon Prouinces they began likewise to take order to receiue and allowe of the religious peace but by reason of certaine things that fell out which shall here-after bee showed it was as then hindered The Duke Iohn Cassimire hauing at an Imperiall dyet at Wormes offered vnto the Deputies of the generall Estates to come and succour them with some troupes after that hee had mustred his men in the Countie of Zutphen being seauen thousand foote whereof there were foure thousand French shot and sixe thousand horse remaining some-time in the Campe before Deuenter the which was all that time besieged hee came into Brabant and the sixe and twentith of August ioyned with the states armie whereas the Archduke Mathias went to receiue and welcome him with all the militarie duties accustomed at the reception of a generall of an Armie that comes to succour He had before stayed long with his forces in the Dutchie of Geldres and had much trouble before hee could make them to passe the riuer of Meuze for want of money which the States could not furnish by reason of the Ganthois tumult and the discontentments of the Wallons which hindered the contribution of the Prouinces to pay the states armie the which with that of Cassimires cost monethly eight hundred thousand Florins In which payment Arthois and Henault were the first which breaking their promise with the other Prouinces made default Those of Flanders did not in like manner furnish any thing or very little vnder coulour that they were to defend them-selues against the male-contents although for their parts they were to pay the third of all the charges of the armie Arthois and Henault either of them an eight part from whence nothing came so as in sixe moneths the other voluntary Prouinces could not furnish aboue foure hundred thousand Florins the which was farre short of the reckoning Wherefore this goodly armie must of necessitie bee thus poorely dispersed as it was and the States runne more in debt as well to Duke Cassimire as to the Duke of Aniou and to their owne men In the meane time the Prelates and Noblemen of Friseland that were kept prisoners at Leeuwarden as wee haue shewed before seeing that for no commandement of their Superiors as of the Arch-duke Mathias gouernor of the Prince of Orange his Lieutenant of the councell of State nor for any Commissioners that were sent vnto them their deteiners would set them at libertie they found meanes to escape all out of prison the seuenteene of September except three Prelats and three Gentlemen who would not hazard them-selues to bee surprised in their flight and for feare to bee brought backe againe in disgrace On the other side in Arras the chiefe towne of Arthois certaine young aduocates whose names I conceale for their credits some of them being allyed vnto me vnder coulour to bee reputed good and zealous countrey-men beeing through fauour of their places and Captaines of the Bourguers whereby they were armed brought in contrary to the accustomed order on the eeue of all Saints 1577. in the election of Aldermen adioyning the Magistracie although incompatible with the Captaineship yet fauoured and applauded by the people for the good opinion and hope which they had conceiued of them that they would maintaine the common-weale in the vnion of the generall Estates Yet some of them hauing beene the motiue to draw from Antwerp to Arras Captaine Ambrose le Duke to whome was giuen the place of Sargiant Maior of fiueteene companies of Bourguers within the Towne with a Cornet of fiftie horse and a hundred foote to Captaine Gale his sonne in lawe leuied for the safetie and preseruation of the Towne yet soone after these men suffered them-selues to bee corrupted by the flattering of the Lord of Capres Gouernor in particuler of Arras and of the Citty and Lieutenant to the Vicont of Gant Gouernor of Arthois during his absence at the Campe and by the pensions and promises of Prelates Whereof the Arch-duke beeing well informed and considering of what importance the disiunction of this Prouince from the generalitie might bee in time the sayd Towne of Arras and Citty beeing sufficient to keepe all the other Townes of Arthois in the vnion if it were not preuented and if they did not disappoint the secret practises and dooings of the sayd Prelates and oâ—… Capres who couertly sought to supplant the Vicont of the generall gouernment of Arthois
their part had besides the said nine monethes contributed twenty three thousand florins They of Holland and Zeeland through their long precedent warres were quite exhaust and drawne dry with the great charges wherevnto they were subiect for the reparation and entertaining of their dikes so as at the most they could not entertaine aboue twenty fiue or thirty companies forseruise As for them of Arthois and Henault that they sought money from others to pay their garrisons and from whome they should rather feare a reuolt then any good wherefore they of Antwerp did intreat the Ganthois that to shew them-selues conformable to the intention of the Archduke Prince and States they would send some notable summe of mony to court to releeue their country in this extreame necessity besides the three or fore hundred thousand which they had furnished in nine months The tenth of Nouember the Duke of Aniou sent the Seignior of Boniuet to them of Gant intreating them to remedy and reconcile their diuisions for the pacefiing whereof they could not choose a more competent iudge them himselfe who sought nothing more then to accord them with the Wallons Malecontents as hee had formerly pacefied the troubles in France And as for the prisoners that they should put them into his hands with whome hee would deale as by the common aduice of all good countrymen and especially of the Queene of England should bee held iust and right The next day the comissioners of the Archduke Prince and States did exhibit their commission to them of Gant and propounded that which they had to saye vnto them with a deduction of many pregnant reasons and inconueniences that might growe if they did not yeeld vnto the Articles which had beene offred vnto them The same day the Queene of Englands Embassador according to her Maiesties letters of the twelth of October and the sixt of Nouember gaue them to vnderstand that by their courses and manner of proceeding they gaue occasion to all the world to thinke that they sought nothing more then to entertaine a mortall warre whereof all their neighbours did so much desire to see an end That it seemed they would not subiect themselues to any superiority or higher power but would make a world by themselues whereby some might bee easely moued to assist the States to force them to obedience That they should bee carefull that for the appetit of some quarrells and priuate intrerests the good and welfaire of the generality were not indangered to fortefie the enemy and to weaken their brethren and country-men and of friends that were strangers to make them enemies And although it was to bee presumed that Duke Casimir being come to succor the States by the meanes of the Queene of England had beene secretly called by them to ayde them yet said the Ambassador her Maiesty found it very strange The which made her thinke that all this trouble might be easely pacefied if the Ganthois would conforme them-selues to the councell of the Prince of Orange and the generall estates in three points That is in the restitution of Clergie goods that are yet in esse in the suffring of liberty of religion and to deliuer into her maiesties hands or of some other neuter Prince the prisoners where they should bee kept with as good gard as the Ganthois could desire wherefore her Maiestie sent them word that if therin they would not bee perswaded and yeeld they should giue her great cause not onely to bee a stranger vnto them but also to abandon them quite wherefore they said Ambassador intreated them that they would duly consider and resolue theron Finally he required at their hands in the Queenes name a bond for forty fiue thousand pounds sterling conformable to them of Brusselles Antwerp Bruges Middelbourg Dordrect Amsterdam Dunkerke and Nieuport The thirteene of Nouember they of Brusselles sent their deputies also to Gant to make the same complaints and propositions which they of Antwerp had formerly done with some other reasons tending to make them leaue of their partialities and factions producing many goodly examples at home of former times happened in the like occurrents Vnto all these propositions and aduises of the Ambassador of England and the Deputies of Antwerp and Brusselles the Ganthois answered the eighteene of the moneth That they found not them-selues in any sort bound vnto the Articles and conditions that were propounded vnto them vntill that their stipulations and promises had beene first propounded vnto the Archduke Prince and Generall estates and by them accepted That is that the Ganthois should not bee bound to receiue the Romish Relligion or to performe any of the Articles if first of all the Wallons and Malcontents did not desist from all acts of hosty lity and retire out of Flanders And when the other Prouinces had receued and admitted liberty of religion in effect withall the other points and Articles they said they would not sequester nor dismember themselues but that they would acknowledge the Arch-duke as Gouernor generall the Prince of Orange his Lieutenant and the generall estates in all humility as their superiors and obey them in all Christian and reasonable commandements And the rather for that they with the other members of Flanders had conceiued a singular inclination and affection in the administration of mylitary discipline with a naturall loue to their country and especially to the profession of the reformed religion from the which they protested they would neuer bee drawne neither for life nor death and to acknoledge for euer the good and sincere affections which the said Prince carried vnto his country whereof he had giuen sufficient testymony in the late warres This answer of the Ganthois being seene by the States did not greatly please them which was the cause of the Princes going as we haue said to Denremond and from thence after many conferences and contradictions he came the 4. of december to Gant where being arriued hee sent for the deputies of the Magistrats of the towne to heare his propositions and demands conteyned in sixe Articles First that they should accept the articles of the act which they had formerly sent vnto them touching the accord Secondly that they should not forsake the union of the generall estats but should ioyntly ayde to maintaine it Thirdly that in the affares of the country and of the Conty of Flanders touching the generality they should not resolue any thing without the aduice and consent of the 4. members of Flanders Forthly seeing that there was no order set for the time togather in the common mony nor for the prouiding thereof that there should bee a certaine rule set downe to take away all suspition as well for the receit as the distribution of the generall contributions Fiftly that the affayres concerning the gouernment of the towne and common-weale should bee managed by common voices without disorder or confusion according to their preuiledges Sixtly and lastly that
they would duelie obserue the pacification of Gant This vnion and confederation of Vtrecht wrought not such good effects with some as they expected euery one attending vpon the treatie of peace which was labored by the Emperor as wee haue sayd at Cologne excusing themselues thereon Among others Boisleduke one of the chiefe townes of Brabant strong and mightie which diuides the Duchies of Gueldres Brabant and the Earldome of Holland which the states doubting and hauing some aduertisment thereof assuring themselues to haue manie partisans they sought first by gentle meanes and then by practises to put in a garrison which they of Antwerp did also pretend sending some troupes of their Burgeses to assure themselues thereof Afterwards Iohn of Horne Barron of Boxtell was sent thether with commission to gouerne and to assure the towne for the states But as by the changing of captaines he sought to bring in a new order and gouernment hee found great oppositions and manie crosses by them of the aduerse partie especially by one Henry Bloyman Baylife and by others of the olde councell of the towne tending to their priuat proffit and adhering to the Abbot of Saint Gheertrude who was gone in the states behalfe to the assemblie of the treatie of Cologne and who passing that way had so perswaded them as they desired nothing more then the issue of the sayd treatie The signior of Boxtel found so great contradiction and so mahie aduersaries as hee thought it best to retire leauing his Sonne Maximilian of Horne signior of Locren there True it is that before that time the libertie of Religion had beene brought in and a sworne companic of Harguebuziers erected most of all the which were yong men who during the Spaniards gouernment were retired out of the towne and had serued the Prince of Orange these men maintained the liberitie of Religion all they could and sought to reduce the towne vnder the vnion of Vtrecht but therd grew such a iealousie and hatred betwixt the Protestants and the Harguebuziers of the one part and the old Magistrates with the Catholike Romaines on the other as when the sayd companie of Fencers had the gard of the port the others placed an other of their faction in countergarde so as in the end the vnion being proclaimed as it were by force there followed such a great tumult betwixt both factions as being come to armes there were aboue a hundred slaine hurt of both sides Soone after the Prince of Parma beeing called by the Catholike Burgers sent a trumpet to summon the towne for the King of Spaine Then did the Protestants insist more to receiue a garrison of English Scottish or French which should come from Brussells of which three nations they might haue their choise but for that they were strangers the Inhabitants would haue none although it seemed they would willingly haue receiued that of Bryell The next daie after as their distrust increased and the feare of the enemie increased more and more the Protestants were aduised and did resolue to receiue a garrison so as they would leaue the ports open to suffer them that would depart as if their chiefe and greatest feare had beene that they would retaine them Wherevnto this answere was made That if anie one did feare hee might depart and goe where hee pleased Wherevpon a great multitude went sodenly away out of the towne one prouoking an other as it is alwaies the vse and custome in such amazements which feare did greatlie fortefie the aduerse partie their retreate was not farre to Heel Heusden Bomel and diuerse other townes thereabouts of the Hollanders partie Thus by the pollicie and practises of the one and by the indiscretion and weakenesse of the other this towne was abandoned by them of the states faction and the two companies comming from the Brieyle were not receiued And as the Spanish faction grew more shamelesse and insolent they chased away the rest of the Protestants that were yet remayning but they would not yet imbrace anie partie but in the end they were perswaded for to reconcile themselues vnto the Noble Prince of Parma and to receiue the peace of Cologne so as they should not bee forced to receiue any garrison without their owne consents yet they found a great decaie in their commerce and trafficke Those of the townes of Amersfort and Montfort vnder the iurisdiction of Vtrecht as they also of Zutphen refused also to submit themselues to the vnion of Vtrecht wherefore meaning to force them they beganne first with them of Amersfort as neerest vnto Vtrecht beeing accused to bee of a partie contrarie to the states to haue refused to pay their partes of the contribution to haue chased away the States garrison and the Protestants ministers and to haue had secret intelligence with the enemie Wherefore the towne was beseeged the seauenth day of March in the yeare of our Lord 1579. and the tenth daie following reduced vnto reason manned with a garrison the Magistrates renued and the Protestants religion restored as before The vnion and contract made in Vrecht was signed by the gouernors of the sayd Prouinces as first by Iohn Earle of Nassaue gouernor of Gelderland and Sutphen and then by the commities of the other townes and Prouinces which was done in Vtrecht vpon the 23. of Ianuary and vpon the fourth of February the deputies of Gant signed to the same The third of May it was ratefied in Antwerp by the Prince of Orange and the leauenth of Iune by George de Lalain Earle of Renebregh gouernor of Freeseland Ouerissel Groning and the terretories thereof and also by the townes of Bruges Ipre Breda and others and by that meanes those countries were called the vnited Prouinces This vnion made in Vtrecht produced good fruites amongst the Prouinces and townes but not so great as were expected for that many in hope of the peace to bee made in Colen fell from it and drew backeward excusing themselues by the same as in Vtrecht where by meanes of the iealousie the one had of the other vpon the tenth daie of Iune certaine controuersies did rise amongst them whereby great hurt and insolencie was done in certaine Churches where the Scoute Burguemastérs and the Councell of Estates of Vtrecht desirous to maintaine both the one and the other Religion in peace and vnitie and to separate the contentious persons one from the other the better to withstand the common enemies after diuers communications and conferences had concerning the same by consent of fiue Churches within Vtrecht in the name of the whole spirituality of the one part and of the Colonels Captaines and Commanders of the towne in the name of Burgers togither with them of the reformed Religion on the other part and also by the aduise of the Prince of Orange gouernor of the towne townes and terretories of Vtrecht deuised a certaine contract of a Religions peace beareing date the fifteene of Iune making mention of the pacification of
garrison withall others that haue any Estates charges or Offices of warre or otherwise shall take an oth to maintaine the Catholike Religion and obedience due to vs according to the sayd pacification the vnion which followed the perpetuall Edict and this present treatie And not to receiue change or admit any garrison without the priuitie of the gouernor generall of the Prouince and the aduise of the Estates of euery Prouince or of their deputies Alwaies prouided that in case of vrgent necessitie the sayd Prouinciall Gouernor may haue garrisons in forts whereas they haue beene accustomed to bee hauing taken an oth and being at our seruice in euery Prouince Wee promise not to charge nor cause to bee charged the townes nor countrie of the sayd reconciled Prouinces with any strange souldiars nor with them of the countrie vnlesse they shall desire it by reason of warre or some iminent dangers or that they haue beene vsually accustomed to haue them in which case the garrisons shall bee of the naturall borne of the countrie pleasing to the sayd Estates respectiuely Wee will and ordaine that in all Townes and Borroughs where the Magistrates haue beene renewed extraordinarilie since the beginning of the troubles shall bee restored according to the customes and preuiledges of euery place obserued in the time of the happie and glorious memorie of the Emperor Charles our Lord and father And that order bee giuen the sayd Magistrates bee respected and obeied as is fit for the auoyding of all new inconueniences Wee promise to imploy alwaies in the generall gouernment of our Netherlands a Prince or Princesse of our bloud hauing the partes and qualities requisite for so great a charge wherewith our subiects ought in reason to bee satisfied who shall gouerne with all Iustice and equitie according to the lawes and customes of the countrie taking a sollemne oth to maintaine the pacification of Gant the vnion which followed the perpetuall Edict and this present treatie in all points and Articles and namely the Catholike Romish Religion and our due obedience fore-warning the sayd Estates as wee haue accustomed of our choise meaning that our Nephew for sixe moneths for the great desire which wee haue aboue all things to procure the peace and quiet of our good subiects shall doe his best endeauor to aduance and effect the retreat of the strangers and the deliuerie of places to bee presently receiued in the gouernment generall of our sayd Netherlands obseruing the accustomed sollemnities And for the better satisfaction of our sayd Estates and subiects hee shal be serued by them that are naturall borne in the countrie and by as fewe strangers as may be And the more to gratefie them we desire that hee shall not entertaine aboue 25. or 30. strangers who shall not in any sort deale with the affaires of the country Hauing notwithstanding such a gard as precedent Gouernors Princes or Princesses of our bloud haue beene accustomed to haue of Archers and Halbardiers borne in the countrie or Germaines vnder Commanders of qualitie of the countrie with which our sayd Nephew the Estates shall hold good correspondencie from hence-forth and shall aduertise him of all things that shall passe touching the execution of the sayd treatie and al that which depends thereon all commissions prouisions and Edicts being made by and in our name onely At the end of which sixe moneths if we haue not aduanced to the said gouernment either him or some other of thelike quality to the end that no disorder nor confusion shall happen it shall bee gouerned by the councell of estate attending a new provision Which councell of estate shall consist of twelue men at our choyse as well noblemen gentlemen as lawyers borne in the contry as hath bin accustomed wherof two third parts shall be pleasing to the sayd estates and such as haue followed their party from the beginning vnto the ending Of the which fiue shall haue an accustomed commission from vs and the other three but a simple prouision for three monethes at the end whereof we may if wee please continue them or chose others of the like quality to lâ—…aue a meanes for the Prouinces to reconcile them-selues And with the resolution and aduise of the sounder part of them who shall be bound to take the oth aboue mentioned all dispatches shall be made as in the time of our most honored Lord and father the Emperor Charles which shall be viewed by one of the said councellors to preuent all inconueniences That to all Gouernments which hereafter for sixe yeares to come shall fall voyde in the said prouinces reconcyled we shall preferre such as are borne in our Netherlands or strangers either of them being pleasing vnto the estates of the said Prouinces respectiuely capable fit and qualified according to the preuiledges thereof And as for our priuie councellors of the treasor and other officers of importance we will aduance such as are borne in the country or others to the good likeing of the said estates who before their reception shall be bound to sweare sollemnly this present accord and promise by oth in case they shall discouer any thing that is treated to the preiudice thereof to aduertise the estats of the Prouinces vpon paine to be held periured and infamous We haue also ratified and do ratifie all constituâ—…ions of rents pensions and other obligations assurances and other impositions which the said estates by the accord of euery Prouince haue made or past or shal make or passe to all those that haue assisted or furnished them with mony to releeue their necessities and payment of debts contracted by reason of the warres and troubles past conformable to the eighteene Article of our perpetuall edict And hereafter they shall not bee taxed nor charged in any other sort nor manner then they haue beene in the time and raigne of our deceased Lord and Father Charles the â—…ift and by the consent of the Estates of euery Prouince respectiuely That all priuiledges vses and customes as well in generall as in particular shal bee maintayned and if any haue beene violated they shal bee repaired and restored The sayd reconciled Prouinces shal be bound to renounce all leagues and confedetions which they may haue made since the beginning of the changes and alterations And for that the sayd Estates held themselues bound vnto our deere sister the Queene of England and to the Duke of Aniou Brother to the most Noble and Christian King for the good assistance that they haue receiued from them Wee will send two moneths after that our said Nephew the Prince of Parma and Placentia shall bee entred into the Gouernment generall persons of quality vnto them to doe all good offices and the confederation and ancient amitie with our said Sister shall bee continued reciprocally And to in crease and augment the loue and affection which Princes ought to beare vnto their subiects and that they may bee the better inclined to the respect and obedience
might well endure long and yet they must of necessitie loose more than they should win therby for that many would be tyred with the warres thinking that no townes which were once besieged by the enemie could be relieued and therfore would reuolt and cause more suspition and distrust And that further it was to bee considered That the continuall spoyling of the countrey would weaken and decay their power and take from them all meanes of money and other necessaries and that therefore it was requisite resolutely and couragiously to resolue vpon making of peace or else of proceeding with the warres As for peace they found that it could not be made vnlesse they yeelded themselues once againe by as good meanes as they could vnder the king of Spaines subiection Touching the king of Spaines meaning and intent they sayd it was well and sufficiently discouered by the articles of peace propounded in the towne of Cologne which articles they said could not be receiued nor accepted without bringing the Netherlands into imminent danger to be reduced and subiected vnder the Spanish yoke more than euer it had been before to the vtter ouerthrow and ruine of an innumerable company of the inhabitants of the land especially those that made profession of the reformed religion which would breed great confusion misery and destruction to the Netherlands together with the abolishing of al trade of marchandise so that there was no other means to be propounded for their security but only to maintaine warre And for that it was impossible in mans iudgement to vphold the warre in such sort as it had in times past beene done therefore it was requisite that they should resolue vpon some other proceedings thereby to shorten the warres and to rid the countries of the enemie And for that of themselues they could not find the meanes they must be forced to seeke it by some other potentate and rebus adhuc stantibus the sooner the better before they fell into greater danger for that it was to be doubted that they in the next Summer being vnprepared and not readie either should be ouer-run by the enemy which they well knew made himselfe strong or else forsaken by their reuolting friends wherein their enemy vsed all the meanes and subtill practises he could deuise That in all Christendome there was no king potentate nor prince that had offered them more fauour and friendship than the duke of Aniou brother vnto Henry the third king of Fraunce who likewise had the best meanes to annoy and hurt their enemie vpon the borders of Fraunce from whom they were to expect most aid and assistance and who of himselfe would willingliest vndertake the same with lesse feare and prompter resolution And therefore they were to determine whether they should yeeld themselues into the hands of the said duke vpon such conditions as should be propounded vnto him or not the principall causes why they had so long borne armes being these First for the reasonable and lawfull gouerning of the Netherlands vnder the command of naturall borne inhabitants of the same Secondly for the restoring and perpetuall vpholding of the rights lawes statutes priuiledges and freedomes of the land Thirdly for the eschewing and auoiding of all vnreasonable persecutions and for the permission of the exercise of the reformed religion which was found requisite and necessarie to be suffered for the common peace and quietnesse of the same All other causes in respect thereof being of much lesse importance and therefore it was to be considered whether they could agree better with the king of Spaine than with the duke of Aniou touching the same First it was most certaine and without all doubt plainely and manifestly to be seene that the will meanes and power to bring the Netherlands into subiection and vnder a strange yoke were without comparison greater in the king than in the duke for that the king would haue all the lords of the land commaunders and other officers whom he would appoint and ordaine at pleasure at his deuotion and vnder his subiection so that euery one would striue to be the first that should be receiued into his good grace and fauour not they alone that of long time had been affected vnto his seruice and hoped for reward but also those which had alwayes beene his enemies for that it had beene seene that a great number of those which had beene most earnest against the Spaniards had suffered themselues to be seduced by Monsieur de la Motte and vpon hope to be made rich were reuolted from the other prouinces and townes and so were bound and vnited together by oath Whereby euery man might easily iudge what was to bee expected from them and such as they are if they besides the passions which had drawne them thereunto should adde the respect of their duties whereby they should thinke themselues bound vnto the king To the contrary the duke of Aniou could not in many yeares purchase so great credite with the people as the king had alreadie obtained for that the king had many townes in his hands whereby hee had more meanes to attayne to his desire than the duke of Aniou although his will were good being likewise much mightier especially if hee once recouered Portugall into his hands whereby his power would euery way be too great for the Netherlands if they sought not another protector or else tooke better order in their affaires That the kings euill will towards the Netherlands was manifest for that hee was greatly mooued and incensed against the same and therefore whether it were to maintaine his honor or to giue the rest of his subiects an example and warning that they should not hereafter attempt the like or else of his owne nature desire of reuenge he would espie and watch all oportunities to be reuenged vpon the Netherlands as addicted thereunto by nature Which by his former actions and proceedings in the country of Granado India and Italie and especially in the Netherlands appeareth to bee most true for that the bloud of the principallest lords most lamentably brought vnto their ends by sword torment and poyson against all lawes of God and man and his owne promises was yet in a manner warme besides many gentlemen and great multitudes of the common people that with fire and sword and most cruell torments ended their liues with great numbers that were forced to flye out of the countrey and to liue miserably in other strange countries with their poore wiues and children whereby the trade of the land and diuers kinds of manuall occupations were carried into forraine countries and the wealth and welfare of the Netherlands much hindered and impaired It was likewise seene that vnto those against whom he had the greatest spleene and was resolued to punish them hee wrot the most pleasing and gracious letters that could be deuised And whereas hee made shew as if he had altered his mind and seemed to begin another more pleasing and peaceable
manner of gouernment then did hee by his letters that were written in cyphers and with double instructions plainely and euidently shew that he attended but some more conuenient and fit meanes to vse his extreame rigour against the Netherlands as it appeared by his instructions sent to Dom Iohn and others It was likewise found by example and many histories That such kings and mightie potentates as he neuer or very sildome let their countries escape vnpunished when time and oportunitie serued although for a time they seemed to winke thereat For which cause king Salomon giueth vs warning saying That the kings wrath is a most certaine dore or entry vnto death as it appeared not long since in Fraunce whereas neither the peace of two yeres the deliuering ouer of all the townes forts and castles nor yet the mariage of the kings owne sister could moue the king to refraine from taking reuenge vpon the admirall and so great a number of gentlemen and other persons of diuers estates and qualities whom he caused to be murthered without compassion And in the Netherlands they themselues had seene That the emperor Maximilian grandfather to the deceased emperour Charles the fifth notwithstanding the peace which had been made by meanes of the princes of Germanie who had signed and sealed the same and Maximilian himselfe had bound it by an oath yet neuerthelesse hee was so reuenged vpon Bruges and thereby satisfied his humor as euery man that heareth therof yet vnto this day is stricken with feare and terror and yet Maximiltan was one of the most mild courteous princes that had liued in many hundred yeares What then was to be expected from the king of Spaine that would not hold nor keep his promise vnlesse it were to assure the countrey in time to come and not to fall again into such great costs and charges as all potentates vse to do when they feare a reuolt especially when as they thinke they haue receiued any disgrace or vndutifull seruice at their hands as the example of Gant in Anno 1539 well witnessed Besides that it was euidently knowne to euery man That all the proclamations promises contracts and oaths c. that could or might be deuised might be broken and disannulled by the Popes Bull as long as it was a certaine decree That no faith nor promise was to be holden with heretickes as he accounted them all to be And that in their gouernment it is holden for a Maxime or an vndoubted rule That whatsoeuer the king should promise and graunt vnto his subiects that were reuolted from him he was not bound nor tyed to obserue nor fulfill the same for that they were not esteemed nor accounted to be right and lawfull enemies but rebellious peace-breakers and as they call them traytors with whome according vnto the lawes of nature no man is bound to obserue any promise as those who at this day write against vs beeing both Diuines and Lawyers sufficiently declare as Cornelius Calidius Chrisopolitanus Iohannes Leuseius Cunerus bishop of Leeuwerden and many others And if it were so that the king were content to keepe his faith and promise yet it is manifest that the Pope of Rome and the Inquisition of Spaine would not suffer him but still would put him in feare of conscience and compell him to root out and vtterly extirpe all heretickes as it is well knowne that they brought the king of Fraunce thereunto so that without all doubt the massacre of Paris was first hatched and inuented both in Spaine and Italie Besides all this it was to be considered what thing had mooued the king vnto such wrath and bitternesse against the Netherlands for that if it were meerely of his owne nature and disposition then there was no hope of any better to be expected for that there is no suddaine action of man but that nature can expell it but if he be naturally giuen to be gracious peaceable mild and gentle as some men report him to be then it might be that hee was mooued thereunto through zeale of Religion or by the counsell and prouocation of those that are enemies vnto the Netherlands as the Pope and the Inquisition of Spaine If it were zeale of Religion that moued him thereunto then the same zeale was not diminished because hee was persuaded that Religion was the onely ground and foundation of all the rebellion but had rather attained vnto the highest degree Whereby from thenceforth it was apparent what was to be expected from him for that those that had persuaded and incited him thereunto were then more exasperated against the Netherlands and bare more hatred and malice vnto the same than euer they did esteeming the inhabitants to bee reuolters rebels heretickes peace-breakers and mutinous persons What securitie what freedome of the countrey and priuiledges and what libertie of conscience and Religion were there then to bee hoped for of the king and what the king might do in a countrey where he yet had so many townes vnder his commaund and so many adherents and well-willers the example of Dom Iohn had sufficiently declared when as hee might easily haue made himselfe master of the land if he could haue behaued himselfe somewhat closer and secretlyer for a while or that his letters by great fortune had not fallen into their hands or if that in steed of going to Mechelen he had gone to the castle of Antuerpe and had taken it Now it was to be examined on the other side if that those points might bee found in the duke of Aniou or not As for him he should haue much lesse meanes he being a stranger and suspected of the inhabitants hauing no correspondence in the Netherlands as also that he had neither towns forts nor any of the chiefe noblemen of the land at his commaund nor would not lightly vndertake any bad enterprise out of his owne countrey vnlesse he were better assured Touching his power it was alreadie declared concerning his will it was easie to be perceiued that it would stand him more vpon to win the hearts and good wils of the inhabitants of the Netherlands than to bring them into distrust or hatred against him and as he should be brought in by the good and well minded he should alwayes haue cause to bee fauourable vnto them as hauing no cause of bitternesse or reuenge against the countrey And touching the Religion hee was sufficiently accustomed to see the exercise of both the Religions in France yea and that in his owne house hauing diuers of the Religion that were his seruants and causing the religious peace to be obserued in his owne countrey so that both in matters of Religion and in politicke gouernment all securitie was to be expected at his hands in regard that good conditions contracts should be offered vnto him which by no means could be done with the king of Spaine Touching his nature and disposition he was reported to be peaceable and courteous hauing behaued himselfe in
lady who hearing the noise cōming vp to his chamber rose in his shirt and as the seignior of la Noue entred hee only asked if his men had made no resistance to whom they answered yes but it was the fortune of the warre then recommending the honor of his wiues women who were also in bed he intreated they would do them no wrong which Monsieur de la Noue promised yet the Frenchmen filled their pockets with their chaines and iewels which done they tooke him the rest prisoners The earle remained long prisoner in Gant afterwards in the castle of Ramekins in Zeeland The ladies and his brother Charles were soone released againe Many troubles and vprores rising in Friseland and thereabouts the prince of Orange went to Dort in Holland the archduke Mathias going with him to Breda he entertained him there very honourably from whence the archduke went backe againe to Berghen vp Zoome and so to Antuerpe the prince going to Campen to set all things in good order for that the country pesants in Drenth and thereabouts were risen vp in armes against the Estates commanders of their forces and the rest of Casimires horsemen where being very strong they denied their contribution seeming to leane and to be affected vnto the articles of peace made at Cologne The earle of Rennenbergh reuenged himselfe likewise vpon the pesants vnder his commaund and threatened them of Linghen and Oldenzeel because they would not accept of the religious peace Bartel Entens plagued them of Berghe and those of the bishopricke of Munster Diericke Sonoy gouernour of North-Holland also compelled them of Zutphen to receiue in garrison The earle of Rennenbergh a little before began to encline and to haue some intelligence with the prince of Parma and for that cause had encouraged the pesants of Drenth and Oueryssell against the souldiers whereunto he was persuaded by his seruants and his kinred in Henault with whom he secretly dealt and was a great seeker vnto the Estates to procure that the articles offered at the peace of Cologne vnto the said Estates might be accepted And after that a certaine vprore being made in Groning by the Catholickes that would force the towne to allow of the said articles which by those of the Religion was soone pacified he perceiued thereby that he might there haue a factious partie which to procure he secretly set the hostages of Groning at libertie being all affected to the Spaniard About the same time also there was an vprore in Campen wherupon likewise he took occasion to procure some of that towne to be of his faction Things proceeding in this sort vpon the one and twentieth of Ianuarie Cornelia de Lalain his sister with the baron de Monceau her husband came to visit him bringing with her his pardon and reconciliation from the prince of Parma with certaine money and many faire promises as to be created a Marquesse and that he should haue the Countesse of Meghen for his wife of whom he was enamoured But the said earle being doubtfull what to doe his sister neuer ceased to admonish him and to persuade him not to damme his soule by suppressing the Christian faith and by beeing a principall leader and captaine of heretickes and rebels and to suffer himselfe to be ruled by a multitude of weauers and other occupations whereby he should lose all his lands in Henault the loue of the Countesse whom he sought to marry the fauour of his mother the good will of the earle his vncle by whom he had the earledome of Rennenbergh as also of the king and such like things Whereby at the last by reason of his youth want of experience and by means of the Religion wherein he was brought vp he was moued to turne his coat and yet not without great trouble and contrarietie in mind dissembling the same as long as he could But the prince of Orange the Estates of Friseland hauing had many causes to suspect him thought it better to begin with him than he with them and for that cause in the moneth of February determined to assure themselues of the castle of Leewerden and secretly caused Bowinga and Ferno with their companies to inclose it behind and with the bourgers to fall on it before placing the priests monkes and all the souldiers wiues that lay therin before them and so began to insconce themselues and to fill vp the ditches but captaine Schaghe who after the death of Matenesse was made gouernour of the castle seeing the slackenesse of the souldiers to make resistance being terrified yeelded it vp with assurance of life and goods and promise of a yearely pention But the townesmen entring into the castle sooner than they expected were not satisfied vntill they had throwne downe the wals that were next vnto the towne ioined the rest of the wals thereof vnto those of the towne This castle was built in Anno 1499 at the charges of the towne being thereunto forced and compelled the towne being besieged by Willeboort van Schouwenbergh generall for the duke of Saxonie so that it had stood about 80 yeares Whilest that the bourgers were busied about the rasing of the castle the companies of souldiers that were without came into the towne and fetched all the friers out of their cloysters and so led them orderly in their ranks euery souldier hauing a frier or a monke to follow him with pipes and drums out of the towne The next day Beninck Camminga and others with foure companies went to Harlingen and incamped themselues in the towne as then not walled and summoned the castle to yeeld vnto them but they within denied it and shot against the towne and held it vntill the earle of Rennenbergh hearing thereof much abashed sent Baly his secretarie to Leewerden with secret instructions and authoritie to deale in that matter as he should thinke good and as time occasion should serue thinking all had been well there Balie being come thither was presently taken prisoner and being searched they found certaine blankes about him that were signed by the earle of Rennenbergh they of Leewerden compelling him to write in one of those blankes vnto the lieutenant of the Drossart Ozenbrighe who as then was at Groning in the earles name to will him to deliuer the castle of Harlingen into their hands who suspecting nothing and knowing not that he ought to haue bin thrice commanded so to do vpon the 5 of February yeelded vp the castle which was likewise demanteled on that side that lay next to the towne This castle was first built in anno 1496 by the townesmen of Groning when they were masters of Friseland and by the Friselanders the same yere beaten downe againe vntill that Albert duke of Saxony built it vp againe in anno 1500 so that it had stood seuentie nine yeares After that Sonoy gouernor of North Holland with certaine deputies and four companies of souldiers went to Staueren where they summoned
of the countrouersie they had with the territories therabouts were so blinded as Iacob Hillebrand bourgomaster who was chiefe commaunder of the kings chamber in Groning and the chiefe man in the towne and he on whom they of the Religion did chiefly relie the euening before the towne reuolted to the king supped with him and told him very plainly of the report that men made of him saying That he hoped he had no such bad entent in him wherewith the earle wrung him by the hand and said What my good father whom I trust so well haue you such an opinion of me and with such like faire speeches smoothed the matter so well that the same euening the said bourgomaster being in company with certain of the magistrats and those of the reformed religion assured them of the earle of Renenberghes good meaning intent towards them yet caused them of the religion to keep good watch in their owne houses wherby they thought to be sufficiently assured But the earle of Renenberghs practises being more and more suspected he began to feare that the prince of Orange would enter into Groning with his guard therfore durst not protract his design any longer although as then he was not sure of any reliefe for that not long before he was certified that certaine souldiers that were comming to Campen should aid him who as they were passing ouer the Rhin were by the Drossart of Recklinghuysē others ouerthrown for which cause vpon the 2 of March he assēbled his houshold seruants diuers bourgers affected to the Spaniards certaine souldiers that he had kept secretly in the morning when by his espials he vnderstood that the watch held by those of the reformed religiō were asleep at 5 of the clock being armed at all points he rode out of his house with all his adherents euery man hauing a white scarfe vpon his left arme into the market place and hauing his sword drawne in his hand he sayd Stand aside stand aside good bourgers this day am I right gouernour of this towne let vs now accomplish and effect that which is requisite for the kings seruice and our owne defence and therwith caused diuers trumpets and drums to be sounded a great noise to be made The aforesaid bourgomaster Hillebrand putting himselfe presently into armes with some of the reformed Religion marched thither saying vnto him How now sir is this done as a good gouernour ought to do vnto the people but one of the earle of Renenberghs boyes shot at him and slew him presently whereupon the rest began to flie whereof some were taken prisoners and some fled into their houses but there was no more killed but only a bourgers sonne of Breame After that they ran through the streets shooting at all that looked out at the windowes that done they went and made search throughout all the towne and tooke all those prisoners that were not well thought on by the Spanish affected bourgers being at the least two hundred of the best townes men wherof some were very hardly vsed who notwithstanding afterwards by diuers meanes were set at liberty all the preachers and diuers other good bourgers got secretly away The earle hauing in this sort gotten Groning into his hands presently changed the magistrats and caused their reconciliation with the king and the prince of Parma to be proclaimed and the townesmen to sweare to be true vnto the king writing vnto the territories therabouts to moue them to ioyne with him with commandement to arme themselues to withstand the mutinous regiment of Bartel Entens and others But the ioy and triumph made by the earle and his adherents endured not long for that the same day they found themselues inclosed and besieged for that captaine Cornput the same morning hauing intelligence thereof by certaine that fled out of the towne presently caused Olthofs company of Dam and the companies of Suyetlaren of Vliet Schaghen and Weda to march towards Groning that if peraduēture those that were affected vnto the Estates within the towne could find any meanes to relieue themselues they might be readie to assist them who got good bootie in the cloyster of Essen for that Aelkin Ousta who had maried the earle of Renenberghs aunts daughter and Asin Entes that lay at Vries the same euening were come to the cloyster of Essen and for that Cornput feared least they of Groning should kil their prisoners he wrot that if they did so he would reuenge it vpon their friends and adherents At the same time the earles letters were intercepted wherein he wrot vnto all the great and small townes in Oueryssel and in the best manner he could shewed them of his enterprise hoping by his subtile persuasions and by aid of those that were addicted to the Spaniards to induce them to ioine with him but he was preuented for that vpon the twelfth of March by meanes of the bourgers which were addicted to the Estates and by the procurement of Sonoy they of Campen receiued Hans Pluyms companie into the towne The townesmen of Deuenter likewise rose vp in armes and brake downe the Images and the cloysters in despight of the Spanish faction The like did they of Swool as also of Vtrecht and other places round about a moneth before They of Friseland and the territories and those of Drenth brake down the Images in euery place and sold their cloyster lands goods and draue some of the priests out of their townes so as the earle of Renenberghs reuolt procured much harme vnto the Catholickes The smaller townes as Oldenzeel Steenwicke Hasselt and others still held with the earle of Renenbergh although they made shew to be for the Estates But the prince of Orange lying in Campen sought by all the meanes hee could to keepe those of Oueryssel in obedience willing Sonoy with Cornputs and Wynegards companies to goe to Coeuoorden to keepe the passage that way and also by Wedden that they of Groning might haue no aid Sonoy forthwith fortified Coeuoorden wherein he vsed an enginor of Alcmar and inclosed it with seuen bulwarkes letting the castle that was begun by Cornput lye as he found it in regard that the countrey would not endure to haue any more castles but not long after the male-contents built it vp This worke begun by Sonoy for want of mony was afterwards neglected as also the new fortification with the fiue bulwarkes made in the middle of Boertange whereby the country not long after endured much spoile and great trouble At the same time the prince of Orange sent the earle of Hohenlo once more against the pesants that held with the Spaniards as also to take the small townes aforesaid who vpon the tenth of Aprill tooke the towne of Oldenzeel vpon condition from thence went to Linghen but did little there Meane time Bartel Entens had besieged Groning with thirteen companies of foot and two cornets of horsemen which before were of the
earl of Rennenberghs regiment and euery day insconced himselfe neerer to the towne making a dam in Reediepe and certaine bridges ouer the other waters whereby hee thought in short time to famish them out where many skirmishes were giuen on both sides They of Groning hauing raised certaine companies of their townes-men fortified the suburbes and two myll-hils without the towne by which meanes euery day they draue their cattell to pasture in the meddowes But for that there was little done in that siege which Bartel Entens was told of and in regard of a certaine controuersie betweene him and those of Duwsum in the territories of Groning the Estates sent the earle of Hohenlo thither with seuen companies of Christopher van Iselstein his souldiers and nine companies of the regiment belonging to William Lodowic earle of Nassau sonne to Iohn earle of Nassau as then made a colonel which disliked Bartel Entens in regard that he thought to haue had all the honor thanks and profit vnto himselfe but it fell out otherwise for that vpon the seuen and twentieth of May being at Rolde with the earles of Hohenlo and Nassau where he had drunke and made good cheare he rode with a drunken head vnto the campe before Groning saying That he would doe something that men might speake of him and when he came thither and found the captains consulting together about some enterprise to be done he checked them as if they had been boyes and bad them follow him saying That he would either enter the Scuytendiep or the suburbes of the towne and so without any more stay went thither with the couer of a butter barrell on his arme in steed of a targuet in scorne or mockage of his captaines base courages as he thought and being followed by diuers of them and at the same time taking the Loopesconce where certaine captaines and commaunders were hurt some of them told him That it was impossible for them to take the Scuytendiep without ladders or else by a breach Whereupon he stood stil behind the loope-holes of the sconce where one leuelled at him with a fouling piece and shot him through the head whereof he died His body was buried at Midlestam where he was borne His father likewise long before was stabbed by one of Wigbols men of Duwsum He had been a student in Groning and commonly went apparrelled in white and there had consumed most part of his patrimonie amongst women and by other riotous meanes and in anno 1571 he went with other freebooters to sea where he played his part so well as for his share alone he had gotten a hundred thousand dollars in his purse and in anno 1572 he went with the earle vander Marke to take the Bryel where hee was his lieutenant colonel and after that went with certaine companies to besiege Ter-Goes in Zeeland where for want of experience and before he saw the enemie he fled shamefully away as soone as he heard that Mont-Dragon had passed through the water to aid them of Ter-Goes After that when Harlem was besieged by Dom Frederic sonne to the duke of Alua hee and the earle vander Marcke with two companies of foot and some horsemen marched against the enemie without any order forgetting to take the rest of his companies with him where he was ouerthrowne but he put the fault thereof in the prince of Orange and the Estates For which cause he hauing brought the said earle vander Marcke to be so insolent as he began to make no account of any superiors the Estates committed him to prison in Delft But the said earle vander Marcke seeking to carry him forcibly out of the towne he was likewise taken and committed where they remained prisoners a whole yeare after and there Bartel Entens spent all the money he had gotten vnprofitably After that being released in anno 1576 hee once againe went to sea by consent of the Estates and did a certaine enterprise vpon Oostmahorn where in the beginning of May he made a sconce but for that his mind was more vpon couetousnesse than any other thing vpon the eighteenth of Iuly Monsieur Billy draue him from thence After that the pacification of Gant being made and that Monsieur Iselstein had committed 2 or 3 murthers that regiment of foot and a company of horse was giuen vnto him by the prince of Orange by the intreaty of Vlfkins which being discharged within 3 months Bartel Entens ran away with their pay for which cause he had like to haue bin taken prisoner with the cōsent of the prince of Orāge by the Markgraue of Antuerp but hauing intelligēce therof he escaped Not long after that he holpe himselfe by meanes of the controuersie betweene the towne of Groning and the territories for which cause hauing done some things against Groning he was by them taken and committed to prison where he lay a whole yeare but after that he was againe entertained into seruice and so remained as I said before vntill his dying day He was a man much giuen to drinke women and playing at tables setting fifteene hundred gulderns vpon a game with the lord of Koutsbach He made no account of any Religion and yet his conscience accused him of his bad life and especially for the drowning of diuers marchants which in his time he had throwne ouer-boord whereof he was wont to tell that once a dead body swam a great while after his shippe wheresoeuer it went At the last he began to leaue off his great drunkennesse and to looke more after getting of money both from the pesants and euery man else in such sort as he left great summes of money behind him and yet spent and consumed much vainely He had made Delf-Ziel inuincible as he thought and began to giue commission for men to goe to sea and had bought the Island of Rottumrooge and caused great store of stones of the broken cloysters to be carried thither from all places intending to build a castle there and thereby to commaund the riuer of Ems presuming in time to become master of Groning and the territories therabouts and with his ships to dominiere ouer the sea which he could not refraine to boast of This and much more was reported of him both by his friends and kinred as also by others that knew him well which is here set downe only for an example vnto others The earle of Rennenbergh and they of Groning were exceeding glad of Bartel Entens death and yet sorry because the warre by that meanes should be conducted by wiser colonels the earle of Hohenlo being appointed to that charge but for that he could not wellattend it Escheda was by prouision made his lieutenant colonel At the last they of Groning were driuen out of two sconces and yet although they heard bad newes That Mechelen Willebrooke other places were taken from the prince of Parma and also that the succours promised them by the said prince had been gathered about Carpen were
earle of Hoochstraten who of the lady N. of Egmont widow to the earle of Hennin lord of Capres left one son after his death This earle of Renenbergh was a courteous nobleman well red in Greeke and Latin a great louer of histories and of musicke wherein he spent most of his time He was an enemie to all tyrannie although he committed that vild act in Groning the which he afterwards repented 1000 times and a great obseruer of militarie discipline he was withall very carefull to haue his souldiers duly paied As for his religion I will not meddle with it but we may coniecture what the heart was hauing red so many bookes of the learnedest Protestants and had conuersed so long with them but the feare of his mother of the chanon his vncle who had made him his heire of the earle of Lalain his cousin and of the persuasions of his sister had made him to change his party the which he often repented Colonel Gaspar Verdugo succeeded him in the gouernment of Friseland and Groning The Estates of Flanders sent a little armie into the quarter of Ypre and Dixmuyden vnder the commaund of the prince of Espinoy whom they made generall whereof the Seignior of Villers before gouernour of Bouchain was marshall of the campe to make worke on that side for the prince of Parma during the victualling of Cambray But the Parmo is beeing stronger in horse than the Estates he defeated some neere vnto Dixmuyden In the mean time the prince of Espinoys mē that remained in garrison at Tournay in his gouernmēt of Tournesis gaue many affronts vnto their enemies in Henault whom they annoyed all they could as in like manner the malecontents did beeing lodged in the fort of Hauteriue betwixt Tournay and Audenarde from whence they did runne dayly to the ports of either towne who at the same time defeated a rich conuoy of ninetie wagons with all sorts of marchandise going to Antuerpe and from thence to the fayre of Francfort beeing guarded but by some few foot and fifteene horse onely Of all these wagons there were about seuentie taken the rest escaped This vnfortunate incounter made many poore men who went themselues to Gant and Antuerpe to sell their marchandise of the which there were some taken prisoners who besides all their losses were hardly ransomed Such encounters were made dayly on eyther side whereby all traffique both in fayres and markets decayed At that time the Estates had their armie encamped neere vnto the village of Loos in the Chasteleine of Furnes in West-Flanders in a commodious place hauing but three thousand foot and eight hundred horse The male contents thinking to rayse them from thence went and encamped at Pont Rouard called in Dutch Rousbrugghe where they skirmished daily one with another but seeing that they preuailed little and got nothing but blowes they retired from thence with the losse of three hundred men to go and ioine with the prince of Parma before Cambray where they expected the French The Seignior of Iuchy gouernour of Cambray had beene forced but with the consent of the Estates to treat with the duke of Aniou brother to the French king who had sent him certaine French companies led by the Seignior of Balaigni bastard to Iohn of Monluc bishop of Valence On the other side the prince of Parma and the Wallon neighbour prouinces fearing least the French should settle themselues and lodge there sought all meanes possible to dislodge them by faire meanes money secret practises and intelligences with their partisans within the towne the which not succeeding the prince thought to force them by necessitie and famine and therefore built forts and made trenches at all the approches vnto the towne as at Marquion Creuecaeur Vauchelle and other places by means whereof he would besiege them farre off by whole yeares cutting off the victuals and munition which before the French brought vnto them So as in the end beeing annoyed with the said forts and trenches and by the horsemen which scoured the plaines those of the towne grew to want all things but bread and salt especially for as much as would be contained in a womans thymble would cost aboue a penny For whose succours the duke of Aniou according to his promise made all the hast he could to leuie men ouer all Fraunce But before he could effect it he was constrained first to seeke to pacifie the quarrell that was in Fraunce touching the entertaining of the fifth Edict of peace which some of the Spanish faction did kindle all they could to crosse his designe The which being done and the peace proclaymed in Fraunce he assembled his armie about Chasteaudun consisting of goodly troupes both of horse and foot hauing the greatest part of the French nobilitie voluntaries whom he had inuited to doe him this great and notable seruice with the which were the old companies of men at armes vnder the commaund of the lord of Bellegarde all amounting to foure thousand horse and tenne thousand foot the said duke marching with his artillerie in the head of his armie towards Cambray being resolued to giue battaile to the prince of Parma if hee would attend him Among the chiefe of his armie there were the marquesse de Elbeuf the earles of la Val S. Aignan and his sonne Rochpot Montgomery and Vantadour the Viconts of Tureine and la Guerche the Vidame of Amiens the lords of Feruaques la Chastre S. Luc Dieu la Mauvissiere and many others with foure marshals of the campe whereof Feruaques was the chiefe The Queene mother sought by entreaties and all other meanes to call backe her sonne the duke of Aniou from this expedition and to hinder him from relieuing of Cambray but he reiected all entreaties as inhumane hauing promised the Estates not to fayle them in this extremitie which made him to persist in his pretended enterprise Some gaue it out that the Spaniards sought to corrupt him with great gifts that he might desist from his intended enterprise and that many of the French nobilitie through the presents which they had receiued and large promises grew into suspition to haue secret intelligence with the Spaniard King Philip hearing of the duke of Aniou his great preparations supposing that such great troupes beeing like vnto a royall armie could not bee raysed without the kings consent hee complained by his embassadour of his brothers great preparation to aid and protect his rebellious subiects of the Netherlands who were enemies of the true Religion and of the faith of Christ against their naturall prince against the Catholicke faith and against a king which was his kinsman and good f◅iend hauing neuer giuen him any cause of so great a wrong and therefore he could not beleeue that so great forces could be gathered together without the kings aid and consent entreating him therefore that seeing he had receiued no wrong from him he would also forbeare to iniure a king that was his friend and
kinsman Answere was made vnto the embassadour That the French king had neuer wronged nor yet thought to wrong a king which was his friend and allie neither was it fit for his greatnesse who carrieth the name of most Christian to seeke the ruine of the Catholicke faith or not to oppose himselfe against them that should contradict it That those armes were then raysed against the kings will the which had beene so often turned to the wasting spoyling and ruine of miserable Fraunce and who would thinke that it had beene with the kings consent neither could the king at this time frustrate his brothers resolutions no more than when the Huguenots turned their armes against the bowels of the kingdome That the king of Spaine should employ his forces against those disobedient and obstinate Frenchmen and punish them as his owne rebels the which should be very gratefull vnto him And for that it seemed the French king feared that vnder pretext of succouring of Cambray his brother the duke of Aniou might turne his forces against Fraunce or that the Spaniard if he were victor should break in vpon his frontiers to be reuenged of these fuccours which the king had not hindered hee gathered together thirtie companies of men at armes and threescore ensignes of foot and sent them to the frontiers of Picardie to defend the confines of his kingdome against the furie and rashnesse of eyther partie that should ouercome Whereupon the prince of Parma grew into great feare and iealousie at the approch of the kings troupes vnto the frontiers but the French king sent him word That he should not thinke that they were sent to attempt any thing against his person but onely to secure the confines of his kingdome against the insolencie of the troupes that should vanquish that he might not leaue his subiects vpon the frontiers abandoned for that all victories how temperat and modest soeuer the generall be are commonly insolent by the disorders of the souldiers With all this goodly traine as aforesaid the duke approched neere to Cambray the sixteenth of August on which day certaine yong noblemen of his armie being too farre aduanced were charged by the marquesse of Roubay Vicont of Gant generall of the prince of Parma his horse who put them to rout such as escaped running speedily to the body of their armie At which encounter the Vicont of Tureine and the earle of Vancadour were taken prisoners The prince of Parma who was also neere vnto Cambray with all his forces making shew that he would hinder the victualling thereof presented himselfe in battaile the seuenteenth day with all his armie where he stood six houres in the face of the French as if he would haue fought with them wherunto the said marquesse of Roubay did much persuade and importune him The duke had no other conceit but that he came to giue him battaile causing his armie to aduance softly in good order to receiue him if he would seeke to stoppe his passage vnto the towne But the prince seeing his resolution hauing taken good view of his forces like vnto the duke of Alua being loth to hazard any thing hee retyred abandoning all his forts to Valenciennes where he encamped The next day beeing the eighteenth of the moneth the duke of Aniou marching still in good order approched neere vnto the towne where hauing caused all the victuals and munition which he had brought in great quantitie to enter after that hee had forced the Spanish armie to rise he victualled it to the full and entred himselfe in person where he was triumphantly receiued with great ioy of all the people and acknowledged protector of Cambray and Cambresis held simply of the empire the which in old time were wont to be neuters The twentieth of the moneth he tooke a solemne oath in the Cathedrall Church and afterwards in the Towne-house to gouerne and maintaine the said citie and countrey and the citizens bourgers and inhabitants thereof in their auncient liberties freedomes and rights after which there was gold and siluer cast among the people The one and twentieth day he departed from thence with all his armie marching towards Arleux and Scluce with an entent to fight with the Spaniards who retyred further into the countrey Then he returned to besiege castle Cambresis which yeelded by composition hauing endured 219 canon shot There went foorth three companies with their armes and their matches out At this siege the Vicont of Touar was slaine and the Seignior of Balaigne shot in the calfe of the legge The duke of Aniou being come thus farre he was earnestly entreated by the generall Estates and the prince of Orange to passe on and to enter into the Netherlands hauing a part of their armie in Flanders vnder the commaund of the priâ—…ce of Espinoy and the regiments of la Garde and Stuart all which should goe and ioyne with him but Winter approching and his armie consisting for the most part of voluntaries and the best part of his horse being the kings companies of men at armes whereof he could not dispose at his pleasure and withall the nobilitie being at discord for the places of honour there was no meanes to make them yeeld thereunto the voluntaries and men at armes retyring home to their houses yet there remained some troupes to enter into the countrey the which not daring to passe by Arthois returned into France and tooke their way along the frontiers towards Calice where they entred into Flanders and ioyned with the Estates armie ⧠The Generall Estates of the vnited Prouinces of Gueldres Holland Zeeland Zutphen Friseland Oueryssel and Groeningen hauing declared Prince PHILIP of Austria second of that name King of Spaine fallen from the Seigniorie of the said Prouinces by reason of his extraordinarie and too violent gouernment against their priuiledges and freedomes solemnely sworne by him haue by the way of right and armes taken vpon them all the gouernment of the politicke Estate and of the Religion in the said Prouinces in the yeare 1581. THE GENERALL ESTATES of the vnited Prouinces The wicked counsell of the young King Roboam The most vnlawfull lust that proud Tarquins mind o'recame And of those two young kings the great peruersitie Was th' onely cause that did bereaue them of their royaltie Of twelue Tribes onely one to Roboam remain'd And Tarquin driuen out of Rome the people straight obtain'd The gouernment and the chiefe soueraigntie Of Rome and to the Senat did commit th' authoritie The crueltie of the Inquisitors of Spaine That long in the vnited lands did ciuile warres maintaine In th' end was th' onely meanes and cause that after we The Spanish yoke long time had borne obtain'd our libertie THE XII BOOKE The Argument THe generall Estates of the vnited Prouinces of Gueldres Holland Zeeland Zutphen Vtrecht Friseland Oueryssel and Groeningen tooke vpon them the gouernment of the said Prouinces after they had declared the King of Spaine to be fallen
from the Seigniorie therof by a solemne Edict hauing abiured him broken his seals absolued the subiects of their oath and made them take a new 〈◊〉 for the preseruation of their countrey and obedience to the said Estates The prince of Parma besiegeth Tournay which in the end yeeldeth The prince of Orange desireth to quit the place of Lieutenant generall after the departure of the archduke Mathias and is intreated to continue it whereupon he giues some admonitions to the Estates but to small purpose The duke of Aniou commeth into the Netherlands is created duke of Brabant A bargaine made by the king of Spaine to kill the prince of Orange who was shot and in great danger of his life and the murtherer slaine The siege of Oudenarde yeelded to the Spaniard Alost taken by scalado for the duke of Aniou Death of the princesse of Orange The duke created earle of Flanders An attempt against the duke and the prince of Orange at Bruges for the which one was executed at Paris The dukes armie charged neere vnto Gant by the prince of Parma but it retires safe neere vnto Antuerpe Lochen besieged by the Spaniard relieued by the earle of Hohenlo in the Estates name The strangers called backe into the Netherlands by the disunited forces The French king refuseth to succour the duke his brother who assureth himselfe of Dunkerke Being ill aduised he seekes to seize vpon the towne of Antuerpe where his chiefe nobilitie was slaine the like was attempted in diuers other townes whereof the prince of Parma seekes to make his profit and the duke growes odious and yet the prince of Orange laboureth to reconcile all the which he did by the meanes of the Seignior of Bellieure sent by the king of Fraunce The duke yeelding vnto the Estates the townes which he had seized on returneth into Fraunce Another proiect to murther the prince of Orange by â—…e Pedro Dordogne and another at Flessingue by Hans Hanson The marshall of Biron retireth with the duke of Aâ—…u his troupes The prince leauing Antuerpe commeth into Holland where there is some speech to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 erle of Holland but without effect Imbise called home by them of Gant he plotteth his owne ruin and is beheaded at Gant as a traytar after that hee had sought to yeeld it with Denremonde to the Spaniard Ypre yeelded by necessitie to the Spaniard and Bruges by the prince of Chymay his practises Lillo besieged in vaine by the Spaniard The prince of Orange murthered at Delft Prince Maurice succeeds his father in the gouernment the towne of Antuerpe blocked vp the riuer stopped Gant and Denremonde yeelded The endeuors of them of Antuerpe the resolution of the Estates vpon the demaund of a new prince they send deputies to the French king who excuseth himselfe vpon the ciuile warres Nymmeghen Doesbourg Brussels Macklyn and other places yeelded to the Spaniard The Estates men defeated at Coestein and neere to Amerongen in the end Antuerpe is yeelded During this siege the Estates sent their deputies to the queene of England who accepteth their protection and sends her lieutenant for their preseruation IN the alterations which happen sometimes in an Estate betwixt the Soueraigne prince and a people that is free and priuiledged there are ordinarily two points which make them to ayme at two diuers ends The one is when as the prince seekes to haue a full subiection and obedience of the people and the people contrariwise require that the prince shold maintaine them in their freedoms and liberties which he hath promised and sworn solemnly vnto them before his reception to the principalitie Therupon quarrels grow the prince will hold a hard hand and will seeke by force to be obeied and the subiects rising against the prince oftentimes with dangerous tumults reiecting his authority seeke to imbrace their full liberty In these first motions there happeneth sometimes communications and conferences at the instance of neighbours who may haue interest therein to quench this fire of diuision betwixt the prince and his people And then if any one of the parties groweth obstinate and will not yeeld although he seeme to be most in fault it followeth of necessitie that they must come to more violent remedies that is to say to armes The power of the prince is great when he is supported by other princes which ioyne with him for the consequence of the example else it is but small but that of the people which is the body whereof the prince was the head stirred vp by conscience especially if the question of Religion bee touched the members ordained for their function doing ioyntly their dueties is farre greater Thereupon they wound they kill they burne they ruine and grow desperately mad but what is the euent God who is an enemie of all tyrannie and disobedience iudgeth of their quarrels weigheth them in his ballance of iustice helping the rightfull cause and eyther causeth the prince for his rigour and tyrannie to be chased away and depriued of his estate and principalitie or the people for their contempt and rebellion are punished reduced vnto reason which causeth the alterations to cease and procureth a peace whereof we could produce many examples both ancient and moderne if the relation of this historie did not furnish vs sufficiently So the generall Estates of the vnited prouinces seeing that king Philip would not in any sort through his wilfulnesse yeeld vnto their humble suite and petitions and notwithstanding all the offers they could make to purchase a good firme and an assured peace notwithstanding all the intercessions both of the Emperour the French king the Queene of England and other great princes and potentates of Christendome yet would hee not glue eare to any other reason but what himselfe did propound the which the said Estates did not onely find vniust and vnreasonable directly repugnant to the liberties constitutions and freedomes of the countrey but also contrarie to their consciences and as it were so many snares layed to catch them which were in no sort to bee allowed of nor receiued considering the qualitie of their affayres and his according to the time that was then In the end reiecting all feare of his power and threats seeing that they were forced to enter into all courses of extremitie against a prince which held himselfe so heynously offended as no reconciliation could be expected relying vpon the iustice and equitie of their cause and sinceritie of their consciences which are two brasen bulwarkes they were fully resolued without dissembling to take the matter thus aduaunced in hand and opposing force against force meanes against meanes and practises against practises to declare him quite fallen from the Seigniorie preheminence and authoritie which before the troubles the breach of their priuiledges rights freedomes and immunities so often and so solemnely swome by him and dispensation of his othes hee had or was wont to haue in the said prouinces respectiuely whereof they made open declaration by a
their horsemen did not second them fainted and fled to saue their liues of the which there were about two hundred slaine and taken prisoners The second of May there was a generall fast commanded by the duke and the generall Estates throughout all the vnited prouinces to giue God thankes for the prince of Orange his health and that they had obtained a good prince in making choice of the duke who did defend and maintaine them against the Spanish tyrannie The lady Charlotte of Bourbon wife to the prince of Orange hauing first conceiued an exceeding griefe for her husbands hurt and afterwards by his recouerie an incredible ioy being deliuered of child she fell into a continuall burning feauer whereof she dyed the fifth of May leauing vnto the prince six daughters who had all great marriages Shee was buried in our ladies church in Antuerpe with a stately funerall pompe The eight of Iune following there also dyed in the same towne the lady Mary of Lalain wife to Peter of Melun prince of Espinoy Seneschall of Henault c. and was buried in the Quier of the Church of S. Michaels abbey in the same towne without the Romish ceremonies About that time the Seignior of Hautepenne sonne to the earle of Barlamont made a rode with six hundred horse about Antuerpe from whence he carried a great bootie in prisoners cattell and other goods Captaine Alonzo a Spaniard who serued the duke a braue souldier being in garrison in Liere wâ—…â—…forth with his troupe of horse and charged them but he was hurt and taken yet he wâ—… pâ—…ntly rescued and carried backe into Liere where he remained sicke in his bed of this wound vntill that hee was traiterously sold to the prince of Parma by a Scottish captaine as you shall presently see At this time the duke of Aniou his men made another enterprise vpon the towne of Arschot with some troupes of horse and foot but being entred a good way into the towne they were repulsed with the losse of thirtie men All this Summer was spent in enterprises on eyther side but few succeeded yet the garrisons of Dyest and Herental surprised Tillemont in Brabant for the Estates in the which there were three companies for the prince of Parma lodged in a cloyster which they defeated in their retrenchment then they sacked the towne and abandoned it The prince of Parma keeping then his court at Tournay went to Namur to receiue the troupes which the earle of Martinengues and Dom Iohn of Manriques de Lara brought vnto him The duke of Aniou and Brabant about that time made certaine proclamations for his greater assurance and brake quarter with the men of warre commaunding them not to take any enemie to ransome He also brake the licences which are certaine customes and tols imposed vpon all marchandise passing from one countrey to another not suffering that any thing should be transported either by water or land vnto the enemie and generally not to traffique nor to haue any correspondencie with them by exchange or otherwise in what sort soeuer The foureteenth of Iuly the duke being accompanied by the princes of Orange and Espinoy and all their traine departed from Antuerpe to go into Zeeland from whence on the sixteenth day he went to Scluse to make his entry the next day into Bruges The bourgers went forth of the towne well appointed in armes to meet him along the riuer which goeth from Bruges to Dam hauing some number of the sworn companies of crosse-bows harguebusiers and archers in very good equipage appointed for his guard They of the towne of Antuerpe of the same qualitie did attend him thither and then returned home The duke entring into the towne was receiued with great humilitie by the foure members of Flanders and was conducted through the streets with all the honour they could deuise hauing triumphant arches liuely representations made vpon scaffolds artificiall figures painted statues pyramides porches with such like and diuers kinds of flames and artificiall fires flying in the aire whereby they made shew how pleasing and acceptable his comming and entry was vnto them receiuing him for their prince and lord as earle of Flanders The duke being in this towne of Bruges there was a great treason discouered inuented by a Spaniard or a Spaniards sonne called Nicholas Salcedo of one Francisco Baza an Italian of a horseman of Fernando of Gonzagues companie and of one Nicholas Hugot called La Borde a Frenchman who were corrupted and set on by the prince of Parma or his counsell in the name of the king of Spaine to murther the said duke and the prince of Orange both together or apart in what sort soeuer as it appeared by the confession and processe of the said Salcedo and by that which happened to Francisco Baza This Salcedo had beene at the dukes request saued from the gallowes at Rouan being accused of coyning being after that retyred for a time into Spaine he returned into Lorraine where he came into the dukes seruice at the victualling of Cambray and so followed him continually vnto Antuerpe thinking to be there employed and to haue some charge but he was alwayes held in iealousie by the prince of Orange And as the said Salcedo was very familiar with the Seignior Amoral afterwards earle of Egmont whom the prince loued not onely for the good remembrance of his father but for that the Countesse his mother had recommended him and all her other children vnto him at the houre of her death in Antuerpe and also for that the said Seignior Amoral made profession of the Protestants Religion and receiued the Communion these reasons made the prince to aske him once in secret what great acquaintance and familiaritie he had with the said Salcedo Hee answered him That hee had none but for the loue of Alchimie whereupon the prince replyed That hee feared some worse matter aduising him to beware of him and not to conuerse any more with him wishing him withall not to discouer any thing of this aduertisement to Salcedo Yet notwithstanding this young nobleman whether it were of lightnesse or for that it is the nature of man to affect that most which is most forbiddeâ—…â—…im at his first encounter with Salcedo he discouered all vnto him Vpon certaine aduertisements and strong presumptions Salcedo was apprehended Francisco Baza was without the court attending for him and seeing that he came not in the end he asked for him and so was in like manner laid hold on La Borde fearing or discouering something saued himselfe Salcedo and Baza being examined vpon the aduertisements and circumstances which they had to confirme the presumptions of their fact they did confesse and signe it that their designe was to haue murthered or poysoned the duke and prince in what sort soeuer The young lord Amoral was in like sort examined who confessed presently that he had bewrayed vnto Salcedo all that the prince had said vnto him touching the conuersation and familiaritie he
them of the Protestants Religion of all magistracie and put Romish Catholickes in their places The greatest and chiefest cause which mooued him to send deputies vnto the prince of Parma was that he had intercepted certaine letters written by the prince of Orange contayning a Commission to seize vpon his person and vpon all his followers and adherents Which letters he caused to be read before all the people giuing them to vnderstand That it behooued him for to stand vpon his guard for feare of the sayd prince The prince of Parma hauing heard the deputies that were sent by Imbise hee sent backe to Gant the Seignior of Manuâ—… gouernour of Audenarde and colonel Segura a Spaniard allyed to Imbise by his wife to treat with the Ganthois These were very kindly entertained and much made of by some of the people which held Imbises party for whose assurance he had sent hostages to Audenarde A truce was concluded betwixt them and the Ganthois for twentie daies the which were spent in sending vp and downe to their confederats especially into Holland and Zeeland to renounce their confederation which had made them to abiure the king of Spaine But in all these practises they found many difficulties as wee shall hereafter shew They of Brussels seeing the Ganthois to be wauering and how desirous they were to reconcile themselues vnto the king of Spaine writ vnto them letters with a large discourse persuading them to perseuerance with many allegations reasons and examples exhorting them rather to die than to renounce their allyes and to ioyne againe with the king They of Antuerpe sent them letters of the like tenour entreating them to consider and examine with iudgement the consequence of this reconciliation setting before their eyes the cruelties of the Spaniards practised vpon the poore Indians against whom they had not by the thousandth part the like occasion as they pretended had beene giuen them by the Netherlanders In like sort they alleaged the miserable vsage of them of Granado by the same Spaniards who beeing once their lords and masters would pare their nayles so short as they should neuer haue more meanes at all to scratch And to the same end and purpose there was a small booke printed in the vulgar tongue dissuading them vtterly to flye from this reconciliation tearming it deceitfull abusiue yea and trecherous pretending moreouer that they had no cause to be terrified and daunted at any thing for that they found themselues strong ynough to resist the Spaniards forces the which they then obiected for that the earle of Hohenlo had at that time a good army in field for the Estates in the countrey of Gueldres and that they hoped the Queene of England and the Protestant princes of Germanie would giue them succours They of Bruges were not a little perplexed for the towne of Ypre their neighbour being blocked vp on all sides and desiring to relieue it they sent a conuoy of victuals with two hundred souldiers but comming within two leagues of the towne not farre from Vyuerbergh this conuoy was defeated all the victuals taken the souldiers put to rout and many slaine the Spaniards hauing not lost aboue twelue men The bourgers not content with this losse prouided eightie wagons more laden with all sorts of victuals and munition with an hundred and fiftie baskets carried by pesants the which was conducted by three hundred launciers an hundred muskettiers and fiue hundred harguebusiers most part Scottishmen These being come within halfe a league of the towne the Spaniards sallyed out of their forts in the which there were three hundred horse and two thousand foot the which charged this conuoy defeated them quite so as little of all this prouision entred into Ypre but most of it fell into the enemies hands The bourgers beeing very much perplexed for these two losses sought by all meanes possible to prouide better for their affaires and to fortifie themselues whereupon they built certaine forts and trenches in the most accessible places vnto their towne drowning the countrey round about which was to bee drowned so as the enemie could not approch and they did the like three leagues off at a little towne called Oostbourg And as the towne of Menin lying in the champian countrey in the middest of all their enemies was a great charge vnto them they retyred with their Scottish garrison that was in it and abandoned it not without great ioy of them of Lille and Courtray betwixt which two it lyeth the which was done by the aduice of the prince of Chimay gouernour of Flaunders who then sought meanes to reconcile himselfe with the king of Spaine deliuering him the towne of Bruges the which hee did afterwards At that time there was sharpe and cruell warre in the diocesse of Cologne for that Gebhard Truchses archbishop and prince Elector of Cologne hauing married one of the Countesses of Mansfeldt would haue retained still the said archbishopricke and Electorall dignitie with libertie of Religion throughout all his diocesse maintaining that his marriage was not repugnant to the word of God But the Chanons and Chapter opposed themselues strongly against him and with the assistance of the Pope and the Emperour deposed him and caused him to be excommunicate chusing in his place Ernest of Bauiere sonne to duke Albert then bishop of Leege and Fressinghem with diuers other spirituall dignities Truchses had fortified himselfe in the towne of Bonne three leagues aboue Cologne where the archbishops doe often keepe their Court and haue their Chauncerie One of the Chanons of Cologne of the house of Saxonie named Frederic holding part with Ernest of Bauiere and some other of his brotherhood with their kinsmen friends and allies went vnto the field and tooke diuers places in the new elected bishops name Truchses hauing also an armie in the field vnder the conduct of the earle of Moeurs and of Nyeuwenoort seized vpon the townes of Rhinbergh Ordenges and other places Duke Iohn Casimire came likewise to his succour with some troupes but he did little Augustus duke of Saxonie should also haue sent but his slacknesse discouraged the rest so as they which held Truchses partie retyred themselues by little and little The Bauierois besieged the towne of Bonne which by a mutinie of the Germane souldiors which were there in garrison was sold vnto him for foure thousand Rycx-dallers deliuering the Seignior of Truchses brother to the archbishop deposed being their gouernour into his enemies hands In the end the archbishop of Truchses seeing himselfe thus dispossessed and chased out of all his diocesse hee retyred into Holland in the moneth of Aprill 1584 where he entred into league with the generall Estates of the vnited Prouinces holding still the towne of Berke and afterwards Bonne which Colonel Schenck surprised and also that of Nuys with the which hee did much annoy and hurt Cologne vnder the gouernment of the earle of Moeurs and the said colonel Schenck beeing marshall of his campe
ease annoy the Ganthois besides neere vnto Courtray he caused the towne of Dinse to bee fortified and towards Bruges he had Eckloo and other places at his deuotion The said Steelandt did also practise to deliuer three ships of warre which he had vnder his charge into his hands if the mariners and souldiers which were in them had not disbanded and fallen from him choosing rather to serue the estates for that they were most of them of Antuerpe than the Spaniard They of Antuerpe beeing grieued for the losse of Ruppelmond did besiege and batter it but they preuailed nothing whereupon they cut certaine dikes or causies and drowned all the fields and meddowes about the villages of Burcht and Calloo They also built a fort at Burcht and fortified the head of Flanders right against their towne To conclude they spared no cost but with one generall consent did voluntarily furnish to the summe of 1300000 florins At the same instant the Earle of Hohenlo entred into Flanders with 19 companies of foot where he built a mightie fort at Terneuse right against Zeeland to assure the nauigation to Antuerpe and from thence to spoile that which the Spaniard held in Flanders he also cut through many dikes which did much harme and annoyance to the countrie but as hee thought to proceed further he was preuented by the practises of the prince of Chimay Those which at that time had the gouernment of Gant hauing also as I haue said intelligence with the Spaniard making a shew to put in a new garrison into Alost of such as were borne in the countrie and to retire the English sought to deliuer it to the prince of Parma but the English would not depart without their ful paie and arrerages They sought to haue done the like at Dendermond whither they sent their commissioners the 27 of October the which were 〈◊〉 Tryest Anthonie Heyman and Ieams Somer with charge to displace the Seignior of Ryhouen great bailiffe of Gant and gouernour of Dendermond but hee being then at Gant and hauing some notice therof meaning to preuent them went to horse-backe and notwithstanding all lets and hinderances was there before them taking them prisoners and seizing vpon all their papers and instructions Somer who was pentioner of Gant escaped hanging very hardly Afterwards the said English garrison of Alost beeing mutined for their paie the Ganthois did not only refuse to giue it them but did threaten to force them out or else to famish them In the meane time the prince of Parma did not let slippe this opportunitie to make his profit thereby but did sollicite them by faire wordes and promises to paie them and these English companies not accustomed to endure hunger and want began to giue eare vnto him for that their Colonel sir Iohn Norris and the states were somewhat slowe to prouide for their paie for the which they intended to giue order but it was too late for after that the English had chased away the rest of the garrison which were of the countrey then did captaine Pigot Vincent Tailor and others agree to deliuer vp the towne vnto the Spaniard giuing them for their paie which they receiued thirtie thousand pistolets And so the said towne was deliuered vnto the Spaniard in the beginning of December and filled with Wallons Most of these Enlish went to serue the prince of Parma in his campe before Eckloo but finding that he trusted them not they ran in a manner all away The prince of Parma beeing in his armie betwixt Bruges and Gant all deuices were put in practise by them that fauoured the Spaniard to aduance the reconciliation of the townes of Flanders with the king of Spaine yea by small pamphlets printed in the name of them of the protestant religion among the which Imbise Bouckle and Borlat were at Gant and the prince of Chimay and his minister Heren at Bruges in the which it was discoursed that it was not with the Spaniard that this reconciliation was intended but with them of Arthois Henault Lille and others alreadie reconciled or subdued by armes and that therefore they should enioy the libertie of religion and their priuiledges according to the pacification wherefore they made so great a shewe Whilest they were thus busied at Gant and at Bruges to talke of of peace the lord of Montigni was in the fort of Werteren betwixt Gant and Dendermond where he had made a Palisado in the riuer of Escaut so as they might goe on drie-foote from one banke vnto another at either ende of which there was a fort which did stoppe the nauigation from Dendermond to Antuerpe In the meane time the Ganthois had their deputies with the prince of Parma at Tournay to conclude their reconciliation in hostage for whom there was in Gant captaine Segur a a Spaniard and Colonel Manui who with the assistance of the Seignior of Chapagni treated so farre with Iohn d'Imbise as the 24 of March 1584 hee commanded him that charge of the shippes whom they cal deane of the shippe wrights to furnish certaine small boats making preparation of ladders beames firre-boards plankes hurdles and such like to be set vpon the riuer of Escaut But as it could not be done easily nor so couertly but it was discouered some magistrates went and told Imbise that the common people did not meane that those boats and other preparation should be carried forth which put them into some iealousie whereunto hee answered that they should let them goe for hee knewe well what he did and that it was for the great good of the towne But the people not beeing satisfied therewith the boats beeing staied by them could noâ—…y any meanes goe forth that night The next daie the shirifs and councell of the towne beeing assembled in the towne house to resolue vpon this matter Imbise caused his Colonels companie to come downe presently in armes to drawe the chaines and to enuiron the place the which some one of the councell espying going out of the State-house to one of the Sergeants he pulled away his halberd and perswaded the bourgers to armes so as some that were there present with their swords and daggers and such armes as they could in hast recouer fell vpon the said companie tare away their colours tooke the captaine and all the officers prisoners and put the rest in rout In the end all the towne beeing in armes and the streets full of armed men they seized vpon Imbise and many others of the councell whom they put from their offices and degraded Imbise of his estates of Colonel and bourgmaster they cassierd his guard drewe forth of his house the three peeces of artillerie which he had in his court before the gate and then cast him into prison for that the bourgers had intercepted certaine letters which were written that day by the lord of Montigni from Werteren to captaine Segura by the which he sent him word that he maruailed much that the boats and
all the other equipage was not yet arriued seeing that he was well informed of the depth of the ditches and that it was but three hundred foot broad hauing also wonne the captaine of Dendermond and that the night following hee would put his designe in execution and that the king of Spaine would not faile to acknowledge it Captaine Rowland Yorke was also of this enterprise who beeing apprehended confessed it all The Seignior of Ryhouen gouernour of Dendermond sent to the baron of Mortagne his cousin commanding there in his absence willing him to seize vpon Walter Seton a Scottish man lieutenant of the horse that were there in garrison aduertising him of the treson that was practised by him with Imbise and Yorke to deliuer the towne vnto the Spaniard The said Seton beeing apprehended and hauing confessed the whole conspiracie was hanged and quartered the thirtieth daie of March Then were there sixe companies of supplies sent by the Seignior of Timpel gouernour of Brussels to Dendermond The Seignior Charles of Vtenhouen was appointed in the place of Imbise to supply the place and office of bourgmaster at Gant The fifteenth of Maie some deputies of Gant beeing returned from Tournay with the articles of their reconciliation propounded by the prince of Parma which the Flemish protestants did tearme to be an accord that was captious fraudulent deceitfull and full of dissimulation the catholikes and those which demaunded nothing but peace as well nobles as the chiefe and best bourgers in the towne beeing assembled vpon the place before the State-house with armes would haue forced the magistrate to accept of the said accord crying out openly Where are they that will haue no peace we will haue peace The protestants beeing also in armes and in battell drewe neere vnto the place the rest seeing them come grewe fearefull and fled here and there Yet by the aduice of the councell they that had spoken the wordes and beene the motiues and stirrers vp of this tumult were put in prison and they all resolued with a common consent to liue and die in the vnion of the generalitie and to persist therein vnto the last gaspe reiecting all articles and practises of peace with the Spaniard And they required succours to bee sent them from Antuerpe and from Brussels from whence about the twentieth of Maie they receiued sixe hundred foote and a hundred horse the which did afterward conduct captaine Yorke prisoner from Gant to Brussels to deliuer him to the guard of the Seignior Timpel Hee was happie to haue found such good friends else hee had beene in danger to haue runne the like fortune with Walter Seton But the prince hauing pardoned him he was after wards restored to his credit by the earle of Leicester which fell out vnhappily for the generall Estates of the vnited prouinces as we shall hereafter shew In the meane time they of Ypre beeing thus besieged or rather straitly blockt vp since the moneth of September hearing that they of Gant and Bruges tended to reconciliation with the king of Spaine which they did hope should bee generall seeing their vittailes and conuoies still defeated and taken so as nothing aduanced for to deliuer them and that the succours which they attended from the other three members of Flanders which are Gant Bruges and Franc appeared not that they neglected them and that they fell into extreame necessitie and want in the end they were forced forsaking their constancie and finne resolution which they had to the vnion of the generalitie to giue way to necessitie and by the consent of the Seignior of Marquette their gouernour to treat an accord with Anthonic Grenet Seignior of Werp gouernour of Courtray commaunding then in all the forts which had blockt vp the said towne The composition was made the twelfth of April by the which all strange souldiers should depart with their full armes and those that were borne in the countrie with their rapiers and daggers onely that the towne should paie fiftie thousand florins to redeeme it selfe from spoile that the prince of Parma should haue foure bourgers at his choice to dispose of them at his pleasure their liues reserued the which redeemed themselues afterwards for 20. thousand florins the bourgers should be maintained in their priuiledges all exercise of religion and that which depended thereon should be taken from them and they should receiue an Italian garrison into the towne During all the practises of Imbise and other alterations in Gant and else where the prince of Orange foreseeing by the inconstancie of mens humors and the falling away of townes from the generalitie a ruine in their affaires if they were not supported by some forraine potent prince he first had aduised the general Estates to send their commissioners to the French king and the duke of Aniou his brother for new succours and now in the moneth of March last past he procured Colonel Norris generall of the English to goe into England giuing him particular instructions from himselfe to impart vnto the Queenes Maiestie as followeth First the prince of Orange doth intreat monsieur Norris to let her Maiestie vnderstand on his behalfe that hee is fully persuaded and resolued to continue in the maintenance of true religion in these countries and the liberties thereof vnto the end of his life And to oppose himselfe according to the meanes which God hath giuen him against the attempts of the king of Spaine That the said prince hath not beene ignorant what great forces the king of Spaine hath had heretofore and what he hath at this present or may haue He is also well acquainted with his alliances and leagues and that by reason of his victories and yet more by his meanes and practises which hee hath in most of the kingdomes and common weales of Christendome he hath filled almost all Europe with the terrour of his name That the said prince is not also ignorant of the small power and meanes which God hath giuen him and hee knowes sufficiently by experience the inconstancie of humane things the varietie of mens hearts and the great errours which are daiely committed in these countries and in affaires of state and what the inconueniences bee which vsually followe such confusions But beeing one the other side assured that the king of Spaines heart will neuer bee mooued nor yeeld to a toleration of religion and will neuer endure that it should encrease no not to haue it entertained to admit that by the persuasions of some he might be drawn to dissemble his bad intent for a time yet he knoweth for certain that the true inuocation of Gods name should soone bee extinct in these countries and the libertie generally opprest The which the said prince foreseeing hee cannot in conscience desist from his enterprise with out condemning of himselfe before God and men The said prince hath long knowne the inward heart of the king of Spaine and the grounds of all his councels of
estate And euery one knowing how long hee hath dealt in the affaires of this countrie and of the councel of estate may persuade himselfe that it is not without reason that hee doth attribute vnto himselfe this knowledge And therefore bee intreats all men of iudgement especially those that make profession of the religion to allowe him something which cannot bee knowne but to such as haue pierst into the bowels of the affaires of Spaine as he hath often and long time done But hee is content that all good men which haue interest in the cause should consider of that which is set to the viewe of euery man and knowne to all the world and then iudge of the king of Spaines resolutions that is whether the beginning of this monarchie of Spaine bee not wholly grounded vpon the strict leagues intelligences and correspondencies which the kings of Castile and Aragon haue had heretofore with the Pope which amities beeing many yeares since begunne haue still increased by the continuance of mutuall offices which they haue done one vnto another the pope augmenting this crowne of Spaine and the king of Spaine embracing the popes quarrels against all the world without any reseruation The popes haue augmented the house of Aragon with the realmes of Naples and Sicile and haue made the way for the house of Spaine to conquer Lombardie and to hold the princes of Italie subiect at his deuotion some by citadels some by feare and some by practises alwaies managed and coloured by the popes So as if at any time the house of France hath practised some little fauour from the Pope presently the house of Spaine hath felt the foundations of his Seigniories in Italie to shake and readie to fall the historie whereof is well knowne to all men of state If then there were no other reason but this onely the house of Spaine knowing well of what importance the estate of Italie is would neuer attempt any thing but as he should be instructed by the spirit of the court of Rome with the which no good man can haue any greater familiaritie then Christ had with Belial But euery man knoweth that the great empire at the Indies which Spaine doth at this daie enioy is due by the Spaniards vnto the free gift of the Romish Sea and likewise the coniunction of the crownes of Aragon and Castile to the popes dispensation as also the conquest of the kingdome of Nauarre and of late of the kingdome of Portugall and countries subiect to the crowne For these reasons then we must thinke that neither the king of Spaine nor any of his successors after him will euer seperate themselues from the amitie of that sea and consequently he will be of necessitie an open enemie to the true religion the which can no more endure the the pope and his adherents than the sea doth a dead carcasse And for as much as all the dangers whereunto the said prince may be exposed with these countries the which are very great to iudge according vnto man are yet nothing in comparison of the ruine of the true religion whereof they that persecute it are enemies and the said prince should be treacherous if he should abandon it for these considerations hee is resolued with the helpe of God to continue constant in his first resolution vnto the end of his life and if God giue him the grace so to assure these countries as after his death he will leaue it able to defend it selfe against the power of Spaine and his adherents The said prince is not ignorant what reports are spread abroad by his enemies in regard of that which is treated betwixt the Estates of Holland and his person and that before that hee would yeeld vnto them he had foreseene and dulie considered both by himselfe and with many men of worth and reputation and moreouer hauing condescended thereunto he had protracted the busines to auoyd the slaunders of the wicked and the suspition of some who are not of themselues badde but may interpret the said treatie sinisterly not knowing the true cause and ground But the said prince beeing vnwilling to make any long discourse vpon this point wherein hee should do himselfe wrong for that it could not be so simply written but it would tend something to his praise he is content to say intreats monsieur Norris to assure her Maiesty the lords of her councel al good men that if the said prince had not bin persuaded by many pregnant reasons which haue beene propounded vnto him by many men of qualitie whose pietie to religion affection to their countrie and wisdome to iudge are well knowne vnto him that it was necessarie and conuenient for the preseruation of religion and to keepe so many good men from vniust deaths by the crueltie of their enemies and that others liuing in simplicitie and ignorance should not bee seduced by the practises of the children of this world hee had neuer proceeded further and yet matters being as they are if they can shew him a more safe way hee protests that he is ready to follow it and to march constantly after him that shall guide him The said prince doth intreat all good men so to temper their iudgements as they giue no place either to slaunders or false reports nor to opinions grounded onely vpon suspition hoping that his word shall be sooner credited than a bare suspition the which may bee as soone refuted as it growes in the spirit of man without ground and assurance Nothing then hath mooued the said prince to take that course which he hitherto followed but this holy resolution aboue mentioned And if it shall now please her Maiestie to vnderstand what meanes the said prince propounds vnto himselfe for the maintenance of so iust and yet so difficult a quarrell to obey her Maiestie to whom he desires to continue a most humble seruant and not to forget to aduertise her as much as he may of the estate of his affaires hee intreats the Seignior Norris to acquaint her Maiestie with that which followes That first of all the great and eternall power of God is knowne vnto him not onely by his holy doctrine where he hath learned it but also by many experiences which hee hath made and diuers effects which he hath felt in the aduancement preseruation of the true Church and first in the time of his ancestors in the kingdom of Bohemia and in his time in Germanie Switser-land England Scotland France and in the end in these countries and euen in his owne person And that in all these kingdoms and prouinces God hath made it visibly known to all the world that he suffered men to propound in their councels but he knew how to dis pose of all things and to him alone belonged the honour and glorie of the preseruation of his people And although that this resolution he setled in his heart and that he referres himselfe to his holy prouidence yet he knoweth the
important affaires hee sees them of Mons Truchses elector of Cologne to be very intricate and not in so good an estate as it were to be wished For he is in like sort assailed by great and mightie enemies who with open force make warre against him and for his part hee hath not at this day any prince that fauours him and openly assists him the which hath beene very preiudiciall vnto him for that he promised vnto himselfe greater aide and assistance than he hath yet found And forasmuch as the conformitie of religion the neighbourhood of countries and the same aduersaries which presse him and vs equally should incite vs to aide one another with our meanes the said prince continues to treat a league and alliance with him that vntill it shall please God to giue vs other succours wee may imploy those forces which God hath giuen vs one for another hauing in the meane time notwithstanding our owne difficulties assisted him with a good summe of money But the said prince knowes well that all the said meanes to speake as a man are not able to resist halfe the forces of the king of Spaine the pope and all those that fight vnder their ensignes or that contribute to this warre hee will therefore endeauour to purchase as many friends as he can as well by his owne meanes as the said elector in Germanie and else-where and especially of them of the religion the more easily to withstand or at the least to diuert the the forces of the enemie the common enemie of Christendome According vnto the which he hath intreated generall Norris to acquaint her Maiestie with the forces of the enemies of these countries and of the elector Her Maiesties accustomed bountie which shee hath extended often to them that were in like sort oppressed and namely the fauour which it hath pleased her to shew to them of this countrie who are much bound vnto her for that the enemie hath beene long staied from the execution of his designes Hee shall represent vnto her Maiestie her happie and royall succours giuen vnto France and to Scotland beeing oppressed for the same quarrell her Maiestie hauing deliuered one of the said kingdomes from the oppression of Rome and hath giuen meanes to the other liuing in peace after so many miseries to quench the blood which did yet flowe in all parts and to purchase a quiet aboad for so many good men fearing God In doing whereof her Maiestie hath purchased so great honour and reputation with all that beliuing and shall leaue so pleasing a memorie to posteritie hath so wonne the hearts of all men as they would as willingly imploy their liues for her seruice as if they were her naturall subiects And therfore he shall most humbly intreat her in the behalfe of the said prince seeing that the necessitie seemeth greater than euer the enemies bending all their forces against these countries hoping that after they haue compassed their designe ouer this little countrie the rest of the world shall serue them but for matter of trophie that shee will bee pleased not to suffer that before her eies so many good men and her most humble seruants should perish by the hands of such as are mortall enemies to her Maiestie to her crowne and to the true religion whereon aboue all the princes of our age shee hath beene as it were the sole nurce and defendresse The said prince intreats generall Norris to propound some particular meanes fearing either to demand too little from her Maiestie considering her power which he neither can nor ought to limit or that he should require too much considering the extreame necessitie which doth presse vs referring all to her Maiesties good pleasure the said prince hoping that she will bee more liberall to doe good to this countrie than hee for his part hath beene bolde to demaund it And although the meanes of these countries exhausted with long warres are very small yet her Maiestie knowing better than our selues wherein it may please her to doe them of this countrie the honour to imploy them to doe her most humble seruice and for the great knowledge which God hath giuen her of all the Estates of Christendome and especially of her poore neighbours her Maiestie knowes if there yet remaines any meanes to doe her seruice namely for the prouinces of Holland Zeeland and Vtrecht we humbly beseech her to let vs vnderstand it And the said Seignior Norris shall assure her that the prince will doe his best endeauour to giue her Maiestie contentment beseeching her to hold as well the said prince as the generall Estates and particularly them of Holland Zeeland and Vtrecht in her good grace and fauour He shall also let her Maiestie vnderstand that my masters the Estates haue sent their Embassadours to the French king and to his highnesse and that their commission and instructions are altogether conformable to that which it pleased her Maiestie to let the prince vnderstand by sir Francis Walsingham her chiefe secretarie of estate Finally the said Seignior Norris shall most humbly beseech her Maiestie and intreat the lords of her councell alwaies to shew some testimonies of their fauour to the subiects in generall of these countries and particularly to them of Holland and Zeeland Soone after the departure of generall Norris into England with these instructions the prince of Orange receiued a discourse sent out of Germanie to his Excellencie by Cont Iohn of Nassau his brother persuading him to a reconciliation with the king of Spaine and to reiect the amitie of the French whereunto his Excellencie made an answer the which for that it is a discourse of state and worthie your reading I haue thought good and necessarie to set downe at large The Prince of Orange to Cont Iohn of Nassau his brother MY lord and brother I haue seene the discourse which you sent mee the which I cannot thinke proceeds from you nor your iudgement for I find it better and more solide than to build vpon such weake reasons as are produced in the same writing Wherfore you shal not take my answer as directed vnto you but vnto them that haue forged it and sent it In the beginning the author spends much time to discourse of the great forces and meanes the alliances and intelligences of the king of Spaine of my smal means of the doubtful euents of warre and of the inconstancie of the peoples mindes then hee speakes of the bad opinion which some of the religion haue conceiued of me by reason of the treatie with the French of the small assurance there is in their friendship of their former errors of the duke of Anious small meanes and of the feare that the king will not enter a warre against so great and mightie a prince and in the end hee comes to discourse of that which concernes our house more particularly As for the king of Spaines forces I thinke there is none doubts but I know them
circumuented by thē that they are no friends to religion that for the good of our house we should not incense our enemies more hauing such a weake support as the French First to answer to that where he saith that I haue made my name famous enough I thinke it needlesse for neuer any such vanitie did mooue mee to endure so great trauell and so many losses and to sustaine such and so dangerous hatreds If then they thinke that the alliance of France be for the aboue named reasons not onely dangerous but also vndoubtedly pernitious what counsell then remaines for as for mee I confesse that I am vanquished by many townes and prouinces of this countrie which speake not secretly but openly not before one or two but before all the Estates that it is necessarie to reconcile themselues with the king of Spaine or to seeke sufficient succours elsewhere and that hauing sought first to the princes which make profession of religion and beeing forsaken abandoned by them they found no other means than to haue recourse to the French king and to his brother I say I am vanquished for when as such things are propounded to the Estates I can make no other answer but that wee must make proofe thereof for if there comes no other good yet we shall keepe the French king from beeing our enemie that hee shall alwaies keepe the king of Spaine in breath and make him consume a great treasure it shall also be auaileable for them of the religion in France to liue in peace the which the king hath granted them the preseruation whereof we ought to procure by all meanes possible Neither doth the author of this discourse speake any thing contrarie to this conclusion for he himselfe doth persuade by all the meanes hee can to make a reconciliation and attonement with the king of Spaine But if I may not for conscience sake make any agreement with the French king how may my conscience be dispenst withall to accord with the king of Spaine doe they differ in religion the king of Spaine is hee not the best beloued sonne to the holy Apostolike sea of Rome and the French king a putatiue sonne and that in title onely The king of Spaine hath the popes fauour for the foundations of all his greatnesse and the pope should acknowledge that he hath not a foote of land but by the benefit of the auncient kings of France who doth now requite it with so great ingratitude To say that the king of Spaine is the naturall prince of these countries that question hath beene long since decided and put out of doubt seeing that by a generall iudgement of the Estates after so many duties done as well to him as to other princes he hath beene declared fallen from his right so as if wee must now treat with him I must treat to submit my selfe to a stranger and an enemie yea persecutor of the religion They will obiect the massacre at Paris the which as it is not to be excused how will they excuse also the massacre of the poore Moores where there were aboue threescore thousand slaine after the accord was made and sworne And if they say they be no Christians yet can they not denie that the king of Spaine and the pope are more cruell enemies to our religion than to that of the Moores If they will not beleeue me let them looke vnto the difference of the effects of that which they haue practised against the Christians and the Mahometans and then let them iudge without passion At the least wee cannot denie but vnder the gouernment of the French king there are many townes castles villages and gentlemens houses where there is exercise of the religion the which could neuer bee obtained from the king of Spaine so much hee was incensed against the true religion the which hee cannot make shewe to endure The like is not found in the French king who allowes free exercise of religion in many and diuers places and where it is not openly permitted yet is it exercised without any great search euen within the citie of Paris I would willingly that some of your diuines which are so readie to iudge of another mans conscience would shewe me by the word of God which should be the rule of our consciences and not a zeale without that guide that wee ought to agree rather with the king of Spaine who will demaund for the first article that religion shall bee quite abolished than with the French king who for the first article will make no difficultie to graunt and allowe of it And whereas they say that the French will deceiue vs and take away our liberties seeing for those reasons they hold that we should agree with the Spaniard it followes then that you will inferre that the Spaniard will not deceiue vs but will preserue our liberties And therefore they adde that all the world will be better pleased that we accord with the Spaniard than with the French I wish that all priuate passion and affection might be laid aside and that the persons and all other circumstances might be well examined of all sides to iudge by whom we should most feare to be deceiued either by the French or the Spanish I wil not deny but there is danger on both sides but if we must passe ouer one of these two bridges I thinke that any man will choose that which is most large and strong rather than the weaker and narrower And to iudge indifferently of all dangers in my opinion wee must alwaies regard the power of him that can do harme and will But in these two points we shall finde that the king of Spaine exceeds the French king without all comparison if in doing ill we may say that the one exceeds the other The king of Spaines power is such in this countrie as without bringing in of any Spaniard or Italian within lesse than a yeare and without any armie he may roote the reformed religion out of the countrie The multitude of people that fauour him and are of his religion much exceede all the rest and will not be backwards in all seruile obedience to doe all that the Spaniard shall commaund them as it is daily seene for if the enemie winnes any towne or part of the countrie from vs the people doe presently seruilely obserue them and do what they please This cannot be said of the French for when any opposition was to be made against them all haue ioyntly banded some for religions sake others to fauour the Spaniards as experience hath taught that such as haue most exclaimed against them haue yeelded to the Spaniard and haue betrayed the countrie although that some ill aduised haue esteemed them the better for that they spake so ill and so boldly against the French as the author of this discourse doth But the end hath shewed their drift and intention which was to deliuer vs to the Spaniards The olde officers which
the which hee did yet was he still desirous to be gone for that he continued there against his conscience and although he were often intended to depart yet there was something still which retayned him Notwithstanding at Easter last God as it were forced him to retyre for that there was a priest of Brussels in the earles house very seuere against them that were suspected to bee of the Religion going often into their chambers to see what they did so as both he and his cousin had a great desire to play him some bad part for he threatened to accuse them if they went not to confession and to the Sacrament which made him retyre from thence to Treues there to passe the feast of Easter but being returned this priest demaunded of him where he had receiued the Sacrament hee answered him in the Iesuites church at Treues whereas one of the chiefe Iesuits had ministred the Sacrament vnto him But as this Iesuite came vnforrunately to Luxembourg the priest asked him if Francis Guyon had receiued the Sacrament at his hands the other answered no whereupon the sayd priest knowing that Guyon was in the castle of Fontaine neere vnto Luxembourg with the earle he came thither and would haue taken him but he defended himselfe and hurt the priest with his dagger so as he escaped and went to Treues from whence hee sent to his cousin for his horse and some little money but as he stayed too long fearing to be discouered to haue vndertaken this voyage vnto the prince of Orange to doe him seruice as hee had both desire and meanes and in saying so this impudent affronter drew out of his sleeue a packet full of blankes sealed by the earle of Mansfeldt saying That hee had the sayd seale often at his commaundement and disposing beeing chiefe clerke vnto du Pre and that therewith he had giuen many pasports to victuallers and others that had need thereof All this discourse being deliuered vnto the prince by Oyseleur hee commaunded him to inquire of him to what vse they might serue Hee answered That therewith they might make an enterprise vpon any towne in Luxembourg or if that were too farre it might serue for spyes to goe through the countrey This being deliuered vnto the prince of Orange he replyed That there was no meanes to attempt any thing with those blankes but they might serue to cause messengers to passe from Brussels to Cambray commanding that they should send part of them to Brussels as for the rest the prince hauing conferred with the Seignior of Espruneaux embassadour for the duke of Aniou an occasion being offered it was resolued that Caron Seignior of Schoonwal returning then into Fraunce should carry him with him to know if the Seignior of Biron who it was sayd should bee gouernour of Cambray could make any vse of those seales to make pasports for his men Whereupon Caron hauing his dispatch from the prince was charged to take him with him as hee did This villaine being in those parts he writ into these parts That he did hope to see the Seignior of Beauieu shortly he called the murther which was proiected by him Beauieu who did well temember his father that dyed in his seruice by whose meanes he did hope to be aduanced and to attaine vnto some better estate See the constant cosenage of this wretch Soone after Caron sent him backe with letters vnto the prince and the Estates aduertising them of the duke of Aniou his death The prince hauing red these letters sent for Guyon into his chamber being yet in bed to vnderstand the particularities of the duke his death this wretch did since confesse being in prison That if at that time he had had a dagger or a knife yea a pen knife that he had slaine the prince in his bed who after that he had talked a while with him he dismissed him After that hee came vsually to prayers and sermons He red commonly du Bartas workes and especially the Historie of Iudith where there are certaine persuasions to encourage men to root out tyrans Sometimes hee borrowed a Bible of the Porter to read some chapters before him whereby vnder colour of Religion he grew familiar with some of the princes houshold In the end his dispatch being made to returne into Fraunce to Monsieur Caron he was commaunded to depart hauing no more to doe there Whereupon he entreated them to giue him some money shewing his hose and shoes which were not worth any thing The prince commaunded that in deliuering him his dispatch they should giue him tenne or twelue crownes the which was done and he receiued his money the eight of Iuly The next day hee bought a pistoll of a souldier of the princes guard called Rene but finding that it shot not true he bought 2 more of one called Iohn de la Forest sergeant to captaine Claude Caulier the which he tryed three or foure times and found them good The tenth of the same moneth he watched when the prince should goe downe into the hall to dinner from whom he demaunded a pasport speaking as the princesse did obserue him with a hollow and vnsetled voice so as she demaunded of the prince her husband what he was for that she did not like his countenance The prince answered her that hee demaunded a pasport the which he would cause to be giuen him During dinner time he was seene walking about the stables behind the house towards the rampar of the towne Dinner being ended the prince going out of the hall the murtherer stood behind a pillar in the gallerie with his cloake hanging vpon one shoulder and vnder his left arme these two pistols hidden holding in his right hand a paper as if it had beene his pasport to haue the prince signe it as the prince passed hauing one foot vpon the first step of the stayres this traytor aduancing drew foorth one of his pistols so suddenly as no man did perceiue him before the blow was giuen shooting him from the left side to the right through the stomacke and the vitall parts The prince feeling himselfe hurt sayd nothing else but O my God take pitie of my soule I am sore wounded my God take pitie of my soule and of this poore people Hauing spoken these words he began to stagger but his gentleman Vsher stayed him and set him vpon the stayres but hee spake no more Then the Countesse of Swartzenbourg his sister asked him in high Dutch if he did not recommend his soule to Iesus Christ our Sauiour to whom he answered in the same language yea and neuer spake more but drawing towards his end he was carried into the hall where he had dyned and there gaue vp the ghost Such was the end of the most wise constant and vertuous prince of Orange The murtherer assuring himselfe that he had done the deed sought to escape by the stables whereof he had before obserued the paslages and as hee was
will prooue but vnfortunate for vs. Some of the bourgers muttered the same words as they walked in the streets so as in the end there were some fiftie foure who presented a petition to the Seignior of Lysuelt chancellor of Brabant earnestly intreating him to be a meanes that they might accord with the king This petition beeing come to the knowledge of the magistrate and the Colonels the bourgers went presently to armes as if the enemie had beene at the rampar but it was onely to seeke out and seize vpon them that had presented this petition whereof there were some thirtie put in prison and euery one condemned to paie a certaine fine Then a proclamation was made vpon paine of confiscation both of bodie and goods that none should presume to talke of peace or any agreement Yea there was a newe oath propounded which the bourgers should take which was to hold the king of Spaine and his adherents for their perpetuall enemies that they should neuer make any peace with him nor his that they should neuer speake of it neither in publike nor in priuate that if it were offered them they should not accept of it concluding that hee or they that should goe against this oath should bee punished both in bodie and goods according to the exigence of the case And the more to terrifie the bourgers they gaue them to vnderstand with what crueltie the prince of Parma contrarie to his promise before made had intreated them of the religion in Gant whereof hee had cast a great number in prison And when as their friends made offer to sue for them to haue them deliuered out of prison and presented any petition vnto him they were answered that he did not receiue any more petitions and that they should be intreated after another fashion Hereupon the Seignior of Saint Aldegonde forraine bourgmaster of the said towne which indeede is the chiefe dignitie made an oration in the open assemblie of the great councell of the bourgers to perswade them to defend the towne yet halfe a yeare longer before the expiration of which terme hee hoped to see a goodly victorie ouer their enemies and that they should not onely chase them from their walles but with the assistance and succours of many great princes as of the Queene of England and the French king who had taken their cause and protection in hand they would force him to abandon the Netherlands Without doubt the halfe yeare had not past from the twentieth of August when as the towne yeelded but the yce had ended the quarrell of this Stocado the which the winter following beeing in Antuerpe I haue heard the Spanish captaines confesse who could not wonder sufficiently at the great heapes of yce which laie one vpon another and where as they found any staie or let in their passage they carried all away with the tyde such is the force of the water the which is much more greater when as it hath the assistance of the winde The prince of Parma in the meane time aduanced his worke not sparing either cost or labour vntil that the two heads of either side beeing made as farre as was possible they could be into the riuer they began with the flatte bottomed boats which they of Gant and Dendermond had sent to make the bridge to passe ouer from the fort of Calloo to that of Oordam and so from one campe vnto another out of Flanders into Brabant and backe againe the said riuer of Escaut diuiding the two countries The passage of those two and twentie flat bottomed boats at the broken dike by Burcht which they of Antuerpe did not esteeme nor thought would haue beene preiudiciall vnto them made the prince of Parma to hope for a good and happie ende of this great and painefull designe yet in the first bridge made of these flat bottomed boats there was some hindrance beeing tied together but with cables for sixe or seauen mariners boyes went thither in the night and attending the returne of the tyde sawed in sunder these cables so as the bridge beeing dispersed with the comming in of the tyde some of their boats ranne a ground neere vnto Antuerpe but it was soone repaired and made good againe for that other flat bottomed boats with some shippes of burthen and a good number of mariners came vnto him daily by the channell of Steeken which hee had caused to be newly digged At that time there came a spie from the States into the prince of Parma his campe who was knowne and brought before him not without great perplexitie as you may easily guesse The prince seeing him willed him not to feare and hauing caused him to see all his forts and trenches and all his equipage which he had prepared to subdue the towne of Antuerpe then suffered him to depart freely without any violence done vnto him and commanded him to tell the superintendents of the said towne of Antuerpe that hee was resolued rather to die in that place and neuer goe further than to rise before hee had finished that which he had begun They of Holland and Zeeland did in the meane time fortifie Berghen vpon Soome the which they did man with a good garrison as well of the naturall countrie-men as with English to serue as a bulwarke for their frontiers They of Antuerpe had also eight hundred Englishmen in the suburbe of Bourgerhout whereof thirtie went and yeelded themselues to the prince of Parma at one instant to whom hee gaue a crowne a man And thereupon he tooke an occasion to write vnto them of Antuerpe persuading them that they should not expect any succour or assistance from the Queene of England seeing that the English did reuolt from their seruice exhorting them moreouer to reconcile themselues vnto the king promising them all fauour and assistance to haue them receiued into grace although they had grieuously offended him The bourgmasters magistrates and Colonels of the bourgers answered him also in writing thanking him also humbly for his good will and honest offers the which they did greatly commend and extoll but beeing yet bound vnto the French they could not forsake them vnlesse they would be taxed of lightnesse inconstancie and ingratitude At the same time the Seignior of Teligni sonne to the lord of la Noue who the yeare before had valiantly defended the fort of Lillo against all the Spaniards campe parting in the night in a galley of Antuerpe to goe into Holland hee fell among the prince of Parma his ships before Calloo by whom he was set vpon but seeing that he could not hold out finding himselfe wounded in the shoulder with a musket shot after that he had lost three of his men before he yeelded he cast a letter which he carried into the water containing certaine secrets of the same towne and among others to cut Coesteins dike This letter was perceiued and fisht vp by the which the prince of Parma vnderstood all Teligni was
example of the towne of Antuerpe and others which haue runne headlong into these extremities and haue left no meanes for their preseruation but what depended on the conquerours discretion and clemencie who if hee would haue followed the steppes of his predecessors yea and of many among the rest who hauing mingled their victories with much blood proscriptions haue yet purchased the title of humanity and clemencie with posterity I feare the reliques would scarce haue beene preserued It is true that the hatred to religion is as great or rather greater than euer the which is a great testimonie of the wrath of God and one of the greatest calamities But yet I thinke sometimes with my selfe that if they laid aside all passion and would proceede with wisdome and moderation it might happily be helped at the least some part of it a milde word doth oftentimes pacifie choller and time moderates all things Whatsoeuer it be they must seeke to auoide the totall ruine of the countrie and of religion either by armes or els by an accord If they be resolued to armes they must then take another course than they haue hitherto done they must obey and submit themselues vnder a head which may commaund with authoritie they must watch and be diligent when it is time and not attend extremities If an accord doth please them they must also seeke it before they be at the victors mercie In the meane time I must confesse I should be much troubled to speake my opinion resolutely but as farre as I can iudge of the princes disposition if euer any equitie or reason may be expected or hoped for it will come from him or not from any that shall come to gouerne in these parts I know well what difficulties there are in Spaine but if they become victors they will bee much greater and it may bee past all remedie whereas now it may bee that in trying the foord there would be some hope to escape many dangers on either side But there is great difficultie to maintaine the common people in their dutie and constancie if they once open this gappe and giue them any hope of peace I foresee it well and therefore they must proceed wisely and with great discretion But there will alwayes some difficulties arise the which it seemeth may bee preuented if they vse therein authoritie wisedome and diligence Wee haue seene it in the warres of Holland that they haue attempted it twice or thrice without successe and yet we haue not seene the publicke affaires of the Commonwealth runne to wracke and confusion for when as they discouered the shelfe they presently turned away the course of their shippe But there was a good and a wise pylote who gouerned the helme and knew well ynough how to fit the sayles to the violence of the wind Hauing none such now I know not if hauing once let slippe a cable how they shall recouer it againe but that the storme will soone ouerset the shippe euen in an instant It is therefore a very difficult and hard thing to giue any counsell or aduice in this case and yet there must be an absolute resolution therein For you must vndoubtedly expect to haue all the burthen and extremitie of the warres to fall vpon you in those parts you haue an enemie that is vigilant vpon all occasions whatsoeuer hardie at assaults indefatigable in trauell wise in counsell and prompt in execution and performance of any thing And yet on the other side he is so wise and circumspect as he doth precisely weigh and consider the difficulties and hazards of warre especially in so strong a countrey and so disaduantagious for souldiers He doth also consider what small profit or commoditie will redound to him and to his master seeing that howsoeuer the chance shall fall hee can attend no other but onely the losse and ruine of his owne patrimonie Wherefore I thinke it should bee easie to preuent and auoid the danger thereof if there were occasion offered to doe it with honour Wherefore thinke well vpon this I pray you first with your selfe and then with your wise and temperate friends and consider what you shall thinke most fit and conuenient to be done For to speake the truth we are in all thinges much inferiour vnto our enemies their authoritie is absolute and firme and supported and maintained with the title of a great and mightie king ours is not onely floting betwixt the inconstant waues of popular humours and fantasies but in a manner nothing at all the commaunders in the warre differ the meanes are nothing like the souldiers are no wayes to be compared neyther in number experience vertue nor courage to fight True it is that wee haue the situation of the countrey for our aduantage but the duke of Alua his time hath shewed sufficiently vnto vs that the situation thereof cannot hinder the exploits of warre no not in the very hardest time of Winter And when I doe examine the causes and reasons which crossed his prosperitie and welfare I can find but small hope or comfort remayning for vs at this present for on the enemies side you had the crueltie of the Generall the pride of the leaders the insolencie of the souldiers the extreame ouer-weening of the Nation the examples of excesse that was vsed at Rotterdam Naerden Harlem and other places being yet fresh in memorie On our side you had a commaunder that was of great power and authoritie singular wisedome admirable humanitie wonderfull patience and incomparable dexteritie were it to animate the people to content the common souldiers to winne the hearts of the captaines to imploy men of worth and reputation and to embrace all aduantages both of places and situations and to iudge presently of all defects whatsoeuer In the people you had a great disdaine of things that were past a dislike of the present and a hope of the future a great zeale and desire to libertie and a great loue and affection to their auncient gouernment and yet all this was Dulce bellum inexpertis Now it is quite contrarie For on their side the late examples of clemencie and humanitie which hath beene shewed to many conquered townes and castles dazell the eyes the courtesie and discretion of the Generall winneth the hearts and minds of all men the seueritie and discipline vsed against the common souldiers taketh away all iealousie and distrust On our side I know not if we haue a commaunder if the gouernours haue any shaddow of authoritie and commaund the souldiers and men of warre any kind of obedience or the common people any zeale to Religion or to libertie warre is hatefull vnto them and peace their onely wish traffique and priuat profit is the thing which they chiefely ayme at and all their hope resteth in the change and alteration of the Estate and yet no man setteth to his helping hand to vphold and keepe vs from vtter ruine I know not yet what hope prince Maurice doth giue
new house makes accoumpte to spend as much more as hee had set downe for his worke with greater reason it ought to bee done by them that vndertake a warre bee it offensiue or defensiue For that a Generall cannot fore-cast all exploits which it shall behoue him to make in one yeare neither can he diuine of his enemies disseignes who will happely prouide worke for him which he neuer dreamt of Besides the losses and accidents which happen daylie in matters of warre The which may serue for an aduertisment and instruction for such as are deputed to make Treaties and to resolue vppon the forme of succors Yet it had beene a great wisdome and discretion not to haue leuied and past more men out of England or Scotland then they had meanes to pay within that yeares contribution The which may also serue for an instruction heereafter The banishment of many Papists out of Vtrecht hath beene found very strange of many both without and within the country For that most of them are old Chanoins and Clergie men whereof some haue neither the spirit nor the meanes to hurt and that this banishment is contrary to the pacification of Gant and to the Vnion of Vtrecht and as they thinke against all reason and forme of iustice seeing that they had all in former time consented to expell the Spaniard and haue since voluntarily contributed to make warre against him and that without accusation or hearing they haue banished them out of the towne and Prouince For seeing this warre is not made so much for Religion as for the Estate as it appeareth by the Treaties and among others by the said Vnion the one haue as great an interest in the preseruation of this Estate as the other And it is vniust to intreat the one worse then the other But the banishment of fiue men of quallitie hath bene iustly found of bad example and of all men held most vniust as well in the matter as in the forme and proceeding for it is well knowne that these men haue beene alwaies sworne enemies to the Spaniards That they haue bene the first authors of the establishment of their libertie and of the reformed religion They neuer since make any profession of the Romish religion although some suspect them to be Papists They haue alwaies beene imployed in all affaires of importance for their Prouince and for the State and they were neuer before taxed to haue committed any remarkeable fault in the Estate Nay it is most certaine that they were open enemies to the French partie and that they haue allwaies laboured to haue the succors of England And when his Excellencie came into these parts two or three of the chiefe of them haue imployed their paines and done their best indeauours they could that his Excellencie might haue the generall gouernment and all the authoritie yea more then some other Prouinces would haue had Wherevppon it is said that thereis manifest iniustice in this fact and a great ingratitude Iniustice for that they were neuer accused heard nor examined of any thing although they haue required it with great instance Ingratitude in that hauing fauoured serued and aduanced the English party they haue receiued this cold recompence by the English for allthough that they pretend the publike good and to auoid a greater inconuenience through diuisions and factions in Vtrecht whereof these were heads of one of the parties they haue beene forced to vse this rigor yet they are much deceiued in thinking to preserue an Estate rather by Iniustice then by iustice Quia Ius et aequitas vincula et fundamenta sunt ciuitatum For that Iustice and equitie are the bonds and foundation of Citties as Tully faith in his Paradoxes if they haue committed a fault let them bee accused heard conuicted and condemned If they will not once heare them in their iustifications what can wee thinke but that there is passion and violence in this action Besides conscience and the rules of Christianitie will admit no reply Do wee ill that good may come of it If you do otherwise and thinke by this Iniustice to preserue your Estate you are Macheuells Disciples who teacheth it and not our Sauiour IESVS CHRIST and his Apostles who forbid it If you will now say the fault is past but if wee restore such men as are now incensed wee shall commit an other soule and grosse error in the Estate for they are heads of a partie they are of the chiefe of the Towne They would returne into their places and offices and would trouble our whole Estate And by the communication which they haue had with them of Holland they will happily fauor the Hollanders disseignes which they practise secretly vppon the Towne of Vtrecht And what know wee whether through desire of reuenge they will do as Salinator did vnto the Romaines who had wrong'd him or as many others in the like case and for the like occasion Heere-vppon intruth I am much troubled to answer you yet would I not heape one error vppon another but rather follow the example of Aristides who preferred that which was iust and honnest before the vtilitie and profit of the common weale Then of Themâ—…stocles who had aduised them to make their best profit of that which was dishonest vniust As for the imprisonment of Paule Buys all men haue seene the proceeding The which good men haue found so farre from Iustice as those which before held Paule Buys to be worthy of punishment for his misdemeanors past and aboue all for the crosses which hee had giuen to the good and commendable disseignes of the deceased Prince of Orange and began now to do the like to the Earle of Leceister to whome hee had shewed him-selfe light inconstant and vnthankfull Besides other crymes wherewith hee might haue beene charged accused and conuicted Euen these men and his greatest enemies in hatred of the vniust and extraordinary proceeding which was held against him began to pitty his fortune and by little and little to change this hatred which they bare him into a desire to assist and fauor him and to draw him out of prison For as Tacitus said of the Emperor Galba Dignissimus imperandi nisiimperasset Most worthy of ruling if hee had not ruled So wee may say of this man Dignissimus Carcere nisi eo Carcere fuisset inclusus Most worthy of prison if hee had not beene shutte vp in that prison For besides the fault which they haue committed in Iustice suffering some Captaines and factious persons to vse this authoritie to â—…eaze vppon the person and papers of a Councellor of Estate the which doth belong onely to the Prince and to the Gouernor generall and then to suffer him to languish sixe moneths in a filthy and loathsome prison without hearing him or arraigning him notwith-standing that both hee and all his â—…inse-men had fought it with great importunitie Besides this error I say there is by the same meanes an other committed in
the Estate which is that such a man as Paule Buys is reputed to be the head of a partie turbulent passionate reuengefull and ambitious should not haue beene put in prison but his processe should presently haue bene made or at the least he should haue beene better guarded then he hath beene heretofore Euery one fore-seeing that if hee once gotte out hee would bee reuenged on those who hee thought had wrong'd him as we haue seene what broiles he hath made since his escape to the great blame and dishonor of the Gouernor generall and to the great preiudice of this Estate Besides the discontentment of all the other Councellors of Estate and other cheife men of this countrie who haue rightly iudged that if they did open a dore to such Iniustice and did abandon men of honor to the rage and passion of priuate men and of a multitude the like hanged ouer their heads for as Seneca sayth Minatur multis vni qui facit iniuriam Hee threatens many that doth wronge but to one And the fact cannot bee honestly excused that the captaines had not giuen aduertisment but an houre before for all their othes and execrations shall neuer satisfie them who knowe how the sayd Captaines the Sheriffe Pottere and Maister Webbe one of his Excelencies houshold were then in credit with his Excelencie who at the same instant was in Vtrecht Moreouer the sayd Pottere sayd to many before his death that neither hee nor any of his companions durst euer haue attempted such a thing without the silent consent of his Excellencie and that they found themselues to bee well grounded If then the sayd imprisonment were done without the knowledge and against his Excellencies authoritie why haue they not yet done iustice Hee that allowes and ratefies a fact is like vnto him that is the author This indirect proceeding against Paul Buys hath beene the cause that hee who before was held a wicked man is now reputed an innocent and that they haue done him wrong Iniustice and indignity Finally wee must remember the wise aduise of Tacitus Non vtendum esse imperio vbi legibus agipossit Wee may not vse violence where as the lawes are in force The establishing of a Councell of the treasor without the consent and contrary to the admonitions and expresse will of the Estates hath beene the more odious for that his Excellency hath appointed for chiefe thereof a man that is generally hated of all the Hollanders and not very well lik'd of the other Prouinces a man who was knowne to bee of a sodaine and violent spirit an enemy to the Estates and fit to breed diuision and iealousie betwixt a Gouernor generall and the Estates A matter as it hath well appeered since of most dangerous consequence and if hee had no other qualitie but the name of a Brabanson which all men knowe is odious to the Prouince For the ancient iealousies and quarrells which haue beene betwixt these two Prouinces And for that the Brabansons in their Prouince exclude all their neighbours from all charges honours and offices and hold them for strangers so it is that for this consideration hee should haue had respect not to discontent so many men and whole Prouinces to aduance one onely man to a charge of so great importance and so much suspected by them who feared that by his meanes they would serch into their administration past For although the sayd Councell was for many causes and reasons held most necessarie yet seeing it was so fearefull to manie they could doe no lesse then to put in pleasing Officers or at the least such as should not bee odious to all men But that which hath most offended the Estates is that besides the ordinarie and lawfull meanes which were graunted they haue consented that Ringault should practise his owne inuentions The which hath made his Excelencie vnpleasing vnto the sayd Estates and to all the marchants generally throughout all Holland and Zeeland who were reduced to that Estate as many talked of going out of the countrie rather then to liue subiect to such a tyranie as was that which Ringault would bring in vpon all the marchants For although that the breach of Edicts and proclamations doe much preiudice the State yet the course they would haue held was so odious as in the iudgement of the wise it was sufficient to make whole townes reuolt as Amsterdam Enchuysen and the greatest townes of traficke in the countrie Besides the terror which Ringaults promise strooke into them by the which hee should binde himselfe by that onelie meanes in fewe monthes to finde many millions of gold The Chancellor Leoninus was wont to say that such inuentions did neuer profit but to him and his like when as the Duke of Alua or the Gouernors haue demaunded their aduise by way of consultation Out of the which they were commonly well payd for their fees and attendance And yet such inuentions were held by them not to bee executed You may not then aduance to such charges men that are suspected and odious to all the world wee drawe out money by indirect or vnusuall meanes for the example of Ringault and of all that ensued may giue a good instruction what collour soeuer they will set vppon it for the publicke good and the execution of the lawes It hath beene formerly sayd that one of the Articles of the vnion made betwixt the Prouinces is that all shall defend and maintaine them-selues togither that they shal bee intreated a like both of the one and the other Religion and shall ioyntlie furnish meanes to make warre against their enemies And although there bee no exercise but of one Religion yet no man shal bee molested nor troubled for his conscience for that Religion is not the onelie cause of this warre but their libertie and preuiledges whereof they are so iealous as for the preseruation thereof the Chanoins Priests and other Clergie men and all the Gentlemen that were Papists in these countries haue made no difficultie to forsake the Pope and the exercise of their owne Religion and to giue place to the reformed knowing well that it was the true and onelie meanes to deliuer them from the oppression of the Spaniard And this Estate consisting thus of diuers humors and opinions especially for matter of Religion and conscience beeing accustomed to line with libertie of conscience without any molestation or disturbance hauing by the sayd contract and vnion reserued vnto themselues this libertie the which hath not hetherto beene any preiudice to the warres nor hindred the course of the reformed Religion or their deseignes and resolutions tending to the preseruation of this Noble Estate that all with one accord and a generall consent haue demaunded succors from the Queenes Maiestie of England and giuen the gouernment generall to his Excelencie And finally that it is not specefied in the treaties nor in the Commission giuen vnto his Excelencie that hee shall charge or Innouate any
thing concerning Religion It followes then that they haue beene much to blame not onelie to offend manie priuate persons but also to with-drawe the good willes of whole townes as Leydon Goude and many others of Hollande whereas the most part are of that humour and condition by the conuocation of a Synode and the authorising of manie things for matter of Religion and discipline the which most good men of the reformed Religion in all other Estates countries and Prouinces could not yet like of Doubtlesse euery good and Religious Christian should wish and procure as much as hee may the aduancement of Religion And it is fit that wee should first and aboue all things seeke the glorie of Almightie GOD and the euerlasting kingdome of Heauen yet by the same lawe of GOD wee must keepe and obserue the contract and agreements which wee haue promised and sworne yea if they were with the Turkes and Infidells and herein as in all other things wee must vse wisdome and moderation not to innouate nor bring in any thing into an Estate that may cause the ruine of Religion and of the Estate togither first they must doe that which is most conuenient and necessarie in an Estate for the preseruation thereof not to giue too much credit to ministers in matters that belong not to their charge and vocation but tie them to the bounds of their office and profession the contrarie whereof hath beene the cause of great discontentment amongst the best and most zealous men who haue at all times seene the inconueniences which the medling and violent proceeding of ministers in the affaires the Common weale haue brought vnto this Estate Finallie all must bee done in due time and to purpose for although this conuocation of a Synod bee good and that it may produce good effects hereafter Yet this circumstance of time hath offended many considering the necessitie of the warre and the preparations that were then in hand for an armie to goe against the enemy Et cum sit vbique virtutis modus aeque peccat quod excedit quam quod defficit And seeing there is a meane of vertue in all things that offends which doth exceede as well as that which is defectiue And for as much as the people are so iealious of their liberties and preuiledges and so nice of the breach of the least point of them that for this onelie cause the Papaists themselues as I haue layd haue left the exercise of their owne Religion and altogither haue shakt of the Spaniards yoake and endured a cruell and violent warre for aboue twentie yeares that one of the publike praiers which the ministers doe vsually make is that they may be maintained in their liberties and priuiledges for the preseruation whereof so many Noblemen and Gentlemen haue lost their liues and so many families haue beene ruined that in all the contracts treaties and accords and in a manner in all their discourses they talke of nothing but of their liberties and preuiledges and that vpon the breach or dyminution of any of them it is lawfull for them to call an assemblie of the Estates and to make their complaintes vnto their soueraignes and Gouernors and neuer to cease vntill they haue redresse and reparation To conclude if they haue not endured it of their Soueraigne how will they beare it at a Gouernors hands It is therefore more then reason to preserue that deerely for them which they hold more deere then their liues and which is more deere vnto them then their Religion or the exercise thereof Beeing most certaine that the greatest complaint which they haue made during the time of his Excelencies gouernment was for the breach of their liberties and customes at the least it hath beene the colour which they haue giuen to all their new proceedings and alterations which haue happened within these foure monthes Also they of the countries complaine of the humor and disposition of the English who they say are proud that the gentlemen doe not apply themselues to their manner of lyuing and that they are not familiar with the Noblitie of the countrie without doubt the ignorance of the tongue is the principall cause as also the dronkenesse of the men of this countrie the which the English doe naturally abhorre Besides they of the countrie should seeke it and make much of the English who come to succor and deliuer them and who so freely spend their goods and meanes and expose their liues with as great courage and valure as any nation that euer came into these parts yet it were a great wisdome in the English and they should purchase vnto themselues a commendation of great discretion and courtesie if refusing to bee drunke with them they would not openly blame their dronkenesse seeing that the censures of some priuate persons shall neuer cause a whole nation to change their naturall disposition and from such indiscreete reprehensions there must needes grow quarrells and discontentments And seeing that the English are their beene factors it shal bee fit for them to conuerse with them and to vse them with all courtesie and ciuilitie The true meanes to winne the hearts and good wills of a Nation is to make shew that they contemne not their manners nor disdaigne their Langage beeing the nature of all people to bee iealous of that which is proper vnto themselues And for that without good order and disposition the affaires are neuer duely managed but rather breed trouble in the minde and confusion in the Estate as wee finde dailie in this besides the discontentment which they haue which followe their owne propper affaires or those of their Maisters Princes and common-weales His Excelencie must of necessitie doe as the deceased Prince of Orange did and all other wise Princes and Gouernors which is to diuide his time and his houres as well to signe and giue audience as for the dispatch of other affaires as well ordinarie as extraordinarie whereby this profit shall growe that the multitude of affaires will decrease which else would grow infinite and to appoint a certaine place in his house for the Secretaries and their Clarkes to the end they may bee speedily found There is no pettie Gouernor but hath his Chancerie to that end with a Maister of request to receiue report and answere petitions And that he send vnto the Councell of Estate those that belong vnto them beeing most necessarie that the affaires of his house be distinguisht from them of the country and those of the English and of Stangers from them of the State to auoide the complaints which haue beene made heretofore And therevpon his Excelencie shal be intreated that it would please him to send all the affaires of the countrie both particular and generall great and small to his Councell of Estate to whom hee should referre the greatest part of them to discharge himselfe of so much care and winne so much time By this meanes hee shall not discontent any for refusing or
I know not how we might haue kept the towne twelue howers longer with the losse of our liues had we bin al desperat if it had pleased the enemy to attēpt vs but it is most true rather then to haue accepted of any base conditions most of vs would haue ended our lyues in that place I protest I write not this to condemne any one in particular nor in generall that should haue succored vs nor to robbe the least defendant of his right for I confesse my selfe the simplest captaine of halfe a dozen that were within the towne three or foure of them were they knowne and rightly iudged are sufficient to conduct double that garrison in any army in the world to commande a greater troupe hauing authority These are Sir Roger Williams owne words to iustefie the yeelding vp of Sluse After this losse of Sluce the Earle of Leicester determined to stoppe vp the mouth of the hauen but the officers of the admiralty and others were of opinion that it could not be done yet the English-men thought otherwise wher-vpon suspecting the Zeelanders he sent into Holland for certaine old shippes the which were granted yet it was not done but on the other side sence that time the hauen is much bettered by reason that the sea hath scoured the sand away The losse of this towne made them to murmure much against the Earle especially the common people who hearing of the accord retired him-selfe into Zeeland imputing the losse of this towne to the want of men money and other meanes greatly taxing the admiralty of Zeeland and the officers namely one Martin Drooghe whome he caused to be put in prison where he continued six moneths vntill that the Earle being retired the second time into England hauing iustified himselfe of that where-with he was accused he was set at liberty and restored to his credit Those that were affected vnto the Earles party excused him and layed all the blame vpon the Estates accusing them that they sought to take his authority from him and to command them-selues leauing him but the vaine title of a Gouernor The Earle passing by the Iland of Zeeland arriued the seauenteene of August at Berghen vp Zoom a towne held also by the English where as the Lord Willoughby was gouernor from thence the Earle sent some troupes into Brabant to make an enterprize vpon the castle of Hochstraten the which succeded not From Berghen he went to Dordrecht whereas the generall Estates of the Prouinces assembled The Earle being in the open assembly of the generall estates made a long speech by the which he first excused him-selfe and greeued much for the treasons of Stanley Yorke and Patton by whom he complayned that he had beene basely deceyued the which he said might haue happened to any captaine generall of an army or gouernor of a country and state were hee more pollitike and of greater experience then he was That they were not the first traytors which had deceyued their maisters in the said vnited Prouinces As for the releeuing of Sluce he would maintaine that it was not his fault hauing there in imployed his best endeuors That the three thousand or 2500. men which had beene promised him for supplies and the hundred thousand florins had failed of the which calling the tresorer generall to witnes he had receiued but thirty thousand in ready mony That the said Estates knew well themselues how ill he had bin serued by the sea captaines and officers which had beene giuen him who made him beleeue to diuert him from these succors that if they had past on being before the towne the enemy would from the other side of the Sluce of Bruges sinke all their shippes with his Artillery not-with-standing they were sufficiently informed thre was an other depth vnder the castell where as they might lye without any danger as hee said it appered by the report of captains and soldiars that were come from them of the towne So as he could not put in execution the desire he had to succor it and therefore the blame was not to bee layd vpon him but vpon them that had fayled of their duties and not furnished that which was needfull according vnto that which had beene decreed betwixt him and the Estates Wherevpon after they had layd before him the letters written by him in Iune before out of England to secretarie Iunius tending to fortefie and incorrage such as hee knew affected to his partie in the townes and countries of Holland and Zeeland Descouering thereby that at his returne hee pretended to gouerne and command in the same manner as the Emperor Charles and King Philip his sonne had done and if hee should be restrained of that authoritie that he would abandon the Netherlands quite and retire himselfe into England Wherevpon the Nobilitie and townes of Holland Zeeland and Friseland presented a declaration vnto the Earle in writing dated the twentith day of August which they intended to haue giuen him before but for some good considerations they had forborne to offer it till then Declaring thereby as dutie bound them how much they held themselues bound vnto her Maiestie for her great care of Religion and the good of those countries and that it had pleased her to imploy his Excelencies person seeing that it had not stood with her good liking to take the soueraignty vpon her to whom they would haue yeelded as great respect and subiection as euer they did vnto the Emperor Charles the fift or to any other Prince whatsoeuer but for that they did finde by experience that there are diuers seditious and busie headed fellowes which labour to sowe dissention and to breed discontents betwixt the Estates of these countries and his Excelencie seeking to blemish and disgrace the authoritie of the Estates and to make his Excelencie absolute Gouernor in all respects They let his Excelencie vnderstand to the end that all iealousies and distrusts might bee layed aside and forgotten that they did and do yet vnderstand that for want of a naturall Prince the soueraigntie of those countries returned vnto the Nobilitie Gentlemen and Townes and that after the King of Spaine who heretofore had beene their naturall and soueraigne Lord had left those countries all acts of soueraigntie were lawfully exercised by the Estates and in that manner they had contracted with diuers Princes and namely with her Maiestie and therevpon by a generall consent had giuen vnto his Excelencie the authoritie of Gouernor and Captaine Generall ouer those countries And furthermore to stoppe the mouthes of ill affected and contentious persons they shewed that the Estates were not presented by any priuat persons but by the Nobilitie Gentlemen and Townes so as they are much deceiued which thinke that the Estates consist of certaine priuat persons and that the faults wherewith such men charges them cannot iustly bee imputed to them and the rather for that the Estates haue alwaies conceiued and vnderstood that
those commissions who returning home againe from these assemblies make report vnto the Magistrates of the townes and places from whence they were sent of all matters that had past Wherefore you must vnderstand that those which affirme the soueraignty of the country to consist in the Estates their meaning is not of any priuate persons or deputies of townes in particular but of their superiors as of the nobles gentlemen townes and commons whom by the power of their commission they represent And so diuerse Princes and Potentates and euen the Queenes Maiesty her selfe treating with the generall Estates and his Excellency receiuing the commission of gouernor general from them haue esteemed them we cannot be perswaded that any man will vpon any good ground maintaine that the nobles magistrates and councels of townes haue not the same power and authority touching the gouernment of the country now which others before them haue had or then had when as they made the contract with her Maiesty made his Excellency gouernor of the country else question might be made not onely of the force of the contract made with her Maiesty his Excellencies commission but of all that had been done for these 15. yeares the which was a practise of the enemy By these reasons and arguments we thinke to haue sufficiently proued how necessary a thing it is to preserue the authority of the Estates as being the foundation wheron the common preseruation of the country consisteth the which without the ruine decay of the commons cannot be ouerthrowne and that the Estates haue as great authoritie now in all respects as euer any had touching the Soueraigntie of the countrie vnder any Prince in former times And thus it was resolued aâ—… determined in the Hage the sixteenth of Iuly and decreed that it should be registred and a coppie thereof made In Harlem the sixteenth of October 1587. And vnderneath was written By order of the Estates of Holland Signed C de Rechter My Author hath with your patience made this digression to shew what the Estates bee and what their authority is for that it is a very materiall point to be vnderstood and a great question in this history After that the Prince of Parma had taken Scluse hee turned all his disseignes to fortifie him-selfe vppon the Sea with an incredible charge causing new chanells to bee digged in Flanders to passe a kinde of flatte bottomed boats through the countrie and to bring them to the Sea ports especially to Dunkerke and Nieuport to ioyne with that great Sea-armie which the King of Spaine had begun to prepare three yeares before and so with their ioynt forces to sette vppon England and afterwards vpon the Vnited Prouinces As if these two armies of Spaine and the Netherlands had beene sufficient to subdue all the world whereof you shall heare more here-after For which consideration the Duke of Parma suffered the Hollanders Zealanders a while in rest hauing his minde wholy bent to this great and high disseigne The which was very happy for them by reason of the alterations factions and diuisions that were among them the which increased dayly with great bitternesse publishing Inuectiues and Apologies one against the other So as if the Spaniard had charged them during these diuisions which were so great as they were ready to fall from words to blowes without doubt they had made a great breach At this time generally throughout all Holland and Zeeland they were in great feare and perplexitie not onely by reason of the contention betwixt them and their gouernor the Earle of Leicester but also in regard of the dissention growne among them-selues within the said Prouinces where-vpon it was to bee feared that the Queene of England would with-draw her forces and then euery one would follow his owne humor the good with a good zeale and affection although many times with great mistaking the wicked with bad and euil intents yet making an outward shew of good meaning Which moued the Spirituallitie to call a Synode where they resolued by foure Ministers of the word deputed in their names to recommend vnto the Estates the well-fare and preseruation of the Christian religion and the vnitie and good correspondencie with England and with the Earle of Leicester the which was performed by letters Where-vnto the States made answer that they had it in highest greatest recommendation wishing them to be vigilant carefull among them-selues not to suffer any to enter into their Churches nor into the Ministerie that vnder pretence of religion sought to resist the Magistrates and to bring them into hatred dislike and iealousie with the common people as it hapned in Flanders to the Prince of Orange of famous memory to the totall ruine of the Churches there and that now by the meanes of strange and vnaccustomed gouernment they might do the like which they knew had beene both sought and practised That they were resolued to obserue the contract made with her Maiestie as they were bound and to maintaine his Excellencie in the authority which belonged vnto him Lastly they desired them to direct all their actions to the building vp of CHRIST his Church and to let the Churches of Flanders bee a glasse for them to looke in and to pray vnto GOD for their hedde and other Magistrates with many other admonitions Vppon the same subiect the Scout Burguemaisters Schepen and Councell of Vtrecht writte very earnestly vnto the Estates of Holland the one and twentith of September charging them in a manner as if they ment to shake of the Queene of England and the Earle of Leicester and to dislike of the contribution Where-vnto they of Holland made answer the sixteenth of October saying that their letter seemed to bee written in passion by certaine strangers newly crept into the gouernment who sought to couer their contentious factions by bringing the Estates of Holland into iealousie assuring them of Vtrecht that they would carry themselues in such sort as their neighbours should haue no cause to dislike of them obseruing the contract and yeelding vnto the Earle of Leicester such authority as was promised him and which the Prouinces might indure for the which they were bound to be more carefull then they of Vtrecht as hauing pawned their townes to the English-men for securitie thereof for the which they of Vtrecht had giuen but their billes in writing And that they needed not exclaime against them touching the contribution of Holland when as it was apparent that for many yeares besides their ordinary contributions for the necessary garrisons of Townes and Forts in Holland and the charges of the warres by sea there had bin eight or nine thousand foote ten or twelue hundred horse entertained by them towards the assistance and aide of their neighbors the vnited Prouinces aduising them to be carefull not to fall into controuersie with their gouernors as they of Gant Bruges and Boisleduc had
reason of these contributions did not receiue halfe the reuenues they were accustomed to doe Mondragon Gouernor and Castellan of Antwerp notwithstanding the profit which the King of Spaine reapt thereby did forbid the Inhabitants of the Champian country to pay any more contributions to the Estates The which they did not bring in as they had bene accustomed Which made the Estates seeke to force them that occupied such houses and land therevnto by the way of armes Where-vpon Captaine Marcelius Bax brother to Paul Gouernor of Berghen vp Zoome with his company of horse and part of his brothers went often to field to make these executions so as one day among the rest the Village of Vlrich was burnt for an example and terror to the rest they hauing done some displeasure vnto the garrison of Berghen and this was the last of Nouember In December Marcellus Bax with other Captaines went forth of Berghen with 160. horse and 70. foote to attend for a Conuoy of victuals which was to go from Antwerp to Steenberghen conducted by three companies of high Dutches being in ambush they charged them vpon a heath where they defeated them quite tooke Collonel Maldits prisoner with the three Captaines and many others as well soldiers Marchants victuallers as peasants with all their wagons victuals munition and baggage among other bootie his men found new cassocks for Don Fernando of Gonzagues company of horse with great store of good and rich marchandise but they paied dearely for it for many of their horses were slaine or wounded by the Germaines shotte who in the beginning had intrencht themselues with their wagons and could not haue beene forced had not the 70. shot followed at the first charge Bax lost three of his best horses two in the fight and the third being shotte in diuers places brought him home to Berghen The three companies of Germaines were 400. pikes 200 musketiers and smal shot they sent two Enseignes to Prince Maurice and the peeces of the third with all the booty they kept for them-selues Cont William of Nassau hauing taken from the Spaniards in the country of Groning the Forts of Immentes Soltcamp and others he did fortifie them to keepe al that quarter of Friseland vnder the Estates contribution with the helpe of the Forts of Otterdome and Rheid lying aboue Groning There fell out also a great iealousie and discontentment betwixt the inhabitants of Groning and their Gouernor Verdugo they of the towne complaining that he sought to bring in a garrison seeing that since the retreat of Gaspar of Robles Lord of Billy as also during the time they held for the Estates they had alwaies defended them-selues well without any garrison Where-vppon Verdugo seeing that the Earle of Nassau did still prosper and that he had small assurance of them of the towne He writte vnto the Duke of Parma intreating him to send him supplies of men who presently dispacht away Cont Herman Vanden Berghe with twenty two companies as wel Spaniards as others to receiue the which at the passage of the Rhyne Verdugo went with certaine troups but hearing that the Estates were entred into the country of Groning he turned head These companies sent by the Duke of Parma hauing past the Rhyne marched towards Oldenzeel by the Tuente in the quarter of Ems to enter that way into the country of Groning Cont William of Nassau was also fortified by the comming of the Earle of Ouersteyne with fiue hundred horse and some foote so as the Spaniards and the States men went to campe vpon the Frontier one neere vnto an other but without any blowes Wherefore they of Groning seeing that it was against them that either party aymed and aboue all that Verdugo had sent for those forces against them they stood more vpon their gards then euer and were more fearefull to be surprised knowing well that all townes were ruined whereas the Spaniards keepe a garrison and in effect the champian country endured no lesse at that time of them who were their friends then of the Estates men whome they held for enimies neither were they of Westphalia which is a neuter country free The towne of Aix la Chapell called by some Aken an old imperiall and rich towne lieth betweene Cologne and Mastricht and by meanes of the troubles in the Netherlands was of late yeares become very populous and of great trafficke by reason that it is a free neutrall Towne many of the reformed religion fled thether with their whole families so as they grew to so great a number as it seemed the magistrates by common consent would haue allowed them free exercise of religion within their towne if they had not feared the authority of the Emperor and the power of their neighbours yet had they liberty enough to exercise it priuatly within some great howses whereat the Catholikes did much murmure especially their neighbors the Dukes of Parma and Cleues who for that cause vnder pretence of other quarrells obtained diuers comissioners from the Emperor to authorise the neighbors about them as the Dukes of Parma and Cleues and the country of Leege to compell the towne of Aix to obey his commandements But for a long time they excused them-selues with modest and reasonable answers till now about this time the King of Spaine and the Duke of Parma thinking it in vaine to bring any more regiments into the Netherlands vntill they were assured of the neighbour countries townes as of Emden Wesel Aix and others houlding it not fit to suffer the Netherlanders whome they termed rebels to settle themselues there wherefore they thought good to begin first with them of Aix thinking them-selues in a manner assured of the countries of Iulliers and Cleues by reason of the ould Dukes infirmity whome they had long gouerned by a Spanish affected councell and as for the young Duke who was but simple and married to a daughter of the house of Baden an ernest Catholike Princesse they feared him not In the territories adiacent there-vnto as Cologne Leege and Munster they had placed Ernestus of Bauaria to bee Bishoppe being there creature whereby the King of Spaine did hope that in the end hee should haue the dominion of those places when as the inhabitants by incursions and the spoyles of warre should bee brought to extremity as they of Vtrecht had beene in the yeare one thousand fiue hundred twenty seauen vnder Hendricke Bishop of Beyâ—…rne they were in hope also by some meanes to get the towne of Cologne and Emden omitting no practise nor stratageme for the effecting of this their desseigne they had often delt with them of Aix by the Emperor and the Duke of Cleaues and now at last the Duke of Parma by authority from the King as Duke of Brabant and Limbourch and vpon pretext of being Protector of the towne of Aix he sought by Proclamation to cut of all the preuiledges which that towne of Aix claymed in the
Netherlands and declared openly that he did not accoumpt it a neutrall towne whether the fugitiue Netherlanders should fly for refuge and inioy their lands and possessions in the Netherlands as was graunted vnto such as did dwell in neutrall places wherefore he commanded them to depart and leaue the said towne of Aix and either to returne into his dominions and there to liue like good Catholikes or else to goe and inhabite in other places and that within the space of foureteene daies after the publication of the said Proclamation within the townes of Antwerp and Mastricht vpon paine of forfeyture of the said graces and preuiledges and all their goods moueable and immouable commanding all his Officers to see it presently published proclaimed and put in execution This proclamation was made at Bins the tenth of December in the yeare of our Lord one thousand fiue hundred eighty nine And in the beginning of the yeare it was signified vnto them of Aix The Maior and Sheriffes which were fled seeking by this meanes to ouerthrow the authority of the great Councell of the towne had beene first sutors for it to the Emperor and the Duke of Iuliers as one of the Protectors of the aforesayd towne whose Councell and among the rest one Shynckern Amptman of the towne and Castell of Iuilâ—…ers did solicit it with the Bishop of Liege who procured it from the Duke of Parma in the King of Spaines name to whome the Emperor both in this many other things referred much The reason was that after the retreat of strangers whose goods and reunues did lye most in landes in the Low-countries through the ayd of their Partisans they might returne and dispossessing the Magistrates of the reformed religion settle them-selues in their places but for this time they were disapointed of their expectation yet afterwards in the yeare 1598. they addrest them-selues vnto Cardinall Albert of Austria who vndertooke it This proclamation did spoile many of the chiefe of the straungers for that they began to ceaze vpon their lands goods in the Netherlands which dwelt in Aix wherefore some retyred to Cologne others into the country of Iuilliers Such as went to Leege were presently chased away some continued there still and some redeemed them-selues for money purchasing safeguard from the Duke of Parma at a deere rate for a yeare or halfe a yeare more or lesse being forced still to renue them still at the same price the which was held mechanike and dishonorable in such a Prince The of Aix made petition vnto the Princes Electors at an Imperiall Diet held at Spires and to the Emperor to haue their priuiledge confirmed By reason of the warres in France in Anno 1589. the Estate of the Netherlands was then much altered for that the Prouinces of Arthois Henault Luxembourg Namur and others bordering vpon France were then to defend them-selues from the inuasions of the French in regard the King of Spaine as head of the holy League tooke vppon him to aid and assist the rebels of France giuing the Duke of Parma charge to haue a care thereof for the which in the beginning of this yeare 1590. hee assembled an armie vpon the Frontiers of Arthois which he sent into France vnder the commaund of the Earle of Egmont by which meanes the vnited Prouinces had some time and respight to breath after their long miseries and intestine warres which they had indured against so mighty an enemie And for that the gouernment of many is most tedious and dilatory but wise and prouident in resolution so in the two yeares last past they had spent their time to aduance their affaiers first appeasing all factions betwixt the Estates and the English and the mutinies of their garrisons great wisdome policie money and discipline beeing thereto requisite and necessary the Queene of England being well pleased they should gouerne among them-selues as wee haue formerly declared Concerning religion whereof the gouernment of the country much consisteth they had alwaies an especiall care to follow the necessary resolutions of the generall Estates in the time of the late Prince of Orange making a religious peace and hauing a dislike that men should iâ—…gine their consciences should be forced otherwise then by good instruction good liuing and by prayer And finding them of the reformed religion the most zealous to defend the liberties wel-fare of the Netherlands in regard they had bene many times persecuted for religion by the Spaniards to bee wel vnited togither they therefore grounded their foundation vpon the greatest number and for that the Estate and gouernment consisted of so many heads and opinions they sought to reduce this diuâ—…rsitie of mindes and opinions into one vnitie and consent for the good wellfare of the country whereof they had an especiall care in regard of their continuall wars in which vnity their only support maintenance consisted as by their common seale wherein standeth a bundle of Arrowes bound togither appeareth and for that consideration they neuer forced any mans conscience but only seditious Sectaries as certaine Anabaptists and Munsterians and such as were il conceited of the Magistrates for that they punished Malefactors with the sword of Iustice to them they allowed no open assemblieâ—… other sects whereof God amend it there haue bene to many for a long time they thought good to suffer them for the present time to reclaime them if they could by preaching and sermons made in the reformed Churches with commandement to liue in brotherly loue and to win them with loue and charitie the reformed vsing to that end in their Churches a certaine Christian discipline to auoyd scandall and ill speeches Those of the confession of Ausbourg which seeke to diuide themselues from the reformed religion were allowed to haue preaching and exercises with carefull ouersigh in certaine townes The Catholikes also had no publike exercise of their religion allowed them the which was done in pollicie because of the warres attending a time vntill it should bee otherwise prouided for and resolued by the countrie or generall Estates after an assured peace The Catholikes made no great question about their baptizings and burialls and touching marriages it was decreed by a publike proclamation that all such as were not of the reformed religion after law full and open publication comming before the Magistrates in the towne-houses were orderly giuen in marriage one vnto an other And to shew that their onelie care was for vnity religion and libertie this yeare they caused certaine counters to bee made hauing on the one side two hands griped fast together and holding sixe arrowes bound together with this inscription Deo iuuante On the other side was a strong piller standing vpon a great square booke called religion and vpon the piller was a hat which signified libertie This pillar was fast bound by sixe strong armes noting the sixe Prouinces of Gelders Holland Zeeland Friseland Oueryssel and Vtrecht with
inwardly sicke and consumed But whereas they were charged although they might freely and with good consciences protest that they had alwaies dislikt and bene much discontented for the wrongs and iniuries done vnto their neighbours to haue suffered their soldiers to commit all violence and insolences against their neighbours their commissions decrees and proclamations published in that behalfe can sufficiently witnesse and the punishments inflicted vppon the offenders and breakers of the same haue manifestly declared the contrary and that the fault was not in the said Estates besides it might bee well presumed that neither they nor the Councel of Estate could so restraine the insolencie of soldiers nor obserue such good discipline therein as necessitie required and yet that the greatest part thereof had happened through the sinister practises of the enemie and that good order could not alwaies bee maintayned among vnruly soldiers the which is not to be held straunge for the Estates them-selues were much troubled in that case as suffering the greatest wrong Neuerthelesse they had rather in the meane time indure a little disorder for a time vppon hope of speedy amendment then to expect a greater mischiefe and altogither at one instant to the vtter ruine and distruction of the Netherlands in generall togither with their neighbours fall vnder the insolent and proud commaund of such as vnder the pretext of spirituall gouernment haue made such bloudy proclamations which forbid the reading of holy Scriptures and doe execute the lawes by their Inquisitors in steede of Iudges making so turbulent a Councell as the like was neuer heard of in the Netherlands before And seeking nothing else but contrary to their promises and sollemne othes to violate and tread vnder foote the liberties rights and priuiledges of the Netherlands to spoyle ruine and roote out all the Nobilitie and chiefe men of the country and to oppresse the poore commons with intollerable imposts and exactions thereby to get an absolute gouernement ouer the Netherlands and to aspire the more easilie to their pretended generall Monarchy And it appears their disseignes and intents haue alwaies tended to that end by the taking into their hands of all the richest Abbeys and spirituall liuings of the country for that they must chiefly roote out all the Prelates being the first members of the Estate in most of the Prouinces raise vp and plant in their places a new kind of people maissters of Heretikes bearing the name of Bishops creatures of this new pretended Monarchy to the end that these new Bishops ioined togither might continue and sitte fast in their new power authoritie to serue as spies in these countries for the Spaniards and to take true notice of them that would oppose them-selues against this new Monarchy also by that meanes to ruine the second member of the Estate of that country which is the Nobility and gentry whereof they haue brought part miserably vnto their ends and disarmed the rest pretending it a sufficient cause that they had presented humble petitions vnto their King beseeching him to forbeare to shed any more innocent blood the which was imputed to them for high Treason for which cause alone they resolued to make war against the Netherlands and to ouer-run it as it were a new conquerd Countrie And lastly they sought to bring the Estates and the Commons vnder so great tribute exactions and impositions as neuer were heard of whereby they might haue a yearely contribution reuenue to vphold and maintaine their absolute power and Dominion Touching their intent to attaine vnto their pretended Monarchy Germany it selfe might produce many examples which diuers yet liuing could witnesse as it was very apparant by their vniust taking of many townes and Prouinces in the Netherlands belonging vnto the holy Empire and by the shedding of the innocent bloud of the chiefest Noblemen Gentlemen and other rich Burgers of the country by many thousands The absolute gouernement they held in Naples Millan and other places in Italie The detention of the Crowne of Portugall from Don Antonio his neere kinsman The vniust intent and purpose and the execution thereof put in practise to conquer the Realmes of England Ireland the spoiling and forcible detention of many townes belonging to the Empire and lastly the daily enterprises inuasions made vpon France with whole armies Al which doth sufficiently shew what they aspire vnto vnder this Spanish gouernment when as the Noble Kingdome of France doth with a wofull voyce cry sigh and bewaile hir iminent decay and ruine It is most certaine that al they which at this time aspire vnto the Crowne of France doe it not in regard they doubt of the Kings lawful right vnto the Crowne but their disseinge is that they imagin it would be a great hindrance to the absolute Monarchy which the Spaniards pretend if the said kingdome of France should cōtinue in the ancient line to that end authority was giuen to beare armes against their naturall king to aid the spaniards not for that they would liue freely and vnbound and inioy that quietly which God and nature had giuen them but to force your King to renownce the religion wherein hee had bene borne and bred to leaue the crown wherein you may obserue a strange alteration for that not long since it was acoumpted capitall treason for the subiects to craue of their Dukes Earles and Lords with all submission and humilitie and with the purchase of great summes of money to haue liberty of conscience allowed them whereas now the subiects of France not onely inioy the freedome thereof but are also sette on to lay violent handes on their Kinges Crowne vnlesse he will change his religion These be the priuiledges which they vsurpe to doe al that which they blame discommend in others without any restraint of law yea commanding ouer the law it selfe that is ouer the consciences liues goods of poore men after their owne willes and so by outward shews and deuises though apparantly false abuse the simple people and mislead their Innocencie forcing a beleefe in them that it is lawfull to beare armes against their true and natural King without any iust cause or exception against him but onely that they might be absolute masters of the said Kingdome Wherefore the subiects of the Netherlands are not to be condemned if they fore-seeing the disseignes of this pretended Monarchy setting before their eyes many strange examples of forraine Nations and the cruell executions of the chiefe Noblemen Gentlemen and many thousands more in the Netherlands doe oppose them-selues against it and do that which wiues children and subiects may lawfully do against their husbands parents and Lords in the like case is it not then against reason they should be held for disturbers of the publicke peace or such as would attempt any thing contrary to their promise and othes or against the constitutions of the holy Empire the Estates beeing assured that they haue
to the townes of Heusden Gorrichom and Dordrect nor mount vpwards Prince Maurice hearing that hee had turned head that way hee presently sent Floris of Brederode Lord of Cloetingeâ—… brother to the Lord of Brederode with his regiment by the same riuer to the fort of Creuecaeur causing his shippes of warre with boats and artillery to follow the which sailed so happely with a westerly winde as without any let they came and cast anchor iust before the Fort. The Prince being assured that Mansfeldt began to plant his canon and had resolued to batter it went himselfe in person with the body of his armie with the which he past into the Iland of Bommel going to campe in a village called Heel right against the said fort the which he supplied with artillery which the besieged did so imploy as Mansfeldt hauing his quarter drowned with the waters which did rise was forced to retire his armie and to campe halfe a League of In the meane time the said chanell was stopt that nothing could go in nor out In the end after that Mansfeldt had stayed there some time made a great spoile especially of the Hoppe groundes whereof that country is very full his men leauing not a pole vnburnt so as the hoppes were spoyled hee left this place of Creuaecuer in peace to his great greefe Behold what little honor this old soldiar got before these two places of Gheertruydenberg and Creuecaeur This fort had beene first built by the Spaniards who gaue it that name for that it held the riuer of Meuze in subiection to the great greefe of the Hollanders and especially of them of Dordrecht by reason of the marchandise which came by this riuer vnto them out of the country of Liege and higher But the Estates hauing taken it from them left it the same name for that it was a heart-breaking to them of Boislduc who could receiue nothing by water but through the fauor of this Fort whereas they must pay vnto the Estates their towles and customes and whereas their shippes are serched as they passe and must yeeld an account if they bee well freed at their comming out of the country Whilest that they made warre in this sort in Brabant William Lewis Earle of Nassau gouernor for the Estates in the country of Friseland going the 4. day of April from Oosthorne came the 13. to campe at Bellingwolderziel the which hee fortified to cut off the passage to Borentanghe Collonel Verdugo gouernor of Groning for the King of Spaine presented himselfe as if he would hinder him from making of this Fort with 2500. horse and foote But finding it almost in defence and well furnished hee durst not attempt it buâ—… retired from thence so as the Earle had good leisure and meanes to finish it And such men as he needed not in his army he sent to his cousin Prince Maurice Verdugo fortefied himselfe with 3000. foote and eight cornets of horse thinking to do the Earle an affront who then lay quiet within the Fort of Newoort two leagues from Groning expecting the return of his troupes which he had sent vnto the Prince the which were sent backe vnto him after the taking of Gheertruydenberg So as hee was re-nforced with twenty companies of foote and twelue cornets of horse with the which he went to field and beseeged Gramberge with sixe peeces of artillery the which he won with some other small forts there-abouts Then hauing victualed Covoerden and Otmarsam hee went before the strong castle of Vedde the which yeelded as soone as the battery was planted with the other fort by the which they crost the riuer Winschooten was abandoned and by that meanes the Earle made himselfe maister of all the passage of Boerentanghe the which he went about to fortifie with all speed before the succours came which the Earle of Mansfeldt should send vnto Verdugo beeing two thousand foote eight hundred horse eight peeces of ordynance and two hundred wagons besides three hundred horse more led by Verdugoes Lieutenant the which past at Linghen the fift of September expecting greater troupes from about Namur This fort of Boerentanghe was then wholie finished which cut off the passages to the towne of Groning the walles were a pike high with fiue Bulwarkes well flanked the ditches were 80. foote broade very deepe and full of water hauing fiue companies of foote in it The place was well munitioned for two monethes neyther could they cut off the victualls which came vnto it from Westphalia side Cont William appointed captaine Frederic of Iongh to command in the place MAVRICE OF NASSAV BORNE Prince of Orange Marquis of La Vere and of Flushing Earle of Nassau Meurs Catsenellebogen Dyets Vianden c. Baron of Breda c. gouernor of Gelder of Holland Zeeland Vtrecht and Ouerysell Great Captaine and Admirall generall of the vnited Prouinces of the Low-countries MAVRITIVS D. G. NATVS AVR PRINC NASSOV MARC VERAE ET VLIS ET BELG PROVIN GVB The Spaniard fil'd with rage and deepe disdaine To haue his faith-breach quit and bee expeld For his Iniurious and Imperious raigne In Holland Zeeland and the rest he held Bard from reuenge vnable to refraine His wrath against that good vnited State Practis'd a murther at a costly rate And cut my Fathers vitall thred in twaine Halfe cut before An act vnparalelld For foulenesse but thankes Heauen behold what gaine He got by this my fathers awfull fate Vertue and valor euer curbing Spaine Surviue in me the Spaniards scourge and awe Am I that euer will vphold NASSAV SVRCVLVS FACTVS ARBOR The Branch is made a Tree I Must aduertise you that this picture of Prince Maurice should haue beene placed in the yeare of our Lord 1589. presently after the Earle of Leceister had left the Gouernment of the vnited Prouinces but not as Gouernor of those Prouinces but onely as Generall of the Estates armie in those Prouinces as hee hath continued vnto this day the which beeing through negligence omitted in his due place I am inforced to insert it here though somewhat improperly rather then to leaue it out altogither hee hauing done such worthie and memorable seruices to the vnited Estates WHilest that the Spaniards and their adherents impoyled all their wits to continue the miseries of France hoping by the meanes of a parliament held by the league so to trouble the Estate and to breed such a confusion as in the meane time they should haue good meanes to aduance their designes vpon the Netherlands England and vpon France it selfe Henry the fourth was solicited by some councellors nere vnto his person and from diuers other parts to leaue the open profession of the reâ—…ormed religion and to adhere vnto the ceremonies of the Romish church Their reasons were that to chase away the Spaniard and to get Paris and other townes of the league for himselfe hee must of necessity take from them of that party the maske of
the Romish catholike religion wherewith they did shadow their rebellion That whilest the King made open profession of the reformed religion those of the contrary faction being far more in number would follow the duke of Mayene and house of Guise who through the fauor of the Pope and the King of Spaine would finde meanes to entertaine the fire within his realme the which said they was worth a paltry masse neither would it be lost for a few ceremonies Although that these aduises were incountred by notable aduertisments from other councellors yet it seemed the King was somewhat inclined therevnto and that the deputies of the Princes and Noblemen of his Councel conferring with them of the league to preuent the election of a new King put them in hope of it and to attaine therevnto with the more ease they procured certaine learned Prelats to assemble in whose presence this businesse should bee debated at large Wherevpon the King directed his letters to many bearing date the 18. day of May appointing them the 15. of Iuly to come before him assuring them that in so doing they should finde him readie and tractable to do that which was befitting a most Christian King who had nothing more deere vnto him then the zeale of Gods seruice and the maintayning of the true church This action did not greatly please the heads of the league Whilest the Deputies assembled to conferre of religion and that the Estates of Paris proceeded in their affaires whereas the heads of the league had their generall designes in regard of the election of a new King yet all tending to one end which was to enteraine the warre in France the court of parliament at Paris meaning to disapoint all these practises and to chase the Spaniard out of France pronounced a decree on the 28. of Iune as followeth Vpon a declaration made by the Kings attorney general and the matter being debated in Court all the chambers being assembled hauing neuer had any other intention but to maintaine the Catholike Apostolike and Romish relligion in the Estate and crowne of France vnder the protection of a most Christian Catholike and French King Wee haue decreed and do decree that warning shal be giuen by the president le Maistre being assisted by a good number of the court vnto Mounsire de Mayne Lieutenant generall of the Estate and crowne of France in presence of the Princes and Officers of the crowne being now in this cittie that no treatie bee made to transfer the crowne to any forraine Prince or Princesse That the fondamentall lawes of this realme shal be kept the decrees made by the court for the declaration of a catholike French king shal be executed And that hee imploy the authority which is committed vnto him to the end that vnder the pretext of religion the crowne bee not transferd to any against the lawes of the realme and to procure as speedely as may be the peoples quiet being reduc'd to extreame necessity and moreouer we do at this present declare all acts which shal be hereafter made for the establishing of any forraine Prince or Princesse to bee voide and of no force as made to the preiudice of the Salique law and other fondamentall lawes of this Realme The Duke was much discontented with this decree seeing all his designes crost wherevpon he grew into some high tearmes with the President who answered him and other leaguers very resolutly In the end after many meetings letters and answers betwixt the deputies of the Kings part and them of the league according vnto the conference which had beene appointed in despight of the duke of Mayene and the heads of the league the perswasions of such as desired the King should make profession of the Romish religion preuailed so as the king who since his retreat from the court of France aboue 15. yeares before had made open profession of the Protestants reformed religion against the aduise of his ministers and others went to the masse in great solemnity to Saint Denis church the 25. of Iuly and from that time he went vsually to the exercise of the Romish religion whereof he did aduertise his Parliaments by his letters the same day which did much amaze them of the religion yet did they not forsake their profession The duke of Mayen and his chiefe assistants seeing a part of their designes crost by that which had happened and that on the other side the Spaniards sought to entertaine the fire of diuisions by the election of a new King whome they would marry with the Infanta who as duke Charles of Bougongne with his daughter Mary entertained all the Neighbour Princes serued for a Leure for the King of Spaine to draw vnto him all the petty Kings of the league To the end they might giue some collour to their affaires and frustrat al the practises of Spaine they began in Iuly to negotiat a general truce so as after some iorneys to fro it was concluded in 22. articles at Vilette betwixt Paris S. Denis and proclaimed the first of August both in Paris and S. Denis Notwithstanding this generall truce the heads of the league and Estates at Paris did not forbeare to pursue their designes And as they had before opposed themselues at Rome by the means and fauor of the King of Spaines Ambassador against the negotiations of the Cardinall of Gondi and the Marquis of Pisaui deputies vnto the Pope in the behalfe of the catholike Princes Noblemen of France before the said 25. of Iuly In like manner they resolued to worke so as the King of whom they spake very odiously should not be receiued but they did contradict him as much or more then before by the rayling and seditious sermons of some sorbonists by declarations made to the contentment of their adherents by secret attempts and by sinister practises at Rome to crosse and hinder the duke of Neuers voiage who went thether in the Kings name to make his submission and acknowledg his obedience vnto the Pope wherein the ambassador of Spaine and the chiefe of the Iesuits procured him great crosses and lets as appeeres by a booke which was set forth of the sayd dukes ambassage and of the crosses he receiued in the Kings name As for the Sorbonists and other seditious preachers of the league as well in publike as in priuate both before and after the truce their discourses were nothing else but that the masse which was songe before the King deserued the name of a ballet or stage-play that it wasmpossible the King should be conuerted that the Pope could not make him a catholike againe with other such inciuill and strange propositions In regard of the declarations made by the chiefe of the league to recomend themselues vnto their partisans to make a secret attempt vpon the Kings councellors that were least affected to the catholike religion and to ingage the realme in greater troubles and calamities then euer
into his house and the towne of Emden which is verie famous of great trafficke and one of the Hans and Imperiall townes This quarrell had his beginning and first motiue in the life time of Cont Iohn Brother to this Earle Edsard a peaceable man zealous to the reformed religion and a great protector of the priuiledges of the towne of Emden and of the whole countrie VVhereas on the other side Edsard prouoked by his wife who was daughter to the King of Sueden and would gladly haue commanded like a Queene in that towne notwithstanding their Imperiall priuiledges sought to change the Estate of religion according vnto the confession of Ausbourg with the constitutions and customes of the said towne as well in matters of pollicy as Church gouernement euen vnto the distribution of the publike almes and other deedes of charitie the which the Earle would haue depend vppon his sole authority Against the which the Magistrates and Burgers opposed them-selues constantly and their heart-burning grew so great on either side as they fell to armes But as the Earle who had his Castle within the said towne demanteled feared some bad euent of this warre their controuersie was referred by a mutuall consent to the arbitrement of the generall Estates of the vnited Prouinces of the Netherlands who sent their Deputies to heare both parties in their fort of Delfziel lying vppon the Dollart and the Riuer of Ems two Leagues from Emden to reconcile them and decide their quarrels as they did by arbitrarie sentence the which was very well accepted both of the one and the other But afterwards it was reiected by the Earle so as they of the Towne were forced to haue some recourse vnto the Emperour and to the Imperiall Chamber where they obteyned a definitiue sentence according to their desires as you shal hereafter here The towne of Ham except the Castle in the country of Vermandois and that of La Fere were then hauing beene before deliuered vnto the Spaniards by the Leaguers in the King of Spaines power The French King had at that time his Armie lying before La Fere the which was a campe ill gouerned and tedious although the King were there him-selfe in person the Earle of Saint Pol and the Lord of Humieres hearing that the Seignior of Gomeron Gouernour of the Castle of Ham was at Brusselles and had agreed to deliuer the said Castle vnto the Spaniards for a certaine summe of money and that he had sent word vnto the Seignior of Deruillers his Brother in law and to his wife to yeeld it vp The said Deruillers refuzing to doe it made a contrary accord with the Earle of Saint Pol and Humieres to giue them passage by the castle to winne the towne vppon condition as the said Gomeron had ingaged him-selfe for the deliuerie of the sayd castle that hee should haue the chiefe prisoners of the Spaniards that were in the same towne deliuered him to redeeme his Brother in law The Duke of Bouillon and the aboue-named two Noblemen beeing entred with good troopes into the castle the twentith day of Iune they of the towne were presently aduertised thereof who intrencht them-selues against the castle so as they must needes attempt it by force The French Kings men hauing beene twise repulst dispayred in a manner to become maisters thereof if the Duke of Bouillon and the Lord of Humieres had not assured and incouraged them to continue so as after twelue houres fight and more they entred the towne with the losse of the Lord of Humieres who was slaine there of Captaine la Croix with some twenty Gentlemen and about sixe score soldiers where there were sâ—…aine aboue seauen hundred Spaniards Italiens French Leaguers and Germaines the rest were taken prisoners among the which were the Collonell of the Neapolitans the Collonel of the Germaines and Marcello Caracio for whome the Seignior of Gomeron was redeemed The King did much lament the death of the Lord of Humieres his Lieutenant in Picardie a braue and valiant Knight who had done him faithful seruice The Earle of Fuentes a Spaniard being then Gouernor by prouision of the Netherlands for the King of Spaine expecting the comming of the Cardinall Albert of Aus tria the Emperors Brother had then sent the Prince of Chymay now Duke of Arschot and of Croy to beseege the towne of Chastelet in the same countrie of Vermandois whilest that he himselfe was with the bodie of his Armie before Cambray Mons de la Grange was within Chastelet with 600. soldiars where he defended him-selfe valiantly but after that he had endured many assaults hee was forced to yeeld it vp hauing an honorable composition And by this meanes the Earle of Fuentes did presse Cambray the more Chastelet being thus wonne the Earle of Fuentes went to beseege the towne and Castle of Dourlans a small towne but well seated vpon the riuer of Anthy Valentine de par dieu Seignior of la Motte gouernor of graueling General of the Artillery for the King of Spaine being neere vnto the Artillery to prepare the battery was shot into the head from the towne whereof he dyed soone after and was carried to be buried at Saint Omer making an end of so many warres and so great seruices which he had done vnto the King of Spaine being now growne very old not long before he had purchased of a French Nobleman the Lordship of Eckelbeke a goodly thing in Flanders which the King of Spaine erected to an Earledome in recompence of his loyall seruices and so he died in the bed of honor and was buried with the title of an earle He was a French man borne a gentleman in the beginning of very smalle meanes both his father and he being young came to serue the Emperor at the Campe before Teroanne at the first hee was entertaynd by the Lord of Bignicourt a Knight the of order where hee had his first aduancement in quality of a Squier to the said Nobleman vntill he was captaine then in the beginning of the troubles besides his company he was Sargent Maior of the Earle of Reux his Regiment during which time he committed great cruelties in Flanders against them of the religion Then he went to be Lieutenant to the Siegnor of Croissoniere gouernor of Graueling after whose death being slaine before Harlem he succeded in the said gouernment and continued vntil his death and had afterwards great charges as well in the seruice of the generall Estates during their generall vnion as of the King of Spaine to whome he did neuer any bad seruice what shew soeuer he made as of Collonel generall of the Artillery Marshall of the campe cheefe and conductor of diuers honorable exployts and enterprises the which for the most part succeded happely with other titles and degrees of honor in the which he gathered together great welth He died without children although hee had one daughter by his first wife the which died being redie
Earle of Swarlsenbourg thether at the which refusing to yeeld any thing in the Kings behalfe touching the reformed religion nor allow the generall Estates of all the Netherlands to assemble together to that end in like manner there came no good of it But during the time of the sayd conuocation the Spaniardes did so much by their practises and warlike attempts as in few monethes they got more vpon Holland and Zeeland then otherwise they had done in many yeares Afterwards as by the grace of God the which the King of Spaine hath sought by all meanes to breake the Prouinces subiect to the oppression of the Spaniards freed themselues beeing assembled and in the end confederated with the sayd Prince and the Estates of Holland and Zeeland and their associates in the towne of Gant Whereas they haue made the pacification which followed with an order corcerning relligion and the conuocation of the generall Estates of all the Netherlands As after the death of the great Commander Don Louis of Reguesence and before the conclusion of the sayed Pacification Don Iohn arriued in the country of Luxembourg whereas many of the said Prouinces treated with him and in the end agreed notwithstanding the said Pacification and vnion which followed to receiue him for their Gouernor except those of Holland and Zeeland and their Associats who opposed them-selues for that the King of Spaine would not consent vnto the said pacification nor the assembly of the generall Estates but conditionally that it should not derogat nor preiudice the Popish and Romish Relligion and that the said Estates should sweate to entertaine the same And Don Iohn being receiued into the said gouernment hee not onely sought to suppresse the Prouinces whereas hee commanded but would also force them to enter into warre against them of Holland Zeeland and their associats wherevnto they would not yeeld hee then tooke armes againe and called backe the Spaniards the which by the treaty of Gant were gone out of the country hauing secret practises with the Germaine and Wallon garrisons to be assured of the towne and Castle of Antwerp and of many other places seazing vpon that of Namur where-vpon the Estates of Holland and Zeeland being againe required to send their deputies vnto an assembly of other Prouinces being revnited together they were long in treating an other accord with the said Don Iohn But when they could not attaine vnto it vpon reasonable and iust conditions that were propounded vnto him they were forced againe to returne to an open warre and to goe to field of either side In the meane time the King of Spaine sent the Barron of Selles to the generall Estates assembled at Brusselles who in outward shew presented some means of peace but in secret he labored to corrupt the one and the other especially the heads of the army being then camped at Gemblours whereof hee gayned some which was the cause of the rout of the said army by the absence of those Noblemen that were retired at the same time when as the Estates to shew their good and sincere intention and desire to a peace called Mathias Archduke of Austria to their gouernment After which rout the said Archduke Prince of Orange and some others of the chiefe Noblemen with the generall Estates appointing to raise a new army there was an other conference of peace propounded and therevpon a conuocation was held at the request of the Barron of Selles in the towne of Macklin whether the Earle of Bossu and some other Noblemen of the Estates were sent but all that was done there was that the Barron of Selles corrupted the Siegnior of Bours gouernor of the towne of Macklin so as within few months after it was yeelded vp and lost from the Estates Afterwards there was an other conference of peace held in the towne of Louuaine whereas the Ambassadors of the Emperor of the French King and of the Queene of England assisted but for that they would not yeeld vnto the least point which was required touching reformation of relligion all proued but winde As in like manner they could not doe any thing in that great assembly at Cologne in the which the Emperor that now is was a mediator by his Ambassadors Electors and Princes of the Empire by reason that they would not prouide for the safety of the said Religion nor for the Estate of the country according to their ancient rights and preuiledges during which assembly the disunion of the Wallon Prouinces was practised and of some of the cheefe of the Nobilitie with the reduction of the towne of Boisleduc and others to the Spanish party some by practises some by force So as in the end the states seeing that neither by intercession nor by any other meanes they could attaine to a good and an assured peace the were forced to resolue to choose an other Prince where-vpon most part of the said Prouinces did choose and call in the Duke of Aniou and Alanson the onely Brother to the French King after they had by sufficient declarations and by Edicts publikely proclaymed the King of Spaine to bee fallen from all right of Seigneurie and command which hee was wont to haue ouer the Netherlands And although the reasons why this hath happened bee notorious to all the world yet it merits to bee succinctly related in this place which is that the ground of all the warres and miseries of the Netherlands is for that the King of Spaine hath sought to suppresse the preuiledges freedomes liberties pollicie forme of gouernment and other rights of the sayd countries whereas he pretends to make this his Rendezvous and seate of warre to the oppression of all neighbour Princes and especially of them that were fallen from the Romish religion The which the Princes chiefe Noblemen and Estates of the sayd countries being not able to endure the King of Spaine tooke occasion to send the Duke of Alua with a mightie armie into these parts to execute his sayd desseigne by whom hee caused the Earles of Egmont and Horne to bee apprehended with a great number of Noblemen Gentlemen and good Cittizens whom hee did publikely and shamefully execute banishing an infinite number of people and chasing them away to the great griefe and sorrow of the poore inhabitants which remained Yea the Marquis of Berghes and the Baron of Montigny sent a little before into Spaine by the Gouernesse to shew the iminent danger of the sayd Countries and to seeke for remedie the King against the dutie of a good Prince against his othe made both in generall and in particular and against all lawe of nations caused them to dye and did confiscate all their goods Making Cittadels in the chiefe Townes of the countrie bringing in a new forme of iustice establishing a supreme councell called a Councell of the troubles in Flemish Blout-raed that is a Councell of bloud all against the preuiledges And vnder coulour of a generall pardon abolishing generally all the right
and priuiledges of the countrie to gouerne at his pleasure forgetting not in the meane time his chiefe desseignes vpon the neighbor kingdomes seeking occasions of quarrell to inuade them by armes The which GOD preuented stirring vp the Prince of Orange who entred into the sayd countries with two mightie armies vntill that hee was setled in his gouernments of Holland and Zeeland This was not yet sufficient for the King of Spaine that in those countries there are aboue a hundred thousand persons dead for the religion and that by his charge the Duke of Alua hath caused aboue twentie thousand to bee executed by the hangman but hee must withall quite ruine whole townes and murther most part of the people as the Townes of Macklyn Zutphen Naerden Oudewaeter and others which may serue for presidents And besides that hee was cause of the Prince of Oranges murther by a publike proclamation who had alwayes carried himselfe as a Father of the countrie the which giues the Estates the more occasion to perseuere in their iust conceptions Whereby it is apparent that these vnited Prouinces haue good reason not to submit them-selues vnder the subiection and rule of the King of Spaine nor to enter into any Treatie with him of a perpetuall peace And the rather for that they haue found by experience that all the conferences of peace how sincerely so-euer they haue beene made by the Mediators and Intercessors haue beene a wayes held by the Spaniards tending to some practises or enterprises that hauing made some diuision or breach betweene them then sodenly to ouer-runne and disperce them Besides in their particular Treaties with the Townes of Gand and Bruges the King of Spaines ministers propounded in the beginning goodly conditions yea for matter of religion but when they came to resolue they would not once suffer them to open their mouthes vpon the least point The fraudulent treaties of the enemies and the wayes of hostilitie which the Spaniards haue vsed against the State and Crowne of France for so many yeares doe sufficiently shew that all they doe is but to suppresse religion And the like happened in the yeare 1588. when during the Treatie of the English with the Spaniards at Bourbourg in Flanders that great Sea-armie thought to inuade England And withall the Estates cannot enter into any treatie with the King of Spaine for that since the murther of the Prince of Orange they haue chosen Prince Maurice his sonne for the cheefe whome God hath endowed with so many graces and heroicall vertues as he not onely defends and preserues these vnited Prouinces but doth also augment and dilate their limits and iurisdictions with the ayde and fauor of the Queene of England who like a most Christian Princesse considering the power and ambition of the Spaniards and their manner of proceeding hath alwaies for the good of all Christendome fauored the said Estates with whom they are in league vpon promise not to make any peace with the said enemies without her priuity and consent That since the King of Spaine hath continued warre against all Kings Princes and Potentats vnder collour to maintaine the Pope and his relligion but the true cause is to domineere ouer all Christendome the which he hath shewed plainely against the French King by reason whereof the saide French king hath also made a league with the Queene of England into the which these vnited Prouinces haue beene receiued being bound not to treat any peace with the Spaniard without both their consents whereof the Estates hope that the kings maiesty of Denmarke will consider of the ambitious desseignes of the king of Spaine and of his councell against all kings and Potentates and especially against them that haue forsaken Popery euen so all Christendome should desire to ioyne in the same league asuring themselues also that his Maiestie by his great wisdome will not onely iudge how vnfit it were for these countries to returne vnder the yoake of the Spaniard to the totall suppression of relligion and their vtter ruine but also how preiudiciall it would be to neighbour kings and Princes if the said Prouinces were brought againe vnder the King of Spaines subiection and that he should command ouer their soldiars shippes and marrines hauing the meanes in his power by the mony which the said Prouinces haue by reason of the warres beene forced to leuie for their defence and preseruation the which being at his deuotion would giue him meanes to entertayne twenty thousand men continually with the which hee would doe greater exployts against all other neighbour Kings and Princes then hee could doe with the reuenues and demaines of his other realmes and Prouinces yea of his Indies That the King of Spaine hath beene alwaies a persecuter of the relligion the gouernment of Spaine and Portugall and the great councell of the Inquisition do sufficiently shew it with that goodly title which hee giues him-selfe of Defender of the Popes authority who attributes vnto him-selfe and vsurpes the power to transferre kingdomes from one King or Prince vnto an other Moreouer the said Estates do most humbly beseech his Maiesty to beleeue that the beginning of a conference of peace with the King of Spaine is full of difficulties and secret desseignes which cannot be preuented For as with other Kings Princes and commonweales conferences of peace doe coole mens affections to warre or at the least doth hinder the meanes the same reason hath greater efficacy with these Prouinces and townes for that many would imagine that the reasons which had moued the said Estates to enter into conference were so sollide and built vpon a foundation of such assured conditions as they could not faile to attayne vnto a firme peace the which would cause many inconueniences for to thinke that the vnited Prouinces could make any peace with the King of Spaine without the extirpation of the reformed relligion in the said contries and without bringing the inhabitants thereof vnder the absolute obedience of Spaine it hath bin deliuered at large by word of mouth vnto the Ambassadors that it cannot possible bee performed The said Estates do also beseege his Maiesty to beleeue that they are very sencible of the great miseries and calamities which these countries haue suffered and do suffer during these present warres and of the effusion of humaine bloud And in like manner they doe duly weigh and consider of the commodities which a good peace should bring by the cessation of armes But seeing that besides the enterest of all Christendome and of Kings Princes and neighbour common weales this conference of a peace with the Spaniards would be so preiudiciall and hurtfull to the Estate of these Countries as the ruine thereof and all the inhabitants might thereby ensue For these considerations their Estate cannot endure to haue any other ouerture made but it behoues them to attend an other issue from the hand of GOD whereon they haue grounded all their hope by a good reunion of the
and instruction of the youth in the Latin tongue Secondly that there should be giuen vnto the prisoner the office of messenger of Ypre worth a hundred pounds a yeare And although the office were not in the Iesuits disposition yet he should rest assured thereof seeing it was but the writing of a letter the which they durst not refuse Thirdly that Hansken Panne his sonne should bee made Chanoine of Tournaye Vpon all which presentations and promises the said prisoner hauing confessed himselfe the next day to the Prouinciall going to say masse hee had absolution and therevpon receiued the Sacrament During the which confession hee promised againe to execute this designe Wherevpon the Prouinciall sayd vnto him these words Go in peace for thou shalt go like an Angell in the gard of God And to aduance his voiage hee receiued a letter of exchange from the sayd Iesuits for twelue pounds to receiue at Antwerp of one Francis Thibault dwelling neere the Iacopins with which dispatch and resolution the prisoner parted from Douay came to the Abbay of Flines from thence by Orchies to Tournay then to Oudenarde Dendermonde Basserode and so by boate to Antwerp where hauing receiued the sayd twelue pounds he sent eleauen pounds with his cloake and his breaches to his wife by one Deric Bul dwelling nere the corne market of Zeeland to maintaine her house and to clothe her children sending withall a letter to his wife and writing that hee went into Holland for the businesse she wot of and that shee should pray vnto God for him So the prisoner with this resolution and without pasport hauing hidden himselfe in a ship came into Zeeland and from thence came into this towne on Saterday the 23. of May. But being arriued here he had changed his minde and was not intended to do any thing as he saith considering with himselfe that vndertaking such an act to kill such a person and to put the countrie into great garboyles hee did runne headlong to his death and there-with-all had a remorse of conscience Of which confessions the prisoner hauing beene often heard and examined in the space of ten or twelue daies and still persisting without any torture or irons with protestation that all was true and that therein hee would liue and die The sayd prisoner hauing at euery time a great greefe of heart falling vpon his knees with his hands lift vp to hauen cryed for mercie and that they would pardon him seeing they had so seduced him being an innocent promising that if they would saue his life to do as hee sayd he had the meanes great seruice vnto the country and that he could soone deliuer them some Iesuites All which being of bad consequence hauing in this sort intended to kill and murther the sayd famous Prince Maurice borne Prince of Orange Earle of Nassau c. Gouernor and captaine Generall of the vnited Prouinces and by that meanes depriue the sayd Prouinces of their head and of the great and notable seruices which they receiue and which by the grace of God he doth for the defence and protection of the said Prouinces and the good Inhabitants thereof togither with the preseruation and defence of the Christian reformed religion and of the freedomes liberties and priuiledges of the sayd countries to the rooting out of the imperious rule of the Spaniards and to put the said Prouinces into great trouble danger of ruine and entier desolation The which ought not to bee tollerated in a country of Iustice but that such wicked abominable and execrable designes attempts and murthers should be punished with all extreamity to the terror and example of others To the end that not any one shall hereafter suffer himselfe to bee seduced and suborned by this bloudie and murtherous Iesuitical sect the which as it is notorions to all the world seeke out a thousand practises treasons and murtherous designes and put them in practise to murther all Kings Princes and Potentates which will not adhere to the Popes superstitions which they call the Catholike Romish Religion Wherevpon the Sheriffes of the towne of Leyden hauing seene and heard the criminall conclusion taken by the scout of the said towne against the prisoner for the causes aboue mentioned Hauing also heard the consession of the prisoner with the informations and all other circumstances And hauing thereon the aduice of the deputies of the Estates of Holland and West-Friseland with opinions of the great and Prouinciall councels being thereto required by the said Estates hauing considered all with mature deliberation and councell doing Iustice in the name and behalfe of the soueraigne Magistrate of the countries of Holland Zeland and West-Friseland They haue for the cause aboue mentioned condemned the said prisoner where they are accustomed to do Iustice vpon malefactors and there to be executed by the sword And his head to be set vpon the Boulwarke of Witteport his bodie to be cut in foure quarters his bowels to be buried and his quarters to be hanged vpon the foure gates declaring his goods to bee confisked to the benifit of the countrie of Holland Thus done and Iudged by Maister Francis Vander Merwen Ian Isenhoursen Vander Nesse Franc Cornelisen Van Thorenvlyet Cornellis Thibour Clais Cornelisen Vanden Noort and Ian Van Baesdorp the yonger the two and twenty day of Iune and the same day the prisoner was executed The King of Spaine sent vnto Cardinal Albert in the beginning of this yeare about foure thousand foote of Spaniards vnder the leading of Don Sanchio de Leva beeing commanded by foure Collonels in forty ships great and smal whereof the smaler entred into Calais without any danger for that the Estates shippes of warre were forced to way anchor by reason of the foule wether But the torment beeing past they came time ynough to take one of the greatest in the which there were 150. Spaniards Alonzo Sanches de Villareal and two Pilots to make foure more run on ground the which the Spaniard did willingly to saue the soldiars that were in them These pilots beeing brought to Flussing and examined confest that there were twelue Gallions sent to the Tercers to fetch the treasure which was come from the Indaes and that they had left some 70. ships at the Groyne whereof foure were furnished like men of warre with about 2000. Spaniards and Italians The generall Sanchio de Leva hauing lodged these troupes in diuers parts in Flanders went to Brussels which made many suppose that the Cardinall did not greatly trust the soldiars that were borne in the country which made them begin to contemne him On the other side the general Estates of the vnited Prouinces perceiuing that the trafficke and negotiation with Spaine by reason of the dayly arrests of their ships goods marriners decaied finding themselues freed from the bridle of the Spaniard who would neuer suffer them to saile to the East or West Indes to Ginney nor to the Molucques they gaue leaue
contained therein All this time they talked of nothing but of peace in England many and diuers discourses were made thereon the Queene finding her selfe prest the French king beeing disbanded from the vnion and the vnited prouinces not to be persuaded to submit themselues vnder the obedience of Spaine holding the transport of the Netherlands made vnto the Infanta in suspition sent sir Francis Vere vnto the generall Estates of the said prouinces beeing generall of all their English forces to vnderstand plainely what their resolution was either to peace or warre if not to peace then what meanes they had ioyntly with her to beare the burthen of the warre whereof shee demanded a speedie and absolute resolution whereof she desired to be duely informed by men well qualified hauing full charge and commission to deliuer their resolutions Whereupon the Estates meaning to aduice and resolue in their generall assemblie all difficulties and discommodities on either side beeing propounded debated and well ballanced seeming rather inclined and resolued to warre than to a doubtfull peace were it neuer so beneficiall they had at that instant newes brought them that the seignior Daniel vander Meulen of Antuerpe remaining at Leyden in Holland had suddainly beene sent for with a pasport from the archduke the which came from his brother in law who fained himselfe to be extreamely sicke to conferre with him before his death that he should come to Antuerpe where being arriued he was sent for to Brussels as he was a very sufficient man and well acquainted with affaires of Estate before the counsellors Richardot and Assonuille the abbot of Marolles and the marquesse of Haurec one after another who demaunded of him if there were no meanes to make a generall peace among all the prouinces of the Netherlands this was only to heare his opinion whereunto he answered That concerning that matter he had not any charge Then they declared vnto him to the end he might tell it againe That the king of Spaine and the archduke Albert were intended to make a peace in what sort soeuer and thereof to giue such assurance as should well content them they would leaue vnto the vnited prouinces their Religion their forme of gouernment and they should haue contentment giuen them from the least point vnto the greatest They said moreouer That the king was wonderfully affected to prince Maurice held him in great esteeme and desired not to impaire his estate but rather to confirme and make it greater yea he would gladly see him Generall of the armie against the Turke so much he was esteemed of all men for his vertues and valour That they would suffer all them that were in the gouernment of the vnited Prouinces to continue still in their offices estates and dignities and would promise to continue their children in them being capable if they would onely giue eare vnto a peace and acknowledge the said archduke Albert for their lord and prince These and such like speeches were vsed vnto him being carried before the archduke he sayd as much to him in Latine entreating him that he would make a good report thereof when it should be fitting All this being vnderstood by the Estates they presently conceiued that these baits tended to no other end but to breed some diuision in the countrey and to mooue the commons as if they desired to continue the warres without cause or reason whilest that they might according to their saying enter into an assured way of peace They did easily beleeue that both the king and the cardinall would gladly haue seene prince Maurice in Hongarie and that to him and the vnited Prouinces there should be made what promises they could desire if they could onely get but that point of them as to acknowledge the said archduke for their prince supposing if that were done that hee should easily become master first of them that had charge of the gouernment and managing of affaires who would presently seeke to creepe into his fauour and then generally of the gouernment of the Prouinces Some thought these speeches were but a common bruit to draw the Estates to giue eare to a parle and to enter into conference as some yeares before they had in the like manner circumuented them of Bruges and Gant which they caused to be bruited abroad onely to make a triall and then goe backe from it when they thought good such speeches seruing to no other end Thither were also brought vnto the Estates certaine letters intercepted both in Fraunce and in England by the which the king of Spaine gaue contrary instructions vnto the cardinall archduke which were That in the treatie of peace with France his Rebels for so he called the vnited Estates should not bee comprehended but vpon condition that the Romish Catholicke religion should bee receiued and established in all places the kings soueraignetie and dignitie maintained the old officers which had been displaced and chased away restored and that those which remained being capable and fit might be admitted if they were Catholickes and not heretickes and besides they might promise them a generall pardon that the French king ought not to procure any thing else if he were as he should be that is a Catholicke This instruction conferred with the former speech with many other aduertisements the Estates seeing how they sought with faire words to abuse circumuent them conceiued that there could nothing grow of such a peace but a change of religion and a translation of the gouernment out of their hands vnto banished men and Spaniolized more couetous of reuenge than the Spaniards thēselues And therfore not any one hauing serued or had any office in the said Prouinces might remaine knowing that with such conditions no other they should be yeelded to the Infanta who would bridle thē in the same manner that the Spaniard had done Wherupon the Estates nobilitie and towns in generall resolued not to giue eare to any peace or truce but to support the burthen of the warre to the extremitie and to attend such an issue as it should please God to send them rather than to abandon their countrey and to receiue their enemies into the gouernment thereof but rather to procure and aduance what they should find needfull for them especially to giue contentment to the Queene of England Hereupon they appointed a greater number of deputies in their colledges and in the generall Estates sending into England as her Maiestie had required certaine notable embassadors to induce her to continue the warre with them against the Spaniards the which were Iohn van Duyuen Woorde knight seigniour of Warmont of Woud c. Iohn van Oldenbarneuelt seigniour of Tempel first councellor and aduocate for the Estates and keeper of the seale of Holland and west Friseland Iohn van den Werke councellor and orator of Middlebourg Iohn van Hotting a esquier councellor and deputie for the generall Estates Andrew Hessels chiefe councellor of the councell
marquesse of Denia And as the prince and his sister were before the kings bedde he said vnto them I recommend vnto you Dom Christophel de Mora for the best seruant I euer had and all my other seruants vse them well and so embracing them againe and taking his last farewell his speech failed him remaining two daies in that estate vntill the 13 of September at three of the clocke in the morning when hee gaue vp the ghost being 71 yeares old and about 4 moneths Hee had not beene much subiect to infirmities in all his life time hee was but of a meane stature and of a faire complexion flaxen haired which grewe white resembling rather a Dutch man than a Spaniard hee had a high and a broad forehead with somewhat a thicke lippe the hereditarie marke of the house of Austria he had not the quicknesse of spirit which his father had but very vigilant and laborious spending both the day and night in affaires yea sometimes whole nights And notwithstanding his deuice which was Nec spe nec metu yet hee still aspired to great designes which hee conceiued in his imagination the which did trouble him much more than was needfull or that hee could beare Withall hee was alwaies doubtfull yea fearefull so as sometimes matters succeeded ill by his timiditie the which hauing beene vndertaken with a couragious resolution had beene farre more succesfull By nature hee was close and counterfeit seeking to couer his faults rather with the preiudice and disgrace of another than of himselfe and whosoeuer had once offended him was not easily receiued againe into fauour yet hee was more bountifull than couetous and more staied than well aduised Hauing such great power and meanes both in lands men and treasure hee effected very little and except the conquest of Portugall hee lost more than hee wonne hee was deuout in his religion nay rather superstitious giuing great credit to Iesuits yet not so much but that he would haue the clergie yeeld vnto the temporall command The paper which the king deliuered vnto the prince his sonne beeing an instruction to gouerne his kingdome contained this discourse which followeth or the like in substance My sonne I haue beene often in care to leaue your Estates in peace but neither my many yeares of life nor the helpe of other princes could euer effect it I confesse that I haue disbursed in lesse than three and thirtie yeares aboue fiue hundred ninetie and foure millions of ducats the which haue bred me nothing but griefe and care True it is I conquered Portugall but as France did lightly escape mee so may this be wrested from me I would to God I had followed the counsell of my deceased father of most happie memorie or at the least that you would beleeue and follow mine I should then beare my crosses more willingly and should die more contented leauing you in this vale of miserie Behold therefore what I leaue you for an euerlasting testament ouer so many kingdomes and states to see as in a glasse after what manner you shall well gouerne your selfe after my decease Bee alwaies verie vigilant of the alteration and change of other kingdomes to make your profit thereby according to occurrents Keepe good guard ouer them that are most inward with you in counsell You haue two meanes to entertaine your realmes of Spaine the one is the present gouernment the other the traffique to the east and west Indies As for the gouernment you must either depend vpon the nobilitie or vpon the clergie if you fauour church men bee sure to keepe the other still in awe as I haue done but if you strengthen your selfe with the nobilitie curbe the clergie as much as possibly you can If you seeke to entertaine them equally they will exhaust you and withall you shall disturbe your kingdomes and neuer come to any certaine resolution the ballance shall rather bee on the other side If you will leane to the nobilitie then hold friendship with the Netherlands for that they are friends to the French English and some prouinces of Germanie neither Italie Poland Sueden Denmarke nor Scotland can assist you therein The king of Scotland is poore Denmarke drawes his reuenues from forraine nations Sueden is alwaies diuided and besides ill situated the Polonians are alwaies their kings masters although Italie be rich yet is too farre off and the princes are diuersly affected On the other side the Netherlands are populous in men rich in shipping constant in labour diligent in search hardie to vndertake and willing to suffer True it is I haue giuen them vnto your sister but what imports that there are a thousand escapes which you may vse when opportunitie serues The chiefe are that you alwaies maintaine your selfe guardian to her children and that they change nothing touching religion for these points taken away you haue quite lost those countries and soone some other kings will present themselues who by meanes will bind them vnto them whereby you may be vndone If you thinke to fortifie your selfe against this with the clergie you shall prouoke many enemies I haue tried it yet keepe good correspondencie with the popes be bountifull and courteous vnto them be great with such cardinals as are most inward with them and seeke to haue a voice in their conclaue Hold friendship with the bishops of Germanie but trust not the distribution of their pensions to the emperour let them knowe you they will serue you the more willingly and receiue your gifts more thankfully Doe not countenance such as are of base condition neither respect the nobilitie and commons equally for seeing I must now speake the truth their pride is great they are very rich they must haue what they desire they will be burthensome vnto you and in the end will be your masters Make vse of nobles of the chiefest houses and aduance them to benefices of great reuenues the vulgar sort are not so needfull for they will cause you a thousand crosses which will consume you beleeue not any of them if they bee not of qualitie Discharge your selfe from English spies and French pensions imploy some of the noblemen of the Netherlands whom you shall haue bound vnto you by fealtie As for the nauigation of the east and west Indies therein consists the strength of the kingdome of Spaine and the meanes to bridle Italie from the which you shall hardly rerstaine Fraunce and England their power is great their mariners very many their sea too spatious their marchants too wealthie their subiects too greedie of gaine and their seruants too faithfull I haue excluded the Netherlands but I feare that time and mens dispositions may change by reason whereof you must doe two things change your officers at the west Indies often such as you call home imploy them in the councell for the Indies and so in my opinion you shall neuer be circumuented but the one or the other will make knowne the benefit
patience and rather make the best interpretation of this action to the emperour and other princes of the empire than by badde reports and fruitlesse and false complaints and badde conceptions aggrauate the kings sincere actions bringing our innocencie into danger and it may be vnder a pretext of commiseration and succours required kindle a fire which would spread ouer the whole empire the which may not bee quenched but by the generall ruine of the whole By which friendly behauiour and admonitions wee had thought to haue cut off all occasions of complaints and that there should be no more mention made vnto the emperour nor in any other courts and estates of the empire whereof notwithstanding wee vnderstand the contrarie and feare that in this assemblie through the exclamations of some mooued with hatred and spleene conceiued against the king and the catholike religion or through indiscretion or malice tâ—…usting too much to the light promises of the enemies of the countrie or through ingratitude or such like that such false reports are againe brought in question By reason whereof wee haue thought it expedient as wee haue done by letters to his imperiall Maiestie and by word of mouth to M. Charles Nutzel his Maiesties commissioner in these parts to oppose vpon euery article the kings merits and iustifications against such friuolous complaints and to send them in writing to the princes and estates of the empire and to you in your assemblie intreating you in his Maiesties name and ours not to haue any sinister impression without cause of his Maiesties sincere intention by an vndue commiseration or spleene rising from a little disorder which bee the ordinarie fruits of warre least you fall into greater inconueniences and troubles which would bee the cause of a farre greater mischiefe whereof you should reape nothing but a late repentance But rather vsing your accustomed wisdomes and discretions according to the loue and affection which you beare to the publike quiet measuring the good with the small losses and hindrances which haue happened vpon the frontiers of the empire ioyning to these of the king you will interpret it in the best sence and comfort and feed with hope such as haue beene partakers of these losses giuing others which are farre off to vnderstand to what a good end all may sort without giuing credit vnto the complaints which haue beene wrongfully made as well vnto the emperour and vnto the estates of the empire the which beeing most notorious should suffice any man of vnderstanding to excuse and iustifie his Maiesties actions and ours Yet for that in these concurrents of time some mens iudgements are so depraued as these nouelties sound so strangely in their eares as they neither can nor will comprehend the true ground and therefore matters remaine thus obscured and darkened For whose better satisfaction wee thinke that the king hath therein satisfied if as these false reporters by lies and slaunderous suggestions doe charge his Maiestie wee on the other side doe shew by the deduction of alliances and treaties as well of the whole empire as of the princes and estates with the house of Burgoigne that his Maiestie in stead of seruices against his enemies and rebels hath receiued disseruices although that according vnto diuine and humane lawes yea and according vnto the constitutions of the empire they were thereunto bound and obliged Contraâ—…iewise it appeares with what bountie moderation clemencie and with what charge his Maiestie hath amidst so great troubles and tumults of warre preserued the whole dioces of Cologne and neighbour countries beeing in great danger to bee all lost and the catholike religion supprest and put downe and that to the great hindrance of his owne affaires By which merits and good deedes they of the dioces of Cologne and Westphalia were the more bound so as no man of iudgement if hee will not bee noted of ingratitude can iustly blame his Maiesties actions nor ours touching the lodging and wintring of his armie contained with all militarie modestie and they should not giue place to so many fruitlesse clamours and complaint at the least if such men be any thing affected to their countries good to stir vp in stead thereof new troubles new warres whereof there can be nothing expected but fire and flame and a totall deuastation Wherefore wee trusting in your wisedomes and discretions and assuring our selues that you will therein do all good offices to his Maiestie and the Estates of the empire seeking nothing more than by the effects to attaine vnto a good peace and to discharge the frontiers of the empire of the said armie as soone as may be wherein if through the presumption rashnesse or bad practises of some I be hindered we protest openly that the blame of all the mischiefe shall be layd vpon the authors and procurers of those hindrances and not vpon the king And to the end that the reasons here produced for his Maiesties iustification and ours may bee the better represented vnto his imperiall Maiestie and to your excellencies and the necessitie which hath forced vs thereunto wee intreat you that in stopping your eares to all false reports which else would increase daily you will now resolue to assist this warre with all your meanes and to conuert it to a good peace with which hope we wil attend your iudgement and aduice beseeching God c. From Rees the twentieth of Ianuarie 1599. Signed Francis of Mendoza great Admirall of Arragon The same deputies of the admirall on the seuenth of February following presented a certaine declaration in the assembly of the deputies of the princes and Estates of the said fiue circles in the said towne of Cologne in the name of the king of Spaine the archduke Albert the cardinall Andrew and the said admirall in a sharpe and Iesuiticall stile in the which are related particularly and at large the iustifications reproches instances and pursutes made vnto the emperour and to the princes summarily set downe in the admirals letters All which discourse seemes rather to be made in contempt and mockerie and the more to incense the Germans as if they did them great wrong to complaine of the admirals actions and of his armie and that they were yet beholding vnto them The which they did onely to win time and to haue the bad season of winter spent and to see if the Germans would doe any thing as it seemed they threatned them This discourse is so tedious as it would tire the reader and so impudent and arrogant as we haue thought good to omit it To the which answer was made and all the points of the reproches and accusations made in the said declaration examined debated and reiected as false calumnious to the preiudice of the emperors honor of the princes and the Estates of the empire The fifteenth of December the same yeare 1598 there died in the towne of Leiden in Holland that worthy and learned personage Philip of Marnix seignior
violence by murthering spoyling burning and other execrable actions against the territories and subiects of the empire as also in changing and altering of lawes policies and religion which proceedings should be displeasing vnto the archduke yet they keepe still the townes of the empire in their possession and bragge that they haue gotten a great victorie against the forces of the empire as it may be sufficiently prooued hauing no intent to yeeld vp the said townes so vsurped but to hold them for their owne vse and commoditie Moreouer it was neuer more apparant than at this present that the Spaniards and their adherents designe is perpetually to disturbe and subuert the Estates rights and priuiledges of the Netherlands and vtterly to ruine them to the vnspeakable preiudice of all neighbour kings princes and common weals but especially of the Estates of the empire whom they seeke to ouerrule to keep the archduke with the Infanta their heires in perpetuall subiection not allowing them authoritie to yeeld any thing vnto the petitions of the Netherlands and the inhabitants thereof concerning the Catholike religion and other principall points belonging to the wel fare of the same We shal not need to speake of the letters by the which it is agreed that alwaies foure or more of the chiefe townes or forts in the Netherlands shall haue Spanish garrisons in them nor yet of the secret aduice giuen by the late deceased king of Spaine vnto the king that now is shewing by what meanes hee may alwaies take occasion to regaine the Netherlands but it shall suffice to produce the said pretended donation whereby the archduke the Infanta and their successors haue for euer promised and bound themselues by oath to follow the wills and appetites of the Spaniards not onely in regard of the freedomes rights and priuiledges of these countries but also for the disposition of the succession of the Netherlands the protection and bringing vp of their heires by the Spaniards and the power and prerogatiue which the kings of Spaine will haue to dispose of them and their childrens mariages or to giue in mariage to whom they please to hold the Netherlands of them in chiefe and to restraine them from their free nauigation and trading by sea and all and euery of these points vpon forfeiture of the same adding hereunto that they and their heires shall be bound to hold and maintaine the catholike Romish religion vpon the like penaltie as doth plainely appeare by the articles of the said donation hereunto annexed so as there is small reason for the emperours Maiestie the empire or these prouinces if they will maintaine their respectiue freedomes priuiledges and religion to enter into any treatie of peace with the archduke considering the late rigorous proceedings both in the Netherlands and vpon the frontiers of the empire And it is manifest that the treatie not long since made betweene the Queene of England the Spaniards and the archduke was according to their old manner vnder colour of a treatie to effect some further designe as the armie sent of late yeares out of Spaine to inuade England doth sufficiently witnesse as also in August last the like should haue beene done if almightie God by his grace had not diuerted that pretence forcing them to employ that fleet to follow our ships of warre which were then sent out vpon the coast of Spaine Besides the archduke and the Infanta haue such great spirits as notwithstanding they cannot pretend any right to the vnited prouinces by the said gift or by any other title yet by their proclamations they publish hold them for rebels actions vnworthie of so great princes the which can neuer bee forgotten Touching the second point wee hope not onely by presentation but actually to haue made manifest our iust and true intents vnto the emperours maiestie the princes electors and the Estates of the empire so as it seemeth strange to vs wee should be further molested and troubled for that wee seeke to bring our common enemie to reason and to abate his pride By these and many other reasons it may be thought vnnecessarie that for the preseruation of the honor of the emperors maiestie and of the whole empire your lordships should come hither to treat of the said points which wee also thinke not fit wherefore wee haue not sent you any pasport to that end hoping that the emperour and the Estates of the empire hauing seene these our letters will conceiue our meanings herein which is that wee hereby desire to ease your lordships of the paines and trouble which you may indure in this iourney humbly beseeching the emperours maiestie and your honours to haue a good conceit of vs and to aduance the cause of the Netherlands wherein the welfare of the emperour the seruice of the empire and our good consisteth and we will not faile alwaies to acknowledge and requite the same vnto the honours c. Dated in the Hage the seauenth of December 1599. This letter beeing deliuered to the emperours embassadours they returned an answer on the 8 of December as followeth Right honourable wee haue receiued your letters and vnderstand by the contents therof that you are informed ex relatione aliorum of our comming and of the effect of our embassage wee must confesse that touching the restitution of places belonging vnto the holy empire and the dammages receiued thereby we haue especiall charge to sollicite both parties in all friendly manner but concerning the other point it is not intended that we by the emperours commandement should enter into any new treaty of peace with you but onely for the furtherance of a treatie which was begun at Regsensborgh in the yeare 1594 the which the princes electors and the electors of the Estates of the empire referred to some other conuenient time And concerning the other points contained in your letters and copies touching the doubts risen betweene the kings Maiestie of Spaine and the Netherlands to the great dishonour and preiudice of all Christendome experience hath taught vs to iudge thereof as time and occasion shall serue And although wee haue commission from the emperours maiestie our gratious lord and soueraigne prince to treat with either partie yet you may assure your selues the emperours maiestie the princes electors and other Estates of the empire know how to remedie the wrongs done both by the Spaniards for their parts and by you of the vnited prouinces not to free the empire but also the oppressed members thereof from all vnneighbourly force and inuasion yet his Maiestie at the earnest request of the princes electors and Estates of the empire hath thought good to impose this commission vpon vs as your honours at our comming shall vnderstand more at large And although according to these our instructions gratiously giuen vs by the emperour we may not as it seemes by your letters be heard at this time nor allowed to shew thē vnto the general Estates yet we
prouinces and no enemie in Christendome will be more respected than he is now This was the counsel of this peace-maker concluding with a petition vnto the prelats noblemen and magistrats representing the Estates That they would put their helping hands thereunto or else find out some better meanes which might as easily bee effected by either partie Thus haue I declared as briefly as I can the aduice of these three counsellors vnto peace the first being one that is fled out of those countries who would haue the archdukes setled there by authoritie of the neighbour kings The second a Romish Catholike who to assure the Romish religion would haue the Netherlanders giue themselues to the French king and driue the Spanish forces beyond the mountaines The third being a neutrall person would haue the vnited prouinces to buy their freedome of the king of Spaine or the archdukes How these propositions of peace like the parties that are in armes one against the other the reader may iudge by that which on both sides hath since ensued each partie seeking to doe as he thinketh good for that at the same time there were certaine articles to the number of 27 both printed written published abroad in the vnited prouinces and in the other countries vnder the archdukes gouernment especially as it is thoght to procure the prouinces vnder the archdukes command to liue in better hope and more quietnesse attending peace through the mediation of France and England as also to disappoint the assembly of the generall Estates Which articles beeing presumed to bee set forth by the archdukes procurement at the same time there was an admonition written and sent out of Holland to persuade the people not to credit any such fained and deuised articles which were made but for a shew Which admonition for that it sheweth the truth of all the proceedings and causes of the wars with their circumstances I thought it good to insert being as followeth It seemeth O Netherlands that this yere you shal be hardly assailed both by politike counsell and by force of armes and that the archduke Albertus of Austria will imploy his power to vanquish you and all cunning practises to circumuent you but you need not feare his power as hauing felt the vttermost force thereof and valiantly withstood it but in regard of cunning practises I thought it conuenient to giue you some counsell and forewarning as being so much the more to be feared seeing they come not openly but wil couertly and secretly vndermine you There is much spoken of the archduke and the Infanta's good natures and of the inward affection and loue which they beare vnto these countries and that now you ought to lay aside all mistrust and iealousie in that you shall not haue to do with a Spaniard but with a naturall borne German prince not with a king who dwelling far from you knowes little of you and therefore respecteth you the lesse and who in regard of his great power you feare and are in doubt of but with a prince who shall dwell both with you and amongst you as a father with his children who hath no other countrey than this no other treasure nor riches but that which he shall receiue from your hands and therefore will not relye vpon his owne force and riches but vpon the hearts and loue of his subiects as the ground and foundation of his greatnes who wil gouern according to the priuiledges and antient liberties of the country and will force no mans conscience To conclude one that wil cure al diseases and in an instant make you forget all forepassed troubles and miseries These are faire glosing speeches but first of all you must be aduertised that these are not the words of the duke of Brabant and of the Infanta themselues but in trueth they are nothing else but the common peoples talke at first inuented and giuen forth by cunning bad minded people and since that receiued and diuulged abroad by some simple and honest men who being deceiued themselues helpe to deceiue others seruing onely to draw men on and to circumuent them thereby to driue you from the good counsell and wholesome admonitions of those that seeke your good to make you hearken vnto their false and venimous discourses being assured that you shal presently be intrapt as soone as they can get you to giue eare thereunto although you knew of the deceit before not much vnlike to the moath that flying to the flame of the candle burneth her wings And you must assure your selues that you cannot hearken vnto their speeches without great preiudice and disgrace no more than a yong modest maid can with honestie lend her chast ears to a lewd alluring tale whereof in former times to your great preiudice you haue had good experience which is that there was neuer any treatie of peace made but that whole prouinces or soâ—… speciall townes fell away the said treaties of peace being by the simpler sort begun with much hope of good proceedings but in the end they euer found there could be no good assurance made for their priuiledges much lesse for the religion and yet some were by the like proceeding so deepely ingaged as they could not free themselues as the examples of Gaâ—… Bruges others are yet fresh in memory but with more disgrace shal you be circumuented if you suffer your selues to be drawn away for that comming to the effect you shall find that these speeches thus cast abroad are nothing else but newes told in streets and in mils The duke of Brabant will say That his meaning was not so and you by this presentation which you imprint in your minds are likewise deceiued The truth is you shall plainly find obseruing well the archdukes proceedings that they are to be esteemed idle speeches which are cast forth in passage boats and wagons without any certaine author when as men trauell abroad For before his departure into Spaine hee persecuted the reformed religion in diuers townes and amongst the rest there was a yong maid buried quick thereby taking away alreasons why they should once doubt of his mind resolution touching religion for that whatsoeuer had bin done to a man might haue bin coloured with som other shew if he had sought or conspired to do any thing against his person or the gouernment Vpon the 10 of Ianuary 1599 he writ vnto the bishop of Paterborn in verie rough manner saying That if the religion were not forbidden that his Catholike souldiers should come thither and that he would not keepe heretikes from spoyling as it appeareth plainly by his message sent to the lady Isabella duchesse of Cleues bearing date in Niuelles the 15 of September 1599 That in his presence it was fully concluded to ruine and spoile the king and the duke of Cleues enemies for such are his words If the archduke vsed such authoritie in a strange countrey where he had no command what hope is there that
in the Netherlands which the archduke and the Infanta hold to be their owne proper inheritance wherewith they may deale as they thinke good they shall haue the libertie of religion allowed them or thinke you that the duke in his voyage to Spaine hath altered his mind or that the pope of Rome with whom he spake at Ferara hath inspired him with a more peaceable spirit or that the Spanish Inquisitors and Iesuire counsell haue turned his heart Beleeue the contrarie without al doubt and that al these do stil counsel him vnto a more strict seuere course It may be some wil say That haply he hath receiued other counsell and aduice from his brother the emperor But looke into the emperors actions where you shall see that the towne of Aix which by vertue of the lawes of the empire had long enioyed the exercise of both religions was abandoned by him in prey vnto the enemy and who also did looke on and said nothing to the admirals proceedings who vsed so great force and violence against all right and reason vpon the territories of the empire Examin the actions of the rest of the house of Austria how the archduke Ferdinando not long since hath by force banished the religion out of Styrmarke and Carinthia which had bin allowed therein since the time of the emperor Ferdinando his grandfather making no account of the complaints protestations of the Estates of the countrey but esteemeth them as wind which is an introduction to a ciuile war and a meanes to lose the whole countrie wherin neither the authoritie of his grandfather and father the bloudy wars in France and the Netherlands nor yet the neerenesse of the Turke that bordereth vpon him can moue him to any tolleration touching religion neither will he once remember how vnreasonable a thing it is to force and restraine his subiects in that which the Turke himselfe permitteth vnto his which example agreeth with the answer made by the K. of Spaine to Charls archduke of Austria for that when as the emperor Maximilian a peaceable prince and no persecutor of the religion but temperat in all his actions sent his brother Charls archduke of Austria into Spain to moue the king vnto the like temperance setting before his eyes the commendable example of the emperor Charls 5 his father who had allowed the religious peace in Germanie and willed all men to obserue it before that the common people were brought into dispaire and were quite fallen from him He made a full and a resolute answer That he would rather lose the countrie for euer than endure the least wrong that might be offered touching religion You know well also in the peace of Cologne in an 1579 what fauor he granted to them of the religion which was that he would neither burne nor hang them but that they should be banished out of the countrey and must seeke for harbor and protection like the Iewes misbeleeuing Heathen in other countries This is the meaning of all the house of Austria at this present all moderation and mildnesse dyed with the emperor Maximilian and his sonnes haue suckt a bitter hatred out of their Spanish mothers brest against the religion and by their daily conuersation with the Iesuites are more more confirmed therin This is that which in the contracts of mariage made between the archduke the Infanta and was openly sold in Brabant so as there is no doubt of the authoritie therof was so firmly set downe That they shold make no alteration in religion vpon paine of forfeiture of the said countries which in such a case the king of Spaine may lawfully seize into his hands againe shewing without all doubt or dissimulation how firmely they will hold with the Inquisition of Spaine touching that point so that it would be a ten fold blindnesse and madnesse in any man to thinke that the archduke the Infanta in regard they haue a vain hope at one time or other to be masters of Holland Zeeland would conforme themselues in religion and grant them any libertie therein for the prophesie saith That necessarily the last Monarchy must be erected in Spaine as in the beginning the one succeeded the other out of the East into the West that is out of Asia into Grecia from thence to Rome the which is so imprinted in the hearts of the king and the Spanish counsell as they esteeme all meanes of accommodation to be needlesse and do constantly beleeue that they shall be masters ouer all and at last in spight of al the world shall satisfie their desires And they are persuaded that by means of such accommodation in religion they should break all correspondencie with the pope and thereby ouerthrow all hope of their expected Monarchy Neuerthelesse if according to the necessitie of the time hee seemeth to be any thing conformable therein and granteth some libertie to religion it will be no other thing for you but for a while to saue you from ruine the which shal be broken againe when as the Spanish and Iesuiticall counsell whereunto he is so strictly bound shal thinke the necessitie past according to the old canon That they are not bound to haue any faith or promise with heretikes which they name rebels who as the Spaniards say haue falsified their faithes both to God and to the king Look what doctor Ayda a Spaniard auditor generall of the prince of Parma's armie writeth in his booke of Martiall Law printed in Antuerp saying That all contracts and treaties made betweene the prince his subiects that beare armes against him are of no force nor power and that the subiects cannot helpe the same but they shall do wisely by humble petitions to craue pardon at their princes and lords hands and to commit their cause to his discretion Which Spanish doctor you ought heartily to thanke for his so true round and vpright dealing with you and to gouerne your selues thereafter if not at some time or other you may wrongfully complaine that you were deceiued for that doctor Ayda can plainly tell you that he had warned you thereof before and that you despised his counsell But to returne to our former matter Marke what good meanes they haue on the other side to deceiue you and to make al promises with a grace and faire shew to be of no effect for that when you shall haue obtained any freedome in religion which neuerthelesse shall neuer be the duke of Brabant may plainly say thus vnto you Seeing I haue let you enioy the freedome of your consciences because you haue alwayes said That God onely ought to rule ouer the same yet at the least shew me obedience in other worldly matters And so if he can by your simplicitie attaine thereunto to place all the officers judges and magistrats in towns and prouinces that he may haue the forts and strength in his owne power and become master of the whole then assure your selues to haue the
yoke laid vpon you no man being so simple but that perceiueth that the archduke in few yeares for it is a poore host that cannot forbeare one reckoning much better princes and kings that haue long armes will bring the matter to such a passe and so well conforme the Estates to his appetite and will as they themselues will make petitions and intreat to bee released of the exercise of the religion in such sort as he shal be moued to breake his word and to alter the articles not of himselfe but at the earnest suit of the Estates of the country Thus much you are in this respect to expect touching religion and the libertie thereof being the first and weightiest point And touching the priuiledges of the countrey I can tell you that the archdukes heart and intent is far from these faire shewes and great commendations For proofe whereof I will not lead you far but by his own actions will shew you and say That if he were from his heart addicted to gouerne and rule so fatherly as it is giuen forth and to redresse the complaints of the prouinces in this respect he would at least begin to make some shew of this good resolution vnto the Estates of Brabant Flanders Arthois and Henault the which now for these 20 yeres together haue sued and longed to bee freed and discharged from all strange souldiers that the counsell might bee all of Netherlanders and the offices giuen to naturall borne subiects being verie apparant that although they haue neglected their common countries cause and like slaues submitted themselues vnto the Spaniards they are not trusted in any thing of weight but thrust out of the counsell and strangers preferred before them who command in their castles and forts vsing all disorders and threatning the Estates with forcible contributions and that so impudently as in Antuerpe they haue forced the bourgmasters to appoint certain strumpets to serue their turns making them their bawds And is not this a sufficient forewarning wherby you may conclude that the archduke for your sakes whom hee calleth heretikes rebels wil not shew any fauor when he sheweth so little vnto thē that like obedient subiects humbly fal vpon their knees he cannot do otherwise nor make any alteration In preiudice of the King of Spaine of whome he holdeth these countries as in fee and with other hard conditions according to the contents of the contract of marriage hath bound the same with vnspeakeable Infraction of the said Prouinces freedome vnto the Crowne of Spaine thereby to inioy the Kings aid and on the other side faithfully to aid him to the erecting of his pretended Monarchie It is well knowne vnto them that these countries beeing seperated from Spaine and inioying their liberties and freedomes such a Monarchie can neuer be raised and therefore they haue long since resolued whatsoeuer it cost to reforme the priuiledges of the Netherlands that without hinderance of the same all the power and meanes of the Prouinces whether it bee money ships hauens sorts and all other thinges may be vsed to the subiecting and conquering of the neighbour countries as Germany France England and all others as their actions not long since put in practise did sufficiently declare how neere they would haue attained to their pretence if they had had the Netherlands absolutely vnder their command whereby you may conceiue what pollicie is vsed when men make you beleeue that the Archduke in regard of his weakenesse is lesse to bee feared and that from henceforth you shall haue to doe with your owne Prince and not with the King of Spaine and other strangers and that therefore you ought to laye all distrust aside whereas now it shall bee worse for you then euer in steed of one you shall haue to doe with two and in steed of one that is far of from you to whome all thinges must bee written ouer Seas and his resolution to bee attended in matters of great importance you shall alwayes haue the Archduke readie to imorace all occasions to surprize you By meanes of the Kings absence and the staying for his resolutions wee haue often seene many disseignes made voyd and lye dead but the Arch-duke alwaies sitting still by you and looking vnto you will alwaies bee listning and prying into all occasions and will strike when he seeth his time to your miserable destruction and ouerthrow much lesse also ought you to suffer your selues to bee deceiued by vaine wordes that the Arch-duke is descended of Duch blood and is no Spaniard but I say that beeing borne of a Spanish mother so strictly bound vnto the King of Spaine so Catholikely giuen of him-selfe and perswaded and incensed by the Iesuits you haue cause to expect lesse grace fauour and courtesie to releeue your miserable Estates then of any naturall Spaniard But now you may aske me what will be the issue shall wee still bee distrustfull and shal we cast away al hope of euer obtaining a good peace Heere-vnto I make answer that subiects must indure and beare much wrong and iniury at their Princes hands before they rise vp in armes against them not onely for their conscience sake seeing that God hath made them subiects vnto them and also commandeth them to be obedient and subiect euen vnto Infidell and Heathen Princes and Magistrates and to pray for them but also in respect of other worldly considerations and for that ciuill armes borne by subiects against their Princes although their case be good and lawsull doe often times breed more mischiefe then the tyranies of Princes which men thereby hope to withstand and may well be likened to a Phisition who curing of one disease breedeth a worse and many times bringeth the sicke patient into danger of death Wherefore they ought to arme them-selues with patience so long as there is no other meanes or councell to be had but when the subiects with all their patience and long sufferance cannot preuaile and the wrongs offered them by the Prince are so great as all diuine and humaine lawes permit them to deny him obedience as you with all possible and earthly meanes humilitie patience prayers intreaties and humble petitions haue to the vtmost acquitted your selues and not till then forced through meere extremitie sorsaken your Prince when as he in steed of answering your petitions caused your Ambassadors to bee put to death filled your townes and Prouinces with Spanish executioners and brake the articles wherevnto he was sworne at his installment seeking to rule both ouer your soules and consciences then I say there is no other councell nor meanes for the subiect that hath forsaken his Prince but to be couragious in fighting to defend his freedome as before he was humble in induring wrongs arming himselfe with a constant and fitte distrust against the deuises and practises of his Prince for that the naturall enmitie that is betweene the Cat and the Mouse cannot bee more vnreconcileable then the ingrafted hatred and
wrath of a great incensed potentate and Prince against his subiects by whom hee findes himselfe to bee left and reiected You shall finde no examples neither in ancient nor moderne histories that the subiects which once haue fallen from their Prince or that defended their owne freedomes or were fallen into greater slauerie and misery could euer finde any meane to worke their reconciliation and to procure restitution to their former estates vnlesse that their territories and countries were so strong and mightie as they had their owne assurance within themselues thereby at all times to force the agreement made to be held and obserued and to with-stand the Princes attempts which hee should make to the contrary Some say there was neuer any warre seene nor heard of but at the last it was ended by peace and that quarrels ought not alwayes to continue and bee without end I acknowledge that also to bee true and desire by my counsell to leade you vnto a good happy and an assured peace for that peace is obtained either by an accord or by victory Potentates and Princes may helpe themselues by both the said meanes and when victory denieth it them they may seeke to make an agreement and being made trust therevnto for that by meanes of hilles and valleys or deepe seas they are commonly seperated one from the other whereby one cannot so hastily inuade the other each of them hath his gouernment apart and holdeth his sword and strength in his hand to bee his owne warrant as soone as hee shall finde any cause of distrust but betweene you and the reconciled enemy there are no walles to part you You must lay your heads in his lap deliuer vp all your aduantage armes and gouernment and haue no meanes at all of warrant assurance or trust but at your deadly enemies discretion and mercie which in so hard a case is dangerous to prooue And therefore you must seeke by victorie to get peace with resolution either to dye valiantly or couraigously to obtaine the victorie The third meane or midle way of againe receiuing the once lawfully forsaken and disauowed Prince diuerse countries and nations whereof too many examples are extant haue hardly attained vnto but by meanes of valiant and couragious continuance in armes which some haue wisely chosen and haue in the end obtained a desired peace and rest whereof I will set downe a fewe examples which are very well knowne vnto euery man and as yet fresh and perfect in memory By this meanes the Switzers being hardly dealt withall by the house of Austria would no more subiect themselues vnder the same yoake but by meanes of their constant resolution they obtained such freedome as at this day they are seene to flourish and yet their warres continued not any thing the longer God Almighty by his wonderfull prouidence ordered the matter in such sort as the house of Austria itselfe refrained from armes and in tract of time had neede of the ayde and assistance of the Switzers who after they had made warres together for the space of a hundred yeares and many times made peace and truce for a time which was alwayes broken by the house of Austria at last Sigismond Duke of Austria made a perpetuall peace permitting them to enioy their full freedome the which the Emperour Maximilian the first and Charles the fift both of the house of Austria did afterwards ratifie and confirme and had great ayde and assistance from the Switzers in their Italian warres In like case also they of Denmarke would by no meanes bee perswaded to accept of Christian King of Denmarke whom they had driuen out of the countrie although the Emperor Charles the fift his brother in lawe and others both by armes and intreaties imbraced the cause and yet neither the Switzers nor the Danes had not so waightie lawfull nor well grounded a cause for the leauing of their sayd Princes nor yet endured the hundred part of the oppressions and wrongs nor shewed so much patience as the Netherlanders but the example of the Machabees which is found in the holy Scriptures is most agreeable with your case concerning religion for they would not be any more vnder the yoake of Antiochus whom they had reiected but continued so long in armes vntill the Prince him-selfe became weary and suffered then to liue in peace so you by a valiant resolution and continuance in armes are to expect and hope for a great furtherance and blessing from God almighty who thus long hath so wonderfully assisted you and will still helpe and assist you in regard that you are compelled to fight not onely for your old and commendable fredomes and liberties but also for his and his Churches honor Now al men of any sound iudgement wil conceaue whether the present Estate of the Netherlands at this day be not like vnto that and it is to be hoped that the King of Spaine and the Archduke Albertus will at the last by your constant resolutions be brought to the consideration of the bad aduise and counsell which they haue thus long followed and be weary of this pestiferous warre being a canker eating into their tresure and ouerslipping and neglecting of other notable occasions and conquests and great danger and trouble for many of their countries and kingdomes and will giue place to better counsell as their progenitors did in respect of the Switzers suffering the Netherlands peaceably to enioy their freedom and religion and vse there aid and friendshippe in other actions which may procure them ten times more profit where-vnto all Spanish nations that border on the seas in respect of their necessary trade and mutuall trafficke will be great furtherers and by humble petitions if they see your constancy still resolute to continew moue the King to yeeld therevnto for that without doubt they indure more trouble and hinderance by the prohibition of sea-faring then the Netherlanders other-wise the King that last died would not haue permitted the same for so many yeares euen in the heate of all his warres This is the true and onely meanes to attaine vnto an assured peace and quietnesse all other meanes and agreements are mixed with many cares and suspitions the common nature of men cannot subiect them-selues after the leauing and reiecting of their King neither can he put any assured trust or confidence againe in you nor you in him although in regard of your good nature and vpright heartes you suffer your selues to be perswaded to cast of all feare and distrust wherin alwaies the weakest haue the greatest cause and to iudge other mens hearts by your owne hoping that men will deale in like-sort without faulse-hood with you as you do with them and yet there is nothing more certaine then that the said distrust will neuer be remooed out of the King and the Arch-dukes hearts which no man knoweth better then their owne counselors that speake so much of casting of all distrust for they will alwaies put their
nobility in mindâ—… of that which you once haue done and that you will attempt to do it againe at someother time counseling them therefore by preuention so to shorten and clip your wings and to put such a bit into your mouth as they may be assured and out of doubt thereof These arguments and naturall reasons grounded vpon mutuall care cannot by any meanes be taken from you for say that the Emperor the Pope the King of France England and other Princes make promises and bind them-selues that the Articles concluded shall bee truly and fully obserued and kept what will that helpe you you must neuer the lesse lay your head in your reconcled ennemies lap you must liue vnder his fauor and at his deuotion but when soeuer you are executed or other wise oppressed and haue no meanes nor power to helpe your selues which of these cautions will you charge with his promise before what iudge wil you plead your cause who shall serue execution vpon the principall debtor or the suerty paraduenture you thinke that if the Pope warrenteth the contract and put his seale there-vnto with declaration that the old cannon which is not to hold any faith with heretickes in that respect shall bee of no force that as then you are well assured but say that the Pope that now is did it who shall assure you that his successor will confirme it may he not say my predecessor erred I haue the the power to breake as being voyde and of none effect what so euer is done against the Catholike Religon let it bee done by whome soeuer it will but bee it that the Poope saith not so may not the King of Spaine him-selfe maintaine and say that vppon many waighty reasons hee being a soueraigne monarch who is not subiect to any iudge what soeuer may discharge himselfe of his contract and dispence there-with according to the argument of Docter Ayala aforesayd as in effect the King that last died brake and recalled al his contracts made for certaine years with the Italian marchants and thus you shall finde your selues intrapped on euery side wheresoeuer you turne you As touching the securitie of Princes and Potentates it is meere follie once to thinke that any sureties will beginne or vndertake for to make warres in your behalfe no man halteth for an other mans lamenesse the charges and the troubles of warres are so great as no man will take them in hand for the loue or profit of strangers yea men feare to enter thereinto although they should thereby reuenge their owne wrongs Looke into the Articles of peace made betweene the Kings of France and Spaine in the yeare of our Lord 1598. haue not the Spaniards by taking of townes vpon the confines of the Empire by ouer running Cleaue-land and other neighbour countries and by ransaking spoyling and offering of a thousand wrongs broken the same and yet France will not make any warres in the behalfe of those countries looke into the example of the Queene of England of famous memorie late deceased that although the King of Spaine sought by many practises and open force to inuade her crowne and countrie yet how vnwilling shee was neuerthelesse to assaile him with a iust offensiue warre but was content to defend her owne notwithstanding that by your aide and with halfe charges shee might haue assured her Estate What hope haue you then to expect that any forraine Prince when soeuer you shal be oppressed and that the charges must onely fall vpon him will reuenge your wrongs To speake of the Emperor it is needelesse for that no man is so simple as not to conceiue that there is more partialitie then trust to bee expected at his hands But you say the Emperor and the Princes of Germanie yea and the whole Empire doe of themselues offer to imbrace our cause and as good mediators will procure vs a good peac shall wee distrust both enemies and friends and heare no mans counsell I answere that you haue more then to many reasons to suspect all whatsoeuer that commeth from the Emperor not onely in regard of his neerenesse of bloud vnto the King of Spaine and the Arch-duke but in respect of his owne actions and proceedings against them of the Religion of Aix and namely against his owne subiects in Bohemia Hungaria Austria Slesia and other his countries hauing also winckt at the Admirall of Arragons actions and left the oppressed subiects of the borders of the Empire comfortlesse As touching the Empire and the Princes thereof although that many of them are well to be trusted yet diuers of them depend vpon the Pope and consequently on Spaine In the yeare of our Lord 1598. you saw the bad agreement that was amongst them and the slowenesse they vsed in helping and comforting of their oppressed members togither with the badde gouernment of their affaires by reason of the great number of diuerslie affected leaders All of them togither by their Ambasages and admonitions seeke to procure a peace for the profit and commoditie of the Netherlands but much more for their owne perswading themselues that by the Netherlandes warre they receiue some hurt and preiudice and fall into many extreamities seeking and desiring therefore to cease them let the Religion and your preuiledges doe as they may And whensoeuer artciles should bee broken they will doe much lesse for you then they haue done for their vnited companions and members of the Empire negligently ouerslipping the great daunger that approcheth them as soone as the Netherlanders which God forbid should bee brought into subiection and they that vnderstand the same as there are some will neuer giue you counsell to liue vnder the Spaniardes subiection but will humblie thanke you that you still continue as a stronge bul-warke for them and turne awaie the warres Touching other Princes of Christendome there is no hope to be had in regard of their weakenesse Therefore beloued Netherlanders helpe your selues and God will help you be not deceiued by cunning practises seeing you haue by armes maintained your cause so long put not your trust in any man but in the vprightnesse of your cause and Gods assured aid who for these 37. yeares in strange alterations and feareful accidents hath vpholden defended and brought you to this present estate from henceforth by his mighty hand shall lead and conduct you if you hold fast by his word and will follow his starre of direction as the wise men in the East did thinke often vpon things past set former actions before your eyes and therein as in a cleare glasse you shall rightly learne to know Gods mercies shewed vnto you were not the first beginning of these troubles wonderfull and strange In anno 1566. there rose such a zeale in the chiefe Noblemen of the Netherlands to defend the liberties of their natiue country as they bound themselues there-vnto There was such an assemblie of the common people in all townes by thousands such a
common hatred against the Inquisition as all Christendome spake thereof and made men iudge that nothing could stoppe or hinder the violence of such a streame But by Gods prouidence who would try and proue your constancies confounding all this great shew and hope by the subtile direction of a woman and the fearefull approach of the Duke of Alua which seperated the vnited Gentlemen and caused the common people to flye or to hide them-selues The Duke of Alua comming with a handfull of soldiers in regard of the great numbers of the Inhabitants of the Netherlands without any contradiction did what hee pleased in cutting off heades hanging and burning and building of Castles some of the great Princes fledde the country some did helpe to further and fortifie his cruelties no man durst striue against it or once put forth his hand as if they had all beene bound or sencelesse and as then the hope of any releefe was much lesse then the feare of any opposition and the dispaire more greater then the ioye and content was in the beginning The Prince of Orange with the aid of his friendes in germany and some releefe of such as fledde out of the countrie twise brought a good number of horse and foote with him which without feare might haue gone against the Turke past ouer the Meuze entred into the heart of the country gaue some new hope but his power and your comfort was of as smal continuance as a fire of straw The Duke of Aluaes crueltie especially after the first enterprize was more strengthned then impaired and in the second which was partly grounded vpon the fauor and aid of France the French men soone fell from him and murthered those of the religion whereby the Prince perceiued that hee had leaned to a deceitfull reed that not onely fayled him but thrust him through the hand He was forsaken of the Dutch soldiers and so if there were any hope resting it was soone taken away but when as the case seemed desperate in regard of men God appeared vnto you with some comfort who stirred vp the hearts of them of Holland with a new zeale to receiue the Prince of Orange and to resist and withstand the Duke of Alua to the great admiration of all worldy wise men who esteemed it for madnesse that Marchants Saylers and Fishermen and a nation who in regard of their continuall and long peace were vnaccustomed to armes and as vnfitte as it seemed for the warres as a Cow to daunce esteemed so little of the Duke of Alua as they thought it needlesse for them to put garrisons into their townes durst begin so stout a peece of worke against the power of such a King against the most renowned Generall or Leader of an Armie in Christendome to whome all the other Prouinces which had the greatest part of Noblemen and Gentlemen amongst them and such as had borne armes in the French warres had submitted bowed and kneeled besides that hauing no other support to relye on but a Prince who had beene forced to leaue the field who was abandoned by his soldiers and was refused entrie into any of the townes of Brabant Flanders and others and which is more who acknowledged his owne weakenesse and least they should be deceiued fore-warned many of their townes that they should ouer-rule their zeale and not bee so hastie but first to prouide for money victuals munition and other necessaries make strong their townes and then shew them-selues as enemies sending them word also that if they had not good regard to them-selues they might bee ouerrunne before they could send them soldiers to aid them who can esteeme this but for a wonderfull worke of God who helpeth not when there is least need but sheweth his power in assisting when men are almost in dispaire that they may onely ascribe the glory vnto him and praise and thanke him the more All particuler accidents whereby GOD almighty during the warres in Holland hath shewed his gratious aid and mighty power as when after the losse of Harlem hee sent the spirrit of dissention amongst the Spanish armie that the towne of Alâ—…kmaer had time to breath and to defend it selfe when miraculously hee wrought the releeuing of Leyden when wiâ—…h a short thawe he set at libertie the frozen shippes of war in the Zuyder-Zee and presently againe caused the Riuer to freese when they being vnfrozen were past by Horne with other strange effects which for breuitie sake I will omit it is a sufficient wonder that this weake vnarmed and as vnaccustomed a nation to the wars as any whatsoeuer vnder the cope of heauen without any other Potentates aid could for the space of foure yeares togither withstand the great power of such a Monarch who was so much incensed with bitter hatred and spleene against this small Prouince as he left his great aduantage which the victory wonne by Don Iohn at Lepanto had giuen him against the Turke to reuenge his wrath conceiued against them of Holland and Zealand and to that end hee made a truce with the Turke and maintained peace with all his neighbours thereabouts that hee might heere imploy all his â—…orces and treasor hauing also as great and strong an armie composed of a number of old experienced soldiers of diuers nations as Spaniards Germaines and Italiens and of braue commanders with aboundance of Ordinance Munition Victualls and all other necessaries for the warre as euer was seene in these foure yeares it was seene that by reason of the Kings mighty power and force and the weakenesse of the parties defendants which were not accustomed to armes many townes and Forts were beseeged and taken the rest seeming in a manner to wauer so as they of Holland and Zealand were glad to hearken to the peace of Breda where the country people were offered libertie to sell their goods and to go and dwell in other places out of the countrie where-vppon they chose rather to fight and die valiantly in their owne countrie then to wander comfortlesse in strange Regions But when the enemie after the winning of Ziriczee thought to set his foote vppon their throates and that hee held the victory assured in his owne hands and that some of the neighbours grieued and others laught and thought that as then they should suffer the punishment of their follie To conclude when all the wise men of the world thought Gods helpe to be furthest from them it was neerest vnto them who prouided in such sort as the other Prouinces which seemed to sit vnder the great Kings grace and protection were more impatient to beare the great oppressions of the soldiers their friendes then Holland and Zealand were to indure the bloody blowes and woundes of their deadly enemies vsing a kind of releefe whereon the wisest and sharpest witted of them all neuer dreampt off which was that both Abbots and Prelates with diuers others who had all that time aided the enemie to subuert the religion and
the liberties of Holland and Zealand now vnexpected releeued and deliuered them out of their necessitie and trouble making the peace at Gant with them from the which that your eyes and hearts might againe bee withdrawne from mortall ayde and relye more vppon GOD they fell againe and remayned no longer constant therein but vntill that their countriemen and those of the religion had gotten their heads aboue water and taken breath after that you sought other forraine ayd the which how much greater they were in outward appearance and worldly respect the greater blow they gaue vnto your Estate some made the shippe euen to cracke againe and some ranne it almost on ground You are alwayes much bound to praise and commend the affection of the famous and praise worthy Queene of England although some of hir Commanders brought your Estate for a while into no small combustion the best most assâ—…ed most constant ayd you had alwaies from your selues yet before all things you must craue it at GODS handes who till this time neuer fayled you at all What better assurance of his fatherly regard and care for your preseruation can you haue then that hee hath defended you contrary to all mens expectations not onely against the power and force of forreyne enemies but also against so many domesticall deceipts practises and treasons your owne protectors and Gouernors sought to deceiue you as the Earle of Renebergh in Freezeland and Ouerissell the Earle of Bergh in Gelderland and in the Earldome of Zutphen and the Prince of Chymay in Flanders The chiefe of your Deputies sent to the treatie of Cologne in anno 1579. as the Duke of Arschot the Lord of Grobbendoncke and the Abbot of Maroles were better affected to the enemie then to you and sought to deliuer you into their handes but all their long pretended councell and as they thought most secretly contriued Gods powerfull hand confounded and like Achitophels wisdome brought it to nought It is not impossible in mans iudgement that the losse of so many townes so many treasons so many crosses in battailes giuen in the field as at Hardenberge heath at Gemblours at Northoorn at the Borentang at Boxum and elsewhere The losse of the strongest townes in the countrie which were partly taken by force and famine and some willingly falling from you could not ouerthrow yours nor better the enemies state You see the people by meanes of ouerthrowes and other losses became vigilant wiser and more prouident all your losses were to your furtherance and the enemies victories turned to his owne hurt the populous and rich townes of marchandise vnder his command by his triumphes in the twinckling of an eye became poore desolate and empty both of men and tafficke yours in all crosses and aduersities had meanes to increase and inrich them-selues Villages became Townes and weake Townes made inuincible those that before were great and strong you were forced to make them more spatious greater because they could not comprehend the multitude of people which sought to inhabit within them Euery yeare you haue built an innumerable number of shippes of war made infinite store of Ordinance all manner of weapons munition and other necessaries for the warres but aboue all the experience of the warres increaseth and teacheth yoâ—… rightly to know how to vse that power and meanes which God hath giuen you You haue reduced your contributions into good order GOD sheweth you how to trade in strange countries which before were not knowne by you and blesseth the same euery yeare more and more in dispight and to the subuersion and hinderance of the Kingdomes of Spaine and with no small admiration of all nations who thereby see that God withdraweth the trade and trafficke from the King and the whole countrie of Spaine and directeth it vnto you and giueth you such power at Sea as you are able to inuade Spaine and other places To the contrary they see that all the Kings proceedings goe backeward that the cancker and cursse is falne into his treasor that hee notwithstanding all his money of the Indies must breake his credit with the Marchants and disauow his contracts that hee is continually vexed with mutinies of soldiers that are vnpaid they see clearly that as now their reputation and name is greater then his power that hee must indure that you inuade and braue him in his owne countries and Hauens and that in steed of striking terror into others hee him-selfe must feare Finally hee must needes bee blinde that from these wonders doth not acknowledge his fatherly blessings vnto you and his wrath and displeasure vppon the Kings house who acknowledgeth not the honor power and dignitie wherein it is placed by God but to the rooting out of his word and Church to the procuring of all troubles in Christendome and to the ouer-running of strange countries where-vnto they had no right wherein they haue shedde much Christian bloud for the which God is iustly offended Therefore oh Netherlands seeing you haue for so many yeers defended your freedomes of soule and body and likewise spent so much blood and treasor in the sayd quarrell and caused your name and fame to bee spread abroade throughout all the world now at the last leaue not of your labour when the greatest wants and greatest dangers are past That which remaineth with the helpe of God is but small now you doe dayly see your enemies decay both in power and riches and their ruine approching You haue seene the end of King Philip the second that with all his treasure wise counsellors great respect authoritie and experience and continuall labour for thirtie yeares together lost more then hee gotte from you Much more hope is there then that by Gods grace you shall goe thorough with the cause to your honor against his sonne whose counsell authoritie and experience is nothing comparable vnto that of his Father who findeth the spring of his treasures exhausted and drawne drie and his credit weakned whose imposts and reuenues by meanes of forbidding trade and traffike and your happy new trade decrease and his charges increase for that continually both by Sea and by land vppon the coast of Spaine and others his kingdomes hee must arme against you and withall thinke vpon his owne defence whereas his father oâ—…ely practised and deuised how hee might ouer-come and vanquish you Suffer not your selues as in the beginning you were deceiued by the Duches of of Parma to bee againe now at the last circumuented with policie and faire speeches for the treasure of Spaine will not come so aboundantly vnto them as it hath done neither shall they bee able to drawe it from the bare and impouerished Prouinces which through their gouernment will soone bee wearied and seeke some alteration bee not slacke yet for a short time to continue your liberall contributions for the freedome that is bought therewith is not to bee valued by any treasure you neede not so to feare and
and disorder in the countrey as also from all the practises of Iesuites and others that seeke not the peace and quietnesse but rather the disturbance of the countrey which bookes were the better to be borne withall for that in so great and vncertaine an alteration of an estate as is now likely to happen in these countries they proceeded from such men as are well willers to their countrey and which take no pleasure in warres but with all their hearts wish and desire peace so it may bee honourable godly and well assured for them yet could perceiue nothing else but that vnder the shadow thereof some secret practises might bee wrought tending to the ouerthrow and subuersion of these countries the which otherwise in a publike gouernment such as is vsed in the Netherlands is not well nor easily to be hindered whereof the reader by the books themselues shall haue better tast and information which for that they are not pertinent vnto the hystorie I thought good to omit and referre the reader vnto the books themselues which are extant By meanes of fryer Iohn Nayens departure for Spaine many men began to find that the treatie of peace was likely to continue long for that they were to stay fortie dayes for his returne backe againe and were the more easily mooued to beleeue it for that during his absence little or rather nothing at all was done by the rest of the deputies that thereby they might not discouer themselues for that they were vncertaine whether their princes would accept and allow of those articles and againe that they were to haue a more ample commission to treat of so many articles as the Estates had propounded and deliuered vnto them and that therefore they would so manage their businesse either by themselues or by others as that frier Iohn Nayen should be returned backe againe before they would proceed any further in the treatie and it fell out well to the purpose for them that in the beginning of Aprill the Estates for the most part repaired to their own prouinces and the Estates of Holland also for a time so as thereby it rather seemed to be delayed off by the absence of the Estates themselues than by the deputies for Spaine for that they alwaies gaue forth that they were readie to proceed in the treatie although that in long time they had not once sought to enter into any conference or meeting Meane time there came a flying newes out of Brabant that vpon good Friday there was a dispatch brought thither out of Spaine the contents thereof beeing That the king of Spaine would not graunt nor allow these countries any traffique at all into the Indies nor to any places thereof and that the Estates subiects were presently to desist and leaue off the same and secondly That the king would haue his deputies insist and vrge free exercise of religion and grant of churches for the papists those of the Romish religion that were in the vnited prouinces and that openly and in all places or otherwise that they should leaue off and breake vp the said treatie Which newes made many men that were in good hope of the treatie of peace to be much disquieted in mind perceiuing that the proceedings and consequences thereof were so dangerous as without the hazarding of the whole state of the countrie they could not graunt that point vnto those of the Romish religion at the request and motion of the enemies of the countrie but it could not bee vnderstood long after whether this answer out of Spaine were of such effect or not yet they found that marquesse Spinola and the rest of the deputies were not much pleased when they had receiued the said answer or were aduertised thereof Many embassadours of forraine princes as those of Munster Cleue and Cologne when they perceiued the long proceedings of the treatie tooke their leaues and departed from the Hage the like did many earles and other noble men as the earle of Benthen the earle of Hohenloo cousin to that earle of Hohenloo which had done so great seruice to the Estates in formertimes and others We haue shewed before that frier Iohn Nayen was gonne into Spaine and that hee was to returne againe within fourtie daies after who not comming at the day appointed gaue many men cause of great suspition and the rather for that it was giuen out by some of the king of Spaines ministers and seruants that the king was not resolued to leaue his soueraigntie but to hold it still and to further the Catholike religion and how that in Fraunce the Spaniards boasted what great aduantage and profit they had gotten by the treatie of peace late made reporting the same to be much more than they expected with such like words the frier comming not againe and Don Pedro de Toledo embassadour for the king of Spaine beeing come into Fraunce not onely to make certaine propositions of mariage but also to intreat of this peace The Estates of the vnited prouinces attended the returne of president Ianin embassador for the French king in the Netherlands who till the comming of the said Don Pedro de Toledo was staied by the king in Fraunce but the said king hauing giuen audience to Dom Pedro de Toledo he presently sent president Ianin backe againe into Holland with letters of credit who vpon the seauenth of August arriuing in the Hage the next day had audience of the generall Estates where he shewed them what great affection the king his master bare vnto the preseruation and maintenance of their estate as well in peace as warres and how that Dom Pedro de Toledo in the name of the king of Spaine his master had made complaint vnto the French king touching the aid and assistance which the said king gaue vnto the vnited prouinces contrarie to the treatie of peace made at Veruins and what disliking the said king of Spaine had therof offering all kindnesse and friendship in the king his masters name vnto the French king for the preseruation of their particular estates if he would leaue off to assist and abandon the said vnited prouinces whereunto he said that the king his master made answer that he could by no meanes leaue them and that his alliance with them was not contrarie to the said treatie of peace made at Veruins alledging that the king of Spaine for his part had done much against the said treatie or at least permitted it to be done by his ministers which he declared vnto them at large saying also that the king aduised them to make a peace if it might be concluded vpon reasonable conditions and that to the same end they should with all speed mooue the deputies for the king of Spaine and the archdukes to proceed to a conclusion thereof and that they should not stay any longer for the returne of frier Iohn Nayen for that there was no apparance nor likelihood that they should get any further or other
The Emperors letter to the princes â—…lectors The Emâ—…erors departure out of the Netherlands 1556 King Philips age King Philips proceeding after the emperors departure King Philip makes an excessiue demaÌ„d of the Netherlanders A great famin in the Netherlands The king coâ—…es out of â—…ngland to â—…is A fight at sea betweene the Hollanders the FrenchmeÌ„ Mary queen of England â—…roclaimeth open war against France S. Quintains besieged by king Philip. The battaile of 〈◊〉 Quintines The names of the noblemen of France thâ—…t were sâ—…e taken prisoners S. Quintine won the admiral of France with monsieur Daudelot his brother taken prisoners Peace made with the pope Calis taken by 〈◊〉 French meÌ„ * E. Demetrius 1558 Guynes woon by the French men Mary queen of Scots maried to the Dolphin of France Theonuille woon by the French men Duynkâ—…rke woâ—…n by the â—…nch men The battaileoâ—… Graueling in Flanders Mary queen of England died The death of queen â—…enor and queen Mary sistâ—…rs to â—…he emperour Charles the 5. The death of the emperour Charles the 5. Treatie of peace between France and Spaine Articles of the peace made at Cambresis Heâ—…ry king of France slâ—…ine aâ—… a running at 〈◊〉 The death of Pope Paule the fourth The lady Marguerite aduanced to the gouernment by the Cardinals meanes A petition mâ—…de by the states to king Philip to send the Spaniards out of the Netherlands King Philip 〈◊〉 from Vlishâ—…g into Spaine The Bible called Complutensis printed in Antuerpe at the costs and charges of K. Philip. A briefe declaration of the priuiledges of Brabant The libâ—…ralitie of thâ—… NetherlaÌ„dâ—…s to their lords and princes The emperour Charls thoght to haue reduced the Netherlands all into one kingdome Vnder pretence of religion othermeans were sought to take the priuiledges of the Netherlands from them The Inquâ—…tion nâ—…t suffered to proceed in the NetherlaÌ„ds oy means of Mary queen of Hungarie Inquisitors of the Faith made Thâ—… liâ—… of cardâ—…l 〈◊〉 His â—…randfather Hâ—…s father â—…is 〈◊〉 to hâ—…ue thâ—… king 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of â—…s couâ—…sel How he preuented the enuy of the couâ—… The cardinalâ—… priuat life His adultery luxury The Cardinals codpisse Hath made the king Golette misse His inchantments and witchcrâ—…t His contempt of the word of God The clergie at debate for the new bishops Deputies sent from Antuâ—…rpe to the king of Spâ—…ne touching the bishops The lord of Monâ—… sent â—…to Spain 1563 Letters of complâ—…int vntâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…g agâ—… the cardinall The kings answer The noblemens reply The cardinal called back into Spaine The pâ—…ution oâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ster 1564 Difference betwixt England and the Netherlands The abbey of Ouwergâ—…m â—…obd The earle of Egmont sent into Spaine 1565 The kings letters other than were expected Execution of the edicts Introduction of the Inquisition To put tâ—…e couâ—…ll of Treâ—…t in praâ—…e The Gouernesse sâ—…ters to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The prince of Oranges letter to the dutches Touching the execution of edicts The prince excuseâ—…h himself fâ—…oÌ„ this châ—…rge The Gouernesse sends for the prince of Orange to come to Brussels The magistrat of Antuerpe sendeth to the Gouernesse A bloudie resolution A dâ—…scourse of Fâ—…s Baudwins teaching the meanes to â—…uent the trouâ—…s Definition of this word Reâ—…on The minds of men cannot be commanded by force Couetousnes and ambition doe more than torments They must giue audience to them of the religion Mahumet forbids to dispute of his religion They of the reliâ—…on neuer heard with patience The holy Scripture as powerful now as euer to confute heresies Counsels reiâ—…cted by some bishops The word of God must determine of controuersies If it were fit to hinder the exercise of Religion Abuse in the Church the cause of great 〈◊〉 The christians in old timâ—…s assembled in the deserts He that is disloyâ—…ll vnto God wil be also vnto the king Fuseâ—…ius in the life of Constantine Emperor A good consideration touching the 〈◊〉 of the Netherlands No sorts maintaine kings so much as the loue of their subiects The cause of the troubles in France Great numbers haue forsaken the Netherlands for Religion Thâ—…t those of the 〈◊〉 are 〈◊〉 â—…ll of base condâ—…on Most oâ—… the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and best wâ—…ts â—…re of the 〈◊〉 In the end they shall be forced to grant liberâ—…e of religion Obiections against â—…ee excrâ—…se of â—…ligion Answer to the first obiection It is no new 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…row 〈…〉 〈◊〉 the diuersitie oâ—…â—…ons 〈…〉 pâ—…ons Note this counsell An assembly of the nobles at the mariage of the prince of Parma The noblemen assemble at S. Trudon touching the troubles A compromise of the nobles of the Netherlands Diuers opinions of the confederation of the Netherlands The verie words of the Inquisitors commission The vaunts and threats of priests and preachers incenseth the people Prouinces of the Netherlands confederats with the empire Six chiefe articles in the priuiledges of Brabant Deputies of the nobles with a petition at an imperiall Diet. The gouernors â—…nd knights of the order sent for to court The Gouernesse writes to the king all the â—…res of the Netherlands The Gouernâ—… pâ—…th thâ—…â—…es oâ—…â—…bant A proiect to moderat the edicts A petition sent by them of Brabant to the king of Spaine They would hâ—…ue Brabant â—…or an enemy by reason of their priuiledges 〈…〉 An ambiguous and rigoróus apostile to the petition of them of Flanders A second petition made by them of Flanders against the Inquisition The beginning of the Gueux by the which the protestants in the Netherlands were called The lord of Brederode his speech presenting the petition The petition of the nobles against the Inquisition c. The petition of the nobles interpreted to rebellion The Gouernesse answere to the petition of the nobles The Gouernesse policie The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 The contents of the moderation of the proclâ—…tion for Religion The commission of the embassadors of the Netherlands declared vnto the king An answer of the â—…obles to the duâ—…sse excuse 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 The earle of Megen and others The duchesse perplexed for the answer of the nobles Two factions in Antuerpe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A petition made by the reformed churches to the magistrat of Antuerpe The prince of Orange seekes to order things 〈◊〉 Antuerpe Dist ust the cause of troubles in Antuerpe The prince requires a leuie of 1200 men in Antuerpe The answer of the great counsell and the members of Antuerpe to the princes proposition Another occasion of trouble in Antuerpe It seemes the duchesse deâ—… to â—…at the people for small matters An explanation oâ—…â—…o blâ—… answer to the duchesse The noblemen insist vpon their assurance The prince of Orange and the earles of Egmont and Horne The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Goueâ—… nâ—…se â—…s to the townes of the Netherlands Troubles in Antuerpe Foure reasons why they kept their preaching in Antuerp Iust â—…tion of the commons sent vnto the prince touching the preaching The breaking of images begâ—…n iâ—…
A decree made by the states to entertaine the pacification of Gant Friars burnt â—…or Sodomie at Gant and Bruges What Cornellis a Franciâ—…an Friar of Bruges was 1578 Saint Aldegonds oration made at the assembly oâ—… the Princes of tâ—…e Empire holden at Worms in the yeare 1578. 1578. A small defeat of the Spaniards by the French The Spaniards beseege Lâ—…mbourg 1578 The Castle of Heude trea cherâ—…usly deliuered to the Prince of Parma Octauio Gonzague preuailes 〈◊〉 â—…le in Henault The death of the Countesse of Egmont The duke of Aniou comes to succor the states 1578. An vnworthy and cruel â—…act of captaine Pont and well reuenged Mary 〈◊〉 more worthy of commendation then Lucrece Don Iohn resolues to charge the states at Remenant 1578. The great skirmish by Rymenant 1578. A tumult at Valencienes The duke of Anicus capitulation with the States The duke of Anious 〈◊〉 1578 The states ar mie vnprâ—…table for want of pay The beginning of the male-contents A great skirmish neere vnto Louvain Three castles taken by the states at one instant Some companâ—… of mâ—…contents surprized at Gaure Menin surprized by the Male-contents 1578. Temples granted in diuers place to the Protestants Peace propounded to Don Iohn by forren Princes 1578 Don Iohn refuseth to make peace but desireth to haue a truce The causes that moued the Stats to tolerate them of the religion The Protestants request for a religious peace 1578. 1578. The states resolution touching a religious peace The preface of the religious peace 1578. The articles of the religious peace 1578 1578. 1578. The Gentlemen in Brussels present a request against 〈◊〉 religious â—…ce Champigni committed to â—…on 1578. Duke Cassimires armie The Prelates and Nobles prisoners in Friseland escape Secret practises in Arras Diuers committed to prison in Arraâ—… 1578. The names of fifteene Deputies in Arras 1578 The States of Arthois â—…eld extraordinarily The Magistrats of Arras seazâ—…d on The Magistratâ—… of Arraâ—… iâ—…larged reueng themselues 1578. The Seignior of Gosson beâ—…dded in Arras Duke Casimire comes to Gant 1578 The death of Don Iohn of Austria 1578. 1578. 1578. 1578 Bins taken by the Duke of Anicu The Ganthoiâ—… defeated 1578. Iames Hassel and visâ—…h hanged at Gaâ—…t The Duke of Parmâ—… pâ—…eth the Meuse The taking of Carpen. The States actiâ—…s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1579. Articles propounded to the Ganthois Deputies sent to tâ—…e Ganthois Offers made by the duke of Aniou to the Ganthois The Queene of Englands declaration to the Ganthois 1578. Deputies from Brusselles to Gant The Ganthois answer to the articles propounder vnto them Articles propounded to the Ganthois by the generall estâ—…ts 1578 The Princes reasons to perswade the Ganthois to Concord The Romish Religion established in Gant vpon certaine conditions All things reconcilâ—…d in Gant 1578 The Malecontents treated witâ—… but in vâ—…e The vicont of Gant and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in â—…ue the States The retreâ—…t of Duke Casiâ—… 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 army 1578. Deuenter yeelded to the States Cont Swartzenbergh purâ—…ues his legation The death of Cont Bossu The Duke of Anious retreat into France 1579. 1579. The English men take the Abbot of S. Michaell The coullord reasons of the Malecontents Diuers Knights and Gentlemen câ—…upted wâ—…th money by the Spaniaâ—…ds 1579. An accord made by the Baron of Montigni A confirmation of the Baron of Montignieâ—… accord 1579. Letters from them of Lille Douay and Orchies to the generall Estates 1579. The States answere to them of Lille 1579. 1579. Mastricht beseeged by the Prince of Parma The Prince of Espinoy tempted Instructions giuen to the signior of Charpesteau Hee meâ—…nes the Duke of Aniou whom the Earle of Lalain had called or the Prince of Orange or Duke Casimire iudge â—…ich 1579. 1579. They of Tournay and Tournesis refuse to Enter the reconciliauon Deputies sent from Brusselâ—…s to the States of Arthois La Noue makes vvarre in Flanders 1579 1579. 1579. 1579. 1579 Many enter into the vnion of Vâ—…echt The signior of Boxtel gouernor of Boisleduc 1579. Fears seizeth vpon the Protestants of Boisledue 1579 Groningen refusing the vnion is forced A tumult at Bruges for the vnion A Collonel made in hast and by force 1579. The States more quicke to succor Bruges Maestricht beseeged by the Prince of Parma 1579. An assault appointed A braue assault well defended A deere Assault without any fuite They of Antwerp â—…bot to releeue Maestricht 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this 〈◊〉 1579. A tumult in Antwerp at a generall procession 1579 The Priests Monks chased out of Antwerp by the people A shamefull enterprise made by the Earle of Egmont 1579. The Liegeois helpe the Spaniards at the campe before Maestricht The states negligent to succor Mastrient An other assault whereas the signior of Hierges was slaine 1579. An assault giuen to Mastricht during a part and the towne taken with fury Captaine Bastien taken prisoner A priuat reconciliation of Arthois Henault c. 1579. 1579 1579. 1579. 1579. Many tovvnes enter into this priuat reconciliation The treaty of Cologne vnprofitable 1579. The behauiour of Iohn d'Imbise in Gant The Prince accept the gouernment of Flanders The first 〈◊〉 of Couerden 1579. A conuoy of the Malecon tents defeated Macklyn summoned by the Estates will remaine Neuters La Noue makes the Germaines leaue Villebrouck The taking of Mortagne and S. Amand by the Parmois Niuelle surprised by the Estates 1579 An enterprise by the Malcontents against Cortrike but tooke no effect 1579. The Malcontents horse-men ouerthrowne by La Noue whereby they forsooke many places in Flanders 1579. The Prince of Oranges oration to the states of Holland Zeeland 1579 What sorces the prince of Paâ—…ma then had 1579 1579 The princes aduice for the establishâ—… of a counsell of State 1579 1579 1580 Another declaratioÌ„ made vnto the states by the prince of Orange 1580 1580 Consultation made by the deputies of the states assembled in Antuerpe touching the chaÌ„ge of their soueraigne lord 1580 1580 1580 1580 Courtray surprised by the Seignior of Alennes The earle of â—…ont taken in Nyenouen 1580 The castle of Leewerden taken by the states of Friseland and broken downe 1580 Harlingen castle taken by the states of Friseland and broken down The castle of Staueren takeÌ„ by the Estates and broken downe 1580 1580 Groning besieged by the states Images brokeÌ„ and throwne down in Frise land and Oueryssell 1580 The death of Bartel Entens with a briefe description of his life 1580 1580 Martin Schencks forces sent to releeue Groning Vprore in Swool 1580 A battaile between the earl of Hohenlo Mar Schenck The siege before Groning abandoned 1580 Delfziel yeelded vp to the prince of Parma 1580 Coeoorden taken by the earle of Hohenlo Oxlagh taken by the earle of Renenbergh and broken downe The earle of Hohenloes forces ouerthrowne by Weeden 1580 Coeuoorden taken againe by the earle 〈◊〉 Reuenbergh after that Oldenzeel 1580 The earle of â—…mont diâ—…ed Pouchain yeelded by composition Macklin taken by the Stâ—…tes
of the Romish religion bee not permitted with a friendly accord and religious peace taking for example the countries of Germany and France who by that meanes haue ouercome all their troubles and liue in peace and quietnesse whereas before they could not abide nor endure one the other vsing all acts of hostility that for want thereof great dangers blood-sheading and other inconueniences will ensewe whereby our common enemy being within the countrie shall haue meanes to worke his will whereas to the contrary by a peaceable vnion being ioyned and vnited together wee may defend our-selues against all inconueniences and troubles All which wee hauing well considered and specially that the enemy feareth nothing more then that hee should see vs once vnited in religion and therefore seeketh vnder pretence thereof on all sides to hold and keepe vs in diuision meaning neither to spare reformed nor Catholike what-so-euer if hee may preuaile hauing also considered that they of the pretended reformed religion haue by diuers petitions instantly desired that the free exercise thereof might bee permitted vnto them with and vnder such restraints and conditions as are conuenient we for the common peace and quietnes of the country after mature-deliberation therein taken not onely with the deputies of the generall estates but also perticularly hauing therein heard the aduice of the estates of euery Prouince ordaine and by these presents decree the articles ensewing and that without any preiudice of the vnion of the Prouinces the which need not to diuide them-selues one from the other by reason of this Edict especially for that no man is compelled to alter or change his religion nor yet to accept the liberty of the contrarie religion vnlesse hee thinke it good First that all wrongs and Iniuries happened and done since the pacification of Gant in regard of the religion shall bee forgiuen and forgotten as if they had neuer happened so that for them no man shall bee called in question nor molested neither by order of lawe nor otherwise nor any inquiry or serch made touching the same vpon paine to bee punished as transgressors and breakers of the peace and perturbers of the common welth And that the same in regard of the diuersity of religion may not be maintayned vpholden a planted nor suppressed by force of armes nor any more contention nor question happen about the same it is ordayned and decreed that euery one touching the said two religions may liue in freedome of conscience as he will answer before God for the same in such sort that they shall not trouble one the other but that euery man both spirituall and temporall shall peaceably and quietly hold and enioy his owne goods and serue God according to the knowledge wherewith hee hath indowed him and as hee will answer before GOD at the latter day which shall continew in this sort and vntill such time as that both parts being heard speake for them-selues by a generall or nationall counsell it shall bee otherwise ordred and determined And to the end that the afore-said libertie of conscience in religion may be vsed and obserued with conuenient tolerable conditions for the quietnes and saffety of either part it is ordained that from henceforth the Catholike and Romish Religion shall bee reestablished and set vp againe not onely in the townes of Holland and Zeeland but in all other townes and places of the Netherlands wherein it was put downe there to be peaceably and freely exercised without any trouble or molestation giuen or procured vnto those that desire to follow the same so they be not lessee then a hundred households in euery great towne or vilage such as haue dwelt and inhabited therein at the least for the space of a whole yeare and in the small townes and villages the most part of the inhabitants to bee of a yeares standing And that also the afore-said reformed Religion shall and may hencefore bee freely erercised and vsed in euery towne and place of the Netherlands whereas it shall bee desired or required by the inhabitants of the same being in nomber as afore-said Alwaies prouided that both they of the one and the other religion shall present them-selues before the magistrate where they shall seeke to haue the excercise of their said religion who presently shall appoint them a conuenient place for the same that is in Holland and Zeeland for them of the old religion such Churches and chappels as shall be found to be fit conuenient and for want of them certaine places where they vsed to stand where the said Catholikes may cause their chapell or church to bee newly erected and in other prouinces for the reformed religion such conuenient places as the Magistrates shall giue and appoint them so that they be a good way distant from the Catholike Church if it be possible to the end that by reason of the neerenes of the places there may no question nor strife arise as it is many times seene to fall out In which places euery one of them shall and may doe hold heare and celebrate their Godly ceremonies as Preaching Praying Singing Baptizing Sacraments Burialles Mariages Schooles and all other things respectiuely belonging to there seuerall religions And where the aforesaid exercise of the reformed religion is not don openly no man shall beeonce spoken vnto nor brought in question for the same in any manner for any thing that hee shall doe concerning the same within his owne house Expressely forbidding vpon the paine aforesaid both they of the one and the other religion of what estate or quality soeuer they be not to trouble nor molest one the other by word or deed in the exercise of their respectiue religion and the circumstances thereof neither yet to scandalize or mocke one the other But that euery man shall abstaine and refraine to come to the place where other religion then his owne is exercised and taught vnlesse he abstaine from comitting any scandale or offence gouerneth himselfe according to the rules and orders of the said Church and temple whervnto he shall goe vpon paine as aforesaid That all monkes religious and other eclesiasticall persons shall and may freely vse all their goods tithes and other dewties belonging vnto them without any molestation or hinderance whatsoeuer And this without any preiudice to the Prouinces of Holland and Zeeland who touching the spirituall goods shall take such order as is set downe in the twenty two article of the aforesaid pacifications of Gaunt vntill it shall bee otherwise prouided by the generall estates and to auoyd all prouocations to anger and other questions it is expressly forbidden to make signe or openly to set forth any flouting iniurious ballates songs rimes libels or scandalous writings neither yet to print or sell them on either side It is likewise forbidden to all preachers lecturers and others of what religion soeuer they be that are to speake or preach openly to vse any speech or proposition tending to vprore or
carried prisoner into Gant and afterwards hee was carried to the castle of Tournay where hee was detained sixe yeares The Seignior of Saint Aldegonde had insisted long before that the prince of Parma had built so many forts along the riuer to haue a fort built at the dike called den Cruydyck beneath Lillo in the mouth of the riuer and to cut the dike neere vnto the village of Coesteyn to preuent the prince of Parma that hee should not build one and hinder the opening of the said dike the which the Seignior of Coesteyn did aduise and vrge very earnestly as one that knew the importance of the place better than any other and the good that would redound thereby vnto the towne But this good counsel was ouerthrowne by a rabble of butchers which make a great companie in the towne of Antuerpe who had their pastures there for their fat cattell and some others which had arable land in that place who would not suffer it to be drowned seeking rather their owne priuate profit than the common good and who for this occasion grew into such hatred of the Seignior of Coesteyn as they forced him to forsake the towne and to retire himselfe to the prince of Parma vnto whom he reuealed the counsell which in that case he had giuen to them of Antuerpe and they so mechanikely reiected By reason whereof he was well entertained by the said prince who after the yeelding vp of the towne in requitall of this aduertisement he honoured him with the place of Markegraue which is the most honourable degree of a magistrate in Antuerpe In Gant after the yeelding vp of the towne all such as were suspected to be of the protestants religion were put from their offices and Romish catholikes substituted in their places and their armes were taken from the said protestants and giuen vnto the papists who were in their places of the which the prince of Parma made foure seuerall companies to guard the ports of the towne They of Brussels after that the nauigation of the riuer to Antuerpe had beene taken from them began to haue want of victuals and other necessarie prouision but yet they would not by any meanes giue eare to any accord The towne of Antuerpe did once relieue them and sent them a hundred wagons of victuals the which entred safely with a good conuoy whereby they of Brussels were greatly comforted and relieued but in their returne they were attended at the passage by the garrison of Villevoord who defeated them and took almost all the wagons The prince of Parma hauing finished all his forts along the riuer of Antuerpe the shippes of Holland and Zeeland could no more passe so freely as they had done before for that the cannon from those forts did shoot close by the water wherewith many were spoiled so as of a hundred or thereabouts which were sent in the feast of Christmas beeing laden with victuals and munition fiue were lost two sunke and three were taken The prince meaning to trie them of Antuerpe once more by his letters and admonitions sent them word among other points that according vnto their auntient priuiledges which they had sworne they ought not seeing they did build so much vpon their said priuiledges to giue a law vnto their prince and soueraigne lord and much lesse to take armes against him and whereas they did vaunt that the French king had taken them vnder his protection that he would presently let them see the contrarie and how much they were deceiued by the kings owne letters the which for the better proofe and manifestation he sent vnto them reproaching them sharpely for their rebellion and yet promising to doe his best with the king of Spaine to receiue them into grace and fauour if they would reconcile themselues and giue ouer those excessiue propositions and demaunds which they had before made The magistrates of the towne sent these letters vnto the Estates beeing assembled at Middlebourg in Zeeland intreating them to aduise thereon the which they said they did not finde conuenient to open for feare lest the people who then seemed to bee inclined vnto peace should mutine against them And in the meane time the French king sent another Embassadour to the prince of Parma to quench the brute which was generall that hee had taken the Netherlands vnder his protection declaring that he would not mingle the quiet of his realme with the troubles of those countries The Seignior of Hemert beeing gone with a good conuoie of horse and foote to carrie another victualling to Brussels hee found trees cut downe and laid in the high waies where he should passe and withall the Spaniards were in all places in guard seeing that it was impossible for him to passe with his wagons turning head againe hee was charged at the passage of a little riuer neere vnto the castle of Eyckhouen defeated and put to rout whereas many of his men were slaine After this badde encounter the Seignior of Merode laid before them of Brussels the small hope they had of any succours or reliefe from their confederates who hereafter should haue worke enough to defend themselues wherefore considering the great necessitie and want which began to presse them he did counsell them to agree with the king Whilest that the riuer and towne of Antuerpe were thus blockt vp with these forts and the riuer readie to be shut vp The Estates of Brabant Gueldre of that which remained of Flanders of Holland Zeeland Friseland Vtrecht and Oueryssel being in their generall assemblie they consulted seeing that by the death of the duke of Aniou they were without a lord and by the death of the prince of Orange without a gouernour to what prince they might best giue themselues The French and English were both in feare lest the vnited prouinces should returne vnto the king of Spaine who hauing recouered them at his pleasure would attempt warre against the one or the other The Queene of England would not willingly haue seene the French king growe so mightie by the adiunction of the said prouinces who by the meanes of their shippes might haue made himselfe master of the sea and take from the English their traffique and negoâ—…iation by sea In regard of the inclination of the Estates of the said prouinces it seemed by reason of the errour so lately committed by the duke of Aniou that they would rather affect the English than the French the which the Queene of England and her councell finding would not make them assurance of any thing vntill they had good townes and places of strength and importance deliuered them for their assurance whereby they might bee stronger within their owne countrie than the Estates themselues were which made them to bethinke themselues so as some said that the gouernment of the English would bee in that case more wayward and insupportable than the gouernment of the French or of any others whereupon some held opinion that the religion which the
English had common with the said countries might easily moderate that and therefore they should not reiect the alliance of England But there fell out another great difficultie which was the doubt of the succession to the crowne of England after the Queenes death the which might fall into the hands of the Queene of Scotland although shee were then a prisoner and that shee beeing of the Romish religion and wonderfully affected to the king of Spaine might deliuer vp the said countries into his hands and withall they could not ground any firme assurance vpon the king of Scotland Whereas on the other side the succession of the crowne of France was more assured vnto them seeing that after the kings death it fell to the king of Nauarre a prince making profession of the reformed religion besides France had more means power to defend these countries against the Spaniard And that by this confederation they should be in perpetuall friendship with all their neighbors And althogh the king were not of the protestants religion yet would he giue offices to protestants and other good countrimen whereby the countrie the churches and their religion should remaine in peace and rest All this beeing well debated by the generall Estates and the councell of estate they resolued to offer themselues absolutely to the French king with the best conditions they could deuise and agree vpon without any restriction or reseruation that Holland and Zeeland had beene formerly giuen to the prince of Orange and his heires as it had beene concluded with the duke of Aniou the which had bred iealousie as some said betwixt him and the prince and had beene the cause of the error which was committed by the said duke in Antuerpe the seauenteenth day of Ianuarie two yeares before Finally after long deliberations and consultations there were deputed by the generall Estates and the chiefe noble men of the said prouinces the third of Ianuarie 1585 twelue men of account for the dutchie of Brabant doctor Iunius bourgmaster of Antuerpe and Quentin Taffin Seignior of la Pree for the dutchie of Gueldte the Seignior of Oyen and doctor Elbert Leonin called Longolius chancellor of Gueldres for the countie of Holland Arnold van Dorp Seignior of Maesdam for Zeeland Ieams Valck for the Seigniorie of Vtrecht N. de Menin and for that which remained yet in the countie of Flanders Noel Caron Seignior of Schoonwall for them of Brussels who were then distressed Arssees keeper of the seale of Brabant to the which there was adioyned in the behalfe of the Estates the Seignior of Lamouillene and for the chiefe of the embassage the prince of Espinoy to offer absolutely vnto the king all the said countries with the propertie Seigniorie and soueraigntie for him and his successors beeing French kings vpon conditions limited and to bee limited All which deputies except the prince of Espinoy who was a long time before retired backe into France with the duke of Aniou hauing a good conuoy of eight shippes of warre parting from the Brill thinking to land at Diep were through the extremitie of fowle weather forced to goe on shoare at Bologne from whence they tooke their iourney to Abbeuille in the moneth of Ianuarie attending the kings pleasure hauing giuen him notice of their arriuall who commaunded them to come vnto him to Senlis whither they went with a goodly traine and were there honourably receiued and their expences were defraied by the king in al places where they past from thence the king returning vnto Paris to haue the aduice and counsell of his court of Parliament concerning their affaires whereof the deputies attended an answer the said deputies followed him the successe of which legation you shall heare hereafter I was sent vnto them from the Seignior of Saint Aldegonde and the magistrates of Antuerpe to let them vnderstand and consequently the king and queene mother of the estate of the said towne which was then besieged and of the great neede they had together with the townes of Brussels and Macklyn to be releeued The fourth of Ianuarie the Seignior of S. Aldegonde made a long oration to them of Antuerpe in the open assemblie of their great councell exhorting them with many liuely and pregnant reasons to preserue and defend themselues feeding them with a continuall hope of succours and of the good successe of the affaires of the said deputies And then the better to prouide for the defence of the towne he created foure new Colonels men of action and capable of such a charge And moreouer he decreed that such as had absented themselues out of the towne as abandoning it in her greatest neede and want should be called backe by a certaine daie prefixed vpon paine of confiscation of such goods as they had left there but few or none at all would returne for the great danger there was in the passage The countries of Arthois and Henault beeing continually tormented and troubled by the garrison of Cambray made a truce for the space of one whole yeare with the Seignior of Balaigni gouernour of the said towne the which they could not obtaine without bribing him hauing since continued it for many yeares so as this truce brought him in a good reuenue The Seignior of Nyeuwenoort being in the field in Friseland for the Estates he cunningly seized vpon the village of Otterdom in the countrie of Groningue vpon the riuer of Ems preuenting his enemy who thought to lodge there where in view of the Spaniards he intrenched him and fortified with all diligence though they were stronger than he But hauing a good number of ships both great and small to cary his men in and the Spaniards being ignorant at the first which way he would turne head hauing meanes to land them betwixt Maeren and right against Embden they could not ouertake him nor yet march so fast with their horse and foot by land as hee did by water so as they could not hinder his landing nor his fortifying Verdugo knowing how much this place did import meant in the Winter time to besiege it on both sides vpon the dike and for the effecting thereof hee sent colonel Rhyneuelt of Vtrecht to winne it by famine whilest that the shippes of Holland should bee retyred by reason of the yce But the Seignior of Nyeuwenoort had set so good an order for all things as during that Winter they wanted not any thing so as the Spring being come the Hollanders shippes returned which in despight of all the resistance which Rhyneuelt could make did succour the fort and forced him to retyre hauing yet before his retreat taken three of the Hollanders shippes laden both with victuals and munition Whilest that the towne of Antuerpe was distressed as we haue formerly related the earle of Hohenlo lieutenant to Graue Maurice after that he had conferred with the Estates gathered together some foure thousand men the which hee lodged couertly not farre from the towne of Boisleduc one
of religion if the King would not heare of any tolleration of the exercise thereof then they of the said Prouinces should be forced to for sake the religion wherein they were borne and bred from their youths or bee constrained to liue in perpetuall exile out of their countries by which meanes all those that would not leaue their religion would for sake the country wherby it should become desolate Neither could the King with any reason refuse his subiects that which in times past was by his father the Emperor Charles permitted vnto the Germanes and by other Princes and namely by him-selfe in his perpetuall Edict and that by the aduise of the best and the most learned Doctors in diuinity and councellors of estate the breaking whereof had beene the cause of all the tumults and troubles in the Netherlands as also in France and other places and was likely to bring many more inconueniences to the King in his old age and like-wise to his sonne who was yet but very young To all the points of this replication the King of Spains commissioners made none but dilatorie answers to no effect In the meane time the Queene of England was aduertised of an English booke printed at Antwetp written by Doctor Allen who not long before had beene made Cardinall at Rome being an admonition to the Nobility of England and Ireland to execute the Popes sentence against her Maiesty which executions the King of Spaine had taken in hand as Allen said and the Duke of Parma was appointed by the King cheefe Commander in that action The Queene was also aduertised of a Bull sent forth by Pope Sixtus conteyning many false and scandalous points against her Maiesty wherein was also contayned that he had concluded with the Catholike King to imploy all his power and meanes to expell the Queene out of her Kingdome straightly commanding all her Maiesties subiects in a most fearefull and thundring manner to ayd and assist the great noble and invincible army prepared to that end vnder the command of the Duke of Parma The Queene being made aquainted with these things during this treaty of peace shee commanded Doctor Dale one of the commissioners to go and speake with the Duke of Parma in person and to charge him in good sort with the things contayned in these aduertisements and to know his direct answere whether he were not appointed to bee generall ouer the army that was then preparing in Spaine and of the enterprise thereby pretended and to tell him that if it were true as shee could heardly beleeue it shee ment no longer to contynue the treaty but to call home her Commissioners The Duke of Parma made answer to Doctor Dale that he knew of no such booke neither had he any knowledge of the fore-said Bull sent forth by the Pope neither had hee attempted any thing of him-selfe but honorably in regard of the dislike that was betwixt her and the King his maister and that as a good and faithfull seruant hee was to execute his maisters commandement with many such Court-like speeches But her Maiestie was not satisfied with that answer for that hee did not say directly whether hee had vnder-taken to inuade England or not with that armie wherefore shee resolued not to call home her commissioners yet commanding them to treat with the Spanish commissioners by word of mouth and try if by that meanes better then by writing they might finde more reason and better furtherance But to the contrary and beyond their expectations they found that the longer they continued in this treatie the lesse hope there was of any good conclusion The Kings Comissioners telling them that they were grieued they had spent so much time about the matter and that the King of Spaine had kept fifty thousand men in pay almost a whole yeare to lye still and doe nothing to his great charge by the meanes of that treatie and so they blamed one an other At the last the Kings Commissioners said plainly touching the religion that the King of Spaine were better to giue his one and onely Sonne vnto them of Holland then to allow them the excercise of their religion And that the Queene had no more to doe to trouble her selfe with the religion of his countries then hee had to meddle with the religion in her Dominions As for the pacification of Gant they would not heare of that for that it had beene broken by the makers thereof saying that the Prince of Orange had receiued a iust reward for the same The forraine soldiers might not bee sent away so long as there was any warre with Holland and feare of France To conclude they refused all the English demands But Sir Iames a Croft riding priuately to Bruges shewed secretly vnto the President Richardot and to Mounsier Champigni certaine articles concerning a peace but much to the preiudice of the vnited Prouinces which Champigni seemed to like well of beeing very desirous by that meanes to haue the vse of the English Hauens for the harboring of their Spanish fleete for the which after-wards there grew great dislike betwixt him and the duke of Parma Before the departure of the English Commissioners the Earle of Darbie to discouer the Spaniards intents asked them if they intended to haue the cautionary Townes deliuered ouer vnto them without any conclusion But the Spanish fleete approaching then in August brake off all further conference either side hearing the shotte at Sea and so all dissembling was laid aside and the Duke of Parma was found contrary in his word hauing protested to some of the English Commissioners vppon his Princely word and faith as the English reported that the armie came not for England if they could agree vppon the fore-said articles of peace propounded But the Queene obseruing the constant resolution of the vnited Prouinces and seeing the fleete of Spaine already before her dore she called home her Commissioners wherevpon they desired a conuoy to conduct them safely from thence being in some feare for that they had no hostages but after fifteene daies stay they got a passport with certaine wagons and a conuoy to guard them to the Frontiers whether the Kings commissioners did very honorably conduct them for the which they gaue them great thanks much commended the Duke of Parmaes honorable disposition hauing kept his word so iustly with them Now I come to that great Spanish fleete whereof although there haue beene some petty discourses written and published in our owne language yet for that it concerned the vnited Prouinces as well as England I haue thought good to make a briefe relation in this history for posterities sake both of the preparations and the successe The King of Spaine hauing long fore-cast and sought by what meanes hee might bring the Realme of England into subiection and so to re-establish the Catholike religion there hoping by that meanes to re-possesse his inheritance in the Netherlands for that beeing
once Lord ouer England hee might easily debarre them of all traficke by Sea the which not without great and probable reasons was held easie to bee done by such as were best acquainted with the scituation of England and the Netherlands together with the trafficke and commerce of the sayd contries Whervpon the King of Spaine hauing preuailed little with one and twenty yeares warre in the Netherlands hee concluded with his priuie councell once againe to inuade the Netherlands by sea the which hee had often attempted but not with sufficient forces where-vnto hee should now bee constrained to vse a greater power in regarde that England was then his enemy the scituation of which great Iland is such as it may hinder all trafficke and negotiation in those parts what-so-euer Wherevpon hee was fully resolued first to inuade England which Escouedo Secretarie to Don Iohn of Austria and many subtill Spanish and Netherland spirits with some English rebells held more easie to bee conquered then Holland and Zeeland perswading the King that it would bee much more profitable to inuade both England and the vnited Prouinces by sea at one instant then to entertaine continually a mightie armie to prohibit the trafficke of England and the Netherlands into both the Indies For the effecting whereof in the beginning of this yeare 1588. hee had gathered together so great a fleete of shippes at Lisbon as in many hundred yeares before the like had not beene seene North-wards in the Ocean seas In the which there came so many great Commanders Noblemen and voluntarie Gentlemen as there was not any house of honor and credit in Spaine but had a sonne brother or nephew in this action who all thought with this inuincible armie as they termed it to winne eternall honor and to make them-selues rich in England and the Netherlands The description of this armie and of euery particular was set forth in Print by the Spaniards whereof I will make a breefe rehearsall Portugall did furnish to this great fleete vnder the conduct of the Duke of Medina Sidonia Generall of the whole Armie ten great gallions two small ships thirteene hundred Saylers three thousand three hundred soldiers three hundred fiftie peeces of great ordinance and all other things necessary Biscaie vnder the command of the Admirall Iohn Martinez de Richalde brought ten gallions foure pinasses seauen hundred Saylers two thousand soldiers and two hundred and fiftie peeces of ordinance Guypusco vnder the conduct of Michael de Oquendo furnished ten gallions foure-teene pinasses seauen hundred sailers two thousand saylers foure score peeces of ordinance Andolozia vnder the command of Pedro de Valdez ten gallions one pinasse eight hūdred sailers two thousand foure hundred soldiers two hundred sixty peeces of ordinance Italy vnder the leading of Martin de Bretendona ten gallions eight hundred saylers two thousand soldiers and three hundred and ten peeces of ordinance Castilia vnder the conduct of Diego Floris de Valdez foureteene gallions two pinasses a thousand seauen hundred saylers two thousand three hundred soldiers and three hundred and foure score peeces of ordinance And vnder the command of Iohn Lopez de Medina there were three and twenty hulkes seauen hundred saylers two thousand three hundred soldiers and foure hundred and ten peeces of ordinance Vnder the leading of Hugo de Moncado there were sent frō Naples foure galliasses with 1200. slaues to rowe in them 480. saylers 870. soldiers and 200. peeces of ordinance Out of Portugall vnder the conduct of Diego de Medrana were sent foure galleys with 880. slaues 424. saylers 440. soldiers with ordinance accordingly There were two and twenty pinasses and other small ships vnder the gouernment of Don Antonio Buccado de Mendoza with 574. saylers 479. soldiers and 193. peeces of ordinance Besides all these there were twenty Carauels laden with owers ready for the great ships if need required so as they were one and other a hundred and fifty sayles well prouided in the which they had aboue 8000. saylers and 20000. soldiers besides the commanders officers and voluntary gentlemen and 2650. peeces of ordinance Their shippes being so great as they might haue carryed three score thousand tunnes in burthen The gallions being aboue 60. in number were exceeding great faire and strong and built high aboue the water like Castles easie to bee fought withall but not so easie to borde as the English and the Netherland ships their vpper decks were Musket proofe and beneath they were foure or fiue foote thick so as no bullet could passe them Their Mastes were bound thick about with Ocham or peeces or fazeled ropes and armed against all shot The Galliasses were goodly great vessels furnished with chambers chappels towers pulpits and such like they rowed like galleys with exceeding great owers each hauing 300. slaues and were able to doe much harme with their great ordinance In this great fleete were one thousand sixe hundred great brasse peeces and aboue one thousand Iron peeces to the which were two hundred and twenty thousand bullets foure thousand sixe hundred Kintals of powlder one thousand Kintalls of Lead one thousand two hundred Kintals of Match seuen thousand Muskets and Caliuers ten thousand partisans and halberds with murthering peeces double canons and field peeces with great store of furniture for carriages mules horses and whatsoeuer was necessary for an Armie either by sea or land There was bread and bisket prouided for sixe moneths euery one hauing allowance of halfe a hundred a moneth Wine for sixe moneths Bacon sixe thousand and fiue hundred Kintals cheese three thousand quintals besides flesh rice beanes pease oyle and viniger and twelue thousand pipes of fresh water they had great store of torches lanthornes lampes canuas hides and leade to stop holes made with great ordinance and other things needfull for their vse This armie cost the King thirty thousand ducats euery day as Don Diego Piementell confessed reporting the same to bee two and thirty thousand strong In this armie were fiue regiments of old Spanish soldiers of the Tertios of Naples Sicilie and the Terceraes commanded by fiue Maisters del Campo The first was Don Diego de Piementel brother to the Marquis of Taueras and cousin to the Earles of Beneuent and Calui he was a Knight of the order of Saint Iohn and was allyed to many of the best houses of Spaine The second Collonel was Don Francisco de Toledo brother to the Earle of Orgas The third Don Alonso de Luson The fourth Don Nicholas de Isla or Patritio Anselmo The fift and last Augustin Mexia brother to the Marquis de la Garda who was afterwards made gouernor of the castle of Antwerp each Collonell hauing in his regiment two and thirty companies besides the Italian and Portugall bands No women nor whores were suffred to enter into any ship vpon paine of great punishment but such women as were with them hired ships and followed the armie
what diligence they had vsed therein promising faithfully if they would content them-selues there-with that it should bee presently procured if the Estates would desire it neuer-the-lesse hee desired sixe dayes respite to write vnto Brussels and from thence to receiue further Commission which was granted him and therevpon hauing receiued the same vpon the second of August hee promised the Estates to cause the sayd agreation to bee made in an other forme and that therefore they had reason to bee satisfied for that time seeing that the Arch-dukes had written into Spaine to certifie the King of the difficultie therein insisting with-all to haue a resolution from the Estates to countermaund their shippes from the coast of Spaine and that they would vouchsafe to pleasure the Archdukes therein Here-vpon certaine dayes were spent in consultation and diuerse conferences were had with the sayd Veryken and at the last vppon the eight of August an answer was giuen him by word of mouth and afterwards deliuered him in writing containing that the Estates declared and held the respectiue agreation to bee imperfect and defectiâ—…e not onely in qualitie and forme but also in the substance thereof for that so many words were left out that it was not written in French nor signed by the King nor yet sealed with his great seale as also not containing an agreation of the whole proceedings but restrained onely to certaine points and that they made no mention of the approouing and declaration of the freedome of the vnited Prouinces as the Arch-dukes had done and that therefore touching the rest of the propositions they could make no further declaration before the first of September next ensuing and therefore they deliuered him a writing in Dutch French and Latin whereby they showed that they vnderstood that the King was to make the agreation before they could enter into any further treatie and that therefore to make a further declaration as much time would bee spent as had past before from the foure and twentie daie of Iulie to the first of September and that neuerthelessâ—… they were content in honour of the Archduke to countermaund all their shippes of warre from the coast of Spaine and that truly and effectually and that all the prizes by them taken within the space of sixe weekes beginning vpon the foure and twenty of Iuly should not bee allowed for good but should bee restored againe the which answere the sayd Vereycken vpon the twelfth day of August went to Brussels The truce continewing for eight monthes aforesaid both by sea and by land both for Spaine and the Netherlands it gaue a great hope to all the country people that the matter would in the end bee brought to a peace or a long truce but some men of good iudgement held it to be a matter of greater difficulty and that it was so ernestly followed on either side that so they might get some aduantage and thereby aduance their owne cause and that it would not so lightly nor without more rumor bee ended on either side Whilest this businesse about peace or truce was in hand and that the Neighbour Kings and Princes with the countries of Iuilliers Cleaue Leege and East Freeseland busied and troubled themselues therewith many oppinions conceites and discourses were made touching the same The greater sort which extol the greatnesse of Spaine could not bee perswaded nor beleeue that the Archdukes should euer procure any agreation or consent therevnto from the King of Spaine in such sort as it was promised but rather thought that there was some other meaning and intent others to the contrary said that the hundred and fiftie mylions which the King had spent the aboundance of bloud which had beene shed the great mutenies great want of money the King of Spaine finding himselfe continually assailed and compassed about with such strong fleetes at sea which were likely to take all trade by sea from him or to incomber him much whereby hee must of force hold the Islands and the Indies fast bound vpon Spaine with such like difficulties and other considerations which might cause that great King to conceiue many doubtes especially in respect of a great rich company which the vnited Prouinces were about to make for the West Indies which should continue for the space of sixe and thirty yeares wherein some great misterie or secret laie hidde which might either make his Indies rebell or els they would assaile them in the weakest places and thereby giue all his treasorors cause of doubt that his treasure which vseth to come from the Indies would bee cut off and so giue him no more credit whereby hee should bee compelled necessarily to fall into greater charges to arme and defend his farre distant Islands and so by that meanes diuide his power farre a sunder They said moreouer that it was wisely scircumspectly and necessarily done of the King and the Archdukes willingly to giue ouer and yeelde vp their soueraignite as it was giuen forth to the vnited Prouinces finding that they were not by any other meanes of perswasions practises or power to bee brought to any treatie for that their weakenesse or any greater disgrace or losse which they might chance to haue might force them to seeke to bee protected by France in which protection there was great daunger that at the last they should bee driuen out of all the Prouinces and therefore they thought it best to seeke to possesse the better part quietly with a neighbourly peace at the least till a more conuenient time rather then to suffer the French King to inrich himselfe with the Netherlands which would depriue Spaine of all authority respect and credit The Netherlanders for their partes as there are many deepe witted and prouident men amongst them could not beleeue that it was done bona fide and therefore that proceeding was cleane against their mindes doubting that in the end they should bee forced to fall againe vnder the subiection of the Spaniard vnder the name of the house of Burgondie imagining that the ground thereof had beene layd long since and that the truce or peace was but a breathing vnto them They could not likewise conceiue how they should preserue their estate maintaine the grouernment of the Prouinces in vnity withstand all difficulties that might arise neither yet how to continewe their meanes and taxations especially if the Archdukes should ease the contry people thereof in their Prouinces how they should maintaine their authority at sea if the conuoies and lycences ceased and holding them still how the trade of marchandise might bee continewed amongst them that were wont to goe thether where they were least burthened with exactions neither how they should keepe souldiars in good order and discipline not beeing imploied and exercised in armes nor how religion should bee maintayned in the same estate it was or how to bring the common people againe to beare armes when they shal once haue felt a sauor and tast of peace
if it fell out that their aduersary should not hold his word neither yet how to pay the great debts of the countrie the paiement whereof is commonly raised by the warres nor how they that were in gouernment should bee armed against the Spanish corruptions which were already discouered with diuers other things these were the discourses and reasons of those that were of best and deepest iudgement In the meane time the Netherland fleete was still vpon the coast of Spaine which men sought to comprehend in the treaty of agreemēt that they might be called home that so the fleete in Spaine might freely passe too and fro from the East and West Indies for that they had beene forst to vnlade some of their shippes which had beene laden for the Indies and to set them out for men of warre for the defence of Spaine against the Hollanders which could not be comprehended in the act of the first of Iune but it was then consented and granted to countermand the said shippes as soone as the King of Spaines approbation should be sent and that in the meane time they should not be releeued with any new supplies or victualls which was in effect as much as if they were countermanded for that want of victuals wold bee an occasion to make them deminish their number and come home againe not regarding the doubt and suspition which men had in all places that the King would not fully yeeld to that which had beene concluded and the rather for that they made readie shippes of warre in all places of Spaine as at St Lucars Cadiz Lisbon and the Groine the straights of Gibraltar being full of Gallies which bred great iealousie as if they ment to attempt some thing against Ireland England the Netherlands or Embden others thought they would goe into Barbarie or to Alarach At Duynkerke in Flanders they made great hast to build the ten great shippes part of the thirty which they had vndertaken to make whereon they set fiue hundred men on worke being Spaniards Italians and Netherlanders each man his seuerall worke some of them beeing of 200. tonne the least was of a hundred and fiftie tonnes but by the answere of the eight day of August it was consented to countermand the aforesayd fleete and that after the time then set downe they should take no more prizes and therefore many men thought they would soone come home The mutinous souldiers vnder the Archdukes made many incursions in the country the Archduke seeking all the meanes hee could to pacefie them and in August hee got grant of sixe hundred thousand duckets to bee paid by a hundred thousand duckets a month for the space of sixe monthes which had long beene promised to pay the souldiers withall the Archduke also sought to discharge all his vnnecessary troupes as Wallons and others The Spaniards and Italians were put in garrison in seuerall places and a great part of them at Dornick where they were some what strictly lookt vnto and might not increase their numbers for that when they were desirous to goe out of the towne euery one had a token of lead giuen him without the which noman might enter into the towne at Cortrick also there were two or three hundred more in other places the richest townes gaue money to be vnburthened of garrisons the vnited Prouinces also discharged many of their souldiers such as they might spare as Englishmen and some high Duches which wanted many of their number they also discharged many ships of all sorts but they beganne to prepare some ships for the East Indies thereby to continue and assure that trade This yeare many shippes sailed out of Embden to Italy and Spaine which in Spaine and Portingall were most staied and arested vnder some pretence either that they were partners with the Hollanders or els rebels against their Earle from whom notwithstanding they had letters of lycence testimonialls or atestations but that would not serue their turnes vnlesse they brought particular letters from the Earle otherwise they were esteemed to be gotten by force and fauour of the Hollanders or Englishmen some of them notwithstanding were set at libertie but the rest to the number of thirty which were many for one towne were hardly intreated and the men put into the gallies others were compelled to serue the king there in his warre or in his shippes which went to the Indies and Bresill These newes caused a great vprore in Emden amongst the common people for the losse of their sea-faring men whereof many had wiues and children in the country which made a great assembly of women and children about the magistrate The Earle himselfe came thether with certaine Lords his friends which bred a suspition that he sought to cause some tumult his bretheren Earle Christopher and Earle Iohn being both with him with the garrison of Linphen where-vpon the vnited Prouinces sent about two thousand men thether the which were lodged in the suburbes of Emden and there abouts and withall they sent a trumpet to the Earle with a letter as followeth Right Honorable our actions haue giuen a sufficient testimonie with what a sincere intention wee haue euer laboured to our great trouble and charge and doe still continue to reconcile all controuersies and dislike betwixt your honorable father Earle Edsard your selfe and the Estates of East-Friseland when as in the yeare 1595. by the contract made in Delfzile at the request of your said father your selfe and the Estates of East-Friseland wee had vnder-taken and bound our selues to bee Vmpiers therein your Lordshippe knowes that in the yeare of our Lord 1603. at the making of the contract at the Hage at the instant request of the Deputies of the towne of Emden by your Lordshipps consent and good liking we once againe bound our selues to maintaine the same and to oppose our selues against all contradiction and also that in the treaty at the last meeting of the Estates of Germany vpon the last of Nouember by the intercession of Sir Ralfe Winwood Ambassador for the King of England and our Deputies in the behalfe of the said Kings Maiestie and vs it was agreed that if any thing were done contrary vnto the same that some order should presently bee taken therein Know yee therefore my Lord that wee beeing certainely informed that by your honors meanes and directions not one penny of money will bee had towards the payment of the garrison within the Towne of Embden that through want of pay the garrison might bee brought into a mutine and so the Towne of Embden fall into a tumult besides that by your Lordshippes meanes the contributions which are willingly granted by the country are not come to the hands of the appointed rent-maister for the causes where-vnto they are assigned according to the generall resolution That your honor also hath made many enterprises and caused them to bee executed without the consent of the country contrary to the Emperors resolution and the