duke of Alba shall be personally present and in regard of him no man els shall bee esteemed of no although he bee of the king or princes blood and that if any of them be suspected of neuer so small a crime they shall bee by cunning depriued of their liues Eleuenthly That no contracts lawes promises pardons othes priuiledges and solemne grauntes of the lowe countries shal be to the inhabitants thereof of any effect but bee founde all as giltie of high treason Twelfthly aboue all things great heede must be had that in these so waightie causes matters of so great importance there bee no violent dealing all at once but faire and easily and by lietle and little in very good order to the ende the princes nobles communaltie might fal our amongst themselues and one persecute another insomuche that the persecutor himselfe might fall into the grinne For in all Christendome there is not a more foolishe and indiscrete nation and more easily to bee deceiued then the Fleming whose infidelitie God by this meane will punish In the yeere 1559 the Inquisitors other their complices with the helpe of Pope Paul the 4. The estates will not allowe the new bishops went about to put in practise the establishing of the newe Bishops but they were as yet withstood and put of by the Estates Wherupon they of the low countrie exhibited their supplications and complaintes vnto the king for the staying of the same howbeit they tooke smal effect which thing when the noble men of the low countrie saw they thought this change of the Ecclesiasticall estate to bee very strange and perceiued it to tend to none other end but to the bringing in of the Spanish inquisition into the lowe countrie Whereupon they again made their suplications and complaints vnto the Dutches of parma gouernesse of the low countrie for the king vnto the yeere 1562. In which yeere they were very desirous to see an end of the troubles and ciuill warres in Fraunce in the meane while continually beseeching the saide Lady Regent to intreat his Maiestie for some moderation which shee receiued in the yeere 1563. Afterward they besought that they might obteme the same libertie that the French had obteined at the handes of their king considering that the French king had neuer brought his Realm vnto that peace and quietnes neither yet his subiects vnto that obedience but by the graunting of them the libertie of conscience and exercise of religion according to the edict made at Orleance and therefore they besought his Catholique maiestie to graunt vnto them the same grace and fauour After that the principall Lords had shewed and laid open the ancient priuileges and liberties the oth of the king the chedience of the subiects vnto his maiestie the concord of the countrye and the great number of the Protestants they obtained release of the rigorous commissions and a surceasing of the Inquisition wherupon the troubles for the more part were appeased which thing greatly displased the Cleargie men but especially the Cardinal Granduelle For they saw their purpose made voide and the worde of God aduanced with increase of a great number of people which frequented the sermons Which thing caused the Cardinall of Grāuelle haste him into Spaine and neuer gaue ouer vntill such time as he had set all his affaires in good order and brought thē to passe euen as he would Ouer and besides all this Ambassadours sent to the king from the conusel of Trent there arriued at the Court of Spaine certaine Ambassadours from the Councell of Trent seut from the Inquisitors who aduertised his maiestie of all that was concluded vpon in the saide Councel euen from the beginning vnto the end which was in Ianuarie 1564. Whereupon his Catholike maiestie was persuaded and induced to publishe those decrees and cause them to be kept from point to point and to this end sent he them into the lowe countries that they might there take effect as also into all other Countries vnder his subiection with expresse commandement vnto the Dutches of Parma that she should with all diligence establish the Inquisition go orderly on with it as by the copie of the letters here set downe manifestly appeareth Margaret by the grace of God Dutches of Parma Plaisance c. Ladie Regent and gouernesse c. RIght deare and welbeloued although sithence the beginning of the gouernment of my Lord the king heereabout in the low Conntries as well by the renuing and publication of the commissions and ordinances of the late of most famous memory my Lorde Charles the Emperour now reasting in the glory of God about the cause and state of religion ratified and confirmed by his royall maiestie as also that which fithence he wrote vnto you of by the same euen at his last departure from these countries vuto his realmes of Spaine you haue been alwaies able to vnderstande his maiesties good zeale and most holy affection for the preseruation of our auncient true catholike faith religion and the rooting out of all the sects heresies here about in the lowe countries yet not withstanding seeing it hath pleased his saide Maiestie by reason of certaine occasions to put vs againe in minde by his last letters of his most holy intent and purpose wee by his expresse charge and commandement are very desirous to impart vnto you that which he hath writtē vnto vs the effect whereof is this much That his maiestie desiryng nothing more then the conseruation of the saide religion and the keepng of his good subiects hereabout in good trāquilitie peace vnity and concord and to preserue them from al inconueniences which we see to happen in diuers places of Christendome by reason of the alteration of the said religion his maiesties meanyug and intent is that the sayd commissions and ordinances of his late imperyal maiestie and his be entyrely and wholy obserued and kept as also his maiesties meaning is that they truely and straitly obserue all whatsoeuer the holy councell of Trent and prouinciall Sinodes haue established as touching the reformation set downe by the Cleargie without contradiction or gaine saying thereof to the end that in punishing the heresies maners also may be reformed and amended and besides that the Inquisitors of the faith may haue all the fauour and assistaunce that can bee about the executing of their offices and that the Inquisitors shall deale with their said inquisition euen as they haue beene vsed to bee dealt withall vnto this present both by the lawes of God and men which thing his maiestie also expresly commandeth by his sayd letters And accordyng to this answere of hys maiesty as also for the obeying thereof in so holy and fauourable a thyng we could not forget to wryte this vnto you to beseech requyre you in his maiesties behalf straitly to charge you to gouerne guide you herein according to hys maiesties ordināce wout crossing the same in any
March the same yeere The tyrannous Papists troubled the preachinges in the Towne of Andenarde and slue fiue of the company with Harquebuzes The same tynie also the reformed Churches in Flanders were vtterly despersed The 27. of Aprill the same yeere were the last Sermons made in Amstelredame when as the Lord of Brederode with the noble men and ministers departed the same Citie and was the last dispersion of the Churches in the lowe Countreys The ende of the first booke The seconde Booke of the Histories of the troubles in the low Countreys In the beginning whereof shall be described and set forth the Inquisition of Spaine and the execution thereof and next after howe the banished Princes Noble men Gentlemen and others assailed the low Countreys both with horsemen and footemen good store for the recouerie of their enheritances and goods from which they were driuen away by the tyrannie of the Duke of Alua. WE haue discoursed and set down in the first booke the maner of the passing of all the dealings in the lowe Countreys before the D. of Alua his comming and also in what state they stoode at his arriuall And besides howe all they of the reformed religion after the forbidding of the exercise of preaching were persecuted and condemned by the Inquisition But now if thou wilt a while giue eare I wil discouer vnto thee what maner a thing the same inquisitiō is which is more famous then rightly known all Europe ouer The declaration here of woulde be taken of many but for a fable and leasing if the spring head and first original thereof were not manifestly set forth and to say truly the gentle reader should take small pleasure if we should but onely speake of the bare name there of without telling what it is in deede Wherefore for the first point I will declare vnto you what it is who are the indges thereof and the maner of the administration of it And because there is not the least within these Iowe Countreys but knoweth that this Inquisition of Spayne hath been the very true originall of all the troubles I will not forget to lay wide open and set downe in writing the declaration and beginning thereof Spayne at the first was gouerned by meane kings Spaine in olde time gouerned by petie kings and after warde the greatest part thereof was conquered by the Affricanes who at last peaceably possessed it and freed it from the bondage of the Romanes After this the same Prouince was for a while gouerned by the Uandales and Alanes whom the Gothes in the dayes of the Emperours Theodose and Ualentinian the thirde expulsed out of Fraunce who conquered many Lands and Countreys destroying the Romaine Empire At last these wandering people were by the ordinaunce of Boniface gouernours in Affrica who through the dealing of the other Affricane gouernours were sent and called thereto But as they were by the vice Bothes pursued on this side the sea there passed ouer of mē women and children vnder the conduct of Gontram and Gensericke their kings and lordes in the yeere 720. about eyght hundred thousande persons to destroy and conquere Affricke After this retraite of this foresaid Uandales the Gothes by the consent of the Emperours gouerned the realme of Spayne vntill the dayes of K Rodrigue who hauing violated and defloured Cana Count Iulians daughter was ruined slayne with all his kinred For the same count Iulian in reuenge of the wrong and shame that was done him sent the Uandales Mores Affricanes and Sarazins vnder the conduct of Musa their king who haning discomfited and slayne in many battels mo then seuen hundreth thousand men conquered all Spayne and deuided it into diuers kingdomes to witte Granade Ualence Portugall Toledo Cordua and many others But the christians which came of Gothes for the auoyding of the intollerable oppressions and horrible furie of these nations retyred and withdre we them selues into the Mountaynes of Arragon who at that tyme were called the Cantabrians and Asturians and chose one named Pelagius to be their king This Pelagius forsaking the name of a Gothe beganne to make very great warres against the Mores but hee had therein but euill successe Wherefore his successours required ayde and helpe of the French kinges to witte of Pepin Charlemeine Lewis and many others so that in short tyme the Countreys that were lost were conquered agayne which were deuided into Prouinces and after into kingdomes giuing them the names of the fortresses and Townes whereby they were conquered to witte of the Citie or Towne of Leon or Legion the kingdome of Leon of Tarracon Arragon of Barcinone Barcelone of the Castle which Pelagius built so soone as hee had wonne Leon against the assault of the Mores the kingdome of Castile and after all this the kingdomes of Portugall Nauarre Galice Toledo Ualence Cordua and Granade were exected to wit when the Mores were enforced to become subiecte to Christian kings and Countreys at suche tyme as euery one warred against them in his owne Countrey the chiefe of which were the Arragonians and Castilians Nowe amongst all the Princes and Potentates that warred vpon the heathen and Infidelles Ferdinando king of Arragon was the most famous But after that the Countrey was out of the daunger of the Mores by reason of the happie successe of the heathen warres the sayde king Ferdinando suffered the Mores as his predecessors had also done to liue in quiet subiection and obedience paying certayne tribute Neuerthelesse their kinde of life was paynefull especially amongst those that were freemen and yet tollerable inough seeing they were not troubled or molested for the cause of religion But as the thinges of this worlde neuer continue in one selfe and the same estate and that the heartes of kinges and princes doe often chaunge which causeth the subiectes for the present tyme to be ouercharged and burdened There were some that perswaded the sayde king to chose certayne personnes who shoulde haue an eye to their many superstitions and infidelities to the ende the Mahometishe and Ieweshe religion myght not any way derogate from the Catholique Religion Neuerthelesse wee see by experience that oftentimes they whiche make pittes for others fall them selues into them For it is an harde matter to stumble against a stone when as they will labour to reduce others to their opinion and fantasie The king had appoynted for this purpose the moste qualified men following therein the order of his predecessors And as a king careth not what payne hee ordinarily taketh to excell all other kinges and Monarches in honour and fame Euen so this king Ferdinand purposed and concluded to shewe him selfe a no lesse true and politike then a warlike Christian for in leauing all his warlike affayres he bestowed all his care about the aduauncing of christian Religion which is a most good kingly deede and worthy great commendation as also it is the parte and duetie of a king who is the Image of the most excellent and Almightie
maner to doe you suche seruice as 〈…〉 agree with your honourable liking 〈◊〉 so moste himbly take my leaue Besechyng 〈◊〉 Lorde further so to rule and guide your harte and mynde continually in his faithe feare and loue as hetherto he hath doen that his glorymaie be aduaunced his Churche and this commonweale partly by your meanes in peace and Godlinesse preserued and mainteined London the xv of Marche 1583. Your Lordships moste humble in the Lorde alwaies to bee commaunded Thomas Stocker TO THE HIGH NOBLE Honourable and wise Lordes my Lordes of the Estates the Deputies Presidentes and Counselles Burroughmaisters Scoutes or Marshalles Maiors Bailiefes and to al other Officers and Ministers of the Prouinces whatsoeuer vnited to the lowe Countreis your most humble and obedient vassall and subiect Theophile wissheth Grace Peace and loue from GOD through Iesus Christ his only beloued Sonne our Lord. SEyng my good Lordes that all Princes Rulers and Gouernours are the ordenaunce of God and as Sainct Paule in the 13. to the Romaines and diuers other places of the holy Scripture witnesseth vnto vs Carie not the sworde in vaine but for the preseruation and maintenaunce of the good and the resisting and punishyng the wicked and vngodly Well then haue my Lordes the Estates and Magistrates of the Prouinces vnited to the lowe Countreis deserued all honour and commendation who after the wonderfull dissentions and breaches of certaine of the Prouinces and Cities that separated them selues from the greater nomber bothe forgettyng al their honor and othe and condescendyng and agreeyng to the Enemie haue not onely continued their vnitie but haue a greate deale more confirmed the same and therefore when I throughly coÌ„sider of the great constancie and stabilitie of the Estates of Hollande and Zealande as also of the marueilous greate fidelitie of my Lorde the Prince of Orenge who ioynâ—ly and altogether very faithfully haue performed all office duetie in the maintenaunce of the warres against Tyrauntes I could not possibly but commende and set forth their deserued honour commendation and praise aboue all the rest of the Nations whatsoeuer that haue been so wonderfully aduaunced and renowmed aswel by the Auncient as also by the late Historiographes And therefore in my poore opinion and iudgement I can not see how the confedered and vnited Prouinces maie doe better then to followe the waies and steppes of the Hollanders and Zealanders in euery poinct and condition in makyng warre and standyng against the force of all the rest of the Lordes and Princes of the other fifteene Prouinces For if thei had otherwise doen thei had neither wonne honour nor yet gained any thing els thereby For what a more wholesome better profitable and necessarie thyng could thei haue taken in hande then to fight and make warre for the Religion and defence of their Countrey by which meane thei might keepe themselues from the horrible oppression of bloodie Tyrauntes seeyng the very Heathen haue gotten them selues great honour by defending of their Countrey Wherefore sith the defence of a mans Countrey is so good and honourable a thyng and the defence of Religion a thyng farre more excellent and of greater importaunce there is great reason the Magistrate should wholy endeuour hym self to defende his good and faithfull Subiectes But what way maie any Common weale most fitly be defended wheÌ„ as there reigneth suche greate discorde and dissention among Subiectes Surely there are twoo meete kyndes of meanes to bee had and vsed amongest three estates of men for the defendyng and vpholdyng of a Common weale in peace and vnitie And first of all the Magistrates are to obserue twoo thynges for the defence and maintenaunce of a Commonweale in tranquillitieâ—to wit Iudgement and Iustice By Iudgement in seuerely and not rashly vsyng the sworde giuen vnto them by God for the punishyng of the wicked and offenders to the ende the good Subiectes might bee saued harmelesâ—e and preserued from all oppression and iniury They are also to haue a diligent care not to shed innocent bloud for feare that the bloud of the Innocentes crie out to God against them for vengeaunce and so he require the bloud of them at their handes For in the booke of the Cronicles it is saied vnto the Iudges Beholde ye Iudges what you doe you execute not the Iudgement of men but of God you doe Iustice when as you pronounce true and right Sentences in defendyng the Wydowes and Fatherlesse in doyng of them speedie Iustice not corruptyng the Lawe either for money or rewarde and not giuyng iudgement to the hurte of any of the parties either for want of not knowyng the cause or els through ignoraunce Wherefore it is a moste necessarie thyng for Iudges to be learned in the Ciuill Lawe whiche thyng Plato the Heathen Philosopher well considered when as he saied That that Common weale was very happie whiche was gouerned by wisemen and Philosophers Secondarely two thynges are necessarie in euery Christian Churche to the ende that no offences or dissentions arise amongest the people The first is the pure and sincere doctrine of the worde of God with the true administration of the Sacramentes neither addyng to or takyng fro any one of them for it is written in the Apocalipse That that man is cursed whiche either addeth or taketh awaie any thyng from the worde of the Lorde The other is that discipline and iudgement be straightly kept in the Churche of God without tolleration or dissimulation or without respect of any persone or persones That all Whoremongers Dronkardes and all other whatsoener that doe continue and abyde in greeuous and grosse sinnes be excommunicated and cast out of the Church to the ende the whole Churche be not corrupted and infected by them and others take offence at their doynges Thirdly 〈◊〉 sect of the anabaptists ariseth in diuers places there are two thynges necessarie to bee obserued in euery particuler Familie or housholde The first is that fathers and mothers of housholdes must bryng vp their Familie of honestly and not suffer their meney to want thynges necessaâ—orie For S. Paule saieth that that man is worse then an Infiderawhiche prouideth not for his housholde The other thynâ—ing of the correction and chastesing of their children and seruaâ— tes who are to bee corrected and kept in awe For Salomon saieth He that spareth the Rodde hateth his Childe For youthe is compared vnto yong Trees because whosoeuer he bee that will haue straite yong Trees must set a very straite staffe harde by euery of them And so if yong youthes be well taught and brought vp from their cradle in the feare of the Lorde and in his waies and pathes those youthes I saie will become very honest and feare the Lorde Now then my good Lordes if these three estates of men were well brought vp the worlde would bee at a sarre better staie then now it is for then we should bee sure to heare no newes of so perilous ciuill warres sheddyng
¶ A TRAGICALL Historie of the troubles and Ciuile warres of the lowe Countries otherwise called Flanders Wherein is sett forthe the originall and full proceedyng of the saied troubles and Ciuile warres with all the stratagemes sieges forceble takynges and manlike defenses of diuers and sondrie Cities Tounes and Fortresses of the same together the Barbarous crueltie and tyrannie of the Spaniard and trecherous Hispaniolized Wallons others of the saied lowe Countreis And there withall the Estate and cause of Religion especially from the yere 1559. vnto the yere 1581. Besides many Letters Commissions Contractes of Peace Unions Articles and Agrementes published and Proclaimed in the saied Prouinces Translated out of French into Englishe by T.S. geÌ„t ¶ Jmprinted at London by John Kyngston for Tobie Smith dwelling in Paules Churchyarde at the signe of the Crane BRIDGEWATER LIBRARY TO THE RIGHT HOnorable the Lorde Robert Dudley Erle of Leicester Baron of Denbigh Knight of the moste noble Order of either Garter and of sainct Michaels Maister of her Maiesties Horses and one of her Highnesse moste honourable Priuie Counsell encrease of all honour healthe and wealthe in this life and in the worlde to come the blessed Estate of life euerlastyng AFter I had finished the TraÌ„slation of this Tragicall Historie Right honourable conteinyng the verie originall of the warres in the now miserable lowe Countries whiche before those troubles were taken as it were to bee the Paragone or rather â—earthly Paradise of all the Countries in Europe whiche warres and troubles as myne Auctour hath sett doune beganne in the yere 1559. and hath continued his Storie vnto the yere 1581 In whiche I finde how the moste righteous God in his moste iuste Iudgement hath with his roddes of corrections I meane the Spaniardes and certaine other Hispaniolized low Countrey men fatherly chastized that people for their greate disobedience and woonderfull vnthankefulnesse especially for the contempte of the glorious Gospell of his deare beloued Soonne our onely Sauiour and Redeamer Christe Jesus so frely offered vnto them besides all the reste of his notable benefites whiche roddes and scourges when he hath in his great wisedome teawed vpon them for their amendement he will surely like a tender and louyng Father caste into the fire VVhiche his fatherlike dealyng should moue vs of the Englishe nation throughly consider of For in my simple opinion sauyng the iudgement of farre grauer wiser and learneder then my self our staffe staÌ„deth next the dore For where can wee read either in the olde Testament or yet in any other prophane Historie that euer GOD dealte more bountifully with any Nation then with vs either for thynges needefull and necessarie or delightfull and pleasaunt for this life So that it maie vetie well be saied of vs that we enioye a lande flowyng with Milke and Honie But especially for the plentifull bestowyng of his moste holie and blessed worde emongest vs whiche chief and principall benefite is in suche sort by the greater nomber of vs so contemned as that it must needes cause hym one daie make vs feele his heauie haÌ„d as these low Countries haue already â—elt without we speedely returne vnto him in true and vnfained repentaunce for we must not thinke that if we fault in the like sinnes but to reape the like Iudgement because he is one and the self same God in punishyng from euerlastyng No 〈◊〉 â—use sir this historie declareth vnto vs that the beginnyng of these troubles came by reason of the refusyng of the Spanishe Inquisition and of the defence of the state of Religion whiche wee at this daie professe And whiche the Lorde be thanked for it euer sitheÌ„ce the first blessed entrauÌ„ce of her Maiesties most Godly and gracious gouernment ouer this noble Realme of EnglaÌ„d hath by the good aduise of your lordship the rest of her highnesse most honorable priuâ—e Counsell been by her excellencie maintained and defended I therefore bothe because of your holie faithe knowledge zeale and obedience in the truth of the same Religion which the Lord more and more encrease strengthen and continue in you as also by reason of the aidyng of all those godly Ministers whom Sathan with his Impes and Suppostes haue sought and daiely seeke by all meanes possible to deface as manifestly hath beene seene and yet still appeareth haue the rather for these vertues aforesaied presumed vpon your honourable courtesie to choose you out from amongest the rest of the right honourable to be the Patrone of this my poore trauell vnder whose godly protection it might marche and be sheelded Humbly beseechyng your Lorshippe not to regarde so muche my boldnesse in my choise for the whiche I craue pardone as the ende wherefore the Historie was first written and for what cause also I haue put the same in Englishe And then I doubt not but that your good Lordshippe will the better accept of the one for the cause of the other And for your honourable and godlie dealyng aswell to wardes the worde as also towardes the godlie Ministers you baue shewed your self to resemble that valiaunt and milde leader of the children of Israell Moses a verie true and faithfull seruaunt of GOD ouer his house and Churche all his life long And so your Lordshipp still perseueryng therein as you haue begonne shall not onely resemble Moses but followe also the godlie steppes of that valiaunt â—aptaine Josua Moses his successor who as we read in the laste Chapter of his Booke after he had assembled all the people together and recounted vnto theim the woonderfull thynges whiche God had doen for them he exhorted them therefore to serue the lorde in perfectnesse and truth and not serue those Gods whiche their forefathers had serued on the other side of the stood and in Egipte saiyng further vnto theim that if thei thought it not good to serue that Lorde that thei should chose that date whom thei would serue For â—he if you intende to serue the Gods whoÌ„ your forefathers serued or the Goddes of the Ammorites in whose lande you dwell you shall serue them alone for me For I and my house will serue the Lorde who hath doen all these thynges for vs. VVhiche Grace and boldnesse I besâ—â—he the Lorde our God euen for his mercie and truthes sake graunt you and all her Matesties moste honourable and faithfull Counsellors I shal not here neede right honourable make any lenger discourse of the first occasiâ— of these troubles other then as I haue in the beginnyng touched for if I did I should trouble our honorable eares with superfluous matter seeyng the readyng ouer of the same which if it might so please you I gladly wish will leade you to a more sufficient and better vnderstandyng thereof whiche hath been one especiall cause why I haue offered it vnto your Lordship But more especiall to shewe vnto your good Lordship some parte of my poore affectioÌ„ and good will to wardes you who desireth nothyng more then in all humble and dâ—etifull
of bloud burnyng and destructions of Prouinces as now presently we see for many Prouinces are now brought to naught many Cities sacked the Enhabitauntes murdered and vtterly spoyled and the onely cause and originall of altogether is this that the three estates aforesaied are not duely and truely ordered and gouerned and therefore of very right and reason wee iustly feele the heauie indignation and wrath of God fallen vppon vs. Now for conclusion my Lordes I haue been very desierous to dedicate this my Booke vnto your Lordshippes conteinyng the ciuill warres in the lowe Countreis wherein you maie beholde the originall and first beginnyng of these troubles and bloudie warres together the stratagemes and practizes of the Popish and Spanishe Inquisition vtterly to roote vp the Churche of God Beseechyng you my good Lordes to take all in good parte Your most humble and obedient Seruaunt Theophile D. L. The first booke of the histories of the troubles in the Lowe Countreys conteyning the very originall and chiefe beginning of all those troubles and cruell warres which sithens haue ensued THe Scriptures of the Prophetes and Apostles wheron the Church of God is built haue of long time bin vnknowne vnto christendome and ouershadowed with horrible darknes and so were hid by the religiousâ—rable and Balamiticall priestes because they might thereby so much the more confirme and establish their vayne opinions and foolishe deuises as the very foundation of all their wealth and onely piller of their honor and dignitie For Luther the author of the light of the Gospell when Martin Luther began to bring to light the holy Scriptures and had nowe manifested by the preaching of the Gospell many faultes and abuses this doctrine of Luthers was extreamely hated not onely because it seemed to set forth a newe way and path vnto saluation and so condemned our ancestours and predecessours but also because it taught what mens inuentions were and besides laide open all the deceiptes and abuses wherewith the Church of God was infected Insomuch that by that meanes was no more called the Church of Christ but the Romish Church Howebett this doctrine was principally contemned The feet of the anabaptists ariseth in diuers places reiected and iudged to be most wicked at such time as the sect of the braynsicke Anabaptistes beganne to start vp in the Townes of Munster Amstelredam and in the olde Monastarie of Fryse to wit in the yeere 1535. As by this short latine versicle engrauen ouer the Gates of Munster in these capitall letters bearing bate the selfe same yeers manifestly may appeare Ecce peccata tua venerunt super caput tuum that is to say Beholde thy sinnes are fallen vpon thine owne head The which Anabaptistes went about vnder the colour of religion and of the Gospell vtterly to depriue the Magistrate of all authoritie and had deuised to make all things in common saying that they were stirred vp by the spirite of GOD to reforme the worlde and to ordayne and set vp another kinde of ciuill gouernement Whereupon the enemie of the true doctrine which was preached in the beginning had then that which hee looked for Insomuche that the most mightie and inuincible Monarche of famous memorie the Emperour Charles the fifth was aduertised that all such as spake agaynst the faultes and abuses of the Church of Rome and refuted them were infected with that heresie and had determined to take away from Princes and Magistrates their authoritie and power to abolishe all pollitike gouernement to confounde all ciuill ordinaunces and would set vp and put in practise an horrible chaunge in all thinges by whiche information his Imperiall Maiestie was easily perswaded to ordayne and set downe very seuere ordinances edictes touâ— ching the cause of religion And to proue this to be true his Maisties edict published at Wormes is a sufficient testimonie by which was declared that his Maiestie was throughly informed that their doctrine tended to the same effect therefore his will pleasure was that the same edict shoulde with out dissimulation or tolleration with out respect of any person or persons of what estate or conditioÌ„ soeuer be put in execution Insomuch that all officers followed the same presently some for the hatred that they had to the same doctrine othersome againe for the spoyle which they looked for sought to charge innocent men with the doctrine of Luther being readier to obey the Emperours commaundement then Gods who saith vnto tyrants when his people suffer persecution why persecute you mee And although the Anabaptistes doctrine was nothing like vnto the doctrine of Luther and Zwinglius which tendeth to no kinde of sedition at all yet for all that the officers went so neere the consciences of men as that they spared not to torment pore miserable soules with all kinde of crueltie to the ende his Maiesties wil might bee throughly folowed and furthered whiche tended to the vtter rooting vp of them at once Insomuch that within fiftie yeeres next ensuing there were without all doubte moe then an hundreth thousande people put to violent death by vertue of these ordinaunces and edicts either els were forced through feare of the horrible tormentes to flye the countrey Nowe then as easily may be perceiued although the Lutherans were greatly persecuted in all quarters of Almaâ—e and on the otherside the Zwinglians or they of the religion in the low Countreys who for the greater number fully iumped with the Lutherans yet for all that the great fidelity and obedience whiche they beare to their Kinge and naturall liege Lorde very manifestly and notoriously appeared as they of Flanders oftentymes declared in hazarding their liues and goodes for their Lorde and Soueraygne when as they chased the French out of their borders And besides it is well knowen howe patiently they aboade the tyranny in keeping still a good and pure conscience to God alone alwayes obeying God rather then men in the cause of religion insomuch that one force of them was burnt another sort hanged the thirde drowned The great patiencâ— of those of the Religion and the fourth forte had no more hurt but their heades cut offiyea they endured all the tormentes that might bee and yet vsed they not once any worde tending to sedition following therein their Maister Christ Iesus who being reuyled and euill dealt withall neuer gaue foule language but alwayes in their greatest tormentes praysed God wishing to the Magistrate which tormented and executed them all good and amendement of life still praying to God for them Surely these were no seditious dealinges neyther yet tendyng to sedition yea the very enemies them selues of the Lutherans and Gospellers were enforced maugre their heardes to confesse as much but they saide in deede the reason was because they were not strong mough to withstande them Surely they woulde haue shewed some token of their insolencie if there had been any spice of sedition in their heartes For notwithstanding the long absence of their king
parma in that matter as that in the end shee sent the Counte Egmont towardes the kyng of Spaine giuing him charge commission to seek by al meanes possible the mittigation of his maiesties heart in getting him to cease the inquisition in the coūtries thereabout Whē the Coūte was returned out of Spain he brought letters thence with him to the Dutches charging her to deuise some sound fit meanes for the quiet tranquility of the country alwayes prouided that the catholike religion should in no wise be empayred For performyng wherof she appointed 3. bishops three doctors who were wel seene both in dininitie and also in the ciuill cannon lawes that they myght be the better able to discerne iudge of such as were accused of heresie But because this seemed to be ouer weake a moderation tendyng to the abasing of princes amongst theyr subiects the inquisition was a fresh brought in established cōmandemēt giuen that the decrees of the councell of Trent should be obserued a seuere proceeding has agaynst the aforesayd supplyāts Nowe as the cōmon people were heereat greatly troubled perplexed the nobilitie were determined to declare vnto her highnes the mischiefe that therupon might ensue protesting that they had sufficiently discharged the duty of loyall subiects vassals vnto his maiestye if for want of such prouision therein as they had deuised any ruine or desolatiō shold arise vnto the coūtry And for this end purpose there met at Bruxelles the 5. of April 1566 about 200. Gentlemen exhibited to her highnes this supplication here set downe The speeches which the L. of Brederode vsed vnto the lady Regent before he deliuered vp the supplication MAdame the gentlemen in this city here assembled The oratione◠the Lord of Brederode and the rest of the same condition and qualitie who are not in number fewe haue not met and stayed here together for any other respects then for the seruice of the prince and common weale of the low coūtries in most hūble wise to exhibite vnto your highnes this supplicatiō vpō the view sight wherof it may please you to take such order as by the same may seem cōueniēt beseeching your highnes to take it in good part Ouer and besides this Madame we are let to vnderstād that we are charged before your highnes the Lords of the Councel and others that our chiefe determination hath been to stir vp tumults to cause reuolts and to make sedition and that which is most detestable they haue charged vs that we goe about to change the prince by practising of leagues and conspiracies with strange princes and captaines as well Frenche Germanes as others which thing we neuer once thought of and is the very thing in deed that is cleane contrary to our fidelitie and allegeance and that your highnesse shall find by readyng ouer this supplication most humbly beseeching your highues by the way to shew vs so much fauor as to discouer and name vnto vs those persons who haue so vniustly slaundered so noble and honorable a companie And besides this madame the Lordes here present are let to vnderstand that there are some of them particulerly accused and charged to haue lift vp their hands gone about to put in execution the aboue said wicked enterprise as well with the French as also with other strangers wherewith we finde our selues not a little greeued and therefore we most humbly beseech your highnes to do vs the good pleasure to name vnto vs both the accusers the accused to the end that the wrong wicked deed being discouered your highnes may make thereof a quicke and speedy exāple of iustice whereby you may meete with the mischiefes hurt that therby might fall out assuring our selues that your highnes wil neuer suffer so noble honorable a cōpanie to stand vniustly charged with so shamefull wicked attempts The supplication of the nobilitie of the low countries exhibited to the Dutches of Parma and Plaisance c. MAdame it is right well knowne as presently also may bee seene that the great fidelitie of the people of the low countries towards their Lords naturall princes hath euer al christendome ouer bin highly renowmed in which alleageance the nobilitie haue alwayes been chiefe as men who neuer made any reckoning eyther of their bodies or goods for the increasing of theyr Princes honour and glorie Wherein wee his Maiesties most humble vassals entende by the grace of God for euer to continue from good to better insomuche as wee will day and night be ready both with our bodies and goodes most humbly to serue him and therefore we seeing vppon what termes the state presently standeth haue rather chosen to take a little fault vpon our selues then to conceale such thinges as hereafter might turne to his Maiesties hurt and so eftsoones trouble the peace and quietnes of these countries trusting that the effect will in time shew that of all the seruices which wee might haue done or may doe in time to come vnto his maiestie this which now we are about will be thought to be the notablest to greatest purpose whereupon wee assuredly perswade our selues that your highnesse will not but take it in good part Although then Madam we doubt not that what soeuer his maiestie hath heretofore yea and at this present doeth ordeine for the cause of the Inquisition and the straite obseruing of the commissions vpon the state of the religion hath not had any sound ground and iust title and so continue the same whiche the late Emperour Charles of famous memorie had vpon a good meaning stayed yet neuertheles seeyng that the difference of times bringeth therewith diuersity of remedies that although not many yeeres sithence the said cōmissions for al this were not rigorously executed yet haue they giuē occasiō to breed many grieuous incōueniēces Surely his Ma. last determinatiō where in he did not only forbid that any moderation of the said cōmissions should be had but also gaue expresse cōmandemēt that the Inquisition shoulde be obserued the cōmissions most sharply executed giueth vs very iust occasion to feare that therby not onely the said inconueniences may come grow but that there may also in the end a generall commotion ensue therof tending to the miserable destruction of the whole countrie as the manifest tokens of the alteration of the people which euery where may be perceiued layeth it wide open before our faces Wherfore we knowing the manifest likelihood greatnes of the danger which threaten vs were in good hope euen vntil nowe that eyther the nobility or els the Estates of the countrey woulde at some cōuentent time haue made supplication vnto your highnes to the end some remedy might haue byn foūd for the same by taking away the cause original of the mischief therfore after we had seene that they were therein nothing foreward vppon what occasions we know not
the suppliants were purposely determined not to make any innouation about the auncient religiō obserued in the countries here about but the same to maintaine obserue with all their power and might Giuen by her highnesse at Bruxelles the 6. of Aprill 1565. before Easter Whereunto the nobilitie replied the 8. Aprill as followeth MAdame after wee had seen read your highnes answere sēt vnto vs we could not but first of al most hūblie thank the same for the speedie dispatch thereof but especially for the contentment and good liking whiche your highnes had of this our assemblie which was for none other cause saue onely for the seruice of his Maiestie and the common good tranquillitie of the countrey And for the greater contentation and quiet of the same countrey wee woulde haue been very glad that your graces said answere had been set downe more largely and plainly neuertheles sith your highnesse as we vnderstande hath not nowe that autoritie that we would be glad you had for the which we are right sorie yet we trust vpon the hope and assurance whiche your highnes hath giuen vs that you will set suche an order therein aswel amongst the Magistrates as amongst the inquisitors as shal enioyne them to stay al suits commenced by the Inquisition or by any eyther of the old or yet of the newe Edictes or Commissions vntill suche time as his Maiestie hath taken some other order about them And seeing wee for our parte Madame desire nothing els but to followe whatsoeuer his Maiestie with the aduise and consent of the generall Estates assembled shall ordayne for the maintenance of the ancient religion wee trust so to behaue our selues as that your highnes shall haue no occasion to be displeased if any one commit any grieuous or seditious fact let your highnes and those of the counsell of the Estate appoint such chastisement as the desert of the fact requireth And we here againe protest that if any inconuenience herevpon doth arise for want of good order set herein that wee haue satisfied and perfourmed our duetie Most humblie beseeching your highnesse to haue good liking of this our bounden dutie and receiue it as our seruice for his Maiestie Offring our selues to remaine your highnes most humble obedient seruances to die at his feet in his seruice whensoeuer it shal please your highnesse to command vs. The Marques of Bergues the Baron of Mountigni were by the common aduise of the counsel of estate sent towards his Ma. into Spayne in the meane while there was some mitigation release of the accustomed sharp dealing but yet they of the reformed religion continued their assemblies in houses by small numbers attending his Maiestyes wil and pleasure Nowe a litle before that the Nobility of the countrey had exhibited this supplication her Highnes suspecting some mischiefe by reason of the assembly of the Nobility had made the woorst market of the matter that possibly she could haue deuised had it not beene that some of the counsell encouraged and comforted her emongst whom was one man especially which as it is said was the Lord of Barlaymont who sayde vnto her Tush tush The Originall or first bringing vp of the Gueses Madame bee not dismaid neither feare these Gueses for there are wayes and meanes enowe both to ouerthrow them vtterly roote them out This saying truly vttered by hym the confederates accepted and tooke it vp for a common name amongest them and thereupon cloathed themselues in whytishe or fryars gray euery man hauing hanging at his gyrdle a woodden clap dish trimmed rounde about with an hoope of siluer enamaled black wherein were engrauen these words Viue les Gueux that is God saue the Lazare or spittle man And after that one of the chiefe of that company drunke at Bruxelles the fift of Aprill in such another dishe and when he had drunke hee cryed Viue les Gueux Morouer in signe and token of their wonderfull fidelitie towardes their prince they did weare about their neckes the picture of king Phillip some grauen in golde some in siluer on the backside of the same picture was the figure of hande in hande with the clappe Dishe and Wallet and about it this deuise Fideles an Roy insgues a la Besace that is faythfull vnto the king euen vnto Beggers state They had also Copper Counters on the one side of which was engrauen Escu de viane that is the shielde or armes of Viane and on the other side Per feu et flammes to wit through the hoate burning fire and flamme with the armes of the house of Burgome In the moneth of May the yeere 1566. A surceasing of the Inquisition and of the commissions the Inquisition and Commissions surceased and besides all Magistrates and Officers were forbidden the exercise and execution of them against the subiectes vpon payne of the punishmentes conteyned in the Commissions But as a fire long time kept in waxeth very hoate after bursteth out into great fiery flammes euen so they of the religion hauing this aduantage and being no longer able to keepe in beganne to manifest them selues and make common and open assemblies First in lowe Flanders and soone after at Antwerp where they beganne openly to preach the 24. of Iune being S. Iohns day in the aforesayde yeere about a quarter of a myle out of the Citie Shortly after they of Tournay followed and so likewise did many other Cities of Hollande Zelande Brabant Flanders and other places The number of them came to the assemblies so dayly encreased as that a man woulde haue thought the people had come to a fayre or market when after long dearth great store of Corne had been brought thither Nowe for the first preaching that was at Antwerpe the people resorted thither without their forbidden weapons But when they were aduertised of a conspiracie entended agaynst them they beganne contrary to the Kinges and Regentes Proclamations to carry them for their defence agaynst the Inuasion and furie of the conspirators But after they were come backe into the Citie they layde them away and in the meane tyme besought the chiefe officers eyther to grannt them some guard or defence agaynst those people or els suffer them to meete together within the Citie that they might not bee thrust out into any such danger and in case they woulde so doe they woulde altogether lay away their weapons In this meane while The prince of Oranges comming to Antwerpe the Prince of Orange was entreated to come to Antwerpe to preuent the troubles that were like to ensue And when he was come for that purpose hee trauelled by verye instant Orations to cause the preachinges cease for three weekes or a moneth In which tyme hee put them in good hope that the generall Estates woulde meete togeather for purueying for the same But forsomuch as they of the religion forsaw not any good to arise by this surceasing but
together with the writing the same euening exhibited as I was foorthwith enforced to departe for the cause you wote of The chiefe Officers for certayne respectes and notable aduertisementes whiche sithence come haue commanded me that ouer and besides our Ladie Churche and S. Georges that were this day named that you should like wise for the present abstaine from S. Iames and S. Michaels Which your obedience shall greatly please the Magistrate and you therin shall shew your good willes And so with my commendations I end In post haste the 23. of August 1566. All yours Iames of Wesen becke Pensioner of Antwerpe WHen they of the Religion heard that they were forbidden the occuping of these foure Churches aboue specified they had conceiued this opinion that the Magistrate woulde bee contented at the least to winke at the seruing of their turnes with the rest of the Churches Wherefore they that spake Flemish would needes preach on sunday morning being the 24. of August at the Borough Churche and the Walonnes meant to preach at the Iacopins But the very same morning there came two Gentlemen from the Prince shewing them that they must at no hande haue recourse to anie of the Churches howebeit that the chiefe Officers coulde bee contented that they shoulde meete together in the newe Towne And for this purpose they deputed one of the Sberiffes to goe and appoynt the wardes to suffer the people peaceably to passe as they went to the Sermon in that place But forsomuchas the Fleminges were already assembled in great multitudes in the saide Churches it was thought beste to let them alone for that morning vppon condition that they shoulde in the Afternoone goe to the Sermon in the newe Towne as the Walonnes did Who beeing not as yet gotten into the Iacopins for they kepte the doores shut vppon them when as they heard that there was a discharge brought that they shoulde not come in any Church assembled themselues in the new Towne by the authoritie and permission of the Magistrate Nowe at that tyme was greete trouble in Antwerpe as well by reason of the pulling downe of the Images as also in regarde of the publique Sermons whiche then serued in steede of Masses Insomuche that the whole Citie kepte almoste continuall watche and warde and the Gates and shoppes thereof were close shutte vppe Whiche was the cause that the Prince of Orange who as before is saide was gone to Bruxelles made speedye returne to Antwerpe the sixe and twentye of Auguste with the charge as Gouernour appoynted by his Maiestye for the pacifiyng of the troubles For the bringing of which to passe he caused two gentlemen to require at the handes of the two Churches to witte the Fleminges and Walonnes to depute ech of them foure wise skilfull personages who should communicate with his excellency what meanes were best to appease assure the people both of the one religion and of the other To this charge were chosen and deputed for the Fleminges Marke Peris Charles of Bombergue Herman vander Meere and Cornelius of Bombergue And for the Walonnes Frauncis Godyn Iohn Carlier Nicholas du vinier and Nicholas Sellyn Whiche eight deputies were allowed and authorized to this charge by the Prince the 28. of August and by the chiefe Officers the laste of the sayde moneth by their deedes graunted to these endes Nowe for the first conference his Excellencie propounded to the sayde Deputies these fifteene Articles ensuing with the aunsweares to euerye of them exhibited by the sayde Deputies in the name of both the Churches and his Excellencies aunsweares againe to euery of their answeares To my Lorde Monsieur the Prince MY Lord forsomuchas in your Excellēcies absence we may haue some other his Ma. Liuetenant not endued with such wisedome iustice and affection vnto the common weale quiet of this Citie as your selfe we are therfore inforced for our greater assurance in time to come to haue certayne poynts to vs propounded more particulerly to be cleared manifested which we woulde not thinke needful if wee were assured alwayes to haue to deale with your Excellencie by reason of the great trust whiche we repose in the same The first and second Articles FIrst you shal be no let to the Papists for their going to their Churches neither yet trouble them for the hauing of such exercise of their religion as they shall thinke meete conuenient 2 You shall not preache in any Churche but onely in the newe Towne and that in suche places as shall bee assigned to you The Answeare ALthough the Churches are common and free for all the Burgesses and not particuler to the Papistes yet doe wee promise neither to take nor occupie eyther by force or violence anye of them neyther yet trouble the Papistes in the exercise of their Religion Yet notwithstanding wee humblye beseeche your Excellencie to appoynt vs some Churche of theirs for the exercise of ours hauing regarde to the multitude and to the right that wee haue as Citizens whiche wee can by no meanes loose by reason of the embracing of the doctrine of the Gospell The third Artile 3 You shal haue but two Preachers and those to be of the same countrey borne The Answeare WE pray that the number of the ministers may be according to the multitude of the people and that you will graunte vnto vs for the present necessitie at the least eight for the Flemishe Churche and three for the Walonnes For the rest wee agree that the ministers of the word shal be of the same countrey borne the kings subiectes or receiued Citizens in some good citie hereabout The fourth Article 4 You shall not carrie any forbidden weapons vnto the Sermons but shal lay downe at the Princes feete al forbidden weapons The Answeare AS for the first poynt wee verily beleeue that his excellencies meaning is not but that it shal be lawfull and free for euery of vs to weare a sworde and a dagger and that hee will not graunt a larger libertie vnto the rest then the said sword and dagger And as for the seconde poynt which is to laye downe all forbidden weapons at the Princes feete vnder correction it should seeme that such a proposition concerning the priuiledges of the citie ought to be made generall to all Citizens and inhabitants of the same The fift 5 You shall make a Catalogue or rowle of all their names that bee of your Churche and the Prince shall call them before him to knowe of them if they had the same Catalogue The Answeare FOrsomuchas the libertie which we presently enioy is not confirmed by the king and the generall Estates therefore there are manie that will hardly graunt to haue their names in writing and withall it will be very harde to make such a Catalogue as his Excellencie desireth by reason of the great multitude of the people and therefore we beseech him not to take it in euill part if herein we satisfie not his desire but
that hee may bee somewhat informed of the number beseeching his Excellencie to appoynt commissioners for the viewing of the assemblies The sixt 6 You shall obey the Magistrate and giue your attendāce for the conseruation of the cōmon weale accordingly as he shall appoynt The Answeare VVE agree to that alwayes prouided that the priuiledges be kept sound and without preiudice to the Religion that now is permitted vnto vs. The seuenth 7 All such Preachers as shal preach seditiously against the Magistrate or others shalve driuen out and banished the Citie The Answeare VVE agree to that so that the reprehending of false doctrine the abuse of Ceremonies and corruption of manners bee not taken for seditious speeches and that the same which shal bee alleadged shall be duely verified by men worthy to be beleeued and vnsuspected and that al other preachers may bee subiect to the same law The eight 8 You shal not change increase nor diminishe those that are of your Consistorie without the knowledge of the Prince nor yet take in newe ministers The Answeare FOr the more assuraunce and safetie of his Excellencie wee beseeche that it woulde please him to depute one Magistrate or other that professeth our Religion vppon whose fidelitye your Excellencie may rest who may be assistant to the choosing of the mininsters Elders and Deacons and to all the affayres which shall be dealt withall amongest them for the gouernment and rule of their Church The nienth 9 You shall not trouble nor laye handes one of another by reason of the diuersitie of the religion but ayde and defend thē if any man shall seeme to offer them wrong The Answeare Wee agree to that so that they doe promise as much in our behalfe The tenth 10 You shall not hinder the proceeding of the lawe in any cause whatsoeuer but especially in the executing of the spoylers of the Churche The Answeare We agree to that alwayes prouided that we be not barred of anie lawfull meanes or wayes The eleuenth 11 You shall not sing in the streetes in companies but onely at Sermons and the exercises of your Religion The Answeare We agree that no man shall sing in the streets in companies The twelfth 12 A thousand of you shall subscribe to these poyntes aboue sayde Answeare FOrsomuche as the resolute establishement of our Religion is put to the deciding of the generall Estates we think that there are many which wil hardly subscribe neuertheles if the occurranses alwaies prouided that they be no strangers and besides they may haue other officers for their consistorie To the fourth he saith that they may not goe with nor haue at their sermons assemblies and exercises of their religion any harquebushes pistolles holbards nor anye other forbidden weapons alwayes prouided that no man shall forbid them the wearing of sword and dagger To the fifte hee saieth that hee is contented to temporize or serue the turnes of these Suppliauntes and to stay a while for the deliuering vp of this rowle for the reasons by them declared For the sixt his Excellencie accepteth of the accord hereupon agreed willing them to keepe it accordingly For the seueuth his Excellencie also accepteth of the aunsweare to this Article and it is his mind and of the magistrate likewise that all Preachers in general of what religion soeuer they be shall abstayne from all Inuectiues wronges and reproches which thing he would also haue to be giuen in commandement to the preachers of the Suppliants likewise to those of the other religions For the eighth his Excellencie accepting of the offer vppon this Article will depute and name vnto the Suppliauntes some one Officer for the purposes in this supplication conteined For the nienth his Excellencie accepteth also of the accord agreed vppon this Article and will take order with the Magistrate that all the Catholiques shall obserue it in like manner whereof they haue alreadie begun to make a good assay by the Proclamation that was yesterday made for the abstinence of wronges For the tenth his Excellencie also accepteth it agreeth to the answeare of this Article For the eleuenth he likewise accepteth of the accord had vpon this present article For the twelfth his Excellencie supposeth it to be both requisite and conuenient that the ministers Elders Deacons Officers and the rest whiche are of the Consistories with some sufficient good number of the best qualified of the Religion doe subscribe agree and promise to keepe and make effectual these presēt answeres with the articles offers in this writing agreed vpon and his Excellencie also doubteth not but to get the same to be signed by one of the Secretaries of the citie in the name of the Magistrate who as he is to command in generall and keepe in obedience all the Inhabitauntes of this citie so by that meane he shall be much better able to serue for the tuition assuraunce and quiet of these Suppliaunts and their assemblies being certayne and sure that by reason of this singing none of the suppliants shal hereafter be suspected hunted after nor troubled For the thirteenth his Excellencie accepteth the accord vpon this Article and doubteth not but that the Suppliantes will be glad of the case to come for the liberty whiche they themselues required For the fourteenth hee woulde assure these Suppliauntes as well by reason of the sayde singing as also of the proclamatiōs that al the Inhabitāts lyuing in obedience politike tranquility should be protected without regarde of Religion either of papacy or protestancy For the fifteenth his Excellencie accepteth of the answere to this present Article And as for the other pointes of the suppliants answeares his Excellency replieth as followeth For the first hee aunsweareth that the leuiyng was not for to trouble any in the exercise of his Religion But contrarywise for the safetye and quietnesse as well of the Supplyauntes as of all others insomuche as they were all Cityzens and sworne to doe nothing agaynst the Priuiledges nor agaynst anye that were of the Religions but indifferently to stande in defence agaynst all violences as they might at large see by their Articulations of whiche his Excellencie woulde not sticke to bestowe on them a Copye who also should not be burdenous to the Inhabitants nor yet hinder their trafficke but preserue the Citie from all troubles and inconueniences and assure the merchaunt againe to sette vppe and place the accustomed trade of merchandise For the seconde hee aunsweareth that it is prouyded for by the Proclamation already set foorth Agreeyng to all the rest as it were by waye of colleration vntill suche tyme as his Maiestie by the aduise of the generall Estates shall otherwise ordeyne which determination euerie man shall be bounde to follow And his Excellency willeth them foorthwith to giue knowledge to those of the religion of al these poynts cōmanding thē to hold them within the compasse before saide Giuen at Antwerpe the 30. of August 1566. From these propositions and aunsweares
the Deputies culled out certaine Articles whiche shoulde serue for a full resolution which his Excellencie hauing receiued digested them in order as followeth Articles agreed vpon and signed Articles digested into forme and order TO the ende that all troubles and discordes which haue fallen out within this Citie of Antwerpe by reasō of religion might cease be for euer stayed and that all the Citizens Inhabitauntes thereof might from hencefoorth liue soberlye and peaceablye in all loue and amitte together and the negotiation or traffique bee brought againe vnto the olde trade and this Citie be defended from all further inconueniences So it is that after diuers communications and deliberations heereuppon had and holden and diuers poyntes and Articles propounded both on the one side and on the other my Lorde the Prince of Orange Vicount of this Citie and the appoynted Gouernour thereof in his Maiesties name and the right woorshipfull the Scowte or Marshall Boroughmaisters and Sheriffes of the same haue as it were by way of tolleration vntill suche time as his Maiestie with the aduise of the Generall Estates of these lowe Countries shal bee able otherwise to dispose and ordeyne agreed with those of the new Religion and permitted and tollerated these poyntes and Articles hereafter written which they of the Religion haue also promised and are bounde to keepe and follow 1 First of all they maye no way hinder nor trouble the Seruice Sermons nor other Church matters nor yet any of the Catholique religiō nor cause them to be hindred troubled nor indamaged by any manner of meanes soeuer 2 Also they maye not occupie nor yet keepe their Sermons or other exercises of their religion in anye Churches Monasteries or other hallowed places but onelye in some of the three places vndernamed to witte in the voyde or waste grounde of Paule van Gamer in the horse market In the voyde or waste grounde of Maister Lyekercke in Wapper or in the whiting garden in the Hospitall medowes harde by the Garden of the Archers and Arbalisters Prouided alwayes that if they canne gette none of these places aforesaide that then by the consent of his Excellencye they maye in steede of them vse some other places of the like bignesse and scituation and for so many vse those places in the newe Towne whiche heretofore they ware woonted to haue their Sermons in 3 At which places they may all at one time preach on the Sunday and vppon festiuall or holie dayes but vppon none other daies except it be on the Wednesday when there falleth not an holy daye in that weeke And they may haue for euerie preaching place a Minister and another to be ioyned with him who by reason of sicknes absence or other let may supply the others place as an assistaunt 4 Also that all these Preachers and Ministers muste bee borne in the Countries Subiecte to his Maiestie or els bee Citizens of some good Citie or Towne of those lowe Countries And thereuppon shall sweare vnto his Excellencye or in his absence to the Magistrate to bee obedient and faithfull in all matters of pollicie so longe as they shal remayne there 5 They may not haue nor beare to nor fro vnto the Sermons and of assemblie any Harquebusses Pistolles Holbardes or other forbidden weapons Alwayes prouided that no manne shall trouble anye of them for wearing either sworde or dagger 6 Item they shall in all matters of pollicie bee obetient vnto the Superiors and Magistrates and bee contributories to all the common charges of the Citie euen as all the reste of the Inhabitauntes and imploye them selues for the conseruation tranquilitie and common weale therof as wel as they 7 Item that all Preachers of what Religion soeuer they bee shall take heede howe they vtter anye despitefull rayling and iniurious wordes and generally all seditious speeches whether it be against anthority or the magistrate or against those of another religion Alwaies prouided that any thing cōcerning doctrine or the exercise of religion the reprehending of manners and disordered kind of life shall not be taken for seditious wordes 8 Item that his Excellencie may depute any Magistrate to be present at the choosing of any ministers Elders or deacons of their Churches or at their meetings together for the handling of any other cause concerning their Religion to that end he might alwaies make a true and faithful reporte both to his Excellency and to the Magistrate 9 Item that one of them maye not mocke another ueyther yet hinder hurte nor doe violence one to another anye manner of way by reason of the diuersitie of Religion but shal be bound to helpe one another if so be any violence or wrong be done vnto them 10 Item that no person whatsoeuer he be of the one religion or the other may stop the law either in apprchēding punishing or executing of Churchrobbers or offenders either yet in any other cause whatsoeuer but that the malefactors may bee dealte withall according to iustice 11 Item that none may sing in the streets where any people shall assemble or may be assembled 12 Item that his excellency the Magistrate of this citie shal not onely protect those of the religion but also generally all the inhabitants of this citie liuing in obedience peace and politike vnitie without regard whether they be of the Catholike or of this religion 13 All which poynts articles the ministers preachers of their Religion shal in al their sermons declare againe vnto the people admonish them with al speed to order and behaue them selues accordingly 14 Item that all the poyntes heeretofore mentioned shal as it were by way of tolleration bee inuiolably obserued and kepte vntill suche time as his Maiesty with the aduise of the generall estates of this countrey haue otherwise ordeined vnto the whiche ordinaunce those of the religion from thencefoorth shal be subiect and from this present promise to folow and keepe Alwaies prouided that if herein any thing shal bee established contrary to their conscience and religion that in this case there shal be a fit time agreed vpō that they may without impeachmēt freely get them away out of the countrey with their goods whethersoeuer they please 15 Item that the Preachers ministers elders deacons and other seruitours in their Churches with a good number of the best qualified in their Religion shal agree to these articles promise to keepe cause thē to be kept to thevttermost of their power subscribe also for the greater assuraunce of this present act Prouided alwayes that they shall not by reason of this subscribing in time to come be suspected troubled nor hunted after And his Excellencie with a secretary in the name of the Magistrate of this citie shall subscribe also for their safetie vnto this present Acte of whiche two shall bee expedient the one for his Excellency and the Magistrate and the other for those of the religion In witnes wherof this present act is
concluded vpon and subscribed as aforesaid the 12. of September 1566. And signed by William of Nassau Mandato commissorum Polities AND although there were two or three poyntes heerein whiche the Deputies woulde gladlye haue altered or at the leaste haue hadde them more playnely sette downe yet neuerthelesse beeyng satisfied with the woordes of his Excellencies owne mouth this accorde was signed by the Ministers and Gouernors of the Church with a good number of the beste qualified and other members thereof The first day of the said conference and communication with his Excellencie the saide deputies hauing vnderstood of the slaunders that they of the religion were still more and more charged with and that the chiefe Officers made shew to beleeue them First that the people had beene excited and stirred vppe by the Sermons to pull downe Idolles as hauing beene taught to thrust out all Idolles not onelie from their heartes but from their eyes also and not onelye to breake them in peeres but also to burne them to ashes that the memorye of them might cleane bee quenched out Moreouer that the sayâ—e Suppliantes had hyred certaine people to pull downe the Images Item that the ministers had also taught that they were no more bounde to paye the Assyses or custome or at the least not so greate as heeretofore they had done Item that they had concluded to take the Towne house chaunge the Magistrate and expulse all such out of the citie as were not of their religion Item that they should bragge that they would not once suffer any exercise of the Romish religion in this Citie and many such other like leasings whereupon they were inforced for the purging and iustifiyng of them selues to exhibite a supplication as well to his Excellencie as also to the Magistrate and Counsell of the Citie of Antwerpe conteyning ouer and beside the saide Iustification a graunt of certayne Churches built within the sayde Citie so greate and so manye as shoulde bee thought necessarie for the greatnesse and multitude of the people Moreouer the saide Suppliants of the religion prayed to haue a good answere vnto their supplication of euery act with a copie therof foorthwith a graunt that they might cause the same to bee imprinted for the benefite vnity and quiet of the citie of Antwerpe Now there was no answere vnto their supplication because the chiefe Officers presupposed that the Articles whiche were ready to be concluded vppon shoulde bee a sufficient prouiso for the whole And as for that poynt of the burying of the dead it was sayde vnto them that they might bury them in the publique churchyardes of the Citie There was also at that time published the abolition of the Spanishe Inquisition and commissions in manner and forme as followeth A Proclamation proclaymed and set foorth by Syr Iohn of Imersele knight Lorde of Bowdrie the Scoute or Marshall the Boroughmaisters Sheriffes and Counsell of the Citie of Antwerpe the last of August 1566. BE it knowen vnto all men on the behalfe of my Lorde the Prince of Orange The abolishing of the inquisition and commissions as geuernor and chiefe of thie Citie of Antwerpe appointed thereto by his maiestie and also on the behalfe of the Lordes of the saide citie First that our soueraigne Lorde the kings most excellent maiestie according to his greate clemencie and natur all goodnes tender affection hauing had regard and consideration to and of the quiet benefit and prosperitie of the lowe countries his true and lawfull inheritance hath expresly agreed declared and consented that the inhabitants and citizens of this citie and of all the lowe countries shall bee deliuered and for euer continue acquited discharged and vtterly disburdened of the Inquisition which not manie monethes sithence hath beene so muche spoken of and muttered at through out al the sayde lowe Countreys And hencefoorth shall bee and so still continue franke and free vtterly discharged of all the ordinaunces and Commissions sette downe and graunted about the cause of heresies and controuersies in religion which haue any way heretofore been had and published And that for and vntill such time as by newe and generall Commissions which by his Maiestie with the aduise of the generall Estates of the said countreys about the state of religion shall bee ordeyned and established it bee generally otherwise purueyed for and ordeyned according to which from that tyme forwarde euery man oughte to behaue and gouerne himselfe and whereon they must relie and be assured A Grapheus AND to the ende that they of either the religion might bee more assured and rest the quietlier there was another edict published by which the chiefe Magistrates tooke vppon them to procect both the one and the other forbidding eyther of them not to seeke to wronge and deale cruelly one with another as by the tenure hereof ensuing may appeare A Proclamation made and sette foorth before the Towne howse by the Lorde Diericke Vander Meeren vnder the Scowte or Marshall the Boroughmaisters and the Sheriffes and councell of the citie of Antwerpe the 3. of September 1566. TO the end that all troubles and diuisions within this Citie might be preuented withstood therewithall in like sorâ— that the negotiation and trafficke might be restored to his olde trade and that euery man might vnderstand knowe that hence foorth hee may assuredly without any doubt or feare of empeachment or disturbance most peaceably exercise his negociation and so eftsones the exercise of his religion Bee it knowne and by my Lorde the Prince of Orange c. The appointed gouernour in the name of his maiestie and likewise of the chiefe officers of the citie it is commaunded First That no man whatsoeuer hee bee doe take in hande or vppon him to empeache or trouble the seruice of the Churches Monasteries and of the olde Catholike Religion neyther yet missay or wronge any eyther in woorde or deede in whatsoeuer matter vpon payne of the losse both of bodie and goodes or otherwise to bee punished by arbytrement according to the merite of the facte for an example to all others Item That no man of what Estate and condition soeuer hee bee shall empeach nor trouble the exercise of the other religion at this present permitted by waye of tolleration neyther ill or wronge anye man anye kinde of way eyther in worde or deede for the same vpon the like payne and punishment Ouer and besides declaring that his Excellencie and the Citie doe take in hande to protect and saue harmelesse all the enhabitannts and dwellers of the same in general without respect whether they bee of the Catholike or of the other religion whiche as before is suffered by way of tolleration and hath alredie been treated of and agreed vppon with condition notwithstanding that euery man shall liue peaceabile and quietly and obediently to the Magistrate in all matters of policie without charging huntyng after and molesting anye man eyther of the one religion or the other
running into Tournay The enimie pursuing of them came before the Citie with niene ensignes and bad them let them in wherupon they rendred the towne where they houng vp certeyne ministers and the best or most qualified Protestantes When Noircarmes saw that the Valencians were no whit discomfited with the ouerthrowe of their neighboures and that they continued full and whole stiffe and constaunt in their purpose hee retyred from Tournay to Valencia A skirmish bâ—tweene Noircarmes the Valencians and skirmyshed with those of the saide Citie where immediatly were staine an hundred and threescore of the Valencians wherefore the sayde Noircarmes sent as well to Doway and Tournay as to other Cities thereabout for as much Artillery as was possiblye to be had and after he had made his trenches and planted his artillery or great shot he summoned Valencia with the cannon so that they of the sayd Citie considering that the Noble men and Gentlemen had forsaken them tooke counsell and after some debates about the Regents letters Valencia yâ—â—lded vp the Catholikes yeelded vp the ciâ— tie against the myndes of the French and many others the 24. of Marche 1567. Howbeeit they kept not their promise whiche they had made them For Monsieur de Noircarmes keeping the gates shut for certaine dayes committed that while many cruell deeds for the satisfiyng of his bloudy minde for he houng sâ—ew many French ministers The 〈◊〉 of Noircarmes and other very well qualified Protestantes confisked their goods abolished preaching restored the Ecclesiastical state This wicked deed cruel executioÌ„ marueâ—lously astonished the rest of the cities insomuch that Cambresis was forsaken Mastright rendred and the rest shortly after receiued Catholike garrisons While these things aboue said thus houng A disputation at Antwerpe Mathias Flaccus Illiricus A man well knowne Spangenberger and other Ministers of the confession of Ausbourgh arriued at Antwerpe and prouoked the ministers of the reformed Religion to dispute vppon the point of the presence of Christ Iesus his bodie in the Supper truely a matter of ouer greate waight for so an euill fauoured vnfitte tyme. Either partie had publyshed and prynted the confession of their faith This controuersie not well vnderstood is as yet vndecided and at that time nothing was concluded vpon wherefore the Germayne Doctors a few dayes after went from Antwerpe without doyng of anye thing At this very time the Protestantes considering the greate prosperitie and aduauncement of the Catholikes and their owne declining and abasing and besides the Regent persisting in following the Protestants made small account of her promises made to the nobility nor yet of her ordinaunces by her published and proclaymed to wit that the Inquisition shoulde cease and publique preaching bee graunted but layed all the blame vppon his Maiestie exhibited the 27. of October 1566. A supplication vnto my Lorde the Count of Hoogstrate Gouernour c. And to the Lords of the citie of Antwerpe the tenure whereof ensueth To the King IN all humble and most obedient wise shewe vnto your Maiestie your faithfull vassalles and true Subiectes of all the lowe Countries That whereas they haue alwayes employed their bodies and goodes and all other dueties in your Highnesse seruice as well in your absence as in your presence neuer refusing to paye anie customes Impostes tollages nor other extraordinary subsidies for your Maiesties conseruation but still bearing and continuing the same their good willes and feruent affections to wardes you and desiring to increase surpasse daylie more and more therin doe likewise trust that they shal perceiue find by experâ—ence such your Ma. great fauour and clemency as heeretofore they haue felt by singuler and notable tokens and testimonies For although your maiestie hath beene alwayes councelled and induced to pursue by most cruell death and losse of goods as many as will not in all points receiue the doctrine of the Romishe Church as also hath of late beene propounded and set foorth by the councell of Trent thereby to maintaine the inquisition where it was first planted and to bring it into other places where it was neuer before receiued beeing a deuise wholy against the liberties and priuileges of your lowe countries hereabouts and also your faithful subiects in them Neuerthelesse so it is that your maiestie hauing vnderstood it by the supplication of the nobilitie hereabout the estate of this low countrie was well contented not onely to cause the saide Inquisition to cease but also according to your owne naturall clemencie and benignitie to surcease the commissions proclaimed about the cause of religion and the same to find out by the way of moderation and tollerations for the pleasing of your people for the which we haue to render thanks vnto our good God and to attend and looke for all fauour and grace at your maiesties hands Now the people hauing been as it were a long time brought into slauerie by keeping of the said commissions and yet hauing secretely very well profited in the true knowledge of their saluation as well by reading of the holy Scriptures inspired by God as also by the teaching and exhorting of certaine good and godly Preachers well instructed both in diuinitie and humanitie beeyng moued by the continuall slaunders and false accusations of some euill willers who neuer ceased to cause them to bee suspected of theyr religion knewe not nor could not any longer hyde it and therefore for the shutting vp of the mouthes of all Backbiters and staunderers and the satisfiyng and contenting of themselues by shewing theyr owne zeale and feruencie they went to the publike exercises of the said religioÌ„ to the end euery man might know what the religion was which they before so secretely vsed amongest themselues which beeing done there met such great numbers of men so well qualified at the assemblies and preachings as that they could hardly bee counted and the matter more hardly bee beleeued of those that were not present at the doyng and sight there of and besides the multitude still dayly so increased as that it passed all mans vnderstandyng But although the mynisters in their Sermons greatly trauelled in exhorting the people to all modestie and dutiful reuerence and obedience vnto the magistrate and in preaching namely against idolatry admonished them to conteine them selues within the boundes of their vocation without vsurping of the saide magistrates office by thrusting themselues forewarde to the pulling downe of Images and such like things yet it so fell out as that certaine companies of people carried with an ouer hoat and indiscrete zeale amongest whom were some dissolute and wicked persons who looked after nothing but spoyling and pilfring accompanied with a multitude of womeÌ„ young youthes and children gaue themselues to the pulling downe of the Images in the Churches and such other like disorders to our vnspeakle griefe whereupon the magistrates euery where were in such a fright and feare because they doubted of more grieuous
inconueniences as that they did not onelie let them alone but which is more commanded the companies of Liueries or Brotherhoods in many places to take away the Images and ornaments of theyr aulters whiche coulde not be done so hastily and confusedly but that they must needes breake some of them Which kinde of dealing when some of the people sawe they in like sort put thereto theyr helping hand thinking it to be a thing both lawfull allowed and also commaunded by the magistrate to ryd the Churches of them all Wherefore it is so farre of that they were neither at the first nor yet afterwardes stirred vp thereto by the Sermons as that contrariwise the Preachers and such as haue the gouernment of the Churche as muche as in them lay trauelled to stay them neuer hauing commaunded any such act to bee doone nor yet knowing thereof before eyther els allowyng of it after as by many reasons may wel bee verified and also namely appeare by the testimonie of a very great number of prysoners who for the same cause haue beene miserably tormented Which thing neuerthelesse wee haue to our greate griefe vnderstood that these two points to wit The preachings breaking of the Images which notwithstanding haue no waye beene any furtherance but altogether quite and cleane againste theÌ„ hauing there with no communitie at all haue been so reported of vnto your maiestie as that you being thereat greatly offended were fully determined to come hyther with force of armes for the indifferent rooting out both of the one and the other Which thing considered wee haue thought it our duetie most humbly to beseech your maiestie that it would please you moste certainely thinke that the religion beeing imprinted in the heartes and mindes of men into the which no threatninges nor outwarde forces can any way enter or pearse considering that sith the point standeth vppon the saluation or condemnation of theyr soules it is not so easie a matter to pluck away by force of armes as by that means to cause some weak soules to dissemble the same and thereby in time make them become people without religion and very Libertines and Atheists at whose hands is neyther fidelitie nor yet loyaltie of conscience to bee looked for And withall that the saying of Gamaliel may well bee weighed That if it bee of God it cannot bee ouerthrowne and therefore an hard and dangerous matter to make warre against him And that which is more when your maiestie shall see into the chiefe pointes of the enterprises that haue beene put into your head by suche as eyther through ignorance by theyr particuler affections or for feare haue giuen you that councell that none other thing will followe nor come thereon but an irrecouerable ruine and destruction of your so florishing lowe Countries and so necessary for the conseruation of your mightinesse and the increasing of the Princes your neighbours who beeynge inriched with the spoyles of these Countries may thereby bee strengthened to make warre against you And therefore wee your most humble vassals and faithfull seruauntes desiryng alwayes to liue and dye vnder your Maiesties obedience and to aduaunce the mightinesse thereof as muche as in vs lyeth both with our bodies and goods throughly consideryng and waying all these circumstances and beeyng persuaded that our humble and resonable requestes and supplycations wyll take some place with your excellencie by reason of your naturall and wonted clemencie and benignitie Beeseeche you in the name of our Lorde Iesus Christe to graunte vs that such as cannot by any meanes lyke of the Romyshe doctrine and ceremonies and yet for all that in aâ— other things are your very faithfull and obedient subiects may fully and wholy haue such an assured libertie openly to meete in such plaâ—es as your maiestie and the Magistrates vnder you shal please to assigne them for the exercise of theyr religion wherein they truely protest as before God that theyr full pretence and meanyng is to beleeue lyue and dye in the doctrine of the Prophetes and Apostles contayned within the olde and newe Testament summarily comprysed in the Creede of the said Apostles and of all Councels agreeyng with the worde of GOD submittyng themselues besides vnto whatsoeuer shall hereafter bee determined and ordeyned by a free and generall Councell Where attending and looking for the same councell which shal by the common consent of the EuaÌ„gelike Churches both of hygh and lowe Germanie Fraunce Englande and other quarters of Europe bee agreed vpon they purpose to follow keepe all such orders as shall generally bee set down by the said churches And to the end that this libertie and exercise being established and assured the traffick whereupon hangeth the whole wealth of this countrie myght haue a more ample course which as yet is and still remaineth a thing very vncertaine by way of tolleration that it woulde please your maiestie according to your wonted clemencie and benignitie to confirme this benefite by an especial graunt and grace ratified by the general estates of this Countrie for the same purpose assembled And as for your supplyants it is so farre off that by the meanes of this lybertie they entend to alter the politike gouernment as to chaÌ„ge the prince to refuse the paying of taxes tollages customes tributes c. As their aduersaries openly slaunder them that contrariwise in witnes of theyr affection and loue towards you in the bestowing of that they haue in your seruice in acknowledging of your grace and fauour and as a newe homage in ratifiyng of theyr othe and fidelitie and to graunt and acknowledge that this priuilege of libertie exercise of theyr religioÌ„ whiche they requyre loke for at your maiesties haÌ„ds encreaseth their harts to dedicate and consecrate both theyr bodies and goods in your seruice and offer to giue the day of the graunt of the said fauour and grace which you your selfe shall finde to be a sufficient caucion or pledge ouer and besides the imposts customes and other extraordinary contributions the summe of three millions of Florins wherewith they will furnishe you by a reasonable daye assigned towards the defraying of your maiesties ordinarie char ges heere in these countries promising further not to come into any of the Romish Churches neither yet to trouble or let eyther by force or otherwise the seruice of theyr religion Humblie beseeching your S. to take well in woorth this offer and small present at your humble subiects handes proceeding from such heartes as desire nothing els but the establishment of Gods seruice and your maiesties with the benefite quiet and prosperitie of these countries And we trust that your maiestie will not thinke it any strange thing for subiects hauing receyued some notable fauour and rewarde from their naturall Prince to acknowledge themselues thankfull for the same according to theyr small abilitie by such a like meane As also it is no new thyng for such grace and benefite to haue beene graunted vnto subiects
as by the example of that mightie Emperour Alexander surnamed Seuere well appeareth who beeing an Heathen Prince an Idolater gaue leaue to the Christians whom hee tooke to bee heretikes to haue Churches in Rome beyng the chiefe citie within his dominion and also of the Emperour Constantine surnamed Constantine the great because that contrarie to the order of his Predecessors hee licensed the Christians to haue certain places for theyr meetings euen as the Heathen had theyr Temples In doing whereof he surpressed an infinite number of quarrels staied the apparant effusion of blood ruled his Empyre peaceably and by mean of this accord his authoritie prospered and hee dayly encreased And if any man shall put into your maiesties head that it is another thing to suffer christians to haue the exercise of theyr religion then heretikes as it pleaseth some to esteeme of vs first of all our preachings prayers and exercise of religion doe right well shewe vs to bee Christians and neither Heretikes nor yet Idolaters which we are readie more at large to verifie if it shall please your maiestie to giue gentle and safe audience Moreouer if so bee that we were as notable heretikes as the Iewes Arrians and Nouatians yet the present example of the Pope who callyng hymselfe the head of the Churche and sayth he cannot erre doeth not only mayntaine the lewes the very professed and sworne enemies vnto our Lorde Iesus Christe but also suffereth them to haue theyr Synagogues and the exercise of theyr religion within his own citie of Rome and in diuers other places vnder his subiection And besides all this the examples of the Catholique and wel instructed Emperours which haue graunted Churches to the Arrians and Nouatians may bee a great quieting to your conscience And chiefly your late father of most hygh and inumcible memory the Emperour Charles the fifth whâ— by the aduise of the Estates of the Empire graunted the like to the Protestants in Germa nie notwithstanding that hee tooke them to bee heretikes as also the Frenche king not long sithence hath doone vnto his subiects All which doynges ought to quiet and content your maiestie to graunt vnto vs this grace vntill suche tyme as by the consent of all christendome wee might all agree in one and the selfe same religion and manner of diuine seruice By meane whereof both your maiestie and also these countries shall without all doubt receiue great blessing and prosperitie for so much as God vndoubtedly shall bee serued through the auoyding of a very great most apparant and pitifull effusion of blood and that your Countries shal be peaceably maintained wtout beyng thrust out as a pray vnto your neere neighors the merchaunts and in habitants of the Countrie remaine in suche safetie as that all suche and many others as are gone out of the Countrie for the selfe same cause shall haue occasion to reforte thyther agayne with theyr goods tytles and trades Lastly all these matters by this meane beeing brought to a quietnesse and contentation both to one and other the countries shall floryshe more then euer they did with an increase of your crowne and dignities and all men shall bee so muche the more bound continually to pray vnto the Lorde for the prosperitie and high estate of your maiestie Subscribed by your maiesties humble subiectes the Citizens and inhabitants of your Citie of Antwerpe professing the Gospel so farre foorth as they are therein permitted for somuch as it toucheth and apperteineth vnto them as members of the supplyants in this behalfe THis Supplication was exhibited by the handes of Marke Peres with the assistance of Giles de Graue Charles de Bombergue Giles Vander Banderies Francis Godin Henrie Vander Broecke Cornill de Bombergue Thomas van Geer Iohn Carlier Nicholas de Vmier Nicholas Sellyn as deputies and in the name of the supplyants of the member of Antwerpe vnto my Lorde the Count of Hoogstrate gouernour for his maiestie and to the right worshipfull the Burroughmasters and Shierifs of the saide Citie of Antwerp assembled in the colledge of the same Citie in the presences of the right worshipful the Margraue Allemman the 27 of October 1566 betwixt 12. and 1. in the afternoone When the Counte Hoogstrate had seene this supplication The suppilâ— on sent to the Lady regent hee sent it to the Ladie Regent and to the councell that were with her that it might bee sent to the king with conuement and meete commendation to the ende the fame myght take good effect A thyng so necessary â—ouing Reader as thou in thy wisdome and discretion maiest iudge and vnderstand But so soone as the Regent and Gouernours of the lowe Countries had seen â—he contents thereof they thought it to bee but a proude and arrogant bragge of theyr riches and great treasure euen to engen der in the hearts of manâ—e honorable personages some sinister and lewde suspition as if the Protestants had made this supplication to drawe vnto them thereby strange princes and great potentates to the end they might haue aide and succour of souldiers Howbeit notwithstanding all this the people gaue not ouer to deuise bethink theÌ„selues of all the meanes possible they could not only with the Dutches who was not to be intreated but also with the noâ—ilitie who had promised although they were in the selfe same predicament and danger that the people was as may appeare by the ende of this tragedie to accomplish new promises and to forsake theyr fayth for the libertie of consctence protestyng notwithstanding that for the exercise of the religion they woulde doe all possible duetie that might bee for the obtayning thereof But sith that shee had not giuen her promise the subiects should bee founde giltie of all the mischiefes that shoulde come in the lowe countries about that cause Wherefore the Lorde Heury Brederode The L. of Brederode exhibiteth the supplication by the nobilitie appointed for that purpose required the 15. of Februarie 1567. the Lady Dutches that hee might haue audience albeit shee had forbidden him to come within the citie of Bruxelles notwithstanding he so behaued hym in his businesse as that the supplication was deliuered vp into her own hands wherin was shewed to her highnes that the people could no longer abide and suffer the great contempt and horrible persecutioÌ„ which the catholiks vsed towards them and therfore had implored and lamentably besought the assistaÌ„ce of the nobilitie that by them they might obtaine the performance of that which was agreed vpon And therefore seeing they sawe that no contract could take effect but by the consent of both parties and that the one party making default the other had great reason to complaine Duer and besides this sith they were appointed vnto her highnes as pledges and answerable for the ProtestaÌ„ts who at that present by reason of the catholikes breaches of promise they found themselues greatly greeued they could do no lesse then speake vnto
the Protestantes who by reason of the scituation and commoditie of the place assembled them selues at Oosterwell a shorte myle from Antwerpe When the Dutchesse vnderstoode of this shee sent the 13. of Marche vnder the conduct of Hans de Grauedrossat of Brabant foure hundred footemen and fiue hundred horse which were piked out of the Garisons aswell of Brabant as of Flaunders who assayled and fought with the Protestantes ouerthrew them and put them to flight The Gueses discomfited puâ— to flights There were slayne at that instant their Captayne Mounsieur de Tolonse and a great manie of others some gotte into the Medowe ditches thinking thereby to saue them selues howebeit they were slayne with Harquebuze shotte and some of them were burnt vp in the Barnes and Houses of Oosterwell without any resistaunce They tooke also a prisoner who had a scrowle of the names of all those that subscribed to the Conspiracie by which meane they learned and came to the knowledge of manie secrete purposes whereupon also ensued very much mischiefe When the Protestantes of Antwerpe vnderstood of these dealings they put themselues in armes and passing by the Meire Bridge marched on towardes the Gate that they might get out of the Citie to helpe their people But my L. the P. of Orange who remayned stil in Antwerp gouernour for his Maiestie being hereof aduertised came vnto them and admonished counselled them to leaue off that enterprise saying that it was impossible for theÌ„ to ayde the souldiers of Oosterwell and that if so be they issued out of the Towne they should tast of the same sawce and be laid on Gods deare earth as we say as the rest were because they were too too weake to deale agaynst Horsemen But if they woulde abyde in the towne that theyr bodtes and goods shoulde be saued for there shoulde no man take any wronge in his presence Whiles the Prince was thus talking with the Citizens A sedition and tumult in Antwerpe the tumult encreased more and more For both horsemen and footemen had taken and kept the Meire Bridge and the streete called Hauuetters street where they continued in armes vntill it was after noone During these troubles the Prince had talked and agreed with the Magistrate and counsell of Antwerpe that the three companies of the souldiers that were leuied for the safeguard of the Citie as before hath been said which were ranged in order of battayle in the market place shoulde returne home and the artillery be drawen to the ordinarie place And although through the good and gentle woordes of the Prince of Orange this tumult and trouble was supressed yet renued it agayne by reason that the Italians Spaniards Catholikes together those of the religion had gotten the Market place on horsebacke Iusomuch that they of the reformed religion assembled themselues a freshe This sedition continued two dayes together and euery man doubted that some mischieuous issue woulde thereon eusue And as they were all very desirous to haue one another by the eares it was feared that there woulde bee a wonderfull great effusion of blood and that the victors would sacke the vanquisheds houses Insomuch that there was great mourning and weeping of women and children in euery house But as eyther part kept their order of battell the Prince and the Boroughmasters traueiled in all they might to agree them The tumultâ— suppressed and stayed the apparant effusion of blood and dealt so earnestly betweene them as that they appeased the parties as followeth 1 First That all the Citizens both of the one religion of the other shoulde be sworne to bee faythfull and loyall to the king and to the Prince of Drange for the common quiet and benefite of the citie of Antwerp and with al their care and fidelitie stoutly keepe and defende the same 2 The Gouernours and Magistrates shall not receiue any men of warre into the Citie without the common consent of the three members of the Citie 3 All the priuiledges and liberties of the Citie of Antwerpe shall be obserued 4 Item That for the benefite of the common weale and the aduauncing of the negociation or trade the agreement made in september concerning the religion shall abide in full strength without any fraude or guile whatsoeuer vntill such time as his Maiestie with the aduise of the generall Estates shall otherwise haue appointed the same 5 Item That the beste qualified of eyther Religion shal promise not to molest one the other but in any neede assiste and ayde one the other to the vttermost of their power 6 That for the better assuraunce the keyes of the Citie shall be deliuered vp into the handes of the Prince of Orange to shut and open the Gates thereof 7 There shall be a good watch appointed of Citiznes and souldiers of the Citie 8 All thinges that are past shall be forgiuen and forgotten 9 Whosoeuer he be that watcheth not shall keep his house and tende his businesse 10 Item That for the greater safetie of the Citie there shall bee leuied by the consent of the three members foure hundred Horsemen and the Skelde to be guarded by the furnished Shippes of warre if it shall seeme good to those of the religion and the Chieftaynes who by the common counsell are thereto appoynted 11 All the enhabitauntes of the Citie of Antwerpe none excepted shal be bounde to helpe beare the charges which shall bee made for the conseruation of the Citie 12 All the Artillery that is planted on the Bulwarkes and on other places shall bee deliâ—ered vp into the handes of the gouernours 13 All the troubles with a common assistance shall be suppressed for the common quiet of the Citie and the seditious enprisoned 14 For the greater assuraunce and obseruing of the things and pointes aforesayde The Gouernour Magistrate and other officers of the Citie all those of the religion shall by othe confirme them selues to keepe them without fraude or guile whatsoeuer 15 The Captaynes and Souldiers which are now leuied or that are hereafter to be leuied shal be retained vntil such time as it be otherwise agreed vpon Lastly They of the religion beseeche her Excellencie that it woulde please her to bee alwayes myndefull for the welfare of the Citie and haue a care for his Maiesties profitand the Cities These Articles beeing accepted on eyther side The Spanyardes and Italians departed first nexte the Gueses who at that tyme were so called and last of all the Catholiques and the laying all at once their Armoure and weapon aside During these troubles The L. of Breâ—erode taken for â—rebell the Dutchesse had sent one of the Secretaries of the prinie Counsell to the Lorde of Brederode and to his consortes who lay in Holland in the Citte of Amsterdame sharpely commanding them to departe the Citie and Countrey by reason of the rebellion which they had committed against his Maiestie if they woulde not bee pursued as enemies to the Countrey and
king to vse Iustice and true mercie vnto his subiects In doing whereof he hath been most happie and blessed and is a figne of a true testimonie of that name which the Pope gaue vnto him and to his successors kings of Spaine to wit the title of most Catholike king which Pope Gregory the thirde of that name graunted the yeere 1230. To Alfonse king of Galice who also hath giuen to all Spaniardes the tytles of double Catholike Nowe this thing was the cause that all the Mores Sarazins and the Iewes them selues who as the Histories witnesse fithens the sacking and destruction of Ierusalem hauing by the appoyntment of the Emperour Titus continued in these Countreys haue withdrawne them selues out of Spayn because they were enforced to beleeue confesse Iesus Christ to be the sonne of God and therefore forsooke they the Countrey sought out for themselues some other better place to dwell in Insomuch that many thousandes haue gotten them away vnto the borders of Gibalter and from thence into Affricque into diuers other places But the rest who like well of Spayne continue there still and both themselues and their children are baptised Neuertheles not long after when the spaniards perceiued how greatly the opinion of the Godhead whether it be good or bad taking once impression in mens imaginations preuayled and what force it hath in mens harts when it is once rooted therin especially when in long processe of time it is successiuely learned from one to another for then they will become obstinate and neuer forgoe it Then was the exercise of the Iewish Religion forbidden them and as they coulde not in trueth forgette and forgoe the sayde exercise the Spaniardes fell to persecuting of them and yet by a certayne kinde of Iustice meaning vtterly to roote them out But it was impossible to roote out suche a people so obstinately bent and setteled in their Infidelitie A little before this there was a newe order of Fryers instituted by a Spaniarde The beginning of the order of the Iacopins borne within the Dyocesse of Lexonie to witte in Caliroga named Dominicke whiche was called the order of the lacopins and authorized by Pope Honorius the thirde of that name the yeere 1216. And this was brought in by reason of a vision that appeared to him as hee lay a sleepe by which was shewed him that the Churche being shaken and readie to fall was helde vp by Saint Dominicke onely albeeit Pope Innocente the thyrde his predecessor had no will to yeelde to the Institution and exection of that order of Fryers This Religious order is growen into suche credite and so highly esteemed of as that the king of Spaine hath committed vnto the Iacopins all the affayres concerning conscience and religion and although there was before tyme a certayne forme and manner of Inquisition instituted yet was it by this order of the Iacopins whiche was thought to be the most holy of all the rest confirmed and established For when they sawe that the Iewes coulde neyther by the prayers preachings and admonitions of the Iacopins bee conuerted they then proceeded with them after a rigorous maner and tooke vpon them the swoorde to force them to the religion if so bee they woulde not depart and gette them out of the countrey This rodde or swoorde whereof I heere intende to speake whiche the Iacopins vnto this present haue vsurped agaynste these poore people hath been the cause as it is sayde that the Inquisition beganne in the dayes of King Ferdinand whilest hee raigned Because that this manner and fourme of Inquisition is more rigorous then the first was against those herefies and heretiques which they called Marans The originall of the marans which name is â—sed amongst many Christian nations against such as of a singuler desire wishe to haue a newe religion forsaking and reiecting the olde whereupon the originall of the Marans was but a litle before that knowne For as the Iewes looked for the promised Messias and had alwayes in their mouthes this name Maran to witte Our Lorde Euen so the Iewes which had receyued the Christian fayth sayde Maranathi that is to say The Lorde is come Shortly after there arose a dissention and ennemitie amongst the Christians to witte betweene the true Christians and those which denied that the sayde sauyour was come who were called Marans and condemned for a pernitious and wicked sect This is the cause why the Iewes had alwayes that name in their mouthes and that the Spaniardes on the other side called them Apostates and heretiques which woorde they also vsed againste all suche as helde not the true doctrine of the Romishe Church And therefore the Iacopins were the authours of the Inquisition who deuised a better forme thereof then that that was before The king foorth with ratified this forme and Pope Sextus the Genoway confirmed it Without all doubt the king had great occasion to doe this for the rooting out of the wicked and reprobate doctrine of the Mahometistes and Iewes who went about none other thing but to burden mens consciences with the looking for the promised Messias and besides the Sarazins and Arabians whiche the Mores had sent into Spayne committed great mischiefe Yea and the Iewes themselues were condemned by Pope Sextus the yeere 1475. Because they had crucified a childe of two yeeres of age cutting off his genitories and ryght pappe The Iewes put to death a child of two yeeres 〈◊〉 and afterwarde persed him vnto death and then cast hun into the riuer which thing they did vpon palme Sunday in despite and mockery of Iesus Christ and to the dishonour and shame of all christians which Iewes were punished and executed after they had by torture sharp examination and proofe confessed the fact These Iacopins by reason of the reputation whiche they had gotten by the setting vp of their newe order of Religion called them selues the defenders of the Christian doctrine and Religion not onely in Spayne but also in Italy and in other places of Christendome where they had brought in and planted their order The first commission they had was graunted them against the Iewes and Mahometists but after when their authoritie encreased and extended it selfe further then they called themselues the Inquisitors of Heretikes for the persecuting of all such as woulde not obserue the ordinaunces and institutions of the Catholike religion Nowe that we might knowe what kynde of men these Inquisitors haue beene Experience hath shewed vnto vs to wit such meÌ„ as through their wickednes haue peruerted all thinges For these good Gentlemen proceede euen as they are affected against the accused whiche is the cause that all men bate them especially sithence the agreement whiche the Pope made betweene the foure orders of begging Fryers And the cause of this controuersie was by reason that the inquisitors had examined certain diuines of the order of the Carmelites vpoÌ„ some articles of the faith of which number was Iulian
a Counseller of the councell of estate and gouernour of the county of Bourgoyne of Holland Zealande and the honour of Vtright by which may well be vnderstoode the great good will and louing affection that his Ma. beareth him and contrariwise the vnthankfulnesse of the sayde Prince who hath otherwise behaued himselfe and against all the duetie of a true and faithfull subiect Which Prince hauing forgotten both his honour othe fidelity geuen and promised vnto his Maiesty hath shewed himselfe to be the originall cause defender fautor of all the rebels traytours who foorthwith after his Maiesties departure out of the low countries with others many moe haue sought by al meanes possible to inuest and take possession of the sayd low countries chalenge vnto himselfe the whole gouernment And besides that after many practizes without regard of promise faith and fidelity hath by armes gone about to aduaunce and oppose him selfe against his saide Maiesty and sacke his countrey of Brabant whiche hath as yet taken no effect onelie because hee is not of power and force able to bring it to passe and yet neuerthelesse he hath secretly practized to suborne his Maiesties subiectes and perswade them to leaue of the good affection and obedience whiche they haue alwaies borne vnto his Maiestie Insomuche that their good affection shoulde bee conuerted into horror and ill wil vnder the pretence of Religion persuading them by secrete deuises that his Maiestie woulde bring into Brabant the Inquisition of Spayne and that they ought to set themselues against it As also the sayde Orange hath heeretofore encouraged and stirred vp the greater part of the nobilitye to confederate with him by othe to oppose them selues against the ordinaunces and commissions whiche so long agoe haue byn obserued in the countrey of Brabant Moreouer that the saide Orange hath helde within his houses as well at Breda as at Bruxelles secrete congregations and assemblyes to ayde assist and comfort one another as also haue heere and there put themselues in armes against his Maiestye Ouer and besides the L. of Brederode being made Captayne chiefe of the Gueses hath taken in hande by the counsell of the sayde Oraunge to fortifie his Towne of Viane against his Maiesties forces yea and that at Antwerpe although it belongeth vnto his highnes he caused souldiers to bee leuyed notwithstanding his Graces commandements before published to the contrary which souldiers were carried downe by water with all kynde of prouision to Viane as also the sayde Orange sent vnto the sayde Brederode certayne peeces of Artillery and in some places forbidding the receiuing in of any of his Maiestyes garrisons and taking from his maiestye the entraunce to the water Furthermore as he was sent to Antwerpe to appease the troubles and sedytions of the Citizens hee tooke vppon him to doe more then was his Commission in sufferyng all Heretykes and sectaryes to haue the liberty of their religion and gaue his consent that they might buylde Churches and erect Consistoryes whiche hath beene the very originall as all men well knowe of all the mischiefes which followed and hath also accorded and suffered to cause there to be leuyed and disbursed money for the paying and entertayning of souldiers with many other thinges by him committed which the saide Attorney generall in time place if the necessity of the cause shal require wil more at large declare all whiche doyngs tend to none other end but to enioye the countrey of Brabant which of right apperteineth vnto his Maiesty wherein he hath most grieuously endangered him selfe vnto his Ma. so that he is no way to be excused but woorthy to be punished and hys faultes and offences to be layde wyde open before his face Wherefore the Attorney General beseecheth his highnes to graunt an Inditement of high treasō to be drawē against Orāge with this clause For so it is our wil pleasure When his Ma. had cousidered of the articles which the Attorney Generall had set downe he willed and commaunded that euery man to the vttermost of his power should ayde and assist the said Attorney Generall for the taking of the sayd Orange Prisoner and to send him with a sufficient guard to Bruxelles to the Duke of Alua his graces trusty and welbeloued Cosin Lieuetenant to whō this thing was especially committed that he might be punished for an example to all others according to the qualitie of his offences transgressions and rebellion and if so be he cannot be taken and layd holde on let him be cyted by publike edictes vppon paine of confiscation of all his goodes personally to appeare peremptorily within fifteene dayes before the sayde Duke of Alua at Bruxelles or some other place of the low Countries to aunsweare to all suche Articles as his Maiesties Attorney Generall shall laye to his charge And if so be he appeare not at the day prefixed appoynted then let the Duke of Alua proceede against him according to the declaration aforesaid simply and without any other solemnitye of ordinary lawe and Iustice But in case he bee gone out of the lowe Countries as his Ma. is so aduertised his Graces expresse will is that the inditemēt be read in the city of Bruxelles by a publike edict and a copy thereof set vp vpon the doores of the Towne house and vpon all the church doores whersoeuer this Inditement shal be published to the end he shal not pretend ignorance which Inditement shall be of as great force as if it had byn read pronounced before Oranges owne face The same day was likewise indited and summoned A Citation against the count of Hoogstrate Anthonie de la Laing Connt of Hoogstrate to appeare before the Duke of Alua to defend himselfe and aunsweare vnto the Articles set downe by the Attorney Generall in forme following howe that the Lorde of Hoogstrate euen from his youth had beene by his Meiestie aduaunced vnto great honour and dignitie and especially to the order of the golden fleese and to bee one of the bande of his Maiesties owne ordinaunce And besides to Honourable Ambassades to the Emperour and to other Princes whereby he might very well consider of the singuler affection that his Grace bare him and of the good meaning hee had to exalt him in time to come to a farre higher degree of honour Yet notwithstanding hee forgetting these benefites and degenerating from the vertue of his Predecessors and Auncestors who alwayes behaued themselues towardes their natural Lord as true and faithfull subiectes hath so muche forgotten himselfe as that he hath with all his power and might assisted and taken parte with the Prince of Orange fauouring him both with his counsell and otherwise to set forward the troubles whiche two yeeres past had byn in his Maiesties low countries And first the saide Hoogstrate did assist treate and talke of in his castle with the Prince of Orange and his Adherentes of maltitious and seditious counsels whereat his
Maiesties subiects were greatly offended in so much that meanes and occasions were giuen to the wicked to commence new practises who after the exhibiting of one supplication engendred many seditions disorders and rashe parts as euery man wel enough kneweth The which sedition the L. of Hoogstrate did not only not appease admonish the Citizens to desist and leaue of as being against the authority of his Ma. but contrariwise encouraged them therto personally was all in al to fauour them as afterward in very deed it wēl appeared when as he counselled them to renewe their Supplication which was the onely cleane contrary meane and way to make the Countrey of Brabant readie to become duetifull and obedient but rather enbolden them to put in execution their deuises practizes And after as he was with the Prince appoynted to the gouernmēt of the city of Antwerpe to keepe the people in the obedience fidelity of his Ma. the said Hoogstrate committed grieuous acts and amongst others openly defended the L. of Brederode against his Ma. wittingly suffered souldiers to bee leuied sent them by water to Vyane with al necessary prouisiō I wil cease to speake of the greate fauour and affection that hee hath shewed to the people wherby he mainteined the seditious parte and tooke more authority vpon him then his Ma. the Duchesse of Parma his welbeloued sister then Lady Regent of the Iowe Countries very vndutifully behauing himselfe towardes her not doing that honour which apperteined to her highnes To be short he so exalted himselfe yea rather so for forgot himselfe as that he published in the towne of Malines belonging to his Maiesty a commandement and edict without the charge and appointmēt of the said Duchesse being then Gouernesse whiche caused the people become more vnruly and goe on to doe whatsoeuer they lusted Insomuch that by this meane he encouraged the people to disobey the king after that he had both writ sēt some of the nobility vnto thē Lastly he was with the Prince of Orange and his consorts at Tennond to take counsel howe they might put themselues in armes against his Ma. to driue him out of Brabāt and the Regent his Lieutenant which thing had long before byn concluded amongest them so that there remained nothing els but the putting of it in execution that was onely for wante that they were not of power able to goe on with it All whiche things many others which in time season might be declared are the acts of a rebellious disobediēt subiect by which he hath committed high treason therfore worthy to be punished in exāple to others beseeching eftsoones his Ma. to graunt him authority to be able to proceede vpon life and death against the saide Hoogstrate During this time the Duke of Alua vnderstanding of the pacification in France that the Almaines which serued the Prince of Condie meant to come into Flanders as the king of Spaines Ambassador had both sent and writ vnto him he sent his army of Spaniards and Italians vnto the borders of Liege and also the L. Ierges with two thousand Walonnes he farther gaue cōmission to take into pay the discharged Italians which serued the French king The 24. of Aprill William Prince of Orange The answere of the Prince of Orange and Anthonie de la Laing Count of Hoogstrate aunsweared to the Inditement of the Attorney Generall of Brabant and layde all the fault of the troubles warres dissentions and seditions vpon the Inuentors and Authors of the Inquisition of Spayne and discharged them selues before the Counsell of troubles especially of high Treason accusing eftsoones the Duke of Alua of his tyrannye who was so angrie with them for it as that hee declared their goodes to bee confisked and made a seisure of the Counte of Buren the Prince of Oraunge his Sonne who studyed at Louayne and sente him into Spayne quyte against the Priuiledges of the Vniuersitye The contente of the aunsweare and defence of these noble men is this Whises the Prince of Orange had authority and Gouernement he from the first beginning of the troubles and dissentions was very painefull and diligent to appease and pacifie all the troubles that were in the Countrey of Brabant and I will leaue vnto the Reader to weigh and consider of the estate wherein the sayde Countrey of Brabant stoode both before and after the troubles of the lowe Countries and firste tell of the notable warres that the Emperour Charles the fifte of famous memorie and after him king Phillip of Spayne beeyng Lordes of the lowe Countreyes made as it were for the space of tenne yeeres with the Frenche king and what effusion of bloud happened in Fraunce the ouerthrowe of many thousandes of menne may sufficiently testifie and the Princes and Frenche noblemen and other nations whiche assisted king Henrie who bestowed both their bodies and goodes in his seruice As also maye the ruined and destroyed Townes Fortresses Castles and others or if they were well garnisoned yet they were fayne to shake off their obedience from their naturall Lorde and sweare newe obedience to a newe Lorde others that were vtterly ruined and destroyed were brought and reduced into villages and the Citizens and all the rest of the Inhabitants were sacked and brought to such pouerty as that they were all the daies of their life very poore and miserable These are the fruits of cursed warre which alas continued ouer long But as by the suppressing of the warres in Brabant and the Countries neere adioyning the people beganne to prosper and the Countrey floorish the people of the lowe countries were grieuously charged vexed with the Spanish Inquisition whiche daily augmented by reason of the increasing of the reformed religion insomuch that it was great wonder how the saide Inquisitiou was so long borne withall And yet it is most manifestly knowen that the subiects of the said low countries were alwaies ready not only to yeeld all their duetifull obedience but also hazard their liues and goods in his Ma. seruice On the other side the Nobility both did and shewed all their duetye fidelitie and louing affection and as for the Estates they richely gaue for the maintenaunce of the Warre a maruellous summe of money and that so with good heartes as that it was impossible for any man to imagine anye signe or token of mislyking in them so that it is most like to be true that the sayd lowe Countries haue so loued his Maiesty as that they behaued them selues as faithfull subiectes in all thinges which touched the obedyence and reuerence due to him to the ende that his lowe Countries might alwayes be assured against all forren inuasion and warre Seeyng then that the subiectes especially the nobility so obediently and seruiceably stood vnto his Maiesty and in the end gouerned the warres which continued so long the subiects had a woonderful great hope that his Maiesty would procure that the sayd low
all their friendes and spende their liues in perpetuall miserie which thinges did not onelye cause great alterations and changes but an hatred against the inquisition Insomuch that in many places the officers durst not openly put it in execution but very secretly and yet not without great perill and danger of commotion Which thing some of the officers can beare witnesse of who had some of the prisonners taken from them agaynst their willes whiche caused all suche as experience had taught long before to foresee that the sayde Inquisition woulde bee the cause of some trouble and commotion if in continuaunce of time it were not wisely prouided for and good order taken about it The Queene of Hongrie then gouernesse of the low Countrey greatly feared this mischiefe and miserie Wherefore shee tooke her voyage to Ausbourgh towardes her brother the Emperour of famous memorie Charles the fifth with whome shee so handled her businesse as that the crueltie of the Counsell of Trent then concluded vpon shoulde be moderated and that the Antwerpians and Brabanders that woulde not receyue the Inquisition shoulde bee quite and cleane rid of it as afterward they were Nowe whiles the Countrey of Brabante had beene in quiet a good long time throughe the aucthoritie of the Gouernesse and that all thinges were ordered by the aduise of the Counsell of estate the Attorney Generall thrust himselfe in to treate or deale immediatly after his Ma. departure eyther alone or els with some tyrannous noblemen of in matters of great charge and waight and immediately signified vnto his Ma. of their peruerse counsel When the king was aduertised that the Inquisition had not his right course and proceeding he was very angry pensiue neuerthelesse some curteous noblemen earnestly besought him to haue an hearty remembrance of the seruices good deedes which his subiectes had done in the former warres so rule himself as the state of the time required abolishe all newe deuises as the new Bishoppes the Inquisition according to the priuiledges of the countries seeing that some wicked men had practized these new deuises in the lowe Countries contrary to the state of the time and against all the immunities and priuiledges of the lowe Countries and that those thinges might be abolished considering that the troubles and commotion in Fraunce which happened there by reason of the Inquisition are appeased and suppressed by the ceasing therof Moreouer that the erection and institution of the new Bishoprickes is hurtfull to the forraine Archbishoppes and bishoppes whiche haue any iurisdiction and diocesse in these low countries For this and many other reasons therefore they of the lowe Countries considering that the newe deuises were the causes of great misery and manye mischiefes if in tyme they were not prouided for and remedyed made complaynt vnto the Gouernesse who by and vppon the deliberation and determination of the Counsell of estate dispatched the Baron of Montigni knight of the order and sent him poste into Spayne to his Maiesty with commission to declare vnto the king the Estate and generall mislyking of the lowe countries whiche hath risen by reason of these newe deuises and that for this cause it is come to passe that the Nobilitye of Brabant to meete with this mischiefe and misery haue beene pressed and constrayned especially to haue theyr desire and demaunde accomplished alwayes hoping that his Maiesty would satisfie their request or that he would at the least moderate the charge and burden wherwith they were too too much oppressed and especially the Byshoppes and Abbots whiche heretofore flourished in Brabant were nowe greatly endammaged wherfore they haue likewise sent their Deputies vnto his Ma. as also the Antwerpians for the withstanding and letting of the Inquisition and the Institution of the new Bishops The which message at sometimes had kept in suspence the troubles of the low countries because euerye man hoped that the sayde Deputies and Ambassades might by his Maiesties good counsell and conclusion receiue some good ordinance for their aduancement and profite accordingly as the affayres required But that the reformed Religion was so rooted euery where as that in some places Sermons were openly preached to wit at Valence Tournay and other Cities and Townes the reason was that because the liberty of the religiō in France was agreed vpō the low countrey mē hoped verily thought thēselues to haue as wel deserued for their seruices passed towards their king his presidēts as the Frenchmē towards the French king and therefore that they ought likewise to bee agreed haue the liberty of conscience granced of them For it might be manifestly seene that it was impossible for the auncient Romish ordinances to be obserued and kept in the countries aforesaid because that they which vsed the trade of merchādise bought solde their commodities with such nations their neere neighbours as were of another religion But when the aduerse party began to suppresse root out the reformed religion thē it might be easily seene how it continually grew encreased And yet neuertheles the cardinal of Granuelle so hotly followed his busines as that he put the afore sayd Bishops in possessiō because be himselfe had the Archbishoprick of Malines for his share by vertue wherof he was Legatus natus Primate ouer al the other bishops had ouer besides for a commendum the Abbotship of Affligam which was one of the richest in al the whole countrey hauing gotten also to himselfe of the Abbayes that remayned certayne of the Diuines to be his fauourites And although cōtrary to al hope expectation this new deuise was brought in into diuers cities yet might the enuy malice of many be easily seene knowen herein for diuers cities woulde at no hād receiue accept of these new bishops but opposed thē selues against them to wit the Antwerpians Rurmondians Goreningians Deuentrians others Howbeit by this doing the cardinal of Grāuelle had obteined such authority fauor as that he might giue away bestow al his M. offices benefices wher it pleased him insomuch that he had gottē for his part to be Lord king ouer al his other fellow bishops for by the mean diuers deuises were practized to obtaine keepe the authority superintendentship in his Ma. countries And to the end he might vnderstād the state of al the whole doings there as also to get the loue and good wil of al the kings princes potētates neere about he had authority to make place al his Ma. commissaries other officers emōgst the rest made his brother Germaine Ambassador in France who had woon there such fauour as that the king and the Queene sent with al careful diligence to haue him sent back vnto their Ma. for the quiet of the common weale And whosoeuer would cōsider throughly weigh the things afore said might easily iudge who it was that had vsurped chalēged to himself power
esclauisshyng and destruction for euer And therefore none other remedie could bee had about this matter but the makyng of an alliaunce and confederacie betwixt all the said Prouinces hereabout and therevpon proceaded the pacification of Gaunt whiche after many deliberations and consultations about the same was aswell by the Bishoppes Diuines as also the Counsell of Estate and others here about approued confirmed and by a solemne o th openly sworne not onely by the Ecclesiasticall and Temporall Estates of these Lowe Countreis bothe generally and particulerly but also by Don Ihon whose office chiefly was as one substituted to the gouernement and good direction of the saied lowe Countreis to se them to bee kept in peace and tranquilitie But he contrariwise hath in many pointes enfrenged the said pacification and against his othe many waies declared hym self not to bee willyng to stande thereto So that he a newe beganne the foresaied warre whiche hath enforced vs to stand for the conseruation and defense of our naturall libertie and ioyntly againe to take Armes vpon vs beeyng also thereby and through other greate extreamities wherevnto the saied warre the mother of all dissentions and inconueniences hath brought vs and against our willes and meanynges enforced vs to dooe and suffer many thynges hurtfull bothe to Religion and also to his Maiesties obedience beeyng suche thinges as otherwise we neuer once minded or thought on and whiche at this present we are no waie able to helpe as often tymes before this warre beganne wee haue sufficiently shewed and protested aswell by our letters as also by our Ambassadors sent bothe to his Maiestie and likewise to the saied Don Ihon And although it were so that wee neither could nor would want any thyng that might defende vs yet because the diuersitie of the Prouinces and mennes opinions doe make little accompte hereof it is to be doubted that neither our will nor abilitie may any waie remeady it without wee entre ioyntly into an other League and an inuiolable accord and vnioÌ„ but especially in respect of the Religion For seyng that not onely by reason of the warre but also because of the meuitable hauntyng and conseruation of the Marchauntes and the reste of the Enhabitauntes of the Realmes and Countreis nere aboute as Fraunce Englande Germanie and others who haue accepted of the preteÌ„ded reformed Religion whiche saied Religion many of the Countreis here aboute haue followed and sticketh nere their hartes It is greatly to be feared that if the exercise thereof bee not by a louyng accord and Religious permitted as well as the auncient Religion takyng example bothe by Germanie and Fraunce whiche by the like meane were brought to an vnitie whereby thei haue liued in peace and prosperitie where before thet could not abide one an other but were still at mortall warr so that for want thereof ensued greate daungers sheadyng of blood and many other inconueniences by whiche a meane shall more and more be laied open and giuen to the enemy for vs that still remaine in the Countreis where contrariwise we alliyng and confederatyng together in an amiable vnitie maie defende our selues froÌ„ all imment inconueniences and feare All which thynges duely and truely considered but especially the matter whiche the enemie least feareth whiche is our vnityng of our selues together in the respect of Religion and therefore will by all meanes possible vnder couler thereof keepe vs still at variaunce and dissention And if it so fall out that by senister practizes subtill muentions or forcibly he enter into the Countreis he will neither spare Ecclesiasticall person Catholique nor no manne els And where also thei of the reformed Religion haue been moste instant suters and made many requestes to haue the free exercise hereof graunted theim with and vnder suche rule and order as shall thereto appertaine wee therefore afore wee had throughly considered of this poinct not onely with the Deputies of the generall Estates but also of the particuler and haue heard the muides of the Estates of eche Prouince haue for their common quiet and benefite ordained and appoincted and by these presentes doe ordaine and appoint these Articles ensuyng whiche wee haue sette doune for the good and vnion of the Prouinces here about And are not to bee altered nor separated one from an other Chiefly consideryng that no man is enforced to chaunge his Religionrno yet accept of this libertie if he thinke it not good 1 It is ordeined that all offences and iniuries whiche haue been committed sithence the saied pacification of Gaunt about the cause of Religion shall be pardoned and forgotten as though thei had neuer been In so muche that no man shall bee accused nor yet by Lawe sued or otherwise for any of them neither shall there be any mention once made of them vpon paine of punishing the Transgressors as infringers and disturbers of the common quiete of the Countreis 2 To the ende that according hereunto in respect of the Religion whiche can neither by force of Armes bee entertained planted nor suppressed there arise no quarrell nor dissention It is established and ordeined that euery man whiche is of either of those two Religions maie be at his free choise so to vse them as that one of them giue no occasion of offence to an other about the same as thei will aunsâ—re it before God but that euery man whether he beâ— Ecclesiasticall or Temporall shall liue quietly with his owne Religion and serue God accordyng to his vnderstandyng and knowledge as he will aunswere at the dreadfull daie of Dome at least so farre forth and till suche tyme as either partie shal be freely heard before a Generall or prounciall Counsell and that therein it bee otherwise determined and concluded vpon 3 To the ende also that the libertie of the Religion bee for either party ruled ouer with conuenient and peaceable conditions to both their quietnesses and assueraunce It is ordeined that the Catholique Romishe Religion shall bee redressed aswell in the Cities and places of Holland and Sealand as also in all the râ—st of the Cities and places hereabout where it is banished and there to â—e peaceable and freely exercised without troubling or vexing of any of them whiche shall desire to haue it so that there bee not vnder an hundred housholdes either in Citie or Toune whiche haue continually remained and dwelt there at the least an whole yeare and the same there aboade so to be certified by the greater parte of the common Enhabitauntes 4 And so maie likewise the saied reformed Religion be publickly exercised in all the Cities and places hereabout where there shall also bee founde the like nomber by the Enhabitauntes of the saied Cities and places 5 Prouided alwaies that thei bothe of the one and of the other Religion shall come before the Magistrate where either of them shall respectiuely require the exercise of their interlaced Religion who shall forth with appoint them meete places To witt there shall be appointed out
shal be bound to write all those thinges whiche shall fall out and occurre emongest theÌ„ and whereon thei shall thinke either the publique welfare or ouerthrowe of the vnited and coÌ„federed Prouinces doeth depende to suche as are in aucthoritie that maie commaunde to sende that by hym the rest of the Prouinces in this behalfe might be sent for in maner as aforesaied 21 And if herein any obscuritie or doubte is to bee founde whereon any question or dispute might arise that then the Prouinces confedered to haue the interpretation of the true meanyng thereof who by a common aduise and consent shall hereon ordeine as thei shall thinke moste meete and pertinent But if so be thei are not able to agree herevpoÌ„ that then thei shall haue recourse vnto the Lordes Lieutenauntes of the Prouinces in forme as aforesaied 22 Likewise if so be that it were thought to be a thing necessarie either to augment or alter the Articles of this vnion confederacie or league in any the pointes or Articles that then the same also to bee doen by the common aduise and consent of the saied Prouinces confedered and not otherwise 23 All whiche Poinctes and Articles and euery of theim in perticuler the saied Prouinces haue promised and by these presentes doe promise to obserue and followe cause to be obserued and followed without crossyng or causyng theim to bee crossed neither yet suffer theÌ„ directly or indirectly to bee crossed in any maner whatsoeuer And if so be that any thyng be by any one of them doen or attempted to the coÌ„trary thei pronounce the same to bee nothyng nor of any valure and herein binde them selues and all the enhabitauntes of their Prouinces and respectiuely all the Cities and euery member of them and also all persones and gooddes and that all those whatsoeuer whiche any waie should goe about the crossyng of the obseruation of these presentes and whatsoeuer dependeth thereon might bee arrested and troubled in all places and before all Magistrates Iudges and Iustices where soeuer thei shall bee founde or taken And for this cause might caste of all Exceptions Graces Priâ—ledges Releuementes and generally all other benefites of Lawes whiche any wate might serue their tournes contrary herevnto and especially against the Lawe saiyng that a generall forsakyng or castyng of taketh no place where an especiall goeth not before 24 And for the greater confirmation hereof the Lordes Liutenauntes of the saied Prouinces whiche now are or hereafter shall bee together all Magistrates and chief Officers of euery Prouince Citie or any member of them shall be bounde to promisse to obserue and keepe and cause to be obserued and kepte this vnion and confederacie and euery Article thereof in perticuler 25 All swornemen Brotherhoods Collegiannes likewise who are resiant within any of the Cities or places of this vnion ought by othe to promisse to obserue and keepe them 26 And herevpon shall letters bee made in due forme whiche by the Lordes Lieutenauntes and principall members and Cities of the Prouinces especially required by the reste be sealed and by their Secretarie respectiuely subscribed These poinctes and articles aforesaied A subscribyng of the vnion of Vtright by the Lordes and Deputies of the Cities are subscribed by the Deputies of Geldreland the Count of Zurphen and namely by my Lorde Ihon Count of Nassou Lieutenaunt of the saied Countries for hym self and with the rest of the Substitutes in the name of the common order of Knighthoode of the saied Duchy of Geldrelande and Countie of Zurphen together with the Deputies of Hollande Sealande Vtright and the Countries nere round about Vtright assembled and aucthorized as aboue said finally staied and concluded vpon And thesaied Deputies of the Countries of Geldrelande and Countie of Zurphen for a larger declaration of the Barons of the great and small Cities and of the said Duchy and Countie haue taken a further longer daie vnto the 9. of February next commyng in the Citie of Vtright with the CoÌ„missioners of the Estates there And this was doen at Vtright the 13. of Ianuary 1579. And for the greater assuraunce emongest the rest was subscribed vnderneath the signature of Mounsieur the Lieutenaunt abouesaid and the said Deputies Ihon Graeffzu Nassou Catzenellebogh c. And on the behalfe of the knightes of the Duchy of Geldrelande and Countie of Zurphen Alexandre de Telight Giles Piec Ioachim de Liere Alexandre Bentink On the behalfe of the Hollanders G. Poelgeest P. Busshe Rene Cant. On the behalf of the Estates of Sealande Willyam Roesius Nieholas Blankis Peter le Riche Iasper Vospergen On the behalf of the Estates of Vtright Ausonius de Galama By the coÌ„maundement of the Chapter Scorus Iames Verbaer vicedeane of S. Peters Of the Chaplers Mandate Adrian de Suylen Lambert de Bourgh By the coÌ„maundement of the Chapter F. de Wyen Eng. Reignold de Azewyne Bartholomewe de la Waell Nicholas de la Zuylon A. D. Leyden Lubert de Cleues On the behalfe of the Estates of the Countries nere rounde about Egbert Clants E. Ierges As certaine semed to make some difficultie vpon the 13. Article of this vnion and so staied the 13. of this moneth emongest the Deputies of the Countries of Geldrelande and Zurphen Hollande Sealande Vtright and the Countries nere aboute betweene Eems and Leuwers as if thei had meant to receiue none into the saied vnion but suche as would suffer the peace of the Religion deuised by the Archeduke of of Austriche and his Counsell with the aduise of the generall Estates or at the least whiche of the twoo Religions to witte the Romishe Catholique and the reformed And therfore for this cause haue the saied Deputies whiche are to deale in this vnion and establishyng of the same for the auoidyng of all intended mischief and mistruste meant hereby to declare that thei neuer yet endended nor at this tyme doe entende to barre any Cities or Prouinces who will onely stande to the Romishe Catholique Religion from the saied vnion and league and where the nomber of the Enhabitauntes of the saied reformed Religion is not greate yet that thei maie by vertue of the saied peace of Religion enioye the exercise of the reformed Religion And yet thei shall notwithstandyng the same bee ready to receiue into this vnion all suche Cities and Prouinces whiche will onely stande to the saied Romishe Religion so that thei will be bounde to all the rest of the poinctes and Articles of the said vnion and behaue them selues as good defenders of their Countries seeyng there is none other meanyng but that one Prouince or Citie should not deale and contende against an other in the cause of ReligioÌ„ and that to bee doen for the better holdyng of the peace and concord emongest the Prouinces and the auoidyng and cuttyng of the principallest occasions whiche might cause diffention and discorde Giuen at Vtright the first of February 1579. An Amplification of the 15. Article Where in the 15. Article here
and that in the meane while the sore dayly increased and grew woorse and woorse insomuch that the danger of a generall commotion reuolt was euen at the doore haue thought it our duetie according to the othe of our fidelitye and alleageance and with al the honest and good zeale which we beare vnto his Ma. to the cause no longer to stay but rather to be the very first to set for ward a matter of so necessary and needful a duty so much the freelier and readilier by how much we haue the greater occasion to hope that his Ma. wil take our aduertisement in very good part considering that it toucheth vs more neerely then any of the rest because we are such as are soonest to be thrust out vnto all inconueniences and miseries which commonly arise vpon the like accidēts hauing for the more part our houses goodes situating being abroad in the countrey and therfore lying as a pray for al the worlde considering also that in the geuerall pursuing of the sharpnes of the saide commissiōs as his Ma. had giuen expresse commandement for their proceeding there should not one mā amōgst vs no not one in al the countrey hereabout of what estate condition soeuer he were which should not be found guilty of the losse both of body and goods subiect to the slaunder of the first enimy that came who to haue part of the spoyle would vnder the colour of the commissions accuse any whatsoeuer leauing none other refuge vnto the partie but the onely fauour of the officer into whose mercy both his life goods should be thrust In consideration whereof wee haue so much the greater occasion most humbly to beseech your highnes and that by this our supplication to take some good order herein And because it is a matter of importance that it would please you assoone as might be possible to dispatch and send some carefull and meete man towardes his Ma. to aduertise him on our behalfe most humbly beseech him that it would please him to forsee for the same as well presently as for the time to come And because the same cannot be done by letting the said commissions to stand in their ful strength considering that theron hangeth the originall of the saide inconueniences that it would please him to harken to the abolishing of them which wil be the very necessary meane to withdraw the whole destruction and ouerthrowe from all these countries hereabout And to the end hee should not haue any occasion to think that we who haue none other purpose but to yeeld him our most hūble obedience would goe aboute to bridle him or els otherwise force him to make such lawes as pleased vs as we doubt not but that our aduersaries will interprete our meaning to the worst that it would please his maiestie to make other ordinances by the aduise and consent of all the estates in generall assembled together to the end the things abouesaid might be foreseene and preuented by other meet conuenient meanes without such most euident dangers Most humby also beseechyng your highnes that when as his maiestie shall haue vnderstood of our iust petition ordered the same as shal seeme good vnto his good and iust wil and pleasure that it woulde please him in the meane while to prouide for the foresaid dangers by a generall surceasing aswel of the said inquisitiō as also of al the executions of those commissions vntill such time as his maiesty hath set some other order therein Expresly protesting that asmuch as to vs apperteineth and belongeth we haue discharged our selues of our duty by this present aduertisement So that now we haue acquited our selues both before god the world declaring that if so be any inconuenience disorder cōmotion reuolt or bloodshed hereafter shal fal out about this matter for want of finding out of a remedy for the same in due time season that we are not to be found fault with and blamed as men hauing concealed so apparant a mischiefe wherein we take God the king your highnes the Lordes of the counsell our owne consciences to witnes that wee haue proceeded as hath become the kings good loyall seruants faithful subiects without exceeding the bounds of our duties whereupō also we so much the more instātly beseech your highnes to vnder stand the same before such time as any other mischiefe aryseth theron In doyng whereof you shall doe right well Exhibited by Henry of Brederode Lord of the said place accompanied with the nobilitie of the low countrie the 5. of Aprill 1565 before Easter The answere which the Ladie Regent made in the counsel of Estate to this supplication is this that followeth WHen her highnesse had vnderstood the contents of the supplication she was fully purposed to send messengers with the same vnto his maiestie to doe him all the good offices that her highnes could deuise which might any way serue to dispose incline his maiestie to condiscend vnto the request of the petitioners who neuer looked for any thing but for that that was worthie agreeing vnto his natural accustomed benignitie howbeit her highnes had alreadie before the comming of the aforesaid suppliants by the help and aduice of the gouerners of the prouinces knights of the order and councell that were with her trauelled to deuise and set downe a moderation of the commission for the state of religion to be exhibited vnto his maiestie which moderation her highnes hoped should be such as in dutie should reasonably content euery man And seeing that her highnes autoritie as the suppliāts might very wel cōsider of vnderstand extēded not so far as to be able to surcease the Inquisition and commissions according to their desire that it was vnfit to leaue the countrie in the matter of religion without law her highnesse had this good cōfidence in the petitioners that they would be contented with her sending vnto his maiestie to the end aforesaid and in the meane while that she looked for answer her highnes would take order that the Inquisitors where there were any as yet remaining as also the officers should haue respect to deale so discretely soberly in their charges as that no man shold haue cause to cōplaine her highnes also trusted that the suppliants likewise would so behaue thēselues as that ther should be no need otherwise to vse the same and it was wel to be hoped that her hignesse would deale so dutifully towards his maiestie as that he would be contented to difcharge the rest of the Inquisition where shee was so far foorth as shee was able to vnderstand as had alreadie been declared by the supplication of the chiefe cities of Brabant that they should not be charged therewith And that her hignesse would so much the more franckly dispose her selfe to doe all good offices vnto his maiestie to the end and effect aforesaid because shee did assure her selfe that