sent to assist Embden which entred the City at the same time when Enno drawing near with his Forces hoped to have been admitted by those of his Faction but now being kept out thence he entreth the Villages round about and erects several Forts for the shutting up of the City and the River The States being informed thereof and now after the taking of Grave having some leisure to consult about their neighbours affairs at the request of the City sent Warner Dubois a Colonel of Horse thither with some Troups of Horse and almost nineteen Companies of Foot He within a few daies assaults and wins all the Forts and sets free the City from those rude and ignorant maintainers of Warre Enâ—o that he might remove this disgrace out of his sight with as much envy and bitterness of language as he could invent disputed the Hollanders incroachments upon the rights of anothers dominion of which the States being conscious they published in Print the cause of that action of theirs and the danger that was like to have fallen not onely upon themselves but all Germany by the Count's deeds The Twelfth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES THE Hollanders being oppressed with the French Peace were attended with a greater evil which was the death of Queen Elizabeth about this time whereby they were more deeply plunged in a Warre yet had lost that assistence which as it was the first so had it continued unto the last She died the third day of April being by the length of daies arrived to the toils of life from whence she supposed her old age which she had spun out even to the seventieth year now grew contemptible and that the hopes and counsels of those in whom she had put her greatest confidence were turned towards her successor It was a long reign for a Woman and famous not onely at home but abroad which produced many various censures some conjecturing at the future according as they were led by fear or hope others from the memory of former actions reckoning what prosperity and adversity she had seen during her long life Here was remembred the beheading of her Mother and that for no small fault but onely the supposed crime of Adultery whence arose those many bitter taunts of her Enemies as if she had been the Issue of an unknown Father Soon after when her Sister fate in the Throne she was cast into Prison Which was no small affliction of so great a spirit until by the means and intercessions of Philip King of Spain to whom she owed her Liberty if not her Life she was freed from thence though afterwards she requited his kindness with a long and sharp Warre Besides her Reign was accounted cruel by the execution of so many Noblemen for no other pretence but that they professed the Romane Catholick Religion and also in that no less novel then odious example to all Princes though indeed excusable enough from the necessity that by the command of a Woman not onely a Woman but a Kinswoman and she a Suppliant not as a common person but a distressed Queen was put to death Also there were some that stuck not to exprobrate the divulsions of Ireland and seditions of the English Souldiers in the Low-Countries as if they had been commanded Certainly it was the greatest of her misery that she lived so long without a Husband from whence came the incertainty of her Heir and very various were the several opinions concerning her many objecting her love to the Earl of Leicester and after him her endearments of Essex whose hot and over-hasty youth together with his contempt of her decaying and aged beauty was punished with the loss of his head though soon after her minde was more changed from hatred to repentance then before it had been from love to hatred so that it was by many judged to be the main cause of her sickness and death On the other side it was said that the long continuance of her Government and life manifested the same to be well-pleasing to God and that instead of the customary evils of youth she had shewed great prudence in her carriage and behaviour in the enjoyment of both good and bad fortune Nor was it so great a wonder that her security was established by the death of some Rebels and by Warres as that a Woman's Government after four and fourty years had not onely made England safe but flourishing nor had she at any time taken Arms but for most just causes Religion was by her reformed to the example of King Edward not by force or according to her own fancy but upon debate of the matter in the great Council of the Kingdome and in a lawful manner Nor did she rage with cruelty against those that were of another judgement unless it were when it was too late when by the doctrine and instruction of the Jesuites they had thrown off all reverence love to their Country and Government at once By her help Scotland was vindicated from the French the Prince of Conde's Party from their adverse faction and much of the Netherlands from the Spaniards And although she had so many great allurements to increase her Dominion yet she remained content with her own not desiring from all her victorious atchievements any other thing then the liberty of that Religion by her promoted and to set limits to power that was or might be defervedly suspected Thus did she restore the Towns which she possessed in France preserved Scotland for a Child and rejected the desires of the Hollanders intreating her to take the Dominion over them And now lately the old Garrisons in Ireland being taken and new ones fortified some of the Nobles being taken here some there their faction was so infeebled and the very strength and pretence thereof so weakned and Tyrone himself so broken that falling upon his knees before the Lord Lieutenant he humbly requested pardon of all his offences For that excess of Honour happened to him a little before his fall She had been courted to Marriage not by the English onely but by Charles of Austria brother of the Emperour and by Henry and Francis brothers to the King of France as also by some Kings themselves to wit Philip of Spain and Ericus of Sweden That she was thus sought was her happiness but that she refused all was her prudence because as it was unfit for her Greatness to marry a Subject so the Subjects of England were afraid she should marry a Foreiner The reproches that were spred concerning her took their beginning from her sex and the elegancy of her beauty together with the customary liberty of Princes and could onely be refuted by manlike care and diligence Nor was she onely well skilled in the arts of Government but was learned in the ancient and modern languages an excellency rarely found in Women of a private fortune which made her Name and renown great and famous and not onely terrible to and
unknown by whom Murthers were commended and with whom the greatest Thief is most honourable And how horrid is it in these who obtained their Honour not by the Nobility of their Bloud or Merits but by his or Queen Elizabeth's Favour to shew such an Ingratitude of Mind such a Conscientiousness of their Treachery that they would again attempt what they had bin once pardon'd solliciting a whole Province to Defection and Rebellion and contrive a Conspiracy to the slaughter of all the English Nor were there wanting Priests and Jesuits the usual Authors and Promoters of such wickedness to foment their Designs But the Assistance of Forein Power being in vain implored by them their impious Attempts left no safe Refuge but in flight The Seventeenth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES THat the Enemies Embassadors delay'd their coming this Years most sharp Frost and worthy to be remembred among the Rarities of the Time was a main cause or else it was a part of the Spanish Pride to be long expected In the interim the States transacted with their Friends That they might try what might be hoped from them in Peace or War Then did the Affection of the French clearly appear eminent towards this Commonwealth there being hardly any found that would imitate their Pattern For they made a League wherein it was agreed That the King should give Assistance against the Violaters thereof that either offer'd publike Injuries to the Hollanders or being warned had by dissimulation done any private Offences and to that end should send to their Aid Ten Thousand Foot If the King a Kingdom of France suffer'd any Hostility from an Enemy The States were to help him either with 500 Foot or so many Ships as should equiballance that Number If either â—d any thing beyond this for the other it should be owed 〈◊〉 till the end of the War and then to be re-paid That either should make any Agreement with the Enemy without as Allies Consent And in point of Commerce the Hollanders should be free among the French as Citizens and the French equal to the Citizens of Holland But the Brittains that they might not make the like League first of all renewed the old Controversie concerning the Trade of Clothing which only one Society among the English would â—ave and afterwards they demanded That before all other things the old Debt of the States should be more narrowly treated 〈◊〉 The Germans a Nation full of delay from whom as also from the Landgrave of Hessen Embassadors came pretended That their Princes desired nothing more than to confirm the League upon mutual Assistance each of other yet that they had received no certain Power and Authority to settle that Affair In 〈◊〉 interim these in effect were the Things which they â—ommended to the States if Peace were concluded to wit that Care might be taken for the Indempnity of the House of Nassau That the Spaniard should make satisfaction for the Daniaâ—â— Mendosa had done in Germany That no Liberty should be parted to any within the States Jurisdiction to use the Romane rites in matter of Religion That in the disbanding of Souldiers â—â—tion should be used that no damage should accrue thereby to the Neighbours And that all Taxes upon Provision should for the future utterly cease At length in the beginning of the Month of February arrived the Embassadors from the Enemy which were Spiâ—â—la and Mancicido a Spaniard the King's Secretary for Military Business Afterwards Richardot Verreik and Naya being drawn in Sleds over the Frozen Waters enter Holland then indeed open and not shewing any of the natural strength and beauty of its Rivers Where ever they passed they were courteously Treated by the Governours of Cities and were not far from the Hague when Prince Maurice went out to meet them On every side was an infinite company of men whom the greatness of that unusual Sight had drawn together and to behold a Thing the Year before believed by no man that the two chief Commanders of that great War who lately had led such Armies mortally hating one another now unarm'd mutually embracing each other and instead of the Violence of Arms and Stratagems of War contesting onely who should most exceed in Humanity Spinola passing in Prince Maurice's Coach and some Discourse begun each of them received great Advantage from the others Vertue one expert Enemy giving a true Judgment of his Opposite But after the Italian General provided of Lodgings according to his Dignity began to set forth his pretious Houshold-stuff and all other Things prepar'd for Ostentation It is wonderful to tell what vast concourse of men daily flocked thither from the utmost parts of Holland meerly to see the order of his Service the furnishing of his Table and chiefly his Person Indeed many were drawn thither with the desire onely to satisfie and feed their Eye but others came thither who not onely owned but boasted their Affection to the Romane Religion Nor was He nice in shewing himself to all Comers nay more then that he supposed it a becoming thing sometimes to speak first to many by an Interpreter or else thereby he fancied to himself a hope of gaining the affection of the Commons against the Nobles At the Request of the Enemies Embassadors a more solemn meeting than ordinary was granted where before the Prince and the Senate after Salute and Complements passed they declare to what purpose they were sent And now some were chosen that should treat apart with them first in the Name of the whole Council of the United States were appointed William of Nassau and Walrave Brederode then â—ery single Province added one as Gelderland Cornelius 〈◊〉 Holland John Olden Barneveldt Zeland Jacob Maleree Vtrecht Nicholas Bercke Friezeland Gelly Hellaman Over-â—ssell John Sleethen and Groening Abâ—l Cunderten The first dayes were spent while each inspected and argued the others Commands and Instructions King Philip in his Letters styled the Arch Dukes the chief Princes of the Netherlands and speaking of the liberty of the United Provinces he recited that clause which formerly he had mentioned that it should be then of full force when the Peace was concluded wherein also there were Instructions concerning Religion and other matters in controversie The Arch Dukes in their Epistles set forth the words whereby Philip of late had ratified whatever Agreements they should make upon any the States Demands the States nevertheless often averting and complaining of the contrary Besides when Philip gave power to the Arch Dukes of making Peace either by themselves or those whom he had delegated to that business The Arch Dukes Instructions did not plainly enough speak and declare the right which they had received from King Philip to be transferred by them to their Embassadors To all which Objections the Spaniards plâ—usibly excusing the rest promised that they would take care that nothing should be wanting in the making perfect their Commission yet on the other side they argued that the States
preparing other Remedies which might repress this Evil now getting Age The Cause above all others and which we may with most Reason conjecture was the Pope's Authority by which he had ordered many of these things to be done For having obtained by the general Consent of so many Nations to Distribute of Kingdoms and to be a Moderator and Judge of Law Equity and Right while he by submissive Obedience and large Gifts was made their Friend and Ally they might confidently rest assured in the Success of their Affairs which he had throughly learned by his Fathers and his own Experiments How terrible it was and injurious to his Affairs to have that Power adverse to him from which even they who had Conquered it in War were glad to crave a Pardon These were the state of Affairs and these the Conditions of the People when upon the Departure of King Philip strife began about the Chief Government In the attaining whereof both the Prince of Aurange and Count Egmond had pitched their Hopes and Expectancie but neither of them had it for this Reason least either of them singly being preferr'd should by perpetual private Feudes disturb the Peace of the Common-wealth There was likewise Ambitions of the same sort among Women to wit Christian that had marryed Francis Duke of Lorrain Uncle of the Emperour Charles and Margaret base Daughter of the said Charles first marryed to Alexander Medices afterwards to Octavius Farnese Duke of Parma The Prince of Aurange and the Netherlanders endeavoured by all means to promote Christian but Ferdinande Alvares of Toledo Duke of Alva and Anthony Perenot Granvell Bishop of Artoyes having been jointly Servants and Counsellors to his Father in his greatest Affairs and by Philip received with the like Honour were of a contrary Opinion for Margaret Alva one of the greatest and noblest Spaniards in many places esteemed a great and famous Souldier by the getting some notable Victories for the Emperour had won great Renown Perenottes Father one Nicholas a Burgundian as he was of a mean Stock so he was more readily obsequious and by his extraordinary Watchfulness and Industry so acquired the Humour of the Court that he became a Privy Counsellour and had the keeping of the Emperours Seal in which having performed his Duty by the space of Twenty Years he at last left the same to the enjoyment of his Son But as Alva's proud and cruel Nature so Perenottes subtle Disposition while they onely seek to inlarge the Grandezza of the Prince who likewise desired nothing so much they do both of them find fault with as many Nations as they knew especially the Germans who imputing the Landgrave's Imprisonment to no other than their Counsels did esteem and reckon their too great Power among the principal Causes of the War Again when it came to the Point of giving the Government of the Netherlands to Margaret although there wanted not specious Causes enough for the giving of that Counsel as such a Tye of Bloud and that her Husband would be a Pledge for her Fidelity and her Person be in the Command of the Spaniards both in the City and Castle Yet the departure of the King no less suspected by the Great Ones than bewailed by the meaner sort inflamed the angry Minds of the Nobles And that very Day was the chief in which Philip was sollicited for Liberty and that the Netherlanders shewed themselves contumacious or sawcie towards their Prince For just upon his Departure resolving to leave a Garrison of above Three Thousand Spaniards under pretence of defending the Borders against the French but in truth that he might at his pleasure bridle the Licentiousness in Religion which had been increased by a Company of Forraign Souldiers in the Wars The Prince of Aurange and Count Egmond whom he appointed Commanders of those Forces on purpose to asswage their Envy refused the Charge as being contrary to their Laws and at the very instant of the Kings going away the Assembly of the States whom he had onely called together to give a Farewel to asked him That he wou'd remove away with him those Souldiers when they would not endure adding also a Warning or Monition That he should use the Counsell of none but Netherlanders in the Government of the Netherlands And from hence there sprung an implacable Hatred because they seemed to give out as if they understood the Art of Governing and fore-saw the approaching Tyranny But openly He agreed to their Request and thereupon forbore to adde Gemessa Figueroa â— Spaniard and Earl of Feria unto that Great Councel though lately destined to that Intent But in this Dissimulation he nourished Anger in his Heart and in his Mind studied nothing but Revenge So departing but disdaining to pass the Borders of Strangers he went by Sea where in the Shipwrack of his Fleet through many great and imminent Dangers with much ado he got safe to the Port of Gallicia The Souldiery for a little while after remained there but very unruly and burdensom untill at Gerbis or the Island of Gelues called by the Antients Meninx having received a loss by the Turks they were taken from them as the Netherlanders interpreted it not so in favour of them as to supply the Loss there received In the mean while the Government of the Netherlands Nominally was in Margaret but in Deed and Power in Granuel in whom Industry Vigilance Ambition Luxury Covetousness and in truth all manner both of Good and Evil were eminently to be seen Nor did he advantage himself more by his own Prudence than by the Folly and Sloth of Others who growing weak by Riot had let slip those Opportunities of present Power which of old was not without great difficulty and hazard to be attained He therefore minding cunningly to oblige his Prince by diving into Secrets and by advancing his Followers contracted unto himself the Intriques of all Embassies and all sorts of Characters and what ever else was to be known either by Spies or Pensioners Between this Grandee and Count Horn there were some old Gudges first concerning Lalayn Count Horn's Sisters Husband whom he taxed with the Crime of an ill performed Embassie Another was that Horn had missed the Praefectureship or Lieutenancy of Gelderland which he had much sought after for want onely of one word's speaking of his He had not yet Declared himself to the Prince of Aurange the onely hope of increasing his Dignities resting upon him but as the Custom of Ambition is had hitherto onely looked upon him with an evil Eye least he should grow too great for him For which cause when Magistrates were to be chosen at Antwerp he had endeavoured to procure him to be absent But the Prince of Aurange who above all things the empty Boast or bare Title of Honour and that one Man a stranger and of men Extract should possess what he listed not without the disgrace both of himself and others stirred up with many provocations Count Egmond
Name of it in the Netherlands with great Regret of Spirit was abominated There were who at this time wrote to the King the whole Sum of this Discipline which he under the Name of Heresie gave hearing to with an evil Will least he should in any manner give Credit to a thing so profane and detestable however glosed over by those malitious People Here by the Industry of the Prince of Aurange were excited George Cassander and Francis Balduin of Artoyes Men well skilled in Antiquity and that perswaded to Moderation There is of this Mans extant an eloquent Oration desiring the free use of that Religion who now by being grown strong could not be esteemed a Disturber of the Peace with whose Interest such a Liberty would be consistent as well as with that of Commerce The Pope having in these inferior things to the very Jews given leave to purchase Impunity for the Exercise of their Religious Rites But all these things proving of no effect some for fear of punishment others desirous of novelty cast out ambiguous and doubtful Speeches send abroad Libels the onely Allurements of the Vulgar and as a thing indifferent there being no War to retain the Assertors of the German Religion The Romane Superstition is again thrown out of England as also by the Danes and Swedes Nor in France do Slaughters pass unrevenged where not being able to bear the cruel Natures of those who Tyrannized over them they Resolved openly to defenâ— their Safety either by Peace or Warre there being no other Mediums for their Liberty For certainly there is nothing can more strictly oblige the People to their Duty than the Prince to a moderate and just Government By making use of these Alterations the Minds of the Nobles were confirmed who already judged themselves in their own Thoughts to stand condemned in the Kings and some of them being married to Women that were Forraigners well by Countrey as by Religion as the Prince of Aurange to a Saxon and Count Horn to a Nionarian gave the Crâ—dulous King also from thence also cause of Suspition which they were not insensible of because the King had already shewed his Dislike against the new power of the Senatâ— which they had introduced and assumed And therefore that they might the better strengthen their Cause by the Assistance of the Vulgar they endeavour to quiet Religion and if they cannot firm a publike Peace at least to settle Domestike One they making the fear of the ensuing Mischiefs so much the greater by how much the rest did under valuingly sleight them they endeavour to hide these Practices under the Notion of Civil Disturbances which they also themselves were partly the cause of or else by these means they hoped to move the King however they doubted not in these Novelties of Assistance if not out of Love to them yet out of Envy to the Spanish Greatness Departing therefore from the Senate as if they had fore-seen Commotions which they were unable to help now under pretence of Solemnizing Marriages another time intermingling Festiv Societies to make them seem the more solemn they gathered together and obliged to them many either by the Ties of Bloud or the Obligations of Friendship But long it was not ere the main matter at which all these things aimed burst out for after it was perceived that there were many which looked that way while they sollicite much both the Commander and Souldier find fault that a Woman should be chief in Authority disswade the States and Governours of Cities from Cruelty and to suffer patiently Many other Noble men but all wi◠〈◊〉 any Government or Command among whom were some of the Romane Religion made a 〈◊〉 which was drawn up by one Marnye against the Inâ—sition wherein they promised to aid and assist one another â— any of them should thereby be questioned or brought into â—nger And that it might not be unknown upon what main strength they relyed among the Leaders of that Faction the most eminent was Lewis of Nassau Brother to the Prince of Aurange an open Dissentor from the Romane Profession So 〈◊〉 now it was no difficult matter to understand that although the reall and greatest Heads of the Faction did not yet appear yet to judge who they were that when time should serve would uphold them whose Interest and Authority in the mean while was a sure Safeguard to all Pretenders for the rest against the bitter Invectives and Tyranny of â—hose who by Arms would endeavour to stifle or suppress this growing Rebellion There joyned with the before-named Lewis the Counts of Herenburgh and Culemburgh and Henry Brederode of an â—ntient Family of the greatest Nobility of Holland and generally beloved of the People whose hopes were blown up too high and were vain and incertain unless more had appeared These accompanied with Four Hundred Confederates the fifth Day of April 1566. came all unarmed to the Court of â—ruxels where then the Prince of Aurange the rest scarcely intreated by the Lady Margaret the Regent to return â—hither had taken their Places and were sitting These were their Desires for so they called them That the King's Edicts concerning Religion might by the Order of the States of the Netherlands be changed and that they would acquiesce till it could be done The one of which when the Regent promise she would recommend to the King and protested the other not in her power they urged the same with an earnestneâ— rather befitting Judges or Justices who had power of Command than Petitioners who knew to 〈◊〉 â—â—rate their Zeal wâ— Temperance Then first was heard of that name of Guise â—terwards no less famous than those of Protestants and Hâ—gonets when therefore some had cast into the Teeth of the Confederates their broken and decaid Fortunes they not the king notice of the happy Fortune of that Name but wholled by Honour confirmed their Faith to the King to staâ— by him even to the hazard of their Estates Which thing being now evident to the whole World there were various Consultations both in Spain and the Netherlands Of theâ— who were attendant upon the Councels and Person of tâ— Lady Margaret some reputed those Requests or rather Demands of the Confederate Nobles to be just Others thought them onely necessary But some of the Great Ones who began to suspect the Cruelty of the King's Intentions toward them without any Dissembling demanded Pledges for the Security and to prevent the fear of suffering punishment which otherwise might happen to be the cause of a War and if these things were denied they having under the Commands most valiant People of several Nations aâ— likewise some Troops of Natives which would prove the main Props of the War would not draw a Sword in Defend of those Laws by which the Citizens being slain by each others hand should fall onely for the pleasure and advantage of the Spaniards After many several Letters sent to the King at last John Montigniac the
Brother of Count Horn and John Marquess of Berghen op Zome glad of the Honour of their Embassie that they might clear themselves of the former and take themselves off from the future Troubles came to him who troubled every day with fresh Messengers and bad News diâ— often advise with the chief of those Spaniards who had been in the Netherlands and of the Senate there what was best to be done The Form of Laws wherein was contained that Ministers teaching Heretical Doctrine Receivers and Abettora of Conventicles and such as by their evil Examples had done great harm to the Publike should suffer Death either by the Halter or Sword and the rest either abjure their Errours or fly of which amendment and moderation was desired and transmitted from the States was altogether unpleasing because he was more careful of his own Dignity than fearful of any Danger in that he would not seem to be compelled by Threatnings to grant such things as were contrary to his Nature and Will But hitherto he seemed to bear therewith that the Authority of the Bishops might be well setled whose Duty it was if any Trouble should happen diligently to take care to prevent the same otherwise by the Pope's express Command they were not without Order to meddle further He refused to grant any Pardon without Examination of the Cause and unless he might with more Severity take notice of the Confederacy than those times would bear though formerly he would willingly have granted them more yet he promised they should partake both of his Presence and Climency But to call a General Meeting of the States though the Cities most faithful and Loyal to him desired the whole Netherlanders perswaded his Sister urged and without which it was almost impossible for him to keep his Government there he most obstinately denied rather commanding them to take Arms and the easier and more readily to raise an Army to take the Germans into present Pay Adding moreover That he doubted not but thâ—â— as his Father had often had Experience of the Fidelity of the Dutch Nobles so he should likewise find them ready and obedient to him desiring onely to put in Execution the Laws made by his Father For though any man may dissent in Opinion yet still the Decision and Judgment thereof is left to the Prince and Obedience onely to the Subjects But oâ— the contrary they had so brought it about that no Force could be raised by laying open the Poverty of the Treasuries and if there were any gotten together the Confederate Noble-man anticipated the same giving out also that Forreign Souldiers on all hands offered to serve under them Which Rumour as it was spread to terrifie the other Party so was it altogether dissonant to the Truth For they recheck the Haughty and Tyrannical Humour of Philip boasted that they had both the Strength and Wealth of some of their Neighbors who either in Point of Religion were of the same Mind with them or very little differing to assâ— them by which means they proceeded at Home both with greater Surety and Safety Now of those who denied the Authority of the Pope there were three sorts in the Netherlands the Anabaptists whereof many were in Frizeland and the Neighbouring Parts were not greatly to be feared by reason of their rashness and infinite Disorders amongst themselves as also because they did renounce both Magistracy and Arms But that Profession which received its Name from Luther and the Augustane Synod was maintained and upheld by the 〈◊〉 king and favour of many of the German Princes and a certain Form of Law Now because the Emperour Charles had taken these his Netherlands into the German League and thaâ— this Part had upheld the Majesty of his Empire there were that said that the Settlement of Religion was also included which may be easily answer'd thus That although the Netherlands might participate with Germany both in Tribute and Immunities yet it was very well known that for man Ages last past they were neither subject to their Laws noâ— the Decrees of their Synods Not much differing from this Doctrine there is another illustrated chiefly by the Ingenuity of Zuinglius and Calvin and now for some time growing up together with the Augustane unless it may be said of Religions that they are all made more subject to Obstinacy in Opinion or Singularity rather than Concord That to wit of Zuinglius part of Germany and Switzerland follow but the other of Calvin onely the famous City of Geneva within the Dukedom of Savoy allows of The same was also used in England different onely in the Retention of some of the antient Rites but the main and violent Followers of this Sect were in France nor did the rest come near them in number and therefore both those and these to wit Zuinglians and Calvinists judged this new Ordinance proposed by Philip no less cruel than he himself esteemed it mild There was too another Complaint that in stead of the desired Meetings of the States General the Judgments of the several Provinces were separately required and that too but partially not of all not after the accustomed manner In which Commotions while the Regent expected further Orders from the King and either to receive from him Souldiers or Money to levy Souldiers hoping Delays would blow over or else mitigate the greatness of the Danger behold on the contrary the Vulgar who till now had been frighted with the noise of Fire and Sword begin now to affright others They come out of their Corners and appear in publike they Celebrate their Devotions and preach after the new Mode as if they would publikely convince their Enemies of those Lies wherewith they had slandered their private Meetings Exiles also and such as had been persecuted onely for Religion of whom there were not a few even weary of their Lives joyned with Straglers and Fugitives from Monasteries So that now there did appear a Formidable Multitude and so great beyond Expectation that those who had frequented and used their Meetings could hardly believe the same This over-much assumed Liberty confirmed their Presumption for now if at any time they fear Danger they go Armed All which Rabble the Confederate Nobles receive into their Protection and arm them as the common Vogue was but that is not always infallible And not long after a great Sedition began of the Rascality of the People but by whose Instigation is uncertain wherein were seen many known Thieves This is not medling with Towns or Fields invades the Churches where onely the Altars and their Furnitures with the Shrines of Saints went to wrack resembling herein the like Commotions of the Jews and altogether imitating that Barbarous Tempest of Image-hateâ— that over-ran Greece for their Savage Rudeness did not abstain from the Persons of Priests and Religious Men but vented it self further on their Books and Sepulchres as if in this so suddain a Rebellion for other it cannot be called there
good Counsel to meet a powerful Foe with the Conjunction of Neighbours and here the ingenuity of the French found it needful to have Warre that they might keep peace It was cast out as a Secret but with great diligence the League being broken what the Emperour Charles said to the King being his Prisoner in reproâ—ch of the name and Honour of France That the old limits of France should be restored and the Empire extend even to the Rhene what was beyond the Prince of Aurange in words had already assumed to himself as the reward of all his pains By these instigations the King was so wrought upon that moneys are speedily dispatched to him together with Counsel and advice by Lewis who went between them whom Caspar Colimac a chief Leader in the new Religion had brought to treat and discourse with the King The Kings Navy also upon the Coast of Guyen was fitted and prepared and Prizes taken in Spanish Vessels were publickly sold in the City of Rochel The Spanish Embassador in vain complaining made their confidence increase by their deceits In the interim the Prince of Aurange full fraught with the same and repute of so potent an Allye either by Embassies or Letters promiseth to the banished Netherlanders resettlemâ—â—â— in their own Country and to those that are oppressed at â—â—â—me Liberty and doth perswade many Governours of Cities either to mutiny or revolt not valuing either the force fear or hate of Alva Thus relying on his strength and the industry of his People he made a good force at Sea for every banished Netherlander who had any Courage and all those more indigent people that were afraid of banishment got aboard into some kind of Ships and taking others which they met by force from their owners they much increased their number they hovered to and again upon the Coast and not onely there but even in the very Ocean or high Sea as Pyrates got their Living by robbing all they could seize on The Prince of Aurange had the shew of Authority and Command over this insolent multitude though indeed there was neither civility nor Government among them by Letters missive and the like authorizing them as by Commission The Admirall of this Fleet William Count Marque Surnamed Lumey of a disposition that rather inclined to cruelty then Courage which was accounted his chiefest vertue his Counsel to most of his Companions and followers as well as his own minde intended nothing but depredations Thus accoutred and followed as it seemed good to the Supreme Providence whom it had pleased hitherto in the Affairs of these Countries so to frustrate humane Confidence and Counsels that great and over-blown hopes should never be attended with happy success 1572. Twenty four indifferent Ships being Commanded off the English Coasts Sail towards West-Frizeland to try their Fortune in the beginning a Warre against the chiefest Potentate of Christendom but the Wind being against them drove them through an extream scarcity of necessaries on one of the biggest Isles they call it Vorne and there is the mouth of the River Maze where the Souldiers and Seamen between fear and Courage with a sudden fury set upon the Town of Brill not that they intended to make any long stay there but onely intended it as a place of refreshment for a few dayes But the more prudent of them together with the conveniency of the place desired that they might become sensible of their Victory in the retention of the place Thus all things among them hapning by chance except difference in opinions insomuch that when some Bands of Spanish Souldiers entred the Island under the Command of Maximilian Bossu their Captain who then was Governour of Holland the Invaders as if they had been distracted by a suddain fear fled not one of them daring to go against him and this forsooth because the Townsmen had set fire upon their ships Bossu in his return from hence required passage through Roterdam which they sensible of the Mischiefs of a Garrison granted but with this Proviso that the greatest part of the Souldiery being sent away the rest should enter But contrary to these Covenants the Souldiery forthwith broke in and made a great slaughter of the Inhabitants within the Town This Barbarous Treachery so incensed the inraged Minds of the Hollanders that most of them voluntarily part forced by the violence of the People the appearance of their Neighbours in Arms or else by the necessity of Commerce openly declared their great Affection to the Exiles and their willingness to admit them For the Duke of Alva had â— no Castles here believing himself safe enough in the deâ— right simplicity of the People who having hitherto bin â— quiet then all the rest did now being abused break out â— the greater Fury Besides part of the Spanish Forces bâ— little before had been drawn thence to punish Vtrecht her Warlike Injuries done them for that City under Confidence of her Religion had most vehemently withstâ— the commanded Impositions And Alva at the first Neâ— of this Tumultuous Insurrection had sent for those who we in Roterdam vainly fearing they should have been Besiege there The Town of Flushing followed the Example of Holland being greatly disturbed with the sight of the Castle which was in Building to keep them in awe and not willing to receive a Garrison which was intended to be placed among them These having seized Bacies a Savoyard the most excellent Surveyor of Alva's Works and hurried him away â— punishment they Declare Themselves for the Common Cause In like manner others in Zeland turned out the Spaniards so that now from this new Face of Affairs and the Assistance that daily almost came to them out of the Kingdoms oâ— France and England they began to hope for Liberty Couâ— William who was by affinity related to the Prince of Aurange rather trusting to the Honour of that Name than bâ— own strength assures Gelders and Over-Issel Hereupon Nederwormter and shortly after Schoneberge make Incursions into Frizeland being admitted into their strongest and best Cities with the free good-will of the Citizens The Prince of Aurange did not much rejoyce when he received the News of these Commotions of the People complaining That he was prevented by such a Chance and that his Force was not as ready as his Consent with them In this disordered an unsetled Body some of the Nobles of Holland and Commissioners of the Chief Cities meeting at Dordrecht assumed and put on the first Species or Habit of a Common-Wealth Hither did the Prince of Aurange send whom the States of Holland although absent because his Lieutenancy and Governourship was taken from him without any lawful cause chose to be their Governour as also to be the General and Manager of the War against the proud Domineering of â—a Now there began to be daily Fights both at Sea and Land wherein as to the Land-Fights on Foot the Spaniard was too hard for the other being rude
raised The King would consider of a Regent and in the mean while all to obey the Duke of Parma Thus the Walloons made a great addition of power to the Kings party A People taking delight in Warre and whoâ— the Spaniard might safely make use of in all dangers And this was altogether the conclusion of the Netherlanders against forraign Dominion Certainly that Society must needs be firm which hath the same hopes or more Obligations to agree than causes of dissention There is scarce any thing common with the Netherlanders which the Spaniards hate not by which meanes as enforced they made the Peace at Gaunt the Priests being the chief perswaders thereunto notwithstanding all which anon every one endeavours to draw to himself as much power as he can though by contrary and indirect meanes For the Prince of Aurange and all those who with him were conscious to themselves to have deserved the same things that the Counts of Egmond and Horn suffered durst nor to trust the King Hence it was that they sought after all Counsel and Advise which might establish themselves and the Sect of their Religion as also to attain favour with forraign Princes Another party there was whose Crimes had been no causes of the beginning of the Warre who willing to preserve their Loyalty to their Prince and their duty and zeal to the Roman Religion were very much in fear least by others violence they should be hurried from the same It would be an easie matter for Philip thus to break asunder these cash and ill co-hering People If he would remove but this one thing from all such as should be imployed therein to wit the dread of the Spaniards Where he gave satisfaction to the desire of these the rest would follow of course for all those things that for a long time continued among the Netherlanders as bare suspitions were afterwards converted into Hostility nor ever after did the severall Religions increase or ciment again together At last there hapned when once they came to divide into parties a thing not very strange that who would not submit to Citizens should without any regard of Covenants be compelled to serve under a forraign Power But the Prince of Aurange did easily foresee that while the minds of men were inclinable to Peace by the imprudence of some persons the Common-wealth would be destroyed unless timely prevented Wherefore using his wonted diligence he goes to Vtrecht in Holland and there with most wholesome Counsel he bindes all the States being there called together as well of that Province as of Gelderland Holland Zeland and that part of Frizeland which lies near the River Lecke and the other part between the same River and the River of Eemes each to the other in a more strict League and Bond of Allyance the sum whereof was this That they would remain joyned and inseperable have no other Common-wealth than as if they were one People and that they would neither make Peace Truce new Warres pay nor raise Tributes but by the generall Command and Consent of all That in making Leagues and Allyances and other matters of Consultation the greater number of Voyces should be binding and if any dissentions did arise they should be reffered to the judgement and determination of the Councill or Deputies That all places in any danger of the Enemy should be fortified and no man should refuse to give his assistance in his Arms and that they should every one joyntly and severally endeavour that equality be observed in rating of Taxes and all other things relating to the raising of money To the Hollanders and Zelanders the use of their Religion one being common between them was freely granted in publick To the rest of the Provinces Toleration either to use the same or any other or both was allowed according to their pleasure The Governours were set forth in these words The Magistrates Council of every City and the Commonalty for by an antient Law the chief of the Townsmen whose Age made them able to bear Arms were went to be enrolled into certain Companies like Bands of Souldiers and this in time of Warre was for Garison and defence and in time of Peace for a Fortification to maintain it when yet the art of Principality had not arrived to the Coufidence of relying on forraign helps This Custom and Badge of neglected Vertue yet remains and the use is by these late Commotions in some manner restored while their faithful pains hath been imployed oftentimes against the Enemy and for the allaying Seditions In this manner the Provinces which I mentioned before took their Oath for performance of these Covenants agreed on at Utrecht And that they might the better be able to judge of their strength they commanded all the people between the Ages of eighteen and threescore to be numbred as well of men inhabiting in Cities and Towns as in Villages and in all other parts whatsoever of the Country But among those Provinces which were not present at the making this League what and how great troubles and dissentions had they while some part will concern themselves in the care neither of the common Religion or their Country and others are drawn away by the vain hope either of approaching Peace or the desire and love of contention The Romanists held Boisledue deserted by the vain fear of the other party they that remained contracted with the Duke of Parma that he would grant them that proper Covenant of the Peace that they should never be garrisoned without their free consent It hapned quite contrary at Antwerp for the common people of the adverse faction remained their Superior in a threatning posture setting upon all such as had been imployed in the Solemnities of punishments Not could the Prince of Aurange restrain his People or hinder them from throwing out the Priests by force though his Enemies interpreted to have been acted by his consent and will what he could not by any meanes resist or withstand for he was not given to cruelty but was one who would wisely make use of an occasion given and for the gaining mens love to him would lay before them long before the advantages they should thereafter receive But this made many of the people who were deprived of their way of Worship in Religion to wish evill and combine against the Common-wealth because they believed the Servitude they underwent to the King to be more moderate nay some of the Nobles from hence also took occasion to go over to the King Among whom Charles the Son of Count Egmond was one who when he endeavoured to take Bruxells Matthias as was said not ignorant thereof by the unlucky help of those that followed the Roman Religion the rest inclosed him in the Market-place as if he had been there besieged where then his own guilt the Image of his Fathers death and unrevenged Ghost were all become tormentors to him for there were them who objected and not without some admiration of
of money and raised the Siege and thereupon is presently saluted Prince of the delivered City Nor did he then intend further because the greatest part of the Army was in the hands of particular Leaders that followed him voluntarily and would not long stay with him Cambray is scituate in the Borders of the Netherlands the proper Seat of a Bishop but was reckoned under the Commands of both Dominions for the Germane Emperours and French Kings had often contended for it by War But in the last War with France the Emperour Charles detained it and built therein a Castle the Souldiers in Garrison whereof imprisoning their Governour joyned themselves and became Parties in the League made at Gaunt But Torney a Town in Flanders having been some while Beleaguerd in the absence of the Governour the Prince of Spina whose Wife besieged therein shewed a singular Example of Feminine Constancy at last fell into the power of the Duke of Parma The Fourth BOOK of the Dutch ANNALS FRANCIS of Valois went over into England where that he might strengthen his Friendship by a future Principality either himself or the hopes from him of a greater Fortune so pleased the Queen that notwithstanding the Difference in Religion there was a Treaty of Marriage upon certain Conditions admitted The Report hereof was very pleasing to the Dutch but it proved vain being founded either on a Dissimulation altogeâ—her fraudulent or else hindred by the Displeasure and Wrongs done by his Brother Or lastly his own unhappy Temerity which had rather win all things by Force Returning into the Netherlands with a Solemn State and Magnificent Attendance he undertakes the Government by the Name of Duke of Brabant and Earl of Flanders Besides the Old Laws there were some new ones added for limiting the Government according to the League made at Burdeaux to wit That once every Year the States General of the United Provinces should be Assembled without whose Consent no League might be made with the Spaniard by any Chief Commander in the War and at whose Request all Forreign Souldiers should be Disbanded In the ordering Matters of Religion and setling Forreign Garrisons every Province should be alike concerned The same should nominate Three Persons out of whom their Governors should be chosen And if any Difference happened among them the Duke should have the Hearing and Determining thereof That two French-men should be admitted into the Senate the rest at the present to be be chosen by the States hereafter by the Duke But of those nominated as is beforesaid And that the Netherlanders should have all chief Offices belonging to the Court Four and Twenty Hundred Thousand Florens a Year were promised every Year to the support of the War out of the Prince's Patrimony and that what wanted more was to be supplyed out of the private Treasure of the Duke or the King his Brother Now there was some hope that the Men of both Religions would continue faithful as well those who were of one Judgment with the Prince of Aurange as they who with Valois followed the Romane Opinion And these had Toleration to use their own Rites at Antwerp but no where further until they should take the common Oath of the Netherlanders concerning the New Government Nothing was expressed in publike but signs of Joy and he with much discretion carryed a sweet mildness in his Countenance and an affable moderation in his Speech Those that remained of the Nobility were inward much vexed when constrained to observe in the Throne â— the Burgundian Princes one of another Nation and that haâ— long been an Enemy to that Family to wit their changeâ— Lord and that they should intermingle among the Netherlanders with whom they never had any safe Peace and between whom the Hatred and Animosity even yet continue unto another Generation and is still attended with dangerous and unlucky Omens And the lawfulness of the former Oath and the Respect and Duty due to their Prince be â—â— what he would was not easily rooted out of the Minds of the Vulgar But on the contrary some there were whâ— would object to them their New Religion and that they should not contaminate so pious a Cause by the help of such as dissented from them The wiser sort feared Danger from this Discord and thence to find the French-mens Rigor But when it appeared that it had been privately agreed The Valois should have nothing but a Nominal and Temporary Right over the Hollander and Zelander though he had taken the Government of the Netherlands then the Prince of Aurange who had been the Original of that Council was found sâ— with as sharing in the Government and that he had from the first beginning of the Troubles always reserved the strongest and best Fortified Provinces to himself Notwithstanding his Name was affixed to all Laws and Publike Acts not haâ— he barely a Lieutenancy or Governourship but an absolute Dominion and Authority And the Name of Earl within those Provinces by most offer'd to him there wanted but a few Suffrages to win him to accept it when his Death hereafter shortly to be related took him off now drawing near to receive the Rewards of his long and unwearied Labour But others rather troubled hereat that they should be separately subjected to the French Power had rather choose to submit to the Prince of Aurange his Authority who because he was unable of himself to Desend all had therefore not unworthily taken to himself a Partner It really appeared in the time of his Infirmity how great the Affection of the Multitude was towards him For when he lay very weak at Antwerp of the Wound which the King of Spain's Assassine had given him the whole City powred forth with sorrow both Prayers and Tears in their Churches for him That God would avert his Fury from them as is usual in Cases where the Publike Parent of the Country is in danger And at that time he did recover his Health yet the Remainder of his life was always attended with Spanish Conspiracies to destroy him there being many times taken persons that lay in wait for the Lives both of Him and of Valois While the Duke's Forces drew together slowly Parma led his Army into Flanders where he took Oudenarde a City so called from the Antient Neraii who formerly Inhabited those Parts that Bordered upon the Schelde by a Three Moneths Siege and a Storm which he effected the more easily because the Townsmen refused the Garrison which would have maintained it Thence after he had encamped in all the Parts adjacent to Bruxels endeavouring to straiten the City by wasting and consuming all the Fruits of the Ground wearied out by the sharpness of Winter at last he withdrew and retired from thence In many things how much doth Expedition prevail for thereby Valois on a suddain among other Towns won Alost from the Enemy and Parma's Souldiery by Treachery of the Garrison won Lyra This place was of great Concernment
seek by all means to save himself Nor did Parma omit as having knowledge of the former Actions and provident to prevent the like in time to come to build a Castle that might bridle and keep under the unruliness of the City And now all Flanders being Reduced under his Command save onely Ostend and Scluys two Sea-Port Towns he forwards the increase of Provisions and to ease the Passage of all Souldiers coming thence or going thither he digged a deep Ditch to that part of the Bank where he had pitched his Tents Among all these things those who had the Care of Government in Antwerp implored the Aid of their Allies set new Taxes and raised Souldiers daily both in England and the Netherlands and certainly the Besieged had not like plenty of any thing for besides Sea-men there were Fourscore full Companies of Foot and Sixteen Troops of Horse that defended Brabant But the Senators Magistrates Captains and other Superiour Military Officers too great a Number to Rule well distracted the unseâ—led Government of the City And this Mischief was so much the more pernicious in that the letting in of the Waters and other things necessary to be done for the publick Advantage were hindred and gain-said for fear forsooth of private Dammage The Neighbours who were not so nearly concerned in the danger of the City looking one upon another let slip the Opportunity of relieving the same while yet the Enemy was unsetled and not warm in his Seat When they were at the utmost pinch of Extremity then too late they pleased to be prodigal both of Wealth and Life when it could not advantage any one Truly the vain Expectation of Forreign Aid did chiefly frustrate the Counsels of the Netherlanders who were now driven to such a strait that they would have subjected themselves to other Kingdoms but could not be accepted The King of Spain's Forces were in a short time mightily increased and if he should recover the Netherlands â— should be eased of the Toil and Charge of War they would become Formidable to all near and about them Neither was there now a Prince of Aurange to support them 〈◊〉 fainting under the Burthers or to erect and stir up their Courages quite tyred out with Slaughters unto a hope â— better Times by his own Prudence and Constancy of Miâ—â— For in truth he was of so mild a Nature and withall â— popular that he never seemed to be grateful enough to and for his Liberty and Honour nor would he hide Vices the were fit to be spoken of Above all things he avoided the Suspition of Covetousness for which most did esteem hâ— Judiciously many customarily a person admirable and worthy the highest Honour and Respect in regard of his Age Stock of Nobility and Experience He being gone â— Obedience vanished so that it could not be restored without the main Pillar of Forreign Aid to support it For the Common People did not onely begin to contemn the Authority of the Lords eminent by no powerful Resulgency and lately decayed by so many unfortunate Actions but the Souldiers also grew Refractory to Command and had lost their wonted Diligence and Duty towards their Leaders Aâ—â—â— all which Mischances a ready Way was opened to the Pameneian Subtilty to cover the Slavery he intended under very specious Names Wherefore now Affairs being as it were utterly desperate both the King of France and the Queen of England sent to them such as should not onely condole with them for the Loss of the Prince of Aurange their Captain but should likewise comfort them concerning the Sorrow and Mishap of their other Businesses And this was a Noble Argument that the Neighbour Princes though they would sometimes leave off to Aid the Hollanders with their Wealth and Constancy yet they would not utterly forfiâ—â— them in time of danger But it was much disputed of their two which they should choose for their Defender for the bated Rule and Dominion of the French was freshly remembred in Italy and the Lordly domineering of the English was not forgotten in France and Ireland tasted thereof to this day Among these the People being called to Counsel they are very sparing in imposing and granting Subsidies for there the Laws are of great force and the Monarchical Power is not unlimited But with the French all their Customs are corrupted for mony and he that desires to serve his Country must buy the Employment at a great price The English love hardship and their Laws are very pinching upon words yet no sooner are evills taken care for either to be prevented or removed but immediately by little and little the same is balked by example But the English Religion was the same with theirs which in France by cruel and persidious dealings was laboured to be torn in pieces or utterly extinguished yet on the contrary there were some hopes from the Family of Burbon that valiantly defended that Religion which they professed out these were suddenly dashed in the consideration of the ambiguity of succession there among the pretenders whereto was the Queen of Scots that was wholly devoted to Rome and Spain Thus were present Affairs scanned and the events of future danger rationally deliberated The French prepared a great Power almost equall to that of the Enemy the English raised but small Forces but they were for Sea-service France is preferred but by the voluntary perswasions of the English who confessing themselves the weaker party offered onely necessary ayd in extremity and received their Pledges Thus the necessity of the times prevailed to the forgetting or at least the laying aside those old animosities which had lately been brought freshly into memory by the Duke of Anjou And hence a great Secret was publickly discovered to the World to wit That the Netherlanders could be subject to a Lord but would not bow to the Spaniards 〈◊〉 the demands and particulars were by many degrees more moderate and reasonable then those whereto Francis of Valâ— was formerly obliged and whatsoever their Legates had of private instructions they quickly declared for fear of offence There were taken away also from those things what made their liberty seem hated to wit That it might be lawful for the States to meet without the Kings Command That the Senate should consist all of the Netherlanders That the Governours and Magistrates should be chosen out of those that unnamed and that in conferring and bestowing of all Hoâ—â—â— great respect should be had to those of that Religion which â—â— then onely received in all those parts But some of the Province would not consent to the obliterating of those things After many tedious Disputes of these things and longer Consultations than the necessity of Affairs would bear at present 〈◊〉 lesse against the Kings will than the Netherlanders it was agreed that though they were not as then joyned against the Spaniard now approaching yet they should by one another help settle and confirm their Affairs and States King Henry seemed
much intention break in by War upon those Discording Provinces A great Design against England had taken his Thoughts and Endeavours it being accounted a more noble and less difficult Enterprise Most of the great Souldiers who had fought for the King of Spain looked upon that Island as the amends of their Merits and the Reward of their Labours and as it was near to France and Germany upon occasion of War so the Counsel was That being a Transmarine Kingdom it should be gotten by War But these Counsellors every one by his own Fortune or by Death hindred at this time as it were by the Justice of Revenge after a League concluded Aid sent openly to the Rebels in Ireland A great Fleet was prepared in Spain against the next Summer The Duke of Parma prepared all his Garrisons against that time to man it and so far did his hopeful Imaginations carry him that he concluded this English Expedition would be a worthy Catastrophe of his Ten Years Victories and make his Name equal in the Register of Honour with those of the most famous Emperours But the Spaniard endeavoured to stifle the Rumour of this imminent Danger with the Noise of a pretended Peace For the composing whereof the Dane as a Mediator came to propound Mediums and Cains Ransovius sent to the Duke of Parma whom the Souldiers of Holland intercepted by the way as he passed with a Warlike Train and not distinguishable among those that fought But the King adjudging that they wittingly had contrary to the Laws of Nations violated his Ambassador and chiefly because his Letters were broke open took so sharp a Revenge that he laid an Arrestâ— Restraint upon seven hundred ships that were passing backward and forward in Trade for Corn by which means â— the people then living in these parts were wonderfully terrified with the fear of Famine having never before by any like Example been disturbed But this Scarcity was helped by necessary Counsel that French and English Vessels coming from the same Seas should go to the Ports and Markers of Holland Thus was that Danger escaped onely with the Expence of some Money forced from them by the Danes which notwithstanding and for that the King would not vouchsafe to give Audience to the Embassadors sent to him stuck highly in the Stomachs of many who thought it very hard that the Lesser Dominions should still be obnoxious to Damage at the will and pleasure of the greater While these things were doing there there was likewise a kind of Treâ—y with the English in King Philip's Name because the Queen was looked upon as the onely Support of all the Low-Country Affairs to this purpose That all Jealousies and Fears should be thrown away in the laying down of Arms if the Provinces which had Rebelled would return to their pristine Obedience Thâ— as she took off all things concerning Religion in England so in the Netherlands Religion should be ordered according to the Mind of the Spaniard though there had been taught a pernicious Doctrine that Matters relating to Religion were to be determined by other Judges than Princes This proposed Pacification was listned to by Queen Elizabeth with no less Subtilty than it was offered chiefly aiming that by this Pretext of Compounding Business she might spin away and divert the time of danger for she now had Intelligence of the Fleet. And dissembling her Fear she onely pretended a pious desire of Peace and Commerce among and with the Provinces and to that end sending some so instructed out of England to command the Hollanders that they should without any murmuring hearken thereto and that they would draw upon themselves so great Envy as to be esteemed by their cruel Obstinacy the Authors of perpetual War and Bloud-shed But they revolved with themselves and a fresh remembred all the Treachery Blandishments of the Spaniard for what Event had the Treaty with Requesens but that all the Forts being taken the more considerable Cities might the easilyer be besieged At the Pacification at Colen how was the hopes of a reall Peace blasted by solliciting so many Provinces to Revolt and so was Flanders by the like kind of Colloquies betraid And at last the Enemy got so much Recruit of strength while he fallaciously promised Tolleration of Religion that now he dares absolutely deny it Now to speak of Peace when there were such Civil Discords among the Citizens were just to strike their Arms out of their Hands that others might as they saw convenient submit to what they pleased but let heed be taken that they used not more hast than good speed And though things might be composed upon equal Terms yet neither the League made at Gaunt nor John's Treachery could be forgotten That to Kings whom the Bishops of Rome would dispence with or absolves from the Sacred Tye of an Oath every Covenant made with Subjects would be reckoned all one as a Victory And there would never be wanting men that would seek to raise themselves and their Fortunes by the slavery of their Country And in these things every one openly as doubtful spent the time because they saw she perswaded to Peace that might compell And as often as the Queen perswaded them not to delay they beseeched her That she would not cast off that Cause of God and Men and leave Threescore Cities and a People ready if their present Treasure were not enough to increase the Publike Stock with their private Wealth a Prey to the Malice and Avarice of the Treacherous Spaniard Hereupon the Cities unanimously agreed for this Consultation was related to every particular City That no Embassador should be sent to the Enemy Onely the Queen Winter growing on apace sent into Flanders to make if she could a Peace though not suitable to her Wishes Here while they discourse of the place of the meeing and of their Commissions the English asking a Truce the Duke of Parma defiying Three Moneths are elapsed Queen Elizabeth demanded for the Netherlanders Pardon their Antient Laws and Governments of their Cities for her Self the continuance of the Old Leagues the Re-imbursement of all her Charges and Security for the same the Souldiers on both sides being disbanded But as to Religion and the Form of Worship she moved so faintly as if she would seem not to meddle therewith For now she was come to this That she onely desired two years for the performance of her Demands As to the Towns which the English held either by Covenant or other Occasions she refused not to deliver them upon the Receipt of her Châ—rges The Spaniards while they utterly deny any Tolleration of Religion and will have all Affairs of the Netherlands left to King Philip's pleasure objecting instead of payment of the English Disbursements That thereby the English had been the cause to them of greater Expence and as they extenuate that they amplifying other Things did now appear plainly to the World that though they sought a Treaty yet they
few fled and escaped with their Captain Vere having given this famous Testimony of his Valour and Judgment was shortly after prefer'd to the highest Dignitie to his great Renown Varembunius laid the blame upon Charles Mansfield for he was present also for the greatest part of this loss though he had brought to him at the time of this Fight some Companies out of the Isle of Bommell because lately both of them suing for the same Command wherein Charles being denyed and the other preferred it was said he now deserted him a emulous of his Glory But by this means the Conquerour-afterwards brought in safely to the Besieged all their Carriages both with Provision and Men they also having near the same time made a lucky Sally into the next Quarter of the Enemies Leaguer and this done returning through by-ways they escaped any danger intended to them by the Enemy And now the Besieged were in so good condition that they slighted the Enemies Forces though of late much recruited until the Spaniard had by force taken a Castle near to Rees that was their onely hopes of Succour and supply of Provisions Three Months after this in the next year the Winter continued when the Hollanders considering seriously with themselves that they had not Forces enough to relieve a place so far distant from them as occasion would require came at length to this last Result That the Town should be surrendred upon Honourable Conditions And thus the Duke of Parma obtained Berck and not so contented he clandestinely sought to get Bonne and Nuisse Cities belonging to the Dutchy of Cleves and this he did with the more Confidence in regard of the Prince's Age and Infirmity having also won many of the Nobles to be his Pensioners Thus he got Possession of Arnhem not far from the Rhine Not was Aquisgrave a free City of the German Empire let alone at peace among so many broils for Philip claiming the Custody of that City as antiently belonging to the Princes of Brabant for he endeavour'd to hide his Ambition of being Lord under the Title of Guardian thereof by his Edict banish'd many of the Inhabitants who had forsaken the Roman Religion But their stay being bought off with a Sum of Money given to the King's Commanders content onely to have wasted and forrag'd the Fields left the City until many years after the Fury of several Parties falling upon Germany this City among the rest was seized under the pretence of Right While the Armies thus range about the Maes and the Rhine and meeting Parties skirmish and fight every where the Mauricians got exceeding much Booty for the Hope wasted all the Enemies Country with Fire and Sword carrying away all manner of Provisions having either kill'd or driven away all those â—hat defended it But notwithstanding all this the most cruel Battails were at Sea because the Hollanders being stronger there had absolutely taken away all things that were wont to be Chaffer between Equals in Power by which means the Spaniard had lost all benefit of Exchange After this if any Enemies could prevail so much in strength as to infest all that Traded at Sea by Robbery they were called Pyrates Hence it came that the Flâ—drians provoked by their frequent Losses and such as fled out of the Hollanders Ships conscious to themselves of any great Crime as such men generally are fierce out of a desire both of Revenge and Prey put to Sea and not onely seized unarm'd Trading Ships but many times indanger'd the more able Many times it fell out and it is not to be forgotten because it equall'd the greatest Adventures of Antiquity that when any one part had by Boarding the others Vessel intermingled their Companies they in danger rather than be taken would with Gun-powder blow up both themselves and the Enemy so much do they care who despair of Life not to dye unrevenged The Kingdom of Spain which hitherâ—o had been undisturbed in the midst of all her Neighbour's Troubles now first began to be sensible of a War brought Home to her for the English accompanied with the Hollander's Ships and Souldiers advenâ—urously Forage all the Sea-Coasts of Gallicia afterwards they re-settle Don Antonio in his Kingdom pitching their Camp about Lisbone The Queen sent out six of her Ships on this Design the rest being One Hundred and Twenty Sir Francis Drake Commanded General Norris had the Conduct of the Foot Souldiers the Prey taken to be divided between them And so great was their good Success at the beginning that Albertus of Austria who was Governour of the City in the Name of King Philip had prepared himself for flight But by the Advice of some private persons in regard of the doubtfulness of the Portugezes Allegiance the small Provision they had of things necessary and that several Diseases raged among them springing chiefly from intemperate Drinking they went away and left all things unsetled whether because King Antonio was not able to perform the vain Promises he made of the Peoples Affection to and the Moors Assistance of him or that their too suddain Departure spoiled the Design is yet in doubt But sure it is the Hollanders were not hearkned to who had both offered and shewed themselves ready to defend and keep all the Castles and Forts on the Sea-Coast as well as the Entrance into the Kingdom As soon as ever the Siege was broke up presently all who had at this time been observed by the Spaniard to wish for a Change were very severely punished But the English did nothing more unless that they made appear the weakness of the Spanish Grandezza in that they were never hindred by them either at their Landing or during their stay nor ever resisted them in the Demand or taking of their Forts or Castles and a Fleet of Germans coming from the Baltick Cities being met and taken as Prize gave occasion to those People by Legates and Writing to contest among themselves whether Provisions wherewith People being at Peace with them do help the Enemy may rightfully be taken as Prize and disposed of accordingly And now France divided into parties was ingaged in â— like quarrel after the King had caused to be slain the Duke of Guise the head of that publike defection nor did the King long survive Guise being soon after assassined by a Monk he was the last of the name and Family of Valois in whose revenge as also of the Duke of Guise the whole Kingdom was divided into Arms. Without doubt by the Customs of France the right of Succession belonged to the Family of Bourâ—â— But Henry the head thereof Prince of Bearne who was called by the name of King of Navarre though hardly enjoying any thing besides the name for that the Spaniard had violently wrested it away he I say professing the Religion which they call Reformed though he promised equall Justice to both had drawn to him all the Nobility but the Cities and Towns would not receive or
own him But when he declared himself a Catholike the face of Affairs were on a sudden very much changed for the fault of the defection from and aversion to the Kings Name and Title was wholly call on the other yet was not Philip terrified by this example but that he now assisted the Duke of Guise his Brother who made use of a double pretence of Piety not in private but in the view of the whole World not that he so loved him but that he might keep involved in discords that Kingdom which lying between him and the Low-Countries had formerly been very dangerous and troublesome to him and if his designs were crowned with success he would commit the same to some one of his own Allyance with a fiduciary Power And the Reason by him pretended for this was because he marryed Isabella the Daughter of Henry the Second King of France by whom he had a Daughter a Person most fit to govern that Kingdom either in regard to her Fathers Merits or her Mothers Blood and so much the rather because the Dukedom of Bretaigne as severall other Principalities of France were known to have been fortunately ruled by a Woman's hand On the other side the Duke of Savoy the Spaniard's Son in Law enlarged his Borders to the very opening of the Alps The Queen of England being informed by a particular Envoy that the Duke of Parma had sent Lamot into France with an Army both of Horse and Foot forthwith ordered a supply of mony to the King of France together with four thousand English Souldiers Neither were the States of the United Provinces backwards in granting him Assistance for first they sent Ships with Provisions and all other necessary Munitions for War then adding thereto mony far more liberally than the present exigencies of their Affairs would permit and this only in hope of a future benefit It was certainly a noble and an honourable act and that raised an emulation towards their moderated Liberty that they having so newly erected themselves into a Commonwealth should yet by their Riches support and help a Kingdom the success thereof proving no less advantagious to the French than distructive to their Enemies while the Walloons Country to whom formerly they committed their cause lying open and exposed to the mischief of War was equally damnifyed whether assaulted by the French or their own Souldiers Afterwards the Spanish Forces France putting a stop to their victorious times lay open to the Hollander who for eight years together increased their Treasury enlarged their bounds and augmented their Armies untill the Bourbonian by his own vertue and valour waded through all the threatning billows raised against him by his obstinate adversaries and himself at last becoming a Catholike brought under his subjection all parties rather laying aside his Arms than the memory of that Pristine League It seems here very convenient now we are relating the French Affairs to search as far as humane Reason can direct us how the Belgick troubles having the like beginnings should yet have so different a Progress For a Peace being setled formerly between King Philip and the King of France these two Princes seemed to be of one mind having concluded a mutual League to extirpate all Religions which had begun or increased either by impunity or War But the French Peers hating the Guisian Potency that they might not become contemptible as the Netherlanders to the Spaniards took occasion to draw the multitude now contending about Religion into Tumults and Arms but the Events were most unlike for there the Subjects obedience was preserved entire and consequently the Roman Catholique Religion carryed the day but so only as to keep under not oppress the other But here the old Form of Government is altered the differing Rites grow insociable neither allowing the other and so between Servitude and liberty become divided The cause whereof I suppose may be that the Guises or Lorraines being by themselves in private but weak did afterwards receive from abroad such small help as might indeed follow but not force their Fortune So that the main of their strength either consisted under the pretence of the Kings name or the affections of the vulgar which are mean supports and of no duration where there is any experiment of utility on the other side And the Kings of France have within themselves the whole strength of that one People so that they diminish their own Authority by tyrannizing and wholly loose what is spent in revenge And the very Commons though highly offended with the differences in Religion yet when once they became sensible of the miseries of War were not so desirous of revenge as Peace Hence proceeded those Edicts of Peace so often hastned so often withstood by the now divided affections of the People who might rather be said to lay aside War than to make and observe a Peace for being weary of a long War they were driven to force and treachery by the impulse of others not their own obstinacy and being always accustomed to a Kingly Government they might have been composed before if the one King famously knowing in the Arts both of War and Peace had tempered himself and his Laws according to the strength and prevalence of parties They who were newly gotten into power being ignorant how to use the time nourished discords by variety of evill deeds while they of a more active Spirit or such whose Riot incapacitated them either got or lost all and this was the only hindrance of Peace But on the other side the Spaniards having a King that wished the same things in hatred to the Belgick liberty and who was now grown old in the enjoyment of his Territories by the keeping abroad so great Forces never feared the Netherlandish Solitudes especially having Presidents both in Italy and America that where they could not subject into Provinces they should settle Colonies But the French were highly offended with the pride avarice and cruelty of this forraign Nation the very Catholikes themselves who had never faltered in point of Religion disliking their Customs some of whom having been before circumvented and deluded with the hope of better things becoming an example to the rest that they would with all violence exercise their malice as mistrusting the breach of Peace under that notion to hide their revenge Thus a War no less cruel than civill Wars use to be continued but still looked as forraign But Count William in Frizeland straitned the City of Groning not able to resist the greatness of his endeavours by scarcity and death having wasted all their Provision about the Country he got also Reide a Peninsula of a very convenient Scituation between the River Eâ—mes and the Bay of Dullart The City being suspected for this mischief cast it upon Verdugo because he had refused a Garrison from thence being both recruited this with a new addition of Foot and Nassau with more Horse sometimes with mutual fear sometimes taking opportunities
Valquin consulâ—ed of certain Matters relating to the League Then began to appear how much those Presents were envyed which had been bestowed to gain the King of Scots Affection the Queen of England objecting to them Their unseasonable Magnificence while yet themselves wanted Forreign Aid Nor did it proceed so much from the Humour of her Regal Disposition that would endure none to vye with her as that she being a wise and subtle Woman and who would keep the Succession incertain as one of the main strengths of her Kingdom she would not that a Prince though next to her both in Kingdom and Bloud should be appointed her Heir by the Option of her Neighbours Therefore according to the Custom of angry persons she requir'd a part of her old Debt and if they gave her not satisfaction she threatned War Whereto a modest Excuse being made they were at quiet for some time And in the mean time that they might make amends for their Offence upon her Request They obey and grant That they will adde some Money and Ships to her Fleet for driving away the Spaniard from Bretaign in France For the Enemy being setled in some strong Ports lay at lurk upon both Shores to get the possession of that Sea which passeth by both France and Spain From whence proceeded the English-mens fear nor could the Hollanders sail to the Westward with any safety But now the English and Dutch Fleets being joyned they drove the Enemy from most of the strong Holds scituate on the Sea-Coast But the War after the taking of Groening continued in the Countries beyond the Rhine although there were other Things which promised their Hope a Reward of their Labours But at the instance of Mounsieur Buzanual King Henry's Embassadour it seemed more just since their own Affairs had so well thriven to look towards their Allies because then there was sharp War upon the Borders between the Netherlands and France Some there were that would not have sent Souldiers to the King but Money which Buzanuall withstood affirming That the King his Master had better learned to order Souldiers than Money And so far did his Reasons prevail that he had not onely very great hopes but the Charge likewise already begun would forthwith be laid aside for a New Expedition thither The Spanish Souldiers who had hitherto made War upon the French Borders after they had received their Money and taken the benefit of what Licentiousness they pleased being excluded from all Cities lest they might grow more insolent by Idleness under the Conduct of the Lord of Cimace besieged Cambray For that City as is before set forth was delivered in the Name of the Kingdom of France to Balagny to be kept for King Philip but he on the contrary usurped it to himself from thence the Neighbouring Country was wasted Nor had the Spaniards long continued the Siege but they wanted all Things necessary not excepting Provisions However lest that they might seem to do nothing they surrounded the City at a distance but with very careless Guaâ— for being in their Friends Country they supposed themselves terrible enough to the Enemy being in no manner changed from what they were before but onely in this that now being under Command yet they re-acted the Crimes of Sedition among other of their Exploits many times fetching great Booty out of France But Henry the greatest part of the Traytors being subdued finding himself really King and that he was so increased in strength that though till this time he had been able but weakly to defend his now he appeared able to vindicate himself and to threaten an equal Return for Injuries He accused Philip in an Edict That he had without any probable Reason broken the League that he had made with France five and twenty years before That he being King of France 〈◊〉 content with the Dominion of his Ancestors which by the Divine Providence he now enjoyed and being an august and magnificent Possession he did not desire to intermeddle in the business of other Princes That he would not seek a cause of War against the Neighbouring Cities of the Netherlands and hoped he should not be forced to one by injuries put upon him but since they had compelled him he exhorted the People of Henalt and Attoys and others his Subjects to fall upon those forreign Souldiers generalâ—y hated and burthensome to all about them whom none ever hated without danger but an Enemy and to drive them out of the French Territories and also from Cambray which if it wâ— not done by a set day he would bring thither his Armies and tâ— his force upon them This was all received in silence as if it had been denyed for the Cities durst make no answer but Philip shortly after mindfull of his affections to the Catholick Religion and remembring the League himself had formerly made with France declared that the Prince of Bearns for he would not vouchsafe the King of France any other name who had vainly pretended himself an honourer of that Religion which he had opposed and now called himself King of France was to be prosecuted with War on all hands Be this came too late for after they had for a whole year displayed their Ensign on the Netherlandish Borders all after actions seemed to claim a shadow of right But to this forreign War King Henry appointed Commander in Chief Turnis Viscount Turen who then raised the Repute of the name of Bulloyn renowned also by Alliance to Prince Maurice whose Sister Elizabeth descended by the Mothers side from the Royal Stock of Bourbon he had marryed And in this he would be more affectionately diligent in that thereby he advanced above the power of the League a Prince bound 〈◊〉 him by private Allyance and also very high in the King's favour It was thought convenient to carry the War into the Province of Lutzenburg because this way he might have a passage for his Italian and German Levies for the Hollanders hoped that if new forces were raised it might be possible to bring to nought the old being neither many nor well agreeing and this either by the Netherlanders consent of the conjunction of War But a Messenger met Philip of Nassau as he was hastening his march towards the French with supplies consisting of eight and twenty Foot-Companies for the States having onely promised twenty had now of their own accord augmented the number that they understood by four Switzers whom they had taken that Charles Mansfeldt lay in the middle between them Therefore for securing the Journey he took five Troops under the leading of Sir Francis Vere and a well ordered number of Foot least he should give any opportunity to Mansfeldt pressing upon him and leads them beyond the River Moselle to the Borders of Metz for the Enemy had prepossessed all the places more inward The greatest part of the Troops having either gained by leave or force a passage through Germany returned into Holland but the greatest
of Mettal as the Spaniard did but only from the Love and Benignity of her Subjects And the Irish Rebellion as it inforced the new raising of Money at Home so likewise it necessitated her to call in what she had abroad On the other side the Dutch Embassadors first rendring many Thanks beseeched her to stand to the League complaining That they had had but a short Benefit of those Things which had bin agreed 12 Years before And that the Covenants did not set down any set number of Souldiers whereupon they who as they never had stagger'd in their Fidelity nor had inclined to the War with wavering Counsels yet had bin by the uncertainty of Forces oftentimes revolved unto vain Attempts and that this was very unseasonable in the heat of War to expect that which did not begin to be a debt until there were a Peace setled as by the Agreement will appear That their Condition was not so much alter'd but that they still deserv'd rather Pity than Envy For besides the rich Cities of Brabant they had lost certain Towns at the Maes and particularly those which were most convenient both by Sea and Land for raising and collecting the Flandrian Tributes Nor had they bin at a small charge after the driving away the Spanish Fleet from England in so many Naval Expeditions of the English and to what end had they assisted France but that the War might be repelled and the Seas be kept open while the Enemy was imploy'd at Land Hereto was added the Shipwracks they had suffer'd the restriction or taking of their Ships the breaches of their Banks by the Sea and other daily Evils they had undergone by Misfortunes and Casualties Concerning these Things there was a long Argument with Bodley who was Leiger for the Queen among the Hollanders concerning the Dutch Affairs Notwithstanding all which Queen Elizabeth grew every day more obdurate till at length she was mollified by procrastination but chiefly by the Supplies they sent to her for the Cadiz Voyage But no sooner was the benefit of that Kindness consum'd but presently the same Contest was again renew'd and Sebastian Lose James Valquy and Abel Franken being sent Embassadors into England the Queen gave them this short Answer That that was not the intent of the League that the Hollanders should prolong a War against themselves on purpose to delay without measure or end the payment of those Charges by others disbursed for them And as to the Peace they hoped if it proved disadvantageous to them neither had it been profitable to her those 12 years having both for that time and hitherto eâ—hausted both her self and her people in sending them perpetual Aids and keeping the Towns deliver'd to her for a Pledge And what kind of Alliance must that be whose very Branch must depend upon the pleasure of another But if they would look upon the Laws as the Queen was pleased to do she would urge nothing further than was in them That it was truly so conceived Words of Promise upon Honour were plighted The Lord Burghly added also the Irish Rebellion and the proper fears of England were Causes just enough why the Queen might fall off from those Agreements when even private Promises are wont to be absolved upon unexpected Events Therefore this Debate of Right being in vain and but for a shew made use of the Hollanders ran back to their old Guard shewing the danger they should incur from all their Neighbouring Dominions if the strength of their Cities already weakned should be utterly dejected by such Demands and so much both of Wealth and Power by Sea added to the Spaniards But above all when the dubious state of the matter and so discordant in the setling the Account of Receipts and Disbursements had almost brought them to a Non-plus The English urged the payment at least of some part of the Debt and for the future not to seek a Remedy against growing Danger from old Covenants as by Compulsion but rather to merit new Favours by their Gratitude and Thanks for the former The Embassadors with many humble Intreaties offer'd That there should be an Annual Portion paid notwithstanding all their present streights and the residue at the end of the War which the Queen slighted as inconsiderable while in the interim a great fearspread it self arising from a Rumor that there was Hostility intended against her in Spain and that the preparations there made to that purpose were greater than ever before Hereupon the Wise of those times began seriously to consider of both Affairs and judged that the Hollanders were not so much oppressed with Poverty but that it would oblige them to the Queen in a strict Alliance especially considering the danger of so great a Loss and that the Queen might at some time want Money they might well bear unless their Counsel could put the Hollanders now tyred with importunate Demands in mind of her Power it being not to be suffer'd that her Debtors should raise themselves to a more prosperous Fortune by Foreign Amities Now the Count of Bulloyne was sent into England to conclude the long Treaty of a League between the two Kingdoms which was at last agreed upon in manner following The League and Alliance concerning infâ—ring or resisting Wars between or upon the King of France and the People of England is concluded under these Articles and Conditions That all former Leagues and Covenants be confirmed That both shall endeavour to bring other Princes and Nations into the same League And when either shall be offended or invaded at Home that one common Army of the Allies shall transferre the War into the Enemies Country That it shall not be lawfull for either Kingdom without the other to make either Peace or a General Truce That either shall assist the other with Arms and other things necessary for War among themselves at a reasonable price and without fraud and aid the Souldiers with all Provisions without Treachery That all things relating to Religion and Travellers of either Country be used no otherwise than as naturall Subjects That the King of France use no violence to any English for difference in Religion and in regard he was at the present most subject to the Injuries of his Enemies the Queen promised him four thousand English Souldiers for the Defence of Normandy and Picardy which are the nearest parts of France to her Kingdom giving them half a years Pay and taking Pledges But if they were kept any longer there it should be at the King's Charge Who on the other side promised the like Aid to the Queen so as they should remain near the Shore or within fifty Leagues That it may be lawful to raise and take into Pay four thousand men and the Command of the Souldiers to be in that Prince within whose Borders the War is These were the Heads that were publickly known for by some private Agreements the number of Souldiers the Queen was to send this year was
constancy was looked upon by all the Netherlanders with great câ—mmiseration Report adding to the novelty of the matter in regard of old many millions of Butcheries were transacted upon short and small hearing And afterwards Albertus thought it almost enough to punish Crimes of that sort by threatnings but if at any time he proceeded further the torments were inflicted in more secret manner At this time a return of thanks was made to those several Kings and Princes who had been solicitous for the peace of the Netherlands recommending their Affairs in particular to every one of them And in the interim by reason of the Arch-Dukes envy they stirred up all who had any care of Religion to a severe revenge The Entertainment and Charge of the Embassadors was defrayed out of the publick Stock out of which also at their departure great gifts were given to them In their Letters to Germany they excused several incursions into the adjoyning parts of their Country by the like actions of the Spaniards and the necessity of the War whereto there was but one remedy to wit utterly to drive them away as far as was possible against whose insolency in taking several places of Germany they had often received a hearing but never any redress Whereupon they were compelled concerning this affair also to put all their hope in their Arms which yet should not be prejudicial to the Neighbours all about that were in peace to which purpose they had lately augmented the Souldiers pay that so they might be kept subject by a stricter Discipline The Danes also seperately and a part requested that the War wherein they were altogether unconcerned might not be made a burthen to them and that they might not be restrained from Spanish Commerce which Queen Elizabeth by the same Embassadors had denyed to the Kings of Denmark and Poland and when they praised nature who willed the Sea should be open to all and the right of exchange or Trade be debarred to none She answered That there was nothing so congruous to the Customs both of men and nature it self then to repel danger and therefore no wise man would suffer him to receive any assistance who lay at watch for his ruine Nor did she deny them Arms onely but all other sores of Provisions whatsoever avouching in defence of the same an antient League of the English with the Anseatike Cities and the examples of other Princes deriding the vanity of Paulus Dialius behaving himself insolently protesting she rather took him for a Herald then an Orator nor did she spare his Master Sigismund himself who she said was ignorant what belonged to a King and for that he received his Government but by Election That his Father and Grandfather when they warred with the Muscovile shewed another kind of respect to England But this was all the thanks the was like to have who had by her Embassadors care and pains delivered Sweden from the Muscovitish War and freed Poland from the Turks But the Hollanders not esteeming it just to prescribe harder Laws to others then they were willing to submit to themselves did not intercede hinder other people from going to the Westward and the Enemies Coasts by the same Rule that the United States themselves did This year were made some expeditions by Sea begun with great Councels but by reason of so many incertainties to little or no purpose for the English encouraged by the yet fresh success of the Cadiz Voyage made new and great preparations at Sea to countervail the Enemies designs there and fall upon the rich Islands of the Azores with endeavour also to seize and take all Ships coming from the other far distant World The Queen set forth sixteen strong and well armed Ships among which were two taken at Cadiz to whom the Hollanders joyned twenty of theirs under the Conduct of their Admiral Warmonde besides almost threescore less Vessels for carrying the Souldiery and Instruments of War wherein were contained some great Artillery for battering of Cities and Towns together with six thousand Land Souldiers although they heard that divers numbers of Foot Souldiers were levied and ready upon all the Sea-Coasts of Spain The Command as General both of the Fleet and Souldiers was committed to the Earl of Essex for the avoiding those evils which of late a divided Commission had made them sensible of In the Moneth of July they set Sayl favoured at first with the calmness of the Sea and a gentle Northerly Wind but soon after the Wind encreasing and when the Fleet was arrived in the great Ocean over against Gallicia the Sea and the Heavens changed Countenance for the Ships being tossed in the surging Waves of a horrible Sea divided as well the Counsels of the Commanders as separated the Ships one from another Some having more nimble Vessels were hurried in oblique courses even into the Coasts and sight of Spain and many wearied by the Sea and dangers that they might the sooner return into their Country of their free wills followed the pleasure of the Winds But although the Earl of Essex his Ship was restrained by the loss of her Masts and the springing of several great Leaks so that the entring Water could hardly be exhausted by all the toyl and labour of the Pump yet did he still endeavour to go forward and steere his course even in despight of Fortune Until at last all sight being taken away with the thick darkness of the Clouds and the sense of hearing become useless by the out-cryes of such as were over-charged with fear the dashing of the Waves and the blustring of the Winds present fear had made the Seamen senseless of their duties so that there was no obedience to Commands Thus by the consent of the Commanders most of the Ships having many Leaks so that they could hardly be kept upright with all their labour yet at last he brought them all back into England safe the tenth day after he went out where while they waited for their Companions and contrary Winds detain them in the Port by scarcity of Provisions and the increasing of Diseases they were compelled to dismiss their Ships of burden and Souldiers retaining onely one Regiment which being well Disciplined in Military Affairs Sir Francis Vere had brought thither by the consent of the Hollanders And now their Counsels being contracted as their Forces and the hope of a Land War totally lost it was thought convenient to wait about the Islands of Azores to intercept the great Fleet now ready to return from the Indies But the English Ships being again torn and spoyled by cruel Tempests Essex having long compassed the Sea and wasting the Islands was at last by the error of his Pilots carryed out of his way and Sir Walter Rawleigh not able any longer to be subject to Command took his course though without any certainty another way The Spaniards in the mean while arrive at the Port of Augra on the contrary part of the Isle Tercera the
more contracted than ordinary and at the same time the Poyson that lay hid in his Bowels broke cut in which and in his Legs being inflamed through pain he was likewise afflicted with a stopping in his Breast These Things being removed by Physical Administrations he fell into a Frenzy and at the same time sad to tell he was follow'd with an infinite quantity of Lice so that by the labour of many hands about him he could hardly be kept clean from the silth that proceeded from them Apon after when his weak Body was not able to indure any longer such handling as was necessary to make him clean his Bowels were eaten up with a filthy Contagion but with such an invincible Courage bore the Torments that they perceived he was yet alive but retired himself to Meditations of his End So commanding the Crown to be laid close by him and afterwards shewing his Lims to his Son and Daughter he instructed them in Humane Frailty and particularly read a Lecture of his own Weakness who had been of so great Esteem in the World Then he commended them to Brotherly Concord among Themselves and to the maintainance of the Romane Faith with great seriousness advising Them That when he was dead and buried they would remember those their Fathers dying words Then while Divine Prayers were singing he received the extreme Unction and now drawing on to his Death he embraced the same Crucifix which his Father before at his Death had also done Then giving in Charge what he had in his Mind concerning Religion and commending to them several Examples of Clemency on the 14. Day of September he dyed which day he had fore-told to be fatal to him from the Dictates of an Astronomer This was the End of that most potent Christian Prince who was the richest in his Time He was of the Age of 71 Years and had Reigned 43. He was of a middle stature of Body and well compos'd onely his Fore-head was somewhat high his Lips were large and hanging down after the manner of all who are related in Bloud to the House of Austria His Countenance carryed the Lineaments of a Netherlander though his Conditions were altogether Hispaniolized you would have believed him to have been of a mild Nature for that he was easie and affable in access and did not fall rashly into passion but as often as he was acquiring or looking after Dominion he did rather prefer his Fame than his Clemency He was not so cunning and subtle as his Father but Age and Diligence supplyed that defect for being very moderate both in Sleep and Recreations he did more Personally than by his Servants and Ministers which the Spaniards extolling to the highest equalled his Praise with Solomon He so well knew the use of Money that he would renounce what Emperours or Popes he pleas'd almost and with that Key unlock'd the Secrets of all Kingdoms bearing both Prosperity and Adversity with an equal Countenance and Courage but being given much to Dissimulation he indulged to himself the Liberty both of Hatred and Jealousie unsatiable in his Hopes and in his Ambition and desire of Rule to be matched with any of the Antients most observant of Religion which he shew'd even in his outward Actions Concerning his Rules of Government excusable as walking by the Pattern of Princes and in those Things wherein he offended as a private man laudably modest He maintain'd Wars continually even from his Childhood yet besides that in France which he onelay saw when he was young he was never personally in any but managed them all by his Deputies He merited variously as to his Progenitors and Successours whose Empire as he augmented by the American Treasures and the Accession of the Crown of Portugal so he lessen'd it by the loss of the Kingdoms of Goleta and Tunis and by his Tyranny over the Dutch At Times it was observed that divers Things hapned untowardly in his Paternal Dominions but not in the Age of those men by whom his Fortune was upheld but when he had Women Children or weak Emulators or Enemies These were for the most part the Judgments of the wiser sort concerning him But others who were offended at him as Enemies say That he on ertook Wars rashly and managed them persidiously Nor do they less accuse him for the Cruelties of his Peace both in Spain and the Low-Countries his throwing France into Troubles by his Ambition and Thirst of Bloud and many other as well Publike as Domestick Evils making the soulness of his Death an Argument against him averring The Justice of Heaven met him at last and punish'd him for the innocent Deaths of his Son and Wife Isabella this murther'd by his Father that by her Husband So that meritedly he dyed as Herod with whom in regard of his Nature and Fortune they compared him or as Pheretino Queen of the Cerenians and with them suffer'd the Vengeance of his Parricides or that he meritedly perish'd as being a most bitter Enemy of True Religion according as the most famous Antiochus another Herod Caesar Maximinus or of the Tyrant Cassander and Sylla that were Oppressors of the Common Liberty whose Memories stink Although if it be true that it is remembred in History that many men famous for Wisdom learned in the Laws skilful in the Art of Poetry and others have dyed of the same Disease Philip the Son had possession of all his Father's Kingdoms by Inheritance being the Third of that Name and there was hardly ever any Change of Government that carryed along with it so great Wealâ—hâ— But among the Hollanders many men in their antient Simplicity who had hitherto believed that they were perpetually bound to that Prince to whom they had sworn Obedience now by the Kings Death thought Themselves freed there-from both in Conscience and Religion And now in Spain they began to take very sharp Counsels against the Hollanders which did much fully the Fame and Repute of the New King as if he had been of an unfound Constitution But many times it appears by use That Things are often better and more safely managed under a Prince who will fit his Ears and Commands of others whom he finds knowing in the State than where a Confidence of his own Wisdom makes him rash and obstinate to his own Humour and Will But these Things will in time be made more plainly appear Albertus going out of Bohemia into Italy in the Venetian Territories finds Margaret who about 14 Years ago having been Betrothed to the King's Son was now upon her Way to King Philip and was come from Graic a City of Hungary through the Streights of the Alps near Trent towards the River Athesis The Brother of this Lady being named Ferdinand to whom the Vicinity of the Turks was hateful and being desirous to change the Form of his Religion for most in that Country had departed from the Roman Church first intreated the House of Austria to intercede and afterwards
admired by her neighbours but courted by Embassadours even from the Moors and Sarmatians No man hitherto doubted but that great Commotions would have arisen in England upon the death of the Queen who had never declared any certain Successor for it was believed that although James King of Scotland was the next in bloud yet the ancient hatred of the inhabitants and the private fear of those that had consented to his Mother's death would be an obstacle to him there being several ready in England who boasted themselves to be descended of Royal bloud Then also the power of the English Catholicks was feared lest they should hope for that by Troubles which they could never expect while the setled Authority of the Queen remained the Pope also instigating them as unwilling that a King of the new Religion should be admitted although he were next in bloud Nor was that hope onely grown in the Spaniards who lay at watch for the peoples commotions but the Hollanders also although they had by many good offices before-hand pre-engaged King James upon the connexion of Religion yet by tacite wishes did guess that the imputation of their alliance with him would transferre part of the Warre into Britain But it happened beyond hope and expectation that presently after the decease of Queen Elizabeth the old Councel of the Queen and as many of the Bishops and Magistrates of London as were at present at hand and in readiness proclaimed King James not waiting for the authority of a Parliament for the danger of delay and because Interregnum's do many times in the future by new Laws and Covenants diminish the grandeur and power of Authority Thus without any contradiction the King of Scotland got the possession of England and was the first that within the known Records of any Annals enjoyed the whole Island of Great Britain in one entire and undivided Government The United States did not omit forthwith to send an Embassy to congratulate him for his new access of magnitude having first sent some gratulatory Letters The Embassadours sent by them to the King were Count Henry of Nassau Prince Maurice's brother then a Member of the Councel of the States and General of the Horse next to him was Walrave Brederode thirdly John Olden Barneveldt and lastly Jacob Valcken who died before he returned from this Embassy When they were admitted to audience they spake in this manner We are come hither Great King divided in our selves between Grief And Joy for we have lost Her whose goodness and benefits to us we are not able to express in words but we have found You as the Heir of Her Kingdome so the Imitator of Her Vertues That which formerly we desired and since that by publick supplications decreed to the most happy Messengers of Your new-begun Dominion that now in Your own presence with hearts and voices we beseech and begge of God that this Your reign may be happy and prosperous to Your Self to Posterity to Great Britain and to Vs We begge of You Sacred Sir one thing That You would not suffer the insulting Spaniard to trample upon the necks of the Netherlanders and from thence by degrees to incroach upon the Dominions of others his Neighbours It suits with Your Religion to save so many Assemblies of pious men from that Kingdome of sanguinary Superstition it agrees with Your Justice to defend a Cause allowed of by so many Kings and it is an act becoming Your Prudence to drive away those underminers of Kingdomes and supporters of the Papacy by whose judgement all that You now possess is given to them as a Prey Your Predecessor Queen Elizabeth did this and so we hope will You and that with the greater ease by how much You are in the prime of Your age have a more man-like Authority a more ample Power and a House well setled upon the happy foundation of a hopeful Issue Our fidelity shall in part supply Your Work and Charge by whose prosperity and adversity it hath been made evident that the Spaniards could be conquered 'T is true Peace is a most excellent Jewel and worthy of high estimation among Christians but that that is made with Tyrants and treacherous people is little better then Warre If all they that are joyned in the Cause would unite their wealth he would be deprived of the Netherlands and if that punishment would not yet make him wise he should be driven out of the Sea and all his maritime Dominions which would be no hard matter for the Hollanders and English to effect and this certainly would make him glad to come to a true Peace the best maintainer whereof was equality of Forces Now is the siege of Ostend protracted unto the third year so that having endured so long a misery we humbly intreat You to aid us with supplies for relief thereof for which purpose you may make use of those ships which by the Queen 's command were furnished and instructed with Armes and provisions by us being eleven in number and now wait for nothing but your Royal command Hereto the King very courteously answered as to the matter of friendship but as to the rest he excused himself by the infancy of his Dominion but in time he would see what was best to be done in the interim not concealing that as much as he could he would prefer all counsells tending to Peace for hitherto he had had no difference with the Spaniard and also Philip had voluntarily offered him his assistence if any dispute should have arisen concerning his Kingdome and himself being of a mild disposition and well grounded in all kind of Literature had spent his time in studies rather inclinable to Peace then War And the Archduke being supposed to have made war with the Queen not with the Realm had by Edict forbidden any damage to be done to the English sending home besides all Prisoners they had that were that Countrey-men and soon after he sent Charles Prince of Arenberg Embassador to the King as also the Spaniard sent Don John Baptista Taxis to the same for the promoting a Peace concerning which the year following there was an agreement When the Embassadors of Holland saw they could not prevent it they endeavored to delay it and to give the King some hopes that they likewise might obtain Peace together with their Liberty if the King by procrastinations or delay would suffer the Spanish counsells which yet depended upon the event of a few years to grow towards perfection And this was the discovery of Olden Barneveldt who was throughly versed in all the secrets of the United Provinces producing the Duke of Brunswick's hand whom the Emperor Rudolphus had acquainted with that affair But King James his hast was not at all slackened in making that Peace whereupon the Hollanders onely contended that if they could not obtain a shew of assistence yet that they might not be denied right These their desires were seconded by the French King who was very
he requires the Hollanders not to prohibit the Britans to come out of the Sea into the Scheld to pass to Antwerp paying Customes equal to their Subjects But they excused it by shewing that they had good reason for their Decree that none should goe to the Enemy unless they first changed their Ships that so they might the more certainly have knowledge of all things Nor ought he to take it ill that they imposed Laws upon a River within their own Jurisdiction when the Spaniards durst deny the passage of the Seas even to their friends And so that he might convert the English who were accused as infamous for Piracy to innocent gain he forbad any to fight at Sea under a forein command but conniving at any that went hither or thither to a land Warre By another Edict the Jesuites and all other Ecclesiastical persons that received not sacred Orders according to the custome of the Kingdome of Britain were banished thence setting out for cause that that sort of men taught that the Pope might absolve Subjects from their obedience to Kings of another Religion then which there is not any opinion more dangerous to Government But at the same time the same Jesuites were restored in France upon some conditions from whence they had formerly been banished when by their instructions a young man fought to murther the King But now the monument was destroyed which kept the memory of that fact fresh together with the Jesuites infamy the Parliament of Paris crying out that by that one work the authority of the most honourable Order and the security of France were subverted together But the King with his own great danger as many ominously feared unterrified merely to gratifie the Pope admitted and favoured these stout defenders of his power Between this King and the Spaniard arose some new causes of hatred upon old discontents Monsieur Villeroy a person highly entrusted and favoured by King Henry had a servant named Hostius whose industry and ingenuity himself being much imployed otherwise he used in the decyphering and reading of Letters and private Characters This man being hired gave intelligence of all the greatest affairs of State to one Monsieur Raffee a French-man but banished and living in Spain who discovered them to King Philip's Counsellors by which having such insight into all the private counsels of France it was easie for them to guess at all things else Some things also being discovered to the King of Britain had ingendred animosities and jealousies This Treason being detected by Raffee Hostius first by flight and afterwards by a sudden death prevented further inquisition There was also at this time another matter stirred up by a Woman which was this Henrica the daughter of Monsieur Interaque was esteemed among the first for her beauty and pleasantness of wit wherewith the King being allured to whom there was hardly any other crime to be objected then these loose Affections the better to compass the end of his unlawful desires had promised her marriage if she bare him a Son and this promise he confirmed to her by writing After Medices was preferred before her in marriage she was compelled to pacifie the Queen to deliver up this writing of the King 's Whereupon dissembling higher designs under the pretence of solitude and Religion she aimed to compass forein wealth wherewith she might secure her Son against the Queen's anger and malice and not onely so as she publickly declared and as others interpreted it but also that he might therewith assert his right and claim to the Kingdome The King of Britain refused to give any ear to them for the disturbance of another's Kingdome but the Spaniard approved her cause and promised largely to assist her therein When these things first became known the Lady her self her Father and Brother the Count of Auvergne were taken but King Henry pardoned them acknowledging his own misdemeanour in their crime But Philip fearing lest Henry enraged with these things should from thence take a cause to make Warre he ended the quarrel begun about the Customes which he had lately raised by Edict and turning his fury against the Hollanders commanded all of that Nation to depart out of his Dominions and all Merchandise afterwards brought in to be forfeited This year was celebrated in the Netherlands a solemn Funeral pomp for Count Peter Mansfelde who for fourty years had faithfully served the Spaniard in the highest Commands being then President of Lutzenburg who though all his life conversant in Warre had yet by rare fortune lived even to the extremity of old age And among the Hollanders died Lewis of Nassau being but a young man yet emulous of the glory of his Ancestors and in whom there appeared great hopes of a noble and circumspect Vertue The Fourteenth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES THE charges of the now superannuated Warre increasing every year and that great demonstration of their equal Forces appearing at Ostend restored to some that hope which they had a long time laid aside to wit that the extreme fury of the Warre would at length conclude in a Peace hence every one as their hopes or desires led them delivered their opinions both in discourses and Books Such of the Netherlanders as affected the Austrian Government believed and so said having great emulation to the Cities of Holland and malicious inclinations that they would fall under the weight of that Greatness they had drawn upon themselves or else would become a prey to forein Princes unless they returned to their old obedience whereof for so many ages they had had experience onely with these additions to the old Laws That the Netherlandish Government should not revolve to the Spaniard That the right of Commerce should be free and indefinite That Religion should not be forcibly or with punishments urged in hope of making a more united Concord That as well the forein Souldiers as that plague of mankinde the Jesuites faction should be expelled That the chief honours should remain in the Citizens and all affairs of greatest concernment should be handled in the General Councel of the Provinces which liberty would continue more substantial if it were used with moderation On the other side some in France persuaded the Netherlanders to separate themselves from the House of Austria That the name of Archduke was but a vanity without power without authority his Forces being consumed by the Enemy his Authority swallowed or devoured by the Spaniard and when the Netherlands should be exhausted and Spain impoverished what hopes had they of protracting the Warre certainly onely this one the wealth of the Indies which also in time would fail them and become a propriety to him that is most prevalent at Sea That the twenty several Mutinies and Seditions of the Souldiers have made Albertus his Government infamous and if while those jealousies and hatreds encreased among them the French should have stirred they might have lain upon the Country and
Ships under the conduct of Captain Matelifen one of the Governors of the Indian Company In the interim Carden whom we mentioned before to be sent to Brasile returned with a very great booty Among the Neighbors although the name of Peace yet continued yet many fierce commotions were believed to tend towards War for the Citizens of Aquisgrane the City having alwaies been coveted by the Dukes of Brabant had new Governors put upon them Imperial Decrees made against them and which then was buried in silence but afterwards was manifested by the confidence of a private League with Albertus all the Ceremonies of the Reformed Religion were both publickly and privately forbidden they who had before born the Office of Magistrates were not onely accused as guilty of Sedition but as being illegally chosen were contumeliously used and fined their Accusers were of the choicest sort and whoever undertook their defence were joyned with them in punishment The Bishop of Colen's Legates to whom the Emperor had given that in command under pretext of Reconciliation publickly declared that profession faulty upon their bended knees and afterwards laied pecuniary mulcts upon all they denounced guilty in the name of costs and charges and upon most the fine exceeded their ability yet if it were not paid part were thrown into Prison others removed their habitations whose Banishment was followed with care and hatred of the Commons against the Great men and pity towards the poor But by how much at the present they were oppressed by so much the more violently they would in the future break out In France besides the rest of the Spaniard's treacheries it was discovered that Monsieur Merarges sent from Narbon to exhibite the desires of that Province to the King had agreed with Don Balthazar Zunica King Philip's Embassador privately for the delivery of Marseilles concerning which he and one Brunelle a Netherlander Secretary to the Embassador were apprehended and with them were taken palpable demonstrations of their Treason When the Embassador required his servant according to the Law of Nations the King on the other side set forth the unworthiness of the fact and how the right belonging to Embassadors was by himself violated The Embassador replied If any thing had been done contrary to friendship that ought not to be attributed to him for the French King contrary to the Peace made at Verbin had openly given assistance to Rebells and the Enemies of the true Religion nor had he onely tempted to corrupt the Counts Heremberg and others in the Netherlands but had stirred up the Moors to invade Spain With which reproof the King being more enraged answered That the Roman Religion was more indebted to him and his ancestors then the Spaniard that being untruly reported to be the cause of the War in the Netherlands because in truth that contest was about Dominion And if he either would pay what money was due to the Hollanders or the French who are a people impatient of ease would in these parts make War under a famous General as in the farther Hungary and with the Archduke how much would that resemble so many treacherous designes intended against Cities and the tempted fidelity of so many great men Then he repeated particulars protesting those things spoken concerning the Moors to be false and confessions extorted by force And if it were unlawfull for him to allure the Count Heremberg and others who were not Low-country-men but Germans to unworthy actions what did they merit who by large promises had drawn away Terral not onely a Subject but a Member of his House and family But these were small matters But if haply an Embassador dived into the secrets of State-affairs by politick means it ought mutually to be dissembled and pardoned but counsells of cruelty and such as tended to the hazard of lives ought by him to be refelled Zunica praising the King of great Britain that although he differed in Religion yet he observed the Peace with great reverence the French King answered Their friendship with the Spaniards was but of a new date but a short time would make appear what it would come to But at last the Embassador was glad to pacify the King's anger which began to break out into threats saying there should be no need thereof as well the vertues as the wisedome of Henry the Fourth being generally known to most men But at last Merarges being brought to condigne punishment the Secretary was restored to the Embassador his Master it being proved to the King that it would be better to repay subtlety with policy then to seek to revenge it by War About this time a horrible Conspiracy was discovered in Britain contrived by some who valued their own safety and fidelity and all Laws both divine and humane less then their Zeal to the Roman Religion for because they could not by Petition obtain liberty for the exercise of their Rites hiding a great quantity of Gunpowder under the Parliament-house they decreed at the first assembling of the Parliament to blow up the King the Prince and the Peers of the Kingdome And the chief Fathers of the Jesuites being consulted with by the authors of the Plot whether it were lawfull in so great a number of guilty persons to destroy some innocent ones they answered that for the great good of the Church some wel-deserving persons might suffer confirming their opinion by an argument of besieged Cities But one of the more consciencious of them admonishing his friend that he should not come to the Parliament at the appointed day the Letter of advice being mistakenly delivered first gave notice of the designe and afterwards the place being found out both the Treason and the Traitor himself were found out Upon knowledge whereof the Conspirators in the farthest parts of Britain broke out into open Rebellion one Oldcorne a Jesuite incouraging those that were afraid lest they judged of the goodness of the cause by one unprosperous event That God did many times deny success to undertakings well approved by himself that he might make trial by adversity of his servants constancy and perseverance But at the very beginning of the same they were apprehended brought to trial and executed Father Garnet also who had formerly attempted many things against Queen Elizabeth being wont highly to extoll the Pope's authority over Kings and Kingdomes that no faith or obedience was due to Princes by him interdicted averring that subjects if they were commanded ought to oppose them with Armes even to the hazard of their lives From whence all in power and authority may learn who neither stand in awe of the Roman Religion nor Fleets nor Armies that they are by Ecclesiastical authority most violent inciters of the common people to Rebellion They added also another pestilent opinion That one might answer to any questions proposed by the Magistrate evasively ambiguously and with mental reservations to that purpose setting forth Books in print which in defence of a lie they inscribed with
be re-united Besides the Indian Ships are fit and ready for War whereof some are always at home â—it for suddain Service and without any publick charge would be a publick Fleet But what would the Spanish Fleet nothing but at pleasure take booty from their Enemies Let the gain thereof here be shared with their Enemy and let him there also partake of their most plentiful advantage and by that meanes the Spanish Wealth now too great to let the World enjoy peace will be lessened And that it may be the better discerned what ought to be denyed to King PHILIP it is to be observed what he most earnestly demands which may be imagined the cause of his desiring peace Those antient LORDS of that poor Kingdom are beholding to India and America for the great raising of their Fortune which at this time hath made them so proud as to despise Kings for herein is concerned the cause of most neighbour Princes to whom by the loss of the Sea the Hollander would be of no use If we look upon the Enemy aright we shall find him bend all his endeavours thither that he may be able to do injuries when and where he pleaseth The Hollanders labour for this only that they may not be compelled to suffer If either Justice or power be sought they have on their side all Laws both Divine and Humane who have given to all a right of Navigation and Merchandise as Nature hath disposed to all an equal share both of Ayr and Earth Although before the Wars the Hollanders did not sail to the Indies yet that they had a right and might have done it nor can the longest possession prevail against the Authority of the Law of Nations They that would shut up the Sea and challenge Merchandise to themselves alone what other thing do they then Pyrates and Ingroffers of Provision Antiquity averred Arms to be justly taken up against them who excluded any from their Harbors how much more then against them who would drive them from the Ports belonging to others Peace without Trade is not Peace but a perpetual hostility where the right of Defence is utterly taken away And now the hitherto unspotted fidelity of the Hollanders could not be sullyed by a more no able example then if they should leave and betray the Indian Kings and People confederate with them to the Spanish cruelty If the Spaniards resolve to perform what shall be agreed on let the business now be perfected as it will be when the Hollanders are declared Free and when they have agreed then that each shall quietly enjoy what at the present he shall possess for nothing ought to be limited to Freemen and Traffick admitted in all places whereof they have Possession But that they should set so high an esteem upon Philip for yielding up a part of his Dominion there was little reason truly for the same since it was not a gift but a confession of the truth without which there was no hopes of concord It were more honourable for him to give or take Peace then while his Affairs succeeded so well to sell it which if he would not believe he should eft-soons experiment it The fruit of forty years bloudshed would be utterly lost and in vain were Arms taken up for Liberty and against that terrible bugbear of Commerce the tenth raised by Alva if now as great a slavery should be voluntarily admitted to and they suffer themselves to be deprived of the greater part of the World by their Enemies which they â—ould never have endured from any Prince These things were urged by them A few on the other side averred That this was private business and ought not to hinder the publick Peace at leastâ—ise that the cause of some Maritime people ought not to be handled alone when the evil of War extended to all Lastly where the Spanish Negotiation was short and safe it â—â—ticed Seamen by their good will to avoid long Voyages which are frequently obnoxious to diseases Upon mature consideration of the matter by the United States these things seemed to them to be just causes why they would not desert and quit the Indies yet that they â—ight not leave any thing untryed for the ending the War after much dispute they offer the Spaniards their choise either that they would make a firm Peace with freedome of Navigation or else according to the example of France and Brittain all beyond the line should be left to the decision of Arms or else to conclude a Peace here and only a Truce â—â—ere But the Spaniards would neither permit that negotiation saying that Peace and War mingled resembled a Prodigy but at last they gave hopes of a Truce in the Indies if when the time thereof was elapsed they would abstain from any further Navigations to those parts But the States that abhorred those conditions revived the Counsels of the American society lately laid aside if perchance they could work upon the Enemy by fear But they quickly understood these were but threats nor indeed did that matter proceed any further while they who were desirous of Peace among the Hollanders were afraid to be severe towards dissenters Without doubt this state of Affairs was very prejudicial to the people of the United Provinces Arms being only forbidden as uncertain whether there should be Peace or War whereupon many of the common people who got their living by War were not apt to apply themselves to any other business and so were afflicted with two evils idleness and penury and therefore the States esteemed it more convenient to hasten the end of the Treaty to this purpose they advised the Spaniards That they should on both sides propose the chief heads of what was to be insisted on They alledged it to be an unusual thing to make new Proposals before the former were concluded yet at length they consented not that they would distinctly and plainly offer the particulars but only the chief points in general and that in obscure tearms for they said there remained yet to be treated of concerning their limits the restitution of goods Forreign commerce money and those immunities which were granted to the English or others in the Netherlands as also of Religion and Neighbouring Princes Being asked when they mentioned Religion since the same was contained in King Philips Letters whether this were their meaning That they which passed up and down should not be infested under pretence of Religion or whether they would prescribe Laws to the Hollanders whereby Divine matters among them should be ordered They answered This was a matter concerning which they would advise with their Prince and after the other things were seâ—led when they came to that they would more clearly procure and produce their determination On the other side the States delivered not a few and those ambiguously contrived but eight and twenty branches or heads contained in plain words such as usual for the confirmation of Peace or taking away the injuries of War
added the frequent Assaults takings and re-takings of Towns and Castles Marches and Re-Marches of Armies till sometimes they met to Battel Passages to and fro by Sea long Sieges and indeed all kind of Martial Discipline improved to the utmost by signal Experiment But these things being done in publike whereby each Party strengthned his own Affairs and turned all occasions into Force I shall more easily accomplish in regard I have them as nearer so more certain and consequently not to be prevented much less amended by others at a greater distance The beginnings of this War though very incertain because much unknown and dark in its occasion many famous Writers have undertaken even in the Latine Tongue to describe But in regard you cannot well understand those without some further Director I thought it not amiss to declare at large the first Causes of those Tumultuous Proceedings which intervened there from the beginning that at one short View Counsels and Policies may be compaâ—ed one with the other together with the Event produced by the same And in truth so great and famous have the Actions there done been that even Strangers have been cuâ—ious in writing thereof and therefore we certainly should be accounted most ingrate to our Countre and envious of the good of our Posterity if we should not give them a most exact Relation of those things which hapned so near them Especially since most of our Modern Writers have too frequently deluded their Readers Credulity with vain and uncertain Rumours as either Party for their own advantage published the same or else if any had Desire or Opportunity of knowing the Truth even such contented themselves to write onely a Diurnall My Design is to lay open and discuss the Peoples Commotions the Consultations of the great Ones and Governours and whence a new Soveraignty sprang where the first determined The People that â— hâ—bit the Land within the Rhene as also on both sides thereof to â—he Seâ— of â—he Morim and the River Amasius on this side called Germany on the other Old Belgium their Country but most of them are beholding to Germany as well for their Language as their Original whence it was that while the Romans strove to bring in their Arts and Commerce these jointly taking Care both of their Liberty and the Warre at once were Companions in Loss or Conquerours Neither did they ever lâ—se the Repute of good Warriors though they most shewed their Vâ—lours either in others Ayd or their own Rebellions But when the Generality of People as it were upon one Sâ—gnal made violent Incursions into the Roman Empire all this â—ract felâ— to the share of the Franks until in the Division of their Power part became the Possessions of the Kings of France and other part the Emperors of Germany claimed as their Right But both when they themselves were from thence far distant sâ—t Governors by the Names of Earls Dukes and the like to rule and defend all the Cities therein saving onely such as for the sake of Religion were given unto Bishops when Christianity began to increase and flourish Such as were sent forth to the Wars in Command were called Dukes to whom Earles or Counts were such as took Care of the Accounts of Subsidies and other Taxes for the Souldiers Pay and were chief Judges But it is a thing hardly credible how both these and those did augment their Power in a short time by these three means their own Valour and Vertue their Princes neglect and Carelessness and the Favour and Good-will of the Provincials For first they got themselves Power and Authority by doing good to all nor did they shew more Audacity and Courage in time of War than Moderation and Religion in Times of Peace In this manner strengthning themselves instead of a Lieutenantship which was all they had at first they attain to themselves a perpetual and Hereditary Dominion which was with the more Facility and Complyance granted to them because when any Wars broke out in those Parts they were the more ready to meet and undergo the Dangers and Hazards thereof in regard they defended their own Territories For in those Times the Seas were almost covered and the Shores even beset and filled with Danish and Norman Fleets Not long after taking a Priviledge either from the Fear or Favour of their Followers or the Breach and Decay of a greater Lordship though they kept the same Resemblance still in Name yet they established a Soveraign and lawful Authority even with the Peoples good-will Lands are set apart for the Princes and moderate Tributes yet enough to support and maintain their Dignity for they gave not themselves over to Covetousness and luxury or those other Crimes which in the Innocency of that Age were scarce known to the World Onely the Desire of Rule and Thirst of Dominion aged almost as Nature they could not excuse themselves from Hence it was they had perpetuall Wars either among themselves or with their Bordering Neighbors for managing whereof they never hired Forrein Souldiers but used their own People who for the safe keeping of their Borders would strive who should be foremost in the Watch and if Ambition or Honour had invited the Prince beyond they forthwith followed him with Alacrity moved thereto as well by the hopes of Praise as Reward The Conquerour bestowing in Gift on his Noblest Souldiers Lands in Fee-Farm and confirming on Cities and Citizens their Franchises Customs Laws and Magistracy the sure Guards and Defences of their Liberty Nor did their Successors take upon them the full power of Government before they had confirm'd by Oath these Grants on whom they were at first bestowed The whole Charge of the Common-Wealth was of old said upon the Shoulders of the Nobility and Governours of Towns which consisted of the Communalty to whom in some places the Clergy were added These where it was necessary met together concerring Embassies These Consulted of the great Affairs of State nor was it lawful without the general Consent of all to set a Tribute or Tax to alter the present state of Affairs nor to much as enhance or debase the value of Coyâ—â— So much Caution was there used even when they had good Princes to prevent the encroaching of Evil Ones The most Noble and Vertuous amongst the Citizens underwent and performed all publike Offices and all Strangers were kept out of the Princes Court the Senate and all other places either of Honour or Profit By the observance of these good Customs long did the Common-Wealth continue fix't on a good Basis But at length by little and little Seditions growing up wasted this flourishing and rich People untill by many Victories Affinities and Treaties most of them were glad to submit to the Burgundian Government who being sprung from a Royal House Warlike Crafty and dating to undertake any thing to Arm his Power from the Dâ—ssâ—nâ—ions of the Nobles Promises to one Threatens another and give Rewards to a Third Thus
who then by chance had observed himself to have received some Injuries from Granuel in assuming to himself and not bestowing the Governorship of Hâ—sdin and the Abbacy of Trully which Egmond had desired for his Kinsman and by him was denied Hereupon many of the Companions of the Order of the Golden Fleece for at this time they were often called to meet together by Margaret that they might Consult about Defending and Fortifying the Borders drew their Collegues into Parties as if these Managements of Affairs tended wholly to all their Disparagements by whose Counsels formerly the Princes Business had so well succeeded After which these Three Noble-men to shun any further Converse with Anthony Granuel whereas they used to sit together in the Senate publikely sell out with him Antony seeing this began to bestir himself to be able to resist those men who were not onely powerful in themselves but strengthned by the Love and Favour of the People To which purpose he drew to his Side by Benefits and Favours Men active and ingenuous among whom were Charles Barlamont and Viglius Zuichâ—m which were also of the same Senate He being the Chief of the Treasury This though not of any great Family yet famous for his Understanding and Knowledge of Affairs was the Chief of the Judges of the Law who by their secret Meetings and private Conferences concerning unknown matters made such an exulcerated Odium appear against them as became the publick sign and token of faction Now Philip before his departure that he might the better settle affairs of Religion had obtained from Paul the fourth then Pope that all His Provinces of the Netherlands should be exempt from the care and charge of forraign Bishops For the Archbishops of Colen and Rhomes which were of old chief Cities that of Lower Germany this of Gallia Belgica had nothing now left them of that so antique division besides the name Their Jurisdiction therefore being taken away together with the Bishops of Leige Triers Oiuburgh Munster and Paterborgh losing also part of their Command and three Bishops in upper Burgundy to wit of Mechlin Utrecht and Cambray renounced and under these many more of whom in the Borders of Brabant Antwerp and Senlis of Gelderland Rurimunde of Flanders Gaunt Ipro and Bruges of Holland Harlem of Zeland Middleburgh of Overissel Daventry of Artoyes also with Audornarum thence Namur Groining and Torney Cities that bear the names of the Countries they stand in This was an antient Custom and much used by the Popes upon the multiplying of people and that Religion might be the more easily taken care of to erect new Bishops Seas so to share among many the burden which grew too great for one and the Emperour Charles minding other things had omitted this care which of old was taken by the Princes of the Austrian Family But the causes of the reviving this Policy or appointment were hated and grown odious almost to all One was that they who should overlook and inquire into the manners of the Clergy and the peoples errors might be more in number and neerer and this the very Authours thereof openly professed complaining that vices did mightily increase by the neglect or connivence of those who should take care to prevent the same Another was imputed to Granvell's cunning who had take from Rome both the Bishoprick of Mechlin and the Dignity of a Cardinall most men guessing in the future that would be as when Priests of old had by Prerogative a right â— suffrage in the Assembly of the States that he being the chiâ— of that number with others which he should by his meaâ— and endeavours allure for the right of naming Bishops wâ— by the Popes granted to the King reserving to themselves onely the right of approbation might by an under-hand confederacy with the Spaniards suppress their liberty When Revenues were to have been setled upon Bishops out of Monasticall Possessions the Abbots were the first that gain sayed that purpose of which society at that time all with free and unanimous consent avowed they would not admit underminers of their Wealth and Authority The Brabanderâ— confederates with these by Books commend the care of the Laws to the Prince wherein they advise that Ecclesiastical Promotions should not be increased without the consent of the Nobility and Commons Hereto we e added many answers of men professing Justice That it was an act of irreligion and profaneness to tear away the pious and charitable liberalities of other men and to question the judgements and integrity of dying persons by diverting their gifts to other uses than they intended them And some of the ancient Bishops especially He of Leige cryed out the Pope was circumvented and with all eagerness prosecuted their right Hereupon many other Cities refused to receive their new Bishops and who were admitted were so generally hated that they could never officiate without mocks and taunts Now the Nobles taking notice of the generall hate of the Netherlanders against Granvell did think it most necessary for the better managing of their publick affairs That there should be a generall Assembly of the State Therefore as often as there hapned complaints of the poverty of their Treasury or of the fear of Seditions for there was much pay behind and due to the Souldier both Horse and Foot and Merchants began to be restrained among Forreigners for publick debts and the Tributes promised for nine years were even now at an end They began to cry up the old Custom of which they said good Princes would never think amiss What marvel is it now that all things were in a deplorable Condition when in all their evills the basest flattery could rob them of their onely remedy The adverse party took notice of all to little purpose therefore it was for them to dissemble how far their malice tended in prosecuting with hatred the man that had been industrious for the King more than they would have had and therefore the Ministers of State under Philip were to inquire out any that were emulous of the Princes Power and who those should be to whom all would submit in this great alteration the Abbots were troubled for their own private lucre sake The Nobility were obnoxious to these and the rest under the notion of the States were doubtfull and in suspence for the use of their temporal usages So that dissembling here modesty and obedience their fore-sight of and providing against dangers and the Lawes left to them by their Ancestors and vertuous Discourses every one did strive to make himself greatest Furthermore those three before named taking the boldness to write Letters to the King denyed it possible to divert the publick ruine of the State unless Perenotte were removed from his abominated Power praying also for themselves an exemption from the Assembly of States but promising very largely as to his Government his Sisters Dignity and the maintenance of the Roman Religion Philip sends them an answer full of courteous
Language wherein he said that he did not use to set aside Ministers of State without hearing and perpending their cause of Complaint but if he could not have his Revenue upon whose payment he did depend he would that some of them should come to him from whom being present he would take cognizance of the whole matter They earnestly write back again That it was not for them to lay crimes to any ones charge but they believed it was a part of his duty rightly and truly â— have informed his Prince but whether he had so done or not the imminent danger if they should be silent would speak and they hoped that their Births and Merits would gain no lesse credit â— their betters than their words but now chiefty when the absenâ— of Governours from their Charges could not be well admitted The King was much moved at these lines but finding necessary a little to yield he sends secretly to Grannell whom now these fore-going passages began to vex partly aâ— a by-stander and partly as being guilty to himself of the deadly hatred of the people towards him commanding him to depart into Burgundy whither he was ordered to retire for avoyding the danger of his life so much fought and layd wait for by his enemies And a long time after he kept all the Netherlands or the greatest part in fear of his return but few joyning with him in his hopes till at length either by Command or his own free will he went to Rome There they who hitherto had been kept out of office were at the Request of the Regent Margaret recalled in the Senate of Assembly and that they might give some proofs of themselves they begin with all diligence to advise and take notice of choice things of others there was no great need And the praise and thanks of dissembling their Crimes was so much the greater towards them by how much he would divert them from the sense of their evill so that now acting wholly as Victors they had taken all things into their own hands whether belonging to publick accounts or to the Law saying it was the Soveraign pleasure of the Senate and that to it all the other Assemblies ought their Service and Obedience But how many faults do attend where some few bear the Sway and in how little time do they grow ripe The Kings Revenew neglected the Authority of the Law among potent discords laid aside the greatest Crimes and villanies unpunished Honours given for favour either much done through ambition by such as coveted the praise of all or else evils never to be remedied overcharge the Credit of the great ones They dissembled less in point of Religion maintaining it was better taught by perswasion than compulsion till at length they found what they supposed as remedies proved rather food to nourish the Disease But when they granted this in favour of the People whether it were out of their own disposition averse from cruelty or that they suspected under the veil of the Inquisition that there lay hid slavery or danger to the valiantest men I will not undertake to discover But this is most evident that they themselves did not depart from the Ceremonies of the Church of Rome and he who was the chief in all these Consultations in his own Principality of Aurange would suffer nothing in matters of Religion to be changed Besides this and for other weighty Causes Egmond was sent into Spain to pry into the Kings nature and affections and is there received with so much Honour and such high Gifts as no man before him ever had the like Here Philip protests much of affection to the Netherlanders and that he may prevent any desire of his return to them again he sayes he hath resolved in himself for the Turkish Warre and likewise gave him some hope that he would moderate the rigour of the Sentence and Edict of the Bishops least either by severity or impunity he might provoke the Secturies licentiousness whereas in truth he intended to make it far more strict For when first he came into Spain and found there many and some of the chief of the Covent of St. Isidore to think otherwise than they ought of the received Rites and Doctrine he was not onely content to have commanded into the fire Learned men and noble Women but rejoyced to see the same with the terrour whereof having appeased the discords there he believed either the sloth or timidity of his Judges hindred if not envyed him the like success in the Netherlands And at this time Elizabeth his Wife Sister of Charles King of France being sent together with the Duke of Alva to â—ajon whether the same Charles and his Mother Medicos met at a Conference for rooting out innovators and disturbers of Religion he bound himself by some private Covenants to be assistant equally therein The like League was made between Henry and Philip after the Peace of Cambray and this being by the imprudence of Henry discovered to the Prince of Orenge in his Embassy into France as he was by chance â— hunting made him often assert with Protestations that he onely feared those Counsels which were concealed Egmond was scarce returned full of his vain hope but the Kings Letters immediately followed cruelly commanding the Inquisitors to execute judgement upon violators and novelties in Religion adding certain other Assistants to the number of the Judges and though Viglius and many with him perswaded the contrary presently they were published to the great trouble of all mens mindes and shortly after were the Decrees of the Councel of Trent put forth by whom nothing being amended either in Doctrine or Ceremonies some whole Nations separated and fell off from the Church of Rome onely there was a Decree made for reformation of Priests Lives and Manners wherewith indeed they were offended but never cured And truly in the Netherlands those mens lives were most vicious who being admitted into the Sacred Order of Priesthood got nothing thereby but the name and Revenues yet were these men most fierce for the publishing of these Decrees which in some places were obeyed but with exception underwritten to which Philip had consented that they should not derogate from any mans right which was added by reason of Patronages of Churches and bounds of Jurisdictions But the Brabanders with one free consent went further First their Cities and afterwards the Senate or States of their Nation did Declare That this Custome of the Inquisition insensibly creeping in daily in a high manner into their Countries was against the Law by which all their Judgments should be directed and which should set Bounds to the Priesthood wherein they should walk The Constancy of these was followed by others but especially the Common People were infinitely perplexed with the Terrible Rumour of the Spanish Inquisition whose Authority with the King though manifest and its Usage and Example in all Kingdoms how profitable and though commended by the French yet the
had been one general Agreement to set all the Netherlands into a Combustion in some places the Magistrates by either Civil or Armed Authority hardly prevailing Onely the Inhabitants of Antoyes Heynault Luxemburgh and those adjoyning to them kept their Faith and Allegiance both to the Romane Church and the King unspotted and untainted in the midst of this Horrid Contagion In some places the Magistrates to prevent the Licention Fury of the People did first begin to remove and take away Images to some of whom boasting of their Service Viglim said very ingeniously That they too were mad but with a shew of Reason Many things which were thus stollen from Churches the Teachers urged might be restored but without any effect to the great Scandal of their Religion which by these mean had contracted new Infamy The Lady Margaret in this great Perturbation of Affairs being vehemently affrighted was not able now so well to obey the King's Commands who though too late had heard all these things at a distance in regard of the imminent dange because she was forced to give place to the Times and submit to the Counsels of the Confederate Lords without whose Authority they could not endure to hear of any thing At length therefore though with much Reluctancy she was drawn to this that she promised the Lords that none of those former Actions should be drawn into question They now one now another as long as they could have any Security renounced the League under this condition That all that slighted the Name of the Romish Religion or moderating thereof should not be deâ—ied Pardon And now while the People lay aside their Arms and Faults together they are allowed to have Sermons in those places which even till that time they had had for their Instruction and the Edicts were laid aside until the King and the States should take other Order in that behalf Presently Messengers were sent to several places to prohibite any further Force who did affirm they had obtained this by Treaty which in truth they extorted by violence First the Prince of Aurange sent to Antwerp being thâ—n troubled with a dangerous Sedition where having obtained the Name of Viscount or Sheriff as due unto him from his Predecessors he quickly brought that most strong City to his own Will where not so much minding the necessity of the time as to shun the Regents displeasure he caused not onely the new Discipline but Sermons also to cease not onely in the Fields as in other Places but within the very Walls The same also did Count Horn and others whose Brother being now returned out of Spain related unto him the Kings implacable Anger But the Letters sent to the Lady Margaret and by them surprized troubled them beyond measure they being thereby destined to Accusation and Destructions whereupon they all meet to counsel at Dendremond where Count Egmond was the chief man looked upon as being well-skilled in Warlike Affairs and well-beloved of the Souldiery But he whether allured by fair promises or mindfull of his duty affirmed he would not in any thing be wanting in his Allegiance to his Prince let him do what he would but would rather seek to appease his mind with good Counsel and wipe away former errors by future fidelity Unwise man that would not take notice that when great things in disobedience to Princes are begun with danger after the first setting out the 〈…〉 of reward and safety is in going on for revenge attends every step backward But the Prince of Aurange had a more prudent foresight for seeing these begun undertakings failed he writ Letters to the King humbly desiring that he permit to lay down all Offices and that he might betake himself to peace and rest in some private part of Germany To whom Philip craftily sent answer and how far will deceit prevail under the mask of simplicity intreating him that he would not now desert him while his Affairs were in such an unsetled Estate and when there was most need of his help withall advising him that he should for a time send away from him his Brother who was suspected of innovation in Religion untill all things should be better considered off But Aurange the more crafty and subtle of the two still urges for Licence to depart and in the mean time going back into the places under his own Government forbidding all severity and to prevent his surprise of the fortifications within those Provinces by forreign Souldiers that might to that end be provided under the pretence of liberty he by his single industry and policy stirred up all the valiant and couragious people to be at his Command 1567. He set forth also in writing the Counsel which he had given to the King to this effect That unless he gave Toleration to these Religions which the Neighbouring Nations had granted as necessary it would be a matter of dangerous consequence for at the best his Conquest would be attended with great mischief in exhausting the wealth and destroying the people of the Country But Count Horne retreated to his own home and there betook himself to a private life These thus dispersed the Regent easily perceiving whence at first these perturbations did arise betook her self to Viglius his former Counsels which had been slighted to wit to break the connexion and band which was between the Lords and the better and inferiour sort of the people which she brought to passe either by her self or others with them that so receded first by cavilling by and by more openly as if she had been terrified thereby would cast out the falling away of others for no sooner was she advertised by the private order of the Judges that they had proceeded against the persons who had committed Sacriledge in the tumult before mentioned who had gone beyond words against the publick rites even to the taking up of Arms the rest knowing themselves not able to go through with the management of their cause and likewise that they differed among themselves in point of Religion broke up their strength Nor did the confederate Lords either by hope or fear divided among themselves lesse betray the Weal-publick for Conscience a little accusing for their evill deeds some of them running over and submitting obtained Pardon others disswade the gathering of Taxes and levying Bands of Souldiers as things not fit for private men to undertake another sort while thus every one was minding his own particular are forgotten by all And now for the better maintaining the peace of the State the Regent beside the German Souldiers under the Command of Ericus of Brunswick commanded another Regiment of Walloons to be forthwith raised for by that name the people in that part of the Netherlands which borders upon France are called and are distinguished from the others by the use of the French Tongue and beside are more valiant and not so dull-witted as the rest And that she might the better choose able Commanders over them she
Regent enforcing them by one Edict to fly commands them by another to stay So that they being voluntarily departed who were displeased at the present carriage of Affairs and other matters by the notable cunning of a Woman set in order there was a setled Peace such as if nothing further had been coveted might have longer continued The second Book of the Dutch Annals BUT the Duke of Alva retarded somewhat by his Disease but more by the exceeding coldness of the Alps at last being past Savoy reached Burgundy by a Journey not onely tedious and troublesome but accompanied with great wants but there was some satisfaction for the same by the present amendment of his quarters here by whose pleasantness and delight his Army was well increased which notwithstanding there were therein above eight thousand men he kept in a moâ— orderly and strict Discipline The Spaniards then being first shewed the way through so great a Continent of Land After this he met with no kind of stop as far as Lutzemburgâ— the chief of whose Governours he had the King being not wholly ignorant thereof drawn to his party for the better upholding the strength of that broken and disjoynted Dominion At this time as if it had been by agreement Warres broke out in France the King having levyed and taken into pay certain Companies of Switzers under pretence of suspecting some soul play upon his Borders And the truth is Alva's Army had been scouring the places thereabout of all such as took part with and upheld that new Religion so much hated by them All this while there was not a Netherlander stirred whether out of an extraordinary Panick fear or too great Security is doubtful to resist or withstand this furious Invasion for though coming as a Generall in Warre unto a quiet People he was received by the concourse of the People not seeming at all discontented for at the beginning he took to himself no other Title untill Margaret weary of this empty shadow of troublesom honour and thought also to have done much harm to the Government by her feminine imbecillity and so much the rather because she had by polite and well composed Letters presaging many of the future evills disswaded the sending of Alva with an Army by her departure thence wholly left the Regency of the Netherlands to his care and ordering none now doubting but he would now make himself a Magistrate contrary to those Laws by whose rule and with whose safety he could not attain thereto It being provided therein cautiously from antiquity that none but a Netherlander or a Prince of the blood could take that upon him The first Experiment of his Tyrannizing Authority was shewed upon Egmond and Horn who being by Policy wrought to come inâ—o the Court were apprehended and put into Custody and when they demanded the Priviledge of the Golden Fleece to be judged onely by the Companions of that Order their Peers it was not onely denied to them but they were sent out of Brabant with a strict Guard contrary to the Rights and Liberties granted even to the meanest of the Commons And from this time Garrisons were set in the prime Cities of the Netherlands which consisted chiefly of Spaniards who were almost the onely men thereof for other Souldiers were made use of onely in times of danger and upon extraordinary occasions Nay further the Troops of Horse which were mostly made up of the Netherlandish Gentry having some Spaniards thrust in amongst them were sent into France under the Leading of Count Aremberg that by a present Supply they might confirm the League made with King Charles In the interim the Castles are begun to be filled with unarmed and peaceable Citizens and which was most grievous to them of all was That their Thraldom was made use of to raise Monies for supply of their Enemies Expences and Charges When Things had proceeded thus far without any gain-saying there were almost Twelve Judges the greatest part of them Spaniards the rest but Servants to them and in that regard as cruel if not worse then they appointed to call before them all such as had any any hands in the late Commotions or but seemed to wink thereat and to punish them as they saw fit not in the least manner taking notice of them who by the Laws of the Country had a Jurisdiction proper thereunto And this very Thing of enjoying the Judicial Power and consequently that of Life and Death was the main prop of their Authority which adding a Majesty to the Religion before violated Recriminations as hateful to good Princes as they are commodious to Tyrants urge That all Guilty Persons should be pâ— out of the Protection of the Law and that onely the Cruelty 〈◊〉 Alva's Name might be sufficient almost to convince them Thâ— strictness of the Guards set upon the Guilty Persons waâ— the cause of the Death of very many People so that every place carryed the Resemblance of a City sacked and taken by the Sword For there were not onely Armies but by reason of the Troubles many sought Refuge and here put in practice their ill-boding Counsels Here also were some earnestly labouring for Honour and others on the other side by all means avoiding it while the slaughter of the Nobles and all others whose Wealth or Authority grieved them made great Additions by their Deaths to the Authority and by their Fortunes to the Treasury and Prey of the Spaniards And the truth is Alva never dissembled his Intentions for from the very first he protested with great Threats suitable to the Cruelty of his Nature that a few Salmons Heads were of more worth than many Thousands of little Fishes Thus after a new Mode making use of that old Sentence which teaches to strengthen a Kingdom by taking away some of the Heads of the chiefest Common-wealths Men. All the Mischiefs which had intervened here since the first Breach with Granvel unto this time were now objected against Egmond and Horn together with a shrewd Suspition of a Conspiracy between them and the Prince of Aurange to throw the King by Force out of his Dominion over the Netherlands and then to divide them among themselves These two that by all mens confession were most eminent men and as well Renowned by their Actions as the Nobility of their Birth at Bruxels after Divine Service according to the Romane manner had been performed in the publike place of Execution yielded their Necks to the Sword of the Headsman and their Heads for a while after fixed upon Poles was to the Dutch both a lamentable and terrible Spectacle and although the Souldiers every where about in Arms watched but for an Opportunity from the Words and almost Looks of the People yet they bearing the same deeply in Mind the pity of all but the Revenge of the more valiant became setled when the Solemnities of their Funerals were Celebrated and their very Coffins washed with the Tears and Kisses of an incredible
general That they might never be divided from Brabant and Holland While these Matters were argued pro contra Maximilian the Emperour much troubled thereat and also taking into commiseration the Prince of Aurarge his Condition so suddainly thrust out by violence from such great Estates and Prehemnences though that Design of his wrought no milder Temper toward those Dominions sent his Brother Charles into Spain to inform the King in his to wit the Emperours Name and the rest of the Princes of Germany That they thought it not convenient for the Publike Good that the Netherlanders should be used so harshly any longer But Philip as well as he could dissembling his Anger yet churlishly commanded to be returned for Answer That the Care of managing his own Affairs belonged properly to himself who as he knew when it was fit to shew Mercy so likewise he was not to learn when to use Severity to such who having first laid aside their Duty towards God would in a short time not fear to shake Hands with Obedience to their Prince and that it would be an Action more safe and honourable for them if they would desist to intermeddle in Affairs in which they were altogether unconcerned There were some that counselled the regaining of those Parts of Lower Germany by Warre which had been torn from the Body by the strong Hand of their Lords But the Emperour of his own Nature always loving Peace and being lately allyed to the Spaniard by a new Tye of Affinity sate down and medled no more But a few of the Germans either out of their regard to Piety Envy of the Spanish Greatness or Hatred of Alva too well known among them did aid the Prince of Aurange with Men and Money and it may be also moved with Suspition that Alva had a Design upon some Cities near the Rivers Rhene and Amasis to subject them to his Master because they had been Receptacles to many of the Netherlanders banished for their Religion Many of the Neighbouring People had bound themselves by Hostages to be true to and assist the Prince of Aurange in his Expedition and something also was given by the Netherlanders who now being compelled to inhabit abroad either the Desire of return to their Country or private Wishes of enjoying Liberty at Home prompted But many of those Promises failed in their Event so that having by the Dictates of his own Judgment and Fore-sight gathered together Six Thousand Horse and Fourteen Thousand Foot chiefly and the greatest part out of Germany where great Multitudes of Men caught with the Bait of present ready Money never thought of the future nor minded whose part they took but were ready for any that would hire them best the remainder of the said Army was made up partly of Netherlanders themselves and partly of French These Forces letting slip the first Opportunity of fighting Alva at the Passage of the Maze being then unprovided were afterward by him easily weakned and brought to nothing by not fighting getting the more noble sort of Victory Which Policy of evading Fight had before that been fortunate to him â— Italy when he stood in opposition to the Duke of Guise Therefore for three and twenty days together he lay stilâ— in the Rear of them as they marched with his Camp so circumspectly and with Prudence fortified toward the Enemy that they could never force him to fight with their Desperation Then was put in practice that Villany which will never be left off to wit that both Parties should maintain their Right by Countries living in Peace for whether a Passage was given or denied through the Lands of Cleve or Leige always the one Party would revenge it self either by robbing the Country or burning it However at last this great Army being neither admitted by one City nor relieved with any Provision in a short time mouldred away through an extream want of all things but chiefly of Pay with the slender Remains whereof the Prince of Aurange being hardly able to march into France carryed thither together with it all his Hopes where for some time finding Employment in that Forreign Warre though the cause thereof were something his for Alva had sent thither Forces also to help the King yet by the suddain making of Peace he was disappointed and not onely so but Traps laid to insnare him The Army being thus broken whereby without doubt the Nassauian Strength was much impaired and exhausted as he grew very wary how he ran into Dangers So Alva great now with Success esteeming himself a Conquerour of those People whom he had yet never felt as Enemies did ambitiously desire the Glory of his Authority thus won as he supposed by Conquest And under this Notion and Name of Conquerour he is presented with a Consecrated Sword from the Pope with an Inscription of his Deeds as Fame had reported them which being a Piece of most excellent Workmanship he placed in the beautiful Castle of Antwerp that serves to no other use than to keep under the People as the Scituation thereof averted from the River doth plainly testifie Moreover he erects a Statue in his Honour with a large Eulogy thereon to wit that by appeasing the Sedition destroying and punishing the Rebels and promoting of Justice he had restored Peace to these Provinces At this time he setled many things no lesse profitable than specious as concerning money Merchandises punishment of vices and enormities and rash divulging of Books works in themselves so good that they will never be forgotten unless by the Odium of his name who was the first settler thereof But now the Inquisition as to matters of Religion the Acts of the Councel of Trent the new Bishops and things hitherto winked at if not utterly repudiated were received willingly as it were for otherwise it was in sight that would compel them their hatred being now grown to that heighth that who over had been baptized by the Protestants according to the Rules of Christianity should yet be re-baptized though contrary to the institution and practice of the Antients Nor did this new Tribunall grow lesse furious against the old crimes of Treason to the number of whom were added all such as were but suspected to have wished good success to the late undertakings of the Prince of Aurange or to have grieved at the ill fortune and miscarriage thereof yet while these things are thus doing there was a way studied how to make their Victory seem more honourable by the report of Clemency which was this By setting out an Edict in the Kings name wherein a Pardon should be granted to all that would come in and confess their former misdeeds but still excepting and reserving to punishment all Teachers and Ministers of Religion and those which did assist or harâ— them all those whose impious villanies violated the Sacred â—cesses of Churches or holy places and all such as here Arms â— took preferment or were consenting to the confederacy of tâ—
Nobles s certainly a goodly Company of Exceptions the Liberties also of Towns and Universities and whatsoever the Kings Treasury was indebted to any man being reserved to the Kings pleasure Now having thus laid aside all fear and shame the veâ— utmost intentions and designs of the Spaniards were laid â— pen in their open boastings for the bringing to passe therof that not onely the charges of the Government but if neâ— were Warre should be maintained at the charge of theâ— Provinces and to make this good Alva commands for thâ— present the hundreth part of all the Revenues of the people to be levyed which in it self was very grievous because â— was forcibly commanded by the Souldier which ought â— have been collected according to the Custom of the Country nor did he exempt the Priests from this payment afâ—ter this be takes the twentieth part of Lands and the tenth of all other thing whatsoever sold upon every alienation affirming to the Spaniards that it was necessary thus to tax the Netherlanders that they might the rather think themselveâ— bound in equity to obey being bound by the Law and coâ—quered by Arms and not otherwise capable of Pardon It may easily be imagined that these Impositions haâ— spoyled Merchandizing and broken the connexion of most Arts and Trades by the flight of so many so that the chiefeâ— support of the People was utterly gone for the profit accrewing by buying and selling of Wares using to be dispersed into severall Channels if so great a burden should be come to be a part of the price there would be no Chapmes found to buy when in another place they might have them so much cheaper And if any durst be so bold as to find streight they were seized on by Souldiers and most exquisitely punished Nay some Provinces and Cities being somewhat stubborn and self-willed were sometimes majestically summoned and questioned both what they had done themselves and what they had suffered others to do against the Kings Edicts being objected against them and though the madness of some private persons for the common cause were not compelled to their evill deeds yet were they sentenced that they should be out of the protection of the Law excluded from all publick Counsels and for the future be governed by no other Law than that of the Kings will Nay some were punished for appealing to the King and the intercessions of the Magistrates were restrained by a mulct which they should pay out of their own Estates upon forfeiture with the severity of which examples the rest being terrified did endeavour to redeem themselves from this infinite oppression with a certain sum of money And yet for all these so many and great afflictions the wrath of God was not yet appeased towards these people for their sins but as if the cruelty and avarice of men had not been sufficient for the persecution of a Land most flourishing and opulent both in Wealth and Inhabitants the Ocean breaking over its bounds with such an overflux as the like hath scarce ever been seen before by its inundation made one great slaughter of men and foretold another For this was the time in the small Punctillio whereof the basest of servitude and the highest point of liberty being divided by both names continued equall miseries and misfortunes And now anger suggesting unto the oppressed the desire to free or revenge themselves by Arms they were taught there was no concord so firm and stable as that which is contained within the Bond of private concerns And now that Nation which had so patiently seen her Citizens burnt her Governours slain her Laws Religion and Common-wealth almost to be violently taken away and devoured first consented to take vengeance for the former and to prevent and keep off thâ—se evills that immediately hâ—ng over their heads And so in the City of Bruxels though Alva himself were present and with a strong Guard did sternly exact the tenth yet every one shut up their Shops and Ware-houses scorning to own or confess their slavery though with the perill of their Heads Now were Gibbets and Hangmen prepared for the Rebels as they were termed when news came of the Commotions in Holland which I shall presently declare to you and put a stop to their cruelty The fury and indignation of the People increasing infused new Courage into the Prince of Aurange that he might once more try the fortune of Warre though yet his Confidence flagged till his Resolution became setled by considering that part of Philips Forces were imployed against the Turk and that Spain it self was yet scarce quiet from the disturbances and incursions of the Moors if therefore he could but get Arms himself would be Captain and he hoped through their dissentions he should be able to find or make a way 1571. To that purpose he sends choyce persons to all Princes that professed themselves Reformers of Religion praying them either publickly to take his part or at least to grant him private Ayds towards the support of the common Cause The Deaâ— and Swede positively deny him as fearing to cope with an Adversary more powerful than themselves not durst the Queen of England disturb her Neighbours greatness although the Pope had given Her over to be a prey and Alva for the Genoa Merchants money detained in England for present use and under assurance of repayment beginning a difference and bringing it almost to Pledges sought long agoe a Cause of Warre against that rich Island as was suspected and now lately when there were some troubles in the North part of that Kingdom he sent some to view the Ports that might if opportunity succeeded to his desires upon such occasion be leaders and without peradventure he was a great encourager of the Endeavours of the Queen of Scots against Elizabeth the knowledge of all which things were for the present so dissembled and Spain so far obliged that the Nassavian Messengers were commanded without any delay by a certain day to depart out of the English Territories But in France they who had laid aside the Rites of the Latine Church that they might give credit to the Peace they had were admitted into the Grace and favour of the King and therefore that they might be the better able to assist the Prince of Aurange they add fresh fire to â—e old Burgundian fuel repeating the Controversie that first â—ose in the Council of Trent between these Kings for priority of place urging also against Philip the poysoning of his Wife Elizabeth whose murder ought to be revenged and that he was in Honour obliged to the like for satisfaction of those French Subjects murdered by the Spaniards in Florida a Province of America which Counsel King Charles listning to with greedy ears would have to believe that he was sensible thereof another motive wherewith they enveighed him was upon the Marriage of his Sister agreed with the King of Navarre they gave him cause to think himself deceived therein It was
of them that refused to come by publick Judgement and Choyce he appointed other Substitutes There was a great scarcity of men that did either desiâ— or deserve these savours when most of them seeing the smallness of their strength or out of scruple of Conscience would endeavour to exempt themselves from these matterâ— which seemed to them troublesome and unsafe And thaâ— they might avoid the Odium of falling rashly from their obedience being underpropped by no allyance the name â— Phillip is used in all Cases though positively in opposition to Philips Commands Nor wanted they a President for this even from the Spaniards themselves who being beyond measure oppressed with Taxes when the Emperour Charles was gone into Germany opposed the Kings Deputies or Vâ—royâ—s By such and the like practices did the Germans at fâ— strengthen and associate themselves in the Smalcalde Leagy for the Cause of Religion After whom the French Nobility had by many Writings declared that inferior Magistrates did not falsifie their Allegiance when they fight foâ— the defence of Religion and the Laws and to Protect the lives of Innocents although therein they not onely disobey the Kings Command but resist his Person This did in some small measure help the Nassavians because they took Arms against Alva the King being absent which they would have let alone if he had been there But they who in defence of the Kings Power and Greatness boasted that they would lay down their lives were by a more fatall necessity compelled not onely to bear Arms but to fight many bloody Battels against the same Now were the Roman Ceremonies quite cast out of their Churches and who were of that Judgement were not easily admitted unto any great Offices or Imployments not that there was any Law against them but it was so ordered cut of common Prudence least they bearing a grudge to all that dissented from them might by that Licence probably disjoyn and seperate their own from the publick Cause and the Discipline which was taught at Geneva and here and there dispersedly in the Palatinate of Germany was publickly received and owned but with this difference that many of the same Religion vary in the toleration of divers things for the teachers in this say not onely that Cities and Magistrates were ordained of God for prevention of injuries either to mens Persons or Estates but that he commanded in what manner he would be worshipped but that saith it is enough to worship at large of which duty many being negligent had drawn upon themselves the punishments due for the impieties of other men But on the contrary those people judged it not onely fit to give them all ayd but all of the Religion voluntarily did abhorre the very name of the Laws of the Inquisition and from thenceforth did dispute that no man would willingly go astray neither could any man be forced to believe against his will And that a true opinion in matters of Religion was onely by God infused into the minds of men no devotion being acceptable to him but what is voluntary And that it hath been found true that erroneous opinions have not been stifled so well by force and humane Laws as eaten out by length and process of time Under these pretences and vizors not onely the publick Rites of Religion were despised without punishment but sometimes absurd and impious discourses would be published among these evills of too much liberty Now were the Tributes and Revenues of the Prince Priests and Monasteries together with the Estates of all such as were fled and lived in the Enemies Country and also all Prizes taken at Sea brought into a common Treasury for the publick use 1573. Then were found out the severall names of Taxes imposed on mens Heads and Estates then were invented exactions under the names of Loanes and Impositions laid even on those things which were consumed by use and all these increased more and more as the Warre grew more fierce They bore so great a spleen against Tyrannical Soveraignty that they had rather part with all then pay the Tenth before spoken of There was also found out a new way of gaining from the Enemy which by selling Licences that Provisions and other Commodities might be transported and this profitable Custom is used yet both publickly and privately and though many times forbidden yet never left off There was somewhat also payd out of Merchandizes for Ships of Convoy when Merchants Ships were attended at Sea for their security by Ships of Warre All these things thus setled the lack of money notwithstanding was the main matter because the Spaniards might make incursions into the Hollanders Country first by Vtrecht and Amsterdam and then through Narde for that is the way â—ut of Gellerland Most matters were atchieved by the valour and industry of the Citizens not by hired and forraign Souldiers for there was hardly Provision enough for those already in Service The Captains were yet not skilled in managing their Men and the Men were untoward to be commanded This onely helped them that they had as much skill in the assaulting and taking of Towns as their Enemy Hence it proceeded that Sieges became so long and the main force they used was to starve the Enemy out till by many slaughters and wounds they became more expert having out of each others blood learned perfectly the art of Warre Great was the over-sight of Alva that he did not bend all his force against Zeland in the instant while all things were discomposed and out of order but he was frighted by them as being ignorant of the way of such fights The Spanish Army lay seven moneths about Harlem a City of Holland loosing many thousands of their men as well by the sharpness of the Winter as by the Sword and that time both strengthned and confirmed the minds of men and the State of Affairs and though by a long Siege yet at last after a late and unhappy relief the besieged fell into the cruel hands of their enemies a great part of whom they either hanged or drowned But by this it appeared that it was impossible to overcome them who had been so long getting a Victory and least their Successes should have gone on while the amazement for the late loss continued their own dissertions put an obstacle in the way by a mutiny for want of pay which was an unavoydable evill in those parts though in wages under a most wealthy King By the sufferings and punishments of the Inhabitants of Harlem the Peoples rage was again set on fire in which fury Alemar a Town of Holland lying to the North first made a breach upon the Spaniards strength by beating them off from their Siege and afterwards they received more comforts in their misery for the Nassavians took Gâ—eretruydenburgh by force a Town of Holland extending it self to Brabant and Bossu himself with his whole Fleet was taken while both at Sea and Land he daily did infest West-Frizeland with
Warre The Spaniards had given this Fleet the name of the Praetorian Inquisition arrogantly thereby hindâ— with scorn at the Cause of the Warre Alva now grown old and solicitous to preserve his famâ— upon his humble Request in that behalf made to Philip is bâ— him recalled perceiving that his violent proceedings diâ— little good and that as long as his memory remained â— would be an obstacle to any other meanes that should be â— sed without any notice taken of his desire that his Son might succeed him who was partaker as well of the hatred contracted against his Father as of his actions 1574. Five years and a little more he governed here being wont to boast that in that time he had caused the execution and slaughter of eighteen thousand men His Acts especially that for the Tenth the King durst neither openly approve and confirm it nor positively repeal it He remained in the Court without any question and with Honour until after some years he was together with his Son who had committed a Rape upon a Noble Virgin thrown into Prison whence he did not get free untill the Portugall Warre required the presence of an expert and knowing Captain Lewis de Requesens was sent to succeed him in the Government of the Netherlands who insnared divers by cunning and more remiss dealings Liberall and milde beyond the Spanish guise but nothing so subtle as Alva He was noâ— quite ignorant in Military Affairs as witnessed that famous Victory obtained at the Echinades in the Honour whereof he had a great share and his bringing under of Granado and breach of promise there with his enemies when they grumbled against the Inquisition the same whereof went before him but the first thing by which he endeavoured to get the favour of the Netherlanders was the pulling down Alva's Statue About this time Middleburg by a long Famine which did almost afflict the Beâ—iegers as besieged and the Spanish Fleet being broken and vanquished in many sharp Conflicts surrendred to the Zâ—landers and regained thereby her wasted Wealth But Lewis of Nassau endeavouring to draw the Enemy off from Holland was slain near Nimmeghen together with the Troops which he brought to his Brother which did happen by the folly of the Souldiers for just as the Enemy was upon them with drawn Swords they began importunately to cry out to their Captain for money This was the end of that Captain who both for Valour and Policy might be ranked among the most prayse-worthy as also of his Brother Henry and Christopher Son of the Prince Palatine The same mischief which had been the ruine of these fell upon the Conquerour's Army for they likewise began to mutiny against their Officers and to command their pay the wages due for their blood This madness fell upon Antwerp a City of Brabant most happy in times of peace in the enjoyment of a great Trade by Merchants and the acquiring of what naturally flowes thence Wealth which is the whole work of Peace while on the contrary where Warre hath once given a liberty to all things the basest poverty cannot sometimes secure her raggs here did they insult by all meanes till by force and threats they extorted from the Citizens there four hundred thousand Florens which it was thought Don Requesens was well enough content with because he Commanded they should not be resisted or denyed And in a very short time after he granted them a generall Pardon rejoycing as it were that money was any way gotten though it was not improbable he might have had it willingly if he had but demanded it for while the States of those parts refused to pay any Taxes toward the Warre unless the Tenth might be taken away by a solemn Edict it happened that either by the Kings obstinacy or the Governours their Designs in both were frustrated Which covetousness of Reward or rather indeed over-pay is greater among the Spaniard than anâ— other Nation almost For this they will mutiny in a moâ—â— notorious manner and yet as it were by a certain Preâ—dence still stick to the King's Interest Thus by an underhand Confederacy of the Commanders they fall to plaâ— Robbery which the Souldier calls his Wages or Hire and the People name it Necessity Neither were these Subâ—ties here first used for in others Wars it had been custom aâ— with the Spaniard to use the same Trade This Violence and Injury had mightily turned the Loâ— of the People to the Prince of Aurange and thâ— at the next following Council among them made his Requests and their Desires to be as it were â— one for they began to mention a Treaty of Peace before Aldegondius who was a Prisoner but a man of great Learning and Ingenuity and withall very intimate and prevalent with the Prince of Aurange whom they would send with Lâ—ters to that purpose associated with Campigny between whom and his Brother Granvel there was a Domestical Quarrel and such an Enmity as in like Cases uses to be between Relations At last the Legates on both sides met at Brâ—da whither the Emperour sent Count Suartzburge a Kinsman of the Prince of Aurange to be a Moderator between both Parties The Prince of Aurange and they who were under his Authority had given these Instructions That they were accounted without desert Rebels and irreligious Persons by their Enemies for that they understood the Nature of their Duty both to God and their Prince That they had never taken up Arms against Philip and that the onely cause that hindred the Peace was that they were governed by Strangers And that if the Spanish Souldiers might be removed away which was very necessary both as to Matters of Religion and all other things that they would Declare themselves satisfied by the Judgment of all the States of the Netherlands Hereto it was answered That they had not well done chissing rather to stand upon their own Defence than to submit themselves That yet they should have free Pardon and Impunity so as the Disturbers of Religion might within a time limited be Banished the Country for they conceived unjust that so great a King should be denyed the Power to settle Religion which to the petty Princes of Germany was never scrupled And as to the rest that the King would willingly agree so as they would first deliver up to him the Cities and Castles as also all things with their Furniture and other Engines and Provisions of War which they now had in their Possession These Conditions were not at all pleasing as being more rigorous than they could inforce by Arms whereupon they desired a Truce that Acts of Hostility might cease and that for some years there might be a Toleration of Religion But neither could this be obtained yet Requesens by a few late Successes being more than ordinarily puffed up prolonged the Treaty that in the mean time he might the more easily get an opportunity to do them a mischief while they yet neglected and thought
the chance that in the same place that very day eleven years before the Father dyed by the hand of the Executioner through the cruelty of that people among whom the Son was now come as a Traytor to his Country but at last by the pitty of the Townsmen he got thence away and came safe to Nienove who being received by the Dutch was after by the power of his own People as we shall relate made Prisoner At Bruges there was a sharp and dangerous tumult so that Arms were taken and bloodshed very hardly prevented both the parties having set forth Souldiers that belonged to them the Bands of the United Provinces came first being hastned by the Magistrates and this was the end of the dissention the Tumults of other Cities were prevented by Garrisons Ipre of its own accord came and joyned it self to the League of Union and the like did Gaunt and a little after the Prince of Aurange came into that City by the favour and good will of all the multitude So great inconstancy was there in the resolutions of the vulgar rout and their levity being the same both in good things and bad there removing such from Authority as had by violence intruded themselves he gave the Honour to others Most of the Prisoners which we mentioned to be there detained being carelesly looked to had broke out the rest that remained the Prince set at liberty And another thing which proved as well to augment his Honour as revive envy against him was That the Government of Flanders was put upon him notwithstanding his many refusalls to accept thereof In the Embassey to Colen there was nothing done but what the Spaniard was well pleased with to wit that minds distracted to the hope of Peace should never advise well concerning the publick good The Embassadors of both sides complaining mutually that their Collegues by private agreements were solicited against the peace disturbed by new Confederacies not minding the Repute or Esteem of the Treaty But the Dutch because of the present danger for that the Duke of Parma had gained much upon Maestricht a City partly belonging to Brabant and partly to the Jurisdiction of Leige as being scituate upon the Confines of both and they could not get an opportunity of relieving it either with Souldiers or Provision they desired the time of the pacification might be freed from War and they hoped the Emperour's Embassadors would assist them herein But the Duke of Terranova denied that he had received any such power Thus while a Truce is asked and denyed while Conditions of Peace begin to be offered while the Instructions of the Dutch are found fault with as being not free but bound up to new Orders and Commands the Duke of Parma had crept under the very Walls of Maestricht when after a four moneths Siege he took the City by force though the same were valiantly defended and his own strength not very great But at Winter he sent away almost all the German Spanish and Italian Souldiers retaining onely the Captains and one Wing of Italian Cavalry though later than was agreed by the Covenants made in Artoys but yet this gained to him Mechlin with Valenciennes and the City of Issell In some convenient places he set Garrisons of Walloons Of these as every one was grievously annoyed or else of his own accord had offended his Neighbour so was he esteem'd most safe from danger and for this benefit they confirmed on the Duke of Parma the Lieutenancy not throughly understanding that a General of an Army might when he pleased recall to their Assistance any Forreign Souldiers But the Confederate Dutch though by the conjunction of so many People and Cities had lost all hopes of Peace yet that they might seem not so to hate it as to despair of it they sent the Articles of Composition and Agreement offer'd by Philip unto every Town that they might be consider'd of in publike Council Which being objected against as unjust and fallâ—cious were these The Acts of Matthias were not otherwise confirmed but as they had no Relation to the Supream Authority of the Prince or the Injuries of others That whatever Regent Philip should appoint over the Netherlanders to him constantly should be delivered all Cities Castles Magazines and Instruments of Warre He together with the Senate should take Cognizance of all things there was no mention of the States That all displaced and ejected Priests should be restored as also all others that had born Offices of Honour or Magistracy All which things seemed to tend to this That the Laws being restored in shew by the endeavour of them who would enjoy the Benefit and Trust of the Commonwealth they should shortly be abrogated and the People being disarmed reduced to slavery for there is no fortification for maintainance of Liberty so weak as that of Kingly Jurisdiction As to matter of Religion the Settlement whereof wâ— the matter of greatest Difficulty and Controversie it pleased the King to grant that there should be but one Religion throughout all the Netherlands which should be confirmed by the Authority of the Pope unless in such places where â— this time other Rites were used and this confirmed the League made at Gaunt Without those Bounds a time was limited to men of different Judgments wherein they might settle their Affairs and after their departure out of the Netherlands their Goods should not be medled with so long as they would commit the Administration thereof to the prâ—curation of such as were of the Romane Religion But this was looked upon as very hard by all and in aâ— manner convenient for the Publike Peace because it would turn upside down the present state of so many Cities banish and expel from their Country so many Thousand Men Nor should it be free for any man to believe what his Conscience bore him Witness was the Truth And what Country was able to receive all that should be Exiled and if any could yet what safety could it hope for in such Multitudes Where could they whom their own Country thought fit to expelâ— hope for quiet in a strange Land But the Governours and Chiefs without the deepest Brand of Ignominy and Villany could not consent to betray for fear that Religion they were taught to be true in what manner soever it first brought forth Neither the Hollander nor Zealander think that Proviso sufficient for them for they had some strong Cities which dis-senced from the Common-wealth in the use of that Religion to be revoked to those very times From whence they might well doubt new Tumults and their good will to become suspected that their Cause was separated from the rest They also laboured to work upon the Prince of Aurange apart and by himself when though seemingly aloof off there was offered to his Son not onely Liberty but the Governments belonging to him his Father to himself as many Goods is he had ever before possessed so as he would go out of
to the War in regard it was so near Neighbour to Antwerp In the mean time also were some small Skirmishes with little Advantage to either side and not a few English turning Renegades and being contemned by the Spaniard were a good Example to teach others to be faithful to that Party under whom they first served Anon Verdugo was forced to leave Lochem a little Toâ— in Geldars not far from Zutphen which he endeavoured â— win by starving because while he was about it it was thâ—i relieved with fresh Provisions but presently won Steâ— which before had cost so many Lives without any danger by the help of Night and the Townsmens Folly At the time Philip having Valois his Opposit thought he now waâ—ed more strength and care than heretofore and therefore sends to Parma a Recruit of Spanish and Italian Souldiers nor durst any be so bold as to contradict the same notwithstanding the Artoysian Treaty and Agreements averring Thâ— in that Treaty the Obedience of the whole Netherlands was intended of which hope he being defrauded the Bond of the Obligation ceased together with the Cause The Summe of this Army upon Muster was Threescore Thousand Foot Four Thousand of whom would make good Horsemen and these Number remain or rather are increased to this very time whâ—â— Monthly Pay amounted to or rather was supposed to exceâ— Seven Hundred Thousand Florens and that the other Charge of the War came to no less than half as much That therefore Philip sent thither every year over and above the Tributes there raised above Twenty Hundred Thousand so much was consumed by the Spaniard upon the Netherlanders And that no more Money should be carryed over thither they who feared bad Success by the ill Carriage of Affairs there were believed to have hindred it On the other side the States that they might win fame to their new Commonwealth by great and noble beginnings advanced their Yearly Pensions and Tributes which were at present but Four and Twenty to Fourty Hundred Thousand with which Money they raised Souldiers and then had in Arms under the Conduct of Francis of Valois besides Netherlanders French Germans English and Scots The Forces on both sides were very strong but the greatest part of them lay in Garrisons because there being no determined Bounds they were as the Fortune of War required put into Towns which many times even joyned one to another but still kept their Opposition Hitherto Valois hoped for Succours from his Brother for the wasting of those Riches against or for which the Kings of France had for the space of Two Hundred years contested by War to suffering of much hardship yes to the loss of their Bloud and now by Conditions of Peace had made their Enemy equal to themselves But the King himself had no mind openly to denounce War nor privily to send the expected Forces although his Mother Medices had assailed and disturbed the possession of the Portugal Sea And the truth is Philip had prevented him having purchased a means to make Debate wherewith he might perturb the then peaceable Estate of France The stronger Party therefore did openly possess the King with fear advising withall That he should turn his strength against none but the Enemies of the Romane Religion another Party being politickly deceitful under pretence of more wise Counsel denyed that it was â—ther just or profitable for the King who was yet not satisfied iâ— his Successor to exhaust and consume his Treasure for the use of strangers but that he should rather leave both the Netherlanders and the Duke himself too to their poverty untill being drawn dry they would fall from their Capitulations and Contests for Government and submit themselves to the Laws as for the Spaniard though he could not be conquered by others yet he might in good time be overcome by a Neighbour Kingdom These were the Counsels but indeed the King was of his own nature averse to his Brother not that he was offended by him but rather had offended him and mindfull that he had once committed him to hard and close Custody more out of suspition than for any Crimes This cast the Duke head-long upon Counsels dangerous and full of desperation and fatall both to himself and the Netherlanders for when he perceived that they would easily set him at naught since he could not perform with them in the promised ayds and that he was burdened with an 〈◊〉 profitable Principality not forgetting that he ruled onely â— pleasure and that afterward that he was restrained and kept under by the Laws and Authorities of others which is very grievous to them that have been bred in a Kingdom having divers times desired an alteration of the same but not obtaining it he resolves to erect a peculiar power by force and to that end assigns the Towns of Flanders to be possessed and held by the most trusty Garrisons of his Captains Anwerp he takes to himself as the biggest City and that which most favoured the Prince of Aurange to whom he knew he did owe a part of his power by an implicit agreement and where the Deputies of the States were present who were the impediments of his greatness 1583. It is probable the main inciters to this rashness were not onely some secret spies that held Intelligence with the Enemy having their Faith corrupted by moâ—â—â— who offered to the Duke an unquestionable right of Dominion by a Spanish Marriage but also the Frenchmen who pâ—oposed to themselves the ransacking of Cities or greâ—â— Booty Honours which by the Laws they were cebarred â— of which covetousness there are as many Nations found guilty as the Netherlanders had Allyes or Confederates The success answered the Design where the French Garrisons were prevalent and Veward Dendremunde Dixmayâ— and Dunkirk a Sea-cost Town of Flanders excellently seated for French Trassique were taken At Bruges bâ—â— the old and new Governours were outwitted by the extraordinary and most politick ingenuity of the Magistrates wâ— desiring under pretence of consultation the Captains and Leaders to go to the Town-house there kept and detaineâ— them till they had by their Letters Commanded the Souldiers to march out from thence which they for fear of the Armed multitude without grudging did accordingly The danger of Antwerp was greater though some Signs of the bloody event burst forth and with a dissembled suspition of somewhat he did as much as he could hide the concourse of his People from the Prince of Aurange and the Governours of the Town There was the Army both of French and Switzers assembled that the Fort of Endouen being left and the Enemy fled the whole possession of Brabant might be regained To these the Duke going out under the very Walls as if to number them with his Customary Retinue onely about him he Commands the Watches immediately to be killed and the Ports to be set up and seized that so the rest of his Army might have the easier entrance And now seventeen
the Enemy conferring nothing more of strength to their Party than that of his Sons whom he compelled to Revolt with him though not intangled or sullied with his Crimes nor insensible of their Honours Now was the state of Flanders very miserable Ipre was Besieged by Parma The Gauntoys had recalled Imbis for no other Reason than to revive old Enmities and conteâ— with the Prince of Aurange and the French who eft-sorts attaining the prime Degree of Magistracy by some pests ferous and turbulent Predicators did unsettle the Minds of the Vulgar The City of Bruges now Flanders was all in Combustion had chosen for their Governour Charles of Cimaca He was the Son of Areschot and diveâ—s times had charged Parties out of Fortune afterwards forsaking his Father in a voluntary Exile he professed to follow the New Religion and seemed most vehement therein meerly to hide his Dissimulation By these Subtilties creeping into the thoughts of those that interpreted the holy Scriptures to the People he deluded the simplicity of such as were not very circumspect but well meaning men and by them was wrought into the affections of the vulgar Now this Charles held no lesse Correspondence and private Intelligence with the Romanists than Imbis did though openly both of them imprison some of them and not let them so much as come together In the Interim they had so obliged another part of the People to them by a faigned zeal in Religion that whoever did but suspect or sinistrously interpret any of their actions was sure to incur a generall hatred These were the two who undertook to betray into the enemies hand all Flanders a most noble Province and then strengthned with so many Cities And first that they might take the necessity of recalling the French they began to talk of Casimire Truxius making a League with Germany not that there did any such hopes appear but that by the losse of time being left remediless there should remain nothing to be done but to submit Thus these Commanders of Peace first had onely licence to parley but afterwards they had Authority to conclude but they had so ordered their business and informed the People as if a Peace had been made not with the Duke of Parma and the Spaniards but with the Netherlandish Cities which had revolted for that bayt was more popular and easie to be swallowed adding moreover that the King was satisfied therewith and content with that obedience which was due to him would not rob God but leave to him all things Divine Now are both Books and speeches cast up and down stuffed with bitter railings against the French and others who had so long consumed as well the private as publike Wealth of the Netherlanders in so unequall a Dispute That now they had no Forces nor the hope of any allyance or ayd from abroad and the Victorious Armies of a most potent King had in a manner inclosed them round That now it was manifest that God was displeased to have Religion profaned with blood and that the use of Divine Mysteries should be maintained by force and slaughters That certainly the Primitive Christians lived peaceably under the Government of profane Princes even in the greatest persecutions as a strict Command laid by God upon them and when he thought fit to alter their Condition He took away their Princes but never allowed a Sword in their Hand to remove them That when the power of Warre and Peace was once given to Princes there was nothing left to the Subjects but Patience and their Prayers Nay that Piety it self did rather chuse to strengthen it self by Persecution than weaken it self by Licutiousness Did there many suffer Death by Law under the Emperour Charles and Ring Philip How many more have perished now by the Sword And surely they are most happy who dyed not in their sinne In the Fury of Citizens there is no distinction all are alike miserable as wel they who do such things as they who suffer them To an Understanding Spectator there will not appear to be the Causes of a War as they are called but the Ambition of a few who by Domestick Dangers have exposed their Country to Ruine The Duke of Parma observing all these Occurrences takes Time by the Fore-lock and besieging Ipre with strong Bulwarks and Forts that it might want the fewer Forces be sends his Army under the Leading of the Viscount of Gaâ—â— and Montigny into the North part of Flanders that he might confirm the Minds of the Netherlandish Lords already inclining towards him and that they who would not come in of their own accord might be forced to Submission all hopes of Relief or Assistance being utterly taken away from them There is in the furthest part of Flanders which the there undivided River Scheld divides from Brabant and afterwards separated by a Cut or Drain of the same from Beveland a Southerly Isle of Zeland and inclosed with the Bending thereof a place called the Waese which then Steland Governed of the same Mind towards his Country with Areschots Son Charles and Imbisius Hither when the Captains of the King's Army were arrived the Governours forthwith deliver to them all the whole Region together with the Towns of Hulst and Axel and the Castle of Rupelmund famous in Antient Histories of Flanders The Original of this Castle 's Name was taken from the little River called Rupell that runneth into the Schelde and whence not far off upon the other Bank stands Antwerp A little more inwardly is Alost seated to the Garrison Souldiers whereof a pretty Sum of Money being due for their Pay being Forreign Souldiers out of England and neglected to be given to them by the Flandrians they were sollicited as Souldiers by the Enemies strength their own penury and the Example of their Neighbors to surrender which not long after was done But the Brabanders and Zelanders presently threw down their Banks and Cawseyes to let out the River Schelde and beyond it to Repair and Fortifie Castles and Forts to defend their side of the Banks or Shore and to offend their Enemies on the other side 1584. In the mean time the Duke of Parma's Captains that they might the better be able to blow up into a flame the Sedition of those two potent Cities pitched their Camp between Gaunt and Bruges stopping up all Passages by Water to hinder Commerce Wherefore the Romanists on both sides and divers others who adhered to the Spaniards under the Name of Peace either out of Design or Simplicity no longer mutter'd or sought private Meetings but being backed with great and publike Authority endeavoured to draw all to their Opinion some by perswasions others by fear At last these by the departure of the rest prevailed at Bruges and the Lord of Cimace Areschots Son broke out at the same time which as soon as the Prince of Aurange had received Information of from the Magistrates that continued faithful he laboured that he might be suddainly
were committed to his Sâ— Charles with order to put them into Garrisons left any of them by the want of their appointed strength should incâ—r any danger As soon as Prince Maurice throughly understood these things he sent some even as far as Germany to take possession of the places they had left All those Fornifications were taken wherewith the Spaniard had beset the Banks and passages of Journies and the Works they had erected in that peaceable Country by the Rhine and the Maes were all defaced and overthrown Another part of the Army made inrodes into Brabant and Flanders being near to them and brought thence booty even out of the middle of the Country and not only the Dorps and Villages but the weaker Towns were assaulted woâ— and wasted Thus in Autumn he easily recovered what ever had been conquered by or yielded to Mansfoldt the former year by the side of the Maes or about Breda and utterly subverted all that was unnecessary Besides these he annexed his paternal Town of Steeneberg famous of old for a Harbour for it lies just upon a turning of the Merowe Now the French War raged destructively both at Sea and Land the Governours of the Norman Coasts having fought luckily against the King of France's Enemies in a Sea-fight nor was any Policy omitted to facilitate the Victory The Prince of Orange his men assaulted Dunkirk both with Ships from Sea and scaling Ladders at Land and the Spaniards invaded Lochem by treachery but both by fore-knowledge prevented their fate There was a great rumour this year of the Germans preparing for a War to vindicate and revenge their Borders violated by the incroaching of their Neighbours Now they who began to meet in parties to take to either side interpreted all things to applause or contempt every one as his Conscience or hatred to the Enemy led him For the Spaniards having gotten the furthest part of Frizeland wasted both Villages and the whole Country beyond the Rhine Nor were the Garrison Souldiers of Gelderland which lay about the Dukedoms of Cleues and Juilliers any moderater but robbing that Country lying beyond them they brought all the prey they got into the Castles Cities where they were not questionable for the same Then the Hollanders Horsemen imitâ—ted the same licentiousness when ever having worsted the Enemy they followed the pursuit Thus being circumvented now with hope of Peace anon with the cruelty of War they summoned a Dyet where after tedious delays as it is indeed the custom of that Nation by protracting Counsels sometimes even with threats they rather delayed the remedies than removed the evills At last an Embassie was agreed upon and Decreed 〈◊〉 to expostulate the Wrongs and then to command them â— desist from War and all Acts of Hostility unless within the Borders of the particular Adversaries And to this purpose they very carefully and judiciously debated the Point with the Duke of Parma at the time he was going upon the French Expedition Whereto he answer'd very sharply being accustomed otherwise to shift off all Complaints of that naâ— to wit either by rejecting them absolutely or answering them ambiguously But this was the effect of his present Reply That there had been many antient Differences continued among the Provinces by reason of former Losses upon their Borders and that now it was not in the General 's power to set a form of War but as they endured casuall Fires Innundations of Waters and other Evils either of Nature or Fate so they had better â— bear with the present necessities of the Times than to begin a Quarell with the impatient undergoing thereof But if former Enemies would depart thence with all Strangers then he also would restore what property belonged to the Germans always provided that the Money which was expended in the War of Colen a secured to the King In the interim they should consider that there were a necessity that they must suffer certainly the old Religion best merited their Patience for whose onely sake he was sâ— for into Germany What is the Example grown dubious by increased Liberty whom to regard best Of old these Warlike People have been wont to observe all the Motions of their Neighbours and to have a care of their own strength that they might cast down any Neighbour Paince that were weaker much more now when they dare so much against a Powerfull King You ought rather to pray to God that whoever is in the fault of the War may being either overcome in Battel or conquered with Repentance be forced to return to their first Obedience and Duty and that thâ— would not be long a doing if by the deniall and cutting off all Trading and Provision they were couped up within their own narrow Limits With this Answer being dispatched they go to the Confederate Provinces with greater Confidence and more malapert Demands For first they required the delivery of the Island of Gravewaerdt together with all other things which they possessed on their Borders And after that the Passages of the Rhine be free and without Guards and Forts and neither the Rhine nor the Ems being both German Rivers to be thereafter encombred with the Terrour of Fleets nor the Payment of Tributes To this the States answer'd That they hoped they should make their Endeavours appear more just and should truly lay the blame of disturbing the Peace upon the Enemy which they without Reason aspersed them withall And so beginning with the Causes arising from the Inquisition and the grievous punishment inflicted by it they proceeded with their throwing off Bishops and at large demonstrated the Murther of the Nobles the Oppressions of the Commons and the other Miseries of Slavery By these Injuries say they being necessitated to take Arms we seek no other thing by this so tedious and dangerous War but to free our Bloud and Relations oâ— Wives and Daughters Bodies from Barbarous Cruelty and Bestiall Abuse and Muckery This onely is the hope this the end of all our Fighting and we hope our Poverty will be no more spighted or envyed than the strong Commonwealth of Switzerland which is terrible to its Neighbours It is more reason to fear and more just to resist those great Robbers of the whole World whom neither the vast Solitudes of America the Slaughters of People both in Granata and the Netherlands nor the Servitude of Portugal and a great part of Italy is able to satisfie And as both among Beasts and Fishes the greater and more ravenous sort live upon Prey so inferiour States are always obnoxious to the Hatred and Fury of greater Empires Is it a thing unknown by whose Design chiefly the English were sollicited to Sedition Who made Ireland Rebell and caused the French oppose their lawfull King It behaves you therefore to be wary for even among you the Spaniard hath such as hired by him are ready 〈◊〉 advise or act what suits best to his Advantage Nay they 〈◊〉 hath their sight are yet
of Authority was equally ridiculous both to his own Souldiers and his Enemies they had changed an old feeble man for a person of great Nobility and therefore they gloried at once of that Honour and their restored Laws that according to the antient Custom one was sent to govern them that was of Royal Blood and by Kinred allyed to the King They remembred that Alva and Requescuse had stirred up the War by their forraign Authority And the Duke of Parma though otherwise we I enough liked was maligned for his Country sake That Don John who had attained Royal Blood by all wayes both of Birth and Vertue wanted rather the moderation than the affection of the Nobles and People But that now there was truly come the off-spring of Emperours with a German uprightness neither infected with hatred or malice and consequently more prone to concord He had governed in behalf of his Brother the Emperour both the Panâ—â—nia's or Hungary beloved by the Subjects for his mildness in the taking care of them and the blandishments of his leisure time not much provoking the Enemy nor himself by them often provoked Not averse from fighting when the Barbarians urged him by disturbing his peace and it may seem that he was the rather chosen as one who might compose the Netherlandish Affairs the Citizens being even tyred with War and the King well knowing that it would be in the Conquerours power to make what Laws he pleased for the settlement of peace This Duke Ernestus was of such gravity in Conversation that the Netherlanders interpreted it to pride But which is proper to his Countrymen being not Superiour in his Affairs he was easily ruled either by Counsel or Command With this mediocrity of disposition he had so pleased Philip that he intended to have married him to his Daughter and strongly argued in the French Counsel by Embassadors 〈◊〉 confer upon him the Kingdom of France fearing perchance that if he should marry her to any Frenchman and at any time after his Issue male should fail that Spain by accessâ—â—â— to the Crown of France would become a Province thereâ—â— But Providence provided otherwise in that affair 〈◊〉 brought Henry of Burbon through divers variety of Fortune and setled him in the Kingdom for he being grieved â— himself that being born to a Kingdom he should onely â— depelled for the oretext of Religion Many of the Princes protesting they resisted him for 〈◊〉 other causes and by that means alone could not submit their Fortunes to him seeing his Forces almost consumed and 〈◊〉 other things that were the main supports of his hope He â—â—gan to grow unsetled in his mind between some of his Friends applauding his noble constancy and others persuading for most advantage At length either that he believed nothing more sacred than the Peace of a Kingdom or that he had embraced his former kind of living more out of Form than Judgement he was Reconciled to the Church of Rome which thing was not of so much disadvantage to the Spaniard but that for many years after be continued his hatted and War against him neither till of late by the strong endeavours of Anmarle were the Cities of Picardy adjoyning to the Borders of the Netherlands reduced unto his obedience Nay at Rome a great while he incensed Pope Clement and the most powerfull in the conclave by threats and force least they should open or propose a way for the Kings Repentance and Reconciliation calling him a Renegado from Religion and a dissembler of novel Piety But at the first being had in suspicion by both Parties as well that he departed from as that he came over to afterwards by a sweet and well-constituted moderation by giving to these the chiefest Power to those Safety in the Exercise of their Religion and some Honour he exceeded both their 〈◊〉 and made a Harmony between them among whom before there was nothing but Discord So that now all were pleased except a few ignorant how great a benefit they had receiv'd whom no Felicity could ever please no Revenge saâ— In short Trade and Commerce beginning in this Cessation of Arms and the People well pleas'd with this Quiet it came to pass that the strongest and most potent Cities with the Metropolis of them all Paris and the chief Heads of the Faction and Revolt submitted to him caused either by private â—â—scords among themselves or the fear of a Forreign Authority The Spaniard hereupon when the Duke de Mayn came to â—â—xels were of opinion to restrain him as one that was averse to their Design but the Regent Ernestus having more regard to his Fame hindred it although it were known he was the chief Instigator of the chief Leader of the Faction to go in to the King and merit thereby his Pardon yet there were some who detain'd by their own Covetousness or the Spaniard's Policy did all they could to hinder Peace delaying by the same the performance of their Expectations Picardy chiefly and the parts thereabouts near Henalt and Artots were molested and perturbed by the Spanish Forces And the first Spring Charles Mansfeldt who made War in those parts had forced Capelle a free City there having assaulted the Rampires when the Trench was dry to surrender before King Henry could send thither any Succours Shortly after the King himself being conducted with some Troops to Laudune staying upon those Confines Towards the end of Summer Mansfeldt being driven away who had indeavour'd to raise the Siege the Town came again into the King's Power The Confederate States about this time had given a Summe of Money to King Henry upon condition That he should turn his Force upon the Netherlands But that Queen Elizabeth would not hear of who fore-saw that together with the War all use of him and respect to him would cease This Defection of the King from the new-New-Religion was variously reported both in England and Holland so as hardly any thing had bin further examined and discoursed with more variety of Language and freeness of Judgment Others look'd upon it with Hatred and Detestation The Catholikes hereby conceiv'd a hope that in time that other differing Religion Rites though at present receiv'd in publike might at last reunite and that as France had follow'd the Rule of German so the rest would follow the Pattern of France But all Leagues and Alliances with Neighbors were by the King inviolably observ'd And now the States being 〈◊〉 by what private Policies the Enemy gain'd upon them ordered very diligent Care to be taken That no sort of Writing that might prove dangerous to the Publike might be foisted 〈◊〉 the People And that Masters which instructed Youth in Leaning should not instill into their Minds evill Opinions Which done they turned all their Counsel to the carrying on of the war while the Enemy would seem to seek after a peace And because Ernestus having recruited the Army was reported to have enhanced the Fame and Terrour of his
aside under the pretence of Honour with those Regiments which Philip sent to the Emperour he departed to fight against the Turk who at that time grew very potent in Hungary There being next of all to Matthias who was General of his Brothers Army he not long used his antient Valour and Policy against the well-skilled Enemy before among all the dangers of War he was taken away by sickness But Duke Areschot that the Netherlanders might never see him inferiour to Fontayne voluntarily exiled himself to Venice protesting he went thither where he would dye free and where Fontayne should have nothing to do with the more happy People because the Germane Souldiers that kept Bruxells making a small disturbance he had endeavoured wholly to possess the City by some Regiments of his own Countreymen This was odious to all so that now the tumults of others were not more feared than the modesty of the Spanish Souldiers And the rest of the Cities were possessed with the same fear Hence grew a double distemper from these complaining that they were excluded from the others that they were almost detâ—uded however upon this occasion the Fields were harased by both Whereupon when a new misery was added to the calamity of the former year and with the very fear of want the price of Victuals was inhansed the common people took to themselves such liberty as is proper to poverty and thereby vented their griefs and sufferings This made the mindes of all people of all degrees more inclinable to peace the desire whereof had been first inflamed by the hopes of it given them by Ernestus nor was Fontayne any longer able by vain experiments to resist the current of their resolved desires The Family of Croy was the most earnest of all in labouring for peace of which Family the Marquess of Haure sent Letters to James Malery of old allyed to their Stock but then of great Eminency in Prince Maurice's Court which were the very Index of his affection and being by Malery shewed the Prince and by the Prince to the chiefest of the States Malery was commanded to write back to the Marquess that there would be hopes of peace conditionally if the Spanish Souldiers going out not onely of the bowels of the Netherlands but Lutzenburg also and Burgundy would remove from them all cause of fear whereto the Marquess returning a reply but passing by that whole demand in silence therein Malerye was again commanded to write to him that there might be means of agreement and Concord between the Vnited States and the States of the other Provinces be found out but that they would have no Treaty with the Spaniards Therefore an Embassey was prepared to be sent to Prince Maurice in the name of the Belgick Noblemen for at this time Areschot was not retired to Venice whereby they desired him to be just and favourable to their allyed Nobilities To this Treaty came Theodorick Liesveldt sometimes Chancellour of Brabant when Frances de Valeis held the Government together with Masius and Hartye all wife men and well skilled in the prudent manage of Affairs The Prince was then at Middleburg in Zeland to whom being brought they spoke seriously to him to the effect following When first the forreign Souldiers had made a prey upon the Netherlands by means of intestine discords the Senate who then had the Authority determined that civill strife and made the King agree to a League Nor will it be any difficulty for them after they have agreed among themselves to free their Country from forreign Arms Not long after that first League many things intervened by the fault of both sides or else by the wrath of the Divine Providence which hindred the well-nigh cured wound to heal and grow well as it should but rather made it fâ—ster worse than before At this time the same Senate sits at the Helm of Government and being we aried out with the same or greater Calamities do entreat for an end thereof from their Neighbours and they might be confident the Senate would not be wanting to give them satisfaction and this they might expect with the more reason because the Covenants were desired of them while they were prosperous and in a flourishing condition That they had no doubt but Prince Maurice where such a thing may be with Honour would rather chuse to leave his fortune than by tyring it out force it to forsake him in regard there is no thing so much suspected by a wise man as long prosperity In good reason therefore they hoped they came to advise with his Highness who had outgone many of the most famous Souldiers to preserve intire his gotten Renown That he had many great Governments and plenty of all other things wherewith to content the greatness of his mind That the Family of Nassau was not onely famous for Arms but had been generally renowned for other excellâ—nt Endowments of Peace That it was their hope he would embrace those Honours which should be attended by joy of all and the teares of none and that he would rather exâ—ect obedience from the Princes of the same blood then compell any to execrate his Greatness But if he was best pleased with such Honour as was gotten with the expence of sweat and blood there were honourable Warres wherein he might advance his Standard against the Enemies of the name of Christ so would his Prudence and Valour arrive to that heighth of glory as for the greatness and Honour of the Adventure should exceed the ambition of the present Age. To which Prince Maurice a few of the Deputies of the States being present according to the usual Custom made answer to this purpose Wishing to God that he might be so happy as to set an end to these civill discords both for the benefit of the present Age and Posterity That he would account it more glorious than the Name of a Conquerour or then any Triumphed Garland If therefore now at last they were truly sensible of the smart of the Spaniards injurious dealing they should then shewâ— Courage suitable to their own Honour and the greatness of their Ancestors So it would come to passe that Freemen with Freemen might make what Agreements they pleased That by coming into the League of Vnion they were not only vindicators of liberty but would be Companions of Kings whose Authority they were now oppressed under Nor would the dissimilitude of Religion be any greater obstacle to Concord than it is now in France But he would not prescribe any rule to them therein the Judgement of Religion being to be left to God and the several Nations professing the same Between the United Provinces and the other parts of the Netherlands there are many things common as antient Allyances right of consanguinity and the Customs of the places But between them and the King of Spain all things were discordant and hostile necessity continuing and increasing those things which were begun at first either to please his will
or lust That it was not possible for the Vnited States to enter into Articles with that Enemy whom they were forced to abandon and renounce for their King and indeed such Covenants would not be called a peace but a yielding The malice of that Tyrannizing people is implacable and there is no question to be made how he would use his power is peace who stretcheth it so in time of War That time and the â—icissitude of Affairs would bring many things to passe which were but vain to hope for at present But how should they ever give credit to him who thought it lawful to set to sale the Heads of his most merited Enemies That they would not rip up old sores or 〈◊〉 into President former transactions since all men remembred his Father the Prince of Aurange and himself When Liesveldt acknowledging himself to owe the Prince of Aurange all Honour and respect began further to say that is performance of Netherlandish Lords to him neither they 〈◊〉 the Spaniards were consenting to those Counsels The Prince forewarned of his intent putting his hand into Liesveldts bosom he pulled out the Writings whereby Fontayne gave him license to come thus by an evident demonstration confuting specious words Thus the Embassey was dismissed because they had not power of treating unless in the Kings Name This form of new answer was variously descanted upon not onely by the Tongues of the vulgar but of the more prudent sort part of whom got both Honour and Wealth by the War and the other part wished for peace onely because they earnestly desired it The Spaniards and such as followed them thought it was a sufficient offence against the Majesty of the King if he to whom the care was committed since these disastors sitting at the Helm were called to treat upon their own accounts should pardon them What was the Event say they of such Embassies to the Union but onely to make them more intollerably proud for having but from mean success gotten courage they take the confidence not onely themselves to shake off all Reverence and Obedience but they instruct other Provinces to do the like to enter into Treaties and do any thing without the King yes they should go again and hear the rebellious Hollanders proposing Laws whereby they would make themselves Conquerours of King Philip And if it were hitherto doubted yet now certainly it was manifest that they despised nay hated Peace And according to the Example of Switzerland waiting if any others would throw off their Allegiance to their Princeâ— Government that they might grasp within their own fifts There is but one kind of peace to be had with them and that they must be compelled and beaten into by Arms and certainly that would not be long about if the Netherlanders have no less courage for duty and obedience then is in the Union to maintain the contrary But others and they of the moderator sort would by no means that peace so far promâ—â—ed should now be lost for what marvel is it say they if the Hollanders had rather yield to the rest of their Brethren of the Netherlands than the King whom they conscious to themselves of their guilt towards him dreads as a terrible revenger That nothing was demanded contrary to Religion or Soveraignty and the very particular concerning forreign Souldiers was consonant to the desires of all and is well advantagious to the War as necessary for the Peace That the Embassadors might be appointed and instructed by the Kings Order whose name soever was used in the sending them and that the Netherlanders Fidelity was not so untryed as to suppose they would annihilate that Power by Articles for which they had so long maintained a War That the Prince might far better connive at and bear many things then absolutely grant them And if at last expectation was not answered it was lawful for the King to recede a little from the extremity of right for publick advantage That be ought to cast an Eye of pitty upon their misery and how many people lay even at the last gasp ready to expire That the fortune of the War had been various which had been waged on this side by doing on the other by suffering damage Out Enemies have Pastures Manufactures and the Fishing-Trade to maintain their vast number And besides whit is infinitely more then that not onely Rivers and great floods besides their efflux and return thither as to their Head but the boundless Ocean is traversed for advantage Hence is that multitude of strangers and that whole Nations are included with their narrow bounds They who rightly know them say 't is necessary for them to have War But on the other side of the Hispaniolized Netherlands are robbed of the Stock of their Fields have a dry shore and dangerous to Shipping yet are their burdens and the scarcity of all things hardly to be remedied or made amends for by any gain Moreover all places are made wast and exhausted and whatever remains is never free from discords and trouble It might be disputed indeed whether Peace can be made the same needs not be questioned as to War At last after all this there was another fear added lest the People of the United Provinces vexed with the endless toyl of their miseries should choose a new Prince wherein 't was uncertain whether they would admit a forreign Power or content themselves with the Vertues and Valour of some Domestick there was yet some hope that a vacancy in the Common-wealth should not be admitted but if they once pitched upon a Prince the War would either be inexplicable or peace if ever gotten attained with loss and infamy In these varieties of Judgment and Discourses some there were that applauded a Truce averring That the Hollander's Affairs stood hither too upright by their Vnanimity and Concord and that their Concord was supported by Fear These being once removed the Vices of Equality would quickly succeed and Emulation of Cities which they could hardly restrain even among all the dangers of War In the interim with people covetous of Wealth there must be a Traffick of Minds and the great ones being corrupted the Commons according to their Nature beginning once to love would quickly cease to hate Neither would they be willingly brought under the Burthen and Hazards of Warre again if they were but once mollified by the immunity of some smal time of peace In brief the Word would quickly pass for Kings The Hollanders being thus brought under among whom is the chief strength Councel and obstinacy It will be easte for Philip to determine in what manner to order his Forces against the laceâ—ated and torn Body of France and the Womanlike Kingdom of Britaine when that should onely support the War with consumed Wealth and this fight only for fear This Counsel was confirmed by Lipsius with many examples out of antient History However Taxis believeâ— the greatest damage would accrue to the Netherlands under the
inferiour Captains and little Parties But when King Philip fearing the danger had sent Velasco as we before mention'd from Millayn which he then govern'd to Burgundy with Ten Thousand Foot and fifteen hundred Horse that strength of the Enemy first brought thither Biron and after that the King himself In many light and accidental Skirmishes of Horse the French went off Victor And Velasco avoided a Pitch'd-Battel desiring to preserve the Towns In the Dutchy of Burgundy King Henry subjected to his Power the City of Dijon which in the last Civil War of France follow'd the Guisian Faction then headed by the Duke de Mayn to whom there was nothing left Fortified in that Dukedom but Chalons sur la Saone But when he began to prosecute his Victory into the Bounds of the County or Earldom the Switzers interceded him to respite his Fury because being bound at that time by Leagues to the House of Austria they were obliged to resist all Force that should be offer'd either to the Government of Millain of the County of Burgundy Whereupon King Henry took occasion by means of a Truce to withdraw his Army without any dishonour he himself being even tyred out with the Controversie and the thing it self contended for not being worth so many lives And also being sollicited by Cambray he marched that way when a sorrowful Messenger met him with the News of the loss of the City Therefore he accused his Allies That he himself being employ'd in Wars at so great a distance they had betrayed to the Enemy the Confines both of France and the Netherlands That they gave him other hopes that his Borders should not be left destitute of Aid else why should he so often have refused Conditions of Peace when offered to him And if they repented them of their League that he was yet ready to agree with the Spaniard The Hollanders excused themselves to these Taunts with the necessities of that year and furnished the King with Corn and Money and two Regiments of men the one of Scots the other of Zelanders under the Leading of Justine of Nassau wherewith being well Recruited he fell into Vermandois and careful that where he had now begun the Enemy might not break further into the Bowels of the Country the people of Soissons being subdued he shut up Fayer with a difficult and Winter-Siege But by how much the States more earnestly endeavour'd to please the King by so much more grievously they offended Queen Elizabeth for King Henry's prosperity in stead of pity had renewed in the English Nation their old Envy and the Queen was incensed with the difference of his Religion especiall for that she knew what Laws and how dangerous to the Protestants the Pope had prescribed to King Henry for the obtaining his Peace And this was the Reason that lately before upon his desiring of her four Regiments of men for whose Pay the City of Paris should ingage their Credit The Queen answer'd That it was an inconsiderate Desire proceeding from his Youth to request her to denude her Kingdom which was â—â—â—ed at by so many Treasons yet if he would deliver to her Diope Bulloin and Calais she would furnish him with some Souldiers This gave suspition to the French and besides there was added that lately in Bretaign a Province of France the English were unworthily Treated nor could be admitted to such places as they desired the Actions of their Predecessors being objected against them But Queen Elizabeth sent Letters to the Hollanders and one Thomas Budleigh objecting to them with much Regret the Aid they sent to France saying They could not want her help who could so freely gratifie others Whereto the States made this Answer That they did it not out of any ambitious counsel but meer necessity that the Enemy being drawn into many places at once they might weary him out of breath and themselves get a breathing space for they were as it were forced in regard the Queen sent Pay onely for six hundred Foot and two hundred Horse which were in the Camp where as six thousand Foot and a thousand Horse of the League required the 〈◊〉 She on the other side replyed That although this was continued within the League that at the end of the War whatever was disbursed should be repaid yet she desired very earnestly payment of what she had laid out at leastwise that they would pay for some part thereof at the present and she would take the rest by Annual Portions Adding withall Threats That if she were not obeyed herein that she should take such course as her Lenity 〈◊〉 not use to be acquainted with To these the States after the return of many Thanks Desired the Queen to cast an Eye upon the present times to observe that the War was very burthensom to them and not wholly so successful as was hoped And that of late the enlargment of their Bounds had little increased their Tributes but much augmented their trouble and charge in the defence That their Merchandizing and Fishing Trade upon which two onely they lived that was spoiled by the detention of their Ships in Spain and this oftentimes the Injuries of the English and the Dunkirkers Pyraous much impaired and the Sea also had done them very great damages by Innundations Over all which if they should now be forced to repay to England the Money due and also the Queen should openly fly from the Covenants of the League the French already beginning to stagger It was with great reason to be feared that the insinuating Designs of the Enemy and the Allurements of a dangerous Peace would prevail with the people But it was not to be avoided however but that the States must pay with their own Money the English Souldiers that lay not in the Towns put to Pledg to the Queen While these things were arguing between them some new Endeavours of the Enemy brought the Queen to be more mild towards these her Allies For the Spaniards out of French Bretaign had fallen into Cornwal wasting the Country and carrying away great Booty together with some honourable persons and also they began in the open Face of the World to assist the Rebellion in Ireland which Country was from all Antiquity possessed by many Petty Princes Natives thereof Of whom Dermack the Son of Munhard the most Potent was despoiled of his Dominion for many Acts of Tyranny by him committed Whereupon he got to him for his Son-in-law and Assistant Richard Earl of Pembrook who making War there in Ireland very successfully was recalled by an Edict of Henry the Second King of England and compell'd to transfer all his Right and hope of Principality to the King who himself in defence of hir new Acquisition went into Ireland with a great Army and made some of the Lords by Force others by Treaties and Promises to acknowledge his Authority as Supream But such was the blindness and simplicity of that Age that it was believed a great support
considerable Commodity Their Gain ariseth by carrying it from place to place and by such Things as are wrought by the Hands of Artificers commonly call'd Manufactures But after by the good Providence of God the Efficacy of the Load-Stone was found out whereby men were guided to understand the Course of the Sea and also the Records of Books taught us to make search after the knowledg of the Antients and not to despair the value of new Inventions nothing now remained too hard for the Scrutiny of Human Experience The Portugeze found the utmost Borders of Africa and Asia and the Castilian new Coasts beyond the Ocean or indeed more truly another World The Endeavours of the French quickly grew faint after an unhappy Attempt upon Brasile they came to Terra-Nova and found a Coast abounding with Fish but barren enough of all things else Not was that Sea and those Lands that lying furthest off to the South Mallegon first of all found now left unsearched But the English in a short space following in part discover'd the North Sea After all the Hollanders that had without doubt been hitherto oppressed by the Cruelty of their Princes as men that would not tremblingly send to Sea their People whom they knew valiant and mindful of their Liberty now out of Envy to their Enemies and Emulation to their Allies took the Courage and Boldness that making use of what was already known they would now in their Turn contribute their Labours for the benefit of Mankind in the natural laying open of things which to that Age had remained as a secret in the Breast of Nature Neither in this further Quest of newer Things were the old omitted or forgotten And indeed what Shore is able to satisfie them who have always at Sea above Seventy Thousand men This little Country in multitude of Shipping not giving place to any the greatest Kingdom and though inclosed in such narrow Limits hath yet so great a strength abroad The Cities every year build two thousand new Ships theâ—efore besides England France the Parts of Germany and the Baltick Sea mutual poverty hath admitted and carryed them to Spayn importing thither Merchandise and bringing thence Coyn and the dissimulation and fear of King Philip was least if he should deâ—aâ— them of Trade with their Neighbours they should seek for â—is further off and it may be to his disadvantage nevertheless sometimes they received injuries when onely for their Religions sake they should be taken notice of for they generally used the names of other Nations and at last as if the King needed their help both the Ships and Marriners should be stayed by which means not onely themselves were endangered but all they had was a prey to those that overpowred them In this very year no less than fifty Ships were thus raised And the Portugueses said that the King would take care to moderate these injuries if the Hollanders would forbear to send Navall Assistance as well to Brytain as France But the Spanish losses were repaired out of Italy for their so many barren Summers last past for France was not able by reason the Country had been so harassed with War Thus by the Swedish Voyage the Dutch had gotten into their hands all Grain which by a short recourse hither and thither they had made hast to get to their no small advantage Nor as it happened did that Commodity wait upon the Rich onely for vent being dispersed far and wide among the common People with a small charge and a quick return They went also to Barbary where it is opposite to the Ocean and where it coasts upon any more inward Sea with the Muscovite also the Hollanders Traded before they were at War and through the Baltick Sea and Norva in Livonia as far as Novograde which Trade afterwards was transferred by the English through the Rushian Gulph to St. Nicholas Port and by the Hollanders to Podesemser and the Monastery of St. Michael he Archangel all scituate upon the River Duina and the English have earnestly laboured since that to get it all to themselves the Prayers and liberty of the Hollanders scarcely prevailing Shortly after they fetched a longer course to the Kingdom of Guiny abounding in Gold Ivory and Ebony and the rest of Ethiopia and at last in a two years Voyage they arrived to the Isles in the Indian Sea That was begun to be attempted with four Ships set out at the costs of private men At first it was doubtful and seemed to be full of danger while every where as they came in those unknown places they met with none but barbarous Nations and such as were at enmity with all the World Here they were mightily afflicted with Diseases and the injurious heat of the patching Ayr Besides the Portugueses hindred them all they could by punishments if they were either by stress of Weather or want of any thing driven to their Vessels or Colonies nor ceased they so but pursued them with false accusations unto those Kings and People that were not subjected to them which a long time was very bitter while all things were incumbred by the infrequent use of a strange Tongue and suspitions of treachery on every hand But after it appeared by publike Letters and Testimonials of Trade that they came not to rob and do violence or to seek dominion but that they were a People careful of the liberty even of strangers and that they had for that end passed so many Seas that they might with equal fidelity uphold the Law of Nations on a sudden the same and admiration of the Hollanders was greatly augmented Thus the Spaniard's malice opened a way for such far distant Allyances by the common gain of Renowned Merchandise and the name of Prâ— Maurice the famous Warrier was honoured even in those remote places The Religion of those that first went to the Indies was wonderful so was the care of their Reputation for because they received no Commission other then to defend themselves when they met the Spanish Navy a rich Prey and as it were prepared for them they let it passe untouched Scarcely could the Portugueses cruelty which would admit none into that World besides themselves be drawn to consent otherwise But â—hat these private Ships would strengthen their Trade by War however Embassies of the Indians followed and Gifts and Sea-fights against the Enemy and which helped most of all it appeared that the Spaniard could be overcome for to the taken of Towns theâ—e was no great space of ground belonging so that the Conquerours gained but little and yet the Conquered lost not much The parts of that Kingdom are far divided their Wealth which is the support both of their bounty and Wâ—r lies at a great distance which being taken away oâ— exhausted by troubles how can it happen otherwise to that vast scattered and separated Empire which is no where so near to it self as to its Enemies but that it should become a prey to all Nations The
in the Kings Name As That Besancos claiming liberty to it self under the Reverence due to the German Empire might be restored to that Burgundy which is subject is the Spaniards That the Citizens of Aquisgrave might be compelled to submit to the Decree which commanded the Magistrates to receive the Catholick Religion and from thenceforth to forbid all Novel Rites of Religion That as to the Ansiatike Cities He would not suffer the English unpunished to infest the Sea by Pyracy And that the Spaniard for the listing and raising of Souldiers in Germany might be assisted by publick Authority which hitherto had been allowed but by permission But the chief hopes of the Spaniard were removed a great distance into the Dutchy of Cleves and Juliers where the Wife of the mad Duke being struck suddenly dead had with new jealousies and suspitions inflamed the old discords The Counsellors retained the Government against the wills of most of the Native Noblemen enjoying the benefit of their false report that the Duke was recovered These because they ordained for the Duke another Wife of the Family of Lorraign were believed to have wished and plotted the death of the former and now while the Spanish Affairs prospered arrived to that pitch of pride that they commanded the Procurators of the Marquess of Brandenburg and the Palatine of Newburg to depart out of their Territories and besides they sent to the United States with great demanding if they expected ought from them The States knowing their own imbecility and their Enemies strength modestly answered that they were Friends both to the Marquess of Brandenburg and the Palatine of Newburg yet nevertheless they would observe peace with them so long as they remained within the rights of Peace yet wished them to be advised lest they fetched forreign Forces out of Germany to their great damage Soon after they accused and prepared to degrade from his Honour Count Brugny and several others of the Protestants as guilty of a Plot against them And at the same time sent to excuse themselves to Albertus that they were compelled to dissemble many things and to defer them until more seasonable and happy opportunities And Mendoza had brought it to passe that these mens Authority was confirmed by the Emperours Decree And when they requested more in answer whereto the Emperour declared that He himself feared to give offence to the Protestants whose Ayd and Assistance would be very necessary for him in his War against the Turks Mendoza replyed that remote Wars ought so to be minded that in the mean while neerer injuries should not be tolerated And now the Spaniard admits a discourse of Peace being very acceptable to Germany though without any Reason or hope from himself And Albertus wrote to King Philip to that purpose Whereupon the Emperour sent to the States a Nobleman to require safe Conduct for some Embassadors that were to come thither which when they excused the Spaniards were from their own words charged with the Envy of the refused Peace yet did Albertus keep the people obedient to him 〈◊〉 whit the less by the hope of Settlement While all these Accidents happen in and about the Netherlands in the interim a Fleet of English and Hollander which I spoke of before passed up and down the Spanish Seas victorious The cause of sending it was because it appear'd to the Queen that the Spaniards had gather'd together a great Navy wherewith he intended to take some Pole in France or near thereabout Nor were the Threats vented â— years before quite forgotten and that the Earl of Tyrone then Rebelling in Ireland was greatly assisted and incourag'd with the hope of Spanish Supplyes And thereupon it was thought very necessary because both the charge and occasion offer'd it self to divert those Forces raised and prepared for Defence of her Borders against he procraâ—inating Enemy In this Fleet there were drawn together 16 of the Queens great Ships and 40 lesser Ships all fit for War whereto were added 50 more for carrying Souldiers and transporting Provisions Rebâ—â— Earl of Essex was made General of all the Land-Forces a person in great favour with the Queen for the Honour of his Age. The Charge of the Fleet was committed to the Lord Charls Howard the Admiral thereof both of them had equal power and authority which Thing hath ever been observed prejudicial to Enterprises of that Nature and to have damnified them and hindred their Success They were both of very unsuitable Dispositions Essex in a Youthful Heat of Bloud seeking to get to himself both the Honour and Name of Chief Captain was wont to force the Queen into Arms under the Notion of Danger though she her self as a Woman endeavour'd to avoid Expences And that the Fleet might the more honourably proceed he expended therein no smal matter of his own Estate himself shewing the way to his Relations and Familiars that they might follow his Example Howard being a person more wary of managing Affairs by reason of his Age tended to the contrary and endeavour'd by all means he could to delay the going out of the Fleet And when it was ready he had perswaded the Queen that she would admonish Essex by her Letters that he would desist from that dangerous Vndertaking and that she would re-imburse him what he had laid out But he because he was not plainly forbidden answer'd That he would proceed in his Voyage and doubted not his good Fortune Nor did he refuse his Emulator to be equal with him in Command knowing that his own Authority was greater with the Sea-men and that he upon any Miscarriage should be less blamed where all Things were done with a Companion And besides under pretence of Honour he had won as many Noble-men as he could to go with him who he knew had no kindness for him lest in his absence they should do him greater damage at home There were added to both of them as Counsellors several great Souldiers and no Order should be effectual but what was approved by the consent of the greater part of them The Queen 's principal Care was That they should fall upon the Spanish Fleet that was set out against England or Ireland and destroy whatever they met to that intent Moreover And if they could intercept the Ships coming from the Indies or elsewhere the Prey therein taken should be the Reward of their well-deservings The Ships set out by the Hollanders and the rest of the League were in number 24. the greatest part of which were well fitted and prepar'd for War the Admiral whereof was John Duvenvord Warmondt to whom next to the Prince the chief Command in Sea-Affairs through Holland was committed Also there were some selected men out of the English Regiments then in Pay in the Low-Countries sent aboard which indeed were the strength of the Fleet and a Pattern to the Fresh-water Souldiers And the States willingly consented to it that they might by such a Friendly Office please the incensed
of November he set forth an Edict wherein declaring with many Circumlocutions the grievousness of the Usury he suffer'd insomuch that Husbandry ceased and Merchandizing was left off That the Customs of the Kingdom the Tenths of Priests granted to him by the Pope and the Tributes of several Nations were all detained by most unjust Covenants which the fear of worse Evils had extorted And in regard that ail his many Labours in behalf of Christianity would be perverted unless some speedy course were taken to supply or prevent those Necessities Wherefore without any other pretence of words he declared That whatsoever had been by him pawned or laid to pledge was absolutely free from every such Obligation So that he presently laid hold of all his Possessions leaving to the Usurers at the present nothing but hopes Adding withall this Proviso That whatsoever had been paid above lawful Interest should be deducted from the Principal In the mean while a great many were stripped of their Wealth though some under a false pretence of Poverty abused it to great advantage And this same Calamity for the like Reasons fell also upon some in the Netherlands The Arch-Duke hereby was surprized with such a want of Money that the next year he suffer'd by it most inexplicable Damage So that at last all came to his wonted course not so much for shame of the Creditors who cryed out There was no Faith left if the Royal Power would take upon it self the infringement of Covenants as because the Names of the Revenues coming in were various and where hence Money should be brought the Ways were infested with Thieves and the Charges of the War required a present Remedy But this could not be obtained before the Promises and Engagements were renewed by the Restauration of the Pawns and promise to pay every Moneth Eighteen Thousand Duckets and adde to the old Bank Four Hundred more the Third Part of which to be paid in Spain and the Residue in the Netherlands by Bill of Exchange But among the Hollanders as the Dearth and scarcity of Provision in Italy decreased so did their Revenues both publick and private For supply whereof the Hollanders besides their old Taxes lately increased an Eighth Part imposed a new one whereby they might restrain Riot and Excess daily increasing or else bring the Gain thereof to the publick Advantage There was a Rate set upon all those that sold Silk and other such like pretious Commodities for Garments But when as the Collector began to put in Execution the said Tax at first the People began to rail with scurrilous Language but afterward they fell to open force and blows They who without grudging underwent the burden of daily Provision for Extraordinaries yet strove against this as if it had bin for their Liberty But this seem'd a Reproach not a Tribute for the Contumacy of some so witstood the publick Authority that it appear'd unsafe to incline to the contrary But in Frizeland they who had the charge both of the Cities and the Country not yet agreeing while every one defends his Possessions against the payment of Tributes they made it evident with what Diseases chiefly the Common-wealth may be afflicted where there is not likewise a common profit But the chief care of the Nobles was bent to settle and confirm a League between themselves and the French and English for hitherto they had given Assistance one to the other at request and their own pleasure which had sometimes been the cause of Complaints among them and on all sides produced Threats tending to the breach of Peace But the Hollanders who had perpetual cause of War and as for the most part such Alliances overstrain the Inferiours while their Forces were at War in France or at Sea with the English lost Hulst and all the Tributes growing out of Flanders no man caring for their Griefs or Losses In the mean while the French not dissembling concerning Calais and the Succours sent too late complainad That the King's Confidence was deluded who lying at the Siege of Fayer with his own Forces fear'd the danger of no part less than of the Sea-Coast And their Courage was heightned from de Maiu and others of that Faction who had preferred the King's Pardon before the Commerce of Foreign Pride And now the great Council of the whole Kingdom of France being summon'd at Roan there appear'd the lawful Face of a Kingdom Nor was there any great aversion in King Philip from hearkning to Pacification which as it was true so that he should marry the King of France his Daughter was first onely a Spanish Device a little after strengthned with a false â—umour But Queen Elizabeth the Counts of Bulloin and Sancy being sent Embassadors to her from France at such time as Albertus had taken Calais at first shew'd her self very strange towards them as if she could very ill spare to lend them five and twenty thousand Scutes But shortly after taking a nearer view of the danger of her own accord she not onely kept the Embassadors with her but treated with them of a more setled League the Conditions and Articles whereof were then begun to be discoursed of In the interim the talk of Peace more and more increasing the King signified to the Vnited States and by that Name they being much troubled that the King had changed his Religion that he was so high in the Pope's Favour that he accepted of him to be a Moderator and Reconciler of Differences in Religion nor was it a wonder if he endeavour'd to win the Minds of the Vulgar by the pretence of Peace But if the League was confirm'd he would be ready to invade the Borders of Artois with 8000 men which was beyond the strength of his Nobility But for all this great ostentation when at the Siege of Hulst a little after such an Action would have been most acceptable the French never so much as made an offer to stir And besides Count Bulloin being return'd home and again to be sent into England for conclusion of the League was detained Three Moneths And there was at this time a Truce agreed between the Garrisons of Calais and Bulloin all which Things the French excused thus That they were not able to bring forth their Army because the French Nobility are always wont to rest themselves from all Actions Military in time of Harvest and not onely so but the Netherlandish Border also were visited with the Plague That the League was delay'd onely while it might be fully deliberated in all the French Parliaments and that the Truce was quickly broken off But the Hollanders had more to do with Queen Elizabeth who now for two years together had required them to come to an Account and re-imburce her Money enumerating the Successes of the War not without a shew of Emulation and the stately structures of their Cities And on the other side declaring her own Necessities which she could not supply with continual Veins
afterwards taken by that Name besides the ignominy was glad to redeem himself with a great Sum of Money Thus were the French wholly become Masters of the Field and being Conquerors in all the Fights of Horse with long Marches tired out the Foot The Winter now approaching the King of France as if he intended somewhat against Henalt requir'd the States That they would disturb the Enemies quiet in another part They fulfilling the Request without any other Reason though to their great disadvantage put some Souldiers aboard Ships at Berghen until they were informed that the King's Endeavors were hindted by the increase and overflowings of the Rivers and that all the French Forces for fear of the Cold were marched quite out of the Netherlands Another great and insolent Mischief attended the Arch-Duke's Poverty for the Germans though they were sworn to him because they were not paid their Wages seized Herentals against whom some Spaniards being sent to revenge the imitation of their own Customs and strongly repulsed infinitely increased the Sedition And in Walcheren one John Wrâ—mys a Scot was put to Death for that he sollicited others to deliver up to the Spaniard Vere a Town in that Island yet affirming he was mov'd thereto by the Jesuits About this time Messengers were sent to the King of Spain day after day That he labour by all means to raise what Money he could that the Fleet might be expedited and to the same purpose that he would lay a Restriction upon all Forreign Ships whatsoever and besides that they make diligent search for all Hollanders and bring them to punishment This being heard it pleased the States to make a Decree for that there was not caution enough used against danger that no one should dare to carry Corn into Spain and there was the greater Reason for this being a dangerous year both Poland and Prussia retaining their Harvests by the like means by shunning Famine at home they sent it to their Enemy and notwithstanding Amsterdam resisted this Decree whose principal gain consisted in that Transportation yet by the consent of the rest of the Cities it was confirmed And lest domestick offences should make any of them become a prey to the French or English they set some Ships of War upon the Sea running by their Coasts which when to search all Ships when they went out In the Month of November the Spanish Fleet as if impatient through fury to defer the revenge of the injury done to them at Cadiz until the Summer set out consisting of one hundred Sayl of Ships wherein were fourteen thousand Souldiers under the Command of Martin Padilla report giving out that they intended for Cornwall where Britain stretcheth out her Land to the Southward between France and Ireland And it was added further that the King of Spain would give England as a Dowry to his Daughter having first purged it from Heresie in Religion and this was given out least the fear of Foreign Empire should avert their affections But the same God who had often before prevented them in the like endeavours now again shewed his power for in one night forty of their Ships were cast away upon the Sands and Shallowes with the loss of five thousand men and a great Sum of Money The greatest harm to the Spaniard was his own diffidence for the German and Netherlandish Officers which they had taken into the Fleet admonishing them to go another way they compelled with drawn Swords to follow the ill presaging Signs of them going before At length among the hindermost of the Ships a certain Seaman of Holland was believed who eight years before having great Rewards for preserving many of the Spaniards by so much the more faithfully he now again performed the like Office They that survived this mischief which hapned about the Promontory called Artabram returned home But the Dunkerkers in the Netherlands being commanded to expect this Fleet in the mean while rested quiet Thus without damage done to any of the Sea-Coasts this yeaâ— was ended with the Hollanders but on the contrary they burned two Ships which were built at Newport Moreover this restless People sailed to the places of the Spanish Negotiation being Islands beyond the Equinoctial Circle being most fruitful of Salt without any labour of man They went also to Guiny for Gold Ivory Pepper and Brasile-Wood and St. Thomas Island for Sugar and all this for gain sake contrary to the Kings Edict feigning themselves to be Portugueses But most wonderful and where to the Antients have not delivered any like matter nor are there any Testimonies of this more experienced Age like to that which the Hollanders undertook and performed the latter end of this year and the beginning of the next when now the third time they went into the North all whose Secrets they throughly searched They remembred that the search after great things is long and difficult that all the corners of the new World were not found out at once that the Portugueses had made long stayes upon the edges and skirts of America And they who were skilful in Nature pointed out a surer way through the open Ocean whose reciprocal ebbing and flowing keeping by motion the Waves thereof free defends them also against the violence of the cold Two Ships leaving the Islands of Orckney and Norway putting out far to Sea from thence steered divers courses both towards the North but the one inclining more to the East the other to the West There lies in that Sea a Land full of grass which is wonderful in that Scituation and most pleasantly green where the Pole is elevated eighty degrees though the Antients counted it distant from the Equator above ninety But whether it was encompassed by the Sea or hath further behind it a larger Continent was not then tryed Some of the Seamen thought it to be the Isle of Groenland famous of old for the Commerce from Venice Norway and the Low-Countries now the name thereof is onely mentioned the Dane claiming it as a part of his Dominions but to little purpose since he cannot find it This proceeded from the sloath of such as denyed things formerly known both in Writings of Antiquity and even in the memories of some alive Whereas we follow Nature to the most remote distances as knowing what God hath discovered to us by nearer Journies But afterwards a more diligent search being made by Island we found that Groenland was something more distant from the North In this Land which we found having no Inhabitants the first discoverer thereof had placed Monuments made of thick square Timber and Stones whereon was written the name of Spitsberg from the sharp pointed Mountain tops so called-as was believed in which very place as appears both by Fame and Records that in after-times the fruitfulness of its many bayes for the catching of Whales hath been no small occasion of discord between the English and the Hollanders There also are found Birds not unknown in ouâ—
Affairs of the Country they were called Hovet-men according to Custom should be chosen by the City Senate which the House of Austria had preserved entire in Gelderland the rest of the same Court by the States As to Merchandising it was thus moderated That whatever was of the Growth of the Country or Manufacted there should not be exported till it had been first brought to Groeningen Market neither might they use any other Drink then what was brewed there in Groening this Ale there made is of Water boyled with Barley the common Drink of Germany and the familiar use there made this the more easily accepted by both but for foreign Merchandises free liberty was allowed Many other things there were of like nature composed which although at first moved with high Contests yet coming short of the intent aymed at it irked to perform But now the contention of the Hollanders with those of Zeland was so much the more grievous by how much the Unity of the entire Body was maintained by the Wealth of these The difference was about Customs which were raised by Transportation of Commodities either to Foreign Nations or the Enemy This the several Provinces looked upon not as a peculiar Propriety but the common Stock of the League for bearing the Charge of the Naval-Affairs which if it fell short by any means they were for the publick good to make up out of their private Purses The Zelanders stretched this further compelling all sorts of Commodities that were brought out of Holland and passed by their Islands to other places to pay another part of Custom with them which because it could not be hindred was by a temporary Agreement between the two Provinces confined But the Hollander renounced this Convention relying upon an Edict of the United States which declared that where Carryage was taken in there the freight ought to be payd Besides this the Zelanders were accused that by diminishing the Customs and punishments they had reduced the common Stock into their hands as of right and by that meanes and the like deceits they had converted all forreign Trade and the advantages thereof to themselves against the Faith and Agreement of so necessary an Allyance whereto when they answered that the Hollanders by their Covetousness obtruded the name of the States as otherwhere the name of the Prince and Senate that they intermingled in one many Controversies Nor did they both cease to prefer their own merits in the management of the War before those of the other objecting to each other sloath and neglect and if the League should be dissolved they could among themselves have sufficient strength to maintain and defend their private Affairs Nay to such a height was the Zelanders fury risen that they denyed to pay any Tribute to the League which afterward other meaner and less considerable People taking into example it was scarce agreed at length that some Commodities of Zeland being relinquished for the future their Authority should be preserved in the great Counsel of the General States While these things were in Agitation several Forreign Embassies were heard where were at large discoursed the benefits and prayse of Peace with the miseries and complaints of War the Spaniard in the interim taking care not so much to obtain Peace as to throw the Odium of the War upon the States as denying and being averse to peace Among these Embassies the ingrateful Speech of Paulus Dialius sent to them from Sigismund King of Poland was taken notice of who in a Latine Speech thundring aloud when he talked much of the duties of Subjects towards their Princes he threatned to the Hollanders certain ruine from the Spanish greatness unless they acknowledged their fault and desired Pardon offering the King his Master as a Mediator but on the contrary he highly extolled King Philips goodness and fidelity and that before the Sons and Kinsmen of the Prince of Aurange and Count Egmonde no less were the names of Christianity and that the Turkish Power though at such distance hung over their heads with terrour the hither Poland to redeem its fear thereof with Peace having withdrawn it self from the common War Nor was it unknown to the States how the Polander and Spaniard were linked together both by necessity and Allyance and which was the nearest tye of all the Jesuites residence in the Kings Court. To this it was modestly answered as to cause and danger of Peace and that the Spaniard waged more cruel Wars against the Christians than the Turks cut of an excessive ambition of Soveraignty Whereof Sigismund ought rather to take care before any domestick Conjunction And when He notwithstanding this yet grew more cholerick as if he intended to break off all commerce they who treated with him affirmed that they were in no more need of the Polanders Harvest if the Laws of humanity should be violated then the Polanders were of their money At this time also the Emperour and Princes of Germany and the chief City sent to require Audience of a most magnificent Embassie which the States suspecting the preparation of so great an Authority excused whereupon they sent other Letters by Charles Nutselius questioning with some bitterness whether that were the Reverence they bore to the Germane Allyance and whether they would return this thanks for all the benefits they had received to deny to them their Friends what was granted even to Enemies among all Nations Nor would it be sufficient for the Embassadors onely to treat of Peace which yet that it might be without Fraud and secure if any occasion should be given they should diligently take care but also of many other weighty Affairs which concerned the Hollanders no less than the Germans This Nutselius interpreted to relate to the restauration of the old Leagues protesting not without threats that no man should despise the Majesty of the Empire unpunished To this the States with great Humility replyed that they did this onely out of Honour and Reverence to the German name that they might be premonished lest they should put themselves to the trouble of a vain and fruitless Embassie There being no persons in the World that could better understand their Affairs and what was expedient for them then themselves With a little more seriousness came from the King of Denmark Arnoldus Witfeldius the President of that Kingdom and Christian Barnicavius the same King as was believed by most doing this rather because he could not refuse it than of his own accord for he had been a Fatherly Friend both to the House Nassau and the People of Holland and besides prosessed the sincere and reformed Religion and therefore would require nothing that might seem fraudulent either to that or them But because in Peace God might be more purely worshipped and both publick and private Affairs consisted more safely without the chances of War he hoped they would not look upon him as an unacceptable or uncapable Authour of so great a good To these so
with so small Forces had compassed such long Marches through divers Countries and reduced them from the Contribution and Prey of the Enemy for the future to be safe by the Boundaries of Rivers was celebrated with the more than ordinary Affection and Joy both of the States and People Insomuch that some of the Princes of Germany publikely in their Dyet made the Motion That he might be made General of the War against the Turks whose Valour and Fortune it was probable would put new Life into the Hungarian Affairs which then lay gasping through unprosperous Successes But this Joy did not continue long without a Repulse being inteâ—rupted by a Domestick Affliction because his Sister Aemilia being stricken with Love without the Knowledge either of her Bâ—other or the States was marryed and this she did as believing or hoping thâ—t their Pardon would be sooner obtained for such an Action than their Consent This Lady hitherto unspotted from the Evil or any of the Germane Manners was allured by the Speeches and Countenance of Emanuel who was noâ— unskilled under the Similitudes of Obsequiouâ—ness to find means no raise Pity especially because being a young man and of Royal Birâ—h he was by Force and Injury driven from his Paternal Inâ—tance for he boasted Don Antonio for his Father who for a while was King of Portugal This man with his Brother Christopher having wandred thâ—ough France England and all other places in Hostility with King Philip seeing the young Lady and conversing with her as oft as he pleased which Liberty is granted by Custom and remains as the onely Relique of Antient Simplicity since it self was lost he assumed the hoped of Affinity with the Nassuian Family although besides the inequality of his Fortune there was a discrâ—pancy in the Religion which they â—oth professed from their Father At first therefore this new Bride and Bridegroom are forbidden the Princes presence and thereupon for asswaging his Anger they retired to Wesel from whence returning into Holland with their small Revenue they lived after the manner of private persons This was so much the more grievous to her being the Prince of Aurange's Daughter and Niece to the Duke of Saxony because both before and also at the same time she had Sisters of the Bourbonian Bloud by the Mothers side that by the Authority of the State who gave them Portions out of the Publike-Stock lived like Princes in great state and with a noble Retinue for Ludovica Julianâ— was marryed to the Prince Palatine one of the Electors of the Empire Isabella to Henry Duke of Bulloyne and Catharina surnamed Belgica to Philip Count of Harcovia a Person of no small Wealth among the Franks But Carola to whom the Brabanders would have that Name given was bestow'd upon Claudius of the Family of Tremoyle Duke of Tuart in Poictou a man of eminent power for whose Marriage sake Henry Frederick obtained to have an Embassage from the States as well to see the manners of France with his Mother as the King The Winter this year proved dangerous to Holland on that side towards the North by breaking down the Banks and causing great Inundations the like whereof hapned also about Groâ—â—gen And the frequent breaking out of Fires in Amsterdam made them there have suspition of Treachereous dealing from the Enemy With the Arch-Duke there was such a scarcity of Money that the Souldiers began to mutiny in every place for beginning at first in Gelders the Example passed to Wachtendone and thence soon after to Calais Câ—mbray Ardres Capelleâ— Chasteâ—et Lire Dorsan Sclâ—ya Sâ—um and Gaunt which were all infected with the same Contagion In some places they thrust out their Captains in other places the Officers joyned voluntarily with the Souldiers and when a little money was procured and sent to some of them that was but a provocation of others that had none to the like or greater Disorders chusing rather the Rewards of a Licentious Sedition than the empty Honour of an unprofitable Obedience Hereupon several Cities refused to receive Garisons And the Arch-Duke himself with his Retinue was shut out of Venloo and all the rest of the Winter was spent in divers contrivances relating both to Beaâ— and War even until the beginning of the following Year â— Some Traytors also were hired to bring the Spaniards into the Isle of Tolen but they exâ—iated their impious and unhappy Designs with the loss of their Lives And againâ— another while a Party was sent to take the strong Hold of Barghen-op-Zoom by force while yet the Fortifications were imperfect and at the same time another select Band to force the Gate of Gertruydenberg but both of them being discover'd by Scouts were forced to depart without attempting any thing About this time all Things seemed to incline towards Peace for Philip himself being wearyed out both of his Courage and Forces by a Forreign War with France a Naval War with England and as it were a Civil War in the Netherlands and learning by Example That many times Hopes are destroyed by Hopes or that the hasty Steps of Old Age and Diseases wherewith he was now broken had inclined him to more wild and moderate Counsels he desired to hide his Arms or to distract and break the new-made Society of his Enemies And the Opinion of most was that he chiefly aimed to rid himself of the French and Dutch Wars that so he might the more readily revenge himself upon England and with the less charge for in France the loss of Aâ—iens and in the Netherlands of several Cities beyond the Rhine had much increased his Enemies Forces and lessned his own besides the Country was wasted his Credit exhausted from whence grew Seditions it being impossible to keep a setled and strict Discipline where the Souldiers want their Pay and if any part of the Souldiery be sent away while the Enemy hovers up and down it is very dangerous because both the Cities of the Netherlands and the Nobility are for their forepassed Acts as much suspected as any In the mean while among the Hollanders the Country is secure and the Sea open which daily yields much profit and still promiseth more And to this purpose certain Letters written by Albertus to the King and intercepted spoke It pleased him therefore to begin with the French King because under the pretence of the same Religion that seem'd both more feazible and convenient especially since Pope Clement had often admonish'd him That since the Family of Bourbon was receiv'd into the Romane Church he should incease to trouble him And if he yet did proceed further that his former Wars would seem to have been made more out of Ambition and the Thirst of Empire than his Care of Religion or Piety Adding moreover all that could be said for the advancement of Concord among Christians and promoting the War against the Turks But Philip along time contemned all these Warnings though now at last he began to approve thereof but chiefly
be content in their present estate and not seek change or alteration Observe also what a pernitious Example he induceth who however for Ambition and Dominion sake he hath voluntarily submitted himself to the Yoke commands all Kingdoms to bow to the Pope and calls not onely the People thereof whom he hires to Sedition but the very Kings themselves Rebels Certainly to this man there will never be wanting either a cause or a pretence for War but that he may sometimes want hopes next to God Almighty it lies Great Queen in your Hands and if you resolve with Us to Conquer We shall be ready to run the extreamest Hazards for our Social Fidelity and we hope you will rather maintain your wonted Constancy than neglect Advantage and by the ruine of your Friends promulgate and corroborate the Enemies strength The Consultations upon this Matter in the Queen's Court were various and both Opinions had strong Supporters to know whose Behaviour and Affections will not be from the purpose that it may appear how the Perswaders Authority bore sway in the Publike Counsels The Earl of Essex as we have elsewhere declared being a young man and burning with the desire of Glory was a Liberal Giver beyond the Ability of his Estate wholly spending himself in compassing the Love of the Nobles Commons and Souldiers having no hopes in Peace but putting great Confidence in the Friendship of the Hollanders and therefore he being General of all Forces in England was for the War with Spain affirming That it could not be put off unless at once both the Queen's Security Credit and Charges should all be hazarded On the other side the Lord Burghly from a private Person being called to the Court and advanced to the high Honour of being Lord Treasurer of England minding wholly the Care of the Treasury especially now in the declining of his Age and his Parsimony agreeing with that of the Queen being also very rich and well-grounded in Experience and so by his Authority preceding the others Favour This man with grave Words praising Christian Concord debated among all the doubtful Counsels what was the most pious and honest to be follow'd He said That a present Commodity ought to be preferr'd before the Incertainties of Suspition and that Peace would not be more profitable to the Enemy than to the English and is the strength of out Countrey so little known that it cannot be safe but at the pleasure of the Hollander when in the mean time the French out of common fear and the Hollanders themselves out of their Care of Religion are tyed with stronger Bonds against Danger by Necessity than by a League Besides the Spaniard is willing to be quiet out of a sense of his own infirmiâ—y And then Peace would follow without more ado both in Ireland and elsewhere Queen Elizabeth either really wavering in her Mind or else willing to express all other Things by her fear of Peace made Answer in a very temperate manner That from the beginning she had done nothing without the Advice of her Allies that it was acceptable to her that they had declared their Minds so freely yet there were many and great causes both for her Self and the French that moved them to desire an end of the War and to make her trust to Peace by removing or disbanding her Armies for since the Spaniards old hopes have been crossed by the Netherlanders abjuring him the loss of France and so many other slaughters and misfortunes if he should think fit to re-assume his Arms the same God that had helped them before would she doubted not assist them again to maintain their Right by the Sword but if they thought fit to continue in Arms things more certain ought to be offer'd This thing the Peers of England interpreted thus That there was no Fault more heinous than to defraud the Queen of her Rights and Duties sometimes by Cavillings otherwhiles by deceitful Supplications and Pretences of Poverty which the Wealth of the Cities in Holland and their well-stocked Treasury openly consuted Nor was it more to be endured that the English should lose the Trade of Spain for them and yet they preferr'd their own Gain before the famishing of their Enemies and so make Merchandize of the War At last this Delay was put to the Pacification that Embassadors from both should go to take notice of the French Affairs And to that purpose by the Queen were sent thither the before-mentioned Cecil and Wilks with whom the hopes of Peace was grown dead by being at the Treaty at St. Quintins for the Spaniards preferred by the Name of Allies those whom the French Peace would advantage giving out at last that they onely should be included in the Treaty who observed the Romane Rites in point of Religion The Embassadors from Holland came a little later by reason of contrary Winds The King at this time was at Angeires busie in pacifying Bretayn which is otherwise called Armorica which as yet Duke Mercury one of the Lorrain Princes the Fury of both Parties being asswaged forcibly detained having deliver'd to the Spaniards the Port of Blavette that they might with more ease land with Supplies But he seeing the King's Army prepar'd on the one hand and a Pardon offer'd in the other and knowing well that when an end is put to a War all subsequent Offences are with severity punish'd obtains for himself and his noble Conditions and an Augmentation of Honour The King at this time was happily without a Wife Margaret of Valois being divorced from him but though his Body was exercised in Military Matters yet his Mind was liable to the Darts of Love for he was absolutely taken with one Gabrielis Estraea a Noble Woman but led aside from the Embraces of her vowed Husband This Woman what with her Beauty and what with her sweet Temptations and alluring Arts had so vanquish'd the King that advancing her to the Title of a Dutchess which was then a Novelty in France so heightned her Pride that though but a Concubine she aspired beyond the Greatness and Authority of a Wife And she also was numbred among the Causes that induced the King's Mind to be inclinable to Peace that he might the more securely enjoy his pleasures with her She had a Son by the King that was four years old and at that time called Caesar whom the King with great Obtestations gave in Charge to Mercury this Woman had also by the King a Daughter very young and appoints to the said Mercury a great Allowance of Money and bestowing upon his Son the Dukedom of Vendosme and the Government of Bretaign And now the Embassadors of Holland just arrive and find the King puffed up with these Matters together with the Spanish Pacification and yet if by chance that had failed he had called a Council of the Brittons to consult about the Siege of Blavette Mounsieur Buzanvale who was well-skill'd in Affairs of that sort and one of the
Philip took Care for his Daughter to whom he was about to give the Low-Countries as also for the Duke of Savoy Hereupon Areschot Mendosa and Aremberg went into France and Mareschal Biron was sent by the King to Bruxels to see Albertus take the Oath where the impotent Mind and Spirit of that great Souldier which was always beyond his Fortune was said to be corrupted into Treachery which afterwards more clearly appear'd All Things on both sides being thus done for the conclusion of the Peace which yet was repined at by some whose Valour and Hopes was nourished by other Mens Evils but all the Commons rejoyced at it not so much for that hereby much Christian Blood would be saved as for that the Law was restored to its power by which they should with security enjoy their Possessions reap the Rents and profits of their Lands and the Ways be all open for free Trading Then was the first day that France could boast of a solid Peace after it had been for 36 Years wasted with War and bathed in her own Blood then was restored to this most antient Kingdom its pristine Face of Beauty and all by the King's Care that the Governours and Magistrates being reduced to Order himself growing powerful by the Excuse of the Catholikes in regard of the Times that he might by Fear or Force compel the Professors of another Religion when in the interim the Netherlanders were left in Arms that they might not onely lose the Hopes of Peace but any interval or solace from their Neighbour's sufferings Yet the King sent back Mounsieur Buzanvale to the Hollanders by which Witness of his Friendship and secret Converse he might confirm his Peace even while there continued by publike Declaration a Forein War The business of France thus finish'd there was no less Experiment of Princely Alliance received out of England by the earnest Desire of Qu. Elizabeth which being related to the States by Sir Francis Vere when at the same time other Embassadors were sent to Albertus as if she would seem still to retain the hopes of Peace of which she said This had been the onely Delay hitherto that she desired to lay down Arms with the same Colleagues for whom at first she took them up And that nothing could be now demanded of her by the Hollanders but onely Right they having given the first cause of War it was necessary if it might be that an end should be put to it by them but if not that for the future they should give their Reasons for the continuance of it And certainly it would be a sufficient Cause for all Princes to envy and hate them that they have been and are the onely Obstructers of the Peace of Europe But God she hoped would not suffer that being deluded by ingrateful Determinations she should be a Pattern to Princes to abstain from helping such a People who bear no Reverence to their Superiours nor take care for Advantage Reputation or Safety of any but themselves The States now thought themselves at one blow almost overwhelmed both for their former and future Charge yet that the Name of an Alliance with England was of such benefit to them that they would submit to such Conditions as the Queen of England being their Superiour in strength would lay upon them Wherefore sending them who had been employ'd in both the former Embassies together with Andrew Ascel who had private Instructions which gave him power of Treating concerning the Monies due to her and concluding about the same even to the Sum of a Hundred Thousand Florens At this time there were divers occasions offer'd themselves to the Queen who already pretended great Fears whereby she was disswaded from War For James King of Scotland of whom Queen Elizabeth made no mention secretly claiming the Inheritance of the Crown Of England did not think himself able enough thereto unless he were supported by some Forein Help Not did there want some who pretending to have found some Letters written by King James that came to the Pope raised from thence great Hatred and Jealousies Moreover the Lord Burghley being grown very weak through Age and Diseases Beseeched her as she loved God to have regard to his dying Words whereby he advised Her That she would give Credit to him now going out of the World that she would without an inforcement of Necessity consult the good of her Kingdom and by the making of Peace in Earth merit the everlasting Peace of Heaven Nor did he omit to declare to her her ill Fortune in America and the fear that was conceived of the Irish Affairs affirming That the Belgick Wars were never to be ended by Conquest As soon as this man was dead and Essex for the avoiding of Envy declined to come to the Council-Table the Court soon appear'd empty of Care and Counsel in Defence of its own Right Whereto the States Embassadours being often admitted they excused themselves by reason of the Times for their not paying of the Queens old Debt due from them professing That as to what related to the Spanish Negotiation they did not intercede whereby the English if they pleased should be hindred more than the Dutch from making use of the Name of any People being in Peace unless they believed it more profitable to compass what they desire by Arms than by Commerce or Trading Neither did they desire but that the League made 18 years before when the Troubles of Antwerp affrighted the English no less than the Hollander yet never faithfully observed should so long after be changed into another form that it might now bind all those which before thought themselves free from the performance thereof Sometime was spent in debating and setling the Sum of the Debt for that the Engish reckon'd their Musters of Men and their Transportation and Wages too high while the other side averred those Musters to be untrue maintaining withall That several Naval Expeditions of the English had cost the Hollanders more than all the Money they ever borrow'd would make a Compensation for At last after Cautions entred it was agreed to the Sum of Fourscore Hundred Thousand Florens The one part of which should be paid by Three Hundred Thousand Florens Yearly during the War And at the end of the War if ought remain'd behind it should be paid by Twenty Thousand Florens Yearly The other moiety should be peaceably appointed when there was a Peace concluded and payment thereof made upon the Surrender of the cautionary Towns In the interim the English should continue their Garrisons therein to the number of One Thousand a hundred and fifty By this Reckoning also the States were to pay every Three Moneths Five Thousand and a Hundred Florens to the said Garrisons besides all other Necessaries fitting for the Souldiers And for the future the Queen's Promise of sending hem more Aid was remitted The English that were in the States Service already or hereafter should be Listed for their Service
should be raised onely in their Name and should fight under their sole Command and at their Charge And from thenceforth the so much envyed Authority of the English Embassadour was absolutely taken away Yet still the Queens Priviledge of nominating an Assistant to sit with the Senate was reserved If the Queens Enemies should invade her either by Land or Sea or the Queen should think sit to make War upon her Enemies the Dutch upon notice should add to her Fleet 30 or 40 lusty and stout Ships together with an Army of Five Thousand Foot and Five Hundred Horse Upon these Articles and Covenants a firm Agreement was made but reserving to the Queen her Right that she might vindicate her cause against the Netherlander under the King of Spain's Jurisdiction There was excepted out of this League Palavine's Debt of Fourscore Thousand Florens which was afterwards privately compounded It was not that England chose Peace rather than War by this League but that as it was eased of a Burthen so it had gained thereby a Fortification Not long after this some were taken who went about to poyson Queen Elizabeth and in Ireland by one happy Fight and the taking of a Castle was the cruel Tyrone made Prisoner while he was drawing the Province of Munster to partake in his Rebellion No more did the Hollanders repent them of their Old Resolution although there was a new Face of Affairs with the Enemy and many ways were sought to invite them Aod now the Report of the New Marriage grew every day more frequent these being Letters brought to the Netherlanders by Friasio whereby the whole Government of them was turned over to the Princess Isabella The Causes and Articles of which King Philip published to be these When by the Pope's Licence he had destined and by the Consent of all his Relations Resolved to bestow his best Beloved Daughter in Marriage upon his Kinsman he conceiv'd it would be of great Advantage to the Netherlanders to the advancement of Peace and settlement of the present Government that they might always have their Prince present among them which their Ancestors could not be in regard of their many and great Cares and therefore he did give and grant unto his said Daughter all the whole Country of the Netherlands and every part thereof together with Charlois and the County of Burgundy together with the Name of Duke of Burgundy for the French had long since got the possession thereof yet so that himself and his Successours Kings of Spain should enjoy the Honour of the same Title with the chief place among the Knights or Companions of the Golden Fleece being an Order instituted by his Fore-Fathers Adding moreover all other Things that were thought fit by Men learned in the Law for Confirmation of the Premisses by which the Rights of Principality and the Revenues and all other Incidents pertaining thereto might the more rightly descend and pass unto the said Isabella and her Posterity These Things were the more remarkable because Philip using the word Clientole did declare That he gave all those Dominions to his Daughter in Fee And this seems to be added because the greatest part of the Lands were held of the Empire and other part of the Crown of France and then because by his Command the Oath which the Nobles had formerly taken was to be alter'd now from the Obligation to himself in a New Obedience to his Daughter And if any thing contained in these Instruments seemed to contradict the Law in my point that he did confirm by his Supream and Royal Authority And if it should happen that no Children should proceed of this Marriage or that Issue Male or Female did ever fail all the aforesaid Premisses and the Right thereof to revert to the Kings of Spain And this was given as a Reward to the Merits of Albertus that he might have the Government of the Netherlands as a Comfort to his Wiâ—owship And if there were any Issue then the use and profits thereof but nothing to descend to the Heir besides the Revenue of the Dutchy of Lutzenburg and the County of Chiny There was also prescribed an Order of Succession First to the Male then to the Female and so to the Younger and the Elder Daughters Nephew should procede the Younger Son That it should not be lawful to divide or alien the Lands unless by the King's Licence And it was provided also that this Gift should return to the Donor many ways As if any Woman should for the future attain the Netherlands that it should presently return to the Hands of the King of Spain or his Heirs neither might it be lawful for a Son or Daughter being Princes of the Country to marry or otherwise alter their condition unless by the Consent of the same King Moreover They are forbidden by themselves or their Ministers to intermeddle in the Trade of America or the Indies and that every one coming to that Government is to swear to these Articles and also to maintain the Romane Catholike Religion And if any thing be done to the contrary the Right of the Netherlands to come to the Spaniards These Instruments were signed by the Father and attested by Witnesses the Sixth of May. The same day the King's Son and Heir Philip also by Name gave his Consent to the same by Writing carefully taking Cautions according to the Laws There were divers Speeches concerning this matter and they disagreeing among themselves as is usual in such Cases Some accused this as an Evil Custom that the Heads of Free-men or any private Service should be rated and valued That it was onely used by Barbarians to give and bestow Dominions For of what value was a Prince among them who never knew what belonged to Lordship But to them that make a distinction between Right and Wrong it is nothing ambiguous because the matter belonging to the People makes the Government from thence be called a Commonwealth The ordering whereof as it is in some places committed to the Nobles or Senate so with most it is setled under the Tuition of a Prince Nor was there ever any just Empire but what begun by the Consent of the People who have trusted the Defence thereof either to one Single Person or else by reason of Faction in Suffrages to more who have this onely Reward of their Honour that next to their own Welfare they take Care of the benefit of their Subjects Which as it is true every where so is it more manifest among the Netherlanders who being neither Conquer'd by Arms nor yet willing of their own accord to serve will not suffer their Princes to do many Things but with a Limited Power and Revenues it being chiefly forbidden left at any time they should break any part of the Trust commiâ—ted to them And therefore in former Time the Daughters were put off with a small Portion in Money To the rest of the Children were given Governments and other small Offices the
and Treacherous was their seizure of several Castles held by the Noble-men which till that time had been Fautors of the Spaniards in all their wicked Actions The beginning of their Rapines was committed upon the People of Munster and the Borders of Brentheym which places not being sufficient for the Support and Maintenance of their Forces Reclinhusen a place belonging to the Bishop of Colen situate between the Rivers Luppe and Roer was added where Velasco took the City of Dorst by a violent Assault thereof in a Warlike manner with his Canon which Contumelious Act the Colonian Bishop taking no Notice of made all his Subjects imagine that it was so done and suffer'd by private Agreement among Them Hence the Evil spread further to the People of Mons and Marchia until it reached both sides of the Dutchy of Cleves and there oppressed many Cities which at their first coming they had not medled with Others were forced to purchase Freedom at a great Rare among which the City of Cleves it self the principall Seat of the infirm Duke In which places they got so great Booty that the very Common Souldiers Treated with Merchants of Colen to return great Sums of Money for them to Antwerp This their Covetousness at first sprung from Pride and was afterwards increased by Cruelty insomuch that contemning the parsimonious living of the Boors they commanded those ignorant People to provide for them dear and far-fetched Dainties and all other Provocatives of Luxury and Riot And if any were backward in performing their unreasonable Commands or seemed either to hide or convey away their Wealth they were beaten and tormented in that barbarous manner that sometimes they were maimed in their Lims otherwhiles Incisions made into their Flesh nay and some were scorched and half burned alive not forbearing these frightful Terrours and Punishments to Women great with Child and young Infants Of which Barbarisms and innumerable Murthers the Germans publish'd divers Examples attested by the Credit of many worthy and known Persons And if the Villany of these Wretches had stopped here there might yet have been some pretence made by them but as if those forementioned Crimes had been too little they spared not the Houses of Noble Persons but violated also the Sacred Societies of Holy Virgins who had wholly dedicated Themselves to the Service of God Raging moreover with such an unrestrained Lust that they spared not immature and tender Virginity and if the Womens Chastity deluded their Hopes their Husbands were produc'd and made a laughing stock to command their own dishonour yea and Mothers compelled to bring forth and prostistitute their Daughters These were the Deeds of a People professing Peace which the most inraged Victor hardly attempted I am sure never defended in the heat of War And it is hardly to be believed how negligently and remissly that Nation which had been the Conquerour of others and so earnest in the Defence of Liberty took these Things But besides a long Peace which usually effeminates the most Manly Minds here was discover'd the imperfection of that Government that is divided into many Hands not onely in the Difficulty of their Meetings in Council but in their Difference of Affections which is most frequent among Them by reason of Emulation And this certainly was that the Spaniards would have wished nor was his Endeavour therein wanting that Matters should not be ended at One but deferred from Council to Council In the interim not one scarcely daring to Repel an Injury done him because the Publike Management of War for the General Vindication was delayed onely Count Oldenburg the Bishops of Breme and Osnaburg and Count John of Nassaw being a little further distant slighted the Threats of the Tumultuary Souldier whereof they had Notice whose Examples were afterwards safely follow'd by all those further Parts But for the Dutchy of Cleves and their Neighbours of Westfalia there was no other help than those of Prayers and Letters Which made Charles Nutselius whom the Emperour had sent to settle and order the Affairs of Cleves to detest the Persidy and dishonourable Dealings of the Austrians because he saw that under the Protection and by the Connivence of King Philip and the Arch-Duke Albertus who pretended Themselves Vindicators of the Romane Religion such abominable and unparallel'd Villanies were committed against the Laws of Nature and Mankind and against all Bonds and Covenants The Duke of Lorain said no less whose Daughter was marryed to the Duke of Cleves and his Son to the King of France his Sister protesting That he would not desert his Relations nor would be deserted by them But from Rodolphus being by Nature given to delay and now either for fear or grief hiding himself that he could not be spoken with other then by Letters although the Westfalians and other Princes living about the Rhine at their Request daily sollicited not onely himself but his Ministers of State intrusted by him yet could they obtain nothing but empty Words and fruitless Embassies Hereupon Albertus then being at Millain and Cardinal Andrew at Bruxels instead of answering attributed the Causes of all these Evil together with the beginnings of the War and the denial of making Peace to that time to the Rebels and whensoever any Exorbitancies were objected against them which they could not deny they called it a short Extremity whereto they were compelled by Necessity But Mendosa was more insolent who the more plausibly to shun Obedience to his Masters Command denyed That he Warred for the King and that he would neither be danted with the Noise of great Names or frighted with cruel Threats or driven out by any other means than force of Arms Adding moreover That if either Caesar or Germany durst have confided in his Men they might have used them when Bonne and Berck were held by the Hollanders He often boasted himself an Enemy to all Lutherans and that he was sent into those Parts from Heaven to revenge the Impieties there so often and so long perpetrated And now had the Germans seen the Spanish Ensigns display'd in their Country little less then four Moneths when at the very end of the Year one Decree was sent by the Emperour to Mendosa another to the States Against him were objected many and grievous Things To Them that they had occupyed some few places at the Division of the Rhine and breaking into the Jurisdiction of Munster had led away certain Priests Captive and therefore they were both commanded to depart out of the Jurisdiction of Germany to make Reparation for the Rapines and other Damages there done to release all Prisoners and for the future to abstain from oppressing others and this under the Penalties therein contained as if they still offended in the like The Eighth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES THE Spaniards Minds were so obdurated with daily Complaints that at the same time that the Emperour's Herald and the Lorrain Embassadors publikely accused them for their former
out went their Companions who either partly refused or at best were very slow in following the Example The Zelanders chiefly refused to advance their proper Charge by reason of some new or late Losses and among those beyond the Rhine there were used many Evasive Circumlocutions while part study rather the Peoples Favour than the Publike Good and applaud those Impositions which they hoped would be easie for themselvs though they fell heavy upon their Neighbors Others there were who would not be silent when others being quiet they had all the Care of the Commonwealth although the Hollanders winked at it except it were seriously debated in Common-Council they would leave the Care of the out-lying Parts looking onely to their own nearer Necessities and the possession of the Sea Some Comfort was received from the German Princes who as yet having a Suspition and Jealousie of the Spaniard offer'd them continual Aid and Money The Count Palatine excited the rest of his Allies of the same Religion both by Words and Example Shewing to every one of them what Alva had done of old and what Mendosa now and that the Hollanders could not bâ— overcâ—me without the destruction of their Neighbours but if they flourished they would be a great help to many to this for the Defence of Prussia to these of the Possession of the Dutchy of Cleves and to all against the Bishop of Rome and his Followers by whose cruel Hatred and Faction all are oppressed But all this was little hearkned to for the Duke of Brunswic converted his Arms against a City that had assumed too great a Liberty the rest acknowledging themselves unable to maintain the War But Charls Duke of Sudermannia Uncle of Sigismund King of Poland who taking little Care of his Antient People of Sweden and for his earnest Affection against the Romane Religion suspected of Innovation first opposed him in Arms and afterwards in a Publike Assembly when the Kingdom was taken away from him a long time shunning the Name of a King yet usurping the Authority by other Titles when he voluntarily desired the Alliance of the States because he desired some present help and that his hopes were uncertain his Kingdom poor and Forces far distant he was for a time put off with Delays yet because it was an offer'd Friendship it was accepted because he seem'd as it were to fight for Religion making an Excuse That some Holland Ships without any Publike Command had given Aid to Sigismund The Ninth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES THE New Year which closed up a Century as it produced immediatly great Events so it did seem to portend great Changes of Affairs for a long time The Affairs of the Netherlanders under the Princes were in a bad Condition and full of Trouble and so wasted as was hardly to be seen in other places But the Goodness of the Princes as New They in Authority being present and the very greatness of the Distemper hastned to apply Remedies The United States to whom but newly redeem'd from Servitude was accrewed an Ample Dominion made all their Dangers to be but stricter Bonds to connect them being deliver'd by successful Arms although they had since that been reduc'd to no small Necessity out of their Old Discipline retrain'd their Courage against their Enemy but not equally their Concord and Modesty On both Sides then were great and strong Endeavours while for above the space of Thirty Years they contended to put an end to their Labour with which hope they have prosusely wasted their Forces even to Extremity as if Victory had stood before their Eyes promising Reward to them that could hold our longest And first of all the Winter being Frosty the Hollanders escaped great danger by reason the Rivers were all passable upon the Ice from the Enemies seditious Mutinies which they turn'd to their Advantage For Lewis of Nassau marching with great privacy out with a select Party of Horse and Foot broke into Wachtendone a Town not far from the Borders of the Dutchy of Cleves formerly taken by Count Mansfeldt after a Two Moneths Siege when the Duke of Parma had drawn the States Forces another way The Horse which had lately been added to that Garrison for the preserving thereof were then by chance absent forraging about the Borders of the Bishoprick of Colen yet there were theâ—ein 800 Souldiers but the Ice of the Trenches was not broke and the Situation of the Town far from an Enemy and among Cities associated in Frienship made them more secure than usual Therefore a few seizing the Rampire with a small slaughter they open'd the Gates to the rest Then Geleno both Lord and Governour of the Town fled with some few into the Castle in hope of Aid which he had sent to intreat and there endur'd the Terrour both of Granadoes and Bullets thundred upon him until Lewis his whole Party approached and brought Scaling Ladders to the Works and yet some resisted and among them a Woman well grown in Years not without the hazard and Wounds of those that opposed them But at last overcome by Multitude they yielded this place which was not of a contemptible Situation among the Marishes and then was full of good Booty because many of the Boors had betook hither Themselves and their Wealth because the War raged all about those parts After a few days the Souldiers brought in sufficient of all Things both as to Victuals and Defence Among the French that fought for the Hollanders was one Breautee a Gentleman of good Birth and Bloud in Normandy who vaunting in his Youth had challeng'd to fight 20 of Grebendoncks Troop the chief of whom were infamous for the Treacherous Delivery of Gertruydenberg and therefore certainly this was an unbeseeming Contest for a Person of Honour Each of them with an equal Number came out into a Field not far from Shertogenbosch the Grobbendonkians being better Armed but Breautee more exact in his place and order At the first Charge Breautee kill'd the Enemies Leader who was named Abraham but was known in the Camp by the Nick-name of Cook and so sharp was the Fight and the Shot directed so rightly opposite that in the first Conflict on both Sides the one half of the Contenders fell but by the flight of the French whose Courage began to fail in the continuance of the Danger Breautee being left alone having oftentimes changed his Horse and afterwards fighting on foot at last overpressed with a multitude of Enemies yielded himself The French affirm he articled for his Life against which the Brab under say That by Agreement the Conquered were to expect nothing but Death But certainly being Prisoner he had prevail'd much when some sent out of the City kill'd him with 30 Wounds while he onely begg'd they would let him dye Armed and like a Man A Wickedness fit onely to be committed by such ignominious Persons and yet a good Lesson for magnanimous Youth That they should not
great Forces wherewith all the people round about suspected the Spaniard would make War in Italy because also from hence sometimes designs were laid against several Venetian Castles otherwhile new plots were discovered upon some Cities of Low Germany But a sudden peace put a stop to all the Alpine troubles it being agreed That for the Marquisate of Saluzza the County of Breseia in the borders of Lions in which is the bridg of Roan should he delivered to the French adding an exception That it should be lawful to the Spaniard to lead over the said Bridg his Forces either into the Netherlands or Burgundy And now King Henry that after Peace abroad and dissentions in Religion setled at home and ordered by good Laws he might establish his Kingdome in a right Heir desires that the Pope would suffer him to be Divorced from Margaret Valois long since disaffected by him having been of no good fame and besides that for many years barren which was soon granted and he Marryed to Mary the daughter of Francis late Prince of Etruria a Lady of excellent disposition and which by her more mild temper should purge out of France all envy against the Name of Melices And the same Prince confirmed a League of Amity with England by new Conditions wherein was concluded That the boldnese of Pyrats should be restrained by severe Judgments and Pledges The Tenth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES IN this year one thousand six hundred and one The Armies being recruited and augmented did threaten grievous and terrible things for the great Captains lay as it were at watch and fixed in expectancy of the manifestation of each others counsels The whole Winter and Spring was spent in Stratagems and Foraging before the restrained violence of War burst out with greater Force And first of all a Souldier born in Brabant urged by the perswasions of the Jesuits and hired with money that under the pretence of bringing in several prisoners to Gertruydenbergh he should open the Town to the Enemy was apprehended before his design could take effect Soon after some Mauritian Horsemen suddenly forcing a certain Castle in Limburg brought thence a great prey and many Prisoners About the sâ—me time one Captain Cloet was sent to take the Castle of Cracow which is in the Jurisdiction of Meurs and together with the City and Country by gift of the last Earl came to Prince Maurice but had been held by granâ— from the Duke of Parma to Salentine Count Isenborg by the said Count until that time the same Cloet took beyond Wachtendone three hundred Horse and some Foot which being understood one Dulquio Governour of Straten a Town hard by marching out by the Archdukes command with above four hundred Foot and a few Horse in the darkness of the night fell upon the Enemy ere they were aware of him And now he had taken about thirty and killed some before the rest awaked with the noise could make themselves ready but as he retreated through the narrow passages Cloet going another way through the open fields met him who being inferiour to Cloet in Horse the Village being seized he was forced to surrender Thus being Conqueror and hastning about what he was sent he found the trench of the Castle full of Ice and not broken as his spyes had brought him intelligence so that easily comming to the Gate which he forced open with Gunpowder he drove out the Garrison Albertus hitherto had Covenanted with the Souldiers in Hamont that leaving that more inferiour fear they should have the Town and Castle of Waert from whence both the Countreyes of Leige and Gulick were exposed to their plunder whereat the neighbours were grievously troubled But all their frequent Messages and Complaints were slightly passed over because it was known of old to be a kind of gain under the pretence of sedition to maintain War at the charge of others So also were the people of Cleves vexed with the Garrisons of Berck and Geldre and the misery of that people who had deserved better was increased in that the Hollander assessed as much money upon them as had been withdrawn by others saying That it mattered not whether by force or voluntarily they increased the Enemies Wealth since they could not defend themselves from it And because they heard of a Fleet preparing in Spain and that the Duâ—kâ—kers infested the Sea with more then ordinary boldness a greater Navy of Ships was sent to Sea yet for all that some Pyrats appeared still who in the sight of Scheveling which is a Village upon the Sea-Coast of Holland near the Hague they exposed their Captives and received their Ransome But soon after bâ—ing circumvented by some Fisherboats wherein some Souldiers were put they gave satisfaction for their audacious attempt by their usual and deserved punishment Some old Ships also were sent to Dunkirk Haven where being full of stones they were sunk on purpose to choak it up But as oft as the Sea ebbed the wood being cut away with Axes by the Towns-men at the flood by the violent beating of the Waves the place was again cleared of all And some Merchants Ships going into England were taken and made Prize by Spinola's Galleys the Ship of Warr which was to be their Convoy after a long fight with the Enemy a great number of whom was slain by some fire thrown into it utterly perished The same also thought to have set upon Flushing some within the Town being corrupted to have set fire thereon but one of the Conspirators falling by chance sick and by the terrour of approaching death repenting and making confession thereof to his ghostly Father the whole Plot was detected and punished In the interim new Mutinies and Seditions arose among Albertus his Men And the Antwerpers pacified a Man of Warr that lay in the Schelde and made a Mutiny by giving them part of their pay And the Walloons that kept the Forts about Ostend raged even to the wounding and killing of their Officers yet were largely indulged because by the Hollanders Promises they were like to be dâ—awn off from their Obedience and being perswaded to go from their Garrison they passed to Montz After these things the United States setting an Asseâ—sment upon all Chimneys and being assisted with Souldiers out of England and Moneys out of France again fell in Debate upon another Expedition into Flanders but for that all the hopes of that Design lay in the speedy execution thereof and therefore that it was necessary first to divert the Enemy to some other part it was thought sit to make a shew of Warr in the furthermost Borders To which purpose Prince Maurice sending before some Souldiers under pretence of a Marriage between Count Lewis of Nassau and Count Broakens Widow himself came to Arnheym and then making no delay he speeded to Bercke with above a hundred Companies of Foot and Thirty Troops of Horse of which Place Jeronimo Lopez had the Government by the
the Generals Brother Sir Horace Vere while he excellently performed the duty both of a good Leader and Souldier Among the Bodies of the Spaniards was found a Woman who had dissembled her Sex both in courage and a military Habit as if he should have accused Nature for not making Her a Man The unhappy success of this Storm together with the impossibility of starving Ostend and the terror of lying all Winter in a wet Camp moved many of the Commanders to perswade Albertus That he would leave off this unfortunate design in time before he suffred greater damage But he was so sollicitous of his own and the Kings honour that he had rather obstinately persist in a tedious and difficult labour then let the World know he was unable to Master one Town Therefore raising a great Mount for battery in the Camp on the left hand on the right by little and little he made a bank to prevent the influx of the Sea and this was done by fixing in the ground pieces of Timber with other pieces overthwart whereupon great Faggots bound together were placed like Stacks of Wood the planks lying sometimes divided or open another time made close like floors great heaps of Sands were thrown thereon that so the greatness of the bulk being more compact and fiâ—m might with the greater force stand against the Waters Which Work proved of such strength that iâ— not only served as a Rampire for the Souldiers but was a Mount from whence Cannon being planted thereon they daily shot against the besieged Nevertheless Ships daily came into the Town with relief without suffring any great damage or hurt By this time there were come to Albertus the most ingenious Engineers from all parts of the World who all aimed even with emulation to choke up the Gollet and when in the night some fixed a Cable with great Vessels and Anchors under Water from one Bank to the other the Besieged likewise another night would with little difficulty cut away all that fixed the same About this time one Pompey Targon invented a frame of Wood like a Castle which being placed in Ships would carry Great Guns but upon tryal it quickly appeared too weak to bear the concussion of the Waves and that the sands would yield to the weight that was underneath in the belly of the Foundation by the same also were made a kind of Boats by the joyning together of boards and bundles of smaller Wood which should altogether be carryed by the Tyde but by the shot of the Hollanders Artillery these were more then once overthrown and destroyed The besieged likewise made provision That if the Enemy should hinder them of that entrance into the Town which at present they enjoyed to have a New Haven between the Gollet and the old Haven by the old Town for the United States were mightily inflamed with a desire of Glory in defending that part of the Sea making a Decree as if they foresaw the Siege would continue a long time that every six moneths the Garrison should be relieved and changed and accordingly General Vere was sent for out and one Frederick Dorp made to succeed him by whom the ruines of the Town were repaired the Fortifications augmented and money continually provided to pay for the pains and labour therein taken When Albertus his Souldiers could not get their pay which bred the seeds of mutinies and sedition which is for the most part the Mother of disobedience the very Government it self was full of fear and hatred the Horse being appointed to drive on the Foot upon dangerous enterprises or force them back when they took themselves to flight as if they had been bruits without the light of reason to direct them Moreover their promised largess of the Flandrians fell infinitely short of the charge and the Walloons that they might do the less help pretended a Peace treacherously with the French The Brabanters had a just excuse from the sedition of the Souldiers that lay in Waert who by the conspiracy of others wanted not much of surprising the Castle of Antwerp and the Town of Hulst yet among these various crosses of Fortune some hopes was given to the Archduke that Bredah might be surprised But Frederick Count Heremberg that was sent thither mistaking the way came not thither till the day-light discovered him And not long after some of Prince Maurice's Horse took Prisoner his Brother Adolphus Till this time Don Francisco Mendosa who had been taken Prisoner at Newport had been kept in Holland sometimes in a more strict otherwhile in a more unrestrained custody and although Count Brukells Widow and the Deputies of Cleves required That he might be punished for his grievous Offences the acting whereof he defended partly as done by necessity partly by command And the States did not think it fit to proceed judicially against a Prisoner guarded by the Laws of War But because there was a difference made between the Ransome of Commanders and Private Souldiers after long debate it was agreed That whosoever of the People belonging to the Vnited States were Prisoners either in the Netherlands Spain the Indies America or elswhere under King Philips obedience should all be set at liberty for Mendosa and either the Kings respect to Mendosa or future Generals so prevailed with him that he agreed to the said Articles And accordingly it was performed for there returned from all parts of the World both Merchants and Marriners whom the Enemies rage for hope of gain or the Priests hatred for difference of Religion had carryed and kept there part of whom had their very joints eaten off with their Chains and now with joy remembred the darkness and filth they were wont to endure others gratefully acknowledging their deliverance from the bitter slavery of the Galleyes under most cruel Tyrants And this was a matter of great moment to incite the common people against the Spaniards by a fresh memory of their old injuries and for winning their love to the Lords whose clement and popular action was applauded with many exultations because they esteemed the liberty of their Subjects before great sums of Money which they might have had Thus the Agreements being in part performed and Pledges being given for the rest Mendosa was set free ever after giving a very good Character of the Commonwealth of the Hollanders which he now came to know by a near converse and from thence forward became a perswader of Peace rather then War to both parties And from these more certain Rules for the ransoming of Prisoners were set down on both sides All this Spring the United States did spend in raising a greater Army then ever they had before their Minds and Resolutions being augmented with the memory of Newport Battel and the new seditions of the Enemy from whence they hoped before the Souldiers expected out of Italy arrived in the Netherlands either to renew their Glory by the slaughter of the Enemies or by a Land March through
sollicitous for the support of his allies and to that end he had sent into England Maximilian de Rohan his chief Treasurer and a Privy-counsellor At last this Medium was found That whatever moneys the French should lay out in behalf of the Hollanders the third part thereof should be charged to the English and all accounts to be discharged wherein France impoverished by her Warrs was indebted to Britain The States were content herewith although they were offered by Sir Ralph Winwood the King of great Britain's Orator to be comprehended in the Articles of the Treaty if they pleased which they refused with great thanks The rest of the year King James spent in performing and receiving the Solemnities of the Kingdome and in viewing his new Dominion of England giving audience at Intervalls to the Embassadors of other Kings and the gratulations of his own subjects Tyrone himself the great Captain of the Irish Rebells coming and upon his humble submission obtaining pardon Concerning Religion several complaints were offered by two sorts of people The one in England are called Puritans being a people that do not esteem the Ecclesiastical State or Church-government there to be sufficiently orthodox and sincere but requiring therein more purity from whence sprung the original of that hated name of Separation These find fault with many Ceremonies retained from custome and antiquity as the Orders of Bishops some Ceremonies added as they say in the Sacrament of Baptisme and others things more tending to Discipline then Doctrine A change or at least an amendment of all which they now hoped from hence because the Scots had already rejected the same On the other side the Catholicks with high applauses magnifying the antiquity of their Religion as well in Britain as elsewhere and setting forth their fidelity both to the King himself at present and heretofore to his Mother petitioned that if he would not give them publick allowance which yet in France the King allowed to dissenters that at least they might privately and without fear of punishment worship God according to the custome of their Fathers But the King rejected both these suits suspecting the Catholicks for no other cause but that the Pope claims power over Kings but the King was offended at the Puritans because by men of the same Faction under pretence of Ecclesiastical authority he had irreverently been used in Scotland Whereupon also he accused their perverseness and obstinacy publickly set forth in Print for he would have each Nation be free to use their own Rites which were not contradictory to the Divine Law but the supreme Authority even in matters Ecclesiastical should continue in the King Yet something was setled according to the desire of the Catholicks viz. That the Sacrament of Baptisme should not be administred by women or private persons that many Ecclesiastical promotions should not be accumulated upon one person and that Church-censures should be strict and severe both in the inquisition and punishment of errors either in the life or doctrine of the Priesthood But the words of the Puritans became so offensive that many of their non-conforming Ministers were punished by Imprisonments Banishment and abjuration of the Realm Notwithstanding which some of the Romanists associating others with them who were desirous of novelty conspired to set up to the Government the Lady Arabella a Virgin sprung from the bloud Royal dividing among themselves the chief places of honor and preferment through the Kingdome The authors of this Treason were punished with the losse of their heads the accessories thereto and such as had concealed the same were cast into prison and the fear of imminent death was reckoned to them for a sufficient punishment the King being prone to win repute to his new Government by the fame of his Clemency While these things were doing in England Enno Count of Friesland beyond Eems having really learned that he might easily obtain from the Emperor both words and threats against the City but that he could not give him a power to put the same in execution he resolved to try the favour of them that were most potent among the Hollanders and to that purpose he went to the Hague urging many things both privately and publickly in his own defence and objecting many things against the Embdoners as being of a wavering temper in their fidelity not well knowing either to govern or be governed At the same time were present some Deputies from Embden behaving themselves with much obstinacy and notable irreverence towards their Prince then present At length after many long debates the United States not doubting the fidelity of the City towards them bent all their resolutions for the security thereof and it was concluded that the Delphzilian agreements should be observed whereto besides were added That for the future there be an Edict of Indemnity and Oblivion for all things already done nor should the Count exact the Penalties set by the Emperor's Decree That both should be restored to their houses and lands all prisoners be released and all instruments of war and other received profits be accounted for And that Enno should endeavor to set free all strangers being really such nor should deny his safe conduct in writing to all Ships going from the City That the Tributes imposed upon the City the third and the fifth year before should all be made null and that there should be a consultation had in the Senate of the Transamasians for the settlement of new the right of summoning which should be in the Count but if he neglected to doe it then they might meet by themselves and consult of their common affairs That it should not be lawfull to denounce a War or levy souldiers without the decree of that Councel onely the Count might retain as many as should be sufficient for the guarding his Castles and strong holds and likewise that the City might raise seven hundred souldiers for the defence thereof and maintaining their works That the Transamasians should maintain the souldiers the charge of the works should be born by the Townsmen and what goods were within a Town should be equally distributed and whatever was inclosed within any fortifications should enjoy the same priviledges with the City it self That the Magistrates of Embden should be created by the Senate of the City and that the Count to that creation should adde his authority When therefore the Count and the Deputies of the City had agreed upon these conditions it remained that the whole Magistracy of the City and the States of the Transamasians should allow of and ratify the same which was very likely to have been done the Nobility being afraid of War as that which would wast their Lands and some being sent by the United States to enforce force such as should offer to delay the same the greatest part of the garrison also was withdrawn that the fade of affairs might appear more peaceable But new hopes from the Emperor changed Enno absolutely insomuch that
lying Titles And whatsoever was related to them in Confession ought to be kept secret and to disclose the same was a sin although it tended either to the destruction of Prince or people and in pursuance hereof they named all manner of conferences among themselves Confessions It was not doubted but these hopes of Treason were nourished by the Spanish wealth and the rather because long since some Societies of English Jesuites were maintained by them purposely to disturb the Peace of that Kingdome But some that were knowing herein betraied all those forms of private counsells abroad lest they should still continue unknown but they that continued faithfull to Rome and Spain wanted no convenient supplies from thence upon all occasions And it was told to the Constable of Castile when he was Embassador in England that if the new King would not allow or suffer the Roman Religion he would find some ready to exact the same by force And the Archduke fomented jealousies and suspicions denying to deliver to King James requesting the same such English-men living in those parts with whom the Prisoners confessed they had participated counsells the chief of them being sent away into Spain Yet did not King James take that either as an affront or injury publishing by Proclamation that he was satisfied of the innocency of forein Princes in that business Nor did King Philip omit to congratulate his delivery from so great a danger by Don John de Mendosa both in countenance and serious forms of speech to that onely purpose made The Fifteenth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES THE Defence of Antwerp one of the principal Cities of the Netherlands the taking Towns so strongly fortified and carrying the Warre into the Enemie's Country while with less danger and more hope he might have fought elsewhere added very much to Spinola's honour and renown he being the first that seemed to put new life and courage into and to restore the fortune and discipline of that side which for fifteen years before had been decaying Therefore which way soever he went among the Netherlanders there were great exultations and applauses attended him and when he came into Spain as his custome was every year he was privately envied by the Lords but publickly and with great honour favoured by the King But the many actions of the former year had so drained the Treasury that by the emptiness thereof the present Counsels of the Warre were much retarded and he but slowly obtained pay for both his Armies refusing to undertake the charge of the Warre without it and if he had it boasting he had in a manner already obtained the Victory determining as before he had passed the Rhine so now he would goe over the Wael and the Yssell and so penetrate into the very bowels of the Hollanders Therefore he consented to help the King 's decayed credit with his own and his friends wealth which with what damage to himself it was done will be commemorated towards the end of the year On the other side the Vnited States long foreseeing the approaching evils which Armies are wont to draw along with them increasing their Forces that were at distance and they were infinitely vexed with the vast charges of the Garrisons resolved the following year to give way to that violence which they imagined would not endure long being content to defend their Borders until the fury thereof began to be asswaged Beside the new Levies intended were hindred in France by the Warre of Sedan and in Germany by the troubles of Brunswick Sedan is a City lying hard by the Maes in the confines of the French and Belgick Dominions and was a place of great concernment if at any time the Warre came towards those parts Of old it was possessed by the Family of Le Marque but Henry de Turre Viscount Turein marrying the Daughter and Heir of the Bulionian Family gained the inheritance of the Town and took the name of Bulion and although his Wife was dead retained it by virtue of her Testament but often undermined by the French greatness while the affairs of the House of Bourbon were yet but private He was reckoned among the chief Captains during the unsetled estate of that Kingdome But after the King had changed his Religion and for defence of the Kingdome new Taxes were found our which gave cause of complaint and the great multitude that professed the Reformed Religion had their eies chiefly upon Bulion he being famous in Warre and the frequent author of resolute counsels he was believed to have caused some commotions When he was called to answer his offence at the same time as Marshal Biron was put to death excusing himself against the violent animosities of his Enemies and challenging many of his suspected Judges he departed into Germany And the Prince Elector Palatine being asked that he would remember his Affinity for both of them had married Prince Maurice's Sisters sent some Embassadours to the King to appease his wrath but it little prevailed it being alwaies a thing detested by Kings to have forein Powers interpose themselves for the reconciling their differences Hereupon the matter was undertaken by Prince William's Widow and indeed the Woman's sollicitation proved most effectual but the King required the custody of Sedan as a pledge of his fidelity Bulion offered to deliver both the Town and Castle to the patronage of the Kingdome of France and for performance of that agreement consented that as well the Governour as the Souldiers therein should be bound by Oath and besides this he offered other things while yet he was not removed from the possession and in the interim prepared all things for enduring a War if he should be compelled thereto by necessity This boldness of his together with the potent Enemies which he had lately made himself and besides being a man greedy of honor and impatient to be excelled forced the King that marching out that Spring with a great Army he came with his Camp as far as the Maes Thus did this great King threaten with the fury of a destructive War not the Spaniard nor the Burgundian as heretofore but his old friend the Lord onely of one poor Town But a meanes being found to make Peace Bulion was redeemed from that imminent danger and the King freed from such an inglorious contest The King placed a Governor in Sedan for four years and at the end of that time the custody of the same was to be redelivered to Bulion By that agreement it was forbidden for any to inquire into his former actions and if hereafter he should change his allegiance the Townsmen swore they would chuse them another Prince This Peace being made he was restored to his wonted favor with the King who as he was easily angred so he was ready and free to pardon all men wondring to see him that lately was an Enemy now be at the King's elbow and inseparable from him both in his cares and recesses The
then the preservation of Liberty The Emperour Robolfus being too weak for two Enemies Granted Transilvania to Botscay and to the Hungarians Native Governours of their own appointing his Brother Matthias who had been heretofore concerned in the Low-Countrey Affairs their Regent and setling Laws whereby the Jesuites Wealth should be restrained and agreeing the Turk should keep what he possessed Thus Arms being laid aside Botscay not long after was poisoned by some about him yet even at his last gasp when he despaired of life taking care for the Publick Commending to the Hungarians and Transylvanians a strict Unity and Concord frequent Assemblies in Counsel and while the Laws remained in force to hold a firm Peace with Caesar But his dying without Issue when by the Laws the Principality reverted to the Emperour straight was Transylvania involved in new troubles impatient to be ruled by a Forreign Prince Germany also was now full of differences concerning Religion and at Brunswick Patelborn Embden although they had not an absolute War yet their differences came as near to a War as might be between those Princes and Cities the former being too greedy of Dominion and the later unapt and unwilling to obey The Venetians yet defended themselves by Books whose Authors at the prescribed day wont not to Rome pretending many casualties in the Journey and that their nominated Judges were malicious against them in the interim Commanders Armies and Fleets were with all expedition hastned forward Nor did the Spaniard dissemble in promising the Pope aid whereof the King of France having notice sent to Rome to tell his Holiness That his Ancestors had so well merited of that See that in all dangers the Church ought not to seek redress from any other hands then those of the Kings of France but if the Pope should declare himself ambitious to dilate the Spanish Greatness He ought with great reason to suspect the same and therefore in a manner should be compelled to take part against him With these threats the Italian was terrified whose Countrey was never pierced with Forreign Arms without great damage because the Body of the Countrey being divided into small Dominions would easily become a prey to the Conqueror But the French as he feared not War too much yet he rather chose Peace Wherefore now He advised the Venetians then the Pope That they would reconcile their Differences which otherwise would break out to the Publick Ruine Himself strengthening and corroborating His Domestique quiet both by Laws Money and League Brittain after the Discovery of that Horrid Conspiracy formerly mention'd was full of Jealousies and Suspitions which the Pope increased by setting forth Bulls Forbidding 〈◊〉 to take the Oath prescribed by the King maintaining that it was contrary to Religion because they swore thereby to continue faith and Allegiance to the King though the Pope denyed it which the Catholikes themselves very hardly believed And this Declaration of the Pope's was receiv'd with great variety of Opinion as Either the Love of the Country or the imbibed Principles of Religion prevail'd with every one The English also made many Complaints because Right was not equally administered to the Merchants in Spain But in Spain the Netherlanders there abiding were with great Cruelty persecuted whose Trade with the Hollanders and chiefly with the late â—â—rected Indian Company was connexed The Treasury also was taken Care for with great Diligence all whose Fidelity in managing the Affairs of Money was suspected being apprehended and call'd to Question But the Remedies were too small for such overgrowing Evils although the King was daily pressed with Petitions of the Portugezes That he would not please to set an end to their Misery For why would he suffer 〈◊〉 near at hand to be exhausted and spoiled while he onely â—ded the War with the Hollanders at a greater distance Why would he permit so many Ships the onely Wealth of that late flourishing Kingdom to be taken and burned The Ports of Spain 〈◊〉 to be beset and now the Molucca's to be torn from him Besides the War made by the Castilians was very burdensom which â—ing the late Times had cost the Spaniard no less than Three Hundred Thousand Scutes Monethly without any hope of an 〈◊〉 and especially because the danger of the Ships coming from America grew greater and greater The Expences moreover had so far increased over the Annual Income that the Seditions of the Souldiers could not be avoided even by the exactest Care and Diligence of Spinola and what was gotten by the War did in no wise tantamount it being on the other side known by Experience how firmly the Enemies had fortified their Rivers â—â—d strengthned their Works how secure they keep their Sea â—â—d how uncertain and letigious the Passage of our Souldiers hath been through the Borders of other Dominions so that if the Venetian War should grow on the Belgick not yet ended it must needs reduce Us not onely to Poverty but to absolute Beggery The King was a young man unexperienced in Matters of War and who measur'd rather the Greatness of his Kingly Dignity by the Excess of his Pleasures than the Extents of his Dominions unless he was drawn thereto by Advice was not very forward to ingage in a War Besides He was possessed with great Fears by an addition and intermixture of Truth and Falshood not without great Policy of those who had the chief Management of Affairs in Holland that they might drive Spain of it self full of Procrastinations into more speedy and reall Motions for Peace For a Rumour was spread abroad That the French King strongly labour'd to 〈◊〉 the Hollanders to become Subjects to his Kingdom under sâ—â—â— prescribed Laws and that Flanders being Conquer'd should be the Bounds between them But it was more tolerable for the Spaniards to give the Hollanders their Liberty than by the Damage of his own Empire to increase that of another and him especially his chief Emulator and some hope yet remained against them when they should have nothing to do either by forgetfulness of Offences by Discord among themselves or with the Kings by whose Wealth they flourished which would for ever be lost if they were employed Besides Fortune favouring them in the Indies a New Company was prepar'd by the Hollanders and Zelanders that should with a strong Fleet carry at once both War and Merchandise into America and should drive away thence the Enemy both by Sea and Land with hope of as great Booty as would make amends for the Charge of the War Anon after another Report was spread abroad That as formerly the Turk had passed the Hellespont by the help of the Genoways so now the Moors were by the Hollanders Assistance and Fleet â—â—gain Granado and other places possessed by their Ancestors Albertus also and Isabella this as a Woman that as a Man 〈◊〉 up in Religious Studies began now to be weary of the War 〈◊〉 burthensom to them by its long continuance And the
seven hours Journey in compass and six Foot deep in Water This they did with Engines driven by the Wind and against the outward Force of the Waters they raised Banks Indeed the Isles of the Hollanders were for the most part of a very low Situation but were preserved from being overflowed by exceeding great Labour and Industry Nor did the Ocean cease to vindicate it self by Breaches upon and Inundations of the Fields and Towns some whereof were long since by the same utterly overthrown and the Currents of Rivers being altered in such manner that there was hardly any where to be seen the like great Exchanges of Land and Water Gibrand Warwick returned out of India with two Ships which he had repaired in the Island of Swans which the Hollanders call Maurice's Island placing Anvils for shaping and forming their Iron-work in a naked and desart Soil Captain Peter Verhoeven went thither with 13 others He had formerly accompanied Hemskerk and had a great share in the Honour and Victory of Calpe or Gibraltar Beyond the Eâ—mes Prince Enno after Spinola's taking of Lingen stood in lost awe of the power of the United States and accordingly had given their Legueâ— more churlish Answer than ordinary They of Embdon likewise took that Opportunity â—mplaining of many Things concerning him as That he had by sinister means prohibited to be sent to the Overseers of the Treasury any Pay for the City-Garrison or other Things for support and managing the Publike Charge That he alone without any Decree of the Council had setled Taxes That he sufferâ— the Spanish Souldiers unpunished to go about the Country and 〈◊〉 it But the most heirous Fault objected against him â—â—s That when Sea-men went into Spain he had not given them letters all alike but as he had known them either follow his Parâ— or stand for their Country Whereupon it follow'd that whoever were taken and cruelly used and they were not a 〈◊〉 they accused the Prince Enno to have betrayed them by that under-hand dealing But the United States when they 〈◊〉 Christopher and John Prince Enno's Brothers were resident in the Country beyond the Eemes sent Souldiers to â—â—rd the Suburbs of Embden And to Enno himself not only Ambassadors but a Trumpeter with Letters whereby he was commanded within 8 days oâ— To revoke all Acts by him done â—â—â—ary to the Covenants and to do his endeavour for setting free all that were Prisoners in Spain Which if he refused to do They protested He would compel them to unwilling Arms which they supposed would be very grievous to him He sends into Britain to purchase the Favour of that King to whom he hoped it would easily be proved that a Prince might pick what Quarrel he pleased with his Subjects But at last he sent to â—â—rge himself with the States by his Embassadors especially concerning that Mischief done to Sea-men Which had not hapned by any Treacherous Dealing of his but after Embden had received a Garrison of the Hollanders all going from â—nce into Spain were taken as Enemies Thus the States advising them on both Sides to Peace dismissed them for the present After this Audience was given to the Embassadours of Charles King of Sweden and it was granted that he might raise and list Souldiers in any the Cities of Holland For he prosecuted the War sharply infesting the Levâ—nians while Sigismund was vexed with a New Rebellion at Home Besides these and some growing Commotions in the rest of Europe was quiet or at least without War The French King bad reconciled the Vanetians to the Pope upon these Tearms That the New Laws made against Priests should be of no force and whoever of them at any time should be apprehended for any Crime should be deliver'd up to the Pope Thus the Pope took off the Interdiction of Religion which he had laid upon them and they who by reason of thâ—se Dissentions had left the City returned thither again Onely the Venetians absolutely refused to re-admit the Jesuits Whereupon some Assassinates were hired notwithstanding Affairs were thus composed against Paulo Servita a Man who had both by his Counsels and Writings done faithful service to the Commonwealth this Man was almost slain with divers Wounds And as well they that did the Fact as they that hired them to do it fled into the Pope's Dominions The Senate declared That the said Paulo was under publike Protection and whoever could apprehend and deliver up or kill any that had been guilty of the same Crime should have a great Reward of Money And the more to intice them they should have the freedom to recall any two other that had been banished for other Crimes When there was a Difference with Fontayn Governour of Millayn concerning the Bounds of the Rhetians which Controversie he had determined to follow nor before Judges nor by a publike War by a suddain surprize retaining to that purpose the Forces raised in the time of the Vanetian Troubles The Treason being derected and explained with the punishment of such as were guilty made the â—ans more wary But the French and Venetians composed and setled the Matter being ready to be decided by open Arms. In Germany the Duke of Bavaria seeking the Rights of his Ancestors drew also under his Jurisdiction by Arms the City Danowert scituate near the River Ister being proscribed by the Emperour for a Tumult raised against the Priests and the Roman Religion And the Protestants of Germany too late after the Event were angry at what they had neglected to prevent many of them that were more slow to act murmuring among themselves in Conventicles and others exhibiting Complaints to the Emperour The King of Spain while he was not troubled with any Enemy at Sea receiving safely his Indian and American Fleets and besides raising a great Sum of Money in Spain wholly inclined his Thoughts to this That he might by little and little free himself of his great Debts as of mingling his publicke Power with his private Credit he lessned the Usury he was â—â—nt to pay to his Creditors and prolonged his own Day France also was fill'd with the hopes of a long Peace by the Birth of another Male-Child And the Rebellion of the Country People of Brittain against the Covetousness of the Nobles was in some short time repressed and at the preâ—ent Peace there was setled by granting them Pardon and for the future guarded by well-setled Laws From Ireland two Earls Tyrone and Tyr-Oneal He of 〈◊〉 famous for his Rebellion but both Fugitives first into France then into Brabant preferred the Love of the Roman Religion before any thing choosing rather Banishment than to Revenge it which King James esteeming injurious to himself set forth in a Book That they according to the received Custom of the Age too much pretended the Cause of Religion to hide the scandal of their Crimes For what care saith he could men so really barbarous take of Religion to whom Marriage was a thing
Patrimony And although they delayed to discover what they would have comprehended under the name of Private Goods yet it appeared That under that Cloak they would hide as well Towns as whole Countreyes purchased by Princes or otherwise gained by any peculiar Title But when the Hollanders said That a great part of their future security consisted in this That the Spanish Garrisons should be drawn from the Borders of the Netherlands the Spaniards protested That it was a dishonourable thing to be required by them since they were able to defend their Territories with French and Brittish Souldiers No more did they hearken to the demand of restoring to Germany the places they possessed belonging to the Jurisdiction of Almayne and therefore Verreike was again sent to Bruxells and after his return they entred upon the debate concerning the use of Priviledges the access of ships of War to the shores the right of Fortification the choosing Magistrates for those Cities which by the Peace would fall to the share of private persons or Lords the cautions and assurances of Peace and the not resuming or falling again to War for any injuries without publick Proclamation Nor did they well agree in these things but the chief thing that offended the Spaniards was That the Hollanders desired the League might be confirmed not only by the allowance of the Archdukes but also by the consent of the Nobles and Cities under their obedience And when they were again spoken to concerning Religion they said They must of necessity wait for Naya's coming out of Spain whom the procrastinating nature of that dilatory Nation in Affairs of concernment detained longer then ordinary Under this pretence they requested That the time limited for the Treaty being about the first of August might be lengthened unto the thirteenth of September In the mean time Janinus went into France that he might inform the King what was the condition of the Commonwealth in Holland what the inclination of their minds what their ability for War and what were their hopes of Peace He at the same time consulting within himself about a Truce because both by the publick and private colloquies of the United States people he knew many of them werse to War and was sensible the Spaniard would never endure an indifferent Peace It was not a matter of small moment that the States if the War continued had desired of the Kings their Associates a great supply protesting That there remained to them no sort of Tribute untryed and yet their Treasury was unable to maintain those Forces which Prince Maurice had formerly adjudged necessary for the carrying on of the War These were indeed the designs of those that were willing to have Peace which the Prince too late hoped to avoid by contracting the charge of the War into a narrower compass At this time Don Pedro de Toledo was Ambassador in France whom King Philip had sent thither to King Henry to intreat him That he would so moderate the Hollanders Proposal that his Master might lose as little of his Royal dignity as possible Then also was King Philips daughter offered to be given in Marriage to the French Kings son but King Henry was not desirous of that affinity He himself formerly having sought a Marriage with the Family of Medices rather then with the House of Austria that abounded in Women This Embassy was suspected by some of the Hollanders but chiefly by the English And the Dowry to be given in Marriage was reported to be a right of Dominion over the Hollanders But the Spaniard soon satisfied the King of Britain with the like honour of an Embassy to him directed and performed by Don Ferdinando Giron a man eminently famous and honourable among the chief and greatest Spanish Commanders But the Danish Embassadors departed home wearied out with the tediousness of delayes and not dissembling protested They would not sit idle Spectators of that Play whose Scene was wholly laid in France And another thing much increased the cares of the States which was That Messengers comming out of France England and Germany all agreed in this point of News That the Ministers of Spain had declared That Philip never had any intent to reject or lay aside his right of Dominion but only for the obtaining of a Treaty he had given to the Hollanders the short use of a temporary Liberty But now the very inward parts of those Provinces were so well known to him that he doubted not a good issue either in Peace or War And that of a truth he would never consent to a Peace unless they abstained from the Indies and license given to the Romanist for the exercise of their Religion in their own Way Janinus returning to the Hague reported the faithful intent of the King towards them his Allyes and how he had refused Toledo's troublesome Requests and Offers but nothing further After this the Enemies Legats while Naya was yet absent but having received Letters out of Spain give account That the King did bona fide grant them their Liberty and therefore it was but just that they on their part should submit to him in the matter of the Indies and other things â—ely demanded Moreover That the King desired out of h◠〈◊〉 inclination That it might be allowed to the Romanists to worship God according to the dictates of their Conscience They should grant this for their Kindreds sake they should grant it for their Ancestors sakes lest they should with greater cruelty hate the Religion by them approved then that new Opinion of the Anabaptists born for the destruction of Empires and lastly They should grant it for their Countreyes sake lest they should drive from thence all the Inhabitants by debarring them from that which is most pleasant to mortalls The States looked upon this as an Engine intended to subvert the Foundations of the Commonwealth the same was the Opinion of the Germans and English Janinus did not had fault with the Counsel but with the Authors thereof for so great an Affair ought not to be made beneficial by the Enemy At length the States finding that these delayes were dangerous to their Affairs and not willing any longer to hearken to the Enemies unreasonable propositions resolve to set an end to the Treaty and to that end a Decree being drawn up wherein was set forth by how great and many experiments they had been terrified from Treating of a Peace with the Spaniard insomuch that when they were first sent to about it they immediately declared their minds on the other side how the Enemy and with what treachery he brought to effect his designs how every of their demands would destroy the right and power of their so often granted Liberty and lastly they repeated the whole series of the Affair as the same had been transacted The Spaniards this Decree being delivered to them require a time to deliberate thereupon In the interim the Ambassadors of France and Britain the Germans being rather
from the League made at Gaunt The Switzers that took Arms for the like Causes laid them down upon a Truce and have now for a long time retained their Liberty being defended by their Foot Souldiers chiefly and the heights of their Mountains And wherein I pray are you less able to defend your selves being so powerful at Sea and having the Ocean for a Guard Some indeed fear lest you should return to your Arms more weak and effeminate for the lives of Princes that favour you say they are uncertain But let them know that the causes of Allyance and Friendship doth not decay with the Kings but remain as immortall as the Kingdoms themselves This is that makes Allyes live and flourish and let this prevail to stir you up not to let slip so reasonable a time to acquire peace This Advice prâ—ceeds from Kings your Friends whose careful providence chiefly ayms at this that you may be safe More might be said to this purpose but I think it prudence to say no more Let every one answer for himself only let not the Authours of the contrary Opinion overcome us in the liberty of saying what they please The next day he sets upon them again their minds being already moved with the former Oration and runs over the principal Heads of the League one by one that he might convince them that there was nothing couched therein either unjust or deceitful and when he had so done added that They were the first of all People to whom that Honour had been granted to confirm their liberty by the Confession of the rejected and abjured Prince The Switzers could not obtain so much nor could the like be forced by the Victorious Danes from their King Christierne though a Captive to them and thereupon he grievously blamed them with accusations of ingratitude and falsity because they had whispered that by the coming of Don Pedro de Toledo into France the King was become averse to the Hollanders Commodity But His Majesties good will to them was more firmly setled then to be changed by the desires of their Enemies or any thing else save the contumely of such as dispersed abroad such falsities Winwood also thought it a part of his duty to commend a Truce to the Senate whereof he himself was a member affirming that his Master the King of Great Britain would not perswade them to any thing but what he himself would give an Example of Those Arms are just that are necessary and those not onely pious Kings but God himself would favour but they are not necessary to which there is a way open to an honourable end If they subsisted by extraordinary succour yet they ought not to refuse the making of a League since both their Religion Liberty and Commerce might be preserved But now it was to far distant to conjecture what would come to passe after a Truce by how much they could not discern the nearer dangers of War It was a wonder to see with what greatness of mind the business was transacted at every Assembly and new Books were daily set forth as it were to sow and foment discords for now they spared neither of the Kings as if the chief of their hopes had consisted in the miseries of the Confederate States But the chief of their envy was vented against Oldenbarneveldt as the Inventor of such things He being grown odious to men of the greatest quality and most eminent degree by his excessive Authority much less could his Equalls endure to see him so far in Honour above them insomuch that there were some Letters found wherein he was not obscurely destined to slaughter Whereupon He in the Assembly of the States of Holland protesting that he had not feared to draw upon himself the malice of the most potent men nor shunned any dangers so as He might serve his Country being fraught with the Solace of a quiet Conscience against all scandalous Rumours and unlucky accidents But when he saw a thing in it self displeasing to him yet nevertheless be aggravated to make him odious He beseeched them that for expediting those things they should see fit in the Common-wealth they would appoint others to officiate that were less hated which said immediately he departed from the Assembly Some of the Lords were sent after him to desire him that he would not in this nice Juncture of time desert the Common-wealth which he had hitherto assisted with his faithful Counsels Hereupon returning to his accustomed charge sometimes extolling the benefits and Authority of the Kings anon explicating and laying open the charge of the War he confirmed such as wavered and refuted them without anger although they were very sharply contradicted and Amsterdam it self a long time resisted at length he brought all Holland to one mind which also five other of the Provinces soon after embraced Only Zeland out of some peculiar Reasons of their own and by the instigation of Prince Maurice resisted the consent of all the rest denying to agree to a Truce nor would suffer the Decree to be revoked urging the words of the Trajectine League that Arms should not be laid down unless by the common consent of all and whatever difference should arise among the Provinces should be left to the decision of the Governours Others were angry and said the Question was not now concerning a Truce but whether Zeland alone should give the Law to all the rest And now the Contest among them growing hot the Embassadors of the Kings interposed endeavouring to drive those by force of Arguments whom they could not lead by perswasion And first Janinus producing to the States King Henrics Letters wherein he ratified whatever they should say or do began to praise the good benefit of Concord then mentioning divers Opinions without frowardness when he came to the Trajectine League he said it belongs not to us to interpret the Laws of other People but yet common Reason teacheth that at this time the Debate was upon a yielding not an indifferent League and it any think otherwise the Law is either to be abrogated or laid aside the Publick Weal so requiring which contains in it the Sanctimony of all Laws for what other event will produce if these do not refuse the decision of the Kings their Allyes more justly than those the determination of the Governours but that upon this Consultation both must needs run into factious parties it remains therefore that the fewer in number should yield to the greater for by this means alone stands the Government of People which otherwise would decay and fall to ruine Thus among the Switzers the Decrees of the greater Party are obeyed by those who contradicted the same But the Acheans and Aetolians though valiant people yet were destroyed by dissention while each of them would not agree to consult with the other for too much liberty is the ready way to Servitude Besides that no man may feed himself with a vain hope I now by Command declare that
Treaty between Q. Elizabeth and Albertus and upon what tearms with the event thereof 662 663 Portugal Fleet K. fought with and worsted by the Hollanders 728 729 Peace Treaty between K. James King of Spain and the Arch-Dukes and the effect thereof 777 778 779. Several opinions concerning a peace between the Spaniard and Hollanders 783 784 785 Poland troubles there and whence arising and how concluded and upon what tearms 858 859 Portugueses their Petition to King Philip. 863 864 Philip King inclinable to peace and why 864 865 Peace Treaty desired by King Philip but put off by the Hollanders 866 867. Treaty first begun and how and upon what 917 918 919. The first branch agreed conditionally others positively 918 919 920. The point of Commerce debated both by the Commissioners and by Books 919 920 921 922 923. The chief remaining heads to be treated on both sides 924 925 926. Whereupon the Commissioners proceed with much dissention 926 927 928. Treaty lengthened for 6. weeks 929. A Truce resolved on and why 933 934. Great differences concerning the same 935.944 945. The Embassadors of the Kings interpose for reconciling the same 945 946 947 948. Provinces all agree and upon what terms 967 Peace Treaty renewed at Antwerp the heads thereof 968. The points formerly differed on agreed how 969. The heads of the League concluded 970 971. The Commissioners on both sides meet at Antwerp 〈◊〉 conclude 972 973 974. The League absolutely concluded and publickly proclaimed both by the Arch-Dukes and States 975 976 Q. QUeen of England refuseth to ayd the Hollanders for take the Soveraignty over them 79 163 16â— 177. She inclines towards them and moves the King of Spain to peace 90. She sends them a supply of Souldiers 94.151.164 She sends to them to condole the Prince of Aurange his death so doth the French King 150 She declares her self for the Hollanders 164. Is troubled at the Irish Rebellions and many other things and what they were 181 She hearkens to a Treaty with the Spaniard against the will of the Dutch 185 186. She fills the Thames Banks with Souldiers to resist the Spaniards She is praised for her Valour 208 Almost deceived by Rumours 209 R. Religion Christian Religion when Ceremonies were 〈◊〉 thereto and why Instructors thereof first sent from Rome 〈◊〉 Reformation when begun and the Authors of several Sects among the Reformed People 15 16. Edicts concerning Religion which first set in the Netherlands and by whom and the punishments appointed thereby 18 19 20 21 Roman Ceremonies thrown out of the Churches and Romanists debatâ— of imployment 71 Revenues of all sorts and Tributes brought into a common Treasury 72.89 Requesens Lewis succeeds Alva in the Government of the Netherlands his Character 74. His death whereby the Government revolves to the Senate 8â— Rodolfus Emperor of Germany 88. His brother Matthias Archduke of Austria chosen Governor by the Netherlanders in opposition to Don John yet the Prince of Aurange manageth all 88.89 Reformers their Petition to the Archduke Matthias and Prince of Aurange and their answer to the same 95 96 Renâ—berg overthrown by the Naslavians dyes 118 Ringaltius a Renegado Imployed by the Earl of Leicester which was very ill resented 168.173 His miserable end 173 Richardot sent into Spain by Parma and why 232 Roan besieged by the French King 282. The siege raised 283 Ronce Christian Spanish Campmaster-General slain his character 435.436 Râ—es and Emmeric Garrisoned by Mendosa and why 610.611 Recklinhuysen taken by the Spaniards 611 Religion differences thereabout in England at the comming in of King Jamâ—s and how composed 744 745.746 Reâ—s Francis set forth a new book and the effect thereof 787 Roâ—â—qoâ—t fortified by Spinola 797 Richardot leaves his private instructions behind him in the Inn and the Heads thereof 938.939 Religion a difference therein between Arminius and Goâ—narus and their several Tenets with the sauâ—ors of the same 949 950.951.952 Allowed to be argued by the States and before whom and where 953 All the Acts of the Dispute silenced and why 952 S. Spaniards the difference between them and the Dutch with a Description of both 7.8 Spanish Souldier removed out of the Netherlands and why 23 Seditious people owned and aâ—ned by the Confederate Nobles 38 Spaniards begin to look at revenge and against whom and why 43 They are worsted in Friezeland and by whom 77. They harass Holland take Outwater and Coblentz but are worsted at Utrecht 78 Spanish Fleet scattered by disease and the Captain thereof dyed 78.79 Schounen Island taken by the Spaniards 79 Spaniards go out of Holland conducted by Roda. 83 Are put out of the Netherlands but quickly return 86.87 Senate chosen by the Hollanders and for what purpose and by whose advice 119 Stâ—enwick won by Verdugo and how 128 Souldiers their number on both sides and how disposed their pay equal on both sides 128.129.197 Steland Governor of Waese for the Hollanders his treachery to them and revolt to the Spaniard 140.141 Schewck Colonel comes to the Earl of Leicester and fortifies the Isle of Gravewaert 171. Defend Beâ—ck against Parma valiantly 172 Sydney Philip slain where when and by whom 172 Stanley William made Governor of Deventer by Leicester 172 States take Cognizance of all things and why 173.174 Soâ—oy seeks the Government of Friezeland for himself which he held before under the Prince of Aurange 176 Senate care of the Commonwealth left by the Earl of Leicester to the Senate but with reserves of power to himself which they complain of 178 Scots the Queen of Scots put to death and why 178 Stanley William betrayes Deventer to the Spaniard 178 Goes into Spain where he is neglected 179 Sluys besieged and battered by Parma and at last won by him 180.181 States by Edict answer Leicester recrâ—minations 182 Spanish Fleet prepared against England to be manned by Parma 183 Spanish Provinces in the Netherlands how governed 195 Spanish Fleet the description thereof 205 206 Spaniards therein their great confidence 207. Their over-sight and wherein and how excusable 209. They send to Parma but to no purpose 212. They are affrighted at the approach of the English Fire-ships but rally at Gravelâ— 213 The Losses suffered by the Spanish Fleet how great 215.216 Spaniards sent to Surprize Thol overcâ—me and slain by Count Solmes 218.219 Scheack Colonel fights with Verdugo kills his men and hath a great booty in Money 234. He sets upon Nimmeghen but is beaten off with great Loss and drowned in the Râ—ver there his Character 234 Sâ—â—ia Coasts thereof foraged by the English and Hollanders 238 Strenberge won by Prince Maurice 255 Spaniards mutiny 283.284.318 319.320 Steeawle the description of the Town 285. Besieged by Prince Maurice and the manner thereof 286. ad 291. The Valour of the Townsmen 287.288 Delivered to Prince Maurice 291 Spaniards mutiny together with others and why 350.355.524.571 The Sedition â—omented by the Hollanders 351 The Seditious maâ—e a League with the