or els to make a treatie for protection and defence or for aide and assistance by some English forces the Hollanders for their parts were resolued and content to deliuer ouer some of their townes vnto the Queene for her securitie Their deputies procuration and authoritie was made from the nobilitie gentlemen and townes as Dort Harlem Delft Leyden Amsterdam Gant Rotterdam Gorcum Schiedam Briel Alcmar Hoorn Enckhuysen Schoonhouen Eedam Monickedam Medenblick Woerden Oudewater Heusden Gertruydenberghe Weesp Naerden Muyden and Purmerend answering for the rest of the small townes lordships and villages of Holland and West-Friseland in generall These embassadours beeing arriued in England they were well and courteously receiued and while they abode there honourably feasted and entertained at the Queenes charges and vpon the ninth of Iune were admitted to her Maiesties presence beeing then at Greenwich where with all honourable and submissiue dutie in humble wise they presented their request by word of mouth deliuered by Ioos de Menin the effect whereof was as here followeth That the Estates of the vnited Netherland prouinces greatly thanked her Maiestie for the honourable and many fauours which it had pleased her to shewe and vouchsafe vnto them in their necessities hauing not long since renewed and confirmed her princely clemencie when after the cruell murther of the prince of Orange it pleased her Maiestie by her Embassadour M. Dauison to signifie vnto them the great care shee had for their defence and preseruation and after that againe by the lord of Grise by whom shee let them vnderstand how much shee was discontented to see them frustrated of their expectations reposed vpon the hope they had in the treatie of France and that neuerthelesse the care shee had for their prosperitie and welfares was not in any thing diminished but rather increased in that shee saw greater reason to mooue her thereunto for the which the whole Netherlands in generall and euery of them in particular should rest bound vnto her Maiestie for euer to deserue and requite the same with all fidelitie and submission And therefore the Estates aforesaid obseruing that since the death of the prince of Orange they had lost many of their forts and good townes and that for the vpholding and defending of the said vnited Netherlands they had great need of a soueraigne prince and chiefe commander to gouerne the same who by his power and authoritie might protect and preserue them from the insolencies and oppressions of the Spaniards and their adherents who sought daiely more and more all the means they could with their vnreasonable arms other sinister means to spoile and vtterly roote vp the foundation of the aforesaid Netherlands and thereby to bring the poore afflicted people of the same into perpetuall bondage worse than the Indian slauerie vnder the vnsupportable and accursed inquisition of Spaine Finding likewise that the inhabitants of the said Netherlands were persuaded and had an assured confidence that her Maiestie out of her princely minde would not suffer nor endure to see them vtterly ouerthrowne as their enemies expected and desired by molesting them with such long and tedious warres the which the Estates according to their duties and in respect of their places in the behalfe of their fellowes and brethren were forced to withstand and as much as in them lay oppose themselues against the manifest slauerie which they thought to impose vpon the poore common people and by their best indeauours to defend and maintaine their auncient freedomes lawes and priuiledges with the exercise of the true christian religion whereof her Maiestie truely and by good right bare the title of defendresse against the which the enemie and all their adherents had made so many leagues attempted so many fearefull and deceitfull enterprises and treasons and yet cease not daiely to seeke inuent practise and deuise the destruction of her Maiesties royall person together with her estate and kingdomes which the almightie God vnder the protection of his euerlasting goodnesse hitherto had preserued and kept from all dangers for the good and vpholding of the church of Christ here vpon earth For these reasons and many other right good considerations the Estates aforesaid with one full and free consent had altogether determined and fully resolued to flie vnto her Maiestie in regard it is an vsuall thing for all oppressed and distressed people and nations in their great need and necessitie to seeke iust aide and assistance against their enemies from the kings and princes their neighbours and especially from those that were indued with courage feare of God vprightnesse of heart and other princely ornaments and to that end the Estates aforesaid had sent them and giuen them charge to desire and beseech her Maiestie to accept of the soueraigntie and lawfull gouernment of the said vnited prouinces vpon good and reasonable conditions especially tending to the vpholding maintaining and furtherance of Gods true religion and the auncient priuiledges and freedomes to them due and belonging together with the gouernment and managing of the warres policie and iustice of the said vnited prouinces of the Netherlands And although the said Netherlands had indured diuers wrongs and that many of their townes and forts had beene wonne from them by the enemie during those warres neuerthelesse in Brabant Guelderland Flaunders Macklyn and Ouerissel there were yet many good townes and places that held against the enemie and the prouinces of Holland Zeeland Vtrecht and Friseland were by Gods grace and wonderfull prouidence still kept and preserued in their whole and entire possessions wherein they had many great and strong townes and places faire riuers deepes and hauens whereby her Maiestie and her successors might haue good commodities seruices and profits whereof it were needlesse to make any longer discourse and one in speciall that by the vniting the countries of Holland Zeeland Friseland and the townes of Oostend and Scluse vnto her Maiesties kingdomes and dominions shee might haue the absolute commaund gouernment power and authoritie ouer the great ocean and consequently shee might haue a perpetuall assured and happie traffique for the subiects and inhabitants of her Maiesties kingdomes and dominions Most humbly and submissiuely beseeching her royall Maiestie to vouchsafe of her royall fauour and princely bountie to agree and consent to the foresaid points of their request and so to accept for her and her lawfull heires or successors in the crowne of England defendors of the true Christian religion the soueraigne principalitie and chiefe gouernment of the said Netherlands and in regard thereof to receiue the inhabitants of the same countries as her Maiesties most humble and obedient subiects into her perpetuall safegard and protection a people as true faithfull and louing to their princes and commaunders without vaine boasting bee it spoken as any other in christendome And so doing shee should preserue and protect many faire churches which it had pleased almightie God in those latter daies to gather together in seuerall countries
of the contract of matrimonie in Paris for him and in his name with the lady Isabella and at the same time the duke of Sauoy rid thither with a great traine to marry with the kings sister which was done with great triumphs where there was a great running at tilt appointed to be holden in Paris wherin the king himselfe the duke of Guise the prince of Serrare and the duke de Nemours were chalengers against all commers The king in the first and second daies ran brauely and the third day the queene fearing hee would ouer-labor and heat himselfe too much or hauing a secret conceit of some misfortune that might happen vnto him desired him to refrain from running that day but he would not and the third day when he had run two houres and was about to giue ouer he would needs shew that he was not wearie and calling Monsieur Lorges earle of Montgomery then captaine of his guard that was esteemed to be one of the best runners at tilt in France willed him to breake one launce more with him who excused himselfe by the wearinesse of his horse and other things but the king would not be denied and so as they were running one against the other it fortuned that Montgomery breaking his launce vpon the kings breast the splinters thereof slew into the kings visor of his helmet which was forgotten to be close shut and by reason that the visor gaue vp one of the splinters strucke the king in the right eye and wounded him deadly and when he began to stagger he was vpholden and taken downe from his horse sore bleeding with great crying of all the court and many of the people and being vnarmed and his wound visited by diuers expert surgeons whereof one was Andreas Vesalius sent thither by king Philip it was found to be mortall and altogether deadly and yet by the great experience and policie of the said surgeons he liued ten daies after and died vpon the tenth of August 1554 at the age of fortie yeres and in the twelfth yere of his raigne at his death complaining of his owne lightnes and also amongst other things that he had been ouer-rigorous against those of the reformed religion but the Cardinall of Lorraine told him that it was the diuell that troubled his mind so much willing him to striue and resist against him He was a wise prince and a right souldier couetous of honour and high minded The earle of Montgomery after the deed done fell downe vpon his knees before him acknowledging that hee had well deserued to die but the king would not in any wise that it should bee imputed vnto him but freely forgaue him as hauing compelled him thereunto but he presently departed from the court keeping himselfe solitarily as a man desolat comfortlesse but being counselled to read the holy Scriptures for his consolation as the Frenchmen write in the end it was the meanes to cause him to alter his religion and being before that a Romish Catholick and one that earnestly persecuted the reformed religion after that became a great protector defendor thereof in Fraunce and at the last being besieged in a small towne of Normandy called Damsron he was taken prisoner from thence caried to Paris and there openly beheaded whose death was imputed vnto the queene her children to be a point of cruelty reuenge King Henry left issue foure sonnes and three daughters Isabella the eldest was then espoused to the king of Spaine the second was dutchesse of Lorraine and the third queene of Nauarre Francis the eldest sonne was maried to the queene of Scotland and succeeded his father after him Charles after him Henry that was also king of Poland Francis the fourth son in Ann. 1582 was made duke of Brabant all which died without issue In K. Henry the seconds time two great sinnes raigned much in France as Atheisme Nigromancie which was much imputed to the Italians that were attendants vpon Q. Katherine de Medices and thought to be they that brought it in wherein many French poets and rymers were great helpers which many wise and learned men ascribe to be the cause of the deserued punishment that fell vpon the country of France Those of the reformed religion in Fraunce write that strange death of the king to be iustly sent vnto him and a great fauour of God towards them as thereby shewing his church his great power and a deliuery from a great persecution which the duke of Alua being there at that time sought to put in practise by the said kings aid according to the first article of the last peace concluded tending to the destruction of all those of the reformed religion throughout the world which it seemeth that the king sought to begin with the lords of his parliament among the rest committed Anna du bourg prisoner that openly spake vnto the king in the parliament house to be fauourable to those of the reformed religion for which cause the K. being fore moued threatned him that he would himself see him burnt which God by the wound in his eie would not suffer him to do but the said duhourg was afterward burnt notwithstāding the kings death This yere in August Pope Paule the fourth of the familie of Caraffa that was the cause of breaking the peace and had made war against the king of Spaine and the first founder of the Iesuits died in Rome at such time as with all his kinred and sect he had vndertaken and concluded to make a great persecution vnder pretence of religion against all good persons His death gaue many men cause to reioice especially the inhabitants of Rome in regard of the innumerable warres taxations burthens that he his practised procured so that the people of Rome arming themselues ran vnto the Inquisition house where they wounded the chiefe Inquisitor the rest flying away to saue their liues which done they burnt the house and released the prisoners would haue burnt the cloyster of Minerua because they were addicted vnto the Inquisitors if by meanes of Marcus Antoniu◅ Columna and Iulius Caesarino it had not beene preuented who by many faire words dissuaded them from it whereby also the Popes nephewes and kindreds houses were likewise spared The Popes image standing in the Capitoll they beat downe and drawing it through the streets cast it into the riuer of Tyber and commandement giuen in the name of the counsell and people of Rome vpon paine of great punishment that all the Popes and his familie of Caraffes images armes shields and titles should be broken downe in euery place of Rome as deadly enemies vnto mankind whose memorie deserued not to bee kept in the world Pope Pius the fourth his successor although hee had promised Cardinall Caraffa and the duke of Paliano his cousin and their familie to forgiue all offences fore-past and assured them thereof by his hand writing yet neuerthelesse he caused them all to
importance and that her Maiestie at that present should binde the Lords of the estates generall most strictly vnto her if it would please her to assist them in that their need by lending them the summe of a hundred thousand pounds starling for the space of sixe or eight moneths vpon condition to pay it againe at the same time and for assâ—…ance thereof the said states should giue her their obligations wherby with Gods helpe she might assure and make them able to compell and force the Spanish souldiers and their adherents to leaue the country either by faire or by foule meanes and to be a meanes that no man else vnder pretence of lending them ayde and assistance should make them-selues maisters of the Netherlands which she knew to be subiect vnto the lawfull gouernment of the king of Spaine their naturall prince as also that it should not bee conuenient for her Maiestie to haue any such neighbours whom she well knew to be no lesse ambitious nor of lesse proud behauiour then the Spaniards were which they neuerthelesse if shee could not ayde them with some ready money must bee forced to vse for that they could haue but small seruice of their soldiers which they had already leuied if they were not paied where-vnto as yet they had no meanes vntill they had taken a generall order therein wherein they begin to proceede but that before the same could be effected the enemy might strengthen himselfe and oppresse them to the vtter ouer-throw of the Netherlands and all the estates of the countries bordering vpon For which cause they desired that her Maiesty would shew how highly and deerely she esteemed of the old aliances and contracts made betweene her kingdomes and the Netherlands by the treaties of intercourses and trafickes of Marchants so necessary for both countries which would not bee maintained if any other Prince should rule ouer the said Netherlands which if it should so fall out as God defend them from it without doubt in time her Maiesty would find her selfe in as great difficulty as the Netherlands desiring her to remember the verse Tunc tua res agitur paries cum proximus ardet These reasons graciously heard by the Queene of England she presently made answere by word of mouth saying that she was sory that the King his Maister was so badly councelled and that shee had twise or thrise sent vnto him to desire him to consider the nature and condition of the Netherlands and to remember how obedient the inhabitants thereof had beene to their naturall Princes which at all times had gouerned them so fortunately and that it was fitter for him to followe the same course then to vse the extremity which is alwaies accompanied with great iniustice and force and can not long subsist as being a most certaine and an assured ruine of all common welthes and that if hee thought it good that shee should bee a mediator betweene them both shee would gladly doe her best to end and pacifie all quarrells with condition that they should obserue such religion as the King would haue them to follow to gether with his soueraine authority and reputation which she as a Princesse vnderstood did of right belong vnto all Princes and that all Princes were bound to ayd and assist one the other for the maintenance of their soueraingty as being a common cause belonging vnto them where-vnto shee sayd hee made her answere that he gaue her thankes for her good offer and that hee hoped to deale so well with his subiects of the Netherlands that hee should not need to trouble any other Prince therein and that if it should come to that point hee would rather trust her therein then any other of his neighbours in that sort as she said reiecting her Princely offer with good words and therefore she said that the Netherlands might assure them-selues that shee would not endure that the Spaniards should rule absolutely amongst them in regarde of the daunger that thereby might bee incident vnto her as also in regarde of the ancient amity confederations and trafickes that her kingdomes had with the said Netherlands alwaies conditioning that they should deale faithfully vprightly and plainely with her maintaining the authority of their King and the religion as they were wont to doe in which respect shee would not let them want nether for mony nor men And when the Lord of Sweuenghen made further request vnto her for money she made answere that shee would doe it and that she would shortly resolue vpon the same After that entring into some other speeches with him she seemed to haue some dislike of the Prince of Orange and of the French-men saying that shee vnderstood of his motion therein made vnto them but shee would by no meanes seeme to like better of the French-men to bee in the Netherlands then of the Spaniards further speaking of the warres and of their commanders leaders and of their army she disliked that the commanders were all in manner young men and as she thought and had beene informed from thence had small experience in the warres to take such a charge in hand councelling them to vse the ayde and aduise of Lazarus Zwendâ—… a man of great experience and one well knowne in the Netherlands and the like old soldiers of that nation Shee said further it was not long since shee had sent one of her Gentlemen into Spaine to shew the King plainely that if he would not retire the Spaniards out of the Netherlands shee would helpe to driue them out Where-vnto the Ambassador according to his commission answered her at full and after that delt with the Queenes principall councellers as the Lord Bâ—…rghley Lord high treasor or of England The Earle of Lecester secretary Walsingham and others who thought it conuenient to send Captaine Horsley vnto the States to vnderstand their full intents and meanings and whether their pretence were to maintaine their old religion and the authority of their Prince the driuing out of all forraine soldiers and to bee gouerned by the naturall borne subiects of the land and to liue according to their ancient right and priueleges and being thereof assured that then the said Captaine Horsley should presently ride vnto Don Iohn of Austria to desire him that hee would graunt to their request or else flatly and plainely to tell him that her Maiestie would not suffer the Netherlands to bee tyrannized by the Spaniards as shee had likewise sent word vnto the King of Spaine him-selfe With this charge and commission Captaine Horsley went into the Netherlands and there effected his message meane time the Barron of Sweuenghen dealt further with the councell of England which told him that according to the aduise and intelligence that was brought vnto them the Netherlands were not to exâ—…ect much good at the Frenchmens hands saying that they had the coppies of the instructions of Mounsier Boniuet the French Ambassador in Brussels and of the duke of Aniou
estate And euery one knowing how long hee hath dealt in the affaires of this countrie and of the councel of estate may persuade himselfe that it is not without reason that hee doth attribute vnto himselfe this knowledge And therefore bee intreats all men of iudgement especially those that make profession of the religion to allowe him something which cannot bee knowne but to such as haue pierst into the bowels of the affaires of Spaine as he hath often and long time done But hee is content that all good men which haue interest in the cause should consider of that which is set to the viewe of euery man and knowne to all the world and then iudge of the king of Spaines resolutions that is whether the beginning of this monarchie of Spaine bee not wholly grounded vpon the strict leagues intelligences and correspondencies which the kings of Castile and Aragon haue had heretofore with the Pope which amities beeing many yeares since begunne haue still increased by the continuance of mutuall offices which they haue done one vnto another the pope augmenting this crowne of Spaine and the king of Spaine embracing the popes quarrels against all the world without any reseruation The popes haue augmented the house of Aragon with the realmes of Naples and Sicile and haue made the way for the house of Spaine to conquer Lombardie and to hold the princes of Italie subiect at his deuotion some by citadels some by feare and some by practises alwaies managed and coloured by the popes So as if at any time the house of France hath practised some little fauour from the Pope presently the house of Spaine hath felt the foundations of his Seigniories in Italie to shake and readie to fall the historie whereof is well knowne to all men of state If then there were no other reason but this onely the house of Spaine knowing well of what importance the estate of Italie is would neuer attempt any thing but as he should be instructed by the spirit of the court of Rome with the which no good man can haue any greater familiaritie then Christ had with Belial But euery man knoweth that the great empire at the Indies which Spaine doth at this daie enioy is due by the Spaniards vnto the free gift of the Romish Sea and likewise the coniunction of the crownes of Aragon and Castile to the popes dispensation as also the conquest of the kingdome of Nauarre and of late of the kingdome of Portugall and countries subiect to the crowne For these reasons then we must thinke that neither the king of Spaine nor any of his successors after him will euer seperate themselues from the amitie of that sea and consequently he will be of necessitie an open enemie to the true religion the which can no more endure the the pope and his adherents than the sea doth a dead carcasse And for as much as all the dangers whereunto the said prince may be exposed with these countries the which are very great to iudge according vnto man are yet nothing in comparison of the ruine of the true religion whereof they that persecute it are enemies and the said prince should be treacherous if he should abandon it for these considerations hee is resolued with the helpe of God to continue constant in his first resolution vnto the end of his life and if God giue him the grace so to assure these countries as after his death he will leaue it able to defend it selfe against the power of Spaine and his adherents The said prince is not ignorant what reports are spread abroad by his enemies in regard of that which is treated betwixt the Estates of Holland and his person and that before that hee would yeeld vnto them he had foreseene and dulie considered both by himselfe and with many men of worth and reputation and moreouer hauing condescended thereunto he had protracted the busines to auoyd the slaunders of the wicked and the suspition of some who are not of themselues badde but may interpret the said treatie sinisterly not knowing the true cause and ground But the said prince beeing vnwilling to make any long discourse vpon this point wherein hee should do himselfe wrong for that it could not be so simply written but it would tend something to his praise he is content to say intreats monsieur Norris to assure her Maiesty the lords of her councel al good men that if the said prince had not bin persuaded by many pregnant reasons which haue beene propounded vnto him by many men of qualitie whose pietie to religion affection to their countrie and wisdome to iudge are well knowne vnto him that it was necessarie and conuenient for the preseruation of religion and to keepe so many good men from vniust deaths by the crueltie of their enemies and that others liuing in simplicitie and ignorance should not bee seduced by the practises of the children of this world hee had neuer proceeded further and yet matters being as they are if they can shew him a more safe way hee protests that he is ready to follow it and to march constantly after him that shall guide him The said prince doth intreat all good men so to temper their iudgements as they giue no place either to slaunders or false reports nor to opinions grounded onely vpon suspition hoping that his word shall be sooner credited than a bare suspition the which may bee as soone refuted as it growes in the spirit of man without ground and assurance Nothing then hath mooued the said prince to take that course which he hitherto followed but this holy resolution aboue mentioned And if it shall now please her Maiestie to vnderstand what meanes the said prince propounds vnto himselfe for the maintenance of so iust and yet so difficult a quarrell to obey her Maiestie to whom he desires to continue a most humble seruant and not to forget to aduertise her as much as he may of the estate of his affaires hee intreats the Seignior Norris to acquaint her Maiestie with that which followes That first of all the great and eternall power of God is knowne vnto him not onely by his holy doctrine where he hath learned it but also by many experiences which hee hath made and diuers effects which he hath felt in the aduancement preseruation of the true Church and first in the time of his ancestors in the kingdom of Bohemia and in his time in Germanie Switser-land England Scotland France and in the end in these countries and euen in his owne person And that in all these kingdoms and prouinces God hath made it visibly known to all the world that he suffered men to propound in their councels but he knew how to dis pose of all things and to him alone belonged the honour and glorie of the preseruation of his people And although that this resolution he setled in his heart and that he referres himselfe to his holy prouidence yet he knoweth the
the Romish catholike religion wherewith they did shadow their rebellion That whilest the King made open profession of the reformed religion those of the contrary faction being far more in number would follow the duke of Mayene and house of Guise who through the fauor of the Pope and the King of Spaine would finde meanes to entertaine the fire within his realme the which said they was worth a paltry masse neither would it be lost for a few ceremonies Although that these aduises were incountred by notable aduertisments from other councellors yet it seemed the King was somewhat inclined therevnto and that the deputies of the Princes and Noblemen of his Councel conferring with them of the league to preuent the election of a new King put them in hope of it and to attaine therevnto with the more ease they procured certaine learned Prelats to assemble in whose presence this businesse should bee debated at large Wherevpon the King directed his letters to many bearing date the 18. day of May appointing them the 15. of Iuly to come before him assuring them that in so doing they should finde him readie and tractable to do that which was befitting a most Christian King who had nothing more deere vnto him then the zeale of Gods seruice and the maintayning of the true church This action did not greatly please the heads of the league Whilest the Deputies assembled to conferre of religion and that the Estates of Paris proceeded in their affaires whereas the heads of the league had their generall designes in regard of the election of a new King yet all tending to one end which was to enteraine the warre in France the court of parliament at Paris meaning to disapoint all these practises and to chase the Spaniard out of France pronounced a decree on the 28. of Iune as followeth Vpon a declaration made by the Kings attorney general and the matter being debated in Court all the chambers being assembled hauing neuer had any other intention but to maintaine the Catholike Apostolike and Romish relligion in the Estate and crowne of France vnder the protection of a most Christian Catholike and French King Wee haue decreed and do decree that warning shal be giuen by the president le Maistre being assisted by a good number of the court vnto Mounsire de Mayne Lieutenant generall of the Estate and crowne of France in presence of the Princes and Officers of the crowne being now in this cittie that no treatie bee made to transfer the crowne to any forraine Prince or Princesse That the fondamentall lawes of this realme shal be kept the decrees made by the court for the declaration of a catholike French king shal be executed And that hee imploy the authority which is committed vnto him to the end that vnder the pretext of religion the crowne bee not transferd to any against the lawes of the realme and to procure as speedely as may be the peoples quiet being reduc'd to extreame necessity and moreouer we do at this present declare all acts which shal be hereafter made for the establishing of any forraine Prince or Princesse to bee voide and of no force as made to the preiudice of the Salique law and other fondamentall lawes of this Realme The Duke was much discontented with this decree seeing all his designes crost wherevpon he grew into some high tearmes with the President who answered him and other leaguers very resolutly In the end after many meetings letters and answers betwixt the deputies of the Kings part and them of the league according vnto the conference which had beene appointed in despight of the duke of Mayene and the heads of the league the perswasions of such as desired the King should make profession of the Romish religion preuailed so as the king who since his retreat from the court of France aboue 15. yeares before had made open profession of the Protestants reformed religion against the aduise of his ministers and others went to the masse in great solemnity to Saint Denis church the 25. of Iuly and from that time he went vsually to the exercise of the Romish religion whereof he did aduertise his Parliaments by his letters the same day which did much amaze them of the religion yet did they not forsake their profession The duke of Mayen and his chiefe assistants seeing a part of their designes crost by that which had happened and that on the other side the Spaniards sought to entertaine the fire of diuisions by the election of a new King whome they would marry with the Infanta who as duke Charles of Bougongne with his daughter Mary entertained all the Neighbour Princes serued for a Leure for the King of Spaine to draw vnto him all the petty Kings of the league To the end they might giue some collour to their affaires and frustrat al the practises of Spaine they began in Iuly to negotiat a general truce so as after some iorneys to fro it was concluded in 22. articles at Vilette betwixt Paris S. Denis and proclaimed the first of August both in Paris and S. Denis Notwithstanding this generall truce the heads of the league and Estates at Paris did not forbeare to pursue their designes And as they had before opposed themselues at Rome by the means and fauor of the King of Spaines Ambassador against the negotiations of the Cardinall of Gondi and the Marquis of Pisaui deputies vnto the Pope in the behalfe of the catholike Princes Noblemen of France before the said 25. of Iuly In like manner they resolued to worke so as the King of whom they spake very odiously should not be receiued but they did contradict him as much or more then before by the rayling and seditious sermons of some sorbonists by declarations made to the contentment of their adherents by secret attempts and by sinister practises at Rome to crosse and hinder the duke of Neuers voiage who went thether in the Kings name to make his submission and acknowledg his obedience vnto the Pope wherein the ambassador of Spaine and the chiefe of the Iesuits procured him great crosses and lets as appeeres by a booke which was set forth of the sayd dukes ambassage and of the crosses he receiued in the Kings name As for the Sorbonists and other seditious preachers of the league as well in publike as in priuate both before and after the truce their discourses were nothing else but that the masse which was songe before the King deserued the name of a ballet or stage-play that it wasmpossible the King should be conuerted that the Pope could not make him a catholike againe with other such inciuill and strange propositions In regard of the declarations made by the chiefe of the league to recomend themselues vnto their partisans to make a secret attempt vpon the Kings councellors that were least affected to the catholike religion and to ingage the realme in greater troubles and calamities then euer
wrath of a great incensed potentate and Prince against his subiects by whom hee findes himselfe to bee left and reiected You shall finde no examples neither in ancient nor moderne histories that the subiects which once haue fallen from their Prince or that defended their owne freedomes or were fallen into greater slauerie and misery could euer finde any meane to worke their reconciliation and to procure restitution to their former estates vnlesse that their territories and countries were so strong and mightie as they had their owne assurance within themselues thereby at all times to force the agreement made to be held and obserued and to with-stand the Princes attempts which hee should make to the contrary Some say there was neuer any warre seene nor heard of but at the last it was ended by peace and that quarrels ought not alwayes to continue and bee without end I acknowledge that also to bee true and desire by my counsell to leade you vnto a good happy and an assured peace for that peace is obtained either by an accord or by victory Potentates and Princes may helpe themselues by both the said meanes and when victory denieth it them they may seeke to make an agreement and being made trust therevnto for that by meanes of hilles and valleys or deepe seas they are commonly seperated one from the other whereby one cannot so hastily inuade the other each of them hath his gouernment apart and holdeth his sword and strength in his hand to bee his owne warrant as soone as hee shall finde any cause of distrust but betweene you and the reconciled enemy there are no walles to part you You must lay your heads in his lap deliuer vp all your aduantage armes and gouernment and haue no meanes at all of warrant assurance or trust but at your deadly enemies discretion and mercie which in so hard a case is dangerous to prooue And therefore you must seeke by victorie to get peace with resolution either to dye valiantly or couraigously to obtaine the victorie The third meane or midle way of againe receiuing the once lawfully forsaken and disauowed Prince diuerse countries and nations whereof too many examples are extant haue hardly attained vnto but by meanes of valiant and couragious continuance in armes which some haue wisely chosen and haue in the end obtained a desired peace and rest whereof I will set downe a fewe examples which are very well knowne vnto euery man and as yet fresh and perfect in memory By this meanes the Switzers being hardly dealt withall by the house of Austria would no more subiect themselues vnder the same yoake but by meanes of their constant resolution they obtained such freedome as at this day they are seene to flourish and yet their warres continued not any thing the longer God Almighty by his wonderfull prouidence ordered the matter in such sort as the house of Austria itselfe refrained from armes and in tract of time had neede of the ayde and assistance of the Switzers who after they had made warres together for the space of a hundred yeares and many times made peace and truce for a time which was alwayes broken by the house of Austria at last Sigismond Duke of Austria made a perpetuall peace permitting them to enioy their full freedome the which the Emperour Maximilian the first and Charles the fift both of the house of Austria did afterwards ratifie and confirme and had great ayde and assistance from the Switzers in their Italian warres In like case also they of Denmarke would by no meanes bee perswaded to accept of Christian King of Denmarke whom they had driuen out of the countrie although the Emperor Charles the fift his brother in lawe and others both by armes and intreaties imbraced the cause and yet neither the Switzers nor the Danes had not so waightie lawfull nor well grounded a cause for the leauing of their sayd Princes nor yet endured the hundred part of the oppressions and wrongs nor shewed so much patience as the Netherlanders but the example of the Machabees which is found in the holy Scriptures is most agreeable with your case concerning religion for they would not be any more vnder the yoake of Antiochus whom they had reiected but continued so long in armes vntill the Prince him-selfe became weary and suffered then to liue in peace so you by a valiant resolution and continuance in armes are to expect and hope for a great furtherance and blessing from God almighty who thus long hath so wonderfully assisted you and will still helpe and assist you in regard that you are compelled to fight not onely for your old and commendable fredomes and liberties but also for his and his Churches honor Now al men of any sound iudgement wil conceaue whether the present Estate of the Netherlands at this day be not like vnto that and it is to be hoped that the King of Spaine and the Archduke Albertus will at the last by your constant resolutions be brought to the consideration of the bad aduise and counsell which they haue thus long followed and be weary of this pestiferous warre being a canker eating into their tresure and ouerslipping and neglecting of other notable occasions and conquests and great danger and trouble for many of their countries and kingdomes and will giue place to better counsell as their progenitors did in respect of the Switzers suffering the Netherlands peaceably to enioy their freedom and religion and vse there aid and friendshippe in other actions which may procure them ten times more profit where-vnto all Spanish nations that border on the seas in respect of their necessary trade and mutuall trafficke will be great furtherers and by humble petitions if they see your constancy still resolute to continew moue the King to yeeld therevnto for that without doubt they indure more trouble and hinderance by the prohibition of sea-faring then the Netherlanders other-wise the King that last died would not haue permitted the same for so many yeares euen in the heate of all his warres This is the true and onely meanes to attaine vnto an assured peace and quietnesse all other meanes and agreements are mixed with many cares and suspitions the common nature of men cannot subiect them-selues after the leauing and reiecting of their King neither can he put any assured trust or confidence againe in you nor you in him although in regard of your good nature and vpright heartes you suffer your selues to be perswaded to cast of all feare and distrust wherin alwaies the weakest haue the greatest cause and to iudge other mens hearts by your owne hoping that men will deale in like-sort without faulse-hood with you as you do with them and yet there is nothing more certaine then that the said distrust will neuer be remooed out of the King and the Arch-dukes hearts which no man knoweth better then their owne counselors that speake so much of casting of all distrust for they will alwaies put their
and a more assured argument to confirme the same from the example of their Estates of the Kingdomes of Naples and Arragon and the Duchie of Millan who haue withstood the inquisition not because they had any sauor of the true Religion but for that they perceaued that no man could liue so catholikely but he should be subiect vnto the proceeding thereof and that it serueth for a meanes without exception of any priueledges iurisdictions freedomes and countries customes to iudge all persons and for all causes whatsoeuer as it manifestly apeareth by the history of Anthonio Perez with whom the King being so much offended as hee could not apease his wrath against him because according to his countries priueledges hee was to bee cald in question before the Iudges of Arragon and not by any other strange Iudges hee caused him to bee prosecuted by the inquisition although hee were not accused of any matter touching Religion A Gentleman of Spaine borne in Salamanca and that came with the Duke of Alua out of Spaine beeing in my house sayd openly that in their towne their was no man of any estate or quality but would gladly loose one of the ioyntes of his fingers that hee might bee released of the feare they haue of the inquisition The marchants of Lisbone beeing the greatest Catholikes in the world at King Philips first comming into Portingall sought to buy out that feare of the inquisition onely crauing this small fauour that the inquisitors should commit no man to prison without making them acquainted with the cause and letting them know their accusers that they should adiorne them to appeare in open court and that no man should bee condemned vpon any witnesses depositions without giuing a copie thereof vnto the parties condemned that they might answere therevnto and disproue the witnesses Finally they sought nothing els but reasonable audience before they were con demned and an ordinarie course of lawe according to all right equitie and reason but it might not bee graunted vnto them of Lisbone although they offered two milions and a halfe and would gladly haue giuen foure for the inquisitors would not bee brought to such a straight but would hold their vnrestrained power and libertie to condemne euery one that they once catch within their nets although they haue no other witnesses then the prisoners owne sworne enemies or some base villaines which otherwise will not bee credited for a matter of three guildens or els such as they themselues haue subborned as Annas and Chayphas did against Christ and yet they did better then the inquisitors doe because they brought the witnesse before him The generall Estates of the vnited Prouinces beeing well acquainted herewith although they were Catholikes yet could not allow of the bringing in of Bishoppes perceauing that it tended not so much to the aduancement of the Catholike religion as to ouerthrow the priueledges of the countrie and to bring in an absolute gouernment where at the assemblie of the Estates of the countrie they sit and ouer-rule them and by that meanes would looke into all mens proceedings thereby to demynish the ancient libertie of voices and of the speaking for their priueledges In the yeare of our Lord 1576. the catholike Prouinces yea and many Abbots and Prelats themselues finding this decay of their preueledges for the defence thereof made a contract with Holland and Zeeland although God did suffer for the sinnes of the country which as yet were not punished that some fell from them againe whereof many beholding the bad successe were much greeued thereat Therefore bee not so mad nor blind to let this insupportable yoake against the which they of Arragon Naples and Millan stroue and resisted with faire promises to be brought in among you thinke for certaine that the inquisition shall bee more rigorously executed in these countries then in any other places for that the true Religion hath here beene longer exercised and hath taken deeper roote then els where so as the Spaniards esteeme all the Inhabitants of the country to be heretikes and I tel you true that you shal in many parts be in worse case then those of the religion for they knowing that there remaineth no grace nor mercy for them will make away and with distrust and fore-sight arme themselues against it but you by means of your ouer much credulity shal fall into their nets fire and sword when you least thinke thereof and when you speed best although euery man escapeth bodyly punishment yet with vnspeakeable greefe hee shall behold the ouerthrowing of the countries lawdable freedomes and priueledges and shall not once dare to looke vp nor speake one word against it but the Spaniards will raile at them and call them Viliacos Lutheranos Tradidores c. As often as you behold your children you shall with sighes thinke that you bring them vp to bee slaues vnto the Spaniards and that your successors and posterities shall see an vnspeakeable alteration in the estate of the countrie The riches trade and sea-faring which by their good policy iustice and priueledges is much augmented shall by altering thereof also decay and be carried into strange countries as it is already dri uen out of Brabant Flanders and other Prouinces considering that euery man seekes to rule f ecly The Spaniards and the Arch-dukes counsell will by all secret and open practises seeke to deminish the glory and welth of the country they will bee glad to see the Inhabitants imploy themselues to till and plow the land and to milke their Cowes neither will they grieue that the number of shippes and rich Marchants decaies for that in their iudgements it hath beene the meanes which brought the Prouinces to so great welth and hath so long maintained the warres and that the meaner sort of subiects are more tractable to bee gouerned You see already that the Arch duke and the Infanta by their contract of marriage are bound to forbid your trade into the East and West Indies Herein you haue an example of Portingale where King Philip at his first comming to that crowne considering that the sayd country was as strong of ships and saylers as al the territories of Spaine that the same in time might blemish his authoritie and absolute command hee purposely disarmed and weakened them at sea and reiecting the Portingall pilots and masters of shippes he imployed all other nations in them so as many saylers of portingall giuing themselues to tilling the land and other labors the old dying and the number which increased but small in nineteene yeares the marriners were so decaied as the King himselfe in setting out of his fleetes found the want of them Thus shall the Spaniards weaken and disarme the Netherlands which haue prouided them so much worke for these thirty yeares that so they may not feare the like resistance They will put the old resolutions againe in practise thereby to bring all the countries with their seuerall rights customes and priueledges
The Emperors letter to the princes â—…lectors The Emâ—…erors departure out of the Netherlands 1556 King Philips age King Philips proceeding after the emperors departure King Philip makes an excessiue demaÌ„d of the Netherlanders A great famin in the Netherlands The king coâ—…es out of â—…ngland to â—…is A fight at sea betweene the Hollanders the FrenchmeÌ„ Mary queen of England â—…roclaimeth open war against France S. Quintains besieged by king Philip. The battaile of 〈◊〉 Quintines The names of the noblemen of France thâ—…t were sâ—…e taken prisoners S. Quintine won the admiral of France with monsieur Daudelot his brother taken prisoners Peace made with the pope Calis taken by 〈◊〉 French meÌ„ * E. Demetrius 1558 Guynes woon by the French men Mary queen of Scots maried to the Dolphin of France Theonuille woon by the French men Duynkâ—…rke woâ—…n by the â—…nch men The battaileoâ—… Graueling in Flanders Mary queen of England died The death of queen â—…enor and queen Mary sistâ—…rs to â—…he emperour Charles the 5. The death of the emperour Charles the 5. Treatie of peace between France and Spaine Articles of the peace made at Cambresis Heâ—…ry king of France slâ—…ine aâ—… a running at 〈◊〉 The death of Pope Paule the fourth The lady Marguerite aduanced to the gouernment by the Cardinals meanes A petition mâ—…de by the states to king Philip to send the Spaniards out of the Netherlands King Philip 〈◊〉 from Vlishâ—…g into Spaine The Bible called Complutensis printed in Antuerpe at the costs and charges of K. Philip. A briefe declaration of the priuiledges of Brabant The libâ—…ralitie of thâ—… NetherlaÌ„dâ—…s to their lords and princes The emperour Charls thoght to haue reduced the Netherlands all into one kingdome Vnder pretence of religion othermeans were sought to take the priuiledges of the Netherlands from them The Inquâ—…tion nâ—…t suffered to proceed in the NetherlaÌ„ds oy means of Mary queen of Hungarie Inquisitors of the Faith made Thâ—… liâ—… of cardâ—…l 〈◊〉 His â—…randfather Hâ—…s father â—…is 〈◊〉 to hâ—…ue thâ—… king 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of â—…s couâ—…sel How he preuented the enuy of the couâ—… The cardinalâ—… priuat life His adultery luxury The Cardinals codpisse Hath made the king Golette misse His inchantments and witchcrâ—…t His contempt of the word of God The clergie at debate for the new bishops Deputies sent from Antuâ—…rpe to the king of Spâ—…ne touching the bishops The lord of Monâ—… sent â—…to Spain 1563 Letters of complâ—…int vntâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…g agâ—… the cardinall The kings answer The noblemens reply The cardinal called back into Spaine The pâ—…ution oâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ster 1564 Difference betwixt England and the Netherlands The abbey of Ouwergâ—…m â—…obd The earle of Egmont sent into Spaine 1565 The kings letters other than were expected Execution of the edicts Introduction of the Inquisition To put tâ—…e couâ—…ll of Treâ—…t in praâ—…e The Gouernesse sâ—…ters to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The prince of Oranges letter to the dutches Touching the execution of edicts The prince excuseâ—…h himself fâ—…oÌ„ this châ—…rge The Gouernesse sends for the prince of Orange to come to Brussels The magistrat of Antuerpe sendeth to the Gouernesse A bloudie resolution A dâ—…scourse of Fâ—…s Baudwins teaching the meanes to â—…uent the trouâ—…s Definition of this word Reâ—…on The minds of men cannot be commanded by force Couetousnes and ambition doe more than torments They must giue audience to them of the religion Mahumet forbids to dispute of his religion They of the reliâ—…on neuer heard with patience The holy Scripture as powerful now as euer to confute heresies Counsels reiâ—…cted by some bishops The word of God must determine of controuersies If it were fit to hinder the exercise of Religion Abuse in the Church the cause of great 〈◊〉 The christians in old timâ—…s assembled in the deserts He that is disloyâ—…ll vnto God wil be also vnto the king Fuseâ—…ius in the life of Constantine Emperor A good consideration touching the 〈◊〉 of the Netherlands No sorts maintaine kings so much as the loue of their subiects The cause of the troubles in France Great numbers haue forsaken the Netherlands for Religion Thâ—…t those of the 〈◊〉 are 〈◊〉 â—…ll of base condâ—…on Most oâ—… the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and best wâ—…ts â—…re of the 〈◊〉 In the end they shall be forced to grant liberâ—…e of religion Obiections against â—…ee excrâ—…se of â—…ligion Answer to the first obiection It is no new 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…row 〈…〉 〈◊〉 the diuersitie oâ—…â—…ons 〈…〉 pâ—…ons Note this counsell An assembly of the nobles at the mariage of the prince of Parma The noblemen assemble at S. Trudon touching the troubles A compromise of the nobles of the Netherlands Diuers opinions of the confederation of the Netherlands The verie words of the Inquisitors commission The vaunts and threats of priests and preachers incenseth the people Prouinces of the Netherlands confederats with the empire Six chiefe articles in the priuiledges of Brabant Deputies of the nobles with a petition at an imperiall Diet. The gouernors â—…nd knights of the order sent for to court The Gouernesse writes to the king all the â—…res of the Netherlands The Gouernâ—… pâ—…th thâ—…â—…es oâ—…â—…bant A proiect to moderat the edicts A petition sent by them of Brabant to the king of Spaine They would hâ—…ue Brabant â—…or an enemy by reason of their priuiledges 〈…〉 An ambiguous and rigoróus apostile to the petition of them of Flanders A second petition made by them of Flanders against the Inquisition The beginning of the Gueux by the which the protestants in the Netherlands were called The lord of Brederode his speech presenting the petition The petition of the nobles against the Inquisition c. The petition of the nobles interpreted to rebellion The Gouernesse answere to the petition of the nobles The Gouernesse policie The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 The contents of the moderation of the proclâ—…tion for Religion The commission of the embassadors of the Netherlands declared vnto the king An answer of the â—…obles to the duâ—…sse excuse 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 The earle of Megen and others The duchesse perplexed for the answer of the nobles Two factions in Antuerpe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A petition made by the reformed churches to the magistrat of Antuerpe The prince of Orange seekes to order things 〈◊〉 Antuerpe Dist ust the cause of troubles in Antuerpe The prince requires a leuie of 1200 men in Antuerpe The answer of the great counsell and the members of Antuerpe to the princes proposition Another occasion of trouble in Antuerpe It seemes the duchesse deâ—… to â—…at the people for small matters An explanation oâ—…â—…o blâ—… answer to the duchesse The noblemen insist vpon their assurance The prince of Orange and the earles of Egmont and Horne The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Goueâ—… nâ—…se â—…s to the townes of the Netherlands Troubles in Antuerpe Foure reasons why they kept their preaching in Antuerp Iust â—…tion of the commons sent vnto the prince touching the preaching The breaking of images begâ—…n iâ—…