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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A07032	A tragicall historie of the troubles and ciuile warres of the lowe Countries, otherwise called Flanders Wherein, is sett forthe the originall and full proceedyng of the saied troubles and ciuile warres, with all the stratagemes, sieges, forceble takynges, and manlike defenses, of diuers and sondrie cities, tounes, and fortresses of the same, together, the barbarous crueltie and tyrannie of the Spaniard, and trecherous hispaniolized Wallons, [and] others of the saied lowe Countreis. And there withall, the estate and cause of religion, especially, from the yere 1559. vnto the yere 1581. Besides many letters, commissions, contractes of peace, unions, articles and agrementes, published and proclaimed in the saied prouinces. Translated out of French into Englishe, by T.S. ge[n]t.; Chronyc. historie der Nederlandtscher oorlogen, troublen enn oproeren oorspronck, anvanck enn eynde, item den standt der religien, tot desen jare 1580. English.	Stocker, Thomas, fl. 1569-1592.; Marnix van St. Aldegonde, Philips van, 1538-1598, attributed name.; Rijckewaert, Carolus, called Theophilus, fl. 1577, attributed name.; Henricpetri, Adam, fl. 1576. General historien der aller namhafftigsten unnd fürnembsten Geschichten, Thaten und Handlungen.; Le Petit, Jean François, 1546-ca. 1615, attributed name.	1583 (1583)	STC 17450.3; ESTC S111524	324,446	432

of bloud burnyng and destructions of Prouinces as now presently we see for many Prouinces are now brought to naught many Cities sacked the Enhabitauntes murdered and vtterly spoyled and the onely cause and originall of altogether is this that the three estates aforesaied are not duely and truely ordered and gouerned and therefore of very right and reason wee iustly feele the heauie indignation and wrath of God fallen vppon vs. Now for conclusion my Lordes I haue been very desierous to dedicate this my Booke vnto your Lordshippes conteinyng the ciuill warres in the lowe Countreis wherein you maie beholde the originall and first beginnyng of these troubles and bloudie warres together the stratagemes and practizes of the Popish and Spanishe Inquisition vtterly to roote vp the Churche of God Beseechyng you my good Lordes to take all in good parte Your most humble and obedient Seruaunt Theophile D. L. The first booke of the histories of the troubles in the Lowe Countreys conteyning the very originall and chiefe beginning of all those troubles and cruell warres which sithens haue ensued THe Scriptures of the Prophetes and Apostles wheron the Church of God is built haue of long time bin vnknowne vnto christendome and ouershadowed with horrible darknes and so were hid by the religious●rable and Balamiticall priestes because they might thereby so much the more confirme and establish their vayne opinions and foolishe deuises as the very foundation of all their wealth and onely piller of their honor and dignitie For Luther the author of the light of the Gospell when Martin Luther began to bring to light the holy Scriptures and had nowe manifested by the preaching of the Gospell many faultes and abuses this doctrine of Luthers was extreamely hated not onely because it seemed to set forth a newe way and path vnto saluation and so condemned our ancestours and predecessours but also because it taught what mens inuentions were and besides laide open all the deceiptes and abuses wherewith the Church of God was infected Insomuch that by that meanes was no more called the Church of Christ but the Romish Church Howebett this doctrine was principally contemned The feet of the anabaptists ariseth in diuers places reiected and iudged to be most wicked at such time as the sect of the braynsicke Anabaptistes beganne to start vp in the Townes of Munster Amstelredam and in the olde Monastarie of Fryse to wit in the yeere 1535. As by this short latine versicle engrauen ouer the Gates of Munster in these capitall letters bearing bate the selfe same yeers manifestly may appeare Ecce peccata tua venerunt super caput tuum that is to say Beholde thy sinnes are fallen vpon thine owne head The which Anabaptistes went about vnder the colour of religion and of the Gospell vtterly to depriue the Magistrate of all authoritie and had deuised to make all things in common saying that they were stirred vp by the spirite of GOD to reforme the worlde and to ordayne and set vp another kinde of ciuill gouernement Whereupon the enemie of the true doctrine which was preached in the beginning had then that which hee looked for Insomuche that the most mightie and inuincible Monarche of famous memorie the Emperour Charles the fifth was aduertised that all such as spake agaynst the faultes and abuses of the Church of Rome and refuted them were infected with that heresie and had determined to take away from Princes and Magistrates their authoritie and power to abolishe all pollitike gouernement to confounde all ciuill ordinaunces and would set vp and put in practise an horrible chaunge in all thinges by whiche information his Imperiall Maiestie was easily perswaded to ordayne and set downe very seuere ordinances edictes tou● ching the cause of religion And to proue this to be true his Maisties edict published at Wormes is a sufficient testimonie by which was declared that his Maiestie was throughly informed that their doctrine tended to the same effect therefore his will pleasure was that the same edict shoulde with out dissimulation or tolleration with out respect of any person or persons of what estate or conditiō soeuer be put in execution Insomuch that all officers followed the same presently some for the hatred that they had to the same doctrine othersome againe for the spoyle which they looked for sought to charge innocent men with the doctrine of Luther being readier to obey the Emperours commaundement then Gods who saith vnto tyrants when his people suffer persecution why persecute you mee And although the Anabaptistes doctrine was nothing like vnto the doctrine of Luther and Zwinglius which tendeth to no kinde of sedition at all yet for all that the officers went so neere the consciences of men as that they spared not to torment pore miserable soules with all kinde of crueltie to the ende his Maiesties wil might bee throughly folowed and furthered whiche tended to the vtter rooting vp of them at once Insomuch that within fiftie yeeres next ensuing there were without all doubte moe then an hundreth thousande people put to violent death by vertue of these ordinaunces and edicts either els were forced through feare of the horrible tormentes to flye the countrey Nowe then as easily may be perceiued although the Lutherans were greatly persecuted in all quarters of Alma●e and on the otherside the Zwinglians or they of the religion in the low Countreys who for the greater number fully iumped with the Lutherans yet for all that the great fidelity and obedience whiche they beare to their Kinge and naturall liege Lorde very manifestly and notoriously appeared as they of Flanders oftentymes declared in hazarding their liues and goodes for their Lorde and Soueraygne when as they chased the French out of their borders And besides it is well knowen howe patiently they aboade the tyranny in keeping still a good and pure conscience to God alone alwayes obeying God rather then men in the cause of religion insomuch that one force of them was burnt another sort hanged the thirde drowned The great patienc● of those of the Religion and the fourth forte had no more hurt but their heades cut offiyea they endured all the tormentes that might bee and yet vsed they not once any worde tending to sedition following therein their Maister Christ Iesus who being reuyled and euill dealt withall neuer gaue foule language but alwayes in their greatest tormentes praysed God wishing to the Magistrate which tormented and executed them all good and amendement of life still praying to God for them Surely these were no seditious dealinges neyther yet tendyng to sedition yea the very enemies them selues of the Lutherans and Gospellers were enforced maugre their heardes to confesse as much but they saide in deede the reason was because they were not strong mough to withstande them Surely they woulde haue shewed some token of their insolencie if there had been any spice of sedition in their heartes For notwithstanding the long absence of their king

Souldiers And the nexte morrowe in an Alarme set fire on the Cannon stockes whiche were on the Mill hill and Common The thirteene daie the Enemie caste vp an other Trenche in the saied North Common keepyng Steendicque Trenche And although that this Trenche was hurtfull bothe to vs and ours yet was there nothyng saied nor doen against it So that the night ensuyng the Enemie beganne to caste vp an other Trenche in Ysueene waie holden all in with the Riuer of Ae whiche greatly hindred vs because that the messengers whiche were gone out of the Toune were enforced to retourne backe The fourteene daie the Tounesmen on the daie tyme had giuen vpon the Tower a signe of fire whiche thei of the Wood might well see whereby thei vnderstoode that Victualles grewe skant in the Toune And besides for want of Wood thei were faine to pull doune their houses to make theim fires The Tounesmen also sallied out vpon the hindermost Trench whiche was caste vp in Ysueene waie but it was to no purpose For thei were repulsed by the other Trenches because that thei whiche laye in the Wood would not once helpe them So that thei were driuen to retire without bryngyng to passe their purpose and deuise The fifteene daie fower Citezens entred the Toune without staie whiche was a woonder because the Enemie had sette a watche rounde aboute the Toune not aboue a stones cast one from an other This daie a signe with fire was giuen that the Tounesmen were readie with their Bridges to passe the Riuer of Ae accordyng to the Generall of the Armies commaundement The Tounesmen also caste vp certaine Trenches in the Garden diches on the Northe side of the Toune out of whiche the Souldiers of the Toune might skirmishe with the Enemie In the meane while the Bridges were with all possible speede laied ouer the Riuer of Ae to the ende that our aide should not haue any occasion to staie and in the makyng of this Bridge there fell out a meruailous straunge case For whiles the Citezens aboute nine of the clocke at night were busied aboute this Bridge the Enemie in the nexte Trenches tainted fower of them with the shot of one Harqucbouze one of whiche was Captaine Conrade and yet not one of them once hurte The sixteene date the Enemie made a Trenche of Wagōs against our Garden Trenches and the nexte morrowe a sallie was made out of Onniger gate wherin was taken a Souldier and a woman whiche woman was examined and forthwith a Dromme was sent towardes the Enemie to knowe whether he would deliuer the prisoner or no whiche he vtterly refused The night following the Enemie had a notable Marme giuen hym as if our aide would haue marched vppon hym but all in vaine because the Enemie with all diligence mustred hym self with all his forces vpon Northe Common The nineteene daie The Enemy chargeth them in the Wood. aboute the daie breake the Enemie armed hym self with all his forces to charge them in the Wood but he was so lustely repulsed as that he was driuen to make his retraict The twentie daie aboute 200. persones came to the Toune house criyng out for bread Not one 〈◊〉 of bread left in the toune and eche man had for his share one peece for hym and his Familie because there was a morsell of bread more left in the Toune This daie euen at broade noone daie came into the Toune fower Citezens and three souldiers who in despite of the Enemie came betweene the Warde and the Trenches and although the Enemie commyng out of his trenches pursued them yet was there not one of them once tainted nor hurte whiche so encouraged our aide that thei purposed the next daie in the mornyng to reuictuall the Toune The 21. day of this Moneth thei in the Wood The Toune reuictualled in the v●ewe of the enemy laded certaine Souldiers with Bread and Cheese and sent them the very same waie that the rest aforesaied had gone and although the Enemie skirmished to stoppe their passage yet passed thei in despite of hym with more losse to hym self then to our men and brought to the Toune about 250. Loaues and 150. Cheeses The night ensuyng thei of the Wood beganne to cast a newe Trenche some what nexer the Toune And in the daie the Enemie with all his forces pressed nere to Steendicque Common but it was not knowne for what cause He very busily trauciled also to bring his Artillarie behinde Easterwike but it was to no purpose This daie in the euenyng came a fliyng Post to the Toune with a letter And the night followyng the Enemie made a forte of Wagons at the passage where our men caried ouer the bread and Cheese The 22. daie the weather beganne to thaw and the Tounes men beganne to cast vp a newe Trench within the new Bridge without North newe gate About noone a skirmishe beganne to be coupled betweene the Roiters of the Wood and the Roiters of the Enemie In so muche that nine of our men issued out of their Trenches and came to North Common chasing out of the one of them the better parte of their Launces whiche caused the Enemie crye Arme Arme throughout all his Campe suddemly rushyng with all his forces vpon the Common how be it thei in the Wood would at no hande retire although thei were but a fewe Roiters and an handfull of small shott but most couragiously made hedde vpon the Enemie drawyng towardes the Toune waie wherevpon the Souldiers of the Tnune in su●he sorte issued out to helpe and ayde those of the Wood as that the Enemie receiued hurte enough And although the Enemie by reason of the multitude of his Royters wonne a passage yet what with those of the Toune behinde and those of the Wood before thei were gallantly hansled with Harquebouze shott and in the ende so handled as that his Souldiers squared somewhat out of order in so muche that it seemed rather a battle then a skirmishe for otherwise could not the Roiters bryng their souldiers to the fight And therefore many valiaunt Officers Captaines of Horsemen and others of name were there slaine In so muche that thei were driuen by reason of the raine to retier in order of battle This daie also the Cannon on either side plaied her parte lustely and the forte of Wagons whiche the Enemie had made the night before was broken in peeces and caried to the Toune About foure houres after the Enemie was got to rest The Towne againe reuictualled thei of the Wood had reuictualled the Toune with a pretie sprinklyng of some 75. Busshelles of Wheate Meale Cheese and Pouder Now the Enemie would by no meanes trouble them by reason that the Tounesmen had assailed the very nerest Trenche of that passage in whiche were two Ensignes of suche noble courage as that thei wonne the Trenche tooke the Artillarie slewe 17. Souldiers and caried awaie the rest that were hurt as prisoners yea and had drawne awaie

were whether President Counseller Boroughmaister or whatsoeuer officer els were enforced before the Inquisitors to take knowledge of as many as were presēted vnto them punish al those that were fauourers of herefie and heretikes Furthermore the Inquisitors tooke a note of all merchants artificers poore or rich that were any way suspected of the reformed religion The Inquisitors are commonly Franciscanes or preaching Friers which take a note of al suche as come not to confession or that offer not to their boxe giuing a copie of thē to the new bishops whose officers as vshers Sariauntes first of al by cōposition burdened the poore soules who soone after were enforced to flee the countrey if they would not be taken so put to death as by experience often was seene At that time it was noysed all the low countrey throughout A brute rumor of warres in the low countries supposed to be a most certaine truth that Duke Erike of Brūswike had leuyed a mighty army both of horsemen footmen to plant the Inquisition in the low countries by force of armes accordingly as he had before by the deuise purpose of the Cardinal of Granuelle enterprised to accomplishe so by that meane meāt to make a conquest of the prouinces of the lād of Belgique and abolish al priuiledges and franchises and in the end make an absolute kingdome of it for this cause was the charge committed to the rulers and captaines who had receiued money of Duke Erike for the leuying of men of warre These newnes engendered such a great feare in the hearts of the people as that the notablest richest merchāts of the countrey Many merchants got thē away into other countries got packed vp al their goods together went away into other lāds insomuch that the artificer had no work to set himself vpon al rēts reuenues decreased many cities townes were vnpeopled so that it was a lamētable thing to see into what a miserable estate the low coūtrey which before was the Paragon of all trade of merchandise not the like in the vniuersal world to be found was fallen now become thus sodainly desolate ruined Againe there were certaine gouernours officers of great authority wealth who first considering of the horrible effect tenure of the letters manifestly declaring that in case there were any man that would oppose himself against the meaning of those letters not ayde the Inquisitors for the accomplishing of their commssion that he whatsoeuer he was should be deposed from his estate another placed in his roome next of al they seeyng the fury and wrath of the people to be greatly moued through such disorderly charges and tyrannies and become so outragious mad that they would not spare any magistrate or officer whatsoeuer And last of all considering that they coulde not with a good conscience in such a case be both plantifes Iudges they were fully resolued to yeelde vp their offices into the kings hands if he purposed to persist in that his intended opinion On the otherside the ancient enemies of the house of Burgoin woulde in no wise let slip this occasion but carefully and dil●gētly sounded the heartes of the enhabitaunts of this low Countrey to see if they could by any meanes possible make them shake off their sidelitie from their Prince Lord hauing gotten men for that purpose to she we vnto them howe insupporlable a bondage that is by which all other franchifes priuiledges and other ordinaunces are defaced and broken and that there shoulde be other Lawes and Statutes appointed after the manner of Spaine which should haue full power and authoritie ouer their moueable and vnmouable goods their wiues and children yea that all the goodes which they haue so long possessed should now be no longer theirs but shoulde themselues also be brought into flauerie and bondage Howebeit they tolde them that this thing shoulde not take effect before such time as his Maiestie shoulde submit himselfe vnto the Inquisition Neither did they forget to shewe the great dammage and losse whiche the countrey was like to receiue through the want of the recourse and company of the Marchantes seeing that marchandize is the very nurse of these Prouinces and that by reason of the trade thereof in other partes the enhabitantes of the lowe Countreys should be ready to starue And that which is more that the bondage of conscience wherunto they shoulde be alwayes tyed was nowe concluded vppon Moreouer they compared all these thinges to other prouinces and regions with their franchises and liberties saying that these prouinces farre passed all other in trade of marchandise and goodnesse of Ground and further tolde them of the great commoditie which other prouinces receiued from these lowe Countreys and coulde not be without them Neuerthelesse their fidelitie and constant loyaltie to their prince was so great and wrought so in them as that they gaue no eare to such suborners but aduertised the Magistrate to be ware of this fetch and drift and preueut it howbeit they were no whit the more abashed for all this neither knewe they what was best for them to do or what best to be left vndone Now for the better vnderstanding of the cause why The bringing in of the new Bishoppes and in what fort these new bishops were erected we are to know that the Priestes Inquisitors for their better assurance of the bringing in of the inquisition into king Philips dominions considering that certaine ecclesiasticall prelates in some measure fauoured the Protestants and were in great authoritie and very rich they therefore greatly enuied them for it For which cause the Inquisitors imagined to erect a newe estate of prelates and to deuide the Archbishopricks Bishopricks Abbaies Pryories c. into many partes And to this ende in the yeere 1558. was appointed at the request of king Philip by the Exclesiasticall estate Francis Sonnius a Doctor in 〈◊〉 and sent to Rome Sonnius sent to Rome who hauing set foorth the noblensse of the lowe Countries and the great riches of the Ecclesiasticall prelates there wrought his matters so wisely as that hee compassed this much That Pope Paule the 4. of that name by the aduise of seuen Cardinalles appointed for that put pose gaue the saide Sonnius audience and graunted him his demaund Whereupon they tooke from the Archbishopricke of Coloigne whose dyocesse was ouerlarge the Bishoprick of Vtrecht made the same an Archbishoprick wherunto they subiected fiue other Bishops to wit the Bishoprick of Deuenter in the countrie of Tranfisselaine the Bishopricke of Harlem in Holland the Bishopricke of Leauwarden in Friseland the Bishopricke of Middlebourgh in Zealande and the Bishoprick Groening in the countrie of Wedde All which plates are farre distant from the Citie of Coloigne neither doe their languages agree with them of Coloigne and therefore the sentences pronounced at Coloigne could not wel bee

ancient customes priuiledges franchises of this Citie or against the Citizens and enhabitauntes thereof but ayde defende and keepe them asmuch as is possible for men to do 21 And if they vnderstande any thing tending to the hurte of his Maiesties seruice or the disquieting of the Citie they shall be bounde forthwith to aduertise their Captaynes thereof that they maye make reporte of the same to those to whome it shall appertayne 22 All which they shall do vpon paine and punishment both of bodies goodes limmes and banishment or other arbitrary or pecuniarie correction according to the demerite of the fact and circumstances thereof 23 Vnto all which articles euery one of them when they shall bee enrolled shall bee bounde to sweare and really promise vnto God almightie to keepe and not crosse any maner of way nor yet rebell against them vpon the payne and perill aforesaid Ouer and besides all this the Lieutenant Captaynes Ensignes Corporalles Seriauntes of bandes and diseners shall sweare and promise with all their power to holde and keepe so farreforth as they are able all the Souldiers and Dizaines in good policie obedience and modestie and shall effectually bryng to passe whatsoeuer at any tyme shal be commaunded them to do with their companions and dizaines and likwise to countergard and preuent all discorde sedition and ill will which may aryse betweene the souldiers and the Citizens And if it so fall out that they be not able to appease them then immediatly to aduertise his Excellencie his Lieutenaunt or their Captayne for redresse thereof And so it was subscribed By his Excellencies appoynted De Penants AT the very same tyme there was openly solde a printed picture in which was pictured Commissions and letters from his Maiestie with the Inquisition tyed and hanging at a Bowe that was bent The Protestants or those of the religion going about to pull it downe with ropes The Pope and his shauelings labouring with might and mayne to vpholde and maynteyne them The Protestantes crying out and saying Pour Placcars et Inquisition casser trauaillous tous sanscesser To witte for the ouerthrowing of these Commissions and this vile Inquisition wee neuer cease trauelling till wee haue brought them all downe The Pope on the other side answering and saying Per force et aussi conseil bon Retenous les Placars et le Inquisition to witte And wee for our partes with all the force and counsayle wee can will retayne and keepe them in despite of any man All these thinges aforesayde were done wh●lest my Lorde the Prince of Drange was at Antwerpe but the pulling downe and breaking of the Images was the cause that the Catholikes yeelded more to the Protestantes then they at the first intended For the feare of the rage and furie of the people and the helpe of the Gentlemen Straungers strooke them to the verye heart and besides they knewe well ynoughe● that the kinges Maiestie was a great distance off to helpe them wherefore they were enforced to behaue themselues accordingly as the tyme serued and of necessitie to make a vertue in dispice of them and of their great sorrowe and griefe In the meane while The L. Regent tollerateth the sermons the Ladie Regent by the counsayle of the Lordes of the Goulden Fleese and others graunted and permitted the Protestauntes to haue publique Sermons promising to appoynte them some place without the Citie for the exercise of their religion Ouer and besides that the Inquisition and seuere Commissions shoulde from thence foorth bee abolished so that no man shoulde any more be pursued and bunted after for his conscience But yet vpon this condition that the confedered Gentlemen which tooke no parte shoulde sweare that they woulde procure the people to forsake and lay downe theyr armour and weapon and that the Churches should bee no more spoyled nor any thing that shoulde bee preiudiciall vnto the Cleargie men or Catholikes To be short that they should be ready to yeelde all obedience vnto his Maiestie Hereupon an accord was made in August 1566. Duer and besides this the Regent had procured the most qualified Catholikes to bee sworne to the same and confirmed by his Maiesties commaundement which was proclaymed in diuers places The noble men for the perfourming of their promise and oth wrote and declared to the Consistories all those thynges which had been treated of which was that they should lay down and leaue off their armour and weapon and behaue themselues as good and obedient subiects ought to doe towards their prynces for if they so did not the matter would goe yll with them whereupon the people to shew theyr obedience willingly leaft off and layd downe theyr weapons During these troubles king Philip being aduertised by his suborners and flatterers of the pulling downe and breaking of the images was marueilously angry determined in his owne person to come downe into the lowe countryes with a mayne force for the auengyng of the contempt and misbehauiour committed and doone vnto his matestie But before hee had called together his councel at Madrid to consult about the appeasing of the low countries it was concluded that his maiestie shoulde not goe thyther because that this sire might otherwise bee well enough quenched by force of armes howbeit as for the chosing of a generall that should execute the same they were of sundrie opinions For many were of the opinion that the prince of Spaine Don Charles his maiesties onely sonne and heyre should bee appointed generall not onely for that that by right of nature it apperteined vnto him but also by reason of the good affection which the catholikes of the lowe countries be are hym as beeyng theyr naturall prince and the onelye sonne of the kyng theyr Lorde vnto whom they would sooner yeelde theyr obedience and loue then to any other The duke of Alua 〈…〉 be generall of the arm●e for Flaunders Some of them were loth to lay vpon this young prince so waightie a burden and warlike commission but saide that the Duke of Medina Celi was a meete man for that purpose Some others againe gaue theyr consent to the Duke of Alua whereupon in the end it was so determined The young prince being aduertised of this resolution was greatly greeued and despited therewith and for that cause conceaued a marueilous great harred against the Duke of Alua and other Lordes which beeing once knowen together his good affection that hee had to the lowe countries was the cause of his death as heereafter more at large shal bee declared Whiles they were about to make readie for this warre The kings letters vnto the ladie Regent his matestie wrote to the ladie Regent and to other chiefe Lords of the lowe countries very sharpe letters expresly signifying how angry and greeued he was at the insolencies passed commanding in flat wordes a restauration of the commissions vnto their former strength and accustomed course with many other things hereafter following Hereupon the

as by the example of that mightie Emperour Alexander surnamed Seuere well appeareth who beeing an Heathen Prince an Idolater gaue leaue to the Christians whom hee tooke to bee heretikes to haue Churches in Rome beyng the chiefe citie within his dominion and also of the Emperour Constantine surnamed Constantine the great because that contrarie to the order of his Predecessors hee licensed the Christians to haue certain places for theyr meetings euen as the Heathen had theyr Temples In doing whereof he surpressed an infinite number of quarrels staied the apparant effusion of blood ruled his Empyre peaceably and by mean of this accord his authoritie prospered and hee dayly encreased And if any man shall put into your maiesties head that it is another thing to suffer christians to haue the exercise of theyr religion then heretikes as it pleaseth some to esteeme of vs first of all our preachings prayers and exercise of religion doe right well shewe vs to bee Christians and neither Heretikes nor yet Idolaters which we are readie more at large to verifie if it shall please your maiestie to giue gentle and safe audience Moreouer if so bee that we were as notable heretikes as the Iewes Arrians and Nouatians yet the present example of the Pope who callyng hymselfe the head of the Churche and sayth he cannot erre doeth not only mayntaine the lewes the very professed and sworne enemies vnto our Lorde Iesus Christe but also suffereth them to haue theyr Synagogues and the exercise of theyr religion within his own citie of Rome and in diuers other places vnder his subiection And besides all this the examples of the Catholique and wel instructed Emperours which haue graunted Churches to the Arrians and Nouatians may bee a great quieting to your conscience And chiefly your late father of most hygh and inumcible memory the Emperour Charles the fifth wh● by the aduise of the Estates of the Empire graunted the like to the Protestants in Germa nie notwithstanding that hee tooke them to bee heretikes as also the Frenche king not long sithence hath doone vnto his subiects All which doynges ought to quiet and content your maiestie to graunt vnto vs this grace vntill suche tyme as by the consent of all christendome wee might all agree in one and the selfe same religion and manner of diuine seruice By meane whereof both your maiestie and also these countries shall without all doubt receiue great blessing and prosperitie for so much as God vndoubtedly shall bee serued through the auoyding of a very great most apparant and pitifull effusion of blood and that your Countries shal be peaceably maintained wtout beyng thrust out as a pray vnto your neere neighors the merchaunts and in habitants of the Countrie remaine in suche safetie as that all suche and many others as are gone out of the Countrie for the selfe same cause shall haue occasion to reforte thyther agayne with theyr goods tytles and trades Lastly all these matters by this meane beeing brought to a quietnesse and contentation both to one and other the countries shall floryshe more then euer they did with an increase of your crowne and dignities and all men shall bee so muche the more bound continually to pray vnto the Lorde for the prosperitie and high estate of your maiestie Subscribed by your maiesties humble subiectes the Citizens and inhabitants of your Citie of Antwerpe professing the Gospel so farre foorth as they are therein permitted for somuch as it toucheth and apperteineth vnto them as members of the supplyants in this behalfe THis Supplication was exhibited by the handes of Marke Peres with the assistance of Giles de Graue Charles de Bombergue Giles Vander Banderies Francis Godin Henrie Vander Broecke Cornill de Bombergue Thomas van Geer Iohn Carlier Nicholas de Vmier Nicholas Sellyn as deputies and in the name of the supplyants of the member of Antwerpe vnto my Lorde the Count of Hoogstrate gouernour for his maiestie and to the right worshipfull the Burroughmasters and Shierifs of the saide Citie of Antwerp assembled in the colledge of the same Citie in the presences of the right worshipful the Margraue Allemman the 27 of October 1566 betwixt 12. and 1. in the afternoone When the Counte Hoogstrate had seene this supplication The suppil● on sent to the Lady regent hee sent it to the Ladie Regent and to the councell that were with her that it might bee sent to the king with conuement and meete commendation to the ende the fame myght take good effect A thyng so necessary ●ouing Reader as thou in thy wisdome and discretion maiest iudge and vnderstand But so soone as the Regent and Gouernours of the lowe Countries had seen ●he contents thereof they thought it to bee but a proude and arrogant bragge of theyr riches and great treasure euen to engen der in the hearts of man●e honorable personages some sinister and lewde suspition as if the Protestants had made this supplication to drawe vnto them thereby strange princes and great potentates to the end they might haue aide and succour of souldiers Howbeit notwithstanding all this the people gaue not ouer to deuise bethink thēselues of all the meanes possible they could not only with the Dutches who was not to be intreated but also with the no●ilitie who had promised although they were in the selfe same predicament and danger that the people was as may appeare by the ende of this tragedie to accomplish new promises and to forsake theyr fayth for the libertie of consctence protestyng notwithstanding that for the exercise of the religion they woulde doe all possible duetie that might bee for the obtayning thereof But sith that shee had not giuen her promise the subiects should bee founde giltie of all the mischiefes that shoulde come in the lowe countries about that cause Wherefore the Lorde Heury Brederode The L. of Brederode exhibiteth the supplication by the nobilitie appointed for that purpose required the 15. of Februarie 1567. the Lady Dutches that hee might haue audience albeit shee had forbidden him to come within the citie of Bruxelles notwithstanding he so behaued hym in his businesse as that the supplication was deliuered vp into her own hands wherin was shewed to her highnes that the people could no longer abide and suffer the great contempt and horrible persecutiō which the catholiks vsed towards them and therfore had implored and lamentably besought the assistāce of the nobilitie that by them they might obtaine the performance of that which was agreed vpon And therefore seeing they sawe that no contract could take effect but by the consent of both parties and that the one party making default the other had great reason to complaine Duer and besides this sith they were appointed vnto her highnes as pledges and answerable for the Protestāts who at that present by reason of the catholikes breaches of promise they found themselues greatly greeued they could do no lesse then speake vnto

perturbers of the common weale The Lorde of Brederode gaue the Secretary none other answere but this Thou art a man not worthie any answere c. The Antwerpians after long resistaunce agreed with the Dutchesse in manner and fourme following That the Sermons shoulde cease but none to be syfted or troubled for the cause of Religion And therefore for the very same purpose it was ordeined and proclaymed in Antwerpe the 7. of April 1567. That all ministers shoulde depart thence and the preachinges cease That all Catholikes shoulde bee restored to their offices and the first Commissions be obserued and kept Alwayes prouided that no man shoulde bee sifted or troubled for the religion vntill such time as his Maiestie by the aduise of the generall Estates had otherwise appointed it This matter was accomplished after that the ministers were gone out of the Citie of Antwerpe and their Churches were fast shutte and sealed vp In this sort passed the matters of Flanders Hollande zeland and the rest of the Prouinces and the persecution dayly encreased against such as had taken armes vpon them broken downe the Images and opposed themselues against the Edictes and Commissions The 18. of April The Lady Regent entred into Antwerp Count Manfields garnysoneth Antwerpe and with her the Count Mansfielde with 16. Ensignes of footmen and fiue hundreth horse After that the Prince of Orange was departed thence which was the 11. of the sayde Moneth with a great number of Citizens and enhabitauntes of the same Citie in very great miserie and with much weeping and wailing When the Lorde of Brederode had receyued the sharpe message aforesayde hee soone after in the deade of the night The L. of Brederode flyeth from Amsterdame departed the Countrey with many noble men and other souldiers whome the Count Megue pursued but it was to small purpose The 5. of May the same yeere there fell in Friselande into the Count Arenberge his handes certayne of the nobilitie that were betrayed by a Mariner who in steede to carry them ouer the seas set them on the playne grounde where they were taken by Captayne Mulert as a captayne of one of the companies of the Count Arenberge The Lords of Battenbrough and two Lordes of Friselande to witte Herman Galama and Sir Beyma besides many other Gentlemen and Captaynes The tenth of May there entred into Amstelredame certayne bandes of Souldiers and a little before into Bostleduke and Vyane of whiche the Duke Ericke of Brunswike was chief and the Countrey of Vtryght was deliuered to the Catholikes The 21. of May The Marques of Bergues died in Spayne The Marques of Bergues as it is said was poisoned in Spayne of whom wee haue before spoken And the Marquesse his wife at another time caused many Infantes to bee baptized and many to be married agayne by the priestes whome the ministers had before baptized and married and suche as refused it muste forsake the Countreye so that many menne and women were fayne to departe and goe into other Countreys The 24 of this Moneth by her highnesse appoyntment was a Proclamation proclaymed in Antwerpe muche more for the behoofe of the Catholiques then for the Protestauntes wherein was declared That as manye as woulde remayne in the Countrey shoulde from thence foorth lyue peaceably and in quiet and that all mynisters and suche as frequented Sermons and had defaced the Images shoulde lose both bodies and ●oodes and that the Father Master or Lorde shoulde answere fortheir children and seruantes And besides that all Infantes which were baptized by the ministers shoulde bee rebaptized by the Priestes after the maner of the Catholique Churche Also that no Schoolemasters might teache before such tyme as they were examined and their bookes allowed Moreouer against Printers and Statyoners which solde bookes not allowed of and agaynst all such officers as did permitte and suffer them Against all such as without his Maiesties knowledge be collectors of money vpon any of his subiectes Against euery assembly which is made agaynst the ordinaunce or consent of his Maiestie Against all Straungers which depart not the Countrey within 24 houres or bring not a testimoniall from the place from whence they come and the cause of their remayning there Lastly that no man shoulde withstande any Ecclesiasticall person The persecution dayly encreased whiche caused the people to forsake the Countrey by thousands There were in one day at Tournay an hundred and sixe riche Merchauntes and many others spoyled of their goodes and a great number put and deteyned in pryson and there ill entreated The 18. of Iuly The Dutchesse departed from Antwerpe to Bruxelles and the Count Manssielde remayned there with his Garnison An addition of certayne thinges woorthie remembrance which happened in diuers places and prouinces THe 26. and 27. of Iune 1566. The publique preaching of the syncere woorde of God beganne throughout all the low Countreys with the administration of the Sacraments in many Cities and Townes About the 16. and 17. of August the same yeere The images in diuers cities and townes of the lowe Countreys were broken in peeces and the alters and ornamentes of the Churches pulled downe and destroyed The date of this yeere when this geare was done is to bee founde by the Capitall letters of this verse following Con Cio saCra ●●Vit tVMidi CeCidere deastri The 6. of September the same yeere were in three parishe Churches of Leawarde all the Alters pulled downe and the Images broken by the appointment of the Magistrate The 8. of the sayde moneth and the same yeere were the first Sermons made in the chiefe parish Churche of the Citie of Oldenbone by the ministers of the woorde of God and that by the consent of the Magistrate And the 15. of the sayd moneth was the supper of the Lorde there administred The 10. of September that yeere were the Aulters of the franciscane Fryers in Gr●ening pulled down by the leaue of the Magistrate and the Images broken The 25. of September the same yeere was the first stone of the foundation of the reformed Church in Antwerpe laide The same day were they of the reformed Religion of the citie of Nymmegue in Gelderlande driuen out of the same The 3. of October the same yeere the Ministers of the woorde of GOD were forbidden at Bruxelles vppon payne of hanging to preache within the said Citie or in any other places there about This was the first dispersing sithens the publique preachings The 17. of October aforesaide there were certayne insolent partes playd by certayne young persons in our Ladye Church of Antwerpe Whereupon the Lorde of Hooghstrate Gouernour at that time beset the Churche rounde about with souldiers and entring into it tooke certayne prisoners and the next day in the morning about the dawning were sixe or seuen of them hanged in the market place The 10. of Ianuarie 1567. The ministers of the reformed religion were expulsed the Citie of Leunwarde in Fryselande The 9. of

maiestie howbeit no whit agreed vnto neither yet published Ouer and besides this in the end of the same yeere his maiestie gaue expresse commandement that the new bishops should bee brought in without contradiction or els proclaime the decrees of the councell of Trent giue vnto the Inquisitors their authoritie and power by which they had both tēporal ecclesiastical knowledge authoritie that the determination couclusion of the Tridentine councel shold foorthwith be put in execution with all seueritie The copies of this commandement were by and by sent vnto al the cities townes of the low countries expresly cōmanding them to rule thēselues according to his maiesties commadement and commissions This was the second cause and chief occasion of the alterations and disorders as hereafter shal be shewed Seeing then that the inquisition principally was by his maiestie expresly cōmanded it must of necessitie follow that al the fault of the troubles and disorders passed is to be laid vpon himselfe vpon none els Wherfore it neither agreeth with the truth nor yet any way like to be true that through the exhortation of the prince of Orange the subiects should rebel against his hignes or that he first of all should by his perswasions draw them out of the way stir vp the greatest part of the nobilitie to confederate thēselues with him or to be mutinous and by an oth confirm their league to the end to oppose defend themselues at all times against his maiestie his ordinances which were from the first beginning obserued kept And besides it is vnlike to be true that this assēbly and confederacie was made in his courts of Breda Bruxelles so accordingly to be the authour fautor chiefe of the obstinate mutinous rebels or disturber of the publike weale For he neuer stirred vp sedition or dissention against his maiestie therefore ought not to be accused thereof for the saide conspiracie began not by any exhorting of his but through the griefes proceeding from the Inquisition and because that the promises and other incidents made in the yeere 50.55.62.65 as before hath been declared and shewed were not performed and kept Wherefore the prince of Orange affirmeth that by the foresaide league and the accusations and other matters ensuing the selfe same thing came to passe which the Dutches of Parma heeretofore had spoken in open councell to wit that the declaration of the cruell commissions published by his matestie woulde cause a merueilous alteration seeing that many had conceiued som good hope of the good tidings that the Count of Egmont would bring with him at his returne out of Spaine And it is sithence also come to passe that it was written to the Dutches as she herselfe hath confessed in her answere that the declaration of the Commissions published by his maiestie was the cause of the whole alteration which commissions as before is said are the very spring head of the league made against his knowledge and will But so soone as the same declaration was come to the handes of the said Dutches and vnderstood the content thereof 15. dayes before the confederates had assembled themselues at the Towne house she saide and expresly declared that the same declaration liked her not in al those points that she could not deuise howe the rigour of the commissions coulde by any meanes keepe the lowe countries in peace and ●nitie Surely her highnes tooke not the meaning of the consederates to bee sedicious seeing shee vertly beleeued that the confederates woulde attempt nothing against his maiestie nor their countrie neither yet any thing that might be hurtful thereto so that this is a cleere case that these alterations troubles came first and principally from the Inquisition Here are to be considered and weighed the examples of Germanie Fraunce England and Scotland ho wheit it must needes bee graunted that his maiestie meant to shewe nothing els by the setting forth of these cruell commissions but in time vtterly to destroy the countrie of Brabant And contrariwise in the countries where the religion or at least the libertie of conscience is graunted and agreed vpon where the Inquisition hath had nothing to do there is a peaceable and quiet abiding and dwellyng Which thing witnesseth vnto vs that there is a greater difference to liue with libertie of conscience without the Inquisition then in all malice iniquitie and licenciousnes without correction and chastifemēt neyther yet did it euer like the princes potentates of Germanie who euer desired the peace of theyr countries alwayes sought the publyque weale of them vnto whome the matter as greatly apperteineth as vnto his maiestie but to suffer the libertie of religion or conscience if at any time they feared commotions and rebellion Moreouer his maiestie might well enough vnderstande the meaning of the confederates seeyng they neuer shewed themselues obstinate or went about by force to obteine that which they craued but only besought his matestie to vnderst and their grief and supplication thereupon take the aduise of the generall Estates promising hereafter to liue in the cause of religion according to the ordenauce determination of the said Estates And thē if any man should be disobedient seditious or a disturber of the common weale that he might be punished according to the qualitie of the offence Now the confederates desire nothing els but to haue their supplicatiō heard or that the generall Estates might be called assembled together and seeing that this busines had so fallen out in Brabant that is was also necessary that a thing of so great importāce should be propounded to the said estates who in all ages vpon such occasions according to the tenure of theyr priuileges were called together by the Emperour Charles the fift to determine conclude vpon the state of religion according to the ordenances which cleerely may be seen in the text graunted and published in the yeere of our Lord. 1531. Wherefore the confederates thought it lawefull for them to requyre and craue so much sith it hath been alwayes the custome in such sort to require such kind of things As also in the bookes of the Machabees we shall finde good and holy confederacies made for the aduauncing of the glory of God the welfare and health of the Gouernors and Magistrates and the prosperity of the common wealth of the countrie Likewise the prince of Orāge thinketh that the confederacie of the nobilitie ought not to be takē for sedition or rebellion against his maiesty forsomuch as cōcerning the same the cōfederates haue toyntly promised to ay● and assist one the other against the same but yet vpon this condition that this conspiracie as before is sayd should end when as his maiestie had by experience found that the Inquisition wold be enemie to all peace tranquilitie wherefore they also offred to desist leaue off theyr petition purpose yeelde vnto his maiestie alobedience

That he neyther ordeyned impositions nor yet leuied mouey But that that whiche was therein done had beene done before hee came there for the maintenaunce of the poore and of the ministers and for the building of their Churches wherefore it is very apparant and probable that this money was not employed about his profit Hereby also may very well be perceyued that his meaning was not to impose any exactions when as hee refused fiftie thousand Florines which were franckly offered him for the good seruice which hee had done It was impossible to stoppe suche a thing in suche a citie of Marchandize as Antwerpe seeing that there is dayly greate summes of money disbursed and layde out for diuers and sundry thinges Wherefore by these reasons aforesayde is sufficiently set downe that he was not the Author of the troubles These woordes and speeches may suffice for the excuse and defence of the Prince of Orange with the which also accordeth the excuse and defence of the L. of Hooghstrate sauing that he hath answered as thou hast hearde vpon other pointes and articles as before hath been declared Hitherto haue wee orderly set downe and declared in what sort the Duke of Alua arriued in the lowe Countreys with his men of warre and of his whole proceedinges therein And likewise howe the Prince of Orange withdrew himselfe and procured all men to prepare for souldiers both on horsebacke and on foo●e to the end to withstand the fury of the blooddy tyrant the D. of Alua who for the defence against the inuasion of his enemies put him selfe in armes and prouided men of warre not onely within the Countrey but also without because he greatly presumed that the banished Lords and the rest that were fledde woulde giue an attempt to returne into their possessions and enheritances so that all his care was how he might be able to hurte the enimy And as the Duke of Alua had made all the prouision that might be for the warres to come he caused all the goods debtes titles and actions of the fugitiues and banished men to be confisked hauing made commissioners for the very purpose who were bound to aunsweare to the hands of the ordinary Iudge to delyuer the money into the Treasurer of the warres possession for the paying of the souldiers and horsemen which were to be vsed about those warres which was the way to hurt his enemie and to spare his maiesties purse Ouer and besides hee imposed great exactions tollages and leuied wonderfull summes of money vpon his matesties credite for the paying of the garnisons the building of castles for the fortifying of the fronter border townes of the countrie and to haue continuall store of money for all occurrants whatsoeuer On the other side The Prince of Orange beeyng dryuen out of these countries and spoyled of his goods not meanyng to do as the rest of the counties had done knew none other better way then to excuse himselfe towards his king and prince implored and pitifully besought the aide of other potentates to bee his intercessours in that behalfe And although the Emperour him selfe had done therein as muche as hee coulde yet woulde not the king once listen to him nor yet vnderstande the matter But put ouer the Prince vnto the Duke of Alua to bee ordered by him which thing he thought woulde neither bee good nor profitable for him and therefore was of necessitie driuen to enter into armes with the ayde of his kinsfolkes friendes and fauourers as well Germaines as the lowe Countrey men Moreouer all such as tooke part with him and as yet remayned vnder the yoke of the Spaniardes furnished him with all the money they were able to make because they hoped thereby to recouer their lost libertie Now when the Prince was thus prouided he by his brother Count Lodwickes helpe procured an armie of footemen and horsemen and for the better furthering of the cause the Prince wrote to all the Princes and Lordes complayning him selfe vnto them of the tyrannie and extreeme wrong of the Duke of Alua that hee had spoyled him of his goodes hereaued him of his manners landes and tenementes and contray to all right and equitie had taken away the Count of Buren his sonne and sent him ouer into Spaine The Princes of Germanie were greatly displeased that the lowe Countreys shoulde thus bee oppressed by a tyrannous Spaniarde and Straunger and therefore they assembled them selues together to consulte and deuise whiche way was best for them to helpe the prince of Orange The May following there was mustering of souldiers in euery place But when the Duke of Alua hearde of it he tooke order for the matter and gotte him into the playne fielde Insomuch that they which had first assembled them selues beyonde the Maze and afterwarde about Dalham which is a little towne in the Countrey of Iuilliers whose chiefe Captayn was the Lorde of Hooghstrate were by the Duke of Alua his people discomfited and a thousande souldiers flayne not regarding that they had committed that fact within the Lande and iurisdiction of the Empyre Howebeit it is the naturall condition and propertie of Spaniards and Italians to bee alwayes too to● proude and thinke them selues better then all other nations For it so fell out euen at that present as that the gouernour of Hinisverge and his Lieutenant who were come to Dalham to admonishe and summon the fugitiues and banished men to depart out of the borders of the Duke of Iuillers his Lorde and Master were there murdered and slayne as if they had been enemies Notwithstanding all this they which escaped and remayned were no whitte the more discouraged thereby but inuaded his Maiesties lowe Countreys with Duke Lodwicke and for the e●couraging of the people agayns●●he Spaniardes they were very well appoynted and fortified and of all handes bestirred them entending to goe on with these warres for the exercise of religion the defence of the priuiledges of the lowe Countreys and for the restoring of the banished men and fugitiues into their ancient possession and inheritaunce whiche was the cause that some of them bare in their ensignes this deuise or posie Recuperare aut mori that is to say wee will eyther recouer our losse or els lose our liues Wherefore many of the people assembled them selues in all quarters in so muche that Count Lodwycke finding him selfe well strengthened tooke many townes and places The first of which was the Castle of Wedde and after that the Damme in the Countrey of Groening Nowe when the Duke of Alua hearde of this hee waxed starke madde and doubting that his iolly felicitie might turne to to great miserie hee woulde in no wise giue Count Lodwicke any time to fortif●e in that place but sent thether Sardigne his Regiment or Tertio with the Maister of his Campe and three ensignes of the Regiment or Tertio of Lombardes and foure hundreth Spanishe and Italian horse and the Count Megue with a iolly company of

perforce Moreouer they were well to weigh and consider that if so bee they did not all that was possible for men to doe that they should not only loose theyr Towne of Leyden but also all the whole Countrie besides whiche should bee to them and their successors amost cursed and shamefull reproch for euer And therefore that they were lustily to hold out the enemy and so be the cause of not onely preseruing themselues but of the whole countrie also and get themselues thereby an euerlasting famous name And for the better effecting of this matter sparily to spend their victuals after the example of the Harlemians and Middlebroughians Nowe followeth the answere to these letters written the first of Iune Although their corne would not stretch so farre as the time mentioned in those letters yet they hoped lustily to holde out the force of the enemie during the time aforesaide yea they were fully resolued rather to abyde the extremitie of famine then to become their enemies slaues In the meane whyle they required that the Delftians Roterodamians and Goudians might be forbidden to suffer any victuals passe out of any of them by lande because the enemie should therby be greatly weakened Protesting against them that if they otherwise did that they more sought their owne priuate gain then the endomaging of those who went about none other thing but the turning away of the enemie from their gates c. And nowe let vs againe returne to Frauncis Baldez his enterprises So soone as Baldez had in this maner without anie great ordenance be sieged the towne of Leyden For hee right well knewe the merueilous charge of that which was planted before Harlem and withall the small effect it wrought he therfore knowing that it woulde lesse auaile against this towne whiche was so notably strengthned with mightie strong Rampares bethought him either by sugred speeches cunning letters or seuere threates to subdue it And for so much as hee had many fugitiue Hollanders with him whoe were at his beeke and commandement and at that time called in the Hollanders language Glippers he entended to imploy them about these affaires and it may bee that it was their owne sute and request seeing there were some of them too too carelesse for the losse and libertie of their countrie and therefore thought by theyr sundrie letters written from diuers places to the Leydens to draw them to the call and so deceiue them some of which said letters shal be here set downe at large as they were written and the briefe contents onely of othersome And firste and formost Iohn Adryanson the wylde and Ewout Arent the sonne of Gerard sente the twentie eyght of Maye from Harlem to the Magistrate and whole body of the Towne the Letters hereafter following signed with their hands but not al written by thē which made the matter greatly to be suspected that the Letters were no parte of their inuention My Maysters the great and singular affection and loue which we haue vnto our Countrie accompanyed with an horryble terrour and heart breake A Letter sent to the Leydens by certeine sugitiue Hollanders haue beene the cause to let you vnderstand that wee foreseeing you my maysters to be in great hazarde to fall into extreame calamitie and miserie if you in minde persist to defende the Towne of Leyden against his maiesties will and honour our most gentle Lorde and naturall Prince seeing we are more then informed of the innumerable numbers of men of warre already assembled and doe yet still assemble both on foote and on horsebacke with purpose to come downe into our poore and desolate countrie of Holland some of which are already on the way and are dayly still comming on and chiefly to set vpon you my maisters and to turne you cleane out of your dores ouer and besides a great number of Spanish shipps dayly approching which are prepared and furnished for the same effect Wherefore my maysters we hartely beseech you to haue a very good and discrete regard vnto this matter and looke throughly vnto it that you be not ouer long in deliberating hereon least by your obstinate purpose and intent all good meanes be altogether cut off and taken from you For you my maisters knowe well enough the meaning and purpose of souldiers who onely are enclined to sacke and spoyle for their particular profit beseeching you likwise to haue regarde to your poore wiues and children your miserable olde fathers and kinsfolkes who are no way able to helpe and relieue you and be not the cause of suffering that to be lost and euill dealt withal which ought so much to be had in honour with you and amongst the rest the little wealth and substaunce which yet remayneth through the insupportable exactions by you my maysters as it were for the space of two yeares vpholden which wee daye and night see before our eyes For this cause we in the beholding of you are enbolvened to exhibite a certeine supplicatiō to Monsier de Liques Gouernour of Harlem a very curteous ciuill and discrete noble Gentleman and borne within his Maiesties lowe Countries where al his welth lyeth who is wonderfully enclined to vnitie peace and tranquilitie who hath answered vs that if you your selues would become sory and repentant and so submit you vnto his Maiestie that he knoweth such a way for the sauing both of your bodyes and goodes as you your selues cannot wish a better alwayes prouided that this submission be made before such time as you be more straightly couped vp by his maiesties garrisons And for this cause my maisters hee hath inioyned vs to aduertise you that the Lordes of the Towne might deuise to set downe certaine pointes and Articles with such conditions as you would craue your pardon extending the same no farther then to you should seeme most expedient and to sende the same ouer with all possible speede vnto the sayde Lorde de Liques who will procure you a fauourable answere and giue you good direction to the great Commaundator of Eastile now Gouernour for his Maiestie of all his Low Countries For we know not better howe to counsell you then to be directed by him who likewise made the League at Mons in Haynault which in euery condition was fully and wholly obserued according to the promises and which we also trust that you wil more firmely keepe Beseeching the Lord God that it would please him so to inspire you with his holy spirit as that at last you hauing by it a right iudgement be not caryed away with an obstinate and froward constancie to refuse that good occasion which presently is offered you for your so great aduauntage The 29. of May Gerard of Hooghstrate wrote two Letters from Leyerthorpe Other letters sent from the spaniolated Hallanders to Leyden the one to the Leydens which was vnsealed and without superscription And the other of the same effect to his cosin Gerard Iohnsō It is insinued to the Burroughmaysters that

would procure their ayde and deliuerance praying them to remaine constant not lightly and vnaduisedly receiue in any victuals without they saw himselfe or some assurance from him for he feared that the Spaniardes vnder his name might by some stratageme abuse and deceiue them A flying messen ger arriueth at Leyden The first flying messenger arriued at Leyden the 28. of that moneth which the magistrate by sound of the bel gaue the people to vnderstand the 29. day he read the letters opēly Declaring vnto them how that his Excellencie himself had been with the armie to giue order for their deliuerance and that he had him commended vnto them all beseeching them yet for a while to continue constant for the Lord of Hostes woulde send meanes to deliuer thē These letters greatly gladded and incouraged the people prayfing God and incessantly as the other confedered Townes had done made their prayers vnto the Lorde Now this great ioy was not without some mixture of sorrowe because that before and the same very day the winde blew vp at the Northeast which caused the water to fall rather then ryse so that the princes armie thought that they had as it were lost all hope of deliuering them if the inuisible meanes of God to wit the great flowing of the water which began that 29. day lasted vntill the second of October had not holpen them Wherfore the Admirall Boysot wrote vnto his Excellencie that if God of his mercy did not help both with wind also with the rising of the water and by suche meanes as no mā was able as yet to perceiue that he sawe not which way possible to bring to passe the reuictualling of the towne for this time and feared that after it woulde be too late considering that there was not a beaste left and that there were but two dissributions moe to be had and these but to last for right dayes Insomuch that the misery besides the pestilence diseases and discord was in the towne verie great as he vnderstood by the messengers and as was also after found to be most true For many of them had not in seuen weekes space eaten one byt of bread drunke nothing els but water Horse flesh also was then as good meat with the wealthiest of them as mutton is at this present Cats and dogs amongst the aduenturers Strange kinds o● meates whiche the Leydens did cate and others which lay at the gates of the Towne were thought to be delicate meate and so eaten It is impossible to describe vnto you all their maner of cookery although many tolde mee of it Some of them eate vine leaues mingled with Amell floure and salt There was great difference in the leaues of trees therefore they made sundrie kindes of meates of leeke blades rootes and roote stalkes and the roote leaues which fell to the ground was a very ordinary kinde of good meate Rootes and skinnes cut in small gobbins and sodden in butter mylke was an ordinary and common meate for manie Gentlewomen were driuen to eate their little pupprelles in whom before they tooke great pleasure To the place where the flesh was wonced to be cut out and diuided the poore children came and eate blood rawe the peeces of the flesh which fell away in the diuision All the old rottē shoes in the towne which lay in the dirt were takē vp eatē forthwt. The Poore women were seene sitting vpon the dounghils with their clokes cast ouer their heads gathering vp of the best bones they coulde finde and carryed them home to their houses And they no sooner founde the least stalk of a roote but that they immediately eate it vp The young boyes oftentimes sucked the bones which the dogs had gnawne Euery woman that lay in childbed was fain to be pleased with a quarter of a pound of bisket a day Some women againe were so honger bitten as that the childe in theyr wombe was almost pined to death The blood of the cattell was gathered vp out of the filthie stinking gutters of the towne The prices of certaine victuals in Leyden and eaten Neuerthelesse their drinke was somwhat more to be borne withall for beside the water they had Beare made of Dates which cost an Holland pennie the pot Yea some made drinke of the very huskes of the graines mingling therw t hearbe Grace Rue in steed of Hemlock Othersome dranke vineger water mingled together so that whē the town was freed at liberty there was scarcely any vineger to be had A pound of butter was worth xv souls A yellow carot one souls a rootstalk halfe a souls a Peare or Apple a grote There was offered for a sacke of wheate an hundred florins Ouer and besides this great misery the plague was so ryfe all the Towne ouer as that there dyed of it almost sixe thousand persons The young children which were staruen to death said as it is written in the lamentations of Ieremie Where is the bread where is the wine and so fell down stark dead in the streetes or betweene their mothers armes The insupportable calamitie and miserie of the Leydeus and therefore after that many young children were faine to eate horse flesh The men which could scarscely go ouer the bridge were enforced to ward as good as naked and in their returne founde neither wife nor children aliue They that were wont to goe with their dizaines to the warde came backe againe with eight sixe and sometimes three Noble women and their children which were wont to be clad in silkes and fed vppon the most delicate meates dyed of very hunger There was a dead man brought and layde before the gate of the Buroughmasters thereby to shewe hym as it was thought both closely and expresly that hee had beene the cause thereof therfore that it apperteined to him to seeke the mean to preuent it To bee short the extreeme miserie in the Towne was such as is impossible for mee to describe and set downe But they who after the deliuerance thereof had seene their leane faces and small and feeble legges might easily haue witnessed the same And now to returne againe vnto the Princes armie it had not needed to haue tarryed long at Norta if it had beene certainelie knowne that the Leydens coulde haue held out longer time Againe the Prince and chiefe rulers of the armie knewe right well that the neerer Winter drewe on the greater abundaunce of water woulde ensue And the generall of the armie knewe well enough also that hee must passe betweene Soeterwood Suyten house and so did the enemie likewise and therefore had especially placed his whole warde there In the meane while many thought it best to attempt by night Soetermeir Meere way towardes Stompwyke way but it was to no purpose because that all the ditches and chanels lay in and out crokedlie besides the Spaniard also warded there The Papists aforesaid had lying vpon the

God would needes shewe his mightie hand and stretched out arme to the end that all glory might be giuen to his heauenly wisdome and goodnesse And wee are not here to forget a very great and merueilous accident to wit that the selfe same night wherein the Spanyarde forsooke the Forte of Lammen there fell downe a pane of the wall and vauntmure of the Towne betweene the Cow gate and Bourgoine Tower sixe and twentie Poles longe so that there was a breache made without any batterye If the Enemye had had this aduauntage before to wit two or three nightes before when as they thought in the night by scale to haue surprised the Town at Hoogewoert Gate which they scaled and thought to haue wonne because a fonde younge Wench had giuen them to vnderstande that the watch was very small Howbeit they founde it otherwise For before such time as three Harquebouzes were discharged they all retyered No doubt of it they might haue thought the same to bee as woonderfull a thing as the Citizens nowe make of this hurte and feare onelye excepted because that theyr breache was made without batterye But it pleased the Lorde GOD to deale otherwise with the Citizens for they in steede of takinge of harme receiued benefit For the great noyse was it that encreased the feare of the Enemye by reason they thought that the Citizens had salied out of the Towne to charge them in the face and the Orengers on the backe and therfore had the Townsmen so much the more cause to prayse the Lord. When the Admyrall was come to Leyden hee forthwith wrote to his Excellencye sying at Delft how that God had striken the Enemy with such an horrible feare as that they hadde forsaken the fort of Lammen which was the cause of his entrye into the Towne This Letter was caryed to his Excellency the 3. of October and deliuered vnto him at two of the clock in the afternoon being at the Sermon which without all doubt were other maner of newes then that came in the morning Wherefore so soone as the French Sermōs were finished he caused the minister openly to reade the Letter most thankfully and ioyfully praysing the Lord. The like also was done at the 2. great churches so that these newes were ioyfully spred all ouer in a verye great Company and Congregation of the people and in his excellencies presence The same also was done in the rest of the Towns of Holland with bonsters and such like tokens of ioye After that the Admyrals had thus victualled the Towne of Leyden thanked and praysed the lord of his grace encouraged the Cytizens and filled them with meate they pursued the victorye and fell vppon the Enemye that laye entrenched about Leyerthorpe The Trenche at Leyerthorpe was wonderfull stronge and they which lay there greatly bragged and tolde the messengers which came thyther of their merueilous force which tended as it nowe fell out to their greater shame and the Lordes far greater honour and more villanously forsooke the Fortes and Trenches of Haye and the Oldwatring where they had remained a full yeare and a daye For a very small number of the Princes Vauntcurrers which as it is sayde was not aboue a dosen put two of the Enemies Ensignes to flight some of which fled with such speede as that they ceased not running vntill they came to the gates of Amsterdame saying in their own excuse that all the whole Campe was discomfited and put to flight At the same time likewise did Baldez his people forsake not onely Gaude scluse Trenches but also all the rest to the number of two and twentie saue Wadding alone where remained certeine souldiers for the freeing of the passage Nowe in this voyage and expedition there were no moe of the Princes parte slaine then fortie but of the Enemies by theyr own confessiō aboue a thousand Howbeit here is one thing not to be forgotten which the sayde Baldez lefte in his Lodginge to wit the Towne of Leyden pyctured with all her royall wayes pathes and Channelles of water and all in such maner as they were guarded and defended with fortes And when he was enforced to rayse his Campe A few Lattin words written by Baldes he wrote vnder this Pycture Vale Ciuitas valete Castelli parui Quia relicti estis propter aquam non per vim Inimicorum That is to saye Farewell Leyden and all the small Castelles about thee for the Waters haue dryuen vs out of you and not the force of the Enemy I confesse in deede that the waters were one of the principall meanes to cause Baldes leaue the Town and Trenches But if he woulde haue spoken truely he should haue sayde It is the myghtye and strong arme of the Lorde which hath enforced me to leaue you who hath put me in such a terryble feare as that Antiochus neuer fledd out of Persia with greater dishonour neither Timothe towards Gazara nor yet Lysias frō the Machabees then I and my people O Leyden haue bin driuen to leaue thee and all my fortes When his Excellency had heard of the foresaide newes His Excellence goeth to 〈◊〉 he went the next day to Leyden giuing the citizens great thanks both for their fidelity and also for their so valiantly defending of themselues without souldiers against so populous an enemy and therefore told them that both they and their children should be well rewarded for their great trauell And afterward he set an order in euery thing as wel about the affaires of the Towne as of the warres to the end he might make his profit of the victory which the Lord had giuen him Howbeit for the greater manifestation of the wonderful works of GOD I haue one thing more heere to speake of whiche is not to be passed ouer in silence and that is this that the foure of October the winde being then at the Southeast the next 3. or 4. daies following so lustely blowing vp at the Northeast as that no mā without great danger was able to paste frō Delft to Leyden because the water as fast as was possible left the fields and returned againe to Sea Ouer and besides the victuals aforesaid which were brought to Leyden his Excellency and his counsel thought it good that all the rest of the Townes round there about should ayde and assist the poore famished Leydens to the ende that the miserable soules who had so long time got nothing but consumed al their moueable goodes might be holpen and so the rich mens victuals thereby last the longer For which cause the deputies of Delft went all Delft through with their Waggons and Boates gathering amongest the Citizens great store of Bread Butter Flesh Cheese Lard Fish and money to the value of a 1000. Florins and better Which did not onely mightely helpe the poore but also so eased the rich as that the Towne was therby likewise reuictualled which encreased not only a farre greater amity betweene the Townes but

had sent for the Spanyardes whiche laie at Aloft and Mastright and were all gotten together into the same strength the 4. of Nouember 1576. thei in great furie set vpon the Toune where the Citezens did the best thei could to preserue it But what through the cowardise of the Almaines and the treason of Cornelius Vaneynd who laie in the Toune with fower Ensignes of Almaines as also by reason of the wilfull negligence of the Leaders in the ende the flowre of all the Cities in Europe was sacked a greate number murdered and the triumphant Toune house set on fire whereupon euery quarter rounde about it was dissolued into ashes so that an inestimable treasure of all kinde of Marchaundize was therein consumed ouer and besides the horrible and greeuous villanies committed bothe by the Spanyardes and traiterous Almaines Whiche horrible dealyng when the Estates of the 15. Prouinces alreadie vnited vnderstood who right well knew to their cost the Spanyardes olde canckred malice towardes the lowe Countries treated a peace with the Prince of Orenge and the Estates of Holland and Zealand the 8. of Nouember 1576. at the Citie of Gant the Copie of whiche pacification ensueth Phillip by the grace of God Kyng of Castile Leon The p●ci●●ration of Gant Arragon Nauarre Naples Sicile Maiorque Sardingne of the Isles Indians and firme lande of the Ocean Sea Arch Duke of Austriche Duke of Burgonie Lothier Brabant Limbrough Luxenbrongh Gelderland Mylaine Count of Harbsbrough Flanders Artois Burgonie Palatine and Haynault Holland Zealand Namure and Zurphen Prince of Suane Marques of the holy Empire Lord of Friseland Salines Malines of the Citie Cities and Countrie of Vtright Transsissolaine and Groening Gouernour and chiefe Ruler in Asia and Affrique To all those to whom these presentes shall come to bee seene or heard Greetyng For so muche as the generall Estates beyng assembled in this our Citie of Bruxelles haue shewed vnto our deare and welbeloued Subiectes of our Counsell of Estate by vs deputed to the generall gouernement of our lowe Countries as it is amongst the deputies of the Prelates Nobles Cities and Members of Brabant Flanders Artois Haynault Valencian Lyle Doway and Orchie Namure Tournay Touruesy Vtright and Malines representing the Estates of the said Countries and the Deputies of the Prince of Orenge and Estates and Cities of Holland and Zealand and their Associates respectiuely on either side deputed hauyng made and set doune a certaine treatie of pacification haue required the parties aforesaied to make Letters Pattentes thereof vnder our name and seale with and insertion of the procurations of the saied Deputies and there withall a clause or prouiso that all the Subiectes of the Countries in the saied pacification comprised shal be bound to obserue the same in euery point and condition And besides to commaund and charge all Gouernours Presidents Counselles and Magistrates of our Countries to proclaime the saied pacification of which treatise the content thereof with the saied procurations hereafter ensue To all men to whom these presentes shall come to be seene heard or read Greetyng For so muche as the Countries here about these nine or teune yeares now last past through the ciuill Warres the proude and cruell gouernement loosenesse of life and suche other like disorders of the Spanyardes and their adherentes are fallen into greate miserie and calamitie for the preuenting whereof and also for the ceasing of all other further troubles oppressions and miseries of the saied Countries by the meanes of some sure peace and pacification to be had there were in Februarie in the yeare 1574. deputed and assembled at Breda the Commissaries of his Maiestie of the Prince of Orenge and of the Estates of Holland and Zealand of their Associates by whom were propounded diuers meanes and offers greatly seruyng for the settyng forward of the saied pacification and yet for all that there followed not thereof the fruite that was looked and hoped for but contrariwise whiles thei looked and hoped for comforte and meanes from his Maiesties benignitie the saied Spanyardes daiely went on in oppressyng and spoilyng thereby to bryng the poore Subiectes into perpetuall bondage and flauerie threatnyng Noble men and Cities and after a Warlike maner inuading sackyng and burnyng and therefore the Substitutes proclaimed them Enemies to his Maiestie and the common weale And the Estates here about were enforced by the leaue of the saied Substitutes to take Armes vpon them for the preuentyng of a further mischiefe or rather the vtter ruine of the whole And that the Enhabitauntes of all these lowe Countries beyng vnited together in a firme peace and accorde might ioyntly driue out the saied Spanyardes and their adherentes disturbers of the Countries and reduse them vnto the forme and maner of their olde and auncient Lawes Priuiledges Customes and Liberties whereby the traffique and wealth might be restored vnto them againe And for that cause was the former meetyng of the saied Lordes Deputies of the Countries accordyng to the treatie of the peace begun at Breda to the honor of God and seruice of his Maiestie betweene the Lords of the Cleargie the Nobilitie Cities and Members of Brabant Flaunders Artois Haynault Valencien Lysle Doway and Orchies Namure Tournay Tournesy Vtright and Malines representing the Estates of the saied Countries And the Prince of Orenge the Estates and Cities of Holland and Zealand and their Associates by the Commissaries of either side respectiuely deputed To witt the Reuerend Father Dan Ihon of Lynden Abbot of Sainct Bertrude in Louuaine Dan Gislain Abbott of Sainct Peters in Gant Dan Mathewe Abbot of Sainct Gislain chosen Bishop of Arras Lord Ihon of Mole Maister of Octingue Maister Frances Alewin Maister of Sueuegem Gouernour and Captaine of Andenerde and Commissarie for the renuyng of the Magistrates in Flanders Maister Charles Gaure Lord of Frezin Knightes Maister Elbert Leonine Doctor of the law and professor in the Vniuersite of Louuain Maister Peter Beure Counseller to his Maiestie in his Counsell in Flaunders and Maister Quintin Prietz high Sherife of Mons in Haynault with Ihon de Penants a Counseller also and Maister of his Maiesties Chamber of Accomptes in Brabant The honorable Secretarie on the behalfe of the saied Estates of Brabant Flanders Artois Haynault c. And Maister Phillip Marnix Maister of Sainct Aldegond Arnold Thorpe Maister of Teemsick Willyam Zuilen of Newfielde Maister of Heexartbergue Esquire Maister Adryan Myle Doctor of the Lawes and one of his Excellencies Counsell and also of the Prouinciall Counsell of Holland Maister Cornelius Kyng a practizer of the Lawes and an other of his Excellencies Counsell Maister Paule Buys an Aduocate of Holland Maister Peter Riche Baylife of Flusshyng Anthony Sickell Counseller of Zealand and Adryan Yong Burrough maister of Middlebrough for the saied Prince the Estates of Holland Zealand and their Associates accordyng to the tenure of their Commission inserted at the ende of this present Treatie made and established Wherein is concluded

wherevnto all good subiectes and louers of their Countrey of very right offer them selues and the rather she we them selues readie because all the worlde knoweth of the peruerse counsaill and deuise of the saied Spanyardes and their Adherentes as tendyng after the long pacience of their insupportable outrage in the ende to the vtter ruine destruction and sclauerie of all the Prouinces of the lowe Countreis and the faithfull enhabitauntes of the same wherevnto it was apparaunt thei would come had it not been that some other conuenient remedie aboue all other thinges in tyme had beene prouided and that cheefly by the common power and agrement of all the lowe Countreis for the departure and driuyng awaie of the Spanyardes and their Adherentes and that after certaine louyng warnynges and admonitions by his excellencie and the saied Estates of Hollande and Scalande giuen to that ende vnto the rest of the Prouinces of the saied lowe Countreis semyng to be thereto enclined and altogether affected so that for the ad●●uncement of the benefite quiet and vnitie of the saied Lowe Countreis his Excellencie and the Estates aforesaid agreed on either side to meete and entre into communication together about the same when his Excellencie and the Estates of Hollande and Sealande were agreed and withall had ioyned and strengthened them selues together in this matter for the Bommelians and all the reste of their associates For the sendyng to this ende and purpose their Deputies at a certaine daie to Gant And therefore for this cause his Excellencie together the Estates of Hollande and Sealande haue substituted and by these presentes doe substitute The noble honourable and good Lorde Phillip de Marnix Maister sainct Aldegonde Arnold Thorpe Willyam Zuilen of Newfield Adrian Myle Cornelius Kyng Adrian the yonger in the behalfe and name of his Excellencie and the Estates to be all together or the greater parte of them at the said conference in the Citie of Gant and with the saied Estates and the rest of the Prouinces of the lowe Countreis or their lawfull Deputies beyng there present to treate aduise and conclude vpon whatsoeuer maie best serue for the setting fore ward of the peace Ami●ie and Vnitie of the saied lowe Countreis and the enhabitauntes of the same hauyng alwaies a regard to the former speeches and honest offer oftentymes by his Excellencie and the sard Estates of Hollande and Sealande and their associates but especially to the last treatie of peace with the Kynges Deputies at Bred● and to that whiche there vpon the matter of pacification might haue been treated of and made whervpon the said Deputies might proceade further on if thei thought it requisite or necessarie Giuyng and grauntyng vnto the saied Substitutes or to the more parte of them full aucthoritie and also generall and especiall Commission to accorde and agree with the saied Estates and the rest of the Prouinces about whatsoeuer thei shal find to be any w●e profitable and for the 〈◊〉 theraunce and 〈◊〉 of the Common wealth but especially for the resistyng weakening and driuyng out of the saied Spanyardes as common enemies to the Countrey and common quiet thereof and to the same ende also binde them selues with the rest of the Prouinces vnder suche reasonable conditions and articles as ma●e be godlie and honouble for the repose and wealthe of the Countrey His Excellencie and the Estates of Hollande and Sealande aforesaid promisyng vpon their fidelitie and honour to holde the same as good and effectuall and so farforthe as concerneth them irreuocablie and inuiolably to keepe whatsoeuer their saied Deputies as before is mentioned and in that whiche hath been before saied shall treate of without crossyng or sufferyng the same to be crossed directly or inderectly bindyng them selues their gooddes and generally all the inhabitauntes bothe of Hollande and Sealande and their associates by these presentes bothe for this tyme and the tyme to come without exception of any In witnesse whereof his Excellencie and the saied Estates of Holland and Sealand to these presentes haue Subscribed and for confirmation thereof put to their seales Giuen at Middlebrough the 12. of October and at Delft the 14. of September in the yere 1576. Subscribed by Willyam of Nassou And by the especiall commaundement of the Estates of Hollande subscribed by Peter Bushe And by the expresse commaundement of the Estates of Sealande subscribed by Faymon and sealed with three Seales in redde Waxe at a double Labell of Parchement The Commission of the Secretary The Se●reta● Commission WHere about the seruice of the Lordes the Commissioners chosen by my Lords of the Estates of the Countries here about assembled at Bruxelles for a new entraunce into the conference of the pacification with the Deputies of my Lord the Prince of Orenge and of the Estates of Holland and Zealand and their Associates it was necessarily required that thei should haue a Secretary for the dispatchyng siegniyng and an ende takyng in their name all the Letters Actes Copies and other writinges about their businesse who was left by my saied Lords to bee chosen by the Commissioners aforesaied My saied Lordes of the Estates hauyng chosen and named Ihon de Penantes one of our soueraigne Lorde the Kyng his Counsellours and Maister of his Chamber of the Accomptes of Brabant a man accordyng to their hartes desire haue and doe by these presentes aucthorize the saied Penantes to make dispatche siegne and autentique of knowledge in the name and by the appointment of the saied Lords Commissioners all Acts Letters Copies Writynges that the same might be the better beleued and al other needefull businesse and what soeuer in them contained to be receiued and admitted as thynges very true and credible Prouided alwaies that he shall be duely sworne vnto the said Lords Commissioners therein accordyngly as to them shal seeme most meete Giuen at Bruxelles by vertue of the Estates of Brabant in the name and at the request of all the rest and siegned by their Secretary the 13. of October 1576. and vnderneath was written by the expresse commaundement of the saied Lordes of Estates and subscribed by Cornelius Weelemans and sealed with the priuie Seale of the saied Estates after the maner of a Commission Bee it knowne vnto all men that at the suppication and request of our saied Estates and accordyng to the agreement and confirmation of our said Counsell of Estate in maner and forme as it is set doune the 5. of this present Moneth We will and commaunde our welbeloued and faithfull chiefe Presidentes and those of our priuie Counsell and Counsell at large Our Chauncellour and Counsell of Brabant Our Gouernour President and Counsellors of Flaunders and Artois our greate Bayliefe of Haynault and Counsellors at Mons The Prouoste of Valencia Gouernour of Lys●e Doway and Orchies Our Gonernour President and Counsellors at Namure Our Gouernour Bailiefe and Counsell at Tournay Our Liutenaunt President and Counsailors at Vtright and the Sherife of Malines That thei cause

bringyng in again of the Catholick Romish Religion or of any innouations or alteratiōs which haue happened in some of the said Prouinces Cities or members of the same sithence the yere 1558. either yet by reason of this present vuion and confederacie or suche like occasions and the case to be all a like in vsyng the saied forces and violences against one of the saied Prouinces Estates Cities or any one onely member of the same as if thei vsed them against all the rest in generall 3 And the Prouinces aforesaid shall in like maner be bound to assiste aide and defende one an other against all Lordes Dukes or Princes Countreis Prouinces Cities or the members of them who generally or particulerly would vse any force violence or wrong against them or yet make warre vpon them alwaies prouided that the generall assistaunce of this vnion shall vpon good vnderstandyng and knowledge and according to the necessitie of the cause bee decreed 4 And for the better assuraunce and sauftie of the saied Prouinces Cities and members of theim againste all power the frontier Cities and all the reste also in whatsoeuer Prouince thei are if it shall be so thought necessary shall by the aduise and appointment of these vnited Prouinces be fortesied and doubte strengthned at the costes and charges of those Cities and Prouinces wherein thei are scituate and therein bee generally assisted of the one moitie Saufe that it shal be lawfull for the saied Prouinces if thei thinke it good and profitable to plant certain newe fortes and Fortresses or if any be there already to chaūge or pull them doune and the necessarie charges of the same to be borne by all the Prouinces in generall 5 And for prouidyng of the necessarie charges in the cases aforesaied for the defense of the saied Prouinces it is agreed vppon that there shal be continually in a readinesse for the commō defense of the saied Prouinces certaine impositions imposed and commonly at the fardest from three monethes to three monethes or at some other fit tymes to be gathered throughout all the vnited Prouinces Cities and members of the same vpon all kindes of Wines Beare Brued either within or without them grindyng of all kinde of Corne Salt Clothe of Gold and Siluer Silkes and Woolle Oxen and Kine Corne grounde all kinde of fleshe meate that is kilde Horses Oxen solde or chopped and chaunged all thinges sold by waight and all other thinges els that maie hereafter be found by common aduise and cōsent to bee good and accordyng to the ordenaunce whiche shall hereon be deuised and made and shall employe the reuenues of his Maiesties Demeines the charges of the same beeyng deducted to that vse 6 Whiche impositions shall by a common aduise bee raised and abased as in that behalfe and in those cases shall bee thought needefull and bee onely employed for the common defence and so farre forthe as thei in generall shall therein be boūd to beare and yet not so fully and wholly to bee emploied thereon as that the saied impositions maie not be conuerted to some other necessarie vses 7 That thesaid Frontier Cities and all the reste also if neede be shall at all times be bounde to receiue into them suche a garrison as the saied vnited Prouinces shall thinke good of and besides if any Gouernour of the Prouinces shall by his owne aduise appoinct any Garrison to be thrust in into any of them thei shall in no wise refuse the same Prouided alwaies that the saied vnited Prouinces shall paie the saied Garrisons their wages And that all Captaines and Souldiers ouer and besides their generall othe shal be particulerly sworne to the Citie or Cities and Prouinces wherein thei shal be placed and this poinct also for this ende and purpose shal be put in emonges the rest of their Articles That suche order discipline shal be kept emongst the Souldiers as that the Citizens and Enhabitauntes of the Cities and Countrey aswell Ecclesiasticall as Temporall shall not hereby bee vexed nor iniuried neither shall the saied Garrisons bee any more exempt from the Assises and Impostes then the Citezens and Enhabitauntes of the place where thei shal be placed and besides there shall in generall be giuen vnto thesaid Citizens and Enhabitauntes money for the Souldiers lodginges euen as it hath vnto this present been vsed throughout all Hollande 8 And for the more assured aidyng and mainteinaunce of the Countreis at all tyme and tymes all the Enhabitauntes of euery of these Prouinces Cities and vplande Countreis thus vnited beeyng betweene 18. and 60. yeres of age shall within one moneth at the fardest after the date of these presentes be enrowled and mustered to the ende that the nomber of the polles beeyng knowne there might be some further order taken after the first assemble of these confederates as shall seeme moste meete for their better defence and sauetic of these vnited Prouinces 9 Neither shall there be any agreement of trewes or peace no nor yet any Warre taken in hande nor any impositions or contributions imposed touchyng this generall League but by the common aduise and consent of the saied Prouinces Neuerthelesse as concernyng the gouernement of this confederacie in other thynges and whiche maie fall out and ensue thereon euery man shall liue and be gouerned accordyngly as shall be aduised and concluded vpon by the greater nomber of the voyces of the Prouinces comprised within this League whiche shal be gathered together euen as it hath been wonted generally to be vsed of the Estates vnto this daie that by waie of tolleration vntill suche tyme as by the common aduise of these confederates there bee other prouision therein made Saufe that if it so fall out that the Prouinces in matters of trewes peace warre or contributiō can not agree together the controuersie shal by way of tolleration be referred and set ouer vnto the Lordes Lieutenauntes of the saied Prouinces beyng at this present vnited together who shall deale indifferently about the controuersie betweene the saied parties or els pronounce therein accordyngly as thei shall finde appertaine to the equitie of the cause Prouided alwaies that if the Lordes Lieutenauntes can not herein make them agree that then thei shall take and ioyne vnto them suche indifferent Assistauntes as thei shall thinke good and the parties shall be bounde to stande to suche order as shall be by the saied Lordes Lieutenauntes accordyngly sett doune in maner and forme as before hath been saied 10 That none of the saied Prouinces Cities or any of their Members shall make any Confederacie or League with any Potentates or their nere Neighbours without the consent of the rest of the vnited and confedered Prouinces 11 It is agreed and accorded that if any Prouinces Potentates Countreis or Cities nere adioyning will vnite themselues with the saied Prouinces and yeeld vnto this confederacie that thei shall bee receiued into it by the aduise and consent of these Prouinces 12 That the saied

out to keepe them plaie And besides the Giethornistes plied the Enemie daie and night with Alarmes And at night twoo messengers came in who brought promisses of their deliueraunce bothe by letters and by worde of mouthe and a further aucthorisyng of Harman Olthoffe The thirteene daie of Ianuary a bill was made of all the Kine Horses Swine Corne and all other kindes of Victualles And a skirmishe also was betweene our Giethornistes and the Enemie And at night twoo signes of fire was seen at Giethorne and the night followyng the Enemie had twoo Alarmes giuen Aboute the daie breake the Enemie called to our Watche and asked theim if thei had eaten all their Dogges and Cattes tellyng them further that thei would before it wer long come into the Toune and hang vp Olthoffes Souldiers vpon the Rampares and besides that our lookyng for aide was in vaine because we were like to haue none and that we should bee deliuered euen as Delfziill was where in deede our aide was moste manifestly to be seen whiche woordes thei spake to discourage the Souldiers of the Toune The fourteenth of Ianuary there came out from about the Bulwoorkes about thirtie horsemen shockyng firste on towardes Eastwike Trenche and anon towardes Westwike somewhat nere the Artillarie of the Enemie but it was to no purpose for the Enemie laye quietly in his Trenches This night about nine of the clocke sixe messengers wer sent to wit foure Souldiers and twoo Citezens to haue some assurance of aide from the Counsell of the warres And afterward the Giethornistes gaue the Enemie three seuerall Alarmes and so thei did the next night followyng The fifteene daie of this monethe George de Lalyng sent by a Dromme a despitefull letter to Captaine Ihon Cornput and besides there were certaine letters written in Frenche by the Prince of Orenge and sent to the Duke of Alenson whiche were intercepted and the Commentaries that were made of them These letters caused many mutinous Souldiers to mutin because thei might not knowe the contentes of them The sixteene daie before Dinner there issued out certaine horsemen and harquebouziers and brought home with theim a Countrie man of the lande of Hessen who knewe nothyng of the estate of the Enemie About noone the Enemie came forthe to anger the Ise breakers wherevpon certaine Souldiers set vpon them in skirmishe where thei hurte some of the enemies and emongest the reste was an ouer hazardous Walon slaine and pitefully dealt withall in the reuenge of Ihon Montieu of Northdike In the afternoone an other sallie was made as before where thei got a Page prisoner who gaue them sufficient knowledge of the estate of the Enemie This daie also was there a greate controuersie betweene the Magistrate and the Captaines aboute the Souldiers preste And this night came backe the sixe messengers aforesaied who brought newes that vpon Fridaie next our aide would be at the Wood. The eightene the Campe of Giethorne remoued before the daie breake and came to the Wood settyng many houses on fire where the Roiters and the Campe of the fower companies were driuen awaie Then the Tounesmen sallied out in greate nombers brauely skirmishyng on euery side where many on either parte were slaine and taken prisoners After this the Enemie marched very strongly towardes the Wood The Englishe men ready to set vpon the Toune meanyng to charge the Englishmen and discomfite them but in the ende he was enforced for all his iolly cannonyng of about three score bullettes bothe vpon them of the Toune and vpon them in the Wood to retire with greate losse And his losse had been farre greater if the Tounesmen and their assistauntes had had any watche woorde betweene theim Then beganne the weather to breake vp and thawe and to be very Mistie whiche greatly aduauntaged the Englishmen and those whiche laie in the wood Who in the night retired from the wood to Blockzill giuyng vs notice thereof by the signes of fire The nineteene of Ianuary the Enemie a freshe sommoned the Toune by letters containyng that all Straungers and honest Citezens should bee licensed to departe with their bodies and gooddes but that he would haue the periured ones to be deliuered into his handes that he might execute the Lawe vppon theim Braggyng and boastyng further in liyng maner that our aide had charged the very weakest corner of his Campe and were with shame inough repulsed and chased cleane awaie left many of their weapōs behinde them had lost much of their victuall besides certaine of their Captaines He called also for the prisoners and threatened likewise to hang our prisoners ere many daies were at an ende Howbeeit Captaine Conrade of Steenwike and others who were appoincted for that purpose answered hym againe by worde of mouthe that it was not lawfull for them so to forget and breake their othe because thei had sworne to the vnited Prouinces to keepe the Toune so long as thei had any life within theim and therefore would obserue the same still lookyng for whatsoeuer it should please the Lorde God to laie vpon theim And as concernyng the prisoners thei answered by letters that thei were contented to keepe the accustomed lawe of Armes and therefore desired to haue in writing a specification from the prisoners because thei neuer thirsted after their blood and that if thei hung any of them thei should be assured that thei would doe the like Whiche letters were sent by a prisoner who vpon his othe was sent from the Enemie to them of the Toune and was afterward deliuered with the reste of the prisoners The 20. daie there came two messengers into the Towne bryngyng newes of certaine succour The same daie the Enemie offered to obserue the lawe at Armes as was meet● to witte to deliuer a prisoner for a monethes wages or els prisoner for prisoner There was also a Copie taken of that despi●eful letter of the Enemie and put vppon a Poles ende without the Toune whiche was pitched before his Campe smally for his honour and pleasure These saied Messengers declared that the cause why our succour retired from the Wood was for want of Victuall and Pouder and did further assure them that the Lord of Nieuorte was marchyng on with 1800. men to ioyne with the Englishe men for our ayde At that tyme likewise the Enemie sent the Tounes men worde that if thei would forbid their Souldiers the committyng of iniuries that he would also doe the like to his The 21. daie the Enemie raunsomed and also deliuered certaine prisoners for a Monethes wages He wrote likewise letters to the Captaines wherevpon might easily be coniectured that he sought by cunnyng and practise to sowe dissention amongest the Companies The 22. daie the Enemie as before deliuered his prisoners by the Dromme This night were certaine Messengers a fresh sent to declare the necessitie of the Toune who in the mornyng made a signe with fire that thei were saufly got thether The 24. daie a peece of Ordenaunce was heard

be ruled by the determination ordenāce of the generall estates The dutches also was of this minde who had said before the arriuall of the confederates that she was of the opinion to moderate his maiesties determination as touching the Inquisition yea she made a kynd of shewe in the kyngs name that she would exempt the countrie of Brabant from the Inquisition howbeit sithence her first commyng into these low countries vntill her departure hence she hath in very deed shewed the contrary For shee tooke this confederacy and the exhibityng of the supplication for disobedtence and sedition although shee had notwithstanding heretofore dissembled the same both in word and deed This her dissembling and hypocrisie the prince minded to shew not that hee had beene the inuenter and furtherer of this confederacie which no way toucheth him but because he woulde hereeby declare that she iumped with his maiesties opinion who esteemed of the confederates as rebels traytours But when as the dutches by his maiesties commandement by the aduise of all the councels had agreed to the supplication of the confederates yea so far as that she had promised vnder her owne hand and seale that the confederates should not bee holden guiltie nor yet accused by reason of this cōfederacie nor of what soeuer followed thereon it followeth that neither his maiestie nor yet the dutches had iust occasion to distrust the confederates neyther say that the Dutches had done it for any other purpose to appease those that had vndutifully behaued themselues and cast downe the Images which was altogether done against his will and pleasure Neuerthelesse a man might say that his maiesties meaning and the Dutches were diuerse although they agreed and were all one For the intent of eyther of both was none other but to winne the friendship and good will of the confederates whereby the welfare of his maiestie as they thoughte shoulde bee more aduaunced then hyndred For the declaration of his Maiestie and of the Dutchesse hath been so at large set downe as that it is enough to excuse and purge them of the accusation wherewith they were charged wherefore it is to be considered that neyther his Maiestie nor yet the Dutchesse do take the confederates to bee seditious thus a man may easily weigh how variable and inconstant the hearts and thoughtes of Kings and Princes are Moreouer the king had written with his owne hande to the same intent and purpose in the moneth of August to wit after and before that the sayd confederacie and supplication were made that his Maiestie greatly liked of the prince of Oranges seruices neyther did hee make any account of that that had passed and that the Prince shoulde not leaue off for any other reasons to bee perswaded touching his fidelitie but that his Maiestie wholly trusted him and woulde not beleeue any reasons that shoulde tende to his hurt of whome hee wrote that they had been too blame and done very ill Thus by the reasons aboue sayde may easily bee perceiued that there is no likelihoode why the sayde Prince shoulde bee called the chiefe inuentor and fautor of those that were rebelles seeing it could not be founde that he had stirred vp maynteyned and defended the sayde confederates neither was any man able to say that euer he protected any of the confederats or others and therfore why should he be ther of accused furthermore he is charged that some of the confederates put thē selues in armes and stood at defense in diuers places without regarde of any thing what so euer which matter toucheth no whitte the sayde Prince and therefore not bounde to answere it neyther yet to excuse himself for other mens faultes and offences and agayne hee is not to be charged in that that some of the confederates became after Rebelles and Traytors seeing that what so euer ensued thereof was done not onely without his commaundement but also to his great sorrowe and griefe Yea and that which is more all these thinges were committed in his absence and for that cause leuied hee men of warre for his owne defence although his aduersaries say to the contrarie and that this was done by reason that hee woulde take al his Maiesties authoritie to him selfe considering that he had at that tyme in his handes both cities and castles Howebeit the Prince had none other meaning but according to the Dutchesse commaundement reduce the sayde Countreys especially Holland Zeland and Vtryght of which he was goueruour to peace and quiernesse and them to conserue vnder his Maiesties obedience and fidelitie doing all duetie for the saythfull administring of his Estate and office Whereof the presidentes Counselles Estates Officers and Magistrates of the sayde Countreys and Cities can beare him good witnesse and that he was no whit partiall but admonished eyther partie to bee obedient and faithfull vnto his Maiestie as hee also so did in many other places where he had any dominion Which thing may manifestly bee seene by that that the Prince by the grace of God hath there resisted and letted that in all these troubles and seditions no Citie or Towne belonging to his Maiestie hath been endomaged taken or withdrawne either from his or the Dutchesse obedience And for confutation and ouerthrowe of the Count Hooghstrate his inditement and the accusation of his ambition and for the holding of an assemblie in his castle of Hooghstrate or the conspiring with the Countes of Egmont and Horne at Deuremond likwise his conspiracie with the Prince of Orange in ioyntly ioyning together in armes against his Maiestie and the stopping with all their power and might the enteraunce of his armie into Brabant The Prince protesteth and referreth himselfe ouer to the testimonies of the Lordes that then were assēbled at Hoogstrate who can report whither any other matters were there treated of then visiting of one another and to be merry together in meeting of certain noble mē strangers their good friends kinsmen neither shall it euer be prooued that any thing in that place was determined concluded vpon that might any way turn to his M. hurt And again they shall neuer be able truly proue that he had been at any assembly either at Deuremond or in any other place about the consulting conspiring for the stopping of his M. arriuall into Brabant But he right well vnderstandeth that all these actions haue sinisterly bin enterpreted vnto his M. which hath greatly empayred his highnes louing affertion to wards him For he had gotten the copy of a letter written by Francis of Alana his M. ambassador in France to the Dutchesse that whē time place serued the Countes of Egmond Horne and the P. of Orange shoulde be punished as they had deserued but that in the meane while they should be gently and louingly intreated and in the said letter was also conteyned that the troubles and commotions in Brabant were imputed to them Thus here we see the principall cause of their

assembly at Deuremond But these noble men doe trust and sticke to their innocency concluding none otherwise but to propounde to the Dutchesse the contente of this letter and to keepe them selues safe from it And that which might be herein more talked of hee trusted that the Lordes which were then in prison had more at large declared the same And as concerning the rest of the articles of the inditement to wit that the Prince had counselled the L. of Brederode to fortifie and fense his castle of Viane against his M. that is a very lie and against all truth But this is true in deede that about certain yeeres past the prince himselfe being at Vyane the L. of Brederode said vnto him That the L. his father had appoynted him as it were by will to make vp the ditches and rampares of Vyane already begun whereupon he answered that for the accomplishing of his fathers will he would doe it But there was not a word spoken of the king neither had he once the heart to attempt any thing against him And as touching the aduice of fortification the nobilitie were in all times at their free choise and livertie to fortifie their Mannors when it pleased thē Moreouer Viane with all the iurisdiction thereunto belonging properly apperte●neth to the L. of Brederode and although his ancesters haue bin in sute for it yet hath the L. of Brederode continued stil in peaceable possession Wherfore there can be no matter of treason concluded vpon in this behalfe for that talke which they had together was nothing els but about the fortifiyng of the sayd Town but no mention was made of his Maiesties affayres and this conference was long before the time of these troubles As touching the other point that the Prince suffered the Lorde of Brederode to leuie men of warre at his pleasure in the Citie of Antwerpe and sent secretly to Vyane certayne munition against the Dutchesses Countermaund The P. answereth that hee came to Antwerpe to deliuer the Citie from those suddayne troubles and when hee vnderstoode the case he aduertised the Margraue thereof who neuer founde out any thinge of the matter but onely suche as were sytting at a table hauing Commission to leuie men howbeit they secretly got themselues away True it is that the Prince offered vnto the Lorde of Brederode certayne peeces of Artillery that were made at Vtright howebeit this was long before these troubles and at that time it was about his Maiesties seruice so that hee coulde not refuse them seeing that Vyane was not farre from Vtryght and beesides hee had also required and demaunded them And as concerning those pointes that the Prince should forbid the receiuing of his Maiesties garnisonnes into certayne places and Townes especially in Zelande where hee him selfe had sent men of warre to take vp the place and stoppe his Maiesties enteraunce by sea As for the garnysonnes the Prince saith that he neuer had it once in his thought to forbidde them and if in case it be true they ought to tell when and at what time and in what place this geare was wrought Notwithstanding when he was in Zealand he was aduertised that there was a practise to take Zealande if it were possible which was a matter of great importaunce and therefore hee commaunded the Lorde of Boxtell that no Garnison shoulde be receiued without his leaue for that is the maner of all Lieutenaunts But when hee was afterwarde aduertised by the Captayne of the Rammekins which was vnder his charge that two hundred of the Dutchesses souldiers were there arriued requiring to haue the Castle opened vnto them which the Captayne denied howebeit hee was afearde of some muteny and sedition by reason his people were vnpaide and the Castle but hardly bestead with victualles hee commaunded him that no man shoulde entre into the Castle without the Dutchesses commaundement and his leaue whereof the Dutchesse being aduertised was well pleased and sent them their pay although the Dutchesse had been before otherwise informed whiles shee lay at Bruxelles and he in Antwerpe and if the saide souldiers had entred the Castle he must haue answeared it Moreouer the Antwerpians desired that they might haue no garnisons thrust into their Citie promising to be alwayes obedient vnto his Ma. and neither spare body nor goods to doe him seruice no not once to hinder him in these affayres It is very true that certeine small vessels were laden with souldiers to come to Antwerpe who for the common quiet of the City could not bee suffered to enter wherefore they sayled towardes Zeland where they were forbidden stayed for comming on land Insomuch that they inforced through famine to returne to Antwerpe and as it is sayde that as they were in the L. of Brederode his seruice being about a mile from Antwerpe to wit at Easterwell and comming on lande were there discomfited When the reformed Churches of Antwerpe heard of this they armed themselues to help the said souldiers which caused a great alarme within the citie so that the Prince in the ende appeased the same without the effusion of any citizens blood By which bee gaue them to vnderstand that he neuer pretended to attēpt any thing in Zealand which might any way tend to the hinderance of any of his maiesties deuises practises But in that he would not receiue garnisons into the country and townes he did that for the auoiding of all dissention and to keepe the subiects in peace vnttie Wherfore the prince greatly marueileth that such great learned men as would be so well thought of would set downe and propound such matters as neuer can nor shal be any way verified There is besides in the Articles of this inditement declared that the prince was sent to Antwerpe to appease the troubles but that he suffered the exercise of all hereticall Sectes indifferently Whereunto he answereth That hee expressely tolde the Counsell that it was impossible for him to stay those of the religion notwithstanding that he woulde be as carefull to do what so euer lay in him to be done as a man mought be Insomuch that all the Townsmen gaue him great thankes for the appeasing of the troubles through his aduise and counsell The Magistrate of the Citie and not he suffered the building of the Churches and the exercise of the religion for the aueyding of a greater offence and mischiefe The Consistories were ordeyned before he came thither yea euen before the publique preachings and to meete from thenceforth with al troubles he permitted them a way or meane whereby all the circumstaunces of the affayres that might suddenly happen might be talked vpon and dealt withall and did not belieue that his Maiestie by this occasion coulde any way be endemnified seeing it serued more for the keeping of his subiects in peace and tranquilitie For the last Article where it is sayde that hee shoulde ordeyne impositions and exactions or leuie money for the paying of souldiers hee fayeth