to the United States to try their Intentions And to this purpose came Gerard Horn Count Bassigny Philip Bentingen and Henry Code a Burgo-Master of Ipre to Berghen op-Zâ—me after Newport Fight at the same time when the United States Deputies went out of Flanders and were arrived there They desired that a Meeting might be appointed in that place that so they might Treat of the Means conducing to Concord Many Things were spoken on both Sides in derestation of War and in commendation of Peace and for the general safety of the Netherlands On the behalf of the United States it was urged That nothing could be more acceptable to them than to purge the Netherlands from Forein Slavery for doing whereof they promised their best Assistance And if they would resume their Antient Liberty there should be no difference between them in point of Religion but if they did not think fit of this Proposition they could not imagine what success they could hope from this Treaty for what Peace could they expect from the Spaniards who broke Peace with them that had no thoughts of War But the Archdukes are bound to the Spaniard by Conditions dishonourable to the repute and fame of the Netherlands And the Brabanters Flandrians and other States are in like manner obliged to them of what validity therefore will any Agreement be that is made with them who live under Lords commanded by Castles and kept in awe by Souldiers so that they are not Masters of themselves The Archdukes people answered That they came to Treat of Peace not to make a defection nor would it be just that themselves should lay aside their Arms while others keep armed but whatever was agreed between the States the Princes would ratify These things being heard and spoken by the Arch-dukes people and imagining that they must utterly throw away all hopes of Peace with the Hollander so late a Conquerour fall to examine the Charge of the War and after a long debate what every Province should pay because the old form appointed in the French Wars by reason the Forces of the Provinces were altered and Arms inferred on other places could not be observed at last they agreed to lay certain Taxes upon all Chimneyes and other things and thereupon promised thirty thousand Florens Monethly for the next year but it continued for the future That every of the Garrisons should pay their own Souldiers and that no Citizen should be compelled after that to give any Souldier a gratuity That part of the Forces should be commanded and part of the places governed by Netherlanders and that the Treasury should be ordered by the States part of which the Archduke denyed absolutely other part he never performed though he gave hopes thereof by promise Many also were much offended at certain Letters brought by Henrico Gusman out of Spain wherein the King called these States His. The same endeavoured to make an inquiry in the Merchants Accounts if there had been any dealing with the Hollanders for this is usual in Spain or if any money could be spared from the India Companies but by the denyal of Antwerp this project came to nothing The Dunkerkers raged no less against the Hollanders at Sea And Albertus himself commanded That the Hollanders should be debarred as well of their Fishing Trade as their Traffique and Merchandising otherwise on purpose to drive them to penury and consequently to sedition And the Dunkerkers being exasperated with the punishment of many of their complices added their own malicious fury to this command of the Archduke And therefore they punished this simple sort of men for such generally is the Religion of Fishermen that they think it very unjust to repel force by force sometimes by burning other times boring hoâ—â—s in the bottoms of their boats now by driving nails through several parts of the mens bodies and so putting them to a long torment under both the sense and fear of death and otherwise infested the Sea with such cruelty that sometimes the Ships of War that were to guard the Fishermen were assailed and taken But when the Hollanders brought out against them a considerable strength divers of these Pirats were taken and expiated their inhumane Villanies with their heads and the rest were glad to retire into their old dens and lurking holes Their Chieftain himself named Wakeney with some Ships escaped his pursuing Enemy through the Narrow Seas by Bulloin and got to Biscay in Spain and afterwards having committed several Pyracies upon the Coast of Bretaign in France at length hated by the Spanyards and the greatest part of his Seamen consumed with want himself dyed miserably Against Spinola's Galleyes that they might be able to fight them in any weather at Dort was built a great Ship such as the Hollanders had none before and was furnished both with Men and Guns the first men put into it were hired with wages afterwards Malefactors were condemned to row therein because Christian piety would not suffer such as were Prisoners of War to be put to that slavery And the device very happily succeeded for that alone being put to Sea made many of the Enemies fly carrying only with it a smaller boat And in a short time so great was their confidence that adding only a few Cockboats and choosing a peculiar night the Holland Galleyes silently rowed up the Schelde between the Forts of Brabant and Flanders whence passing to the very walls of Antwerp at first unawares they took a ship with three tyre of Guns and seven lesser Vessels and afterwards by force and slaughter of the Defendants carryed them away The City raised with the outery and running to the Walls looked upon their own loss and to their high disgrace suffered it to be carryed away unrevenged for the Conquerors went away safe and loaden with spoil after they had founded a well known tune in praise of William Prince of Aurange not without some affection of the Citizens remembring former occurrences Towards the end of this year the Hollanders were filled with the hopes of a French War to be made by King Henry against the Duke of Savoy who being allyed to the Spaniard as having Children by his Sister to whom he was marryed was believed would undertake nothing without his knowledg The cause of the quarrel was the Marquisate of Saluzza which the Savoyard had taken from France while it languished under intestine troubles And the Pope who by the Peace of Verbin was appointed Arbiter in these and like cases undertook the hearing of the business but delayed his Judgment untill the Savoyard at the instance of the French King came personally to Paris and having underhand bribed the chief Ministers of State appeased him also with fair promises and obsequiousness but the non-performance at the day appointed made Henry proclaim War and by force to assault several Cities and Castles of Savoy In the mean time Fontaine who had sometime ruled in the Netherlands and then governed Millain gathering very
he requires the Hollanders not to prohibit the Britans to come out of the Sea into the Scheld to pass to Antwerp paying Customes equal to their Subjects But they excused it by shewing that they had good reason for their Decree that none should goe to the Enemy unless they first changed their Ships that so they might the more certainly have knowledge of all things Nor ought he to take it ill that they imposed Laws upon a River within their own Jurisdiction when the Spaniards durst deny the passage of the Seas even to their friends And so that he might convert the English who were accused as infamous for Piracy to innocent gain he forbad any to fight at Sea under a forein command but conniving at any that went hither or thither to a land Warre By another Edict the Jesuites and all other Ecclesiastical persons that received not sacred Orders according to the custome of the Kingdome of Britain were banished thence setting out for cause that that sort of men taught that the Pope might absolve Subjects from their obedience to Kings of another Religion then which there is not any opinion more dangerous to Government But at the same time the same Jesuites were restored in France upon some conditions from whence they had formerly been banished when by their instructions a young man fought to murther the King But now the monument was destroyed which kept the memory of that fact fresh together with the Jesuites infamy the Parliament of Paris crying out that by that one work the authority of the most honourable Order and the security of France were subverted together But the King with his own great danger as many ominously feared unterrified merely to gratifie the Pope admitted and favoured these stout defenders of his power Between this King and the Spaniard arose some new causes of hatred upon old discontents Monsieur Villeroy a person highly entrusted and favoured by King Henry had a servant named Hostius whose industry and ingenuity himself being much imployed otherwise he used in the decyphering and reading of Letters and private Characters This man being hired gave intelligence of all the greatest affairs of State to one Monsieur Raffee a French-man but banished and living in Spain who discovered them to King Philip's Counsellors by which having such insight into all the private counsels of France it was easie for them to guess at all things else Some things also being discovered to the King of Britain had ingendred animosities and jealousies This Treason being detected by Raffee Hostius first by flight and afterwards by a sudden death prevented further inquisition There was also at this time another matter stirred up by a Woman which was this Henrica the daughter of Monsieur Interaque was esteemed among the first for her beauty and pleasantness of wit wherewith the King being allured to whom there was hardly any other crime to be objected then these loose Affections the better to compass the end of his unlawful desires had promised her marriage if she bare him a Son and this promise he confirmed to her by writing After Medices was preferred before her in marriage she was compelled to pacifie the Queen to deliver up this writing of the King 's Whereupon dissembling higher designs under the pretence of solitude and Religion she aimed to compass forein wealth wherewith she might secure her Son against the Queen's anger and malice and not onely so as she publickly declared and as others interpreted it but also that he might therewith assert his right and claim to the Kingdome The King of Britain refused to give any ear to them for the disturbance of another's Kingdome but the Spaniard approved her cause and promised largely to assist her therein When these things first became known the Lady her self her Father and Brother the Count of Auvergne were taken but King Henry pardoned them acknowledging his own misdemeanour in their crime But Philip fearing lest Henry enraged with these things should from thence take a cause to make Warre he ended the quarrel begun about the Customes which he had lately raised by Edict and turning his fury against the Hollanders commanded all of that Nation to depart out of his Dominions and all Merchandise afterwards brought in to be forfeited This year was celebrated in the Netherlands a solemn Funeral pomp for Count Peter Mansfelde who for fourty years had faithfully served the Spaniard in the highest Commands being then President of Lutzenburg who though all his life conversant in Warre had yet by rare fortune lived even to the extremity of old age And among the Hollanders died Lewis of Nassau being but a young man yet emulous of the glory of his Ancestors and in whom there appeared great hopes of a noble and circumspect Vertue The Fourteenth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES THE charges of the now superannuated Warre increasing every year and that great demonstration of their equal Forces appearing at Ostend restored to some that hope which they had a long time laid aside to wit that the extreme fury of the Warre would at length conclude in a Peace hence every one as their hopes or desires led them delivered their opinions both in discourses and Books Such of the Netherlanders as affected the Austrian Government believed and so said having great emulation to the Cities of Holland and malicious inclinations that they would fall under the weight of that Greatness they had drawn upon themselves or else would become a prey to forein Princes unless they returned to their old obedience whereof for so many ages they had had experience onely with these additions to the old Laws That the Netherlandish Government should not revolve to the Spaniard That the right of Commerce should be free and indefinite That Religion should not be forcibly or with punishments urged in hope of making a more united Concord That as well the forein Souldiers as that plague of mankinde the Jesuites faction should be expelled That the chief honours should remain in the Citizens and all affairs of greatest concernment should be handled in the General Councel of the Provinces which liberty would continue more substantial if it were used with moderation On the other side some in France persuaded the Netherlanders to separate themselves from the House of Austria That the name of Archduke was but a vanity without power without authority his Forces being consumed by the Enemy his Authority swallowed or devoured by the Spaniard and when the Netherlands should be exhausted and Spain impoverished what hopes had they of protracting the Warre certainly onely this one the wealth of the Indies which also in time would fail them and become a propriety to him that is most prevalent at Sea That the twenty several Mutinies and Seditions of the Souldiers have made Albertus his Government infamous and if while those jealousies and hatreds encreased among them the French should have stirred they might have lain upon the Country and
at that time was President of Flanders Lalayne Champigny and divers others who could not digest that the chief management of all Affaires should rest in the Prince of Aurange with whom few were equall in birth none of them like him in Wisdom and Authority Therefore because they see themselves never able to compass the Peoples love as he hath done and that they must come far short of him they begin to fear that if he should come to enjoy that Dignity that he would bring Religion to his own bent and to prevent that they seek to prevent his glory by the splendor of a greater name Rodolphus was chosen Emperour of Germany in the stead of Maximilian his Father who was lately dead His Brother Matthias they by many great promises intreat from the Court not by any open consent of the Emperor for fear of offending the Spaniard The'e men because they had strong Cities and Arms in their power imagined they could easily bring to passe that by their bringing in of this young man who must be beholding to them for that great Honour they should have all things in their power and might in his name execute their own Commands and do what they listâ— all which the Prince of Aurange foreseeing he removed some of these guilty persons from that Council and assured them that they might more confidently hope for a just Government in the lawful Dominion of the States than the particular power of some few And by chance also at this time it fortuned that Arscot the chief Emulator of the House of Nassau swolne big with vain hope offended the Commonalty of Gaunt by some insolent Speeches the people of which City being the most noble of all Flanders but the most averse to Nobility threw him and all his Train into Custody But the Prince of Aurange although Matthias was called in by his Enemies and had come contrary to his desire and that the rest of the Netherlanders had a greater respect towards France yet having regard to the moderation of his Carriage he himself moved the States that they would accept the young man eminent in his Brothers Majesty and of Kindred to the King to protect their Cause wherewith they were thus far pleased that the Government of the Netherlands should be in Matthias but that the Prince of Aurange should be Deputy Governour which at length though unwillingly he accepted by which means their fury who had sought out Matthias onely with hope to have made themselves great by his Dignity was more enflamed The Regency of Matthias is bounded and limited by Laws and Counsellors nor had he power to use any thing suitable to his greatness besides the State and splendor of his life The third Book of the Dutch Annals ALL matters being in this manner setled Warre is proclaimed against Don John at which time the Monethly Revenues arising from Provisions of Victuals amounting to six hundred thousand Florens was brought into the publick Treasury the free disposing whereof as also of Musters and Councels relating to the Warre that they might be the freer from discovery were by the States left wholly to the Senate Then at length the Queen of England began to think the forces of the Netherlanders worthy of her favour though yet she was not without a peculiar fear of troubles in her own State because Don John moved a Marriage with the Queen of Scots by which and the help of his Arms he hoped to get to himself the Kingdom of Britain and this was evident by no small demonstrations wherefore she promised them both men and money for their assistance they giving caution for repayments but yet still they should stick to their pretence that the Netherlanders Provinces would be obedient to Philip. And so she interwove her self into that Common-wealth that no matter of any importance could be done without her knowledge and approbation endeavouring also to strengthen these new Settlements by an universal Concord though some of the Netherlanders laboured earnestly but in vain to provoke the Queen against the Prince of Aurange and perswading now one now another by laying before them the greatness of the danger least they should incline to re-settle the old Possession of the Roman Religion She therefore would give them ayd When She had effected these things She sends Letters to the King desiring him therein to hearken to peace and to moderate his Government by the Rule of the Law but if he would compel his Subjects to take Arms he should not take it ill at her hands the French long since being intent thereto if she prevented the Dutch allyance with that People who were her Enemies and in the interim she did with great pains strive to clear her self from affecting the Soveraignty that belonged to another Henry King of France Sebastian King of Portugall and the Emperour himself were in like manner solicited by the States to move Philip to moderation towards them the last also being sâ—ed to for assistance in their Cause which at that time was in vain In the interim private grudgings and discords increased among the great Ones so that many went thence into Castles and strong Holds scituate in Lutzenburg upon various pretences but the true cause was they interpreted the Honours given to others to be an affront and disparagement to them But Don John being recruited with the coming of the Spanish Forces and a great many Companies of Souldiers brought to him by the Duke of Parma the Son of Margaret late Governess of the Netherlands out of Italy overthrew the Dutch Army which was daily weakened by the going away of their Captains and retreating into Brabant at a place called Gemblim Nor was the Prey gotten by the Victory small especially if we consider it in the success because Lovayne which layd open Brabant on that side Limburg a famous Dutchy and the Metropolis of the Dominion bearing the same name using to make excursions even into Germany and Phillippolis which City the Prince of Aurange when formerly he was Generall of the Kings Army had fortified with new and strong Bulwarks against the French when onely forraign Warres were feaâ—ed as also many other adjacent Towns came in and submitted The King having â—hus conquered them yet thought fit to try them with the hope of Peace the Baron Selles carrying Conditions out of Spain for differing from those made at Gaunt and for which Don John would not alter a tittle which then was enough to make it seem reâ—sonable why they should be denyed for now the Netherlanders began first to know themselves and several Princes did augment their confidence by striving who should first offer them Souldiers and other ayd Here Francis of Valoys Duke of Anjon and Bâ—other to the King of France both before the Peace made at Gaunt and after was often sued to by the Belgick Nobles There Casimire who possessed the Palatinate of Germany both of them by reason of theiâ— yonger Birth being laid side
should be raised onely in their Name and should fight under their sole Command and at their Charge And from thenceforth the so much envyed Authority of the English Embassadour was absolutely taken away Yet still the Queens Priviledge of nominating an Assistant to sit with the Senate was reserved If the Queens Enemies should invade her either by Land or Sea or the Queen should think sit to make War upon her Enemies the Dutch upon notice should add to her Fleet 30 or 40 lusty and stout Ships together with an Army of Five Thousand Foot and Five Hundred Horse Upon these Articles and Covenants a firm Agreement was made but reserving to the Queen her Right that she might vindicate her cause against the Netherlander under the King of Spain's Jurisdiction There was excepted out of this League Palavine's Debt of Fourscore Thousand Florens which was afterwards privately compounded It was not that England chose Peace rather than War by this League but that as it was eased of a Burthen so it had gained thereby a Fortification Not long after this some were taken who went about to poyson Queen Elizabeth and in Ireland by one happy Fight and the taking of a Castle was the cruel Tyrone made Prisoner while he was drawing the Province of Munster to partake in his Rebellion No more did the Hollanders repent them of their Old Resolution although there was a new Face of Affairs with the Enemy and many ways were sought to invite them Aod now the Report of the New Marriage grew every day more frequent these being Letters brought to the Netherlanders by Friasio whereby the whole Government of them was turned over to the Princess Isabella The Causes and Articles of which King Philip published to be these When by the Pope's Licence he had destined and by the Consent of all his Relations Resolved to bestow his best Beloved Daughter in Marriage upon his Kinsman he conceiv'd it would be of great Advantage to the Netherlanders to the advancement of Peace and settlement of the present Government that they might always have their Prince present among them which their Ancestors could not be in regard of their many and great Cares and therefore he did give and grant unto his said Daughter all the whole Country of the Netherlands and every part thereof together with Charlois and the County of Burgundy together with the Name of Duke of Burgundy for the French had long since got the possession thereof yet so that himself and his Successours Kings of Spain should enjoy the Honour of the same Title with the chief place among the Knights or Companions of the Golden Fleece being an Order instituted by his Fore-Fathers Adding moreover all other Things that were thought fit by Men learned in the Law for Confirmation of the Premisses by which the Rights of Principality and the Revenues and all other Incidents pertaining thereto might the more rightly descend and pass unto the said Isabella and her Posterity These Things were the more remarkable because Philip using the word Clientole did declare That he gave all those Dominions to his Daughter in Fee And this seems to be added because the greatest part of the Lands were held of the Empire and other part of the Crown of France and then because by his Command the Oath which the Nobles had formerly taken was to be alter'd now from the Obligation to himself in a New Obedience to his Daughter And if any thing contained in these Instruments seemed to contradict the Law in my point that he did confirm by his Supream and Royal Authority And if it should happen that no Children should proceed of this Marriage or that Issue Male or Female did ever fail all the aforesaid Premisses and the Right thereof to revert to the Kings of Spain And this was given as a Reward to the Merits of Albertus that he might have the Government of the Netherlands as a Comfort to his Wiâ—owship And if there were any Issue then the use and profits thereof but nothing to descend to the Heir besides the Revenue of the Dutchy of Lutzenburg and the County of Chiny There was also prescribed an Order of Succession First to the Male then to the Female and so to the Younger and the Elder Daughters Nephew should procede the Younger Son That it should not be lawful to divide or alien the Lands unless by the King's Licence And it was provided also that this Gift should return to the Donor many ways As if any Woman should for the future attain the Netherlands that it should presently return to the Hands of the King of Spain or his Heirs neither might it be lawful for a Son or Daughter being Princes of the Country to marry or otherwise alter their condition unless by the Consent of the same King Moreover They are forbidden by themselves or their Ministers to intermeddle in the Trade of America or the Indies and that every one coming to that Government is to swear to these Articles and also to maintain the Romane Catholike Religion And if any thing be done to the contrary the Right of the Netherlands to come to the Spaniards These Instruments were signed by the Father and attested by Witnesses the Sixth of May. The same day the King's Son and Heir Philip also by Name gave his Consent to the same by Writing carefully taking Cautions according to the Laws There were divers Speeches concerning this matter and they disagreeing among themselves as is usual in such Cases Some accused this as an Evil Custom that the Heads of Free-men or any private Service should be rated and valued That it was onely used by Barbarians to give and bestow Dominions For of what value was a Prince among them who never knew what belonged to Lordship But to them that make a distinction between Right and Wrong it is nothing ambiguous because the matter belonging to the People makes the Government from thence be called a Commonwealth The ordering whereof as it is in some places committed to the Nobles or Senate so with most it is setled under the Tuition of a Prince Nor was there ever any just Empire but what begun by the Consent of the People who have trusted the Defence thereof either to one Single Person or else by reason of Faction in Suffrages to more who have this onely Reward of their Honour that next to their own Welfare they take Care of the benefit of their Subjects Which as it is true every where so is it more manifest among the Netherlanders who being neither Conquer'd by Arms nor yet willing of their own accord to serve will not suffer their Princes to do many Things but with a Limited Power and Revenues it being chiefly forbidden left at any time they should break any part of the Trust commiâ—ted to them And therefore in former Time the Daughters were put off with a small Portion in Money To the rest of the Children were given Governments and other small Offices the
sollicitous for the support of his allies and to that end he had sent into England Maximilian de Rohan his chief Treasurer and a Privy-counsellor At last this Medium was found That whatever moneys the French should lay out in behalf of the Hollanders the third part thereof should be charged to the English and all accounts to be discharged wherein France impoverished by her Warrs was indebted to Britain The States were content herewith although they were offered by Sir Ralph Winwood the King of great Britain's Orator to be comprehended in the Articles of the Treaty if they pleased which they refused with great thanks The rest of the year King James spent in performing and receiving the Solemnities of the Kingdome and in viewing his new Dominion of England giving audience at Intervalls to the Embassadors of other Kings and the gratulations of his own subjects Tyrone himself the great Captain of the Irish Rebells coming and upon his humble submission obtaining pardon Concerning Religion several complaints were offered by two sorts of people The one in England are called Puritans being a people that do not esteem the Ecclesiastical State or Church-government there to be sufficiently orthodox and sincere but requiring therein more purity from whence sprung the original of that hated name of Separation These find fault with many Ceremonies retained from custome and antiquity as the Orders of Bishops some Ceremonies added as they say in the Sacrament of Baptisme and others things more tending to Discipline then Doctrine A change or at least an amendment of all which they now hoped from hence because the Scots had already rejected the same On the other side the Catholicks with high applauses magnifying the antiquity of their Religion as well in Britain as elsewhere and setting forth their fidelity both to the King himself at present and heretofore to his Mother petitioned that if he would not give them publick allowance which yet in France the King allowed to dissenters that at least they might privately and without fear of punishment worship God according to the custome of their Fathers But the King rejected both these suits suspecting the Catholicks for no other cause but that the Pope claims power over Kings but the King was offended at the Puritans because by men of the same Faction under pretence of Ecclesiastical authority he had irreverently been used in Scotland Whereupon also he accused their perverseness and obstinacy publickly set forth in Print for he would have each Nation be free to use their own Rites which were not contradictory to the Divine Law but the supreme Authority even in matters Ecclesiastical should continue in the King Yet something was setled according to the desire of the Catholicks viz. That the Sacrament of Baptisme should not be administred by women or private persons that many Ecclesiastical promotions should not be accumulated upon one person and that Church-censures should be strict and severe both in the inquisition and punishment of errors either in the life or doctrine of the Priesthood But the words of the Puritans became so offensive that many of their non-conforming Ministers were punished by Imprisonments Banishment and abjuration of the Realm Notwithstanding which some of the Romanists associating others with them who were desirous of novelty conspired to set up to the Government the Lady Arabella a Virgin sprung from the bloud Royal dividing among themselves the chief places of honor and preferment through the Kingdome The authors of this Treason were punished with the losse of their heads the accessories thereto and such as had concealed the same were cast into prison and the fear of imminent death was reckoned to them for a sufficient punishment the King being prone to win repute to his new Government by the fame of his Clemency While these things were doing in England Enno Count of Friesland beyond Eems having really learned that he might easily obtain from the Emperor both words and threats against the City but that he could not give him a power to put the same in execution he resolved to try the favour of them that were most potent among the Hollanders and to that purpose he went to the Hague urging many things both privately and publickly in his own defence and objecting many things against the Embdoners as being of a wavering temper in their fidelity not well knowing either to govern or be governed At the same time were present some Deputies from Embden behaving themselves with much obstinacy and notable irreverence towards their Prince then present At length after many long debates the United States not doubting the fidelity of the City towards them bent all their resolutions for the security thereof and it was concluded that the Delphzilian agreements should be observed whereto besides were added That for the future there be an Edict of Indemnity and Oblivion for all things already done nor should the Count exact the Penalties set by the Emperor's Decree That both should be restored to their houses and lands all prisoners be released and all instruments of war and other received profits be accounted for And that Enno should endeavor to set free all strangers being really such nor should deny his safe conduct in writing to all Ships going from the City That the Tributes imposed upon the City the third and the fifth year before should all be made null and that there should be a consultation had in the Senate of the Transamasians for the settlement of new the right of summoning which should be in the Count but if he neglected to doe it then they might meet by themselves and consult of their common affairs That it should not be lawfull to denounce a War or levy souldiers without the decree of that Councel onely the Count might retain as many as should be sufficient for the guarding his Castles and strong holds and likewise that the City might raise seven hundred souldiers for the defence thereof and maintaining their works That the Transamasians should maintain the souldiers the charge of the works should be born by the Townsmen and what goods were within a Town should be equally distributed and whatever was inclosed within any fortifications should enjoy the same priviledges with the City it self That the Magistrates of Embden should be created by the Senate of the City and that the Count to that creation should adde his authority When therefore the Count and the Deputies of the City had agreed upon these conditions it remained that the whole Magistracy of the City and the States of the Transamasians should allow of and ratify the same which was very likely to have been done the Nobility being afraid of War as that which would wast their Lands and some being sent by the United States to enforce force such as should offer to delay the same the greatest part of the garrison also was withdrawn that the fade of affairs might appear more peaceable But new hopes from the Emperor changed Enno absolutely insomuch that
in a short time all things bow either for Reward or fear of Punishment and he is ready to destroy the Force of their promiscuous Liberty by an extraordinary Act of Authority according to the French Exemplar For every several Nation hath his own Senate appointed him but all were to attend the Common Justice of Mâ—cklin by which means they more easily represented the Form of one City A Colledge also or Fraternity by the Name of the Golden Fleece was Erected whereby he obliged the Princes admitted into the same that were famous both for their Extract and Merits to be to him both an Honour and a Safeguard Among all these Policies the States maintained the Peoples Right whom out of the several Nations he called to meet in one Common-Councel as oft as the Common Treasury was drained by his Wars or other Necessity required the same Being sent thither they oft-times did great things for the Common-Wealth and that which added to their Courage was that they might speak what they had in Commission There was not a Castle nor in time of Peace a Souldier except a few Garrisons upon the uttermost Borders suspected from the frequent Motions of the French together with Three Thousand Horsemen the Flower of all the Nobility yet Commanded by the Chief of the Popularity and were in readiness against any sudden Incursions and such a Number of private Ships ready upon my unexpected Occasion as would over-â—umber a good Fleet. This great Accumulation of Fortune being transposed unto the Austrian Family though it made the Power of Spain greatly to increase yet the mild Natures of those in Authority by their Moderation augmented their Power and certainly sooner by this Act is Liberty overthrown and conquered than by Force For Fierceness grows into Fury while it resists Compulsion when Meekness and Courteries will even hand men into Obedience untill accustomed Duties being commanded the long License of Evil Habits makes that Obedience seem to be Slavery In the mean time to the Commons who meddle not with Arms the Benefits of Merchandizing and Trades is frequently shewn whereby the Customes and Tributes are encreased and that private men grown rich if they would be innocent must with Care shun publike Imployments This Spanish Conjunction was a very great Augmentation But now as if grown more wise as the Wealth of those in Superiority over them mightily increased they began to suspect with a kind of Dread from the Spaniards Behaviour which they had Opportunity enough to look into in the time of their Service together in the Wars as also from the Difference between them a Change of their Common-Wealth For while Bordering Nations have from a like Stock by the same Endeavours increased they easily agree between themselves engaged thereunto by a kind of Brotherly Relation But the Spaniard and Dutch differ in many nay in most things and in those they agree they meet with too much vehemency Both have been famous in Martial Exploits for many Ages unless that these have disused those by Italian and other Forreign Expeditions are encouraged through long Discipline and Rewards The Dutch are very sedulous and diligent and for the hope of gain willing to undergo any labour do by that means acquire both Trade and Peace yet do they not use to take and put up Injuries and as they are greedy after other mens goods so in defence of their own they will contend to the uttermost which hath been the cause that in this single Region there are so many Cities and those that are scituate near the Sea or any other River strongly fortified and every where else so replenished by their own and a mixt multitude of persons from other Countries Thus since those monstrous Incursions from the Northern Parts of the Earth were blown over have they for Eight Ages continued unconquered and free from the spoyls of forreign Armies But Spain after it had contracted from the variety of its Victors many of their Customes and great diversity in their manners at last was forced to yield her Neck to the Gothish Servitude by which mixt cohabitation and intermingled breeding they came even to unite in nature and disposition of whom both Ancient and Modern Authors have given us this Character That they were of invincible spirits to undergo all manner of hardships and dangers whereby it was scrupled by the rest of the World Whether they were more greedy of Honour or Wealth They are proud and arrogant beyond meaure even to the contempt of all others they are very great honourers of things Sacred having Religion in high esteem which makes them neither unmindful of nor ungrateful for benefits received but in revenge so furious is their heat and in victory so barbarous their cruelty that they think nothing in such case done to an enemy either unlawful or dishonourable Theâ—e things are quite contrary to the Dutch a Nation innocently crafty and after the manner of their scituation which is between France and Germany they are moderate both in their Customes and Conditions in some measure participating of the Vices of both yet not altogether without some of their Vertues You cannot easily deceive them you must nor unadvisedly insult over them Nor in matters of Divine Worship in former time did they in ought come behind the Spaniard being unanimous eveâ— since they first put on Christianity not so terrified by the Norman Arms as to change their profession nor yet ever infected with any damnable errour They bestowed so much upon Religion that the very Priests themselves were necessiated to prescribe bounds to what they might possess They learnt from both between whom they seemed engrafted to honour and reverence their Princes But the Dutch thought the Law ever above them from which pretence sprung many troubles The Castilians love to govern somewhat more strictly than other Nations and yet what liberty soever they usurp to themselves they will not allow the like to others Hence arose very great danger because as in two divided Empires neither for Fear or Love to prevent the trouble or win the favour of their Princes would the Dutch enâ—ure any superior nor the Spaniards an equall Al People hâ—â— labour with the thirst and ambition of Rule if their first actions thrive into a Success their next Work is to draw the Nations with whom they converse or hold correspondence under the subjection of their Law to appoint Juâ—gâ— and Governours to assess and impose Tributes and Taxeâ— that it may be at their option and pleasure to use and command the common strength Thus the Spaniards accustomed to domineer in Italy and at their will to lay waste and destroy in America sought either the same power or else for denyall thereof a cause of Quarrell with the Dutch who by a long succession of Princes were even united in an indissoluble league Neither did Adrian shortly after Pope a holy and just man and yet a Hollander forget the hateful authority of the Spaniard the
preparing other Remedies which might repress this Evil now getting Age The Cause above all others and which we may with most Reason conjecture was the Pope's Authority by which he had ordered many of these things to be done For having obtained by the general Consent of so many Nations to Distribute of Kingdoms and to be a Moderator and Judge of Law Equity and Right while he by submissive Obedience and large Gifts was made their Friend and Ally they might confidently rest assured in the Success of their Affairs which he had throughly learned by his Fathers and his own Experiments How terrible it was and injurious to his Affairs to have that Power adverse to him from which even they who had Conquered it in War were glad to crave a Pardon These were the state of Affairs and these the Conditions of the People when upon the Departure of King Philip strife began about the Chief Government In the attaining whereof both the Prince of Aurange and Count Egmond had pitched their Hopes and Expectancie but neither of them had it for this Reason least either of them singly being preferr'd should by perpetual private Feudes disturb the Peace of the Common-wealth There was likewise Ambitions of the same sort among Women to wit Christian that had marryed Francis Duke of Lorrain Uncle of the Emperour Charles and Margaret base Daughter of the said Charles first marryed to Alexander Medices afterwards to Octavius Farnese Duke of Parma The Prince of Aurange and the Netherlanders endeavoured by all means to promote Christian but Ferdinande Alvares of Toledo Duke of Alva and Anthony Perenot Granvell Bishop of Artoyes having been jointly Servants and Counsellors to his Father in his greatest Affairs and by Philip received with the like Honour were of a contrary Opinion for Margaret Alva one of the greatest and noblest Spaniards in many places esteemed a great and famous Souldier by the getting some notable Victories for the Emperour had won great Renown Perenottes Father one Nicholas a Burgundian as he was of a mean Stock so he was more readily obsequious and by his extraordinary Watchfulness and Industry so acquired the Humour of the Court that he became a Privy Counsellour and had the keeping of the Emperours Seal in which having performed his Duty by the space of Twenty Years he at last left the same to the enjoyment of his Son But as Alva's proud and cruel Nature so Perenottes subtle Disposition while they onely seek to inlarge the Grandezza of the Prince who likewise desired nothing so much they do both of them find fault with as many Nations as they knew especially the Germans who imputing the Landgrave's Imprisonment to no other than their Counsels did esteem and reckon their too great Power among the principal Causes of the War Again when it came to the Point of giving the Government of the Netherlands to Margaret although there wanted not specious Causes enough for the giving of that Counsel as such a Tye of Bloud and that her Husband would be a Pledge for her Fidelity and her Person be in the Command of the Spaniards both in the City and Castle Yet the departure of the King no less suspected by the Great Ones than bewailed by the meaner sort inflamed the angry Minds of the Nobles And that very Day was the chief in which Philip was sollicited for Liberty and that the Netherlanders shewed themselves contumacious or sawcie towards their Prince For just upon his Departure resolving to leave a Garrison of above Three Thousand Spaniards under pretence of defending the Borders against the French but in truth that he might at his pleasure bridle the Licentiousness in Religion which had been increased by a Company of Forraign Souldiers in the Wars The Prince of Aurange and Count Egmond whom he appointed Commanders of those Forces on purpose to asswage their Envy refused the Charge as being contrary to their Laws and at the very instant of the Kings going away the Assembly of the States whom he had onely called together to give a Farewel to asked him That he wou'd remove away with him those Souldiers when they would not endure adding also a Warning or Monition That he should use the Counsell of none but Netherlanders in the Government of the Netherlands And from hence there sprung an implacable Hatred because they seemed to give out as if they understood the Art of Governing and fore-saw the approaching Tyranny But openly He agreed to their Request and thereupon forbore to adde Gemessa Figueroa â— Spaniard and Earl of Feria unto that Great Councel though lately destined to that Intent But in this Dissimulation he nourished Anger in his Heart and in his Mind studied nothing but Revenge So departing but disdaining to pass the Borders of Strangers he went by Sea where in the Shipwrack of his Fleet through many great and imminent Dangers with much ado he got safe to the Port of Gallicia The Souldiery for a little while after remained there but very unruly and burdensom untill at Gerbis or the Island of Gelues called by the Antients Meninx having received a loss by the Turks they were taken from them as the Netherlanders interpreted it not so in favour of them as to supply the Loss there received In the mean while the Government of the Netherlands Nominally was in Margaret but in Deed and Power in Granuel in whom Industry Vigilance Ambition Luxury Covetousness and in truth all manner both of Good and Evil were eminently to be seen Nor did he advantage himself more by his own Prudence than by the Folly and Sloth of Others who growing weak by Riot had let slip those Opportunities of present Power which of old was not without great difficulty and hazard to be attained He therefore minding cunningly to oblige his Prince by diving into Secrets and by advancing his Followers contracted unto himself the Intriques of all Embassies and all sorts of Characters and what ever else was to be known either by Spies or Pensioners Between this Grandee and Count Horn there were some old Gudges first concerning Lalayn Count Horn's Sisters Husband whom he taxed with the Crime of an ill performed Embassie Another was that Horn had missed the Praefectureship or Lieutenancy of Gelderland which he had much sought after for want onely of one word's speaking of his He had not yet Declared himself to the Prince of Aurange the onely hope of increasing his Dignities resting upon him but as the Custom of Ambition is had hitherto onely looked upon him with an evil Eye least he should grow too great for him For which cause when Magistrates were to be chosen at Antwerp he had endeavoured to procure him to be absent But the Prince of Aurange who above all things the empty Boast or bare Title of Honour and that one Man a stranger and of men Extract should possess what he listed not without the disgrace both of himself and others stirred up with many provocations Count Egmond
Nobles s certainly a goodly Company of Exceptions the Liberties also of Towns and Universities and whatsoever the Kings Treasury was indebted to any man being reserved to the Kings pleasure Now having thus laid aside all fear and shame the veâ— utmost intentions and designs of the Spaniards were laid â— pen in their open boastings for the bringing to passe therof that not onely the charges of the Government but if neâ— were Warre should be maintained at the charge of theâ— Provinces and to make this good Alva commands for thâ— present the hundreth part of all the Revenues of the people to be levyed which in it self was very grievous because â— was forcibly commanded by the Souldier which ought â— have been collected according to the Custom of the Country nor did he exempt the Priests from this payment afâ—ter this be takes the twentieth part of Lands and the tenth of all other thing whatsoever sold upon every alienation affirming to the Spaniards that it was necessary thus to tax the Netherlanders that they might the rather think themselveâ— bound in equity to obey being bound by the Law and coâ—quered by Arms and not otherwise capable of Pardon It may easily be imagined that these Impositions haâ— spoyled Merchandizing and broken the connexion of most Arts and Trades by the flight of so many so that the chiefeâ— support of the People was utterly gone for the profit accrewing by buying and selling of Wares using to be dispersed into severall Channels if so great a burden should be come to be a part of the price there would be no Chapmes found to buy when in another place they might have them so much cheaper And if any durst be so bold as to find streight they were seized on by Souldiers and most exquisitely punished Nay some Provinces and Cities being somewhat stubborn and self-willed were sometimes majestically summoned and questioned both what they had done themselves and what they had suffered others to do against the Kings Edicts being objected against them and though the madness of some private persons for the common cause were not compelled to their evill deeds yet were they sentenced that they should be out of the protection of the Law excluded from all publick Counsels and for the future be governed by no other Law than that of the Kings will Nay some were punished for appealing to the King and the intercessions of the Magistrates were restrained by a mulct which they should pay out of their own Estates upon forfeiture with the severity of which examples the rest being terrified did endeavour to redeem themselves from this infinite oppression with a certain sum of money And yet for all these so many and great afflictions the wrath of God was not yet appeased towards these people for their sins but as if the cruelty and avarice of men had not been sufficient for the persecution of a Land most flourishing and opulent both in Wealth and Inhabitants the Ocean breaking over its bounds with such an overflux as the like hath scarce ever been seen before by its inundation made one great slaughter of men and foretold another For this was the time in the small Punctillio whereof the basest of servitude and the highest point of liberty being divided by both names continued equall miseries and misfortunes And now anger suggesting unto the oppressed the desire to free or revenge themselves by Arms they were taught there was no concord so firm and stable as that which is contained within the Bond of private concerns And now that Nation which had so patiently seen her Citizens burnt her Governours slain her Laws Religion and Common-wealth almost to be violently taken away and devoured first consented to take vengeance for the former and to prevent and keep off thâ—se evills that immediately hâ—ng over their heads And so in the City of Bruxels though Alva himself were present and with a strong Guard did sternly exact the tenth yet every one shut up their Shops and Ware-houses scorning to own or confess their slavery though with the perill of their Heads Now were Gibbets and Hangmen prepared for the Rebels as they were termed when news came of the Commotions in Holland which I shall presently declare to you and put a stop to their cruelty The fury and indignation of the People increasing infused new Courage into the Prince of Aurange that he might once more try the fortune of Warre though yet his Confidence flagged till his Resolution became setled by considering that part of Philips Forces were imployed against the Turk and that Spain it self was yet scarce quiet from the disturbances and incursions of the Moors if therefore he could but get Arms himself would be Captain and he hoped through their dissentions he should be able to find or make a way 1571. To that purpose he sends choyce persons to all Princes that professed themselves Reformers of Religion praying them either publickly to take his part or at least to grant him private Ayds towards the support of the common Cause The Deaâ— and Swede positively deny him as fearing to cope with an Adversary more powerful than themselves not durst the Queen of England disturb her Neighbours greatness although the Pope had given Her over to be a prey and Alva for the Genoa Merchants money detained in England for present use and under assurance of repayment beginning a difference and bringing it almost to Pledges sought long agoe a Cause of Warre against that rich Island as was suspected and now lately when there were some troubles in the North part of that Kingdom he sent some to view the Ports that might if opportunity succeeded to his desires upon such occasion be leaders and without peradventure he was a great encourager of the Endeavours of the Queen of Scots against Elizabeth the knowledge of all which things were for the present so dissembled and Spain so far obliged that the Nassavian Messengers were commanded without any delay by a certain day to depart out of the English Territories But in France they who had laid aside the Rites of the Latine Church that they might give credit to the Peace they had were admitted into the Grace and favour of the King and therefore that they might be the better able to assist the Prince of Aurange they add fresh fire to â—e old Burgundian fuel repeating the Controversie that first â—ose in the Council of Trent between these Kings for priority of place urging also against Philip the poysoning of his Wife Elizabeth whose murder ought to be revenged and that he was in Honour obliged to the like for satisfaction of those French Subjects murdered by the Spaniards in Florida a Province of America which Counsel King Charles listning to with greedy ears would have to believe that he was sensible thereof another motive wherewith they enveighed him was upon the Marriage of his Sister agreed with the King of Navarre they gave him cause to think himself deceived therein It was
if it should either rain or snow because the natural moysture and marishness of the ground would be exceedingly increased wherefore the Prince returning Victor into Holland loaden with honourable fame even among forraign Nations he was received by the 〈◊〉 even with an excess of joy The people of old were wont to rejoyce at their Princes good fortune as from Command not obliged by duty They had known the former Prince of Aurang onely in disguise under the Cloud of adverse fortune And in the Earl of Leicester's time they were perplexed between private discords and publick murthers Now only they saw their bounds enlarged by Arms and their Government setled by Rivers and strengthned with fortifyed Towns and yet their Leader requiring no other satisfaction for all his pains and labour than the glory thereof the benefit of the success being wholly left to the Country which looked not only with hope â—ut adâ—â—tion at his youth as if it had been on purpose set apart by the divine Providence for such weighty undertakings And then again casting their unsatisfied eyes upon his countenance they gratefully reverenced that tender Age and 〈◊〉 Blood which had so often thrown it self upon dangers for their defence And without all doubt the Princes good fortune was much forwarded by celerity besides he had learned the exquisite Arts of Fortification both as to the of sensive and defensive part the besieging or defending Towns and as far as the present Age was able to instruct him was well practised in the encamping of an Army The Enemies were nothing so industrious their confidence as it is generally observed breeding carelesness and slouth and sometimes overweening Temeriâ—y They who are weakest in power are for the most part strongest in Counsel as ayming to supply by prudent Resolutions and Industry what is deficient in strength Fame also is a great assistant where the first happy events are multiplyed to the great supportation of liberty But the mayn of all was the strength of Shipping among so many Rivers without which the rest would have profited but little According to Custom the Souldiers wintered in Garrisons from whence many times small parties going out wiâ—h various success brought in booty or were circumvented by the Enemy During which times also stratagems were frequently used for getting of Towns such were they whereby here Gertruydenburg Maestrict and Scluys were offered at and in another part Breda was endeavoured to be taken but the Ambushy being discovered the Armies marched back frustrate of their designs Now was the Sea scowned from Pyrates and the Duke of Parma being for France received joyfully an Embassie sent from the Emperour to mâ— and mediate a Peace But the United Provinces suspected it as they had reason but chiefly because they had intercepted Letters from the King of Spain written concerning it wherefore they shut their eâ— against those old deceits warned by the fresh example of the Arragonians who while they unwarily discoursed of liberty were surprised by craft and drawn into slavery and ruine These People of Spain of old called Tarraconia now â—â—garly Arragon first getting possession of that part of the Country by Arms which barbarous Nations from the other side of the Sea had invaded by the Counsel of such as weâ— esteemed wise among them erected a Commonwealth At the beginning Kings that name and honour being given to a limited power were chosen here by the suffrages of the people afterwards by the Custom of several Nations their Heirs were admitted by Succession to the Government yet obliging them to the observance of the Law whereby they who were then eminent as foreseeing the inconveniencies of a Kingdom conveyed some power to the people whose Authority was to be used in publick Counsels and gave a priviledge of Supreme Magistracy even over the Kings themselves and these boundaries were well observed as long as the Princes were careful to do Right and Justice and made use of no Forces to defend Crimes But afterwards there happening a Conjunction of Kingdoms and all Spain by that means becoming subject to King Philip all mens patience was tryed by the severity of the Inquisition and every thing by new forms of Judgment was disposed and they rather fitted to the pleasure of the Court and Courtiers then squared by the Rule of the antient Law or Prescript order of Justice The Case of Anthony Perez was greatly commiserated by the People who having been employed by King Philip about Eâ—oâ—vedo's death was yet by him falsly accused of but an ordinary fault for which deprived of all Authority and flying from Castile he was yet prosecuted by the Kings rage into this Region for the King hated him because he had been active as a procurer in matters of Love And when he Instruments of wrath impudently opposed the Laws and would by no means suffer Justice they were resisted by force and the first commotions being provoked by force were afterwards nourished by gentle endeavours and dissimulation And as the Tumults begun under a malevolent constellation so the City was perswaded under pretence of the French War to suffer the Kings Army to come through its Borders and to march through Sarragosa the Metropolis of that Region and so to go over the Pyrenean Mountains But instead thereof the Nobles were murthered and every one that either with Tongue or hand had been forward to advance liberty was by revenge marked and for the future nothing remained but a prospect of Tyranny and slavery Although these things are not suitable to my purpose yet I have not neglected to insert them here at such times as they happened that Posterity may compare their fortune and the Netherlanders together that as well the faults of Princes may be known as the People may be instructed that many times the cause is no less to be minded than the Forces of a King While these Transactions were a foot otherwhere the King of France being recruited with German Souldiers and English Auxiliaries besieged Roan Queen Elizabeth desiring that he would inclose the Enemy between the River Seine and the British Ocean this made the French Confederates with Parma take his long stay the worse who being slow in making ready his Warlike preparations or else consulting of some higher design how to augment the dangers at last though late in the year having first received the Town of Fer in pledge he drew near to the Borders of Normandy There were in his Army several new raised men and those Regiments which had lately fallen into a mutiny but now were restored to their Colours being full of booty and having also received their pay which the Duke of Parma very hardly extorted by the encrease of Tributes and selling the right of Commerce to the Enemies the Netherlanders not without cause complaining that their Borders were left naked and their mony and strongest men carryed away to help strangers Pope Gregory sent also Assistance to the French Rebels â— thing not used by
of Authority was equally ridiculous both to his own Souldiers and his Enemies they had changed an old feeble man for a person of great Nobility and therefore they gloried at once of that Honour and their restored Laws that according to the antient Custom one was sent to govern them that was of Royal Blood and by Kinred allyed to the King They remembred that Alva and Requescuse had stirred up the War by their forraign Authority And the Duke of Parma though otherwise we I enough liked was maligned for his Country sake That Don John who had attained Royal Blood by all wayes both of Birth and Vertue wanted rather the moderation than the affection of the Nobles and People But that now there was truly come the off-spring of Emperours with a German uprightness neither infected with hatred or malice and consequently more prone to concord He had governed in behalf of his Brother the Emperour both the Panâ—â—nia's or Hungary beloved by the Subjects for his mildness in the taking care of them and the blandishments of his leisure time not much provoking the Enemy nor himself by them often provoked Not averse from fighting when the Barbarians urged him by disturbing his peace and it may seem that he was the rather chosen as one who might compose the Netherlandish Affairs the Citizens being even tyred with War and the King well knowing that it would be in the Conquerours power to make what Laws he pleased for the settlement of peace This Duke Ernestus was of such gravity in Conversation that the Netherlanders interpreted it to pride But which is proper to his Countrymen being not Superiour in his Affairs he was easily ruled either by Counsel or Command With this mediocrity of disposition he had so pleased Philip that he intended to have married him to his Daughter and strongly argued in the French Counsel by Embassadors 〈◊〉 confer upon him the Kingdom of France fearing perchance that if he should marry her to any Frenchman and at any time after his Issue male should fail that Spain by accessâ—â—â— to the Crown of France would become a Province thereâ—â— But Providence provided otherwise in that affair 〈◊〉 brought Henry of Burbon through divers variety of Fortune and setled him in the Kingdom for he being grieved â— himself that being born to a Kingdom he should onely â— depelled for the oretext of Religion Many of the Princes protesting they resisted him for 〈◊〉 other causes and by that means alone could not submit their Fortunes to him seeing his Forces almost consumed and 〈◊〉 other things that were the main supports of his hope He â—â—gan to grow unsetled in his mind between some of his Friends applauding his noble constancy and others persuading for most advantage At length either that he believed nothing more sacred than the Peace of a Kingdom or that he had embraced his former kind of living more out of Form than Judgement he was Reconciled to the Church of Rome which thing was not of so much disadvantage to the Spaniard but that for many years after be continued his hatted and War against him neither till of late by the strong endeavours of Anmarle were the Cities of Picardy adjoyning to the Borders of the Netherlands reduced unto his obedience Nay at Rome a great while he incensed Pope Clement and the most powerfull in the conclave by threats and force least they should open or propose a way for the Kings Repentance and Reconciliation calling him a Renegado from Religion and a dissembler of novel Piety But at the first being had in suspicion by both Parties as well that he departed from as that he came over to afterwards by a sweet and well-constituted moderation by giving to these the chiefest Power to those Safety in the Exercise of their Religion and some Honour he exceeded both their 〈◊〉 and made a Harmony between them among whom before there was nothing but Discord So that now all were pleased except a few ignorant how great a benefit they had receiv'd whom no Felicity could ever please no Revenge saâ— In short Trade and Commerce beginning in this Cessation of Arms and the People well pleas'd with this Quiet it came to pass that the strongest and most potent Cities with the Metropolis of them all Paris and the chief Heads of the Faction and Revolt submitted to him caused either by private â—â—scords among themselves or the fear of a Forreign Authority The Spaniard hereupon when the Duke de Mayn came to â—â—xels were of opinion to restrain him as one that was averse to their Design but the Regent Ernestus having more regard to his Fame hindred it although it were known he was the chief Instigator of the chief Leader of the Faction to go in to the King and merit thereby his Pardon yet there were some who detain'd by their own Covetousness or the Spaniard's Policy did all they could to hinder Peace delaying by the same the performance of their Expectations Picardy chiefly and the parts thereabouts near Henalt and Artots were molested and perturbed by the Spanish Forces And the first Spring Charles Mansfeldt who made War in those parts had forced Capelle a free City there having assaulted the Rampires when the Trench was dry to surrender before King Henry could send thither any Succours Shortly after the King himself being conducted with some Troops to Laudune staying upon those Confines Towards the end of Summer Mansfeldt being driven away who had indeavour'd to raise the Siege the Town came again into the King's Power The Confederate States about this time had given a Summe of Money to King Henry upon condition That he should turn his Force upon the Netherlands But that Queen Elizabeth would not hear of who fore-saw that together with the War all use of him and respect to him would cease This Defection of the King from the New-Religion was variously reported both in England and Holland so as hardly any thing had bin further examined and discoursed with more variety of Language and freeness of Judgment Others look'd upon it with Hatred and Detestation The Catholikes hereby conceiv'd a hope that in time that other differing Religion Rites though at present receiv'd in publike might at last reunite and that as France had follow'd the Rule of German so the rest would follow the Pattern of France But all Leagues and Alliances with Neighbors were by the King inviolably observ'd And now the States being 〈◊〉 by what private Policies the Enemy gain'd upon them ordered very diligent Care to be taken That no sort of Writing that might prove dangerous to the Publike might be foisted 〈◊〉 the People And that Masters which instructed Youth in Leaning should not instill into their Minds evill Opinions Which done they turned all their Counsel to the carrying on of the war while the Enemy would seem to seek after a peace And because Ernestus having recruited the Army was reported to have enhanced the Fame and Terrour of his
persidious And as the Spaniard could not lay aside Arms without the Consent of the Kings his Allies so also the same Impediment lay upon them by several Leagues And here they shewed several Examples when Peace had either vainly or falsly been pretended to be sought and they had no more Reason at this time to hope for better of more safe proceedings For Philip was so far from remitting old Offences for advancement of the Peace of Christendom that he would rather suffer the Barbarians to enjoy all Europe than he himself would leave off to infest and trouble other Kingdoms by Arms and Treachery That it was most evident from Letters of the same Philip written to William Clementius wherein he was commanded to delude Caesar with fair Words and Promises adding That the Turkish Power would easily be diverted from the Spanish Empire by Gifts and Presents Nor did the States forbear to signifie That the power of concluding a Peace was Deputed unto the Praefects but the Right and Power of preserving it was in the Lords In short what hope could they have while the Netherlands were oppressed with Forreign Souldiers and the Spaniards who still sit at the Helm would by their nefarious and cruel Counsels would absolutely reverse all the good which Ernestus intended The Opinion of many among the Romanists in hatred of Pease was too commonly cast abroad That no Faith is to be held with such as differ from them Meritedly sure was the Mischief of that Invention turned upon their own Heads while they by an endeavour of setting Men together by the Ears break off and spoill all Commerce To all those that practice Equity and Honesty they never alter their Evil Habit and least they should enjoy their Perfidy too long themselves became an Example against themselves Nay the very Common People who for the most part are first weary of Warre being inraged with the Memory of the late Villanies of the Enemy would not by any means hearken or incline to any Thoughts of Peace And now the Spaniards fearing Prince Maurice's youth grown famous by so many Victories and the league of two Kingdoms from the greatness of their terrour they so far contemned infamy that they hired murtherers by particular stabs to bring that to passe which they were not able to compass with all their Armies And without doubt there was no time so detestible for such horrid wickedness insomuch that from hence no one could expect from them any true peace who by giving place to hatred and revenge would even violate the Laws of Arms. For in this very year wherein they desired a Treaty first a Priest of Namar afterwards another Renegado Souldier were hired to become assassineâ— but prevented barely by suspicions gathered from the extravagancies of their looks but the designs of so great Treasoâ—s being once though with difficulty and but darkly discerned were soon after for fear of the wrack laid open and the whole contexture of the horrid villany discovered wherein first the Prince himself then his Brother Henry Frederick and after them several other persons eminent in the Common-wealth were designed to be slain and every one for a particular cause as Leominus becâ—use he had revoked from the Kings party Aldâ—guâ—d because he had excited the Duke of Parma to disloyal mistrusts of the King Olden barâ—evelt because he was looked upon to be averse to peace The Traytors names were Michel Renichon and Peter Furius but let us see the Authours who being persons in eminent place and capable of Honour yet had bound themselves to the perpetrating this infamous act And they were as fellows First Fontayne and Ibarra two Spaniards Stanley the betrayer of Deventer and of the Netherlanders La 〈◊〉 and Barlaymont the heyr of an inveterate hatred to the House of Nassau and also Assonvile of old suspected for the murther of the former Prince of Aurange Of all these the Traytors gave particular accounts and demonstration partly by force but chiefly by a voluntary confession after they were condemned to die and could not hope for any reward or favour for casting aspersions upon others Nay more the Promises and Exhortations of Ernestus himself were related to Renichon by assuring a large Pension for his Reward but to Furius in these very words If thou performest what thou promisest me and dost kill that Tyrant thou shalt surely go the ready way to Paradise yet there wanted not some who from hence would interpret that the countenance of peace which the Regent would seem to have put on was but dissembled averring that he onely counterfeited a face of modesty the more neatly to hide the cruelty of his heart However it was 't is certain that Comannus and Hartius who were in Holland when this Treason of Reâ—ichâ—n was discovered denyed Ernestus to be in any manner culpable therein adding also that Barlaymont would be ready if they would give him a safe conduct to come and send pledges for his safe return to appear and refute the before mentioned scandalls but in regard he could be admitted no otherwise than to be punished if he were convict the conditions were refused About the same time Lodowick Lopez a Portuguese but of Jewish extract being a Physitian in England was apprehended who was convict by proofs and Letters to have undertaken to poyson Queen Elizabeth for fifty thousand Ducats promised to him by the Spaniard for the same for which he was as he well deserved put to death The Authours of the Treason were said to be Christopher More Fontayne and Stephen Ibarra then residing at Bâ—uxells whom Queen Elizabeth contented her self to have sharply reprehended in certain Letters to that purpose sent to Ernestus wherein she gave the name of Jesuites to the inciters of such villanies and desired that they might be delivered to her to be made a publick example this she urged not that she imagined to obtain her Request but that she might thereby cast the greater ignominy on the Spaniard's Reputation There were several other Attempts of the like soâ— broke out not long after from a sort of men wonderfull by their vast increase their Lenity being as ready to promise the perpetrating of a Crime as to discover it Towards the end of the Year the Order of Jesuits began to be infinitely hated through all France by means of oâ— John Castel a young man bred up and tutor'd among them and perswaded by his Masters that no Kingly Rights or Priviledges belonged to him that was separated from the Romane Church This Fellow when the King returned out of Picardy to Paris endeavour'd to have stab'd the King into the Neck but the blow by the bending of his Body hit him upon the Tooth The Parliament of Paris so abhorred the monstrous Fact that they were not content with the punishment of the single Offender but pulled down the House that nourished such a Viper with all its Superstructures they raised a Pillar to preserve the abominable Memory of
Queen although they fear'd the Evils which afterwards hapned upon their want of Money Lewis of Nassau the Son of Jehu and Cozen-German to Philip and Ernestus going with those Souldiers laid before them famous Rudiments of Vertue and Valour The 23 day of June the great Commanders determin'd early to depart from Plymouth with Order To meddle or sight with none but Spaniards or People subject to the Spaniards or such as furnished them with Ships Guns Souldiers or Provisions And that all other People might safely go about their Affairs whether they would follow the Fleet or depart to Sea with promise of Impunity to all that would forsake them and come over to the English All the hope and preparation of this Fleet was rather to look after Prey than to fight because being far from Home far from any Assistance among their Enemies Countries the danger of the Sea and their Passage subject to Storms and Tempests no delay could be safe enough Nor do old Chronicles alone teach this and the Portugall Voyage not long since undertaken but the success of the very former year in America which fell so far short of expectation And therefore those Things seem'd rather to be put in Execution which would by their suddain violence in no small manner terrifie and break the Enemies strength and they were not resolved in what part to set upon them a little before they came to Cadiz At length by private Letters all the Navy was commanded to meet there These Letters close sealed and signed the Captains received with this Order The they should not open them unless they were by foul Weather separated from the Fleet. This most noble City of Cadiz from its very first Original when many say it was call'd Tartessus and afterwards a Colony of the Tyrians was said to be the furthest part of the World Neither will it suffice to shew that it was now far decay'd from its antient Opulency The Scituarion thereof with other Things belonging to the same hath been described by many At this day it is beholding to a Bridge which they call Suaca for making it no Island for that joyneth it to the Coast of Spain separated there from onely by a small Inlet of the Sea On which side the Name of the Region testifies that formerly the Vandals inhabited there Beyond is that Streight where first the Ocean broke in upon and divided the Land On this side is a convenient Bay for the Reception and Safety of Ships And then by chance a great Fleet lay under the Defences of the Island which was partly prepar'd for the American Voyage and partly furnish'd for War which had not so much increased the difficulty for the English to land as it had their Expectations to the hope of a most plentiful and rich Booty There were four Galeoons two of Epidaurus every one of them carrying fifty Guns or more and near 700 men Of the Kings own Ships of War there were 21. and as many Merchants Ships which carryed 20 Guns a piece Three Frigats each of them beating 18 Guns and laden with more for use of the Fleet that was at Lisbone and other Ports of Spain for this Fleet here was only the Third Part of the Spanish Naval Force There were then also 50 Sail of other Ships belonging to private persons come both from Spain Italy and other parts which were either unarm'd or but weakly furnish'd And not far off from the City lay 21 long Ships more The Earl of Essex earnestly desir'd to fall upon them while they knew not what to do and before their fear should decay or grow less lest he might give them time either to take counsel or gather strength which if he could have perswaded others to effect and indeed the Hollanders were willing to have assisted him they had then gotten infinite Honour together with an inestimable Booty But the Lord Admiral Howard was afraid to suffer in Ships committed to his Charge especially those of the Queens which she had forbidden to be rashly brought into danger to come into that narrow Streight of Sea which was full of dangerous Shelves and Quick-Sands because the Wind blew a little high Thus by delaying the time they lost their Opportunity The next day being the first of July the Ebbe of the Sea hindred them that they could not come to fight Upon the left hand as you enter into that Streight is the Royal Port so called hither the Spanish Ships had withdrawn themselves excepting onely the Galeoons and Long Ships which remain'd nearer to the City where the Shore runs out into Linga which the Inhabitants call Puntaâ— But Sir Francis Vere setting upon these with some lighter Vessels and soon after the Earl of Essex pressed forward that they forced them to the Bridge Suaca and there an Engine being placed they were lifted over that so they might get into the Streight or escape into the Sea that lyes more inward from thence Essex and Howard for 4 hours together batter'd the Galeoons and that the more violently for that the Flood of the Sea increasing had brought them nearer and it hapned at this time that a Holland Ship by the negligence of Captain Peter Henry perishing in her own fire and the Gun-powder she carryed yielded to the Enemy a short cause of rejoycing for presently the Galeoons not daring to stand out the fight curting their Cables fell upon the Sands all the Sea-men escaping Part were carryed away and part burned either by themselves or their Enemies at which time also one of the English ships was burned And this strook no small Terrour into the Spaniards that were wont to confide in the great Bulk of their Ships so as King Philip receiving News hereof by a peculiar Messenger presently sent to Naples Genoa and Sicily That they should immediatly send what great Ships they had to the Relief of Cadiz And the Assistance also of the Knights of Malta was demanded But the French that were there in service urged and insisted on the contrary After the Sea-fight the Earl of Essex the day now declining landed his Souldiers at Puntal without resistance and the Holland Mariners having taken a Castle that lay upon the Sea set up their Ensign thereon Others also were sent to break the Bridge Suaca lest any Relief should come that way which accordingly they performed All the Spanish Noble-men that lived thereabouts came to the Defence of the City with 600 Foot and as many Horse Against whom was sent Lewis of Nassau with 400 Spear-men and a Band of English Voluntiers nor was the Fight long against them being unaccustom'd to Matters of War At the first Onset being routed and flying to the City in no order They were follow'd by the Conquerours who while the Terrour remain'd fresh entred the City part over the Walls and other part by the Gates which they had how forced open The People of Cadiz at the beginning trusted to the Tops of their Houses which