yet to my Lords the States as chiefe Lords Whereupon they were constrained to vse force because that to reduce him to obedience did greatly import the countries And for that we wil set downe euerie thing according to truth we will adde in this place in manner of an introduction the reasons which moued my Lords the States and his Excellencie so to do euen as it was printed by their owne Printer in anno 1588. It is knowne to all men that the most illustrious high and mightie Lord the Prince of Orange of happie memorie was so affectionat to the wealth and commoditie of the Netherlands and especially of Holland Zeland and West Frizeland vnder his owne gouernement as he hath for the conseruation of those Prouinces offered and exposed not onely his own substance and that of his kinsmen but euen his owne person and those of my Lords his brethren and others of his kindred so that the said Lord Prince being pursued by the King of Spaine by all hostile meanes for the cause abouesaid and by the Duke of Alua during his tyrannie in the Low Countries perceiuing the state of these countries to be wonderfully opprest he hath shewed so many honourable commendable and heroicke markes and testimonies of his affection to the good of these Prouinces as during his absence from thence the inhabitants thereof and namely the countries of Holland Zeland and West Frizeland did mutually determin to free themselues from the tyrannie of the said Duke of Alua to embrace the Christian and reformed Religion and to liue free vnder the lawfull gouernement of the abouesaid Lord Prince And for the maintenance of the sayd resolution he did at the beginning of the warre appoint and send into sundrie parts and townes of the afore mentioned countries vnder his gouernement such persons as himselfe thought fit for the seruice of the countrey with such Commission as the affaires of the time then required and among others sent the Generall Senoy into North Holland and West Frizeland who vpon his Excellencies commission was willingly without any contradiction receiued there the inhabitants of the said countries hauing no respect to the person of the man who was a stranger vnknowne and borne forth of the countrey but onely for loue which they bare to the said Lord Prince and for that they were there desirous to shew what honour and respect they did beare to his commaundements It is a matter likewise knowne that euer since that time the sayd Generall hath beene verie honourably respected by his Excellence of happie memorie and by the countrey as also that after the lamentable death of his said Excellencie the States of Holland and West Frizeland and the high and mightie Lord Maurice Prince of Orange Earle of Nassau and Marquesse of Vere Fiessingue c. son to the aboue named Prince after that he had receiued the gouernement of Captaine Generall of the countries of Holland Zeland and West Frizeland haue continued and maintained the said Generall in the same office and authoritie in the sayd place as he had before his Excellencies lamentable death And although the sayd General ought to haue acknowledged these benefits receiued from the countrey at the least not to enterprise anything contrarie to the lawes thereof or to his Excellencies Commission as Gouernor general of Holland Zeland and West Frizeland especially seeing that the sayd gouernement was solemnely giuen to his Excellencie vpon sound consideration partly in signe of acknowledgement of the good and commendable seruices done by the late Lord Prince his father Neuerthelesse meanes hath bin made by some men for the most part borne forth of the countries badly affected to them and vngratefull to the house of Nassau that the said Generall hath obtained a certaine ample Commission from the Earle of Leycester whom the generall States had made Gouernour Generall of the Low Countries vnknowne to the States of Holland and West Frizeland or to his Excellencie of Nassau absolutely to commaund in all matters concerning the state and gouernement of the countries and townes of North Holland and West Frizeland as Gouernour and Lieutenant to the sayd Earle of Leycester And besides this hath likewise obtained other Commissions directly contrarie to the priuiledges and lawes of the sayd countries and authoritie of the Gouernour thereof By vertue whereof hee hath likewise begun to appoynt new Receiuors of the reuenewes of the countrey vsing forcible meanes to commit them into the possession of their pretended Commissioners Of which the States of Holland West Frizeland being aduertised they haue according to the charge of their calling for the defence and confirmation of the vnion and lawes of the said countries as also of the gouernment and authority of his said Excellency written to the sayd Generall to acquaint them with the sayd Commissions and not in vertue therof attempt any thing without the knowledge of his Excellencie and States But all this being to no purpose with him the States of Holland Zeland and West Frizeland complained to the Earle of Leicester concerning the graunt of the sayd Commissions as hurtfull to the lawes and customes of the said countries and to his Excellencies authoritie and by consequence repugnant to the oath made by the said Earle of Leycester crauing a reuocation thereof Whereupon the said Lord Earle at his first departure into England on the foure twentieth of Nouember 1586 did vpon mature deliberation and knowledge of the matter declare That he was content if the Commissions of the sayd Generall were preiudicious to the countrey and to the authoritie of his Excellencie of Nassau that the States should take order therein Which Declaration be subsigned with his owne hand Hereupon within a while after the States and his Excellencie of Nassau wrot to the sayd Generall to come and bring those Commissions to the Hague that order might be taken therein for the conseruation and vnion of the customes and priuiledges of the countrey as also for his Excellencies gouernement and authoritie Vpon this commaundement the sayd Generall in Ianuarie 1587 came to the Hague to his Excellencie and my Lords the States and deliuered his Commissions aswell concerning the sayd gouernement as Captaineship of the Castle of Medenblick into the hands of his Excellencie Which Commissions being well perused were directly found to be contrarie to the customes of the sayd countries and townes tending to dissention and disunion and likewise contrarie to the authoritie of the Gouernour and Captaine generall of Holland and West Frizeland His Excellencie and certaine chiefe Lords appointed to administer iustice in the sayd countries and verie zealous in the true Christian and reformed Religion together with many Noblemen of the countrey and townes of Holland did acquaint him with the loue and affection which his Excellencie of Nassau and my Lords the States did beare vnto him and that they were desirous to continue him in the same authoritie and commaund which he had had ouer the troupes now
growne rich though it may seeme contrary to nature and reason do vvonderfully flourish as appeares by their fortes number of great townes and sumptuous buildings So that the low countries may generally vaâ—nt to be according to the bignesle thereof in number of great strong and vvell peopled Cities and Fortes the excellenrest countrey in the world in vvhich for the space of fortie yeres that the warre continued the brauest soldiers of Europe haue been and yet are trained vp and exercised in the schoole of Mars If any desire to reade a more ample description of these Low-countries let him for Brabant read Adrianus Barlandus for Flanders Iacobus Marchantius for Holland Adrianus Iunius the Hollander borne in Horne or the generall description of the Low-countries written by Lodouico Guicciardin all which may giue him better satisfaction For it sufficeth me to haue written thus much briefely and as it were by the way ¶ A description of the Hague and Court of Holland As also by whom and when the sayd Court was builded and to what end BEsides all the goodlie rich pleasant and walled towns of Holland there are diuers and sundrie Seigniories or townes not walled sumptuously built and so inriched as in beautifull stately building doe not onely equall many Cities but farre excell them being by their Princes and Lords adorned with sundrie priuiledges Among which there is none more excellent beautifull better seated or plesanter than the Hague of the Earles which because it is such was chosen by the Princes and Earles of the countrie for their delightfull aboad there establishing their Priuie Councell and Court of Iustice where all suits pleas and controuersies of Holland and Zeland are debated and decided The Hague in wealth stately buildings pleasant gardens and great number of Nobilitie surpasseth diuers cities of Holland and Zeland there are in it more than 2000 great and goodlie houses and many new are daylie built yea whole streets Among all the great and goodly houses of the Nobilitie in the Hague there is none more stately and magnificent than that which is called the Court of Holland Which rightly may bee termed Royall because it was built in anno 1249 by Earle William second of that name and the fifteenth Earle of Holland Zeland Frizeland c. who for his excellent vertue and valour was by the mutuall consent of the electors chosen king of Romans and afterwards confirmed on the day of all Saints in anno 1246 as appeares by the old Cronicle of Holland in the eighteenth diuision and thirteenth Chapter This Royall Court is after the manner of Castles enuironed with Dikes and hath sundrie gates in which the Princes gards doe watch day and night On the North side of the Court there is a large and goodlie fishpond incompassed with many high trees vnder whose shade it is pleasant walking in sommer to auoid the heate of the sunne and the place where these trees stand is called in the vulgar tongue Viuerberg which is as much to say as the fishponds hill Within this building is a large and spacious hall built as the auncient chronicle of Holland saith of a certaine wood brought from Ireland which will neuer rotte nor beare any spiders or other venimous worme This hall is inuironed with diuers and sundry shoppes well furnished with all manner of books in all languages and with goodly pictures But the most excellent of them are the siluer coate armours trumpets and ensignes which hang there in great number woon from the enemie at the defeat of Turnhout and at the battaile of Flanders which are hung vp in the roofe of the hall for a perpetuall remembrance There is the prince or gouernor of Holland Zeland Westfrize-lands court which is the illustrious and mighty lord Maurice of Nassau prince of Orange c. who hath gouerned three and twenty yeeres with such fortunat successe as we may rightly terme him Pater patriae It is also a place dedicated to law and administration of Iustice where the Councell being moe in number than were the Consentes dei in times past debate all causes examine and iudge them they are I say moe in number for the councell of Consentes were but twelue and these counsellors are foureteene beside their chiefe whom they call president This assemblie of counsellors who were wont to remaine at Grauesand was transported hither by count William aboue mentioned after that hee had receiued the title of king of Romans Beside this assemblie of counsellours which is called the prouinciall councell an other was established in anno 1582 in stead of the great councell of Malines and it is a soueraigne councell of Iustice called the great councell whether all causes which are brought to be decided by appeale or reformation of the sentences of the aboue named prouinciall court and other iudges are sentenced by finall decree without any appeale from thence to any other yet re-examination may be craued and error propounded in such cases the States of the Countrey appoint certaine men beside the aboue named Councell to reuiew the pleas which haue beene iudged and to deliuer their opinions whether there be any error in the said sentence or not and according to their conclusion euerie man must rest satisfied without any contradiction An other Councell is likewise established called the Councell of Brabant which hath power ouer that part Townes Villages and inhabitants of the sayd Countrey of Brabant vnder the gouernment of my Lords the generall States In this Councell all matters are handled by commission commaundement and instruction of the generall States according to the ancient custome of the Chauncerie and Court fiscall of Brabant to the end euerie man may be orderly gouerned by their Lawes and Priuiledges Lastly beside all these there do reside in this Court of Holland my Lords the States generall the States of Holland and West-frizeland the Councell of State the masters of accounts of the Chamber of Accounts of Holland the Councell of warre c. euerie of these hauing their Chamber apart Before we end this description of the Hague it shall not be impertinent briefely to speake of the situation of the Parke which is in length 1500 paces but nothing so much in bredth there growe Oakes Elmes Ash and other Trees on whose boughes great and small melodious Birds doe with their Songs delight and recreat the sences of the hearers there are Deere Hares and Conies It is a place worthie the Muses and where Princes Earles Lords Councellors Aduocats and all sorts of people doe vsually walke to recreat themselues after their toyles I might speake of many other matters but because mine intent is onely to touch them as it were by the way I referre the curious Reader to Lodouico Guicciardine his description made many yeares since which of late hath beene newly printed augmented and inriched with maps The Genealogie of William of Nassau Prince of Orange
present and which were hereafter to be appointed for defence of the townes and forts of North Holland in the time of his late Excellencie of happie memorie and to giue him Commission to that end with this reseruation That seeing at all times the conseruation and assurance of all the Townes forts and quarters of Holland and West Frizeland had beene vnder commaund of the Gouernour and Captaine Generall of the sayd countries who for conseruation and assurance of them hath euer appointed such Commaunders Captaines and souldiers as hee thought fit to defend them against all men the Generall Senoy was bound for the conseruation of the rights and vnion of the countries as also of the gouernement thereof to respect and obey his Excellencie in the same manner as hee had done the late Prince of Orange his father to receiue Commissions from him and to be sworne to him All this the sayd Generall accepted and promised to obserue And though at his owne request his former Commissions were restored vnto him yet before the restitution of them hee made a solemne promise neuer afterwards in any sort to make vse of them At the same time the sorrowfull newes were brought of the sale of the town of Deuenter and forts before Zutphen by the traitors Sir William Stanley and Rowland Yorke together with the forts vnder their commaund by reason whereof time would not permit the sayd Generall to tarrie so long at the Hague till his Excellencie of Nassau had dispatched the sayd Commission and taken his oath But his Excellencie relying on his word and desiring nothing more than the preseruation of those countries did presently after these sad newes commaund the Generall to depart into North Holland to prouide as many shot as need should require for the safetie of the towns ther namely to send more aid to the townes and forts of Guelderland and Ouer-Yssell where certaine troups of his Regiment alreadie were Whereupon his Excellencie promised to send him two Companies in their stead which should be sent forth of the townes of North Holland and West Frizeland to the townes and forts of Guelderland ouer whom his Excellencie was content he should commaund as well as ouer those that were alreadie in garrison in the sayd townes Hereupon the Generall departed promising That hauing once receiued his Commission hee would remaine in the countrey and bee obedient to his Excellencie vnto whom for confirmation thereof he gaue his hand And because that after the treacherie vsed at Deuenter and forts before Zutphen the principall cause of that losse was found to be for that the Commaunders Captaines and souldiers that were there would not acknowledge any superiours in these countries nor obey the States Generall Councell of State nor Gouernor of the countries wherein they liued nor yet her Maiestie of Englands Generall that was in the Low countries but sayd That they were onely vnder commaund of his Excellencie the Earle of Leycester who was forth of the countrey and had crost the seas and could not haue any command of the gouernement of the countrey nor prouide for the preseruation thereof and also for that diuers aduertisements were giuen That vpon occasion they would propound the same to other Captaines and souldiers So as by that meanes diuers other townes would bee deliuered vp to the enemie Whereupon the Sates of Holland West Frizeland and Zeland being assembled did with mature deliberation determine that it was necessarie for the defence of the sayd countries and townes that all the regiments vnder the commaund and pay of the sayd countries besides their oath made to the Earle of Leycester as Gouernour Generall appointed and committed by the States in these countries should likewise make oath to be loyall and obliged to the vnited Prouinces and namely to the countries of Holland West Frizeland and Zeland and to the townes thereof And that they being in any townes or places belonging to the gouernement of his Excellencie of Nassau and Lieutenant Generall of the sayd countries should be obedient to them in whatsoeuer they should be commaunded for the seruice of the sayd countries All which points were for the most part comprehended in the oath made and wholly agreed with that which had beene treated of with his Excellencie the Earle of Leycester at what time he receiued the gouernment For allTreaties Commissions and Instructions imported loyaltie to the countries and townes both in generall and particular which namely had beene done by the Earle of Leycester and the verie words of the oath made by which they promised to obey the Commaunders which were appointed contained obedience to the Gouernour and Captaine Generall as likewise to the Lieutenant Generall of the sayd countries of Holland Zeland and Frizeland seeing it is a thing most certaine that a Gouernour or Captaine Generall of a Prouince hath the commaund of all souldiers seruing there This resolution taken and his Excellencie hauing beene intreated to execute it ouer all his gouernmēt beside the promised Commission his Excellencie sent a Commissarie to the sayd Generall to take his oath of obedience He likewise sent according to his promise a band of souldiers whose Captaine Officers and souldiers were for the most part borne in Holland and had giuen order that the sayd Companie should remaine in the towne of Medenblick in their steads who after the yeelding vp of Deuenter had beene sent into the countries of Guelderland and Ouer-Yssel for the better defence of the townes and forts there And notwithstanding the Generalls former promise he would not suffer the sayd Companie nor yet the Captaine Arent of Duvenuord to come into the towne The said Generall likewise contrarie to his former promise refused to make oath And although hee had his Excellencie of Nassau his Commission yet would he not gouerne himselfe thereby Whereat his Excellencie being moued as one that expected better dealing from the sayd Generall thought it fit by the States consent to goe himselfe in person to Medenblick as well to vnderstand the Generalls intent as to prouide all things needfull for the assurance conseruation and quiet of the sayd towne and others in North Holland and West Frizeland But going thither accompanied by Count Hohenlo and diuers other Lords and Commissioners of the townes with the ordinarie traine of his haushold hauing no forces at all with him the said Generall would not suffer his Excellencie in person to come into the towne to the great griefe and discontent of the Burgomasters and inhabitants of Medenblick which is a thing neuer before heard of in Holland and West Frizeland And notwithstanding that his said Excellencie of Nassau had iust cause in this regard to conceiue sinisterly of him yet did he in no sort alter his affection towards the said Generall and therefore sent certaine trustie persons to the Generall at Medenblick to demaund of him the reason of his proceedings And vnderstanding by them that the said Generall had entertained some idle impression and
any man so rash as to dare to say contrarie to the said Treatie That himselfe or souldiers being in the pay of the said countries are tyed by oath to her Maiestie And touching the oath made to the Earle of Leycester he was in no sort sworne vnto as hauing authoritie and Commission from her Maiestie seeing that himselfe vpon the same Commission was bound to sweare vnto the States of the countrey as well as others but it was done vpon the Commission and authoritie giuen besides the Treaty made with her Maiestie by the States to the said Lord Earle as Gouernor generall These two pretences concerning the complot their entire paiment and persuading the souldiers that they were sworne to her Maiestie of England and so by consequent should receiue their full pay from her caused letters to be sent back in the soldiers names of Medenblick answering those of his Excellencie by which they craued to haue some Commissioners sent vnto thē to vnderstand the businesse together with the soldiers intentions Thereupon his Excellencie sent the Lord of Famars General of the Artillery the Lord of Sweuezeel Peter Kyes Burgomaster of Harlem master Adrian Anthonie Burgomaster of Alckmaer who being come thither acquainted the soldiers with his Ex. my Lords the States good meaning exhorting thē to their dutie according to their oth honor bond and requested them to submit themselues to reason and to be ruled by the power of the countrey The soldiers answered them That they would be wholly paid not onely for themselues but for the said Generals whole regiment so that these Commissioners iourny was in vain They wrot afterwards to the soldiers That his Excellencie and the States Commissioners were resolued to make them some reasonable offer and that for the well vnderstanding thereof they should vnder good assurance which was promised them send Commissioners to Hoorne the which was denied so as they did againe demand new Commissioners Whereupon the States wrot backe That they ought to relye on his Excelencie and the States Commissioners and that therefore they were to send theirs at the countries charge Whereunto the souldiers answered That they would send none and that they had alreadie declared their intent demaunding moreouer that his Excellencie would send other Commissioners to them vnto whom they offered safeconduct Which his Excellencie the States Commissioners vnderstanding thought good to set downe some reasonable offers in writing whereby they promised the souldiers to giue them their present pay a moneths wages before hand and promised them moreouer that concerning the rest that was behind they should be paid as much and at the same time as others that serued the countrey and should be as well dealt with as the best They did likewise declare vnto them That it was not in the countries power to doe more and that they ought to rest contented seeing they had been best paid and that they being for the most part borne in the country they ought more to loue their honour and credit than by demanding impossibilities to seeke the ruine of the Prouinces with protestation That if they would not condescend to reason his Excellencie and my Lords the States would hold themselues excused before God and the world of the inconueniences which might ensue thereof And to make them this offer to shew them the equitie of it and to persuade the souldiers to reason his Excellencie and the Commissioners sent Master Nicholas Brunine Coūsellor to his Excellencie and Bartholdus Guillelmi Minister of the word of God in Hoorne to Medenblick who notwithstanding all their labour receiued no other answer of them but that they would be wholly paid And as it was well perceiued by their answer that the aboue mentioned mutinie was made for the reasons heretofore alledged and that their desire was vniust and impossible so as other souldiers which had done better seruice vpon the enemie and had beene without comparison badlier paid and dealt with than they would desire the like which would not be effected with fiftie times an hundred thousand Florins That the said souldiers had likewise vaunted That they knew how to raise their pay vpon the countrey and that they would haue it by force Whereupon the Generall had alreadie proceeded and in effect fortified himselfe against the countrey tyrannizing ouer the villages neere to Medenblicke His Excellencie by the aduice of the States found it necessarie both for the preseruation of the countrey and to bring the Generall and souldiers to some reasonable accord and hinder their bad determination to prouide for the besieging of the same towne and therein to make vse beside the souldiers that were then readie of certaine Burguers and harquebusiers forth of some townes of North Holland as from Alckmaer Hoorne Enckhuysen Edam Monickendam and Purmereynde with certaine boores of the countrey Before the siege the Lord Barbese Counsellor of State to his Excellencie and one of the Commissioners was intreated once more to goe to Medenblick to let the Generall and souldiers know the wrong they did to themselues and to trie if he could reduce them to their dutie who told the Generall both in publike and priuatly That the Councell of State knew that himselfe as Generall could not make vse of his Excellencie of Leycesters Commission and that he did wrong to that of Nassau in not obeying him according to his duetie Likewise that those souldiers who were better dealt with than any other whom they might haue sent against the enemie yet suffered to liue in garrison where victualls were good cheape did much forget themselues by doing things tending to the countries ruine intreating them to vnderstand reason and to desist from their bad and pernitious enterprise with promise that all matters shold be forgotten and themselues verie honourably dealt with All this notwithstanding he could get none other answer either from the Generall or souldiers than that which they had made to the former Commissioners Within a while after the Generall behaued himselfe as an open enemie burning and wasting the countrey at his pleasure in regard whereof no man ought to thinke it a strange matter if his Excellencie and the States make vse of those means which God hath giuen them for furtherance of the good of these countries against the disobedience rebellion and vniust proceedings of those which enterprise against these Prouinces Which they thought fit and necessarie to be published to the world that euery man vnderstanding the condition of the affaires and causes of the said proceedings may rightly iudge thereof and impute the inconueniences which may arise thereupon to those who by their great ingratitude to the house of Nassau haue been authors thereof especially seeing the said familie hath suffered and done so much for the preseruation of these countries with so great expence of meanes and bloud by whom the said Generall from low condition was raised to such high estate and exceeding great wealth who by his ingratitude to
The Burghers and souldiers men and women young and old went forth of the gates and stroue who should run first into the enemies campe visiting whatsoeuer they found there and with admiration beheld the greatnesse of the campes circuit the workemanship thereof and euerie man got his bootie for the enemie had left behind him shouels picke-axes wagons tunnes muskets harquebuses pikes armour and all sorts of other prouisions The souldiers and poore townesmeen found wood enough to burne all winter for the props boords of their lodging were onely a little burnt on the out side The whole towne greatly rejoyced for this suddaine and vnlookt for departure of the enemie And because it is the duetie of all good Christians to attribute the honor of all benefits to him from whom they receiue them the sixteenth of Nouember publique thankes was giuen vnto God for so great a deliuerance prayers were likewise made for the prosperitie of the Church and Towne That done the magistrats thought good to proclaime from the towne-house that the thirteenth of Nouember should yearely be kept holie-day because the enemie on that day retired At night bonefires were made Nothing could be heard but the report of canons and small shot sounds of drummes trumpets and bels and joyfull acclamations In euerie street and on the Rampiers pitch barrels were burnt and no place was free from fire workes cast vp into the ayre The towne made a great feast whereunto the Lord Willoughbie gouernour Morgan Captaines old magistrats and the chiefe Burghers were inuited In a word nothing was foregotten which was vsuall in feasts and publique triumphs The towne did afterwards bestow on the Captaines great square pieces of gold which the townes armes stampt in them and the names to whom they were giuen with the causes whie This is the true description of the whole siege together with the sallies and other occurrents which happened during that time and lastly the Duke of Parmas retreat from before Berghen-op-Zoom as it was set downe by Iacob Baselis the younger and imprinted in the said towne in Anno 1603. The Towne of Tilemont in Brabant taken and sackt HAuing hitherunto made a perfect description of the siege of Berghen-op-Zoom and how the enemie raised his campe from before it we are now to set downe the valorous actions of certaine souldiers of the Garrison of Berghen done in the yeare 1588. The States Garrisons and those of his Excellencie Prince Maurice of Nassau lying on the frontiers did the same yeare make sundrie incursions into the enemies countrie doing much harme by fetching in contribution defeating conuois and other such like hostile actions Among those exploits which deserue most commendation the surprisall and taking of the towne of Tilemont is to be reckoned Tilemont is scituat in the Duchie of Brabant nere to a small riuer called Geert some 3 leagues distant from Louain and S. Tron It is a great and spacious towne famous in former time for trade of merchandize as yet appeares by sundrie auntient writings A certaine Serjeant of a band with an hundred foot together with nine horse of Bacx his companie which lay in Berghen had made an attempt vpon Borchloon though with bad successe yet being vnwilling to returne without executing some notable exploit they went forward through a great troope of enemies marched directly to the towne of Tilemont wherein were fiue or sixe ensignes of Spaniards Notwithstanding all these forces and that the towne was great and large they found meanes to enter it where they expulsed the Spaniards tooke three ensigns from them and carried away with them as much pillage as they could beare and so left the towne The enemie hauing notice hereof did with foure hundred men attend their returne Our men brauely resoluing not to loose their bootie did by force passe through the middest of them and with their spoile returned safe to Berghen a matter almost incredible and yet verie true which braue and resolute souldiers should neuer forget but still striue to imitate The Garrisons of Heusden and Geertrudenberg did the like with eight hundred men both horse and foot euerie horseman taking vp a footman behind him and in that manner went to Tilbourg nere to Boisleduc where part of the Duke of Parmas forces lay whom they dislodged and slew many of them the rest fled to a Church whom our men durst no longer pursue fearing the Garrisons nere adjoyning and so with their bootie returned home About the same time threescore and tenne souldiers that lay in Zeland went ouer into Flaunders there defeated the conuoy of Courtray strengthened with a troope of twentie horse beside the foot together with thirtie merchants on horsebacke and hauing gooten a rich bootie returned home to their garrisons ¶ A true description of the towne and countrie of Breda in Brabant together with the admirable taking thereof on the 4 of March Anno 1590. BEfore we come to the taking of Breda it shall not be impertinent briefely to set downe the situation thereof Breda next to the foure chiefe cities of Brabant is among others one of the principall hauing the same franchises as the townes of Tilemont Louvain and Niuelle It stands in the land of Kempen eight miles from Antuerpe sixe from Boisleduc or Sertoghenbusk sixe from Berghen-op-Zoom and two from Geertrudenberg in a plaine abounding with corne the fields and medowes beeing inuironed with trees and the countrie wood die there are some woods as Vlpeu the New wood and the wood of Lies through which two small riuers runne which emptie themselues into the Dikes of Haeghdijck and runne vnder a water Mill into the towne One of these two riuers will beare boats beyond Ginneken and towards Hoochstrate it is called the Aa within below Breda the Mercke We find in auntient Registers that the Danes possest and dwelt in a certaine Fort or Castle which by permission of the Lord of the Countrie of Breda they builded in the Crowes wood where Herons doe now breed Henrie Lord of Breda assisted by the Lord of Weesmaell and the Marshall of Brabant vpon some controuersie tooke that castle and wholly raced it in Anno 1124. There are in it diuers goodly houses belonging to Gentlemen a verie beautifull Church on the North side whereof the Counts of Nassau haue built a goodly Chappell wherein is a stately monument of Renatus of Chalon and in a vault vnderneath it the Tombes of the auntient Lords of Breda of Count Engetbrecht Count Henrie and of the aboue mentioned Renatus The towne of Breda is of a reasonable bignesse and beautifull structure yet in former time it hath been much disfigured by fire for in anno 1534 on the 23 of Iulie a thousand houses were burnt downe to the ground And because it was the chiefe abode of those of the house of Nassau they haue beautified it with many goodly buildings as especially Count Henrie of Nassau who was a braue and
of Turnholt where his Excellencie caused his souldiers to rest a while Count Varax and the lord of Bolanson with 4 regiments of foot and 5 companies of horse had intrenched themselues in Turnholt he hauing intelligence that his Excellencie was so neere did by the aduice of his Councell cause the baggage to be laden by night and sent it away before intending by breake of day to follow with his whole armie and to retire safely to Herentals His Excellencie in like manner on the 24 of the said moneth early in the Morning did set forward marching still in his order when the waies would permit him The cauallerie bearing long Pistols made the vaunt-gard and was diuided into sixe troopes The two first in each of which were foure cornets were somewhat seperated and yet still flanked one another that on the right hand was conducted by the Earles Hohenlo and Solms After them followed two other troopes each of them consisting of three Cornets marching likewise somewhat diuided from the rest to bee the better able vpon any occasion to receiue the former into their rankes or else they to bee by them receyued in like manner His Excellencie followed the Cauallerie with two other troopes marching as the rest did somewhat diuided The footmen were diuided into eight troops viz. presently after the horsemen followed two squadrons verie neere to one another after them three and then two all of them marching in like manner as the former After them followed two demie canon with other field pieces placed betwixt the munition wagons and drawne by those that ordinarily had charge thereof together with certaine mariners Next them followed the rest of the foot troops enclosing the battel still marching in this order when the ground would permit them otherwise they troopt closely together fitting thēselues to the waies waters bridges that lay betwixt Rauels Turnholt His Excellencie being come before Turnhoult which was abandoned thought good by the aduice of the sayd earles other captaines to set forward speedily towards the enemie onely with the horse and to let the foot troopes follow to leaue the canon nere to the mill of Turnhoult guarded by part of the footmen This did his Excellencie presently put in execution but meeting with a little narrow way full of water beneath Turnhoult where the enemie had left forces to defend the passage he forthwith sent certain musketiers thither vnder the conduct of sir Francis Veer and the lord Vander Aa Lieutenant of his guard These enforced the enemie to quit the passage whereupon his Excellencie went forward and presently came to a plain champaine where he descried followed the enemie that fled in this manner Their baggage went before towards Herentals garded by certain souldiers next followed the battell The caualerie for the most part was gone before viz. Nicholo Basta D. Iuan de Cordoua Alonzo Dragon Guzman and Grobbendonck After them followed foure regiments diuided one from another the first was the regiment of Almans vnder Count Sultz the second La Mott his old regiment commaunded at that time by the lord of Achicourt the third was the regiment of La Barlotte the fourth of Neapolitans vnder the Marquesse of Treuick On the right hand sometime two cornets of horse marched and sometime on the left on the left hand were trees neere which was a small riuer running from Turnhoult It was not long ere they were ouertaken but by reason of the bad wayes and a valley ful of water which lay betweene the enemie and the States forces our men had no fit opportunitie as yet to assaile them Sir Francis Veer with a few horse certain musketiers entertained the enemies rereward with skirmish therby hindring him from his intended flight till they came to the farther end of that valley of water then the earles Hohenlo and Solms as first at the battaile perceiuing a certaine place of aduantage betwixt them and Count Varax fearing likewise least the enemie would entangle a narrow passage wherein his baggage was alreadie entred told his Excellencie That it was more than time to assaile the enemie whereupon a signal being giuen they charged him The earles Hohenlo and Solms with 4 cornets of Breda gaue in on the enemies right side those of Berghen-op-Zoom vpon the enemies hindmost regimēt so as the Neapolitans being last were the first that were assailed by Marcelis Bacx and his brother accompanied by Du Bois Done two captaines Count Hohenlo and Solms with the 4 cornets of Breda charging directly the enemies first regiment to which their cauallerie was alreadie turned backe meaning to charge those of Berghen in flanke did verie opportunely preuent them and putting them to rout went on and fell vpon Count Sults regiment with such furie as the enemies were onely content to make slight triall of their valour and betaking themselues to flight left Alonzo Dragon his cornet behind them His Excellencie perceiuing that the charge was alreadie giuen sent sir Robert Sidney and sir Frauncis Veer who till then had entertayned the enemie with continuall skirmish with certaine horse to cut off the enemies rereward The rest of the cauallerie stayed neere to his Excellencie to succour and releeue the first if need should be till at last perceiuing a manifest aduantage all of them in a manner fell into the battell Count Varax Generall of the enemies armie was slaine vpon the place and all his men beeing on euerie side fiercely assailed fell to open flight which was to no purpose as beeing on the one side incompassed by our cauallerie on a plaine ground and on the other with a riuer and trees so as few of them could escape to the narrow way and aboue two thousand of them lay dead vpon the playne and foure hundred were taken prisoners all this was done in so short a space as the States footmen notwithstanding all their hast could not come in in time but before their ariual the horsemen had gotten the victorie The enemies cauallerie perceiuing they could not well escape some of the brauest and most resolute among them to the number of 40 caused a trumpet to sound a charge and fel vpon those whom in disorder they saw busied in pillage making shew as if they intended to giue a fresh charge vpon our men whereupon some of our timerous cowards fled towards the footmen who were comming forward Prince Maurice lookt after his troopes of horse which he had reserued for succours but in vayne whereupon he commanded the prisoners to alight from their horses who earnestly begged for mercie saying That there was alreadie sufficient bloud spilt to finish the victorie yet diuers of them were slaine and then we perceiued the want of our troopes of succours but euerie man making hast towards his Excellencie especially Marcelis Bacx and Edmunds the enemie was so amazed as he againe betooke himselfe to flight Eight and thirtie ensignes were taken there together with D. Alonzo de Mondragons cornet
thence to the Bulwarke on the East-side which he began to vndermine in three seuerall places The dayes following he likewise woon with the time the rest of the intrenchments which were without the towne partly by force and Mynes and partly because the enemie quitted them And on the two and twentieth of Iulie his Excellencie came altogether before the Towne hauing beene kept from it by his workes without The next day he sent his Trumpet to Rhynberk who receiued this aunswer That they thanked his Excellencie for his offers but that they could not as then intend to yeeld seeing the Towne had beene besieged but one day whereupon his Excellencie the day following summoned the Towne the second time because all his Mynes were readie to play There the Townesman began to hearken vnto it crauing that they might first send some speedie messengers to Guelders to request ayd which was denyed them Whereupon at last after some treatie with the Trumpet on the one and thirtieth of Iulie they sent Captaine Botberg and Francisco Nello the Italian to the Campe about sixe of the clocke in the Euening who graunted to yeeld vp the Towne to his Excellencie on these conditions following FIrst his Excellencie is well pleased that the Gouernor of Rhynberck all the souldiers both horse and foot and all those which haue serued in the ships of warre with their Captaines and officers without exception shall freely depart with displayed ensignes armes kindled match bullets in their mouthes and drumme beating their wiues familie stuffe wagons horse and other things thereunto belonging without examining any one for matters done and namely the person of Iohn Peters-Thas Captaine of a Ship who certaine yeares before yeelded both himselfe and ship to the enemie 2 The gouernour shall carrie away with him two field-pieces such as his Excellencie shall thinke fit with two barrels of powder and fiftie bullets 3 His Excellencie shall lend them two hundred horse to carie the sicke wounded men and baggage to Guelders and shall giue a safe-conduct for the souldiers and their baggage to Maestricht and if any of those that be hurt are vnwilling as yet to depart they may remaine in the towne till they be healed and may afterwards goe their way with the gouernours Passeport 4 That the Lord Evert de Ens his wife and children with their writings stuffe and goods may freely depart as also the Councellor Westendorp Nicholas de Houe the receiuers of the reuenew and contributions with their writings and stuffe as hath beene said and namely Goswijn de Manen the customer his officers who may depart either by land or water vnto whom his Excellencie will giue a passeport as likewise to all Commissaries and officers belonging to the king of Spaine or the Archduke without any refusall who are not to be detained for any cause or pretence whatsoeuer 5 That the Gouernour shall satisfie the Magistrate and Burghers for all such debts that he oweth since the siege with the goods belonging to his Highnesse arising of booties taken and Merchandise confiscat and found vpon the riuer Rhyne contrarie to the Placard 6 That the Gouernour shall send for all those whose cattaile haue been taken from them during the siege and giue them letters of assignation to procure satisfaction from their Highnesses because it was done in their seruice 7 That the prisoners expences by reason of contributions shall be presently payed according to the treatie made with the Admerall of Arragon and confirmed by his highnesse 8 That the receiuer Iohn le Bruni may freely depart with his writings and stuffe in giuing a coppie of the moneyes remayning behind hand of the reuenewes of the Countie of Zutphen and Countrie of Ouer-Yssel 9 That all horse taken on both sides during the siege shal be redeemed euerie one at the rate of twentie liures 10 That all victuallers and Merchants following the Campe belonging to the king together with his Highnesse souldiers may remaine in the towne till such time as they haue sold their wares and afterwards depart with the gouernours passeport 11 That all Burghers who are willing to leaue the Towne and dwell elsewhere may sell their goods and horses within the space of â—ixe moneths 12 That all religious persons men and women may freely and safely depart 13 That prisoners on both sides shall be released According to this treatie the gouernour D. Hieronimo went his way on the first of August in the Morning with sixteene ensignes amongst whom were sixe companies of Almans thirtie horse eightie sailers accompanied with two hundred and nine wagons full of stuffe and hurt men leauing the towne verie ruinous and more than one thousand two hundred of his souldiers deâ—d there fiftie barrels of powder and victuals for two moneths The States of the vnited Prouinces and Prince Maurice did after this manner win the towne resoluing to keepe it both for the serâ—â—ce of the Countrie and for their neighbours and allies of â—â—e sacred Empire vnto whom it importeth much to haue the Riuer free that no foreine armies may crosse it a towne deseruing to be kept at the Empires common cost so as they determined to fortifie it caused a great fort to be made in the Island standing in the riuer before the towne for finishing whereof a bargaine was made with certaine men for a round summe of money the gouernement of the towne was giuen to Colonell Gystâ—lls The Nobilitie the States of the Countrie of Ouer-Yssel perceiuing that their Countrie and the riuer Rhyne was free causâ—d a placard to be published on the eight and twentieth of Iulie forbidding to pay any contribution to the enemie appointing good gard to be kept in euerie village and parish on great penalties as to the officers on forfeiture of 25 crowns and the Boore one crown as often as they should be found faultie therein They were likewise commanded to be readie with their armies so soon as the alarme bell should ring prohibiting on paine of life that no man should harbour any of the enemies souldiers and he that could take any of the enemies souldiers dead or aliue in the Countrie should receiue fiue and twentie florins of the Countries money If any Merchant trauailing by the way should happen to be taken or hurt by the enemie those of the Countrie or place where it was done shall be bound to pay his ransome and satisfie his losses and it shall not be lawfull for any man to hold any correspondence with the enemie with many other points necessarie for the countries preseruation ¶ His Excellencie takes the towne of Meurs on the 16 of August Anno 1601. BEcause the towne of Meurs was garded but by certaine souldiers called Hanevederen which lay there in garrison seruing the Duke of Cleues for whom they kept it Prince Maurice pretending claime to that Earledome as giuen vnto him by the Countesse of Walbourg did on the sixt of August send Captaine Cloet and Colonel Edmonds thither
printed that the Countries might seriously looke to what they were to doe To the high illustrious honorable noble learned wise and discreet Lords good freinds and neighbours the Prelats Princes Earls Lords Gentlemen and Cities of Brabant Flaunders Artois Hainalt Valenciennes Lisle Douay Orchies Namur Tournay Tournesis and Malines representing the bodie of the Netherlands vnder the Spanish or Archdukes gouernment To all of them in generall and to euery of them in particular MY Lords wee doubt not but that your Excellencies do still remember the louing remonstrances and exhortations which we haue often made vnto you wherein we intreated you maturely to consider and well weigh the determination and end of the Spaniards and their adherents enemies to the State lawes priuiledges goods and persons of the Netherlands viz. their originall and rooted determination which is so base and hurtfull as it wholy tends to the entire ruine of the Inhabitants of these Countries We know very well notwithstanding that the said determination is likewise among you held indubitable that some of your Excellencies haue beene drawne thereunto partly by your owne good natures and partly by persuasions that matters might bee redressed and amended by meanes of the Archdukes and presence of their Highnesses But because we are well assured of the Spaniards and their adherents continuance in their determination for ruine of the Netherlands and subiecting them for euer to the Spanish yoake that they might beare rule ouer the consciences bodies lawes and goods of the inhabitants thereof and that the Archduke can no way helpe it this is the reason why wee cannot bee of your opinion And not to precipitate your Excellencies nor our selues into a certaine continuall and irreparable ruine we haue found out this to be the best remedie still to continue with a constant courage in the laudable resolution taken from the beginning by the chiefe persons and members of the whole Netherlands of all estates and conditions and beeing assured of the aide and assistance of God and that of Kings Princes and Republiks with whom wee are in league as also on the equitie of our cause wee doe patiently expect good successe especially by your Excellencies directions and discreet gouernment and will voluntarily vndergoe all difficulties daungers and expences requisite for maintenance of so holie commendable honourable and necessarie resolution Nor can the base and deceitfull conueyance of the low Countries made to their Highnesses euer moue vs to any alteration we hauing in that regard after the said conueyance seriously by letters and word of mouth conferring with your commissioners requested and exhorted your Excellencies to bee carefull on your side for the managing and gouernment of affaires of State and war both within and without the Countrie wee are well assured that if it bee duely considered and not with a passionate spirit that none will iudge otherwise but that the said deceitfull conueyance doth vndoubtedly tend to the assured ruine of all the Netherlands and the inhabitants thereof Your Excellencies doe perceiue vnderstand and effectually feele what is past and may easily iudge of that which is still likely to ensue so as wee think it needlesse to writ more amply vnto you of it onely we louingly intreat exhort and earnestly request your Excellencies to remember the laudable reputation purchased by your predecessors certaine hundreds of yeares past which they haue left vnto vs as a rule which is to bee Protectors and defendors of the liberties and lawes of the Netherlands in common and of the members townes and inhabitants thereof in particular and to consider whether the contents of the said idle and vnworthie conueyance and of the treatie which ensued it doth agree with the duetie wherewith your Excellencies are tied to your houses estates posteritie and especially to your Countrie Yf so which wee by no meanes think wee will pray vnto God to enlighten your Excellencies and to giue you a better and cleerer iudgement But if your Excellencies perceiue that the said pretended conueyance made for necessitie and to auoide a greater mischiefe bee deceitfull and dishonorable and as an infamous blot to the Netherlands if likewise yee vnderstand that the Spaniards and their adherents proceedings which haue ensued thereupon and are till now growne from bad to worse both in affaires of state and war as wee know that the most of your Excellencies do are preiudicious and intollerable and so by consequence your Excellencies are not bound and tied to them as repugnant to the common good the lawes and priuiledges of the Netherlands If your Excellencies doe likewise consider that all forcible extremities all prohibitions of trade and commerce all deuises and practises to entangle the Majestie of England and the vnited prouinces doe more and more come to light and are not onely repugnant to this resolution but bring forth cleane contrarie effects That the treacherous attempts on the Townes and Castles of the French king giue great occasion to take speedie reuenge That libels and rimes wherewith they seeke to make the French King and his affaires odious to the common people and call in question the rightfull successions of the Crownes of France and England are but vain propositions only tending to incense their Majesties and that they goe about in vain to raise tumult sedition amongst the people of the Low-countries considering that whilest they are at quiet and liue vnder obedience their condition thanks be to God is an hundred times better and more safe than that of the common people vnder the king of Spaine and Archdukes and that they haue no occasion to distrust their lawfull superiors or their actions but on the contrarie the Spaniards and Archdukes subjects perceiuing that all their affaires doe daily impaire that the authoritie of the States Prelats Princes Lords Gentlemen and townes of the Prouinces both in general and particular are without any respect trodden vnder-foot that they defend themselues onely with strangers in contempt of all good Patriots and that not onely in the chiefe garrisons townes and forts but generally in all matters some few excepted they seeme to proceed formally and in apparence the which without all question they will soone leaue off if they were once absolute Lords so that the Prouinces and people should not be onely without trade wealth and nauigation but euen the third part of the Inhabitants would bee depriued of necessarie meanes to liue the chiefe cities made Doue-coats the Countrie villages ruined and the people eaten and consumed to the verie bones by souldiers who are so badly payed as mutinie in one place is no sooner quieted but two worse than it breakes forth in another so as it is to be feared that in the end all will become desperate In which regard we intreat your Excellencies effectually to embrace the necessarie remedies and so to handle the matter as their Highnesses may be persuaded to depart from the Netherlands and to procure themselues a more quiet and certaine portion
subiects of what qualitie or condition soeuer without exception of place or persons III. Each of them shal continue seised of and sâ—all effectually enioy those countries townes places territories and lordships which he now holdeth and possesseth without any molestation whatsoeuer during the said truce in which is to bee comprehended the boroughs villages hamlets and champaine countrie which depend thereon IIII. The subiects of the said Lords King Archdukes and States shall in friendlie sort haue good correspondence with one an other during the said Truce without resenting forepassed iniuries They may likewise frequent and reside in the countries and dominions of each other there in all safetie vse trafficke and commerce both by land sea and fresh riuers This neuerthelesse the said Lord King vnderstands to bee restrained and limited to the Realmes countries territories and lordships which he possesseth in Europe other seas and places whither the subiects of hiâ—â—eighbor Kings and Princes doe trade vpon sufferance And for those places townes ports and hauens which hee possesseth forth of the abouesaid limits the said Lords States and their subiects shall not trade thither without expresse permission of the said Catholike king Yet if it seeme good vnto them they may trade in the countries of all other Princes Potentates and common wealths which will permit them so to doe namely forth of the said limits without any let molestation or impediment from the said Lord King or his officers and subiects 5 V. And because a longer timâ—s required for giuing warning vnto those that are abroad at sea with forces to desist from all hostile actions it is concluded that the truce shall not beginne till within a yeare next ensuing Alwaies prouided that if aduertisement of the said truce may bee giuen sooner that then hostilitie shall cease from that time forward but if after the said terme of an whole yeare any hostile actions shall be vsed the losse and harme shall be restored without delay VI. The subiects of the said Lords King Archdukes and States trading into one an others countries shall not bee tied to pay greater duties and impositions than their owne subiects and those of friends and allies which are least charged VII And the subiects of the said Lords States shall likewise haue the same assurance and libertie in the dominions of the said Lords King and Archdukes as hath beene graunted to the King of great Britaines subiects by the last treatie of peace and secret articles made with the constable of Castille VIII Neither shall merchants masters of ships pilots mariners their ships wares and goods belonging vnto them bee seased vpon and staied by vertue of any generall or particular mandate or for any otâ—er cause whatsoeuer nor yet vnder colour to make vse of them for the preseruation and defence of the countrie yet it is not meant that goods seased vpon by ordinarie way of Iustice in regard of debts bonds and contracts of theirs on whom the said seasure hath beene made and wherein it hath been proceeded according to right and reason shal be herein comprehended Ix. And as for the trade and commerce of the low countries and taxes and impositions which shall be raised vpon merchandise if it bee afterwards found that any excesse is vsed therein vpon first suit made thereupon by either partie commissioners shall bee appointed to order and moderate the matter and though the businesse cannot bee agreed vpon yet shall not the truce therefore bee broken X. If any sentences or judgements haue beene giuen betwixt persons of sundrie sides either for ciuile or criminall causes they shall not be executed vpon the parties condemned nor on their goods so long as the said truce lasteth XI Letters of marque and reprisall shall not be granted during the said time vnlesse vpon just cause and in cases which are permitted by the imperiall lawes and constitutions and according to the order by them established XII None may arriue enter nor continue in the Ports Hauens and Roades of each others Countrie with any number of ships and souldiers which may giue cause of suspition to him vnto whom the said Ports Hauens and Roads doe belong vnlesse they be cast in by tempest or inforced to doe it vpon necessitie and for auoyding daunger at Sea XIII Those whose goods haue beene seazed and confiscate by reason of the warre or their heires shall enjoy the same goods during the truce and of their owne priuat authoritie shall take possession of them by vertue of this present treatie without being inforced to haue recourse to justice notwithstanding all incorporations fiscal engagements gifts treaties agreements and transacts or whatsoeuer renouncing hath beene made in the said transacts to exclude part of the said goods from those vnto whom they are to belong on condition neuerthelesse not to dispose of nor diminish them during the said time vnlesse they be permitted so to doe by the said Lords Archdukes or States XIIII This likewise shall take place to the profit and aduantage of the heires of the late Prince of Orange concerning their right to the Salt pits in the Countie of Burgondie which shal be restored vnto them together with the woods thereon depending And concerning the suit of Castelbelin commenced in the life time of the late Lord Prince of Orange in the Court of Malines against the Catholike Kings Atturney generall the said Lords Archdukes doe sincerely promise therein to doe them justice within a yeare without any delay according to right and equitie XV. If the publike treasurie hath sold any part of goods confiscate those to whom they are to belong by vertue of this present treatie shall tie themselues to be satisfied with the interest of the price and to be payed it euerie yeare during the truce by those that possesse the said goods otherwise it shall be lawfull for them to resort to the land or inheritance that is sold. XVI But of the said Sales haue beene made by order of law for good and lawfull debts of theirs vnto whom the said goods did belong before the confiscation it shall be lawfull for them or their heires vpon cause to redeeme them in paying the price within a yere accounting from the day of this present treatie after which time they shall be no more receiued and the said repurchase being made by them they may dispose thereof as they shall thinke good without further permission XVII Yet is not this repurchase to be in force for houses seated in townes and sold vpon this occasion in regard of the great discommoditie and notable losse which the purchasers should sustaine by reason of change and reparations which may be made in the said houses the examination whereof would be too long and difficult XVIII As for reparations and improuements bestowed vpon other goods that are sold whose repurchase is permitted if they bee sued for the ordinarie Iudges shall therein doe justice vpon knowledge of the cause the inheritance remaining engaged for the summe
which hath beene bestowed on reparations and yet it shall not be lawfull for the sayd buyers to claim the law of retention thereby to be paied and satisfied for them XIX If any fortifications and publique workes haue beene made on either side with leaue and authoritie of superiours in places which are to bee restored by this present treatie the owners of them shall be bound to satisfie themselues with the estimat which the ordinarie Iudges shall make residing as well in the said places as in the iurisdiction thereof vnlesse the parties doe willingly agree among themselues XX. Concerning goods belonging to Churches colledges and other holie places in the vnited Prouinces which haue beene members depending on Churches benefices and colledges vnder the Archdukes obedience that which hath not beene sold before the first of Ianuarie 1607 shall be restored and surrendred vnto them and they shall make reentrie into them by their owne priuat authoritie without any minister of Iustice and shall enioy them during the truce but shall not dispose of them as it is heretofore mentioned And for those which haue beene sold before the said time or giuen in payment by the States of any of the Prouinces the reuenew of the price shall be paid vnto them euerie yeare by the Prouince which hath made the said sale or giuen and assigned the said goods The like shall bee done and obserued by the said lords Archdukes XXI Those vnto whom their goods confiscate are to bee restored shall not bee tied to pay the arrerages of the rents for the time they haue not enioyed them and if they be sued or molessed for it they shall be sent away acquited XXII No man shall likewise sue for goods sold or graunted to haue them ordered according to the debts whereunto the possessors are bound by treaties made thereupon with the interests of moneys for entrance if any haue bin giuen XXIII Iudgements giuen for goods confiscate together with such parties as haue acknowledged the Iudges and haue beene lawfully defended shall hold good and those that are condemned shall not bee suffered to contradict them vnlesse by ordinarie meanes XXIIII The said Lords Archdukes and States shall each of them for their parts appoint officers and magistrates for administration of Iustice and gouernment in townes and strong places which by the present treatie ought to bee restored to the owners to enioy them during the truce XXV Moueable goods confiscate before the conclusion of this present treatie shall not be subiect to restitution XXVI Moueable actions which haue beene set ouer by the said Lords Archdukes or States to the profit of particular debtors before the first of Ianuarie 1607 shall be of no force on either side XXVII The time which hath run on during the warre beginning since the yeare 1567 till this present shall not be reckoned to bring in prescription betwixt those which bee of sundrie sides XXVIII Those who during the war are retired into neutrall countries shall likewise enioy the fruit of this truce and may reside where they shall think good and returne home to their auntient dwellings there to remaine in all safetie obseruing the lawes of the countrie and not vpon occasion of residing in any place whatsoeuer shall they be endamaged in their goods or themselues depriued ef enioying them XXIX No new forts shall bee built in the Netherlands on either side during the truce xxx The Lords of the house of Nassan shall not during the said truce bee pursued or molested in their persons or goods either for debts owing by the late Prince of Orange since the yeare 1567 till the day of his death or for arrerages fallen during the seisure of goods therewith charged XXXI If any particular persons shall do aught against the truce by commaundment of the said Lords King Archdukes or States the harme shall be recompenced in the same place where the breach was made if they be taken there or else where they dwell and shall not be pursued elsewhere either in bodie or goods in any sort whatsoeuer neither shall it bee lawfull for them to take armes and breake the truce vpon this occasion yet they may vpon manifest denial of Iustice vse ordinarie meanes by letters of marque and reprisall XXXII All disingheritings made by occasion of the late hostilitie are declared void and of none effect XXXIII The subiects and such as dwell in the dominions of the said Lords Archdukes and States of what estate and condition soeuer they be are declared capable of succeeding one an other as well by the testament as ab intestato according to the custome of the places And if any successions haue heretofore fallen to any of them they shal therein be defended and maintained XXXIIII All prisoners taken in warre shall be deliuered on either side without ransome XXXV And that this present treatie may be better obserued the said Lords King Archdukes and States doe interchangeably promise to imploy all their forceâ— and meanes to secure all passages seas and nauigable riuers from the incursions of Pirates theeues and robbers and if they shall apprehend any such then sharpely to chastice them XXXVI They doe moreouer promise to attempt or doe nothing nor suffer any thing to be done to the hurt of this preseut treatie directly or indirectly and if any be done to amend it without any difficultie or delay And for obseruing of all this aboue mentioned they doe mutually oblige themselues namely the said Lords King and Archdukes their successours and for validitie of the said obligation doe renounce all lawes customes and whatsoeuer is conâ—rarie thereunto XXXVII This present treatie shall be ratified and approued by the said Lords King Archdukes and States and their Letters of ratification deliuered to one another in due maner and forme within foure dayes And concerning the Catholike Kings ratification the said Lords Archdukes haue promised and shall be bound to deliuer it within 3 moneths in due manner and forme also to the end the said Lords States their subjects and people may effectually and in all safety reape the fruit of this present treatie XXXVIII The said Treatie shall be published in all places where it shall concerne presently after the ratification made by the said Lords Archdukes and States and from this time forth all hostilitie shall cease This made and concluded in the Citie of Antuerpe the ninth of Aprill 1609 and signed by my Lords the Embassadours of the most Christian Kings of Fraunce and â—â—at Brittaine as mediators and by the Commissioners of my Lords the Archdukes and States it was signed vnderneath by P Ieannin Elie de la Pluce Ric. Spencer Rafe Winwood Ambrose Spinola the President Richardot Iu. de Mancicidor Frier Iohn Ney L. Verreyckin William Lodwick Earle of Nassau W. Brodero de Cornellis de Gent Iohn de Ordenbarnevelt I. de Malderee G. de Renesse G. de Hillama Iohn Sloet Ab. Coenders And because within a while after certaine obscure difficulties were found