lying Titles And whatsoever was related to them in Confession ought to be kept secret and to disclose the same was a sin although it tended either to the destruction of Prince or people and in pursuance hereof they named all manner of conferences among themselves Confessions It was not doubted but these hopes of Treason were nourished by the Spanish wealth and the rather because long since some Societies of English Jesuites were maintained by them purposely to disturb the Peace of that Kingdome But some that were knowing herein betraied all those forms of private counsells abroad lest they should still continue unknown but they that continued faithfull to Rome and Spain wanted no convenient supplies from thence upon all occasions And it was told to the Constable of Castile when he was Embassador in England that if the new King would not allow or suffer the Roman Religion he would find some ready to exact the same by force And the Archduke fomented jealousies and suspicions denying to deliver to King James requesting the same such English-men living in those parts with whom the Prisoners confessed they had participated counsells the chief of them being sent away into Spain Yet did not King James take that either as an affront or injury publishing by Proclamation that he was satisfied of the innocency of forein Princes in that business Nor did King Philip omit to congratulate his delivery from so great a danger by Don John de Mendosa both in countenance and serious forms of speech to that onely purpose made The Fifteenth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES THE Defence of Antwerp one of the principal Cities of the Netherlands the taking Towns so strongly fortified and carrying the Warre into the Enemie's Country while with less danger and more hope he might have fought elsewhere added very much to Spinola's honour and renown he being the first that seemed to put new life and courage into and to restore the fortune and discipline of that side which for fifteen years before had been decaying Therefore which way soever he went among the Netherlanders there were great exultations and applauses attended him and when he came into Spain as his custome was every year he was privately envied by the Lords but publickly and with great honour favoured by the King But the many actions of the former year had so drained the Treasury that by the emptiness thereof the present Counsels of the Warre were much retarded and he but slowly obtained pay for both his Armies refusing to undertake the charge of the Warre without it and if he had it boasting he had in a manner already obtained the Victory determining as before he had passed the Rhine so now he would goe over the Wael and the Yssell and so penetrate into the very bowels of the Hollanders Therefore he consented to help the King 's decayed credit with his own and his friends wealth which with what damage to himself it was done will be commemorated towards the end of the year On the other side the Vnited States long foreseeing the approaching evils which Armies are wont to draw along with them increasing their Forces that were at distance and they were infinitely vexed with the vast charges of the Garrisons resolved the following year to give way to that violence which they imagined would not endure long being content to defend their Borders until the fury thereof began to be asswaged Beside the new Levies intended were hindred in France by the Warre of Sedan and in Germany by the troubles of Brunswick Sedan is a City lying hard by the Maes in the confines of the French and Belgick Dominions and was a place of great concernment if at any time the Warre came towards those parts Of old it was possessed by the Family of Le Marque but Henry de Turre Viscount Turein marrying the Daughter and Heir of the Bulionian Family gained the inheritance of the Town and took the name of Bulion and although his Wife was dead retained it by virtue of her Testament but often undermined by the French greatness while the affairs of the House of Bourbon were yet but private He was reckoned among the chief Captains during the unsetled estate of that Kingdome But after the King had changed his Religion and for defence of the Kingdome new Taxes were found our which gave cause of complaint and the great multitude that professed the Reformed Religion had their eies chiefly upon Bulion he being famous in Warre and the frequent author of resolute counsels he was believed to have caused some commotions When he was called to answer his offence at the same time as Marshal Biron was put to death excusing himself against the violent animosities of his Enemies and challenging many of his suspected Judges he departed into Germany And the Prince Elector Palatine being asked that he would remember his Affinity for both of them had married Prince Maurice's Sisters sent some Embassadours to the King to appease his wrath but it little prevailed it being alwaies a thing detested by Kings to have forein Powers interpose themselves for the reconciling their differences Hereupon the matter was undertaken by Prince William's Widow and indeed the Woman's sollicitation proved most effectual but the King required the custody of Sedan as a pledge of his fidelity Bulion offered to deliver both the Town and Castle to the patronage of the Kingdome of France and for performance of that agreement consented that as well the Governour as the Souldiers therein should be bound by Oath and besides this he offered other things while yet he was not removed from the possession and in the interim prepared all things for enduring a War if he should be compelled thereto by necessity This boldness of his together with the potent Enemies which he had lately made himself and besides being a man greedy of honor and impatient to be excelled forced the King that marching out that Spring with a great Army he came with his Camp as far as the Maes Thus did this great King threaten with the fury of a destructive War not the Spaniard nor the Burgundian as heretofore but his old friend the Lord onely of one poor Town But a meanes being found to make Peace Bulion was redeemed from that imminent danger and the King freed from such an inglorious contest The King placed a Governor in Sedan for four years and at the end of that time the custody of the same was to be redelivered to Bulion By that agreement it was forbidden for any to inquire into his former actions and if hereafter he should change his allegiance the Townsmen swore they would chuse them another Prince This Peace being made he was restored to his wonted favor with the King who as he was easily angred so he was ready and free to pardon all men wondring to see him that lately was an Enemy now be at the King's elbow and inseparable from him both in his cares and recesses The
be re-united Besides the Indian Ships are fit and ready for War whereof some are always at home â—it for suddain Service and without any publick charge would be a publick Fleet But what would the Spanish Fleet nothing but at pleasure take booty from their Enemies Let the gain thereof here be shared with their Enemy and let him there also partake of their most plentiful advantage and by that meanes the Spanish Wealth now too great to let the World enjoy peace will be lessened And that it may be the better discerned what ought to be denyed to King PHILIP it is to be observed what he most earnestly demands which may be imagined the cause of his desiring peace Those antient LORDS of that poor Kingdom are beholding to India and America for the great raising of their Fortune which at this time hath made them so proud as to despise Kings for herein is concerned the cause of most neighbour Princes to whom by the loss of the Sea the Hollander would be of no use If we look upon the Enemy aright we shall find him bend all his endeavours thither that he may be able to do injuries when and where he pleaseth The Hollanders labour for this only that they may not be compelled to suffer If either Justice or power be sought they have on their side all Laws both Divine and Humane who have given to all a right of Navigation and Merchandise as Nature hath disposed to all an equal share both of Ayr and Earth Although before the Wars the Hollanders did not sail to the Indies yet that they had a right and might have done it nor can the longest possession prevail against the Authority of the Law of Nations They that would shut up the Sea and challenge Merchandise to themselves alone what other thing do they then Pyrates and Ingroffers of Provision Antiquity averred Arms to be justly taken up against them who excluded any from their Harbors how much more then against them who would drive them from the Ports belonging to others Peace without Trade is not Peace but a perpetual hostility where the right of Defence is utterly taken away And now the hitherto unspotted fidelity of the Hollanders could not be sullyed by a more no able example then if they should leave and betray the Indian Kings and People confederate with them to the Spanish cruelty If the Spaniards resolve to perform what shall be agreed on let the business now be perfected as it will be when the Hollanders are declared Free and when they have agreed then that each shall quietly enjoy what at the present he shall possess for nothing ought to be limited to Freemen and Traffick admitted in all places whereof they have Possession But that they should set so high an esteem upon Philip for yielding up a part of his Dominion there was little reason truly for the same since it was not a gift but a confession of the truth without which there was no hopes of concord It were more honourable for him to give or take Peace then while his Affairs succeeded so well to sell it which if he would not believe he should eft-soons experiment it The fruit of forty years bloudshed would be utterly lost and in vain were Arms taken up for Liberty and against that terrible bugbear of Commerce the tenth raised by Alva if now as great a slavery should be voluntarily admitted to and they suffer themselves to be deprived of the greater part of the World by their Enemies which they â—ould never have endured from any Prince These things were urged by them A few on the other side averred That this was private business and ought not to hinder the publick Peace at leastâ—ise that the cause of some Maritime people ought not to be handled alone when the evil of War extended to all Lastly where the Spanish Negotiation was short and safe it â—â—ticed Seamen by their good will to avoid long Voyages which are frequently obnoxious to diseases Upon mature consideration of the matter by the United States these things seemed to them to be just causes why they would not desert and quit the Indies yet that they â—ight not leave any thing untryed for the ending the War after much dispute they offer the Spaniards their choise either that they would make a firm Peace with freedome of Navigation or else according to the example of France and Brittain all beyond the line should be left to the decision of Arms or else to conclude a Peace here and only a Truce â—â—ere But the Spaniards would neither permit that negotiation saying that Peace and War mingled resembled a Prodigy but at last they gave hopes of a Truce in the Indies if when the time thereof was elapsed they would abstain from any further Navigations to those parts But the States that abhorred those conditions revived the Counsels of the American society lately laid aside if perchance they could work upon the Enemy by fear But they quickly understood these were but threats nor indeed did that matter proceed any further while they who were desirous of Peace among the Hollanders were afraid to be severe towards dissenters Without doubt this state of Affairs was very prejudicial to the people of the United Provinces Arms being only forbidden as uncertain whether there should be Peace or War whereupon many of the common people who got their living by War were not apt to apply themselves to any other business and so were afflicted with two evils idleness and penury and therefore the States esteemed it more convenient to hasten the end of the Treaty to this purpose they advised the Spaniards That they should on both sides propose the chief heads of what was to be insisted on They alledged it to be an unusual thing to make new Proposals before the former were concluded yet at length they consented not that they would distinctly and plainly offer the particulars but only the chief points in general and that in obscure tearms for they said there remained yet to be treated of concerning their limits the restitution of goods Forreign commerce money and those immunities which were granted to the English or others in the Netherlands as also of Religion and Neighbouring Princes Being asked when they mentioned Religion since the same was contained in King Philips Letters whether this were their meaning That they which passed up and down should not be infested under pretence of Religion or whether they would prescribe Laws to the Hollanders whereby Divine matters among them should be ordered They answered This was a matter concerning which they would advise with their Prince and after the other things were seâ—led when they came to that they would more clearly procure and produce their determination On the other side the States delivered not a few and those ambiguously contrived but eight and twenty branches or heads contained in plain words such as usual for the confirmation of Peace or taking away the injuries of War
Name of it in the Netherlands with great Regret of Spirit was abominated There were who at this time wrote to the King the whole Sum of this Discipline which he under the Name of Heresie gave hearing to with an evil Will least he should in any manner give Credit to a thing so profane and detestable however glosed over by those malitious People Here by the Industry of the Prince of Aurange were excited George Cassander and Francis Balduin of Artoyes Men well skilled in Antiquity and that perswaded to Moderation There is of this Mans extant an eloquent Oration desiring the free use of that Religion who now by being grown strong could not be esteemed a Disturber of the Peace with whose Interest such a Liberty would be consistent as well as with that of Commerce The Pope having in these inferior things to the very Jews given leave to purchase Impunity for the Exercise of their Religious Rites But all these things proving of no effect some for fear of punishment others desirous of novelty cast out ambiguous and doubtful Speeches send abroad Libels the onely Allurements of the Vulgar and as a thing indifferent there being no War to retain the Assertors of the German Religion The Romane Superstition is again thrown out of England as also by the Danes and Swedes Nor in France do Slaughters pass unrevenged where not being able to bear the cruel Natures of those who Tyrannized over them they Resolved openly to defenâ— their Safety either by Peace or Warre there being no other Mediums for their Liberty For certainly there is nothing can more strictly oblige the People to their Duty than the Prince to a moderate and just Government By making use of these Alterations the Minds of the Nobles were confirmed who already judged themselves in their own Thoughts to stand condemned in the Kings and some of them being married to Women that were Forraigners well by Countrey as by Religion as the Prince of Aurange to a Saxon and Count Horn to a Nionarian gave the Crâ—dulous King also from thence also cause of Suspition which they were not insensible of because the King had already shewed his Dislike against the new power of the Senatâ— which they had introduced and assumed And therefore that they might the better strengthen their Cause by the Assistance of the Vulgar they endeavour to quiet Religion and if they cannot firm a publike Peace at least to settle Domestike One they making the fear of the ensuing Mischiefs so much the greater by how much the rest did under valuingly sleight them they endeavour to hide these Practices under the Notion of Civil Disturbances which they also themselves were partly the cause of or else by these means they hoped to move the King however they doubted not in these Novelties of Assistance if not out of Love to them yet out of Envy to the Spanish Greatness Departing therefore from the Senate as if they had fore-seen Commotions which they were unable to help now under pretence of Solemnizing Marriages another time intermingling Festiv Societies to make them seem the more solemn they gathered together and obliged to them many either by the Ties of Bloud or the Obligations of Friendship But long it was not ere the main matter at which all these things aimed burst out for after it was perceived that there were many which looked that way while they sollicite much both the Commander and Souldier find fault that a Woman should be chief in Authority disswade the States and Governours of Cities from Cruelty and to suffer patiently Many other Noble men but all wi◠〈◊〉 any Government or Command among whom were some of the Romane Religion made a 〈◊〉 which was drawn up by one Marnye against the Inâ—sition wherein they promised to aid and assist one another â— any of them should thereby be questioned or brought into â—nger And that it might not be unknown upon what main strength they relyed among the Leaders of that Faction the most eminent was Lewis of Nassau Brother to the Prince of Aurange an open Dissentor from the Romane Profession So 〈◊〉 now it was no difficult matter to understand that although the reall and greatest Heads of the Faction did not yet appear yet to judge who they were that when time should serve would uphold them whose Interest and Authority in the mean while was a sure Safeguard to all Pretenders for the rest against the bitter Invectives and Tyranny of â—hose who by Arms would endeavour to stifle or suppress this growing Rebellion There joyned with the before-named Lewis the Counts of Herenburgh and Culemburgh and Henry Brederode of an â—ntient Family of the greatest Nobility of Holland and generally beloved of the People whose hopes were blown up too high and were vain and incertain unless more had appeared These accompanied with Four Hundred Confederates the fifth Day of April 1566. came all unarmed to the Court of â—ruxels where then the Prince of Aurange the rest scarcely intreated by the Lady Margaret the Regent to return â—hither had taken their Places and were sitting These were their Desires for so they called them That the King's Edicts concerning Religion might by the Order of the States of the Netherlands be changed and that they would acquiesce till it could be done The one of which when the Regent promise she would recommend to the King and protested the other not in her power they urged the same with an earnestneâ— rather befitting Judges or Justices who had power of Command than Petitioners who knew to 〈◊〉 â—â—rate their Zeal wâ— Temperance Then first was heard of that name of Guise â—terwards no less famous than those of Protestants and Hâ—gonets when therefore some had cast into the Teeth of the Confederates their broken and decaid Fortunes they not the king notice of the happy Fortune of that Name but wholled by Honour confirmed their Faith to the King to staâ— by him even to the hazard of their Estates Which thing being now evident to the whole World there were various Consultations both in Spain and the Netherlands Of theâ— who were attendant upon the Councels and Person of tâ— Lady Margaret some reputed those Requests or rather Demands of the Confederate Nobles to be just Others thought them onely necessary But some of the Great Ones who began to suspect the Cruelty of the King's Intentions toward them without any Dissembling demanded Pledges for the Security and to prevent the fear of suffering punishment which otherwise might happen to be the cause of a War and if these things were denied they having under the Commands most valiant People of several Nations aâ— likewise some Troops of Natives which would prove the main Props of the War would not draw a Sword in Defend of those Laws by which the Citizens being slain by each others hand should fall onely for the pleasure and advantage of the Spaniards After many several Letters sent to the King at last John Montigniac the
brought by the Souldiers Labour in the Floud of Issel and thence drowning it self in a Lake which bounded the Frisons and incurvating it self toward the Island Flie runs into the Sea by this same first received Name But the Face of Things and Places here are now so chang'd that there can be no River seen but on the contrary the Sea hath broke in upon the Land and though at first it seem from a narrow Entrance but a little to increase yet a little further you may presently see it open like a great Gulph The beginning therefore of this Country of old called Batavia retains in part its old Name and is called Geldres whose Lordship growing into wideness is bounded by the River Maze and Issel Over-Issel joyns in Neighborhood to thi having on its side the Greater Frizeland running out as far as the River Eemes then turns about its back to other Parts of Germany Below Geldres where it is called Welawe is Utrecht with some Neighbouring Towns which are under the Rule of a Bishop as likewise all Over-Issel untill the Emperour Charles first of all added them to his own Government Next we find Holland now most plentifully stored both with Cities and Villages running out with two Corners in the Wale and the before-mentioned Gulph by little and little getting from the Water on both sides It spreads a large Shore to the Ocean whose more Northerly Parts were sometimes part of Frizeland but partly by Arms and partly by Agreement now joyned to Holland who lying over against the Flie on the West have kept the Speech of West-Frizeland All the Country of Holland is full of many Arms of Rivers and Inlets of Lakes and Water-Courses made by Art and Labour and is more fertile in Pastures than Corn there no is Country abounds more in Fishing and Navigation both in Rivers and the Sea than this Zeland divided into several Islands borders on this being environed with the two Rivers Maze and Scalde on the Back also joyned with Brabant by Honta and by the River Scalde divided from Flanders which among Forreigners hath merited to give the Name to all the Netherlands This Tract of Land lies all upon and open to the Sea even unto Calais and is that part of the Netherlands which is now under the Dominion of the French Some have conjectured that the Danes plying up and down these parts as Piraâ— have left some Reliques of their Speech behind them in the names both of Holland and Zeland but I having perused many Monuments of Antiquity finde this a common name to all the Islands but I believe it was a more proper and peculiar name to a small Region not far from Leyden barred and rough by reason of thick Woods for the name signifieâ— so much This is clear that when those Northern Nations raged over all these parts of the World committing Rapes Murthers and daily depopulations it made these people for their own safety advise together concerning the choosing â— accepting of Princes which they did by the name of Eâ— or Counts who at first were bound to observe their dutieâ— with so much strictness to the French and afterwards to the Emperours of Germany that they had no Lawes of their own distinct Very uncertain it is of what House sprung or â— what Antiquity their first Princes were There is an Opinion vulgarly received that they were sent out of Acqâ—tayne but there are better and stronger proofs that theâ— were Natives who of old in the same place now known bâ— the name of Holland had but narrow limits to their Domnion till by little and little they became so much inlarge as they have been while by Claims from the Female it had severally descended unto the Lords of Henalt Bavaria Burgundy and Austria of which last is come King Philip the Second but in the number of Earls is reckoned the one and thirtieth At this time the greatest difficulty and evill that attended the Warre was that Amsterdam in Holland and Middleburgâ— in Zeland two most flourishing Cities were both repugnanâ— to all the undertakings of both these Provinces their bigness making them beyond Command of the yongling Common-wealth especially because all Alva's care was fixeâ— for their preservation not onely placing in them choyce Governours but strong Garisons of Souldiers On the other side the Isle of Bommell belonging to Geldres encompassed by the Rivers Wale and Maze was drawn into the association and fortified for the defence of Holland Certainly there was not any thing could have fallen out more happily to the management of these Affairs then the coming of the Prince of Aurange for he being well skilled in what was necessary for a good Government made a quiet settlement of whatever was out of order and by discretion and his innate moderation kept their strength together which otherwise would have quickly come to nothing which vertues his very enemies applauded in him for Marquius while he managed the Government of Holland in his absence by his cruelty towards Priests and all other kinds of immodesty had brought a great scandall upon their now growing Liberty for being of a cruel nature himself he spurred on the French who being accustomed to blood and licentiousness revenged the evills which they escaped at home in forraign Service for this Cause as also for some Act of disobedience by the Prince of Aurange his Command he is suddenly taker and accusations framed against him but the times would not permit him to have any further punishment But the Prince of Aurange laying aside his Name of Prince and embracing his Power began with a selected Counsel to bestow Commands set forth Lawes and Constitutions to order and direct the Affaires relating to the Warre both by Sea and Land and in brief to settle all things in the Common-wealth and if any matter of greater moment then ordinary fell out it was taken into consideration by the great Assemby of the States among whom he sate President Whose frequent meetings besides the shew of a popular State were very advantageous in this that more of the whole number might be knit together by parts to that end where before onely six Cities of Holland together with the Nobility did consult of most matters which six Cities were Dordrecht Harlem Delfe Leyden Amsterdam and Gaunte now the Prince of Aurange did admit of twelve more less Towns which without doubt would be faithful to him by whose favour they had obtained the Priviledge of a Suffrage Not truly was it without great foresight that these were made Partners in Counsels in regard they would the more willingly help to bear that burthen of whose use and necessity themselves were Judges their Names and Order follow thus In the South part Rotterdam Gorrichâ—m Scydam Schonhouen and in the Isle of Maze Brill In the North Alemaâ— Horne Enchaysen and also in the Marshes there which aâ— called Waterland Edam and Monkedam and not far thence Medemleke and Purmeren In the place
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
raised The King would consider of a Regent and in the mean while all to obey the Duke of Parma Thus the Walloons made a great addition of power to the Kings party A People taking delight in Warre and whoâ— the Spaniard might safely make use of in all dangers And this was altogether the conclusion of the Netherlanders against forraign Dominion Certainly that Society must needs be firm which hath the same hopes or more Obligations to agree than causes of dissention There is scarce any thing common with the Netherlanders which the Spaniards hate not by which meanes as enforced they made the Peace at Gaunt the Priests being the chief perswaders thereunto notwithstanding all which anon every one endeavours to draw to himself as much power as he can though by contrary and indirect meanes For the Prince of Aurange and all those who with him were conscious to themselves to have deserved the same things that the Counts of Egmond and Horn suffered durst nor to trust the King Hence it was that they sought after all Counsel and Advise which might establish themselves and the Sect of their Religion as also to attain favour with forraign Princes Another party there was whose Crimes had been no causes of the beginning of the Warre who willing to preserve their Loyalty to their Prince and their duty and zeal to the Roman Religion were very much in fear least by others violence they should be hurried from the same It would be an easie matter for Philip thus to break asunder these cash and ill co-hering People If he would remove but this one thing from all such as should be imployed therein to wit the dread of the Spaniards Where he gave satisfaction to the desire of these the rest would follow of course for all those things that for a long time continued among the Netherlanders as bare suspitions were afterwards converted into Hostility nor ever after did the severall Religions increase or ciment again together At last there hapned when once they came to divide into parties a thing not very strange that who would not submit to Citizens should without any regard of Covenants be compelled to serve under a forraign Power But the Prince of Aurange did easily foresee that while the minds of men were inclinable to Peace by the imprudence of some persons the Common-wealth would be destroyed unless timely prevented Wherefore using his wonted diligence he goes to Vtrecht in Holland and there with most wholesome Counsel he bindes all the States being there called together as well of that Province as of Gelderland Holland Zeland and that part of Frizeland which lies near the River Lecke and the other part between the same River and the River of Eemes each to the other in a more strict League and Bond of Allyance the sum whereof was this That they would remain joyned and inseperable have no other Common-wealth than as if they were one People and that they would neither make Peace Truce new Warres pay nor raise Tributes but by the generall Command and Consent of all That in making Leagues and Allyances and other matters of Consultation the greater number of Voyces should be binding and if any dissentions did arise they should be reffered to the judgement and determination of the Councill or Deputies That all places in any danger of the Enemy should be fortified and no man should refuse to give his assistance in his Arms and that they should every one joyntly and severally endeavour that equality be observed in rating of Taxes and all other things relating to the raising of money To the Hollanders and Zelanders the use of their Religion one being common between them was freely granted in publick To the rest of the Provinces Toleration either to use the same or any other or both was allowed according to their pleasure The Governours were set forth in these words The Magistrates Council of every City and the Commonalty for by an antient Law the chief of the Townsmen whose Age made them able to bear Arms were went to be enrolled into certain Companies like Bands of Souldiers and this in time of Warre was for Garison and defence and in time of Peace for a Fortification to maintain it when yet the art of Principality had not arrived to the Coufidence of relying on forraign helps This Custom and Badge of neglected Vertue yet remains and the use is by these late Commotions in some manner restored while their faithful pains hath been imployed oftentimes against the Enemy and for the allaying Seditions In this manner the Provinces which I mentioned before took their Oath for performance of these Covenants agreed on at Utrecht And that they might the better be able to judge of their strength they commanded all the people between the Ages of eighteen and threescore to be numbred as well of men inhabiting in Cities and Towns as in Villages and in all other parts whatsoever of the Country But among those Provinces which were not present at the making this League what and how great troubles and dissentions had they while some part will concern themselves in the care neither of the common Religion or their Country and others are drawn away by the vain hope either of approaching Peace or the desire and love of contention The Romanists held Boisledue deserted by the vain fear of the other party they that remained contracted with the Duke of Parma that he would grant them that proper Covenant of the Peace that they should never be garrisoned without their free consent It hapned quite contrary at Antwerp for the common people of the adverse faction remained their Superior in a threatning posture setting upon all such as had been imployed in the Solemnities of punishments Not could the Prince of Aurange restrain his People or hinder them from throwing out the Priests by force though his Enemies interpreted to have been acted by his consent and will what he could not by any meanes resist or withstand for he was not given to cruelty but was one who would wisely make use of an occasion given and for the gaining mens love to him would lay before them long before the advantages they should thereafter receive But this made many of the people who were deprived of their way of Worship in Religion to wish evill and combine against the Common-wealth because they believed the Servitude they underwent to the King to be more moderate nay some of the Nobles from hence also took occasion to go over to the King Among whom Charles the Son of Count Egmond was one who when he endeavoured to take Bruxells Matthias as was said not ignorant thereof by the unlucky help of those that followed the Roman Religion the rest inclosed him in the Market-place as if he had been there besieged where then his own guilt the Image of his Fathers death and unrevenged Ghost were all become tormentors to him for there were them who objected and not without some admiration of
private ends the People that it to say the States rightly â—â—sembled have power to judge thereof and to punish the same Nor were most Kingdoms any otherwise subject 〈◊〉 their present Kings unless that the People tyred either wiâ—â— the injuries or sloath of the former have translated them 〈◊〉 other hands How much more then should these things prevail in the Netherlands to whom the very name of King is unacquainted and their manner of obedience such that they never took any Oath unless the Prince had first obliged himself according to their desires to maintain the Law It is the Law of Nations that mutuall Obligations are dissolved by the tricks and wickedness of either party And having laid aside Philip they would seek them another Prince And they needed not to doubt those things which would easily be maintained against the Spanish greatness by their Wealth There was need of a present Captain and of such a one who when mischief raged every where would though with the neglect of his own safety incourage the Netherlanders That he had clearly cast out of his thought all hopes from Germany There remains then but one thing and that is that Francis of Valois be chosen to the Governments whom they could not deny already to have given 〈◊〉 certain proof Nor was it a little material to their advantage if that young Prince who was next Heir to the highest Fortune should begin his growth from hence In the Interim he was sure of the Brother-hood of France and in probability the good affections of England would not be wanting against whom the Spaniard of â—aâ—e had prepared a Fleet which partly by Tempest and partly by the Portugall Warre had been destroyed and further he had newly given ayd and incouragement to the Rebels in Ireland nor had the English spared him in the new World of America the Wealth which they took there from the Spaniards and brought into their own Country having laid the foundation of a future Warre After a long doubting and much hesitation the Counsel was approved with a greater fear of the Spaniard than affection or confidence in Mounsieur Francis and Philip for violating and infâ—inging the Laws by the States of the Provinces of the Union is thrown off from the Government and nor that sentence is brought forth wherewith if we may speak the truth the Warre had now been in labour for the space of nine years but thenceforth was his name and all marks of Honours utterly left off and denyed and the words of their solemn Oath made to him absolutely altered so that thereby he who had of late been their Prince was now declared an Enemy The putting in execution of this Counsel was to Neighbour Nations guilded over with the severall excuses of necessity and the severall fruitless Requests they had made to him yet the Spaniards did not cease highly to Brand it as infamous it seems altogether forgetful that their own Predecessors had deposed a King from his Kingdom for his too great cruelty and that they preferred before him a Bastard slip-sprung from an unlawful coition We will not mention old Examples of the like kind is France nor any of fresher memory transacted in England nor those newest of all of the Danes and Swedes laying aside their Kings But to return to the purpose Matthias was dismissed with much affection and great Rewards And this being a matter of so great concernment neither did the greatness of the action it self nor the Authour remain unknown to the Spaniard whence perceiving that the life of one single Person was the onely obstacle to his desired greatness therfore though he had fair Law against him in the field yet he in the first place proscribes him and then by the habits of Wealth Honnur and impunity as well of all forme faults as of that invites some body to assassinate him Against this new fashioned Edict the Prince of Aurange makes his Defence in a Book on purpose set forth as well to the States of the Netherlands as to other Princes of Christendom which Book was penned by the help of Peter Villier a Frenchman who having the Study of the Laws wherein he had been bred up first fell to be a teacher of the new Religion and thence came to be admitted into the secretest Counsels of the Prince of Aurange The Declarations on both sides are yet extant full of equall bitterness wherein after repetition of the Crimes relating to the Cause on the Kings part is objected to the Prince Ingratitude and Treason he on the other side retorts on the Kings Treachery and Tyranny and so intermixing many true and some false Relations at length they directly fall to terms of scurrility like scolding Women for because the Prince of Aurange being seperated from his Saxon Wife for Causes well approved by all her Kindred and having marryed the Daughter of Montpensier who had been devoted for a Nun was accused both as an Adulterer and Sacrilegious Person On the other greater Adulteries were objected to Philip nor was he forgotten to be charged with the severall deaths of his Wife and his Son from the guilt whereof not yet cleared he had married his Neece in blood for the then Wife of the King was the Emperour Maximilians Daughter by the Kings Sister which Conjunction the Pope by his Authority though many judged contrary to the Divine Law confirmed Nor was it smothered in silence how formerly he attempted by his great Minister of State Granvell to have poysoned Maximilian himself being his near Kinsman by the Fathers side but then his Father in Law Whereupon the States contemning both the malice and insinuations of Philip who layed the fault of this great defection onely upon one by publick Testimony vindicated the Prince of Auranges innocency adding moreover for the safety of his Person a Troop of Horse to the old Guard The Embassie of the Netherlanders was most acceptable to Francis of Valois being thereby called to the Government and very pleasing to his Mother who endeavoured by forraign Honours to indulge her Sons already too ambitious by their over-swelling hope But the Kings Ayd and Consent was requested before it was convenient and so did not answer their expectation onely the King wrote to them that he would not have a respect to his Brothers greatness but would also give help and succour to himself and all those which were under his Dominion which that he might more readily perform he wished to his own Kingdom Peace and to his Brother all happiness and prosperity The present necessity forced the United Dutch to rest satisfied onely with words and only to hope for the rest And presently Valois that he might the more strongly work himself into their Affections understanding that Cambray besieged by Horse and Foot and fortified in their Camps had undergone great hardships and extremities He sets forward thither with an Army for the maintenance whereof Queen Elizabeth had supplyed them with a great sum
Valquin consulâ—ed of certain Matters relating to the League Then began to appear how much those Presents were envyed which had been bestowed to gain the King of Scots Affection the Queen of England objecting to them Their unseasonable Magnificence while yet themselves wanted Forreign Aid Nor did it proceed so much from the Humour of her Regal Disposition that would endure none to vye with her as that she being a wise and subtle Woman and who would keep the Succession incertain as one of the main strengths of her Kingdom she would not that a Prince though next to her both in Kingdom and Bloud should be appointed her Heir by the Option of her Neighbours Therefore according to the Custom of angry persons she requir'd a part of her old Debt and if they gave her not satisfaction she threatned War Whereto a modest Excuse being made they were at quiet for some time And in the mean time that they might make amends for their Offence upon her Request They obey and grant That they will adde some Money and Ships to her Fleet for driving away the Spaniard from Bretaign in France For the Enemy being setled in some strong Ports lay at lurk upon both Shores to get the possession of that Sea which passeth by both France and Spain From whence proceeded the English-mens fear nor could the Hollanders sail to the Westward with any safety But now the English and Dutch Fleets being joyned they drove the Enemy from most of the strong Holds scituate on the Sea-Coast But the War after the taking of Groening continued in the Countries beyond the Rhine although there were other Things which promised their Hope a Reward of their Labours But at the instance of Mounsieur Buzanual King Henry's Embassadour it seemed more just since their own Affairs had so well thriven to look towards their Allies because then there was sharp War upon the Borders between the Netherlands and France Some there were that would not have sent Souldiers to the King but Money which Buzanuall withstood affirming That the King his Master had better learned to order Souldiers than Money And so far did his Reasons prevail that he had not onely very great hopes but the Charge likewise already begun would forthwith be laid aside for a New Expedition thither The Spanish Souldiers who had hitherto made War upon the French Borders after they had received their Money and taken the benefit of what Licentiousness they pleased being excluded from all Cities lest they might grow more insolent by Idleness under the Conduct of the Lord of Cimace besieged Cambray For that City as is before set forth was delivered in the Name of the Kingdom of France to Balagny to be kept for King Philip but he on the contrary usurped it to himself from thence the Neighbouring Country was wasted Nor had the Spaniards long continued the Siege but they wanted all Things necessary not excepting Provisions However lest that they might seem to do nothing they surrounded the City at a distance but with very careless Guaâ— for being in their Friends Country they supposed themselves terrible enough to the Enemy being in no manner changed from what they were before but onely in this that now being under Command yet they re-acted the Crimes of Sedition among other of their Exploits many times fetching great Booty out of France But Henry the greatest part of the Traytors being subdued finding himself really King and that he was so increased in strength that though till this time he had been able but weakly to defend his now he appeared able to vindicate himself and to threaten an equal Return for Injuries He accused Philip in an Edict That he had without any probable Reason broken the League that he had made with France five and twenty years before That he being King of France 〈◊〉 content with the Dominion of his Ancestors which by the Divine Providence he now enjoyed and being an august and magnificent Possession he did not desire to intermeddle in the business of other Princes That he would not seek a cause of War against the Neighbouring Cities of the Netherlands and hoped he should not be forced to one by injuries put upon him but since they had compelled him he exhorted the People of Henalt and Attoys and others his Subjects to fall upon those forreign Souldiers generalâ—y hated and burthensome to all about them whom none ever hated without danger but an Enemy and to drive them out of the French Territories and also from Cambray which if it wâ— not done by a set day he would bring thither his Armies and tâ— his force upon them This was all received in silence as if it had been denyed for the Cities durst make no answer but Philip shortly after mindfull of his affections to the Catholick Religion and remembring the League himself had formerly made with France declared that the Prince of Bearns for he would not vouchsafe the King of France any other name who had vainly pretended himself an honourer of that Religion which he had opposed and now called himself King of France was to be prosecuted with War on all hands Be this came too late for after they had for a whole year displayed their Ensign on the Netherlandish Borders all after actions seemed to claim a shadow of right But to this forreign War King Henry appointed Commander in Chief Turnis Viscount Turen who then raised the Repute of the name of Bulloyn renowned also by Alliance to Prince Maurice whose Sister Elizabeth descended by the Mothers side from the Royal Stock of Bourbon he had marryed And in this he would be more affectionately diligent in that thereby he advanced above the power of the League a Prince bound 〈◊〉 him by private Allyance and also very high in the King's favour It was thought convenient to carry the War into the Province of Lutzenburg because this way he might have a passage for his Italian and German Levies for the Hollanders hoped that if new forces were raised it might be possible to bring to nought the old being neither many nor well agreeing and this either by the Netherlanders consent of the conjunction of War But a Messenger met Philip of Nassau as he was hastening his march towards the French with supplies consisting of eight and twenty Foot-Companies for the States having onely promised twenty had now of their own accord augmented the number that they understood by four Switzers whom they had taken that Charles Mansfeldt lay in the middle between them Therefore for securing the Journey he took five Troops under the leading of Sir Francis Vere and a well ordered number of Foot least he should give any opportunity to Mansfeldt pressing upon him and leads them beyond the River Moselle to the Borders of Metz for the Enemy had prepossessed all the places more inward The greatest part of the Troops having either gained by leave or force a passage through Germany returned into Holland but the greatest
lessned To the performance of this League the Queen was sworn And the Earl of Salisbury went to see the King take the like Oath on his part From hence the Count of Bulloyn went into Holland to receive their consent and submission At the confirmation of this League were present there Paul Busanual who was the King's continual Leiger with the States and George Gilpin an English-man and an Assistant in the Senate by the old League After Prince Maurice and the Senate's Advice had the United States were also included within the same words onely there were added these peculiar Things That the King of France at the beginning of the Spring shall have Souldiers ready upon the Borders of Artois and Henalt and on the other side the States shall have ready 8000 Foot and 1500 Horse that the lying as it were in the middle may be divided in his purposes what to do in so doubtful a case Therefore the States will add to the two Auxiliary Regiments which they sent at their own charge to aid the King two Regiments more but if for all that the Enemy should turn his whole strength upon them that it shall be lawful for them to recall those Forces And the French King for his part shall at his best conveniency send as many Regiments to the Hollanders as also 1000 Horse That each shall have the chief Command in his own Country What hath formerly been agreed and is not by this present League renewed or altered to be and remain as they were That the King have great Care and Honour to the Confederate Cities and the Subjects within this League and above all other to the House of Nassau for their everlastingly famous Merits towards the Commonwealth That all Journeys backward and forward and all Trade be free on both sides That neither of them impose heavier Tributes upon the Subjects of the other than upon their own Citizens That all the Laws which confiscate the Estates of Strangers be cut off and invalidate between them and that the Right of Succession and making Wills and Testaments be restored That all Booty takâ—n at Sea shall belong to them who first invaded or set the Enemy That the Hollanders may sail whither they will even into the Western Kingdoms That there be no demands nor distresses made for a publick debt upon privat persons That it shall not be lawful for any to retain any ships either in their passage by or coming to the Shore to unlade or to expose them to sale The publick Instruments of this League were signed the last day of October which were solemnly attested with publick Joy wherein there was nothing omitted to make it compleat For besides that it was for the settlement of peace It also conduced much to the Honour and Majesty of the Common-wealth much envyed for its new rising that it was looked upon by Kings in Honourable Leagues which that it might be brought to passe the French King had exceeded while he esteems it convenient and agreeable to his own Affairs and the benefit of the Hollanders even against themselves although Queen Elizabeth had laboured that these her old Allyes should be comprehended under her Patronage affirming that it was enough there being no cause why Cities falling from a strange Government should be inserted among Names of Princes of the highest Rank There were some who would have repeated former seuds how the Franks of old passed the River Wael and seated themselves in that part of the Country which is called Gelderland that they possessed the Isle of Holland from whence their Kings took the name of Meronee That Governours were sent out of France into Holland Then also that the English confess them of Frizon original by the idiom of their Tongue Shortly after their Princes were obliged to both the Kingdoms by Marriage and that a great while before when the Roman Power carryed all before it the Hollanders were famous for Arms fidelity and honest liberty so that they were called the Emperours People Brothers and Friends When the Romans renounced all right and fair dealing these choosing themselves a civil Leader opposed them making a confederacy both with Germany and France O hers took notice of the vicissitude of their Affairs neerer hand as particularly that now the King of France had made a publick League against the Spaniard with them whose Deputies but a few years before for fear of the Spaniard they durst hardly hearken to But the Regiments which the Hollanders by the League were bound to send were not sent but according to the King's desire money instead thereof which he rather wanted than men But this the English took amiss nor did the Queen vouchsafe to send any person to go to the German Princes together with the Holland and French Embassadus and certainly there was nothing proved a greater hindrance of others to joyn in that Allyance then that Emulation from hence the French conceived a deadly suspition that the English desired to have a perpetual War with them Nor with any other mind was the Queen desired to forward the making a Peace between the Turk and the House of Austria And not long after there being a Conference appointed at Diope to consider what course should be taken for carrying on the War the next year There again the French were offended at a Request made by the English to wit that if they could recover Calais a Garrison might be put into it for the Queen But they had rather the Spaniards should keep it hoping that they might in the future extort it from them either by force or by Article which they much doubted if once the English should get it About the same time it was desired of King Henry That the Professors of several Arts which had been taught at Leyden by ingenious persons bred there might be allowed in France The Prince of Aurange had formerly chosen this place for a Seat for the liberal Sciences least for fear of charge the People at a great distance and being bred and born among Arms should grow rude and barbarous And by this means also the City was repaired and the ruines which it had suffered by a Siege amended for being famous for fidelity and constancy it rather chose this Reward of Learning than to be free from Taxes which was offered to it The main motive hereto was Religion the prop of their party the gift of expounding whereof had hitherto been assumed by Artificers or of the unlearned and illiterate common people while the labour it self being without hope of preferment and certainly attended by poverty was the cause of penury both in the teachers and learners In a short time although the Frizons also had to the like purpose ordained Franecre this School of Holland by the fame of the Instructors and the flocking thither of much youth both of their own and foreign Countries got the preheminence The Teacher of the study of the Civil Law was Hugo Donnell who following the
being bandied backward and forward in Books the Year following manifestly convicted of Vanity being a Year of Idleness if compared with some that went before Nay though some from the Event would seem with Reason to conclude from the taking of a Sea-Calf in the River not far from Gorrichen not long after that these Creatures were the Fore-runners of those Actions which in after-times were transacted near those Places This indeed is true that seldom in any Year have more Things hapned contrary both to Hope and Expectation the very beginning thereof from the Winter going all along with unsuccessful Endeavours For the Commanders of the Garison of Berghen-op-Zoom being perswaded that by an agreed Connivence of the Scouts they might get Wonde which is a Castle scituate inward from whence some of the King's Souldiers being sent out into the Estuaries did infest all the Rivers the Setter forward of this Design being a man no less timorous than imprudent as soon as the Danger began to appear himself by his own flight spoil'd the Plot which had been laid by his counsel But Prince Maurice suffer'd a greater Mishap with the Fleet sayling into Flanders without the fault or neglect of any man for the Winds raging without intermission quite destroy'd such ships as lay abroad while the rest not without great hazard sought to get into Harbour And by chance it hapned that some few days after a Castle or Fort of the same Coast that lyes opposite to Bierfleet beyond Zealand was by some Garrison French Souldiers deliver'd to the Spaniards who bought it of them the Third Year after it had bin in the hands of the Hollanders by the Treachery of some Waloon Souldiers and in this manner was both the shame and loss recompensed A Party of Horse also marched towards Limburg covering to intercept some Companies of Foot lying thereabouts but their Journey being discover'd they were forced to return Home empty through the deep Snow The same in the Dutchy of Juillers by the surprize of some Troops about Burick were forced to leave some Provisions to the Enemy which they had intercepted though not without the loss of some bloud And others returning from Leige and Trevier were met by the Enemy and worsted Which trivial but frequent Mischances in some measure diminished the Honour they had gotten the former Year in the action of Turnhâ—nt In the interim the Hollanders neither lost the good that comes by Peace nor those Advantages which in other Wars were unknown Nay they made good use of the Discord that fell out between the English and Germans the beginning of which Contention when in the Event it reached the Low-Countries I must begin at a greater distance In former Times the chief Trade for Merchants was setled in the German Cities of which they that were scituate either by the Sea or some famous Rivers to the Number of Seventy were by the just Laws of Commerce incorporated into one Body but consisting of divers Nations as the Venedians Saxons Borussians and Westfalians who were all united by one League which was named the Ansiatike League Nor were the Superior Northerly Parts and the Netherlandish Parts onely frequented by the Industry of the Germans but also London it self was a great Mart for them where after they had publikely flourished for their Fidelity and Profit in Trading it was granted by the Kings of England that they might barter or exchange their Commodities paying but small Customs But at that time the Pastures of Brittains with the onely proceed of their Wooll did almost answer all Importations from Foreign Parts although nothing was then fetched out of the Island but rough Wooll in the Fleece until the Netherlanders weary of their Domestick Evils and for diverse uses being banish'd out of their own Countries as they taught some People in other Things so they instructed the English in ordering and working of their Wooll This hapned during the Reign of King Edward who minding to draw some part of this new Gain into his own Treasury thought himself hindred in his intent by the Ansiatike League Wherefore seeking some cause of Quarrel whereby he might recede from what his Predeâ—â—ssors had granted the English begin to turn all Topsie-Turvey yet still to offer the Germans their old Priviledges if they would undergo the Customs and Burdens laid upon Cloathing with the same readiness and obedience as the Citizens and Subjects of the Kingdom did averting That nothing was so contrary to the Duty of 〈◊〉 Prince as to release that Burden to Strangers which the Subjects were forced to bear and therefore required that they might enjoy the like Immunities through Germany All which prevailed nothing with the Germans who retorted That by these new Inventions the Priviledges which they had purchased with three hundred years Merits and had been confirmed unto them by the Oaths of fourteen Kings were utterly infringed And no less were they proved at the new setled Company of the English who took away all their Gain by serving other Nations with their Cloth Hence arose Envy and Complaints to the Emperour especially at that time when by reason of the Quarrels between Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Alva the English being commanded out of the Netherlands had setled beyond the Feines They were accused for spoiling and undervaluing the Commodity in the Manufacture by discovery of the Prices at the first hand In this manner much time was spent partly in Wranglings between the Subjects and partly in Letters of Princes sent to and fro untill the English Name growing more and more hated by continual Pyracies at Seâ— Philip the Inciter of such Feuds renewed these old Controversies undertaking the Deferce of the Cause with Caesar by his Ministers Mendosa and Clement not with any Affection to the Ansiatike League but that he might riâ— up old Sores and disturb the Sea with an Enemy Now also Lubeck the Head City of the League in an Embassie by them sent at which time the Authority of the King of Denmark was â—ought after for the working upon the Hollanders of which Embassie Plous Barlayment was the Chief blamed the Germans whâ— passing by all the rest of the Neâ—herlanders only endeavor'd by their Commerce to increase the Wealâ—h of Rebels which shewed that they bore neither an honest nor grateful Mind for such a good Office of the King And now they were daily sollicited to take Arms against the English with Promises of great Assistance to them therein And thereupon the Germans sent these Demands to the Cities formerly of the Ansiatike but now of the Belgike League with Letters discovering Hatred either out of Envy against that People growing potent by Merchandize or else because it hath been found true by frequent Experiments that the nearer men agree in Religion the more sharply they differ for they of the Augustane Confession and the Catholikes the more different they are in Judgment the more concurrent they are in Affection These Things were
be content in their present estate and not seek change or alteration Observe also what a pernitious Example he induceth who however for Ambition and Dominion sake he hath voluntarily submitted himself to the Yoke commands all Kingdoms to bow to the Pope and calls not onely the People thereof whom he hires to Sedition but the very Kings themselves Rebels Certainly to this man there will never be wanting either a cause or a pretence for War but that he may sometimes want hopes next to God Almighty it lies Great Queen in your Hands and if you resolve with Us to Conquer We shall be ready to run the extreamest Hazards for our Social Fidelity and we hope you will rather maintain your wonted Constancy than neglect Advantage and by the ruine of your Friends promulgate and corroborate the Enemies strength The Consultations upon this Matter in the Queen's Court were various and both Opinions had strong Supporters to know whose Behaviour and Affections will not be from the purpose that it may appear how the Perswaders Authority bore sway in the Publike Counsels The Earl of Essex as we have elsewhere declared being a young man and burning with the desire of Glory was a Liberal Giver beyond the Ability of his Estate wholly spending himself in compassing the Love of the Nobles Commons and Souldiers having no hopes in Peace but putting great Confidence in the Friendship of the Hollanders and therefore he being General of all Forces in England was for the War with Spain affirming That it could not be put off unless at once both the Queen's Security Credit and Charges should all be hazarded On the other side the Lord Burghly from a private Person being called to the Court and advanced to the high Honour of being Lord Treasurer of England minding wholly the Care of the Treasury especially now in the declining of his Age and his Parsimony agreeing with that of the Queen being also very rich and well-grounded in Experience and so by his Authority preceding the others Favour This man with grave Words praising Christian Concord debated among all the doubtful Counsels what was the most pious and honest to be follow'd He said That a present Commodity ought to be preferr'd before the Incertainties of Suspition and that Peace would not be more profitable to the Enemy than to the English and is the strength of out Countrey so little known that it cannot be safe but at the pleasure of the Hollander when in the mean time the French out of common fear and the Hollanders themselves out of their Care of Religion are tyed with stronger Bonds against Danger by Necessity than by a League Besides the Spaniard is willing to be quiet out of a sense of his own infirmiâ—y And then Peace would follow without more ado both in Ireland and elsewhere Queen Elizabeth either really wavering in her Mind or else willing to express all other Things by her fear of Peace made Answer in a very temperate manner That from the beginning she had done nothing without the Advice of her Allies that it was acceptable to her that they had declared their Minds so freely yet there were many and great causes both for her Self and the French that moved them to desire an end of the War and to make her trust to Peace by removing or disbanding her Armies for since the Spaniards old hopes have been crossed by the Netherlanders abjuring him the loss of France and so many other slaughters and misfortunes if he should think fit to re-assume his Arms the same God that had helped them before would she doubted not assist them again to maintain their Right by the Sword but if they thought fit to continue in Arms things more certain ought to be offer'd This thing the Peers of England interpreted thus That there was no Fault more heinous than to defraud the Queen of her Rights and Duties sometimes by Cavillings otherwhiles by deceitful Supplications and Pretences of Poverty which the Wealth of the Cities in Holland and their well-stocked Treasury openly consuted Nor was it more to be endured that the English should lose the Trade of Spain for them and yet they preferr'd their own Gain before the famishing of their Enemies and so make Merchandize of the War At last this Delay was put to the Pacification that Embassadors from both should go to take notice of the French Affairs And to that purpose by the Queen were sent thither the before-mentioned Cecil and Wilks with whom the hopes of Peace was grown dead by being at the Treaty at St. Quintins for the Spaniards preferred by the Name of Allies those whom the French Peace would advantage giving out at last that they onely should be included in the Treaty who observed the Romane Rites in point of Religion The Embassadors from Holland came a little later by reason of contrary Winds The King at this time was at Angeires busie in pacifying Bretayn which is otherwise called Armorica which as yet Duke Mercury one of the Lorrain Princes the Fury of both Parties being asswaged forcibly detained having deliver'd to the Spaniards the Port of Blavette that they might with more ease land with Supplies But he seeing the King's Army prepar'd on the one hand and a Pardon offer'd in the other and knowing well that when an end is put to a War all subsequent Offences are with severity punish'd obtains for himself and his noble Conditions and an Augmentation of Honour The King at this time was happily without a Wife Margaret of Valois being divorced from him but though his Body was exercised in Military Matters yet his Mind was liable to the Darts of Love for he was absolutely taken with one Gabrielis Estraea a Noble Woman but led aside from the Embraces of her vowed Husband This Woman what with her Beauty and what with her sweet Temptations and alluring Arts had so vanquish'd the King that advancing her to the Title of a Dutchess which was then a Novelty in France so heightned her Pride that though but a Concubine she aspired beyond the Greatness and Authority of a Wife And she also was numbred among the Causes that induced the King's Mind to be inclinable to Peace that he might the more securely enjoy his pleasures with her She had a Son by the King that was four years old and at that time called Caesar whom the King with great Obtestations gave in Charge to Mercury this Woman had also by the King a Daughter very young and appoints to the said Mercury a great Allowance of Money and bestowing upon his Son the Dukedom of Vendosme and the Government of Bretaign And now the Embassadors of Holland just arrive and find the King puffed up with these Matters together with the Spanish Pacification and yet if by chance that had failed he had called a Council of the Brittons to consult about the Siege of Blavette Mounsieur Buzanvale who was well-skill'd in Affairs of that sort and one of the
he requires the Hollanders not to prohibit the Britans to come out of the Sea into the Scheld to pass to Antwerp paying Customes equal to their Subjects But they excused it by shewing that they had good reason for their Decree that none should goe to the Enemy unless they first changed their Ships that so they might the more certainly have knowledge of all things Nor ought he to take it ill that they imposed Laws upon a River within their own Jurisdiction when the Spaniards durst deny the passage of the Seas even to their friends And so that he might convert the English who were accused as infamous for Piracy to innocent gain he forbad any to fight at Sea under a forein command but conniving at any that went hither or thither to a land Warre By another Edict the Jesuites and all other Ecclesiastical persons that received not sacred Orders according to the custome of the Kingdome of Britain were banished thence setting out for cause that that sort of men taught that the Pope might absolve Subjects from their obedience to Kings of another Religion then which there is not any opinion more dangerous to Government But at the same time the same Jesuites were restored in France upon some conditions from whence they had formerly been banished when by their instructions a young man fought to murther the King But now the monument was destroyed which kept the memory of that fact fresh together with the Jesuites infamy the Parliament of Paris crying out that by that one work the authority of the most honourable Order and the security of France were subverted together But the King with his own great danger as many ominously feared unterrified merely to gratifie the Pope admitted and favoured these stout defenders of his power Between this King and the Spaniard arose some new causes of hatred upon old discontents Monsieur Villeroy a person highly entrusted and favoured by King Henry had a servant named Hostius whose industry and ingenuity himself being much imployed otherwise he used in the decyphering and reading of Letters and private Characters This man being hired gave intelligence of all the greatest affairs of State to one Monsieur Raffee a French-man but banished and living in Spain who discovered them to King Philip's Counsellors by which having such insight into all the private counsels of France it was easie for them to guess at all things else Some things also being discovered to the King of Britain had ingendred animosities and jealousies This Treason being detected by Raffee Hostius first by flight and afterwards by a sudden death prevented further inquisition There was also at this time another matter stirred up by a Woman which was this Henrica the daughter of Monsieur Interaque was esteemed among the first for her beauty and pleasantness of wit wherewith the King being allured to whom there was hardly any other crime to be objected then these loose Affections the better to compass the end of his unlawful desires had promised her marriage if she bare him a Son and this promise he confirmed to her by writing After Medices was preferred before her in marriage she was compelled to pacifie the Queen to deliver up this writing of the King 's Whereupon dissembling higher designs under the pretence of solitude and Religion she aimed to compass forein wealth wherewith she might secure her Son against the Queen's anger and malice and not onely so as she publickly declared and as others interpreted it but also that he might therewith assert his right and claim to the Kingdome The King of Britain refused to give any ear to them for the disturbance of another's Kingdome but the Spaniard approved her cause and promised largely to assist her therein When these things first became known the Lady her self her Father and Brother the Count of Auvergne were taken but King Henry pardoned them acknowledging his own misdemeanour in their crime But Philip fearing lest Henry enraged with these things should from thence take a cause to make Warre he ended the quarrel begun about the Customes which he had lately raised by Edict and turning his fury against the Hollanders commanded all of that Nation to depart out of his Dominions and all Merchandise afterwards brought in to be forfeited This year was celebrated in the Netherlands a solemn Funeral pomp for Count Peter Mansfelde who for fourty years had faithfully served the Spaniard in the highest Commands being then President of Lutzenburg who though all his life conversant in Warre had yet by rare fortune lived even to the extremity of old age And among the Hollanders died Lewis of Nassau being but a young man yet emulous of the glory of his Ancestors and in whom there appeared great hopes of a noble and circumspect Vertue The Fourteenth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES THE charges of the now superannuated Warre increasing every year and that great demonstration of their equal Forces appearing at Ostend restored to some that hope which they had a long time laid aside to wit that the extreme fury of the Warre would at length conclude in a Peace hence every one as their hopes or desires led them delivered their opinions both in discourses and Books Such of the Netherlanders as affected the Austrian Government believed and so said having great emulation to the Cities of Holland and malicious inclinations that they would fall under the weight of that Greatness they had drawn upon themselves or else would become a prey to forein Princes unless they returned to their old obedience whereof for so many ages they had had experience onely with these additions to the old Laws That the Netherlandish Government should not revolve to the Spaniard That the right of Commerce should be free and indefinite That Religion should not be forcibly or with punishments urged in hope of making a more united Concord That as well the forein Souldiers as that plague of mankinde the Jesuites faction should be expelled That the chief honours should remain in the Citizens and all affairs of greatest concernment should be handled in the General Councel of the Provinces which liberty would continue more substantial if it were used with moderation On the other side some in France persuaded the Netherlanders to separate themselves from the House of Austria That the name of Archduke was but a vanity without power without authority his Forces being consumed by the Enemy his Authority swallowed or devoured by the Spaniard and when the Netherlands should be exhausted and Spain impoverished what hopes had they of protracting the Warre certainly onely this one the wealth of the Indies which also in time would fail them and become a propriety to him that is most prevalent at Sea That the twenty several Mutinies and Seditions of the Souldiers have made Albertus his Government infamous and if while those jealousies and hatreds encreased among them the French should have stirred they might have lain upon the Country and
Ships under the conduct of Captain Matelifen one of the Governors of the Indian Company In the interim Carden whom we mentioned before to be sent to Brasile returned with a very great booty Among the Neighbors although the name of Peace yet continued yet many fierce commotions were believed to tend towards War for the Citizens of Aquisgrane the City having alwaies been coveted by the Dukes of Brabant had new Governors put upon them Imperial Decrees made against them and which then was buried in silence but afterwards was manifested by the confidence of a private League with Albertus all the Ceremonies of the Reformed Religion were both publickly and privately forbidden they who had before born the Office of Magistrates were not onely accused as guilty of Sedition but as being illegally chosen were contumeliously used and fined their Accusers were of the choicest sort and whoever undertook their defence were joyned with them in punishment The Bishop of Colen's Legates to whom the Emperor had given that in command under pretext of Reconciliation publickly declared that profession faulty upon their bended knees and afterwards laied pecuniary mulcts upon all they denounced guilty in the name of costs and charges and upon most the fine exceeded their ability yet if it were not paid part were thrown into Prison others removed their habitations whose Banishment was followed with care and hatred of the Commons against the Great men and pity towards the poor But by how much at the present they were oppressed by so much the more violently they would in the future break out In France besides the rest of the Spaniard's treacheries it was discovered that Monsieur Merarges sent from Narbon to exhibite the desires of that Province to the King had agreed with Don Balthazar Zunica King Philip's Embassador privately for the delivery of Marseilles concerning which he and one Brunelle a Netherlander Secretary to the Embassador were apprehended and with them were taken palpable demonstrations of their Treason When the Embassador required his servant according to the Law of Nations the King on the other side set forth the unworthiness of the fact and how the right belonging to Embassadors was by himself violated The Embassador replied If any thing had been done contrary to friendship that ought not to be attributed to him for the French King contrary to the Peace made at Verbin had openly given assistance to Rebells and the Enemies of the true Religion nor had he onely tempted to corrupt the Counts Heremberg and others in the Netherlands but had stirred up the Moors to invade Spain With which reproof the King being more enraged answered That the Roman Religion was more indebted to him and his ancestors then the Spaniard that being untruly reported to be the cause of the War in the Netherlands because in truth that contest was about Dominion And if he either would pay what money was due to the Hollanders or the French who are a people impatient of ease would in these parts make War under a famous General as in the farther Hungary and with the Archduke how much would that resemble so many treacherous designes intended against Cities and the tempted fidelity of so many great men Then he repeated particulars protesting those things spoken concerning the Moors to be false and confessions extorted by force And if it were unlawfull for him to allure the Count Heremberg and others who were not Low-country-men but Germans to unworthy actions what did they merit who by large promises had drawn away Terral not onely a Subject but a Member of his House and family But these were small matters But if haply an Embassador dived into the secrets of State-affairs by politick means it ought mutually to be dissembled and pardoned but counsells of cruelty and such as tended to the hazard of lives ought by him to be refelled Zunica praising the King of great Britain that although he differed in Religion yet he observed the Peace with great reverence the French King answered Their friendship with the Spaniards was but of a new date but a short time would make appear what it would come to But at last the Embassador was glad to pacify the King's anger which began to break out into threats saying there should be no need thereof as well the vertues as the wisedome of Henry the Fourth being generally known to most men But at last Merarges being brought to condigne punishment the Secretary was restored to the Embassador his Master it being proved to the King that it would be better to repay subtlety with policy then to seek to revenge it by War About this time a horrible Conspiracy was discovered in Britain contrived by some who valued their own safety and fidelity and all Laws both divine and humane less then their Zeal to the Roman Religion for because they could not by Petition obtain liberty for the exercise of their Rites hiding a great quantity of Gunpowder under the Parliament-house they decreed at the first assembling of the Parliament to blow up the King the Prince and the Peers of the Kingdome And the chief Fathers of the Jesuites being consulted with by the authors of the Plot whether it were lawfull in so great a number of guilty persons to destroy some innocent ones they answered that for the great good of the Church some wel-deserving persons might suffer confirming their opinion by an argument of besieged Cities But one of the more consciencious of them admonishing his friend that he should not come to the Parliament at the appointed day the Letter of advice being mistakenly delivered first gave notice of the designe and afterwards the place being found out both the Treason and the Traitor himself were found out Upon knowledge whereof the Conspirators in the farthest parts of Britain broke out into open Rebellion one Oldcorne a Jesuite incouraging those that were afraid lest they judged of the goodness of the cause by one unprosperous event That God did many times deny success to undertakings well approved by himself that he might make trial by adversity of his servants constancy and perseverance But at the very beginning of the same they were apprehended brought to trial and executed Father Garnet also who had formerly attempted many things against Queen Elizabeth being wont highly to extoll the Pope's authority over Kings and Kingdomes that no faith or obedience was due to Princes by him interdicted averring that subjects if they were commanded ought to oppose them with Armes even to the hazard of their lives From whence all in power and authority may learn who neither stand in awe of the Roman Religion nor Fleets nor Armies that they are by Ecclesiastical authority most violent inciters of the common people to Rebellion They added also another pestilent opinion That one might answer to any questions proposed by the Magistrate evasively ambiguously and with mental reservations to that purpose setting forth Books in print which in defence of a lie they inscribed with
Interpretation that the former Grants might obliquely be avoided thereby and they being a Free People and such over whom neither King Philip nor the Archdukes had any Authority would of their own accord consult of their Domestique Peace and not suffer their Affairs to be ordered at the pleasure of others That there was now a fit occasion given them not to enter into any further Treaty yet they would offer so much towards the desired concord that they would by Letters signify the whole matter to the particular Councels of every Province and desire their Judgments thereupon only with this Protestation That they would admit of nothing that might be prejudicial to their Liberty And that the Archdukes should within six weeks time know what was their result That if they thought fit to hearken to such Proposals of Peace as they should offer then within ten dayes after such Ambassadors as they heretofore promised to send should come to the Hague where also their Deputies should be present but upon this confidence nevertheless That neither the King nor the Archdukes should offer any Proposition that might intrench upon the States ordering their own Affairs within themselves And the States appointed the Hague for the place of meeting left it should appear unseemly for the Ambassadors of other Kings to remove from place to place and also because the power of managing the Affairs being divided amongst many with more ease and wisdome all things might be consulted of When Naya and Verreike doubted whether upon this answer they should leave the Kings Letters with the States or carry them away with them the States declaring they cared not whether of them they did Naya went to Bruxells to be advised from whence he brought this answer That the writing should remain with them so as they would give an acknowledgment that they had received the same for thereby the Arch-Dukes would be free from their promise to the King and finally that they should restore the same if the League came to no effect Which things being absolutely refused by the States and the Archdukes once more advised with Naya without any contract soon after delivered the Letters These deliberations being related to all the several Provincial Assemblies many doubted that it was not safe to admit a treacherous Enemy into the very bosom of their Dominions what would he do there but search into the affections and strength of the People and learn what was atâ—â—imble either by money or Arms by force or purchase They feared also lest they among themselves who desired peace running as it were headlong and without Counsel 〈◊〉 acquire the same should by little and little be drawn to accept of unjust and dishonourable Conditions Therefore when the Deputies returned into the Common Council past of all they oblige themselves each to other by mutual consent that they would if the Treaty came on in the very last Article have their liberty established by fit words publickly attesting the same in such manner as should be sufficient to satisfie the Embassadors of other Kings admitted into the Council And that they would not admit of any Conditions relating either to profane or sacred matters that â—ight undermine their liberty On the other side if the Enemy should still persist they would declare to all mankind that it was his fault why Peace was not setled and that recollecting their Forces and invoking the ayd of their neighbour friends and Princes They would resume their Arms from which they doubted not but Justice would give a successful Issue to their cause Prince Maurice and the Zelanders further insisted that the very words for Confirmation of their liberty should then be contrived and forthwith sent to Albertus whereto if he would not consent then to let him know that they would proceed no further in the Treaty This sentence seemed very hard to some who desired the Enemy might be hearkened to At this time a new year approached at the beginning whereof the time for the Cessation of Arms was to expire nor did the Arch Dukes desire its prolongation expecting to have had an Address made to them to that purpose whereupon the States write that they trusted to the Arch Dukes Promises with the same Resolution they had engaged to Naya and Verreike expecting a Treaty And to that purpose they were ready to send seven or eight from them if they would please to send the like number or fewer of theirs whom they would endeavour equally to fit as formerly had been discovered with Command and Instructions from them as they hoped the Arch Dukes and King Philip would do the like to wit that the said Commissioner should with all possible speed expedite the business and that they would consider whether it were convenient to the matter in hand whether they would lengthen the Cessation of Arms for a Month or six weeks That they would be pleased it should be for the longer time if so the Arch Dukes thought fit to consent That the States would have the Legates to be such as the Arch Dukes were for the future hoped to be The meaning whereof was that only Netherlanders should be sent For the Arch Dukes first Letters whereby the States were moved to a Treaty clearly contained the same Nor was it a matter of small advantage to the Hollanders that the conclusions of peace should be weighed together by the principal men of their so wearily allyed Neighbours among whom as there was less fraud and craft and one common design of interest equal with them though not for liberty yet against forein oppression and tyranny which being foreseen by the Arch Dukes they on the other hand were as violent to the contrary and from the very beginning the Netherlandish Nobles had privily fostered the same design until it should as of necessity seem to be thrown not only upon them but the Commons also And lately Naya and Verreike when they were at the Hague were delayed some speeches being cast abroad whether the States would endure any forein Commissioners when the Spaniards Affairs were no less in Agitation than those of the Arch Duke But then their design failed of its effect yet at this time the Governours of Holland who were desirous of peace when either by conjecture or some private intimation that it was likely that Spinola himself the General of the War together with a Spanish Senator should be sent of whom Spinola was by some private means known to be inclinable to peace and esteeming it of little advantage by much discourse to the Counsel to breed further jealousies in suspicious minds they earnestly endeavoured that the States Letters should be written to Naya and Verreike wherein they should be desired That they would certainly inform them of the number and names of the Commissioners that so a fitting care might be taken for their Provisions and Entertainment In these Letters was a Schedule inclosed carelesly as if is had been a matter of no moment signifying That
Brother of Count Horn and John Marquess of Berghen op Zome glad of the Honour of their Embassie that they might clear themselves of the former and take themselves off from the future Troubles came to him who troubled every day with fresh Messengers and bad News diâ— often advise with the chief of those Spaniards who had been in the Netherlands and of the Senate there what was best to be done The Form of Laws wherein was contained that Ministers teaching Heretical Doctrine Receivers and Abettora of Conventicles and such as by their evil Examples had done great harm to the Publike should suffer Death either by the Halter or Sword and the rest either abjure their Errours or fly of which amendment and moderation was desired and transmitted from the States was altogether unpleasing because he was more careful of his own Dignity than fearful of any Danger in that he would not seem to be compelled by Threatnings to grant such things as were contrary to his Nature and Will But hitherto he seemed to bear therewith that the Authority of the Bishops might be well setled whose Duty it was if any Trouble should happen diligently to take care to prevent the same otherwise by the Pope's express Command they were not without Order to meddle further He refused to grant any Pardon without Examination of the Cause and unless he might with more Severity take notice of the Confederacy than those times would bear though formerly he would willingly have granted them more yet he promised they should partake both of his Presence and Climency But to call a General Meeting of the States though the Cities most faithful and Loyal to him desired the whole Netherlanders perswaded his Sister urged and without which it was almost impossible for him to keep his Government there he most obstinately denied rather commanding them to take Arms and the easier and more readily to raise an Army to take the Germans into present Pay Adding moreover That he doubted not but thâ—â— as his Father had often had Experience of the Fidelity of the Dutch Nobles so he should likewise find them ready and obedient to him desiring onely to put in Execution the Laws made by his Father For though any man may dissent in Opinion yet still the Decision and Judgment thereof is left to the Prince and Obedience onely to the Subjects But oâ— the contrary they had so brought it about that no Force could be raised by laying open the Poverty of the Treasuries and if there were any gotten together the Confederate Noble-man anticipated the same giving out also that Forreign Souldiers on all hands offered to serve under them Which Rumour as it was spread to terrifie the other Party so was it altogether dissonant to the Truth For they recheck the Haughty and Tyrannical Humour of Philip boasted that they had both the Strength and Wealth of some of their Neighbors who either in Point of Religion were of the same Mind with them or very little differing to assâ— them by which means they proceeded at Home both with greater Surety and Safety Now of those who denied the Authority of the Pope there were three sorts in the Netherlands the Anabaptists whereof many were in Frizeland and the Neighbouring Parts were not greatly to be feared by reason of their rashness and infinite Disorders amongst themselves as also because they did renounce both Magistracy and Arms But that Profession which received its Name from Luther and the Augustane Synod was maintained and upheld by the 〈◊〉 king and favour of many of the German Princes and a certain Form of Law Now because the Emperour Charles had taken these his Netherlands into the German League and thaâ— this Part had upheld the Majesty of his Empire there were that said that the Settlement of Religion was also included which may be easily answer'd thus That although the Netherlands might participate with Germany both in Tribute and Immunities yet it was very well known that for man Ages last past they were neither subject to their Laws noâ— the Decrees of their Synods Not much differing from this Doctrine there is another illustrated chiefly by the Ingenuity of Zuinglius and Calvin and now for some time growing up together with the Augustane unless it may be said of Religions that they are all made more subject to Obstinacy in Opinion or Singularity rather than Concord That to wit of Zuinglius part of Germany and Switzerland follow but the other of Calvin onely the famous City of Geneva within the Dukedom of Savoy allows of The same was also used in England different onely in the Retention of some of the antient Rites but the main and violent Followers of this Sect were in France nor did the rest come near them in number and therefore both those and these to wit Zuinglians and Calvinists judged this new Ordinance proposed by Philip no less cruel than he himself esteemed it mild There was too another Complaint that in stead of the desired Meetings of the States General the Judgments of the several Provinces were separately required and that too but partially not of all not after the accustomed manner In which Commotions while the Regent expected further Orders from the King and either to receive from him Souldiers or Money to levy Souldiers hoping Delays would blow over or else mitigate the greatness of the Danger behold on the contrary the Vulgar who till now had been frighted with the noise of Fire and Sword begin now to affright others They come out of their Corners and appear in publike they Celebrate their Devotions and preach after the new Mode as if they would publikely convince their Enemies of those Lies wherewith they had slandered their private Meetings Exiles also and such as had been persecuted onely for Religion of whom there were not a few even weary of their Lives joyned with Straglers and Fugitives from Monasteries So that now there did appear a Formidable Multitude and so great beyond Expectation that those who had frequented and used their Meetings could hardly believe the same This over-much assumed Liberty confirmed their Presumption for now if at any time they fear Danger they go Armed All which Rabble the Confederate Nobles receive into their Protection and arm them as the common Vogue was but that is not always infallible And not long after a great Sedition began of the Rascality of the People but by whose Instigation is uncertain wherein were seen many known Thieves This is not medling with Towns or Fields invades the Churches where onely the Altars and their Furnitures with the Shrines of Saints went to wrack resembling herein the like Commotions of the Jews and altogether imitating that Barbarous Tempest of Image-hateâ— that over-ran Greece for their Savage Rudeness did not abstain from the Persons of Priests and Religious Men but vented it self further on their Books and Sepulchres as if in this so suddain a Rebellion for other it cannot be called there
Nobles s certainly a goodly Company of Exceptions the Liberties also of Towns and Universities and whatsoever the Kings Treasury was indebted to any man being reserved to the Kings pleasure Now having thus laid aside all fear and shame the veâ— utmost intentions and designs of the Spaniards were laid â— pen in their open boastings for the bringing to passe therof that not onely the charges of the Government but if neâ— were Warre should be maintained at the charge of theâ— Provinces and to make this good Alva commands for thâ— present the hundreth part of all the Revenues of the people to be levyed which in it self was very grievous because â— was forcibly commanded by the Souldier which ought â— have been collected according to the Custom of the Country nor did he exempt the Priests from this payment afâ—ter this be takes the twentieth part of Lands and the tenth of all other thing whatsoever sold upon every alienation affirming to the Spaniards that it was necessary thus to tax the Netherlanders that they might the rather think themselveâ— bound in equity to obey being bound by the Law and coâ—quered by Arms and not otherwise capable of Pardon It may easily be imagined that these Impositions haâ— spoyled Merchandizing and broken the connexion of most Arts and Trades by the flight of so many so that the chiefeâ— support of the People was utterly gone for the profit accrewing by buying and selling of Wares using to be dispersed into severall Channels if so great a burden should be come to be a part of the price there would be no Chapmes found to buy when in another place they might have them so much cheaper And if any durst be so bold as to find streight they were seized on by Souldiers and most exquisitely punished Nay some Provinces and Cities being somewhat stubborn and self-willed were sometimes majestically summoned and questioned both what they had done themselves and what they had suffered others to do against the Kings Edicts being objected against them and though the madness of some private persons for the common cause were not compelled to their evill deeds yet were they sentenced that they should be out of the protection of the Law excluded from all publick Counsels and for the future be governed by no other Law than that of the Kings will Nay some were punished for appealing to the King and the intercessions of the Magistrates were restrained by a mulct which they should pay out of their own Estates upon forfeiture with the severity of which examples the rest being terrified did endeavour to redeem themselves from this infinite oppression with a certain sum of money And yet for all these so many and great afflictions the wrath of God was not yet appeased towards these people for their sins but as if the cruelty and avarice of men had not been sufficient for the persecution of a Land most flourishing and opulent both in Wealth and Inhabitants the Ocean breaking over its bounds with such an overflux as the like hath scarce ever been seen before by its inundation made one great slaughter of men and foretold another For this was the time in the small Punctillio whereof the basest of servitude and the highest point of liberty being divided by both names continued equall miseries and misfortunes And now anger suggesting unto the oppressed the desire to free or revenge themselves by Arms they were taught there was no concord so firm and stable as that which is contained within the Bond of private concerns And now that Nation which had so patiently seen her Citizens burnt her Governours slain her Laws Religion and Common-wealth almost to be violently taken away and devoured first consented to take vengeance for the former and to prevent and keep off thâ—se evills that immediately hâ—ng over their heads And so in the City of Bruxels though Alva himself were present and with a strong Guard did sternly exact the tenth yet every one shut up their Shops and Ware-houses scorning to own or confess their slavery though with the perill of their Heads Now were Gibbets and Hangmen prepared for the Rebels as they were termed when news came of the Commotions in Holland which I shall presently declare to you and put a stop to their cruelty The fury and indignation of the People increasing infused new Courage into the Prince of Aurange that he might once more try the fortune of Warre though yet his Confidence flagged till his Resolution became setled by considering that part of Philips Forces were imployed against the Turk and that Spain it self was yet scarce quiet from the disturbances and incursions of the Moors if therefore he could but get Arms himself would be Captain and he hoped through their dissentions he should be able to find or make a way 1571. To that purpose he sends choyce persons to all Princes that professed themselves Reformers of Religion praying them either publickly to take his part or at least to grant him private Ayds towards the support of the common Cause The Deaâ— and Swede positively deny him as fearing to cope with an Adversary more powerful than themselves not durst the Queen of England disturb her Neighbours greatness although the Pope had given Her over to be a prey and Alva for the Genoa Merchants money detained in England for present use and under assurance of repayment beginning a difference and bringing it almost to Pledges sought long agoe a Cause of Warre against that rich Island as was suspected and now lately when there were some troubles in the North part of that Kingdom he sent some to view the Ports that might if opportunity succeeded to his desires upon such occasion be leaders and without peradventure he was a great encourager of the Endeavours of the Queen of Scots against Elizabeth the knowledge of all which things were for the present so dissembled and Spain so far obliged that the Nassavian Messengers were commanded without any delay by a certain day to depart out of the English Territories But in France they who had laid aside the Rites of the Latine Church that they might give credit to the Peace they had were admitted into the Grace and favour of the King and therefore that they might be the better able to assist the Prince of Aurange they add fresh fire to â—e old Burgundian fuel repeating the Controversie that first â—ose in the Council of Trent between these Kings for priority of place urging also against Philip the poysoning of his Wife Elizabeth whose murder ought to be revenged and that he was in Honour obliged to the like for satisfaction of those French Subjects murdered by the Spaniards in Florida a Province of America which Counsel King Charles listning to with greedy ears would have to believe that he was sensible thereof another motive wherewith they enveighed him was upon the Marriage of his Sister agreed with the King of Navarre they gave him cause to think himself deceived therein It was
of them that refused to come by publick Judgement and Choyce he appointed other Substitutes There was a great scarcity of men that did either desiâ— or deserve these savours when most of them seeing the smallness of their strength or out of scruple of Conscience would endeavour to exempt themselves from these matterâ— which seemed to them troublesome and unsafe And thaâ— they might avoid the Odium of falling rashly from their obedience being underpropped by no allyance the name â— Phillip is used in all Cases though positively in opposition to Philips Commands Nor wanted they a President for this even from the Spaniards themselves who being beyond measure oppressed with Taxes when the Emperour Charles was gone into Germany opposed the Kings Deputies or Vâ—royâ—s By such and the like practices did the Germans at fâ— strengthen and associate themselves in the Smalcalde Leagy for the Cause of Religion After whom the French Nobility had by many Writings declared that inferior Magistrates did not falsifie their Allegiance when they fight foâ— the defence of Religion and the Laws and to Protect the lives of Innocents although therein they not onely disobey the Kings Command but resist his Person This did in some small measure help the Nassavians because they took Arms against Alva the King being absent which they would have let alone if he had been there But they who in defence of the Kings Power and Greatness boasted that they would lay down their lives were by a more fatall necessity compelled not onely to bear Arms but to fight many bloody Battels against the same Now were the Roman Ceremonies quite cast out of their Churches and who were of that Judgement were not easily admitted unto any great Offices or Imployments not that there was any Law against them but it was so ordered cut of common Prudence least they bearing a grudge to all that dissented from them might by that Licence probably disjoyn and seperate their own from the publick Cause and the Discipline which was taught at Geneva and here and there dispersedly in the Palatinate of Germany was publickly received and owned but with this difference that many of the same Religion vary in the toleration of divers things for the teachers in this say not onely that Cities and Magistrates were ordained of God for prevention of injuries either to mens Persons or Estates but that he commanded in what manner he would be worshipped but that saith it is enough to worship at large of which duty many being negligent had drawn upon themselves the punishments due for the impieties of other men But on the contrary those people judged it not onely fit to give them all ayd but all of the Religion voluntarily did abhorre the very name of the Laws of the Inquisition and from thenceforth did dispute that no man would willingly go astray neither could any man be forced to believe against his will And that a true opinion in matters of Religion was onely by God infused into the minds of men no devotion being acceptable to him but what is voluntary And that it hath been found true that erroneous opinions have not been stifled so well by force and humane Laws as eaten out by length and process of time Under these pretences and vizors not onely the publick Rites of Religion were despised without punishment but sometimes absurd and impious discourses would be published among these evills of too much liberty Now were the Tributes and Revenues of the Prince Priests and Monasteries together with the Estates of all such as were fled and lived in the Enemies Country and also all Prizes taken at Sea brought into a common Treasury for the publick use 1573. Then were found out the severall names of Taxes imposed on mens Heads and Estates then were invented exactions under the names of Loanes and Impositions laid even on those things which were consumed by use and all these increased more and more as the Warre grew more fierce They bore so great a spleen against Tyrannical Soveraignty that they had rather part with all then pay the Tenth before spoken of There was also found out a new way of gaining from the Enemy which by selling Licences that Provisions and other Commodities might be transported and this profitable Custom is used yet both publickly and privately and though many times forbidden yet never left off There was somewhat also payd out of Merchandizes for Ships of Convoy when Merchants Ships were attended at Sea for their security by Ships of Warre All these things thus setled the lack of money notwithstanding was the main matter because the Spaniards might make incursions into the Hollanders Country first by Vtrecht and Amsterdam and then through Narde for that is the way â—ut of Gellerland Most matters were atchieved by the valour and industry of the Citizens not by hired and forraign Souldiers for there was hardly Provision enough for those already in Service The Captains were yet not skilled in managing their Men and the Men were untoward to be commanded This onely helped them that they had as much skill in the assaulting and taking of Towns as their Enemy Hence it proceeded that Sieges became so long and the main force they used was to starve the Enemy out till by many slaughters and wounds they became more expert having out of each others blood learned perfectly the art of Warre Great was the over-sight of Alva that he did not bend all his force against Zeland in the instant while all things were discomposed and out of order but he was frighted by them as being ignorant of the way of such fights The Spanish Army lay seven moneths about Harlem a City of Holland loosing many thousands of their men as well by the sharpness of the Winter as by the Sword and that time both strengthned and confirmed the minds of men and the State of Affairs and though by a long Siege yet at last after a late and unhappy relief the besieged fell into the cruel hands of their enemies a great part of whom they either hanged or drowned But by this it appeared that it was impossible to overcome them who had been so long getting a Victory and least their Successes should have gone on while the amazement for the late loss continued their own dissertions put an obstacle in the way by a mutiny for want of pay which was an unavoydable evill in those parts though in wages under a most wealthy King By the sufferings and punishments of the Inhabitants of Harlem the Peoples rage was again set on fire in which fury Alemar a Town of Holland lying to the North first made a breach upon the Spaniards strength by beating them off from their Siege and afterwards they received more comforts in their misery for the Nassavians took Gâ—eretruydenburgh by force a Town of Holland extending it self to Brabant and Bossu himself with his whole Fleet was taken while both at Sea and Land he daily did infest West-Frizeland with
at hoâ—e and therefore the more desirous to augment both their Fame and Wealth by forraign Service and acquisitions Francis who was of a disposition not to be despised but altogether unrestful in spirit offered himself to be their Generall in the Warre which was said in France to be for the restoring of liberty against the wrongs and oppressions of the Court and for the settlement of Religion in peace which he did either out of hatred to his Brother who though weak and barren yet kept the Kingdom or else he was an Instrument of his Mothers subtilty for averting the feuds of parties and surely he might have gained the love of the People very much in the supporting that Cause and would upon a Peace made have had most ample possessions But he becoming the Minister of anothers cruelty in a short time soyled all his Renown by turning his Arms upon his Allyes About which 〈◊〉 Margaret of Valoyes the King of Navarres Wife that she might be clear of the Warres of her Husband and her Brother and veyling the desire of her absence with the pretence of going to the Waters at the Spaw as she passed by Cambray and Moniz taking hold of opportunity She highly commended the Duke of Anjou in those two strong places that differed not much either in Customs or Speech from the French and very little in Religion But Casimire who had at that time been a great support to the party of Navarre remitted the Agreement that privately had been made with him thereby giving the testimony of a just and Religious mind The Common-wealth like an indigested Chaos was now on every side in confusion nor was there any Symmetry in its parts while each one catches at the Government as if it were void and in the prosecuting thereof steer a severall way And truly the main use of Arms by all was against a Kingdom but some praised the Principality and Laws others admired and preferred their forces before those of the Venetian or Switzerland without any consideration of their inequality or disproportion And thus under the name of Noblemen they distracted and tore in pieces the Government or else because they fell short of others in dignity the Plâ—beyan strength also approaching stirred up the vulgar by words whereby becoming unruly and not to be led their suspicions egged them to cruelty so that nothing would content them but free liberty without any exception within and without abroad and at home there was nothing but faction and sedition Nor by this was the Warre lossened onely it was delayed and not vehement enough for the time because the Armies were ordered according to severall Opinions Amsterdam which as we told you was one of the greatest Cities in Holland and had not stood up for liberty as the rest was then much favoured because it inclined to Don John But because the Nassavians had environed and in a maner besieged that City and in regâ—d there was no hope of relief in a long time they came to Articles whereby all that were banished for Religion were restored to their Country but they should not have the exercise thereof within the Walls But when the men of the Roman Opinion who wavered in the performance of their promises seemed sometimes as if they would become enemies again the Exiles driving out the Magistrates and all those that praesided Religion enjoyed all in publick The same at divers times and for the like causes almost happened in divers other Towns of Holland as at Vtrecht and Harlâ—m taking occasion by their breach of Faith from Magistrates instructed in this that whatever they approved should never be contradicted by the City which among themselves was very conducing to concord among them but was offensive to the stomacks of their fellows who adhering to the Pope suspected that strength would suppress them John of Nassau had the Government of Gueldres the Prince of Aurange appointing him to that charge that so he might stand the more strongly guarded But in Frizeland whereof Rennerberge then was made Governour the old Dissentions of Groningen City and the Country adjacent began anew to flame for the carrying forth of their Reveâ—ues though for the maintaining their Peace questionable if not with the Governours Desire that he might the more surely Command The Commons of the City bound the Deputies of the adverse Party to themselves and the same after both Sides bad shewed their Valour in their privnte Darings came off Victor However all Prisoners taken were set at Liberty yet did Animosities remain untill they came to be intermingled in the Publike Contention although both Matthias and the Prince of Aurange interposed to settle them Rennerberg also commanded some of the Senators of Frizeland to be removed and diligently watched who had shewed themselves well pleased at the Spanish Victory and substituted others in their Room the like also he did by the Bishop of Leuwarden For these Merits and good Works he is chosen Captain particularly for the Ruling and subjecting Over-Issel for the German Souldiers hired by Don John held both Campen and Daventry both which Cities were soon after yielded But the Army staying something longer at Daventry Casimire came to them with a fresh Recruit of Eight Thousand Foot and almost as many Horse For the Queen of England instead of the Money she did promise sent Souldiers whose Number he of his own free Will increased as if he had been obliged Which the Chiefrains of the Romane Religion looked upon as very ominous and therefore they forthwith laboured by all means to intreat and win Francis of Valois to be the Head of their Sect which the Prince of Aurange as well as others saw but would seem to take no Notice thereof because they would not draw new Suspitions upon themselves Wherefore Francis by the Decree of the States is named The Defender of the Belgick Liberty And moreover Provision was made for Imbursement of all Charges by giving to him as a Reward or Gratuity of their Alliance whatever Towns the Enemy held beyond the Maze While these things are doing and the Inferiour differ about Fancies in Religion and the Great Ones quarrel about Realities in Dominion the Followers of the Innovated Religion obtain a Power very safe to themselves but hazardous to the Commonwealth for the Right of Ruling being in the hands of many there was no higher Power to restrain or keep under particular Animosities and Feuds They Petition Matthias and the Prince of Aurange who was not ignorant thereof before wherein they set forth That they never having been Servants to Tyranny but rather Marks for the Cruelty of the Spaniards who had designed the Ruine of the Commonwealth by robbing her of the best part of her Citizens were not more maligned by her Enemies abroad Though they had this most certain Pledge of their Faith that their onely hope rested in the Publike Safety for if the old Ceremonies should return as the rest of the People can expect
nothing but Penury and Slavery so they are sure to have no other pity than that of Torments Fire and Death Meritedly therefore they desire an equal share of Liberty since nothing can be by them expected from a Kingdom but Tyranny They looked not after rich Benefices and ample Revenues but were content others should enjoy them onely they begged they might not be banished both from the Church and Court as profane Persons That they never were Apostates either in their Piety towards God or their Fidelity towards their Country Some doubt there was a while how to Resolve but at last praising the Examples of Germany and Poland agreeing many old Customs it was concluded by the Counsell of those who had put forward these things That it was very necessary for the maintaining of Unity and Concord that these just Desires should not be rejected for they could not have an Army of any value or strength but it must chiefly consist of them and they found by Experiment that no Persons might be with 〈◊〉 safety trusted with the care and management of Affairs that they In this Vicissitude of Affairs it came to pass that several of the Romane Opinion especially those who took to them selves the Names of Jesuits could not be drawn to takeâ— Oath against Dan John and no small part whose hope maâ— depended upon the King's Success voluntarily defend them But many of the Magistrates though so instructed â— if they had fore-seen the Rising Authority of that Side embraced that Form of Worship which the Nassanians helds And for these Causes Honours were communicative to them and in some places no less than a hundred Families desired they might have by Command places see apart for theâ— Publike Worship on the same Condition That the like should be granted to those who preferred the Doctrine of the Latin Church through Holland and Zealand which yet was never affected The things which followed after this are not to â— passed by without Compassion or a sad Remembrance Such Commotions such Hatreds and such Troubles one still following another For as the Romanists would grant nothing at all to the other so they not satisfied so much now with their Impunity and privacy upon their own private account took by force the Administration of the Law from the more violent and stubborn Magistrates and after they had therein prevailed they began to look at Revenge So that they whâ— but lately wished ill to the Spaniard now of a suddain joâ— both their Purses and Counsels against them Citizens now against Citizens standing armed in the very Cities which being free from their Publike Enemies they endeavoured â— drive away their private Adversaries there was not mâ— need here of the Souldier his help being onely necessary preserve Domestick Peace And as they which labour of a Deadly Disease for the most part despise all Remedies â— here they who were Lovers and Promoters of Peace and and Concord were on all hands hated by these strong Promoters of Sedition And indeed they ought to have studied nothing but Patience to see such persons by whom the common Plague of this Age was scattered into both Parties and the Names of all things inverted So that a blind and perverse Obstinacy in Discord was called a Holy Zeal and Modesty and meekness of Mind Sloth nay sometimes Treason The People of Gaunt now grown to that heighth of Licentiousness that they could not hope for Pardon or Impunity but from the monstrous Greatness of their Villany being still egg'd on further by that Boutefeu Imbis who had crept up into Power by a Thredbare Journey formerly to openly detract the Government They protest they will no longer so much as see those Romane Superstitions that have invented so many Wickednesses and Cruelties not that the Authors or Fomenters of the Sedition esteemed much of any Religion for they would raise Tumults under the pretence of both but onely they preferr'd Novelties before things received from Antiquity and their own Fancies before any Truth that could be taught them and having by chance convicted some Monks of detestable Sensualities first they expelled that Order yet groaning under the Weight of their fresh Malice and furious Hatred and afterwards all Priests Then being conscious to themselves of what they had begun they begin to fortifie their City with strong Bulwarks and Rampires which being of a vast compass equal almost to the greatest Cities was not totally inhabited for having been often besieged and fearing the like again from the vileness of their Action in time to come they inclosed many Fields within their Works or Wâ—ll And the more their Fortification proceeded and came nearer the finishing so much less they did hearken to the Commands either of Matthias or the States or take notice of their vain objecting their Crimes against them seeking backward still for new Pretences out of those very things which they had stirred â— against themselves Neither could the Prince of Aurange's Authority any whit prevail with them though by his Intercession the same People of Gaunt had obtained again their Antient Laws which they had before forfeited by a Rebellion against the Emperour Charles But the Mischief rather increased and spread into other Cities of Flanders On the contrary those of Artoys and Henault were more constant and stedfast to the Romane Religion for most of them were of that Judgment And the Lords being averse to the Prince of Aurange with a kind of civil Objuration refused to hear of the New Law for they said that it was specified in the League that nothing should be altered in Religion while the We continued Some did advise that the City of Gaunt being by this Sedition lyable to Treachery should by War be compelled to Obedience But neither the Prince of Aurange nor several other of the Nobles would consent to that to turn theâ— Arms or Forces against Citizens how ill deserving soever while the Spaniard their Enemy with a powerful Army lay almost in the middle of their Country for that indeed were to make good that which some of the wisest of their Enemies had fore-told of them that their own Discord wâ— destroy them But while it was dangerous to inforce them they slighted all Commands Counsels and Intreaties looking upon them onely as predetermined Malice At this tiâ— Bossis whom we formerly mention'd to have been taken in the Sea of Frizeland when he commanded the scatter'd Remains of Holland under Alva was General of the greâ— Army of the Netherlanders the States having taken that Honour from Lalain because at the unhappy Battel of Geâ— he forsook the Camp without their Leave or Commandment The Viscount of Gaunt was Commander in Chief of the Horse Lanove who had won great Renown in the Civil Wars of France was Camp-Master General Don John assaulted their Camp scituate not far from Mechlin at a Village called Rimenen and was onely Repulsed there being as many both believed and said a great Errour committed
to the War in regard it was so near Neighbour to Antwerp In the mean time also were some small Skirmishes with little Advantage to either side and not a few English turning Renegades and being contemned by the Spaniard were a good Example to teach others to be faithful to that Party under whom they first served Anon Verdugo was forced to leave Lochem a little Toâ— in Geldars not far from Zutphen which he endeavoured â— win by starving because while he was about it it was thâ—i relieved with fresh Provisions but presently won Steâ— which before had cost so many Lives without any danger by the help of Night and the Townsmens Folly At the time Philip having Valois his Opposit thought he now waâ—ed more strength and care than heretofore and therefore sends to Parma a Recruit of Spanish and Italian Souldiers nor durst any be so bold as to contradict the same notwithstanding the Artoysian Treaty and Agreements averring Thâ— in that Treaty the Obedience of the whole Netherlands was intended of which hope he being defrauded the Bond of the Obligation ceased together with the Cause The Summe of this Army upon Muster was Threescore Thousand Foot Four Thousand of whom would make good Horsemen and these Number remain or rather are increased to this very time whâ—â— Monthly Pay amounted to or rather was supposed to exceâ— Seven Hundred Thousand Florens and that the other Charge of the War came to no less than half as much That therefore Philip sent thither every year over and above the Tributes there raised above Twenty Hundred Thousand so much was consumed by the Spaniard upon the Netherlanders And that no more Money should be carryed over thither they who feared bad Success by the ill Carriage of Affairs there were believed to have hindred it On the other side the States that they might win fame to their new Commonwealth by great and noble beginnings advanced their Yearly Pensions and Tributes which were at present but Four and Twenty to Fourty Hundred Thousand with which Money they raised Souldiers and then had in Arms under the Conduct of Francis of Valois besides Netherlanders French Germans English and Scots The Forces on both sides were very strong but the greatest part of them lay in Garrisons because there being no determined Bounds they were as the Fortune of War required put into Towns which many times even joyned one to another but still kept their Opposition Hitherto Valois hoped for Succours from his Brother for the wasting of those Riches against or for which the Kings of France had for the space of Two Hundred years contested by War to suffering of much hardship yes to the loss of their Bloud and now by Conditions of Peace had made their Enemy equal to themselves But the King himself had no mind openly to denounce War nor privily to send the expected Forces although his Mother Medices had assailed and disturbed the possession of the Portugal Sea And the truth is Philip had prevented him having purchased a means to make Debate wherewith he might perturb the then peaceable Estate of France The stronger Party therefore did openly possess the King with fear advising withall That he should turn his strength against none but the Enemies of the Romane Religion another Party being politickly deceitful under pretence of more wise Counsel denyed that it was â—ther just or profitable for the King who was yet not satisfied iâ— his Successor to exhaust and consume his Treasure for the use of strangers but that he should rather leave both the Netherlanders and the Duke himself too to their poverty untill being drawn dry they would fall from their Capitulations and Contests for Government and submit themselves to the Laws as for the Spaniard though he could not be conquered by others yet he might in good time be overcome by a Neighbour Kingdom These were the Counsels but indeed the King was of his own nature averse to his Brother not that he was offended by him but rather had offended him and mindfull that he had once committed him to hard and close Custody more out of suspition than for any Crimes This cast the Duke head-long upon Counsels dangerous and full of desperation and fatall both to himself and the Netherlanders for when he perceived that they would easily set him at naught since he could not perform with them in the promised ayds and that he was burdened with an 〈◊〉 profitable Principality not forgetting that he ruled onely â— pleasure and that afterward that he was restrained and kept under by the Laws and Authorities of others which is very grievous to them that have been bred in a Kingdom having divers times desired an alteration of the same but not obtaining it he resolves to erect a peculiar power by force and to that end assigns the Towns of Flanders to be possessed and held by the most trusty Garrisons of his Captains Anwerp he takes to himself as the biggest City and that which most favoured the Prince of Aurange to whom he knew he did owe a part of his power by an implicit agreement and where the Deputies of the States were present who were the impediments of his greatness 1583. It is probable the main inciters to this rashness were not onely some secret spies that held Intelligence with the Enemy having their Faith corrupted by moâ—â—â— who offered to the Duke an unquestionable right of Dominion by a Spanish Marriage but also the Frenchmen who pâ—oposed to themselves the ransacking of Cities or greâ—â— Booty Honours which by the Laws they were cebarred â— of which covetousness there are as many Nations found guilty as the Netherlanders had Allyes or Confederates The success answered the Design where the French Garrisons were prevalent and Veward Dendremunde Dixmayâ— and Dunkirk a Sea-cost Town of Flanders excellently seated for French Trassique were taken At Bruges bâ—â— the old and new Governours were outwitted by the extraordinary and most politick ingenuity of the Magistrates wâ— desiring under pretence of consultation the Captains and Leaders to go to the Town-house there kept and detaineâ— them till they had by their Letters Commanded the Souldiers to march out from thence which they for fear of the Armed multitude without grudging did accordingly The danger of Antwerp was greater though some Signs of the bloody event burst forth and with a dissembled suspition of somewhat he did as much as he could hide the concourse of his People from the Prince of Aurange and the Governours of the Town There was the Army both of French and Switzers assembled that the Fort of Endouen being left and the Enemy fled the whole possession of Brabant might be regained To these the Duke going out under the very Walls as if to number them with his Customary Retinue onely about him he Commands the Watches immediately to be killed and the Ports to be set up and seized that so the rest of his Army might have the easier entrance And now seventeen
the Enemy conferring nothing more of strength to their Party than that of his Sons whom he compelled to Revolt with him though not intangled or sullied with his Crimes nor insensible of their Honours Now was the state of Flanders very miserable Ipre was Besieged by Parma The Gauntoys had recalled Imbis for no other Reason than to revive old Enmities and conteâ— with the Prince of Aurange and the French who eft-sorts attaining the prime Degree of Magistracy by some pests ferous and turbulent Predicators did unsettle the Minds of the Vulgar The City of Bruges now Flanders was all in Combustion had chosen for their Governour Charles of Cimaca He was the Son of Areschot and diveâ—s times had charged Parties out of Fortune afterwards forsaking his Father in a voluntary Exile he professed to follow the New Religion and seemed most vehement therein meerly to hide his Dissimulation By these Subtilties creeping into the thoughts of those that interpreted the holy Scriptures to the People he deluded the simplicity of such as were not very circumspect but well meaning men and by them was wrought into the affections of the vulgar Now this Charles held no lesse Correspondence and private Intelligence with the Romanists than Imbis did though openly both of them imprison some of them and not let them so much as come together In the Interim they had so obliged another part of the People to them by a faigned zeal in Religion that whoever did but suspect or sinistrously interpret any of their actions was sure to incur a generall hatred These were the two who undertook to betray into the enemies hand all Flanders a most noble Province and then strengthned with so many Cities And first that they might take the necessity of recalling the French they began to talk of Casimire Truxius making a League with Germany not that there did any such hopes appear but that by the losse of time being left remediless there should remain nothing to be done but to submit Thus these Commanders of Peace first had onely licence to parley but afterwards they had Authority to conclude but they had so ordered their business and informed the People as if a Peace had been made not with the Duke of Parma and the Spaniards but with the Netherlandish Cities which had revolted for that bayt was more popular and easie to be swallowed adding moreover that the King was satisfied therewith and content with that obedience which was due to him would not rob God but leave to him all things Divine Now are both Books and speeches cast up and down stuffed with bitter railings against the French and others who had so long consumed as well the private as publike Wealth of the Netherlanders in so unequall a Dispute That now they had no Forces nor the hope of any allyance or ayd from abroad and the Victorious Armies of a most potent King had in a manner inclosed them round That now it was manifest that God was displeased to have Religion profaned with blood and that the use of Divine Mysteries should be maintained by force and slaughters That certainly the Primitive Christians lived peaceably under the Government of profane Princes even in the greatest persecutions as a strict Command laid by God upon them and when he thought fit to alter their Condition He took away their Princes but never allowed a Sword in their Hand to remove them That when the power of Warre and Peace was once given to Princes there was nothing left to the Subjects but Patience and their Prayers Nay that Piety it self did rather chuse to strengthen it self by Persecution than weaken it self by Licutiousness Did there many suffer Death by Law under the Emperour Charles and Ring Philip How many more have perished now by the Sword And surely they are most happy who dyed not in their sinne In the Fury of Citizens there is no distinction all are alike miserable as wel they who do such things as they who suffer them To an Understanding Spectator there will not appear to be the Causes of a War as they are called but the Ambition of a few who by Domestick Dangers have exposed their Country to Ruine The Duke of Parma observing all these Occurrences takes Time by the Fore-lock and besieging Ipre with strong Bulwarks and Forts that it might want the fewer Forces be sends his Army under the Leading of the Viscount of Gaâ—â— and Montigny into the North part of Flanders that he might confirm the Minds of the Netherlandish Lords already inclining towards him and that they who would not come in of their own accord might be forced to Submission all hopes of Relief or Assistance being utterly taken away from them There is in the furthest part of Flanders which the there undivided River Scheld divides from Brabant and afterwards separated by a Cut or Drain of the same from Beveland a Southerly Isle of Zeland and inclosed with the Bending thereof a place called the Waese which then Steland Governed of the same Mind towards his Country with Areschots Son Charles and Imbisius Hither when the Captains of the King's Army were arrived the Governours forthwith deliver to them all the whole Region together with the Towns of Hulst and Axel and the Castle of Rupelmund famous in Antient Histories of Flanders The Original of this Castle 's Name was taken from the little River called Rupell that runneth into the Schelde and whence not far off upon the other Bank stands Antwerp A little more inwardly is Alost seated to the Garrison Souldiers whereof a pretty Sum of Money being due for their Pay being Forreign Souldiers out of England and neglected to be given to them by the Flandrians they were sollicited as Souldiers by the Enemies strength their own penury and the Example of their Neighbors to surrender which not long after was done But the Brabanders and Zelanders presently threw down their Banks and Cawseyes to let out the River Schelde and beyond it to Repair and Fortifie Castles and Forts to defend their side of the Banks or Shore and to offend their Enemies on the other side 1584. In the mean time the Duke of Parma's Captains that they might the better be able to blow up into a flame the Sedition of those two potent Cities pitched their Camp between Gaunt and Bruges stopping up all Passages by Water to hinder Commerce Wherefore the Romanists on both sides and divers others who adhered to the Spaniards under the Name of Peace either out of Design or Simplicity no longer mutter'd or sought private Meetings but being backed with great and publike Authority endeavoured to draw all to their Opinion some by perswasions others by fear At last these by the departure of the rest prevailed at Bruges and the Lord of Cimace Areschots Son broke out at the same time which as soon as the Prince of Aurange had received Information of from the Magistrates that continued faithful he laboured that he might be suddainly
much intention break in by War upon those Discording Provinces A great Design against England had taken his Thoughts and Endeavours it being accounted a more noble and less difficult Enterprise Most of the great Souldiers who had fought for the King of Spain looked upon that Island as the amends of their Merits and the Reward of their Labours and as it was near to France and Germany upon occasion of War so the Counsel was That being a Transmarine Kingdom it should be gotten by War But these Counsellors every one by his own Fortune or by Death hindred at this time as it were by the Justice of Revenge after a League concluded Aid sent openly to the Rebels in Ireland A great Fleet was prepared in Spain against the next Summer The Duke of Parma prepared all his Garrisons against that time to man it and so far did his hopeful Imaginations carry him that he concluded this English Expedition would be a worthy Catastrophe of his Ten Years Victories and make his Name equal in the Register of Honour with those of the most famous Emperours But the Spaniard endeavoured to stifle the Rumour of this imminent Danger with the Noise of a pretended Peace For the composing whereof the Dane as a Mediator came to propound Mediums and Cains Ransovius sent to the Duke of Parma whom the Souldiers of Holland intercepted by the way as he passed with a Warlike Train and not distinguishable among those that fought But the King adjudging that they wittingly had contrary to the Laws of Nations violated his Ambassador and chiefly because his Letters were broke open took so sharp a Revenge that he laid an Arrestâ— Restraint upon seven hundred ships that were passing backward and forward in Trade for Corn by which means â— the people then living in these parts were wonderfully terrified with the fear of Famine having never before by any like Example been disturbed But this Scarcity was helped by necessary Counsel that French and English Vessels coming from the same Seas should go to the Ports and Markers of Holland Thus was that Danger escaped onely with the Expence of some Money forced from them by the Danes which notwithstanding and for that the King would not vouchsafe to give Audience to the Embassadors sent to him stuck highly in the Stomachs of many who thought it very hard that the Lesser Dominions should still be obnoxious to Damage at the will and pleasure of the greater While these things were doing there there was likewise a kind of Treâ—y with the English in King Philip's Name because the Queen was looked upon as the onely Support of all the Low-Country Affairs to this purpose That all Jealousies and Fears should be thrown away in the laying down of Arms if the Provinces which had Rebelled would return to their pristine Obedience Thâ— as she took off all things concerning Religion in England so in the Netherlands Religion should be ordered according to the Mind of the Spaniard though there had been taught a pernicious Doctrine that Matters relating to Religion were to be determined by other Judges than Princes This proposed Pacification was listned to by Queen Elizabeth with no less Subtilty than it was offered chiefly aiming that by this Pretext of Compounding Business she might spin away and divert the time of danger for she now had Intelligence of the Fleet. And dissembling her Fear she onely pretended a pious desire of Peace and Commerce among and with the Provinces and to that end sending some so instructed out of England to command the Hollanders that they should without any murmuring hearken thereto and that they would draw upon themselves so great Envy as to be esteemed by their cruel Obstinacy the Authors of perpetual War and Bloud-shed But they revolved with themselves and a fresh remembred all the Treachery Blandishments of the Spaniard for what Event had the Treaty with Requesens but that all the Forts being taken the more considerable Cities might the easilyer be besieged At the Pacification at Colen how was the hopes of a reall Peace blasted by solliciting so many Provinces to Revolt and so was Flanders by the like kind of Colloquies betraid And at last the Enemy got so much Recruit of strength while he fallaciously promised Tolleration of Religion that now he dares absolutely deny it Now to speak of Peace when there were such Civil Discords among the Citizens were just to strike their Arms out of their Hands that others might as they saw convenient submit to what they pleased but let heed be taken that they used not more hast than good speed And though things might be composed upon equal Terms yet neither the League made at Gaunt nor John's Treachery could be forgotten That to Kings whom the Bishops of Rome would dispence with or absolves from the Sacred Tye of an Oath every Covenant made with Subjects would be reckoned all one as a Victory And there would never be wanting men that would seek to raise themselves and their Fortunes by the slavery of their Country And in these things every one openly as doubtful spent the time because they saw she perswaded to Peace that might compell And as often as the Queen perswaded them not to delay they beseeched her That she would not cast off that Cause of God and Men and leave Threescore Cities and a People ready if their present Treasure were not enough to increase the Publike Stock with their private Wealth a Prey to the Malice and Avarice of the Treacherous Spaniard Hereupon the Cities unanimously agreed for this Consultation was related to every particular City That no Embassador should be sent to the Enemy Onely the Queen Winter growing on apace sent into Flanders to make if she could a Peace though not suitable to her Wishes Here while they discourse of the place of the meeing and of their Commissions the English asking a Truce the Duke of Parma defiying Three Moneths are elapsed Queen Elizabeth demanded for the Netherlanders Pardon their Antient Laws and Governments of their Cities for her Self the continuance of the Old Leagues the Re-imbursement of all her Charges and Security for the same the Souldiers on both sides being disbanded But as to Religion and the Form of Worship she moved so faintly as if she would seem not to meddle therewith For now she was come to this That she onely desired two years for the performance of her Demands As to the Towns which the English held either by Covenant or other Occasions she refused not to deliver them upon the Receipt of her Châ—rges The Spaniards while they utterly deny any Tolleration of Religion and will have all Affairs of the Netherlands left to King Philip's pleasure objecting instead of payment of the English Disbursements That thereby the English had been the cause to them of greater Expence and as they extenuate that they amplifying other Things did now appear plainly to the World that though they sought a Treaty yet they
to the question on if an Army should be prepared against these Rebels who so arrogantly slighted the Commands and Authority both of the States and of Prince Maurice Some would not have the Souldier to be further incensed with danger alleadging time and opportunity would better cure such distempers whose violence cannot long continue On the other side it was affirmed that they made a mockery at patience and lenity and should they stay till the enemy with whom even then they privately treated was admitted openly into the Town if Pardon were offered to them with terrour attending it as it would encourage the good so would it compel the rest to repent Thus of late Medeâ—leks was restored by the penitence of the Souldiery after the Enemy had long hoped for it with a fruitless expectation It matters not said others which course is taken to save the place for men resolved to be treacherous would still continue in the same mind whether you leave them to themselves or seek to win them by perswasions Wherefore it the beginning of the Spring Prince Maurice gathered together as many Forces as he could both by Sea and Land though not sufficient for a Siege and with them marches thitherward At the first approach a battery was made against the Town with Cannon which was answered with the like by the Rebels little being then done but that among the rest Justus Villiers was killed who was a great Souldier formerly Governour of Vtrecht and now Camp-master and the Person that had instructed the Princes youth in Military Discipline and all Warlike Affairs And when they perceived the Prince intended to storm the place forthwith having now beaten down the Bulwark and laid open the Town they diverted that eminent danger and turned it aside under the cloak of a Treaty and the day following what with the overflowing of the Rivers and what with the Rayn the intended agreement was never perfected Besides there was news that Lanzavecchia with a select number of Souldiers was approaching at the instigation of Wingfield nor did that Englishman want words to perswade the accomplishment of the Treason But calling the people together speaks to them to this effect Yon see them here saith he whose Bullets and fire never were thrown with like fury against the Walls of an Enemy and therefore have been so much more dangerous to as and now they threaten as presently with the Sword and we all as enemies by their unanimous consent are designed either to slaughter or punishment But yonder are they who come to preserve us from whom we many merit both favour and reward It is noâ— is your hand fellow Souldiers whether to run the hazard of yielding to the one or to give and receive a benefit from the others This Oration was applauded generally they who were near with their words and the rest with a kind of soft and whispering noyse signifying their consent Prince Maurice being not prepared for a long Siege resolved to depart and the rather because he would not seem to necessitate that treacherous yielding of the Town to the Enemy which he could not prevent or hinder But yet he sent Letters to them to try if either respect of honesty or fear of Infamy could yet prevail on any of them But that mercinary People received them with scorn especially for that the Duke of Parma had besides payment of their so long elapsed Wages bestowed among them also a Donative It is reported that then he began to clear up his countenance which had been long clouded with grief whâ— from a high Tower in the taken City he could see Dort and those other places of his hope at the beginning of the Waâ— It pleased him to look upon and Command the first of all the Holland Cities after 12. years reduced into his power And such was the over-hastiness of his exaltation that theâ— being yet none of his Souldiers entred the Town he trusted his person to them whom of all other being admitted â— ought for that very cause to have suspected and some wâ— in very great fear lest taking hold of so great an opportunity they should again have proved treacherous to him Be there was no time to mention such a thing and therefore 〈◊〉 have been dangerous to be spoken of They delivered the Town to him not to his party least they should deceive both Few of the men either returned to England or their old obedience though some did but the rest according to their number as the Duke of Parma had seperated them did very great service in the Warres never assuming to themselves any but in Victory for being prescribed as Traytors and Renegadoes they had forfeited all their priviledges of Souldiers by their crimes Nay their villany was condemned by those who reâ—ped the benefit of their Treason by whom they were long after yeered with the name of Merchants scarce any of them coming to a naturall and timely death and if so yet not without Infamy Many were afterwards taken in other Cities and according to Martial Law executed The Souldiery to whom the Duke of Parma delivered the possession of the City made many valiant excursions and severall times in a short space fought very fortunately surprizing three Troops of Prince Maurices Horse as they were negligently scattered up and down near Boisledue From hence it appeared very necessary to take in all the adjacent places and accordingly the care thereof was committed to the inferiour Commanders Besides Gertruydenburg there are two other Towns belonging to the jurisdiction of Holland and lye now beyond the Maes But Hesdin formerly was contained in the Maesâ— before the waters were conveighed away by a new Channel reputed a part of the antient County of Teisterbant under the Allegiance and Patronage of the Princes of Clâ—ve who afterwards transferred their might to the Hollander But the Town of Settenberg of old part of Strideâ—land it is seperated by a River and therefore as to the matters of Religion it is under the care of the Bishop of Leige nor of the Bishop of Vtrecht as the rest of Holland is It had proper Princes of its own yet so as they were to do homage to the Princes of Holland and severall Villages above Gertruydenburgh have very antiently been subject to them is having been the Custom of valiant Nations when they conquer to passe the next River and make the further Banks thereof the bounds of their Empire notwithstanding all which the Brâ—banters have a long time but to no purpose challenged both Gertruydenburgh and Hesdin to belong to them But now Count Aremberg with ease prevailed over Settenberg being very meanly fortifyed and so the more ready to be spoyled by any Armies but he could not keep it because the Hollanders were in possession of Nordam and the other adjacent places Charles Mansfelt being sent against Hesdin attempted also Bommel the head of the adjoyning Isle and encompassed with double branches of the Maes and Wael there meeting
own him But when he declared himself a Catholike the face of Affairs were on a sudden very much changed for the fault of the defection from and aversion to the Kings Name and Title was wholly call on the other yet was not Philip terrified by this example but that he now assisted the Duke of Guise his Brother who made use of a double pretence of Piety not in private but in the view of the whole World not that he so loved him but that he might keep involved in discords that Kingdom which lying between him and the Low-Countries had formerly been very dangerous and troublesome to him and if his designs were crowned with success he would commit the same to some one of his own Allyance with a fiduciary Power And the Reason by him pretended for this was because he marryed Isabella the Daughter of Henry the Second King of France by whom he had a Daughter a Person most fit to govern that Kingdom either in regard to her Fathers Merits or her Mothers Blood and so much the rather because the Dukedom of Bretaigne as severall other Principalities of France were known to have been fortunately ruled by a Woman's hand On the other side the Duke of Savoy the Spaniard's Son in Law enlarged his Borders to the very opening of the Alps The Queen of England being informed by a particular Envoy that the Duke of Parma had sent Lamot into France with an Army both of Horse and Foot forthwith ordered a supply of mony to the King of France together with four thousand English Souldiers Neither were the States of the United Provinces backwards in granting him Assistance for first they sent Ships with Provisions and all other necessary Munitions for War then adding thereto mony far more liberally than the present exigencies of their Affairs would permit and this only in hope of a future benefit It was certainly a noble and an honourable act and that raised an emulation towards their moderated Liberty that they having so newly erected themselves into a Commonwealth should yet by their Riches support and help a Kingdom the success thereof proving no less advantagious to the French than distructive to their Enemies while the Walloons Country to whom formerly they committed their cause lying open and exposed to the mischief of War was equally damnifyed whether assaulted by the French or their own Souldiers Afterwards the Spanish Forces France putting a stop to their victorious times lay open to the Hollander who for eight years together increased their Treasury enlarged their bounds and augmented their Armies untill the Bourbonian by his own vertue and valour waded through all the threatning billows raised against him by his obstinate adversaries and himself at last becoming a Catholike brought under his subjection all parties rather laying aside his Arms than the memory of that Pristine League It seems here very convenient now we are relating the French Affairs to search as far as humane Reason can direct us how the Belgick troubles having the like beginnings should yet have so different a Progress For a Peace being setled formerly between King Philip and the King of France these two Princes seemed to be of one mind having concluded a mutual League to extirpate all Religions which had begun or increased either by impunity or War But the French Peers hating the Guisian Potency that they might not become contemptible as the Netherlanders to the Spaniards took occasion to draw the multitude now contending about Religion into Tumults and Arms but the Events were most unlike for there the Subjects obedience was preserved entire and consequently the Roman Catholique Religion carryed the day but so only as to keep under not oppress the other But here the old Form of Government is altered the differing Rites grow insociable neither allowing the other and so between Servitude and liberty become divided The cause whereof I suppose may be that the Guises or Lorraines being by themselves in private but weak did afterwards receive from abroad such small help as might indeed follow but not force their Fortune So that the main of their strength either consisted under the pretence of the Kings name or the affections of the vulgar which are mean supports and of no duration where there is any experiment of utility on the other side And the Kings of France have within themselves the whole strength of that one People so that they diminish their own Authority by tyrannizing and wholly loose what is spent in revenge And the very Commons though highly offended with the differences in Religion yet when once they became sensible of the miseries of War were not so desirous of revenge as Peace Hence proceeded those Edicts of Peace so often hastned so often withstood by the now divided affections of the People who might rather be said to lay aside War than to make and observe a Peace for being weary of a long War they were driven to force and treachery by the impulse of others not their own obstinacy and being always accustomed to a Kingly Government they might have been composed before if the one King famously knowing in the Arts both of War and Peace had tempered himself and his Laws according to the strength and prevalence of parties They who were newly gotten into power being ignorant how to use the time nourished discords by variety of evill deeds while they of a more active Spirit or such whose Riot incapacitated them either got or lost all and this was the only hindrance of Peace But on the other side the Spaniards having a King that wished the same things in hatred to the Belgick liberty and who was now grown old in the enjoyment of his Territories by the keeping abroad so great Forces never feared the Netherlandish Solitudes especially having Presidents both in Italy and America that where they could not subject into Provinces they should settle Colonies But the French were highly offended with the pride avarice and cruelty of this forraign Nation the very Catholikes themselves who had never faltered in point of Religion disliking their Customs some of whom having been before circumvented and deluded with the hope of better things becoming an example to the rest that they would with all violence exercise their malice as mistrusting the breach of Peace under that notion to hide their revenge Thus a War no less cruel than civill Wars use to be continued but still looked as forraign But Count William in Frizeland straitned the City of Groning not able to resist the greatness of his endeavours by scarcity and death having wasted all their Provision about the Country he got also Reide a Peninsula of a very convenient Scituation between the River Eâ—mes and the Bay of Dullart The City being suspected for this mischief cast it upon Verdugo because he had refused a Garrison from thence being both recruited this with a new addition of Foot and Nassau with more Horse sometimes with mutual fear sometimes taking opportunities
his Predecessors terrifying also their foes with cursings and threats such as might have frighted a former Age but such as either feared damage or loved profit forbore to meddle and such as really intended help were soon taken off by old age It is manifest that Sixtus withholden by envy to the Spaniard and rather than he would augment his Wealth inclined to the French King and this many suspected to be a cause of hastning his death Against the plague of this concuring War the United States rigged a Fleet and sent to the King for a Guard of the very â—lower of all their Regiments ten Ensigns of Scott and the like number of Netherlanders under the Command of Philip Nassau But when the Duke of Parma for now he mustered his Army long delayed his March King Henry dismissed for the Winter most of the Nobility that were faithful to him and the only support of his necessitated War that he might have them the more ready another time They were scarce departed when the King hearing of the Enemies approach to assault him was compelled to draw his Forces together and by that means the Siege was raised But when the entrance of the Spring had brought him a Recruit of Horse he pressed upon the Enemy and forcing him beyond the River pinched him with Famine for he was impatient of any longer delay and ready to decide the cause by Battel if the Duke of Parma silently repassing the River had not marched towards Paris Wherefore the King leaving Roâ—n and taking some other Ports on that Coast into his power and fortifying them where they wanted he brought to passe that thereafter he could not be hindred of any assistance coming to him by Sea In this Interim there were some light skirmishes famous only in this that in one the King was wounded and in another the Duke of Parma which wound troubled him moâ—e than his old Disease for cure whereof he had gone to the Spaw And now wearied with France about the latter end of Summer he brings his ragged Regiments through Vermandois the nearest way to the Netherlands At this time the English while the Spaniards passed backwards and forwards in America and other places very much annoyed them both the Wind and the Sea conspiring against them to deliver them up as a publick Enemy And whils they have spoiled one another the tempestuous Sea spared neither And now also that anniversary plague of mutinous parties returned into the Netherlands and that with the more violence because the Mutineers not only wanted their pay but were pinched with the miseries of Winter Some that were quartered about the Cities of Colen grew very outragious as looking upon Germany as able to yield them booty enough But such as remained about Leige and the Country near thereto after they had by a long stay wasted all the Country about part ran away to other parts but most of them perished either by poverty or Diseases and if any yet continued healthy they were so accustomed to discord that they would range far and wide to wast and destroy and by this meanes more was to be maintained yet there were fewer to defend it But the Land under the United States was more restrained having for defence in most places Rivers running round about it and the Sea securing another part Besides the valour and vertue of the Citizens was well known that they who were raised in the inner part of the Country would help to defend the furthest parts thereof and be faithful Supplies to the Regiments abroad Hence it was that there was a desire to go out with some part of the present Forces while the Duke of Parma was not yet returned and if they had made hast without doubt many of his men wearied with Travel and worn out with Battels and then also coming from a strange Country in the Winter would not have been able to have encountred half the number of their Enemies But laying aside talk they began to think of action Holland insisted upon the Siege of Gertruydenburg But the Frizons were preferred before all that the prosperous beginnings of the last year might be perfected in this themselves also offering their own Souldiers of whom they never need to fear a scarcity if there be a War continued for any time And indeed these were the main strength of the Union as long as the other Regiments attended the War in France About this time some Letters written by the Groningers to Count Mansfeldt were intercepted which declared the necessity of their condition and how want of all things grew upon them Moreover they sent some selected Deputies to the Emperour to tell him they had not fled to the greatness of the House of Austria when they were free that now they should be left undefended to the Government of Deputies and laid open to the injuries of their Enemies should they never be so happy as to see their General and his Army at least for example sake that no people might seem to have followed the fortune of that great House without Reason or unadvisedly Which complaints being sent into Spain produced yet no other effect than Exhortations to fidelity and great promises that an Army should come and cut open their passages with the Sword One Regiment was added for defence of those places held beyond the Rhine And while Verdugo endeavours by all means to encrease his Forces Herman Count Heremberg daring nothing further infested only the lesser Fortifications about Issell from whence the Inhabitants took an occasion to contract that they would undergo the sudden brunt of both sides and that they should enjoy by the levelling of the Castles a common possession of their Lands untill both Armies had decided their quarrel by a pitched Battel in the Field At this time as it were on purpose to hinder Prince Maurice his March the newes of the Vtrecht Factions came to his Ears for that unquiet City had not yet forgotten those differences in Religion which were begun in the Earl of Leicesters time And Zeland lying far from the reach or defence of his Sword began to deny the payment of their Taxes and Assesments but these being all by him easily and with speed composed in that same Spring he marched out not with any new raised Bands but for his supply and recruit he had sent Orders to several Captains And thus he did muster of Hollanders and Frizons eight thousand Foot very near and five hundred Horse and of Artillery greater and less fifty As soon as they were come to the utmost Border of Over-Issell which looks towards Frizeland the Walls of Steenwic were in sight the greatness of whose strength Fortification as well as the fame of the Town took up all their thoughts And some of the States being of late terrified therewith as also divers forreign Princes judged it a very rash undertaking for they remembred that this was the place from whence they had driven Renneberg after a
when the Darkness of the Night was turned into Light by the burning of Houses fir'd by the Enemy throwing and shooting Fire-Works into the Town And as the People gather'd together in Heaps and Multitudes to save their Houses and Estates either were themselves burned in the Houses or else maimed and mangled with the Besiegers Bullets At last what should they now being between Hope and Despair avoid or what should they defend since all places were equally fill'd with Horrour and Lamentations But for all this the Priests and such as the Spaniard had obliged to him by Pension attribute to this obstinate stubbornness of their peculiar Faction the name of Constansy Nay more at this time some out of the Garrison that lay in the Suburbs passing the Trench in little Boats took the confidence to enter the City These on the one side calling them in those on the other forbidding them from whence there arose a most violent Sedition wherein at the beginning there was some bloud spilled but soon after it abated for fear of the Enemy abroad The Prince that by the prosecution of the War vigorously he might at some time force to thoughts of Peace began to undermine the greatest of all their Forts within the Trench wherein there remain'd some marks of the Fort or Castle raised there by the Duke of Alva and that he might the better conceal the Policy by some other more apparent Design he seems to threaten the taking by storm of the Bulwarks already batter'd and shaken But when the Assailants saw the vast concourse of the Townsmen to the place as if afraid to come on they retired at which instant the Gunpowder that was hid in the Mine being set on fire the torn up Ground threw the dispersed Multitude into the adjacent Ditches and Trenches and cast some at a greater distance into the very Camp or Leaguer Others of them were swallow'd alive into the gaping Chasma of the disbowel'd Earth Then might have been seen some Souldiers Scots by Nation whose Hast and Valour carryed them towards the City together with such as fled but hindred from entring it because the Planks that made the Bridge passable were broken however they maintain'd the place opposing great Bags fill'd with Sand against all Shot and Darts thrown at them And now all the whole Army burned with a desire of doing somewhat more earnestly requiring the Slaughter and Ruine of the City which they said must be won by force That this was the City by whose wickedness all places beyond the Rhine for 14 Years together had either been exhausted by War or at least spoil'd Wherefoâ—e now they ought to require in the punishment thereof satisfaction for the Ruine of so many Castles the laying wast of so many Fields and the Bloud shed in so many cruel Battels That this might be an Example unto the rest that they should resist until they were subdued and malapertly with insulting Answers scorn Messages and Offers of Peace For what could be more glorious for a General than to take the benefit of his Victory upon a Rebellious City Triumphing in the Sâ—aughter and Spoils of all that relate to him But if he should prefer the publike good before the Injuries offer'd to his Bloud or the Revenge of his Ancestors yet this City was not to be preserv'd having always been injurious to the Neighbours untractable against the Laws and perfidious to Liberty against which having for some time opposed it had almost brought Ruine and at last if it should be subjected would yet be infamous These Things were publikely urged as every one had before-hand in his Imagination divided the Spoil of this most opulent City But the Prince and the Senators who were present with him thought it more convenient for carrying on the Remainder of the War that the Souldier should be restrained from his licentiousness and cruelty against the Citizens Thus Embassies and Prayers prevailed within the Agreement were included several Degrees of Things nay the very Priests who had departed out of the City and all that belonged to them consented to the League and that they together with their Companions would by an equal Right be admitted within those Articles Thus they accepted a Garrison while they were accustomed to this New Government and Count William of Nassau was made their Governour being before the Governour of Frizeland Both the Forreign Souldiers and those that belonged to the City marched out safe the Seventh of the Calends of August that is July the 26. The Prince entring the City restored the Protestant Religion casting out all Images and as he had concluded appointed MAgistrates especially chusing them out of those who bad before been banish'd for their Religion the Laws for the future being in force Concerning the Discords of the Natives which formerly being disputed by Arms and Fighting were not yet appeased there was a Settlement made by the States of the Confederate Vnion And in the interim Otho Hartius and Hierome Comannus came from Bruxels to the Hague as if they had been sent upon private Business to the Lord of Cimace's Wife who flying from the Severity of her Husband lived here as it were in Banishment among the Hollanders They did not Treat of Peace as a Business of so high a Nature did deserve but onely cursorily seemed to bring Letters from Ernestus wherein were discover'd the Charges and Burdens of War and the great Commodities of Antient Commerce and Obedience That there were never any Discords had continued perpetually but some few had been decided by War but the greater part thereof setled by Peace Wherefore If they had hitherto been terrified by any Treacherous Dealings yet he hoped they would not blame the well-known Reputation of the House of Austria or have him in suspition 〈◊〉 desiring to be the Author of Peace Nay that he left his own Country and his Brother's House with to other hope than that he might restore a true and sincere Harmony and Concord among Christian Nations That it would be seem the States interchangeably on their part not to hazard the prosperous estate thereof their Affairs and the ambignous condition of their Adversaries upon the Danger and Fortune of an uncertain Warre but rather take advantage from the present Times wherein they may rather prescribe than receive the Terms of a Peace Hereunto the States being now more firmly setled answer'd as to their Cause magnificently That it was for Religion and the Laws which in the time of the Emperour Maximilian the Arch-Duke Matthias the Brother of Ernestus had by the Sword protected That since that by the implacable Malice of the Spaniards having been forced to Arms they have not been ignorant of the various Chances of Warre but God had appeared for them even gasping under the Burden of Oppression And now being raised by qreat Alliances and their own Valour they had rather chuse that to wit War to be a Judge of the Event than an Enemy so often found
so horrid a Fact and from thenceforth banish'd the Jesuits For to these chiefly both the English Hollanders and French did impute the fostring of such Doctrines on purpose breeding Youth whom under the Notions of Piety and Magnanimity they inflame and incouraging them with Old and Neâ— Examples how often Tyrants who are Enemies to the Publike have been destroy'd by the Fortunate Darings of private Hands Concerning this Order because Opportunity presents it self and others have spoken little concerning them I intend succinctly to Discourse The first Founder of that Order was Ignatius Loyala who being much weakned by a Wound received in the Ward Navarre at Pumpeiopolis withdrew his Mind being yet Warlike and full of Courage unto Businesses of a more peaceable Concern Among the rest he grew ambitious of Erecting a New Order To which in hope of its future Greatness he would not according to Custom give it the Name from some more famous Man or Woman but even from JESUS himself Being Assembled by Authority of them who can License such Novelties they reverenced with incredible study two Things chiefly to wit the Pope's Power and the Spaniard's Wealth And at their beginning they were main and eminent Props to the decaying Cause inducing in defence thereof what had hitherto been neglected Manners unblameable and sound Learning they exercised themselves in frequent Disputes against divers Religions which in those times had insulted over the Romane Name They augmented their Glory both in America and the Indus where among Barbarous Nations by the Teaching of Christianity they adde mightily to Philip's Empire yea and many famous Miracles have been done by them as is believed with great facility from confident Asseverations for that the Longinquity of places excludes further Tryals however they are in abundance whether in real Truth or but pretended They are the persons in whom thou may'st require fidelity and modesty Their Authority with the Vulgar is very great by reason of their Sanctity of Life and because they instruct Youth in Learning and the Precepts of Wisdom without taking any Reward for their pains They have their Provincials in every City and Nation and there is one Superiour over all the rest throughout the World who is for the most part a Spaniard They command with great Wisdom and obey with equal Fidelity They follow not the common Custom of other Orders to live all together It seemed too poor to include within Walls their growing Society They Baptize and solemnize Matrimony and the first thing they are taught is To lay aside all Humane Affections and to cast away the fear of Death They chiefly take into their Society none but such as are very eminent either for Ingenuity Bloud or Riches and they reap a great benefit from all those things For first they distinguish Ingenuity no less prudently than they chuse it pitching always upon such whom they hope will grow famous either for Eloquence or digesting pious Meditations into Writing By their Nobility they are admitted into the greatest Councils being of an incomparable Sagacity in making Searches and Experiments and because there is no Engine so strong as Religion for the laying open of Secrets And their Wealth fits them for Embassies and all other publike Employments By which Policies though they are the youngest of all other Orders yet they have far surpassed all the rest in a short time both in Reputation and Wealth and therefore are hated by them and their manner of Life upbraided as contrary to Rule But they being above the Envy of their Emulators even rule Prince's Houses by a laudable moderation for they observe a mean between sordid submission and severe arrogant neither totally eschewing nor following other mens Vices These are the main Wheel whereon the Spanish Greatness and Empire moves by which they maintain Peace at Home and sow Trouble and Sedition abroad For those Catholikes have receiv'd a portion of these mens Spirit which through France and England yea and Holland it self do in the former maintain the Rights of a Kingdom and in the last dispute against it And although they are banish'd all those places upon pain of Death yet is that Danger no Obstacle to them nor doth impede either their Confidence or Policy But the Emperour did not forbear again to motion the making of Peace although before refused and stain'd with such monstrous Actions as we before related upon the common pretence of Germany viz. the Care of his Brother's Honour Not did he seem onely to admonish them to it but calling a Diet at Ratisbone of the Princes and Cities of the Empire he had caused it to be concluded That they should be compelled therâ— by Arms for that they dampnified both themselves and theâ— Neighbours by the perpetual miseries of War But these things as they made onely a Noise never proceeding further than Words and Threats so they were accordingly taken notice of for the Turk then chiefly being ready to fall upon the Cities of Hungary as well the Care as the Forces of Germany was taken up and could not have leisure to mind the Affairs of such as belonged not to them This year also the States of the United Provinces received a very great and most honourable Signal of Affection from James King of Scotland as well as the Kings of France England and Denmark who were invited to the Baptizing of his Eldest Son born by his Wife who was the King of Denmark's Daughter And their Liberality was correspondent to the Honour done to them as witnessed their most rich Presents given to the Princely Infant who was named Henry Frederick They renewed their antient Amity with the Scots and restored all the Rights of Trade and Commerce and all other matters formerly concluded with the Princes of the Netherlands and particularly with the last Charles But a Partnership in Arms was in vain wished for by the Scot and the Dane and that the Princes of Germany should be ingaged to the same Affinity for their Peace was safe and unmolested and there was no reason why they should go to thrust themselves into other Folks Troubles 'T is thought there was some hope gather'd from Scotland not without cause offended with the Spaniard who had for many years disturbed the Peace of that Kingdom by Factions From hence proceeded many of those sharp and severe Laws against Catholikes and hence by increasing hatred came those who would transfer the most just Hope and Title of James to the Kingdom of England upon the Spaniard's Dâ—ughter but surely by most absurd and incongruous Arguments but nevertheless such as discover'd a mind ready to do him any injury But as well the Scot as the rest of the Princes cast off from one to another the beginning to thwart a Power so formidable to all The Embassadors that had been sent into Scotland returning by England the chief whereof Waldgrave Brâ—derode whose Noble Birth advanced the Honour and Worth of the Common-wealth together with James Count
strength of their Horses was consumed in the length of their Journey But the greatest damage that fell upon those was that the Horsemen being far from home became licentious committing many robberies and Rapes which either for that Reason or else in regard of their Religion or some other causes mightily turned the Peoples hearts against the Hollanders But the Earl of Buldâ—s having in charge matters of greater concernment but his Forces not able to compass the same not daring to besiege Lutzenburg after he had received the Auxiliary Forces about the latter end of Autumn went to Paris for further Counsel and Instructions And it appeared by the Event that by reason of the constant allowance of Pillage and Rapine the Strength sent for supplies were hastned both with great damage at home and other hazard And that the Enemy came not into the very heart of Holland during the sudden and most sharp Frost following was not the success of their Counsels in their own defence but the evill Fortune and Discipline of their Adversaries For Sedition had spread it self all over the Kings Army and the end of one mutiny was but the beginning of another This madness as well for the generality thereof as the severity of the remedies applyed thereto far surpassed all before it because the Tumults began not in single Regiments but several Nations at once not in the Borders but in the very Bowels of the Netherlands for now hatred had enflamed the Souldiers avarice which is the prime cause of all such extravagancies The Italians a Nation by Nature emulous and spiteful observing that the Spaniards had their Wages payd them in regard there was likewise at the same time pay due to them presently imagined themselves slighted and affronted At first a few of them onely complained That then they lost the esteem of their labours and blood when the Duke of Parma the chief columne of their party and a most just rewarder of vertue in all dyed but although he were dead yet from him the Spaniards possess the benefit and Grandeur that at present makes them insolent That they were now as despicable hurried from place to place at the option of a few who make a stalking-Horse of Ernestus his good Nature and the Kings Wealth But it should suddenly appear that they had Arms wherewith they could challenge their due against all those that defrauded the King of his Treasure neither ought they the Spaniards to be displeased at the Example since they themselves first broke the Ice And if any one resisted them he should find what men Italy bred who before this time had brought in subjection the reall Spayn not that which is now so called being an abominable sink of the basest Nations who reckon Pride and cruelty instead of all other Vertues These first threats were now seconded not onely by Corporals and inferiour bands of men but the valiantest of their Commanders began to speak the same Language with which incouragements as if they had been possessed with some sudden frenzy all the Italian Souldiers marched with their Colours to Sichenen a Town of Brabant which in regard of its strength and Scituation they seized from whence they fetched in booty all about even as far as Bruxels with these many Souldiers of other Nations joyned as French Irish Epirots and even from Italy such as had formerly been in service for the Netherlanders and all under pretence of peace and hope of rewards they refusing to entertain none but Spaniards onely At all these disturbances the Officers were present which in tumults of such nature is very rare as if they had now been about to contest the honour of their Nation not by any right of Authority but so prevalent more or less as they approved themselves notably active in heading the Souldiers rage New men were daily listed and enrolled in the Companies the mark and badge of their faction was a swarm of Bees before which stood the King and this by a military jest and facetious quip they called the Common-wealth They imposed Tribute upon Lands and exacted Toll of all things that were carried out of the Country Prince Maurice and the Hollanders politickly fomented this Sedition for fear least if they should reunite they might receive thereby some unlooked for damage and the rather because there was a very great Frost which had continued rear seventy dayes and had covered with Ice both the Marshes and Rivers that they would bear the greatest and most weighty Carriages Thus while the Enemies Country was tormented on one side with the French War on the other side with mutinies of their own Souldiers first precluding all places to reduce them to poverty and afterwards by raising all Provisions to an excessive price The Treasury was taken into consideration and therefore they being graciously heard who were sent to Prince Maurice declaring that they were not obliged to the Spaniards by any right of Country Kinred or Allyance but only served them for pay which not being given to them they supposed themselves no longer tyed to their defrauders And if any should come to assayl them they would make use of the Law of Nature which hath commended to all Creatures even by instinct self-preservation Thus a Truce was made with them but when they demanded Tribute in the Land of Cuycke where the Prince had some paternal Possessions Herman Count Heremberg was ready to defend the Country people denying the same if the Prince upon his Request would have permitted him But here also the Souldiers necessity who could not so much weaken one side was more prevalent than all the Reason of the unarmed multitude which things when they came to be related at Court as they were by the Spaniards represented to the worst there was a division in Judgments thereupon some averting a necessity of mercy but others replyed that although in some Cases gentleness was necessary to be used towards Souldiers yet these being grown most insolent and having also a national hatred were to be made exemplary least the Souldiery should make it a Custom to mutiny and throw off their obedience as often as they should fail of their pay so soon as it was due Besides this the necessary of the time did incite and provoke the most moderate persons because otherwise when there was the greatest occasion for them they would obey no orders or Commands Among all these advices it was not concealed from them what further rigour was thought upon for them for they according to the subtlety and craft of their Nation had hired Spies who gave them Intelligence of all that passed Nay and some of the Noblemen did voluntarily favour the Italians out of hatred and impatiency of bearing with the Spaniards Victualls Ammunition and all things else fit for War were reasonably provided for them when the Spaniards come into the same Province with a strong patty of Souldiers at first they dissembled the cause of their coming but when they
to the King by Letters of the small Authority the Spaniards had with Ernestus which he supposed the chief cause of all the present Evils Taxis was more subtle to pâ—y into Dangers and did perswade to win the Netherlandish Nobles with great Pretension of Honour but to keep the ordering of the King's Treasure still in the hands of the Spaniards whereby as with a private Knot tie unto himself all other Matters Ernestus having heard out Areschot and being in his own Nature full of delay and knowing that he could by that means best pâ—event their Violence answer'd He would advise with the King to whom he would also be an Intercessor for attaining such things as related to the Peace This hope supported their Minds although their Evils were not yet remov'd For after both the Kings of Spain and France had proclaimed War the lesser Towns of Lutzenburg being possessed which could not resist the Storm the Count de Bulloin wasted all round about nay and ranged even to places far distant with Fire and Sword But yet the Enemy met with four Troops belonging to Philip of Nassaw which they either killed or put to flight being circumvented by Ambushes and the overflowing of the Rivers and afterwards in a greater Battel of Horse the Victors prosecuted their good Fortune Against the more potent Cities Policy was rather used than Force yet the Success was not therefore answerable There was Chance which really might have increased more Parties to the War and made it break out in all the Borders if there had not been more difficulty in keeping than acquiring of which this is compassed often by Boldness and Temerity but that must be maintained with Care and many excellent Policies Hoye is a Town of the Bishoprick of Leige which Authors believe to be the Remains of a greater and more Cities spoiled of old by the Incursions of the Barbarians and the Scituation perswades this from the running of the River Maes through it which a Stream breaks into that runs with more violence than scantiness of Water maketh shew of this Brook gives Name to the place The Soil that is all about it is very rugged by reason of Iron Mines and answers to the Nature of the People It hath an Arched Bridg the Rising Bank on the right side is over-looked by a large Castle seated upon a little Hill It is a choice place of Recess for the Bishops in regard of its pleasantness and no less difficult to be Assaulted because of its steep Ascent But while it was assured both by Peace and Right those few that by there in Garrison and spent their time in Riot and Idleness and did their Souldiery Duty as a Work of Supererogation and by the like neglect all the Buildings Erected upon the Rock were equal to the Foundation of the Castle One of these Houses by the consent of the Owner Heraugier the Inventor of such Stratagems who was Governour of Breda by him taken commanded to be fill'd with Thirty Souldiers who in the Night by the help of the Window and Ladders going out and first using silence then by continual beating of Drums and Shouting hindring the Prospect they took the Keepers of the Castle and bound them in help of whom while it was yet but the Dawning of the Day their Captain came with six hundred Horse and one Thousand five hundred Foot But the Townsmen though at the beginning of the Tumult they ran to their Arms when they saw so many Souldiers at their Gates and others over their heads affrighted with that double Terrour losing their Courage they submitted Then Heraugier placing therein a Garrison sent his Horse abroad into the Fields and the Country within the Maes which were subject to the Spaniard to collect Tribute This Exploit of War committed against a Prince who was at Peace and however he did not affect the Hollanders yet in regard there had been no Hostility declared against him according to the Custom of War might with more facility be answer'd to the Spaniards than excused to him Not was it altogether unlike that of Bonne and Berck which being formerly taken in War should be retained now that the whole Archbishoprick of Colen was in peace When therefore Bojoarus the Bishop of Leige and Colen had sent to examine the matter and it was answer'd by the States That it was rather out of present Necessity than any Right they claimed neither would they do any Damage to his Government or Subjects but onely having taken a Town from the publike Enemy they were ready to restore it when Arms were laid down on both sides And that Bojoarus did not deal justly with them in suffering the Spaniard to enjoy it and thereupon the Conditions were refused wherewith they were sollicited to Rendition being in themselves very reasonable but that the conveniency of the place perswaded the contrary for that Castle was a great Safeguard to their Journey that the Holland and French Forces might the more securely meet and in that Town they intended to place those Italians which had formerly deserted the War being far from the Borders of Holland and in a rich Country where they might have their fill of Plunder As soon as the Bishop saw himself slighted or at least deluded with Procrastiuation gathering together some New Souldiers whereto were added fifteen hundred Foot seven hundred Horse and fifteen pieces of Artillery under the Leading of Lamot he besieged the place on both sides for the King's Commanders voluntatily gave their Assistance their Interest being no less concerned than the Bishops lest thereby the Hollanders should come to possess all the parts have the Maes and so connect the Country Nor did the Spaniard's want an honest pretence because the Country of Leige was fiduciary to the Princes of Brabant by severall Leagues of Philip Duke of Burgundy and Philip the First of Austria The Town was easily gained by Scaling Ladders and Breaches for it was but meanly fortified and all in it that resisted were slain The greatest part fled into the Neighbouring Castle But from the next Hill which the Hollanders had neglected to possess being higher than the Foundation of the Castle it was sorely batter'd and below it was undermined For there was present a great Number of the Native Inhabitants who being accustom'd to dig for Mettal in the Iron Mines were very skilful in the Art of undermining Heraugier judged that the Garrison might have held the place longer and with the hopes thereof he had gather'd together Forces for their Relief But fearing at length lest his Journey should be hindred by the overflowings of the Rivers although there were in the Castle Subterfuges and Seluces to prevent the inraging of the Enemy at the Siege the Castle was surrendred being observed by many that he was better at suddain Enterprizes than the patient enduring of tedious Hazard He complained That the Succours promised both from the French General and the Italians at Sichem 〈◊〉 fell short
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
Affairs of the Country they were called Hovet-men according to Custom should be chosen by the City Senate which the House of Austria had preserved entire in Gelderland the rest of the same Court by the States As to Merchandising it was thus moderated That whatever was of the Growth of the Country or Manufacted there should not be exported till it had been first brought to Groeningen Market neither might they use any other Drink then what was brewed there in Groening this Ale there made is of Water boyled with Barley the common Drink of Germany and the familiar use there made this the more easily accepted by both but for foreign Merchandises free liberty was allowed Many other things there were of like nature composed which although at first moved with high Contests yet coming short of the intent aymed at it irked to perform But now the contention of the Hollanders with those of Zeland was so much the more grievous by how much the Unity of the entire Body was maintained by the Wealth of these The difference was about Customs which were raised by Transportation of Commodities either to Foreign Nations or the Enemy This the several Provinces looked upon not as a peculiar Propriety but the common Stock of the League for bearing the Charge of the Naval-Affairs which if it fell short by any means they were for the publick good to make up out of their private Purses The Zelanders stretched this further compelling all sorts of Commodities that were brought out of Holland and passed by their Islands to other places to pay another part of Custom with them which because it could not be hindred was by a temporary Agreement between the two Provinces confined But the Hollander renounced this Convention relying upon an Edict of the United States which declared that where Carryage was taken in there the freight ought to be payd Besides this the Zelanders were accused that by diminishing the Customs and punishments they had reduced the common Stock into their hands as of right and by that meanes and the like deceits they had converted all forreign Trade and the advantages thereof to themselves against the Faith and Agreement of so necessary an Allyance whereto when they answered that the Hollanders by their Covetousness obtruded the name of the States as otherwhere the name of the Prince and Senate that they intermingled in one many Controversies Nor did they both cease to prefer their own merits in the management of the War before those of the other objecting to each other sloath and neglect and if the League should be dissolved they could among themselves have sufficient strength to maintain and defend their private Affairs Nay to such a height was the Zelanders fury risen that they denyed to pay any Tribute to the League which afterward other meaner and less considerable People taking into example it was scarce agreed at length that some Commodities of Zeland being relinquished for the future their Authority should be preserved in the great Counsel of the General States While these things were in Agitation several Forreign Embassies were heard where were at large discoursed the benefits and prayse of Peace with the miseries and complaints of War the Spaniard in the interim taking care not so much to obtain Peace as to throw the Odium of the War upon the States as denying and being averse to peace Among these Embassies the ingrateful Speech of Paulus Dialius sent to them from Sigismund King of Poland was taken notice of who in a Latine Speech thundring aloud when he talked much of the duties of Subjects towards their Princes he threatned to the Hollanders certain ruine from the Spanish greatness unless they acknowledged their fault and desired Pardon offering the King his Master as a Mediator but on the contrary he highly extolled King Philips goodness and fidelity and that before the Sons and Kinsmen of the Prince of Aurange and Count Egmonde no less were the names of Christianity and that the Turkish Power though at such distance hung over their heads with terrour the hither Poland to redeem its fear thereof with Peace having withdrawn it self from the common War Nor was it unknown to the States how the Polander and Spaniard were linked together both by necessity and Allyance and which was the nearest tye of all the Jesuites residence in the Kings Court. To this it was modestly answered as to cause and danger of Peace and that the Spaniard waged more cruel Wars against the Christians than the Turks cut of an excessive ambition of Soveraignty Whereof Sigismund ought rather to take care before any domestick Conjunction And when He notwithstanding this yet grew more cholerick as if he intended to break off all commerce they who treated with him affirmed that they were in no more need of the Polanders Harvest if the Laws of humanity should be violated then the Polanders were of their money At this time also the Emperour and Princes of Germany and the chief City sent to require Audience of a most magnificent Embassie which the States suspecting the preparation of so great an Authority excused whereupon they sent other Letters by Charles Nutselius questioning with some bitterness whether that were the Reverence they bore to the Germane Allyance and whether they would return this thanks for all the benefits they had received to deny to them their Friends what was granted even to Enemies among all Nations Nor would it be sufficient for the Embassadors onely to treat of Peace which yet that it might be without Fraud and secure if any occasion should be given they should diligently take care but also of many other weighty Affairs which concerned the Hollanders no less than the Germans This Nutselius interpreted to relate to the restauration of the old Leagues protesting not without threats that no man should despise the Majesty of the Empire unpunished To this the States with great Humility replyed that they did this onely out of Honour and Reverence to the German name that they might be premonished lest they should put themselves to the trouble of a vain and fruitless Embassie There being no persons in the World that could better understand their Affairs and what was expedient for them then themselves With a little more seriousness came from the King of Denmark Arnoldus Witfeldius the President of that Kingdom and Christian Barnicavius the same King as was believed by most doing this rather because he could not refuse it than of his own accord for he had been a Fatherly Friend both to the House Nassau and the People of Holland and besides prosessed the sincere and reformed Religion and therefore would require nothing that might seem fraudulent either to that or them But because in Peace God might be more purely worshipped and both publick and private Affairs consisted more safely without the chances of War he hoped they would not look upon him as an unacceptable or uncapable Authour of so great a good To these so
King's Council was there present who went and recommended the Embassadors to the King who after he had received their Saluâ—e very pleasingly and without any pride Olden-Barnevalie in a grave and composed stile according to his Custom began First to applaud the hopes of his Alliance to urge their laâ—e made League and to require his faithful performance thereof which would be much to the advancement both of the King's Honour and Authority and advised him to take heed of the Peace that was offer'd him Adding in the Name of the States many Promises of Assistance and Money for the future both by Sea and Land which way soever the King would please to command them that the War might in some manner be again renewed against the Spaniard urging also many other things that might inflame their Minds to resolve anew to fall to Arms. And among the choice of the King's Council it was debated how much more safe and honourable would it be to make an Example to Posterity of this Enemy whose Treasury was drained and Mind perplexed with the wavering Obedience of his Subjects witnessed by his seeking for Peace as well his fear as the inconveniences he suffer'd out of this League of ours to deter for the future any from thirsting after the Dominions that are belonging to another There were present at this time the English who now more freely commemorating the many Benefits they had done him and how unworthy an Act it was to lay aside his sworn Faith for present Utility helped forward the Speech made by the Dutch sometimes by their Silence and sometimes by applauding Speeches not forbearing to demand the Money which had been lent to him The King on the other side dealt plainly confessing his Necessities to be such as would not bear slow Remedy And that he doubted for all this Noise of Peace whether the Spaniard would deliver up to him either Calais or Blavette which if he did not he assured them he would continue the War giving them Thanks that they had so freely offer'd their Assistance The States Embassadors replyed That if the King rested in that Judgment yet they hoped their coming and Offers would be advantagious to France and cause the Enemy to make larger Concessions than perhaps otherwise he would And therefore they pray'd on behalf of their Masters that if a Peace were concluded yet the Alliance might continue between them by which the Hollanders might mâ—ke use thereof to their private benefit and to the security of the French in the manâ—gery of the War in Holland The King answer'd That he would be willing not onely to continue his own Friendship with them but that they should likewise enjoy the benefit of the Friendship he was to have with others Those things at present being onely removed whereby the Commerce of several Nations was hindred and how much might be wrought thereby was learned by Experience in the future Times when the King no less intent to keep than to get Money gave so much scope to the defence of Liberty as the Kings of old would hardly have afforded to any People unless with a Design to intrench upon it The first Liberality given to him was two hundred and forty thousand Florens which after in the Years following was increased according as his Necessities required For now remembring the Monies he had received from his Allies and at what time he resolved how he might repay the same that it might not seem altogether as the payment of a Debt but as if it carryed along with it the grateful shew of a Remuneration Here the King carefully excusing his own highly applauded the Counsel of the States that they would stand upon their Defence since which few Kings could boast of they could upon occasion be on a suddain in a readiness in regard any new Necessity would forthwith put the idle Multitude into Arms. For maintaining this Friendship with the King because Levinus Calward dyed there in performing the same Francis Arsen was left in France whose Father Cornelius wrote the Chronology of the States And now it appear'd that the Spaniard had by many Arguments perswaded the French to lay down Arms being contented rather to have the English still their Enemies than to make a Peace with them upon equal Terms And this was the cause why the Holland Embassadors in France Justire Nassau and Olden Barnevelt went thence into England neglecting thereby a while their former Embassie and assuming a boldness till that time dreaded where they deliver'd themselves in Terms to this effect That if the Queen would follow the French there should be no hazards of Peace so great to the Hollanders that they would not rather hazard than singly to undergo the unsupportable Burden of the War And these Dissemblers thus used their Art as believing that the English would yet disturb the Pacification if they supposed the Hollanders could be drawn to it But they offer'd the Queen all manner of Assistance if she would Resolve to continue the War and the hope of perfecting the same with Expedition though she had hitherto for a time surceased as being moved rather to incline to Peace In this mean while at Vâ—rbin for thither was the Meeting upon the Treaty adjourned from St. Quintins by the endeavour of the Embassadors a Peace was concluded between those two eminent and great Princes of Christendom containing the same Articles which formerly had been concluded on 29 Years before between the same Philip and King Henry the Second of France onely there was a small Addition of some others which to insert here in words at length I think to be altogether unfit for him who professeth himself to write onely the Dutch Affairs However in brief take them thus That there should be a free Trade between the People That all Prisoners should be set at liberty and at their going away should be restored to what they had lost or had been detained from them That the Spaniard received into the County of Charlois should in the Name thereof owe to the French Faith and Homage That Calais and other places in Picardy and last of all Blavette as they Were then should be deliver'd up to the French all other places which the Spaniard had fortified being dismantled These were the Articles agreed to and accordingly having given Pledges on both sides they were within Three Moneths after performed But for the Oblivion of Injuries and continuance of mutual Concord for the future that if War were made upon either of them the other should neither help against him himself nor suffer any belonging to him to interest themselves and if any thing of doubt arose between them that it should be argued neither by Violence or Fraud but referred to indifferent Judges But these things were agreed more for shew than that such equal Greatness should leave any Thing out that might seem to secure Friendship Both of Them comprehended their Allies by Leagues whether Kings Princes or People especially
to fight in his Defence This Lady had also two other Sisters the one marryed to the King of Poland the other to Sigismund Battor Prince or Vayvod of Transilvania but both very unhappy in their Husbands both their Countries being afflicted with worse than Civil Wars For He of Poland following the Jesuits Counsels by means of his Uncle whose Name was Charles was beaten out of the Kingdom of Sweden the Antient Inheritance of his Fathers And the other perswaded by the same Authors to deny the payment of Tribute to the Turks soon after being unable to defend his Territories was forced to transfer his Principality to the Emperour who gave the Government to his Brother Maximilian That was He who when he possessed the Kingdom of Poland made a Journey against the Swede onely for Forage sake and being afterwards taken Prisoner and quite forsaken by all would yet retain the Name of a King But Batler under the Name of Exchange was sent into Silesia and moreover being Robbed of his Wife as if unable to get Children being soon weary of his wandring Life and mean Fortune he returned to his own Country and at once received both his Old Dominions and his Wife threatning all that durst resist with the Turkish Power which would come in his Aid The Mother of this Margaret was a Bavarian and being the Emperour Ferdinand's Niece had marryed his Son Charles from which Marriage proceeded this Issue So that having 〈…〉 Father and great Uncle by the like Reason she might have a Husband to whom the same great Uncle might be Father Pope Clement being come to Ferrara for he claimed this City the Family of Atesti being extinct and subjected the same rather by Threats and Devotion than Arms when one Caesar by Name but the Off-Spring of an unlawful Bed challenged it and the Proxies of King Philip and his Sister Isabella being ready by Solemn Rites of Marriage he Conjoyned two Leagues by one Nation Going thence to Mantua and Millain they met the Duke of Savoy who also was come to salute his Kindred Thus was one whole Year spent in Italian Complements then they went to visit Sacred Monuments passing frequently by great and rich Cities where the Affections of Friends and Subjects contesting with great Cost and Art the Austrian Greatness was excellently decipher'd in shews and Albertus his own Victories represented to him in Effigie But by reason of the Journey into strange parts yet not absolutely divided from us I will make a short digression and before I repeat the Expedition to the Rhene remember some Things about the Borders which at this time were more than usually troublesome by some occasions of difference among Themselves Edsard Earl of Frizeland beyond the Eemes being offended with the Covenants made at Delfeziel as extorted by Force had appealed to the Emperour The Emperour who could neither approve Forein Decisions in German Affairs not saw the Issue of them which should be adjudged against the Will of a City found yet this Expedient That abrogating the Delfezylian Laws he himself would command in a manner the self-same thing The Earl being thus frustrate of his hope when now he had a great while expected an Augmentation of his Power this Year attempted to sow Intestine Discords in the City already so exhausted by Troubles and Charges that it could not pay the Money owing by Covenant and other necessary Things but by the Assessing of New Taxes Wherefore sending two of his Sons into the City to foment the Tumults they sought out some among the Vulgar that should gather together more who were offended at the Assessments for of 19 Fraternities two refused or else such as differ'd from the Publike Religion with Directions That they should at the Gates resist the Souldiers that were to come in and whom he had sent for to that very purpose though pretending other matters But the Conspiracy being set afoot the Magistrates angry with the Earl's Sons complained of the Father's Treacherous Dealings and putting to death those whom they found guilty of raising the Tumults they banish'd the rest of the popular part of the Faction or else fined them One of the principal Leaders in this Sedition was Gruny a man famous in his Family and of great Alliance being Kinsman among others to Count William He was of Kin by the Father's side to John Funquio who formerly had presided the Belgick Affairs for the Spaniard and not long since under pretence of private Business had come among the Hollanders But being detected to have brought Albertus his Commands to Edsard and asked what they were answer'd Nothing else but to desire Passage for the Spanish Forces through that Country Although it was believed and indeed more congruous to received Judgments that he came to treat of an Exchange concerning the very Right of that County with others in Burgundy or else of Goods in Luizenburg For this cause he being for a while diligently kept at length he was let go upon payment of his Ransom as a Prisoner of War because he had violated the Publike Faith But at this time some of the Funquio's Letters to Edsard were found wherein he was advised That he should not look after Germany or other remote and lingring hopes wherewith he had been so often vainly eluded for nothing but the Spanish Power would ever restore him to his Government but a Reward must be given to the Society that at the time appointed they might have leave to pitch their Camp in the Country and that a Fleet should be brought into the Mouth of the River and the next Bay with which he should sufficiently revenge himself upon his Rebels For which Causes Count William the Governour of Frizeland was desired That he would have in readiness a strong Force to help them in time of need whereof he took Care accordingly And in the interim from the adjoyning Parts commands a Party of well-armed and disciplin'd Souldiers to take an Oath to he faithful to him and then as if they had bin discharged by him he causeth them to go into the City and then to learn what more they could But now the Concord of the Citizens being grown more firm because the Conspiracy was Reported to intend Fire and Slaughter and they were fearful and not skilled in the use of Arms and so wanting the help of a Forein Garrison they Listed and took into Pay 300 men But the Earl as if he had receiv'd not given an Injury of his own accord summons the City to plead their Cause before the Imperial Senate complaining there of many Things as particularly That the Holland Souldiers wasted his Fields that they had inflicted extream punishments upon innocent Persons against whom they ought not to make any Legal Process without him that they had unworthily dealt with his Children and compelled the Youth to make New Promises whereby they should lay aside their Allegiance due to their Prince Thus in words they seem'd onely to mind Legal
abominable villanyes with his valour and vertuous actions and that he would not take in ill part any injuryes that should be done to him or his unwillingly but rather that he would look upon them with an eye of pity and mercy hoping that he would rather revenge himself upon the authors and causers of the injury then the patience of a weak people That they hoped it would be acceptable both to Himself and the States because formerly they had fought it that since the Laws were in vain and the Spaniards insolence was increased by impunity the Germans would now joyn in arms with him and they said That since they were compelled to deliver all that they held in the German soyl they were promised that the Spaniards should be forced to do the same if they would not do it voluntarily which since it had not been performed and that rewards were given to injurious oppression and modesty used with conâ—â—mely so that Albertus the author of so great mischiefs was by many designed to be heir of the Empire that goodness of theirs which had been so often eluded should now one way or other compel the enemy to wish they had rather have done equal kindness then only to feed them with empty words And if the Germans would at last understand what they had so often by experience found after so many acts of hostility done by the Spaniards they would never find a more opportune season to joyn with their neighbours and friends justly to subvert their encroathing tyranny then now that old King Philip was dead and the Army was full of discord and poverty But Mendosa returned answer to those sent to him That it was usual so to do when rebels could not be otherwise repressed nor would be intreated to give a better answer Nay he proceeded so far in the contempt of Justice that he would not vouchsafe to inquire what might be pretensively said either from the Antients or at present for the Austrians against them of Cleves In the interim the Spaniards were daily more and more afflicted with fresh mischiefs themselves suffring what they indeavoured to inflict upon others for on this side the Rhine by continual Rapines all the fruits of the ground were consumed the husbandmen driven away and the woods felled so that the Countrey far and wide was in a manner left naked nor did provisions come to the Camp as is usual because they that brought it were so often pillaged and hence proceeded great famines among them which made the Souldiers daily run away not by one and one at a time but by whole Companies in a day some of which intending to go to the Moselle Mendosa sent some horse after them to bring them back whom they saluted so discourteously that they were glad to return without doing what they were commanded There was another accident also that increased their penury which was this The Rhine being very rough with tempestuous winds had broken their bridg of Boats the ignorance of the Smiths having not well fastned them to the banks so that by this means their commerce was cut off from one another Mendosa admonished by this inconvenience certainly decreed the Siege of Bergh which before this time they had but threatned and this he did because the Island there the Blockhouses upon the River the firm passage and the rest were not kept without loss and infamy the possession of all which might be more justly and with less trouble reteined by the title of a victorious Conquest and therefore it was much admired that he deferred this care above a moneth while the enemies were weak and far distant unless by that delay he sought a more specious pretence to stay in those parts for which now a suitable occasion presented it self because the States being often required to redeliver Bergh would neither surrender it as anothers nor fortify it as their own At the beginning of the year the Archbishop of Colen reiterated his demands of restitution by John of Nassaw the son of John protesting the equity thereof in very friendly words so answering the pretence of charges which was the States only Argument that he said they were the first that usurped upon the City whose example the Spaniards followed yet they had often promised they would leave it until at length they continued their delayes so long that they were prevented from performance by a Siege but if they expected to be repaid their charges of the war and their damages there is nothing more just than that every one should vindicate and maintain their own And if he should be permitted to reckon nothing for Hay which he returned how much more unreasonable is it for any man to interpose his authority in accounts of war Besides he shewed that the town was only a burthen and charge to them that kept it and would not be convenient for the Enemy for that the River could be passed more commodiously in other places which principally moved the United States in a Council of the Provinces held to that purpose to weigh the great distance of the place the poverty of the Souldiers and the extream labour in fortifying it And although they discoursed no more of charges yet it pleased them being even out of hopes to keep it to think that by the surrender of it they should get somewhat more then thanks And therefore they answered That they had often found that whatever they gratified their friends withall had become a booty to the Enemy Wherefore they hoped it would be no injury if they did faithfully promise that they would not in a hostile manner invade any part within the bounds of Germany nor do any act to disturb the trade or passage of or upon the Rhine And if any thing were done to the contrary that the said Bishop of Colen and the other Electors about the Rhine should appoint and order how and what satisfaction should be made for the same He on the other side requiring stricter conditions when an Agreement was almost concluded would proceed no further as knowing the Spaniards were preparing a revenge whom he was suspected to have stirred up to deal in other matters controverted between himself and the Princes of Germany By reason of this kind of treaty before mentioned the Hollanders had scarcely any time to prepare for a defence of the Town before the danger was ready to fall upon it Therefore the enemies army lying all about the Rhine it was too â—â—e to think of fortifying and besides the evils they were aware of there was another happened whereof they never had a thought for the Pestilence beginning within the small compass of the place on a sudden burst out more violently in a furious contagion and wonderful slaughter The cause of this sorrow was beleived to proceed at that time from the unusual dryness of the Rhine for the very channel lying without water had infected the Ayr with thick vapours which also by the unseasonableness
and Treacherous was their seizure of several Castles held by the Noble-men which till that time had been Fautors of the Spaniards in all their wicked Actions The beginning of their Rapines was committed upon the People of Munster and the Borders of Brentheym which places not being sufficient for the Support and Maintenance of their Forces Reclinhusen a place belonging to the Bishop of Colen situate between the Rivers Luppe and Roer was added where Velasco took the City of Dorst by a violent Assault thereof in a Warlike manner with his Canon which Contumelious Act the Colonian Bishop taking no Notice of made all his Subjects imagine that it was so done and suffer'd by private Agreement among Them Hence the Evil spread further to the People of Mons and Marchia until it reached both sides of the Dutchy of Cleves and there oppressed many Cities which at their first coming they had not medled with Others were forced to purchase Freedom at a great Rare among which the City of Cleves it self the principall Seat of the infirm Duke In which places they got so great Booty that the very Common Souldiers Treated with Merchants of Colen to return great Sums of Money for them to Antwerp This their Covetousness at first sprung from Pride and was afterwards increased by Cruelty insomuch that contemning the parsimonious living of the Boors they commanded those ignorant People to provide for them dear and far-fetched Dainties and all other Provocatives of Luxury and Riot And if any were backward in performing their unreasonable Commands or seemed either to hide or convey away their Wealth they were beaten and tormented in that barbarous manner that sometimes they were maimed in their Lims otherwhiles Incisions made into their Flesh nay and some were scorched and half burned alive not forbearing these frightful Terrours and Punishments to Women great with Child and young Infants Of which Barbarisms and innumerable Murthers the Germans publish'd divers Examples attested by the Credit of many worthy and known Persons And if the Villany of these Wretches had stopped here there might yet have been some pretence made by them but as if those forementioned Crimes had been too little they spared not the Houses of Noble Persons but violated also the Sacred Societies of Holy Virgins who had wholly dedicated Themselves to the Service of God Raging moreover with such an unrestrained Lust that they spared not immature and tender Virginity and if the Womens Chastity deluded their Hopes their Husbands were produc'd and made a laughing stock to command their own dishonour yea and Mothers compelled to bring forth and prostistitute their Daughters These were the Deeds of a People professing Peace which the most inraged Victor hardly attempted I am sure never defended in the heat of War And it is hardly to be believed how negligently and remissly that Nation which had been the Conquerour of others and so earnest in the Defence of Liberty took these Things But besides a long Peace which usually effeminates the most Manly Minds here was discover'd the imperfection of that Government that is divided into many Hands not onely in the Difficulty of their Meetings in Council but in their Difference of Affections which is most frequent among Them by reason of Emulation And this certainly was that the Spaniards would have wished nor was his Endeavour therein wanting that Matters should not be ended at One but deferred from Council to Council In the interim not one scarcely daring to Repel an Injury done him because the Publike Management of War for the General Vindication was delayed onely Count Oldenburg the Bishops of Breme and Osnaburg and Count John of Nassaw being a little further distant slighted the Threats of the Tumultuary Souldier whereof they had Notice whose Examples were afterwards safely follow'd by all those further Parts But for the Dutchy of Cleves and their Neighbours of Westfalia there was no other help than those of Prayers and Letters Which made Charles Nutselius whom the Emperour had sent to settle and order the Affairs of Cleves to detest the Persidy and dishonourable Dealings of the Austrians because he saw that under the Protection and by the Connivence of King Philip and the Arch-Duke Albertus who pretended Themselves Vindicators of the Romane Religion such abominable and unparallel'd Villanies were committed against the Laws of Nature and Mankind and against all Bonds and Covenants The Duke of Lorain said no less whose Daughter was marryed to the Duke of Cleves and his Son to the King of France his Sister protesting That he would not desert his Relations nor would be deserted by them But from Rodolphus being by Nature given to delay and now either for fear or grief hiding himself that he could not be spoken with other then by Letters although the Westfalians and other Princes living about the Rhine at their Request daily sollicited not onely himself but his Ministers of State intrusted by him yet could they obtain nothing but empty Words and fruitless Embassies Hereupon Albertus then being at Millain and Cardinal Andrew at Bruxels instead of answering attributed the Causes of all these Evil together with the beginnings of the War and the denial of making Peace to that time to the Rebels and whensoever any Exorbitancies were objected against them which they could not deny they called it a short Extremity whereto they were compelled by Necessity But Mendosa was more insolent who the more plausibly to shun Obedience to his Masters Command denyed That he Warred for the King and that he would neither be danted with the Noise of great Names or frighted with cruel Threats or driven out by any other means than force of Arms Adding moreover That if either Caesar or Germany durst have confided in his Men they might have used them when Bonne and Berck were held by the Hollanders He often boasted himself an Enemy to all Lutherans and that he was sent into those Parts from Heaven to revenge the Impieties there so often and so long perpetrated And now had the Germans seen the Spanish Ensigns display'd in their Country little less then four Moneths when at the very end of the Year one Decree was sent by the Emperour to Mendosa another to the States Against him were objected many and grievous Things To Them that they had occupyed some few places at the Division of the Rhine and breaking into the Jurisdiction of Munster had led away certain Priests Captive and therefore they were both commanded to depart out of the Jurisdiction of Germany to make Reparation for the Rapines and other Damages there done to release all Prisoners and for the future to abstain from oppressing others and this under the Penalties therein contained as if they still offended in the like The Eighth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES THE Spaniards Minds were so obdurated with daily Complaints that at the same time that the Emperour's Herald and the Lorrain Embassadors publikely accused them for their former
onely Issue remaining of all their Labour The rest of the Souldiers being dispersed in Brabant returned to their old Licentiousness After this Barlotte had very near taken Worcum a Town of Holland by a Night Stratagem and while he protracted time in advising upon the very place of Action a Citizen being advertized thereof by a Sentinel had scarce time enough to get the Port before him While these Things were transacting with all earnestness among the Hollanders the Germans and Spaniards used on the one side Sloth on the other ridiculous Folly for the Spaniards were not secured by their own Valour or Vertue which was of no esteem with their other Enemies but the Germans Discords among themselves which made them so confident as to despise a Nation long unconquer'd and feared on every side openly For the Emperour Bishops and others of the Romane Religion were against the War These Princes by themselves to wit the Duke of Brunswic the Landgrave of Hessen and Marquess of Brandenburg for the Count Palatine had withdrâ—wn himself from the Quarrel pretending the Examples of the Bishops of Mentz and Triers long esteem'd all kind of Military Men unprofitable to the Common-wealth until in the middle of Summer they met about Berck to the number of 2000 Horse and 12000 Foot the chief Command whereof was intrusted in Simon Count of Luppen at the desire of the Westfalians as is before related but having obtain'd their desire they never sent the Aid they so strongly promised but rather on the contrary the Spaniards receiv'd from the very City of Colen both Souldiers and other Instruments of War The General not dissembling his small Experience in Matters of War did give all his Authority over the inferiour Saxons to Count Hohenlo and of those about the Rhine to Count Solms who under pretence of the Confederate States had associated Themselves by Oath Neither did these Two want any Valour or Daring but acted as if They could not have been tired with Labour But both were better Souldiers than Counsellors and so distructed the Affair by continual Contests the Souldier also ignorant of his Duty gave himself over to Sloth and Drunkenness and if their Pay was not ready for them as soon as it was due they were apt to Mutiny and fall into Sedition yet they took a Fort of the Spaniards at Berck and came forward in the Cause with great Slaughter and Cruelty At the same time they Garrison'd Viseo and Emmâ—ric but when they came to Berck they were neither prepar'd for the Assault or Siege thereof with any thing saving a few Canon and other Things sent to Them under-hand by the States lest they should seem to own either Party which the Emperour had strictly forbidden Moreover the Army was not supplyed with Provisions because the Neighbors refused rather by force than willingly the Spaniard sending to them continual Embassies excusing thereby former Miscarriages and for the future promising better Things whereby they grew so confident that when Berck was beleaguer'd round Mendosa as in Contempt refused either to augment the Garrison or send the Souldiers mutinying therein their Pay Wherefore the Germans thought fit rather to reduce Rees that so they might have Supplies of Victuals from the Hollanders nearer hand or any thing else that they stood in need of Thither was come Herman Count Heremberge by Command of Cardinal Andrew he might lay the blame of his own men with the Hollanders spun out much time with the hope of restoring cert in places and thereupon resolutely answer'd That the States had rendred up many Towns and more Forts without any Conditions and that they should not by an unequal Comparison seek to hide their Crimes And being asked If he had brought Money wherewith to satisfie so many People of the Damage done to them and what Caution should be given that the same Evils should not afterwards be re-acted when the taking so many Towns and the wasting so many Fields made manifest that the King's Promise and Seal were but Feeble Pillars for them to trust to or rely on But Deeds differ'd from Words and therefore the Commanders by wasting Time in Disputes and the Souldier growing effeminate more and more by Idleness began to commit Rapines and other wicked Acts doing nothing against the Enemy but daring to act over again those Villanies which They were come thither to punish and revenge At the very Siege of Rees there was no Hostility but as in Derision the Germans were invited to Drinking and some there were that went shook Hands with them and returned safe until this private Collusion of the Souldiers was at last changed into a Truce for certain Days Without all doubt the Confederate States expected many and great Things from this German Commotion which produced them no other benefit unless that while so great an Army grew stupid through Idleness Count William being sent from Bommel with seven Troops of Horse and fifty Companies of Foot to Doetichem taken by Mendosa the Year before and re-took it from the Enemy within three days although the Season were very wet and the Besieged made strong Defence by shooting and otherwise About the same time Lewis of Nassau being sent towards Grave with some Troops though the Enemy over-matched him in Number yet he pursued their Party and by provident Conduct through the narrow Passages of the Journey and by the side of the Maes brought back the Booty which the Enemy had taken in the Country And by this time the Truce was ended at Rees yet was no progress made in the Siege for the truth is the Commanders were not skill'd in those Affairs And the Pioneers of Holland that came thither chose rather continuance of small Wages and long Work with Safety than great Wages and short Work with Danger There were scarce any shew of Guards or Sentinels throughout the Camp so that their fresh Souldiers came into the Town with Relief And now Winter drawing on when according to the Custom of War a Herald being sent too inconsiderately by the Besiegers with a Summons the Besieged retaining the Messenger suddainly sally'd out upon the unprovided and unwary Enemy of whom they slew near 200 and carryed off with them some of their Guns which strook so great a Terrour into their weak and Cowardly Hearts that they not onely raised the Siege but deserted their Camp in an unworthy and almost unparallel'd flight leaving behind them both their Boats and all sorts of Provisions part of which the Spaniards carryed away other part the Germans themselves who were on the Spaniard's Party Thus in a short time this Army mouldred to nothing while some mutinyed for their Pay and others averred they were entertain'd onely for three Moneths Service The Duke of Brunswick punish'd many of his People with Death for their vitious Behaviour and Negligence The Souldiers also in the Fort near Berck fled and so did they that under Hohenlo had besieged Gennep as soon as the Spaniards
like nature eleven years before this time in the great Fleet of King Philip when it was plainly as it were set out by fate that the Hollanders and Spaniards should by turns find how uncertain the hopes of those things were which are committed to the Winds and Waves At the beginning of Summer they set out a Fleet of threescore and thirteen Ships carrying eight thousand Seamen and Souldiers under the Command of Peter Douse the Admirall who was a Noble man but as if he had had no Honour from his Birth attained to this heighth of Command by long Service and many gradations they received Command to destroy the Fleet which the King of Spain had been a great while in building for want of Timber Cordage and Marriners and this was one cause that induced the States to make so much hast that done to spoyl the American Ships and wast all the Coasts of the said Enemies Dominion This unusual and daring attempt carryed with it great terrour so that the Shores were left desolate all flying from thence for there were Letters sent before out of Holland that mentioned the coming of the Fleet into these parts as if it had been learned from some Captives The Fleet begun by King Philip lay at Corunna At first the Hollanders came and lay by them but they not daring to trust the naked Fleet to their Enemies mercy got under the protection of a strong Castle and then the Cannon thundering from the Ships Castle and Fort which was hard by took away all their hopes of assaulting either at distance or near at hand Wherefore having seen enough here that that Nation which boasted it self Lady of the Ocean had with their Fleet sought a hole and hid themselves in their Docks rather then to fight at Sea with Honour When they came to the mouth of the River Tagus some were greedy and violent for the taking of Lisbone either for Honours sake or in hope of a prey urging the antient discords of their Neighbour-hood the hated Dominion of the Castilians And lastly the City it self which in the Expedition of the English for Don Antonio was found to be but weak though it were very large and if that Nation took it then that went to manage a War not to seek for Booty without doubt it will be as easily done now On the other side many were of Opinion that in so long a Peace the King had repaired and made good all defects and that it was not to be expected that a Fleet so long looked for should do any good against such great Cities wherein as well the care as the fear of the Governours makes them diligent It would be a safer course to steer to the Islands in the Atlantike Ocean bordering upon the Coast of Barbary which the Antients either for the Fecundity of the Soyl or because they so called and esteemed all unknown things named the Fortunate Islands from whence the People came that first inhabited them by reason of their far distance and Antiquity is very uncertain Of old when they were yet unknown to Europe they had several sorts of Language That of Tenariffe came near to African and the People thereof called themselves Guanchus Many of their Customs were common to them with the Barbarians particularly like the Scithians they used to expose and give their Wives to prostitution with the Indians they esteem their Sisters Sons as their Heirs as being related to them by the surer tye of consanguinity Rapes violently committed they punish with death they account Divorces infamous It is lawful onely for their Kings to marry their Sisters as among the Inchas of Peru Private men may if they will have more Wives than one This also is a Scythian Custom that the King or chief Lord should have the Virginity of every new marryed Bride The Gods they worship are the Sun Moon and Stars above whom there is one Judge they say of good and evill actions and therefore that there is another life after death Infants are with solemn Rites purified with water They give no publick demonstrations of Christianity or Mahometisme yet they live simply unanimously and innocently far beyond them that are called Christians and practise nothing but force fraud and other Vices not of Religion but the Age The first that came thither were the Genoueses in the Year One Thousand Three Hundred Almost a hundred years after that Bethineurt a Noble-man of Picardy came and Inhabited there teaching them good manners and Piety affirming himself also to be a King But when his Fortune would not answer to so high a Title the right of the same was transferred to the Kings of Castile whose Potency destroyed their antient Rites Language and Orders and made these Islands one step to his further greatness One of these named Ganaria though now it is a common name to them all but to this the head of the rest it belongs peculiarly the Castle wherein being excellently seated the Hollanders Fleet subdued and one Spanish Ship in the sharp fight sunk and two others taken The Horse and Foot of the Island gathering together upon the shore with some small Guns hoped to hinder their landing for that the place it self was not very fit for that purpose But the Admiral Dâ—use commanded his Cannon to be shot off and his long Boats to be hastned Himself first going off when the Shelves would not suffer him to come close to the shore he leaped into the water but the Enemy run to meet him himself received three wounds and others of his Company many by the casting of Darts and Shot being unexperienced both in that old and new sort of Arms. But the Barbarians being beaten into the Town of Allagene the Castle was presently surrendred with the Guns and Garrison they that entred wondered as they set their Mauritian Ensigns up in a place so far distant to see the excellent Fortifications of the place and all other things necessary for defence unless that in all that Age the seldom happening of mischances had now in this suffering so converted all into fear that they had no use of their Arms. The Army being led to the Town some dayes were spent by the Besiegers in drawing thither their Cannon In which time the Besieged did convey whatsoever was dear and precious to them among the Rocks which were in a manner unpassable and shortly after themselves followed either into the same or other narrow places that were easie to be defended many of them being so ignorant who the Enemy was that a runaway Negro offered to sell himself to the Hollanders and abjure Christian Religion Besides this two other smaller Castles were deserted Some that were sent out to find their lurking holes and to strike a terrour into them going further than was convenient in places known to the Enemies but to them altogether unknown and besides being wearied with labour and heat were surrounded by the Barbarians and slain Wherewith the Islanders being
under the false Title of Honour affects those kind of Conflicts from whence can arise neither a profitable Victory to the Publique and among Wise-men Death in such a Quarrel doth hardly deserve a Pardon The Winter yet continuing lest any occasion given by the Enemies Troubles among Themselves might slip Prince Maurice suddainly providing a Fleet and dispersing otherwise several Rumours of War within â— days forced the Castle or Fort of Crevecour adjoyning to the Maes and Dies to surrender The Enemies Horse that came thither too late to strengthen the Garrison and were denyed Entrance at Shertogenbosh that City always fearing Souldiers were slain almost to the Number of 5â—0 The Work about the Fort augmented by Mendosa were now finish'd by Prince Maurice From thence he went to the Fort Andrew where the Germane and Walloon Souldiers thrusting out their Captains openly acknowledged a Sedition and sending Balotte who under pretence of an Expedition should allure them out they escaped the Fraud yet they held that strong Fort not without hope of pardon as a Pledge for the Arrears of Three Years Pay due to them and for this they were more obstinate against the Enemy because a less price was offer'd them for their coming over than they hoped to get and yet saved both their Oath and Honour There were some great Guns left there for resistance the Rampire it self was like a Castle wherein were two Fortresses or Batteries upon the Maes and two upon the Wael the fifth looking towards Harwarden About the Trench and beyond it were continual Galleries and then again a Trench within which the Rivers were contained In the strength of these Works the Spaniards had so great Confidence that Albertus in his Letters and Discourse boasted That he possessed the Mouth of the Rivers and that he had put a Yoke upon the Necks of the Hollanders As long as the Sâ—yl overflowed by the Rivers this Winter would not bear digging being sollicited to come to Articles they resolutely denâ—ed and a Captive Souldier being dismissed by Prince Maurice to perswade them to a Surrender was kill'd in detestation of the Treachery nor would seem to send the Body into the Camp Whereupon turning Counsel and Advice into Force Prince Maurice thought nothing so fit as to begirt the Besieged with a Camp and to fortifie himself against Enemies from abroad Whereof dismissing the Horse whereof there was no use in those moyst and wet Grounds he placeth part of his Forces in Ships and upon Bridges in the Fields of Tiel and Bomâ—â—â— and other small Islands in the Waell The main of his strength he setled on the Edge of Brabant and breaking the Bank le ts in thither the Maes that he might have the more free space for Erecting his Works and also stop the Enemies passage that Way Besides in six places he built Forts with other lesser Bulwarks intermixt whereby all passage to him was utterly cut off and for increasing their Terrour the Castle of Batenborg situate at the Maes and yet carrying some glimmering of the Old Name of the Hollanders in its own formerly as far as the French Borders was brought into subjection by the Battery of great Guns whose Noise and Thunder the Besieged heard And they were grievously wounded with Darts yet unevenly thrown and at uncertainty which the others returned to them again and many of them being consumed they were forced to seek lurking places under the Rampire But the want of Wood and Medicines most afflicted them the moysture of the overflowed Ground being very prejudicial to the Health of their Bodies The Souldiers in the Town of Shertogenbosch kept up their hopes by giving frequent Signs by Fire and endeavouring to carry in ships but in vain The Army also came under the Command of Velasco threatning great Things but they could find no way to their Companions the Fields being cover'd with Water and the Forts opposing them And now much of the Mountain Snow being melted by the approach of the Spring and after their Rivers returned to their bounds the Pioneers began to fall to work especially in the night and when the Moon grew old At length they came to the Gallery which we mentioned to be encompassed with a Rampire When the Souldiers though they had not suffered the utmost extremity yet being out of all hope of Relief and Prince Maurice hastning to redeem the time they came to Conditions and one hundred twenty five thousand Florens were payd part of their pay due from the Enemy which they divided man by man For this price was that famous and well-builded Fort bought standing most conveniently for the defence of Holland then the Cannon and whatever else was therein and one thousand two hundred Souldiers coming over to the Hollanders who performing according to Custom all the Sign of joy even They Themselves tryumphed over Themselves These men afterwards did very good service when giving over their licentiousness they returned to the Discipline of War yet they were for this thing proscribed as Traytors by the Enemy which together with hatred and fear of punishment put them in an excessive rage If these things were not to be approved before rigid Judges certainly these are more excusable then the Gertruydenburgers for they though defrauded of all their pay for a long season yet had stood out against a Camp and a two moneths Siege they do not complain upon just Causes since they alter their obedience to good advantage About this time the States set out an Edict that no one should reproach these new Souldiers for their transition or coming over as well understanding that even for smaller causes an Army hath sometimes fallen to intestine discords as of late during this Siege two Souldiers the one a German the other a Frenchman quartelling at Dice sell to fight when of a sudden each of their Country-men coming in to take parts had like to have been the cause of great slaughter and blood-shed for scarcely could the contest be ended even by the interposition of the States About this time the long pertinacy of the City of Groningen having justly enraged those that emulated it made the rest of the States fall upon sharp resolves such as is scarcely usual among free people the common people being in their own nature fierce and having gotten Governours that were exiles during the rule of the Spaniards and therefore be having themselves with the greater confidence towards the people disdained to live under severer Laws now then those that oppressed them under the King by whose connivence they had obtained to have their Houses Tax-free and some other things beneficial indeed to themselves but prejudicial to the Inhabitants who remembring these things by the Decree of the United States to whom they had subjected themselves they would not agree that many of the Priviledges they had nominally used should be taken away from them Besides they had neglected for three years together to bring their Tributes into the Treasury
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
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
it was publickly said that those Covenants were of no force that should disannull the Emperor's Edict pardon Crimes and grant a power of fortifying Towns and all this without the Emperor's consent whose authority in that City was supreme And soon after Rudolphus being not a little angry that the affairs of Embden should be transacted by a forein power sent Maximilian Count of Cocheine to the States who grievously accusing the Embdeners related the causes which had moved the Emperor long since to declare both to others and to them the United States that they should give no assistence to those Rebells and that nevertheless they had invaded the City with their souldiers begun a War in the Country and taken booties for the repressing and taking away of which injuries the Emperor had sent his Commands by him Which done he recited particularly what things seemed unjust in that last Agreement To these things the United States although they were more proudly reproved yet returned this modest answer That Enno came of his own accord to them and had voluntarily entred into those Covenants and that it is not usual to blame those that had used their endeavors in the composing their neighbors differences Also that they had as little as possibly they could receded from the Delphzilian Covenants which they understood pleased the Emperor and that they had sent their souldiers into the City not to offer an injury to the Emperor but lest the Spaniard who by the Peace made at Verbin had taken to himself all the right of Authority in the Country beyond the Eems should seize it being so convenient to infest the Hollanders and at once withdraw it from the German Empire Thus had he taken formerly Utrecht Gelders and other places beyond the Rhine Thus had he seized Millain and some peculiar appurtenances of the Empire and at last Cambray and all this without contradiction Nor were the Letters and Messengers sent by Enno to the King and other Spanish Commanders without cause suspected by them To these good words they added some gifts to the Embassador however as yet all things at Embden were full of hatred and dissention every one being suspicious of another This also made the Hollanders more incensed against Enno because his brother John as we said before having obtained licence from the Pope to marry with Enno's Daughter to whom he was Uncle promoted the Roman Rites in the Country of Paderborn and did the Bishop's business there breaking into the City upon them who had kept it upon pretence of liberty raging against them with most exquisite torments among whom the Consul of the Town was tormented and afterwards cut in pieces The latter end of Winter the Spaniard suddenly took and lost Wachtendonck For a Fisherman being hired brought into the Castle fifteen souldiers under the command of Matthew Dulken he was the Governor of Stralen not far off which were covered over with straw and upon the approch of the Sentinel that stretched forth his hand to help him up drawing his sword he thrust him through then all the souldiers leaped up and strove to admit their companions that were on the other side of the river Neeres forcing the bridges that were kept against them which they did by that time their fellows who lay in ambush not far off arrived But the garrison of the Town although the Castle and the Governor Rihoven were taken began to raise a mount and battery against it and with speed to bring thither Cannon And by chance it happened that two troups of Hollanders that had been abroad foraging rode by which hearing of the Tumult entred the Town and presently souldiers being sent for to Berck and Moers they begirt the Castle and the sixth day after recovered it being sorely assaulted and withall wanting of provision Not long after Grobbendonâ— laying some ambushes in the Champains of Brabant surprised five troups of Maurician horse and though he were inferior to them in number killed near seventy of them many men and horses were taken and the rest fled But this damage suffered by the horse was doubly recompensed by a more famous naval victory For Frederick Spinola weary of an inglorious idleness and hastning out of the greatness of his spirit to purchase honor and wealth by the wasting of Zeland furnished eight gallies of the bigger sort and four lesser with chosen souldiers out of the Camp before Ostend besides a great number of slaves that rowed and going out of the Haven of Scluys the wind gently seconding his desires he got over the Sands and spying the Enemie's Fleet chose a place to fight with them in upon the open Sea Three Zeland Ships of war had beset the Port over which one Justus Moon had the Command besides two Gallies one of Holland the other of Zeland four of these the fifth for want of wind being very far distant and giving no other assistence to the battel then with its great Guns voluntarily setting forward Spinola set upon close at hand with a great outcry compassing sometimes this sometimes t'other with more violence as hope led him on distressing them with the multitude of his shot and indeed over-powerfull for them as well by the help of the weather as the number of his Ships and souldiers for in the Hollanders Fleet were no more then six and thirty souldiers out of the Town of Flushing who were armed with Muskets but the company of Sea-men being naturally inclinable to war skilled in the use of their Arms and Guns both near at hand and at distance freely gave wounds to their Enemies both with their Swords and Javelins And now the fight grew so hot that the very clouds of smoak had eclipsed the light from their eyes so that it seemed to be a nocturnal fight untill Frederick himself with great valour and confidence assailing one of the Enemies Ships was killed with several wounds and with him above three hundred others beside many hurt but the breaking of the Oares was the first thing that took away all hope of Victory from the Italians hereupon they were surprised with fear lest more Ships coming out of Zeland should encompass them on every side and so in time they retreated to the Fleet. This victory of the Zelanders with so small loss which happened because the ribs of their Ships were more solid and compact and less open to the damage of the bullets made that great terror of those at first unknown Vessels come to nothing for that it was experimentally found that they might be overcome even in the most calm and serene weather There was no War any where untill the midst of Summer but before Ostend because the Hollanders not receiving those aids out of England and Scotland which they hoped had enough to doe to defend their own and the Arch-duke minding to take Berck and to pass the Rhine for the perfecting these new designes he procures new forces out of Spain and Italy under the conduct of
transactions in those parts while in the interim about Ostend the Warre greatly increased and therewith not the charge onely but the political inventions and stratagems also And now the Winter being past that had sometimes been offensive to these other-while to those as the force of the wind drove the waters and made them more turbulent in the middle of the Spring a fierce assault was made from the Camp upon all the quarters of the Town and when the Defendants were not able to sustain so violent and spreading a force three Forts were taken by the Enemy which lying on the backside of the Town at the conflux of the waters we mentioned before to be slightly guarded and some few daies after the besieged making a sally upon the same places which wanted success made the Enemy not onely encrease the number of his Guards but to put therein of his choicest men But other small Forts beyond the Gollet assaulted by Bucquoy were successfully maintained Colonel Dorpen was then Governour of the Town whose time being spent he was succeeded by Colonel Notte Towards the middle of Summer Ambrose Count Spinola came to Ostend promising an end to this hard and by some esteemed desperate work if he might have the chief command in the Camp Nor did he undertake this out of any vain temerity but by the sound informations of those by whom both the place and method of the Warre were well understood especially after the way was found through the water over great piles of wood a work onely of time and diligence whereby the Works of the Town might be taken from them as it were by piece-meal And this desire of Spinola was the more easily consented to by King Philip because besides many eminent vertues of a noble minde whereof he had given certain testimonies he offered also out of his private wealth to prescribe a remedy to the affairs of the Treasury at that time very much out of order He was at first very greatly envied because being an Italian and but newly come into the Warre among so many Netherlanders and Spaniards he commanded at once both the Souldiers and Treasury but he diligently minding all things and following the most prudent by little and little overcame it And presently removed such as had made a gain of the Treasury having prepared his own provisions because there was need of money to prevent mutinies and running away Besides the hope of rewards had brought thither the most famous Wits of Christendome among whom there was great emulation in finding out new waies of approching battering and assaulting Towns and as any ones inventions came to most perfection in the executive part so was the care of the General more ready to gratifie him with a certain reward No less valour or industry was shewn by the besieged for they took care lest their provisions should be streightned that all commanded allowances should be publickly delivered and for their defence were unwearied in their Watches yea and sometimes were confident enough to make Sallies besides what either the violence of the Enemy or the Sea had thrown down they employed skilful workmen to repair To believe so great a number of men shut up in so narrow a compass and obnoxious to so many dangers wounds and labours and yet to finde no contagion bred among them next to the providence of God must needs be attributed partly to the extraordinary care of the Chirurgeons and Physicians and partly to the care of the States which alwaies caused the sick or wounded with all diligence to be carried thence Moreover besides the harm they did by burning bullets and hand-granadoes and the like new inventions they did other great damage to the Enemies materials being now through dry by the heat of the weather The chief labour of the Assailants was concerning some Boats that were built for the carriage of great Guns by the same Engineer which we mentioned before Targon a Romane a man of a very subtle wit but altogether unexperienced in Martial affairs Part of these were sent to the left hand of the Town where the Sea was not so boisterous to the Forts that lay nearest to the Enmy but on the right hand where the Gollet is the shot being unequally levelled they did little or no harm most of them being spoiled by the impetuousness of the waters because stones being bound up in great bundles of wood the bands thereof quickly breaking the rest floated having lost the weight that kept it down Yet was not Spinola dismayed thereat but still added more Boats to the former learning new waies of Fortification from the very experience they gained from their losses And the battery of Count Bucquoy being by little and little advanced nearer the Town it came to pass that Ships came in and out with more difficulty to bring in Souldiers Victuals Guns or Gunpowder some after that falling upon the Shallows or being swallowed up in the Sea when they had in striving to enter endured the fury of the Enemies Artillery Against the shot from the Town the Besiegers partly chose the night partly used Works made of earth to keep out the water wherein were transfixed several rows of Piles and Faggots where they had setled in places of more safety otherwise they sunk great Vessels filled with stuff underneath the water But in Spain with the King who in the practice of his Affairs did most things by the counsel ot Strangers not his own judgement sometimes new counsels were preferred before old other times the old regained their former repute as the authority of persuading or hope of the event led every one Some averred that it was a great error of State to forbid the Hollanders traffick with Spain they being a People potent at Sea and seeking Merchandise from the farthest parts of the earth either by Arms or otherwise and going to the Indies to the no small though new and hitherto unheard of damage of the Spaniards With how much more wisedome did his Father attain a hope of Peace from that custome of the Provinces among themselves having alwaies a convenient number of Ships as often as occasion required made ready for him by his very Enemies If a remedy should be sought for present and future mischiefs it must be by taking away necessity from the Hollanders for that very thing first shewed them their own strength This counsel in it self not absurd was yet found fault with and disallowed by covetousness for though Trade was publickly confirmed by Edict yet there was so great a Tribute and Custome besides what was formerly laid upon all Merchandise that it amounted to little less then the third part of the price of the commodity to wit thirty in the hundred was to be paid to the King's Exchequer And this was not laid upon the Hollanders onely but all other Nations lest otherwise the Hollanders should shelter themselves under the names of others and for some private causes of hatred against those
assault Sand-hill and though the first of them were scattered by the force of gun-powder out of a Mine yet Barlaymont drove on the rest until they attained the top of the place From hence they went by secret waies under ground into the old Town sometimes the besieged sallied and in stead of the Works which they had lost they raised new ones more inwardly which out of a vain humour and conceit of the long continuing of the siege they named Troy For the fresh ground being in it self loose and not sufficient to resist the shot though it was in the midst of Summer as often as the wind blew off from the Sea all things were laid open to ruine Insomuch that now the States themselves began to consider the infinite charge and the losses of the Souldiers not much inferiour to the greatest Battels and that Ostend it self being so inclosed with Forts could be of no use Besides whether they looked at honour or profit they had gotten more of either in three months in the winning of Scluys besides Berck and Grave then Albertus would get by Ostend which he had contested for so many years And now the greatest part of Autumn being spent time was past for the Enemy to undertake any thing else and Winter was coming which was both dangerous and dreadful to the besieged And if they should goe thither with an Army first the way was full of water and in the middle was Damâ— and Blankenbâ—rg Garrisons of the Enemy besides by length of time the Camps were well setled the Forces united and both Commanders and Souldiers were used to fight all which threatned great hazards to such an attempt Therefore command was given to Colonel Marquette that he should set an end to that tedious conflict upon as honourable terms as he could which was accordingly done And first of all the Ships and other Vessels were sent away with part of the Artillery Then Commissioners were sent who desired that all in the Town might freely march out with their Arms and four Cannon and that all Prisoners should be exchanged which Spinola easily granted either out of an high esteeâ— of their approved valour or to prevent other uncertain events which time might produce Three thousand marching through the midst of the Enemie's Camp came to Scluys to the Prince who received them not as overcome but gave them praises and thanks as Conquerors The Arch-duke with his Princely Spouse came to see the place for which they had offered up so many vows and been at so infinite an expence of money time and bloud themselves protesting the loss of fifty thousand men and that a greater number of the besieged was killed They found nothing but an empty and confused plat of ground here full of rude and mis-shapen heaps there falling into great and uneven holes with such confused remains of Fortifications that by looking thereon one could scarce imagine which were made for the defence or which for the assailing the Town The Townsmen that lived there before went thence to Scluys and although the Arch-duke granted many Privileges to the place yet of a long time none would inhabit it looking upon it as a place of horrour and defiled with the bloud and bones of dead men which is generally repugnant to the nature of most men Besides those Embassadors which I mentioned before King Philip and the Arch-duke sent into England more to wit this sent Don John Richardot and Don Lewis Verrcikem but he Don Ferdinando Velasco Constable of Castile and Don Alexandro Roverti a Senator of Millaâ—n both of them very desirous of Peace not so much out of fear of the English as that they might draw the Hollanders to reason by taking away their props and supporters Nor wanted there some in that warlike Nation that persuaded to Warre repeating in the English Parliament which was then met the ancient alliances with the Hollanders the many leagues and marriages long before Philip Duke of Burgundy unjustly drove Jacoba married to a Britan out of her Principality And the reason given for this amity was that without it the Sea could be safe to neither and it would grow from thence that Trading would be full and free On the contrary the Spaniards had no need of Peace for Warre was more beneficial to them And it was chiefly to be provided that the Hollanders should not by extremity be compelled to joyn either with the French the ancient Enemies of Great Britain or the Spaniards Enemies for Religion sake and the thirst of Dominion It hath been evident by too many examples that who had the dominion of the Sea would easily be Master of Britain But the King not at all moved herewith and supposing there was strength enough both in Britain and Holland for that to maintain Peace and this Warre thereupon refusing the society of Arms offered against the Spaniard he agreed to a Peace Besides the Articles usual in Leagues there were added certain concerning free Navigation such as was before the Warre and upon paiment of the same Customes Nothing was spoken of America or the Indies because the English would not endure to be excluded and the Spaniard was obstinate to admit none so that matter was left to the decision of him that was most potent Concerning Religion it was agreed That the English should not be compelled in Spain to goe to their Churches That when they met the consecrated Host they should doe reverence thereto unless they chose rather to goe out of the way These that follow pertained to the Hollanders viz. That neither of them should help the others Enemies or Rebels nor should suffer them to be helped by any of their Subjects That the facts of private persons should be answered for by themselves but the publick Peace not be hazarded thereby But the Britans denied to deliver the Briel or Flushing to the Spaniard affirming it was contrary to the faith contained in their Articles in the interim the Souldiers that kept those Towns should be unconcerned in the Warre but should doe their endeavours for pacifying the Hollanders and if that were delaied yet that at least there should be an open and free passage for the Netherlanders and English in point of trade That there should not reside at one time in the Ports of either above six or eight of the others Ships of Warre That the English should be forbidden to carry the Hollanders Commodities into Spain or the Spanish Merchandises into Holland Thus that Warre being ended King James that he might take away the cause of all intestine discords by obliterating the names of Scots and English would have both to be united and grow up into one Kingdome by communicative Laws and to be called Britain undertaking herein a difficult matter and which was agitated with great contentions while the yet fresh differences and emulations would hardly allow thereof as the foundation of a solid good to posterity Soon after according to these agreements with Albertus
chose among these Trebizond for a new Seat of another Empire the Trade was drawn thither through the Caspian Sea by a way not so much used as known to the Romans of old as Pliny teacheth us out of Varro and afterwards the Turks Power encreasing thereabout it was carryed thence by Camells and Dromedaries to Aleppo But the Sultans that possessed Caire restored it again to the Red Sea and Alexandria After this the Portugueses having searched many parts of Africa and Asia and planted Colonies in the Year One Thousand Five Hundred and Twelve came to these Islands whereby force and Arms prevailing partly by the differences of the Kings there and partly by the strengâ—h of their Shipping easily made themselves Lords of the Trade of Cloves spoyling and destroying all Ships that by chance at any time came thither either from Persia or Arabia and stopping up all the passages into Egypt Thus did the Sultans loâ—e no less than the yearly Revenew of fourscore Thousand Ducats At that time the King of Ternata was Boloif the Son of â—rgeo who was looked upon among his Subjects as a Prophet the King of Tideris was Almansor these were at variance between themselves a long time only out of a desire of increasing Dominion which was the Original and cause of their slavery The Portugueses preferred the friendship of him of Ternata as having the larger Government and as if they believed any thing lawful to be done against Mahomitans they poysoned Almansor disobeying their Command for which cause his Son and Heir Raxamira submitted himself to the obedience of the Castilians who eight years after publickly came into those parts as if with an intent to take possession thereof averting that their Ancestors and Magellane had discovered those places before the Portugueses and besides they so interpreted the method of dividing the World and the several positions of places with such incertain dimensions that they would include these places within the bounds of their Empire Hence it came that when those two distinct People Spaniards and Barbarians were intermingled they had sharp but no long conflicts because the Emperour Charles the Fifth who Reigned in Castile wanting money and not rightly understanding of what great concernment the matter in agitation was accepting from John the Third King of Portugall Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Duckets He pawned to Him all His Right in the Mollucca's from whence the Portugueses have since claimed a free Trade there without interruption sending all their Cloves to Goa from whence the Persians Turks Chinoys and Africans fetched them yet scarcely so much by a third part as is vended to the European Nations Therefore it was no wonder that out of the Molucca Islands and Amboyna which is not far distant and brings forth the same Fruit and Banda where the best Nutmegs grow which bears a Flower that is called Mace the Kings of Portugalls had a yearly Revenew of Two Hundred Thousand Duckats Pepperâ— and Ginger growing every where are esteemed vile to these so also is Cinamon Now as the Wealth of these barbarous Kings increased so also did the injuries offered to them for that which at first was but an allyance after became and was turned into publick Tyranny and what before was the Obligation to Fidelity now was converted into designs of Treachery After the Death of Bolcif his Son Bajan that succeeded Him in the Kingdom was taken Prisoner and after Him his Brother and King Dayall These by some means or other being dead one Arrias took the Kingdom who also was Himself first Imprisoned and afterwards slain for no cause but out of envy to His greatness for He was unspotted in His Fidelity insomuch that many Islands about which had formerly been Governed by the Noblemen in admiration of His Vertues submitted themselves to His Government so that He had under His Command above seventy Isles and no small parts of the Celebes Country Mindanao and Gilolo His two Elder Sons were so terrified with that sad Example that they refused the Name of King and so escaped the danger The Third named Babus ventured to take the Crown and promising to revenge the former facts it was admirable to see how much Affection both His Subjects and Neighbours shewed to him In His Reign the English first came out of Europe under the Conduct of Captain Drake in the Year One Thousand Five Hundred Seventy and Nine and disturbed the Possession of the Portugueses Babus expected ayd a long time from these but being frustrate of His hopes and the Courages of the Barbarians beginning as is usual by little and little to languish and hearing that the Wealth both of Castile and Portugall were united in King Philip He sent some to him to excuse the revenge He had taken for His Fathers murther and promised for the future Faith and Obedience But he was eluded with ambiguous Answers â—â—til soon after dying together with the Kingdom He left to His Brother Zaida instead of hopes of Parâ—on His hatred against the Spaniards ready to burst out upon any occasion given There was also one Molee who after Raâ—amira Succeeded His Father Guna slain by Zaida and his Brother Gâ—apabaguna uncertain by whom poysoned in the Government of Tyderis who to oblige the Portugueses by good Offices was envious of their adversaries These were they the Hollanders found when first as we have before related they came into that World In the Year One Thousand Six Hundred Zaida first with joy beheld the Hollanders Arms able to cope with the Portugall Power against whom He joyned with the other with so much Courage that He not only defied the Spaniards as Enemies but slighted the English who desired Commerce and Trade with them but calling the Hollanders his Allyes and Confederates and the deliverers both of Himself and the Sea from tyrannous oppressions On the other side the King of Tyderis permitted the Portugueses to Erect a Castle in their Territories And before Cornelius Sebastian came thither the English once more arrived there with their Ships boasting to the Portugueses That there was a Peace between Spain and England They that accounted all Foreigners Enemies yet then counterfeited Friendship to the English although the fear of the Hollanders was more prevalent Nor was gain onely diminished by these and the number of Merchants lessened but the English resisted them that prepared for War against Tyderis that they might sell Gunpowder to the Portugalls by the scarcity whereof they were much pinched but by perseverance in Counsell it was agreed between Zaida and the Hollanders that He should only make a shew of War while they brought over their Army into the Island of Tyderis That the Hollanders only should perform the Assault of the Castle because the Barbarians are carryed â— rather by fury than advice and being once broken off suddenly loose all their Courage The Marriners therefore first of all climb up and assault two Caracks lying near the Bay then setting fire on
People Sighs and Tears together with want and the often renewed Seditions of the Souldiers prevailed that now they chose rather a obtain and peaceable Government than the hope of an inlarged Dominion attended with continual Fear But Spinola was the chief Author of that Counsel who a few years having archiev'd great Honour fear'd lest Fortune should turn Retrograde both his own and the King's Credit being at once shipwrack'd if these vast Charges should continue or any Chance should intercept the Ameriâ—â— Revenues without any hope of recovering what he had â—â—bursed so that being overwhelm'd in Debt in stead of a â—ear and honourable Fortune he could see nothing but â—ame and Poverty But in the Vnited Provinces few durst hope for Peace but rather most fear'd it being so instructed from their Parents that all Treaties with a deceitful Enemy were to be shunâ—ed and that War was most safe under whatsoever Qualification and that the great Number of Men subject to them 〈◊〉 well Souldiers as the rest of the Common People were advantaged by Arms Engines Armies and Fleets Nor was it fear'd by a few least as formerly at the beginning of the War so now at the restoring of Peace Antwerp should be chosen as the most commodious Seat for Merchandise and Traffick And when all fear of the Enemy should be taken away the Dissentions of Cities and other Disturbances of the Common-wealth were dreaded Nor were there some wanting especially among those that were more subject to Danger as lying nearer the Enemy who long since while they saw Cities taken by force and none to contradict it and that under a shew of Prudence their Limits were lessned fearing the like might happen to them when it would be too late to seek a Remedy altogether bent their whole studies for Peace But the more Moderate as they thought fit to avoid Treacheries so they likewise agreed to try Whether Arms might be laid aside upon Honourable Terms with the safety of the Commonwealth and preservation of Religion Nor was this time to be omitted when the Enemies Affairs were decaying the Authority of the States was grown more firm by long Obedience and there were two potent Princes as it were at their sides the one offended at the Spaniard the other for many just Reasons displeased with the Pope and therefore would consequently be more cordial to the Hollanders The state of Affairs both at Home and abroad being in this condition Herman Wittenhorsten by the Arch-Duke's Command came to the Hagne about the end of the year The same also before the Armies should march out in the Spring had passed through Gelderland and Holland but with Command onely to commune in private whereof there would be occasion enough given him in regard he was allyed to several of the Holland Nobility either by the Consanguinity of his Ancestors or other Collateral Affinity of Marriages But now John Genard the Secretary coming to accompany him from Turnholt where both of them lived and that place paying Tribute to both Parties caused them to have the more free admittance He deliver'd to the chief of the States what he had in Command from Albertus and Isabella which was to this effect That nothing was more desired by them than the Peoples Peace and that an end might be put to their long and bloody Troubles That the Rights belonging to the Arch-Dukes were not unknown to the States as also that they sought not anything that belonged to others They on the other side should consider what they conceived fit for confirming their Security whether a Peace or a Truce onely and that it was left to them whether they would chuse a publike or a private Treaty from which all unjust and treacherous Dealings should be banish'd But the matter was deferred because they brought no Letters from the Arch-Dukes to the States We shall hereafter relate with care what gradations and progress it had and with what inclination it was managed because this will 〈◊〉 far more expedient for the knowledg of Citizens than the Arts of Fortifications or Excursions of Horse and Foreign Nations at no time before had spoken of the Hollanders with more Honour and Renown The Sixteenth BOOK of the History of the Dutch AFFAIRES THE Winter growing more warm yet very turbulent with high Winds as it made the Hollanders secure from their Enemies Incursions yet hindred not the flowing of the Rivers as if the Heavens had been pleased with the overtures of Peace nevertheless it did same harm in another part by spoyling some Ships near the Texell because the Island was unsafe for Winter stations which Ships were thereby forced to delay the time of their going out into several parts of the World But the Vnited States that they might with the more certainty settle domestick Peace and vindicate their fame after Time had cared their late grown Troubles of Groeninge taken off the necessity of imperious Command and reduced their minds 〈◊〉 a conformity of obedience commanded the Castle which they had built to keep the City in awe to be demolished and pulled down which though formerly it was necessary yet now if it should be continued would not at all suit with the Liberty which they pretended towards all The chief cause of this their so great security was That the Magistrates of the City were such whose fidelity both to them and the publike Religion was well known and a great Garrison was kept therein without charge and without regret Yet for all this had the Souldiers no time of leisure for the Spaniard broke into and burned a small Fort in the Isle of Bommell the Sentinell being hired by them to hold his peace The Captain that Commanded the place was slain who was blamed for this because in not changing his Watches he had given hopes to that Treacherous Design Also the Count Bruyke a younger Brother but in pay under the Hollanders as he rid to his Father's house with a small retinue fell into an ambush of the Enemies his Secretary by chance going before was shot which was a sign of what was following to his Master yet he did not offer to fly but valiantly coped with the Enemy not out of hope to escape but because he was ashamed to be taken After he was slain his body was barbarously wounded the fortune and hatred which they bore towards his Father being executed upon the Son for with the like barbarism was his Father killed by Mendosa's Souldiers But Henry of Nassau going out with a strong Party of Horse to the spoyl of Spinola's men that carelessly Wintered in the Country of Limburg when they hearing of the danger retired into the Cities He took by force Erkelen a Town lying in his way after he had beaten down the Gate with a Petard This is a small Town in Gelderland which out of a sense of its own weakness had of old paid Tribute to both parties But then by chance was become an Enemy to the Hollanders by
his Valour but understanding by the Spies which he had sent under the pretence of Merchants and by some French and British Ships that he met that the Ships which had been there were most of them departed to the Indies and those that were to follow them were not ready but that a great Fleet of Spaniards lay in the Bay of Gibraltar which would take the Hollanders Ships passing out of the Mediterranean Sea into the Ocean in that streight thither he steered his course sailing as the Wind would give him leave sometimes near the Coast of Barbary and other whiles nearer the Coast of Spain for two very high Mountains generally known by the names of Hercules Pillars being the Mountains Abila in Barbary and Calpe in Spain do make narrow the Streight of the Atlantike Ocean winding it self between those Lands Fabulous Antiquity reported these to be one Hill and indeed so it is if you admit the strait to continue their union but divided by the labour of Hercules on purpose to let in the Sea whereupon the last of those separated Hills are called as aforesaid Hercules Pillars To the one of which the old name Calpe remained until the Arabian growing Victorious gave his own names to all things and places for at what time the lâ—acens had joyned their Arms to the novelty of Mahomeâ—â— Superstition Moses the chief of the petty Kings possessing Africa who was the Son of Nuzir of the Maravadine Family went over into Spain accompanied with Tarica the 〈◊〉 of Abdalla who setting fire on his Ships that his Souldiers might not be able to desert him when he was come within Calpe he named the place Gebell Taric which in the Arabian Tongue is as much as the Mount of Tarica and â—â—â—ce by the Spaniards is corrupted into Gibraltar Thus did 〈◊〉 Mountain and City Tarifa of old Carteja get their names This City is scituate at the bottom of those Hills where making a Haven in the manner of a Theater for his Ships on the horn thereof which stretches into the Atlantike Ocean he built a strong Castle In this most safe recess of the Sea within the bosome of that most exquisite Rock â—â—d under the protection of the City and Castle the Spanish fleet lay at Anchor It consisted of 9. Galeoones the greatest of which carryed the Commander in Chief Don John Alâ—â—rez de Avila four other Ships of War The great Vessel belonging to Lubeck and four French Bottoms belonging to private Merchants but for a time taken up for publike use besides three Holland Merchants Ships that had lately been taken as Prizes In these was a great number of Marriners and great Guns together with Souldiers for Sea-service whose strength was much increased by the accession of many noble persons who upon news that the Enemies Ships were seen both at Cadiz and St. Lucas de Barramede had flocked thither to shew their Valour and duty to the King In the Admirall were seven hundred Souldiers another a little less had five hundred Admiral Hemskerke now entring the Streight and not far from the Bay of Gibraltar calling together the Captains of his Ships to Counsel He said to them Ye know Fellow Souldiers for what cause ye are come hither The Honour gotten by our Ancestors both at Sea and at home is evident to the whole World They wasted Islands and besieged Ports others by chance assisting them therein We were the first who came even into Spain it self to assault the King of Spains Fleet as intending to let the World know how falsly the Enemy in the length of his arrogant Titles ascribes to himself the Dominion of the Sea A more noted place for Honour could not be wished for God hath appointed the Hollanders Forces to be tryed and approved in the Confines of Europe and Africa so that here we shall see the Enemies themselves certain Witnesses of our Valour and their own destruction On the one Shore he the Turks and Moors to whom being hitherto scarcely heard of we ought not to be made publickly known but by some great and honourable action Take now that Courage which of old Berghen Middleburgh the Zuyderzee beheld The same fortune follows you through the World So that it is a difficult matter for you not to Conquer at Sea And let not the greatness of the Enemies Ships affright you for that very Bulk being unweldy to be moved and turned and lying open to shot will be rather a cause of ruine then safety to them And moreover this is one chief thing that among us our very Seamen fight with them only the Souldiers who appearing to me as persons of effeminacy by the stinks of the Pump and the tossing of the Waves being grown heartless are hardly able to stand up to fight I require nothing of any man but what I shall give an example of my self you Lambert shall together with my self set upon the Admirall Brassen and Alterhasen on the next and so the rest on the remainder two of you still keeping together against one the lighter Vessels shall go up and down compassing the place of fight the better to impede the Enemies flight And as soon as the Battell is begun Remember that ye fight valiantly for your Ships wherein you are all either to be slain or taken unless you get the Victory Let us forward the anxious and doubtful cares of the States in this great Affair for this day will yield a great and happy Omen to us if forced to return to the War or else will make the Spaniard more seriously to desire Peace Then may the Conquering Hollander with freedom deliberate whether it will be more for his advantage to lay aside Arms or still to maintain War We however in the interim shall begin to be esteemed happy in the Honour of this Maritime tryumph or else shall be looked upon among the chief causes that lead to peace and for the benefit of Posterity shall set a noble end to a War of 40 years continuance Having spoken these things he encouraged the Captains as well by his eyes and countenance as his words who promising largely their best endeavours likewise stirred up both themselves and others by old and new examples of Spanish cruelty so passing about an encouraging Cup and renewing their Oath of fidelity for that time they departed Avilas the Governour finding Ships so much less than his steering their course directly against him commanded a Holland Prisoner that he had with him to be brought to him of whom he asked What he thought was their Intentions Who answer'd Either I know not my Countrey men or else they are ready to give you Battel The Spaniards laughed as thinking it a scorn that their whole Fleet should be compared with that onely Galeoon that was his Admiral But when the Holland Fleet drew nearer being compell'd to believe what he saw was true he carryed his said Admiral Galeoon which by chance lay outermost nearer to the City cutting its
seven hours Journey in compass and six Foot deep in Water This they did with Engines driven by the Wind and against the outward Force of the Waters they raised Banks Indeed the Isles of the Hollanders were for the most part of a very low Situation but were preserved from being overflowed by exceeding great Labour and Industry Nor did the Ocean cease to vindicate it self by Breaches upon and Inundations of the Fields and Towns some whereof were long since by the same utterly overthrown and the Currents of Rivers being altered in such manner that there was hardly any where to be seen the like great Exchanges of Land and Water Gibrand Warwick returned out of India with two Ships which he had repaired in the Island of Swans which the Hollanders call Maurice's Island placing Anvils for shaping and forming their Iron-work in a naked and desart Soil Captain Peter Verhoeven went thither with 13 others He had formerly accompanied Hemskerk and had a great share in the Honour and Victory of Calpe or Gibraltar Beyond the Eâ—mes Prince Enno after Spinola's taking of Lingen stood in lost awe of the power of the United States and accordingly had given their Legueâ— more churlish Answer than ordinary They of Embdon likewise took that Opportunity â—mplaining of many Things concerning him as That he had by sinister means prohibited to be sent to the Overseers of the Treasury any Pay for the City-Garrison or other Things for support and managing the Publike Charge That he alone without any Decree of the Council had setled Taxes That he sufferâ— the Spanish Souldiers unpunished to go about the Country and 〈◊〉 it But the most heirous Fault objected against him â—â—s That when Sea-men went into Spain he had not given them letters all alike but as he had known them either follow his Parâ— or stand for their Country Whereupon it follow'd that whoever were taken and cruelly used and they were not a 〈◊〉 they accused the Prince Enno to have betrayed them by that under-hand dealing But the United States when they 〈◊〉 Christopher and John Prince Enno's Brothers were resident in the Country beyond the Eemes sent Souldiers to â—â—rd the Suburbs of Embden And to Enno himself not only Ambassadors but a Trumpeter with Letters whereby he was commanded within 8 days oâ— To revoke all Acts by him done â—â—â—ary to the Covenants and to do his endeavour for setting free all that were Prisoners in Spain Which if he refused to do They protested He would compel them to unwilling Arms which they supposed would be very grievous to him He sends into Britain to purchase the Favour of that King to whom he hoped it would easily be proved that a Prince might pick what Quarrel he pleased with his Subjects But at last he sent to â—â—rge himself with the States by his Embassadors especially concerning that Mischief done to Sea-men Which had not hapned by any Treacherous Dealing of his but after Embden had received a Garrison of the Hollanders all going from â—nce into Spain were taken as Enemies Thus the States advising them on both Sides to Peace dismissed them for the present After this Audience was given to the Embassadours of Charles King of Sweden and it was granted that he might raise and list Souldiers in any the Cities of Holland For he prosecuted the War sharply infesting the Levâ—nians while Sigismund was vexed with a New Rebellion at Home Besides these and some growing Commotions in the rest of Europe was quiet or at least without War The French King bad reconciled the Vanetians to the Pope upon these Tearms That the New Laws made against Priests should be of no force and whoever of them at any time should be apprehended for any Crime should be deliver'd up to the Pope Thus the Pope took off the Interdiction of Religion which he had laid upon them and they who by reason of thâ—se Dissentions had left the City returned thither again Onely the Venetians absolutely refused to re-admit the Jesuits Whereupon some Assassinates were hired notwithstanding Affairs were thus composed against Paulo Servita a Man who had both by his Counsels and Writings done faithful service to the Commonwealth this Man was almost slain with divers Wounds And as well they that did the Fact as they that hired them to do it fled into the Pope's Dominions The Senate declared That the said Paulo was under publike Protection and whoever could apprehend and deliver up or kill any that had been guilty of the same Crime should have a great Reward of Money And the more to intice them they should have the freedom to recall any two other that had been banished for other Crimes When there was a Difference with Fontayn Governour of Millayn concerning the Bounds of the Rhetians which Controversie he had determined to follow nor before Judges nor by a publike War by a suddain surprize retaining to that purpose the Forces raised in the time of the Vanetian Troubles The Treason being derected and explained with the punishment of such as were guilty made the â—ans more wary But the French and Venetians composed and setled the Matter being ready to be decided by open Arms. In Germany the Duke of Bavaria seeking the Rights of his Ancestors drew also under his Jurisdiction by Arms the City Danowert scituate near the River Ister being proscribed by the Emperour for a Tumult raised against the Priests and the Roman Religion And the Protestants of Germany too late after the Event were angry at what they had neglected to prevent many of them that were more slow to act murmuring among themselves in Conventicles and others exhibiting Complaints to the Emperour The King of Spain while he was not troubled with any Enemy at Sea receiving safely his Indian and American Fleets and besides raising a great Sum of Money in Spain wholly inclined his Thoughts to this That he might by little and little free himself of his great Debts as of mingling his publicke Power with his private Credit he lessned the Usury he was â—â—nt to pay to his Creditors and prolonged his own Day France also was fill'd with the hopes of a long Peace by the Birth of another Male-Child And the Rebellion of the Country People of Brittain against the Covetousness of the Nobles was in some short time repressed and at the preâ—ent Peace there was setled by granting them Pardon and for the future guarded by well-setled Laws From Ireland two Earls Tyrone and Tyr-Oneal He of 〈◊〉 famous for his Rebellion but both Fugitives first into France then into Brabant preferred the Love of the Roman Religion before any thing choosing rather Banishment than to Revenge it which King James esteeming injurious to himself set forth in a Book That they according to the received Custom of the Age too much pretended the Cause of Religion to hide the scandal of their Crimes For what care saith he could men so really barbarous take of Religion to whom Marriage was a thing
present then approving go unto the Assembly of the States and there produce their Masters Instructions to them till that time concealed namely That they would endeavour by all means possible to make Peace but if that could not be effected they should at least perswade boâ—h parties to the making of a Truce yet such as should be safe and honourable for the Hollanders and by which their Libeâ—ty should remain without question their right of Navigation be preserved entire and their possessions in no manner diminished That such a Truce might be brought to a Peace if the Governors of the Commonwealth behaved themselves with discretion That they well knew what just causes the Hollanders had of being enraged against their Enemies but all perturbations of mind are enemies to wholesome Counsel They should consider with themselves how unfit they were for War of themselves and that Kings are not wont to take Arms unless upon just occasion or necessity Here nothing more could be expected from the War then mutual damage and there could be no pretence of necessity as long as a Truce might be had If they agreed the same assistance should be given for defence of the Truce as was promised if a Peace were concluded but if the Spaniard which was most of all to be feared should refuse a Truce as he had done a Peace then the Kings their Masters would cordially support the safety of their Friends and Allyes for the future As soon as same had blown abroad these things immediately an unrestrayned liberty of dispersing among the vulgar books written but without the Authors Name and this humour spread all about with great heat the whole year Some foretelling from such a League solitude sedition and last of all slavery Others with much rancour ripped up all that ever the Spaniards had done in America their cruelties to the people of Granado and Arragon And lastly their Their Treacheries and Barbarismes committed in the Netherlands A third sort produced Books that shewed all the Articles prejudicial to the Romane Religion or that maintained it was not necessary to observe or perform Covenants entred into between a Prince and his Subjects Nor did they omit to find fault That they were not any Governours of Cities nor any of the Native Noblemen that were sent to Treat but Italians Spaniards Monks the most cunning and deceitful sort of men who if they could find any thing infirm or hurtful to the State they would not leave it undone nay they would endeavour by gifts to tempt the Ambassadors of Kings but the most powerful of the Nobility to turn aside from the right and walk with them in oblique and indirect wayes I esteem this none of the least evils of that Common-wealth That so great perversness should be stirred up in the common people which had often been forbidden and then was also by a new Edict yet could not be repressed while a sharp and diligent search and other more grievous punishments were not permitted as being contrary to Liberty And now an unexpected accident happened to the States though in their General Assembly and upon the presumption and hope of Peace they suffered themselves with difficulty to be drawn to hearken to a Truce yet that they might not seem to despise the advice of the Kings as it was the chief cause that induced them thereto yet there were other to wit that the Charge of the War as it had been of late managed would every Moneth exceed the money raised by Tributes above three hundred thousand Florens and that that sum would not yet be sufficient unless for the defence of the Rivers there were added to the old Forces six thousand Footmen whereby the whole Commonwealth of the VNITED STATES would be indebted nine thousand Millions of Flotens and the single Provinces particularly twice as much so that without the consent and help of the Kings their Allyes the War could not be managed with any good hope for to cut off any parts of the Government and only defend the more inward parts would be an act of cruelty although there were some that advised it and would be very dangerous if it should be known abroad and whereas some said That the Commonwealth was so constituted that it could not be at Peace though Arms were laid aside That was by others accounted an impious and infamous confession It might more justly be feared Lest the Common People understanding that just and fair Terms were refused growing displeased with their Governours should deny to bear the Charge and Burden of the War And therefore at last they returned answer That they were ready to hearken to a Truce so as their LIBERTY might be confirmed not under any Conditions or for a certain time but really and for ever But the Spaniards when the Ambassadors of the said Kings came to them gave no hopes of any such Agreement but offered another Condition which was That all Affairs should continue in the same posture they were at present with a Cessation of Arms for seven years yet so as the Spaniard might choose within two Moneths whether he would admit the Indian Commerce or would contest the right thereof by Arms. But there was no cause why the Grant once already made concerning Liberty should be again reiterated in regard it would be a difficult thing to be obtained because the Spaniard is of a more harsh nature nor will be drawn to imitate the Archdukes facility And if the States were not pleased with these offers they desired they might have time given to them till the Calends of October to expect the more pleasing Orders of King Philip. This when it was refused both by the Ambassadors of Kings and Princes in the Publick Council the States resolved to persist and stand to their first Decree but as to the matter of time desired by the Ambassadors they said they were ready to consent In the interim the Deputies had time every one to return to his own Province to receive new Instructions concerning this new Affair And it was agitated with great contention Nor did the People that lay more open to the Oppressions of the Enemy only dissent from the Zelanders who were guarded by the Sea but in Holland it self several Cities were of several minds nor within the Cities were all men of one Opinion but every one moved as his proper hopes led him or as they were drawn by more powerful Arguments on either side In this wavering of mens minds counsel was given to Prince Maurice That he should openly and without dissimulation make Himself the Author of the stronger Opinion which he did not only with sharp words but by Letters sent to the Cities of Holland At length saith he The Arts feared by our Ancestors are burst out Those specious words wherewith they purchased a Treaty were indeed nothing but words nor was Peace desired by the Enemy but that he might make War more at his own then our conveniency or that he might
from the League made at Gaunt The Switzers that took Arms for the like Causes laid them down upon a Truce and have now for a long time retained their Liberty being defended by their Foot Souldiers chiefly and the heights of their Mountains And wherein I pray are you less able to defend your selves being so powerful at Sea and having the Ocean for a Guard Some indeed fear lest you should return to your Arms more weak and effeminate for the lives of Princes that favour you say they are uncertain But let them know that the causes of Allyance and Friendship doth not decay with the Kings but remain as immortall as the Kingdoms themselves This is that makes Allyes live and flourish and let this prevail to stir you up not to let slip so reasonable a time to acquire peace This Advice prâ—ceeds from Kings your Friends whose careful providence chiefly ayms at this that you may be safe More might be said to this purpose but I think it prudence to say no more Let every one answer for himself only let not the Authours of the contrary Opinion overcome us in the liberty of saying what they please The next day he sets upon them again their minds being already moved with the former Oration and runs over the principal Heads of the League one by one that he might convince them that there was nothing couched therein either unjust or deceitful and when he had so done added that They were the first of all People to whom that Honour had been granted to confirm their liberty by the Confession of the rejected and abjured Prince The Switzers could not obtain so much nor could the like be forced by the Victorious Danes from their King Christierne though a Captive to them and thereupon he grievously blamed them with accusations of ingratitude and falsity because they had whispered that by the coming of Don Pedro de Toledo into France the King was become averse to the Hollanders Commodity But His Majesties good will to them was more firmly setled then to be changed by the desires of their Enemies or any thing else save the contumely of such as dispersed abroad such falsities Winwood also thought it a part of his duty to commend a Truce to the Senate whereof he himself was a member affirming that his Master the King of Great Britain would not perswade them to any thing but what he himself would give an Example of Those Arms are just that are necessary and those not onely pious Kings but God himself would favour but they are not necessary to which there is a way open to an honourable end If they subsisted by extraordinary succour yet they ought not to refuse the making of a League since both their Religion Liberty and Commerce might be preserved But now it was to far distant to conjecture what would come to passe after a Truce by how much they could not discern the nearer dangers of War It was a wonder to see with what greatness of mind the business was transacted at every Assembly and new Books were daily set forth as it were to sow and foment discords for now they spared neither of the Kings as if the chief of their hopes had consisted in the miseries of the Confederate States But the chief of their envy was vented against Oldenbarneveldt as the Inventor of such things He being grown odious to men of the greatest quality and most eminent degree by his excessive Authority much less could his Equalls endure to see him so far in Honour above them insomuch that there were some Letters found wherein he was not obscurely destined to slaughter Whereupon He in the Assembly of the States of Holland protesting that he had not feared to draw upon himself the malice of the most potent men nor shunned any dangers so as He might serve his Country being fraught with the Solace of a quiet Conscience against all scandalous Rumours and unlucky accidents But when he saw a thing in it self displeasing to him yet nevertheless be aggravated to make him odious He beseeched them that for expediting those things they should see fit in the Common-wealth they would appoint others to officiate that were less hated which said immediately he departed from the Assembly Some of the Lords were sent after him to desire him that he would not in this nice Juncture of time desert the Common-wealth which he had hitherto assisted with his faithful Counsels Hereupon returning to his accustomed charge sometimes extolling the benefits and Authority of the Kings anon explicating and laying open the charge of the War he confirmed such as wavered and refuted them without anger although they were very sharply contradicted and Amsterdam it self a long time resisted at length he brought all Holland to one mind which also five other of the Provinces soon after embraced Only Zeland out of some peculiar Reasons of their own and by the instigation of Prince Maurice resisted the consent of all the rest denying to agree to a Truce nor would suffer the Decree to be revoked urging the words of the Trajectine League that Arms should not be laid down unless by the common consent of all and whatever difference should arise among the Provinces should be left to the decision of the Governours Others were angry and said the Question was not now concerning a Truce but whether Zeland alone should give the Law to all the rest And now the Contest among them growing hot the Embassadors of the Kings interposed endeavouring to drive those by force of Arguments whom they could not lead by perswasion And first Janinus producing to the States King Henrics Letters wherein he ratified whatever they should say or do began to praise the good benefit of Concord then mentioning divers Opinions without frowardness when he came to the Trajectine League he said it belongs not to us to interpret the Laws of other People but yet common Reason teacheth that at this time the Debate was upon a yielding not an indifferent League and it any think otherwise the Law is either to be abrogated or laid aside the Publick Weal so requiring which contains in it the Sanctimony of all Laws for what other event will produce if these do not refuse the decision of the Kings their Allyes more justly than those the determination of the Governours but that upon this Consultation both must needs run into factious parties it remains therefore that the fewer in number should yield to the greater for by this means alone stands the Government of People which otherwise would decay and fall to ruine Thus among the Switzers the Decrees of the greater Party are obeyed by those who contradicted the same But the Acheans and Aetolians though valiant people yet were destroyed by dissention while each of them would not agree to consult with the other for too much liberty is the ready way to Servitude Besides that no man may feed himself with a vain hope I now by Command declare that
with the Enemies residence among them and they who before came as it were to desire peace now looked upon their coming to them as if they had come to sue And for speeding on the Treaty this way was invented that as soon as Spinola and they that had been with him at the Hague were come to Antwerp the Embassadors of the Kings should go thither and carry with them a draught containing the principal Heads of the League to which the States at the Request of the said Embassadors a few things onely being altered had consented And when the Spaniards had subscribed to the same then at last the States Deputies should be sent to Antwerp for perfecting the rest and the States themselves would be resident at Berghen op Zoom that if any difficulty arose they might be near at hand to be advised with thereupon The Spaniards being shewed the said draught and desired to Sign it when they said that was a little two imperious because they were not the demands of Enemies but of Friends who were admitted Arbitors and thereupon at least demanded time of deliberation they brought to passe that upon the undertaking of the Embassadors of the Kings the Cessation of Arms should be continued until the end of February they promising in the mean time to return their Answer When they began to read over and discuss the several Heads they found nothing innovated in the words asserting their liberty only the Spaniards not induring that the Embassadors should call the States by the Title of High and Mighty consented at last they should be written Illustrious The States desired that those Tributes which the Country Scituate in the middle between both Parties had payd during the War for redemption of their Lands from the spoil of the Souldiers should be continued by the Truce But that was rejected as Hostile and unjust for most part of Holland was inclosed with Sluces and Rivers and paid no Tribute to the Enemy at any time whereas they had great and wide Incursions into Brabant and Flanders The Spaniards desired to take off all Customs which had been by occasion of the War laid upon all ships passing the Scheldt and other Rivers saying also That those were the Reliques of War and not onely grievous to them but to the French and English also But they could not obâ—ain that any thing thereof should be altered the Embassadors well knowing that Zeland abominated nothing more Yet some hope was given That after the League the Matter might be brought to a better pass by Friendly Treaties of the Merchants among themselves for the Spaniards had boasted That it was in their Power to make their Customs prove prejudicial to them that exacted the same Concerning the Indies there was a long and sharp Dispute the States averring there ought to be particular mention made thereof But Richardot said That King Philip's Interest would not suffer it to be done for many Causes which belonged not to the States to know otherwise by this Example other Nations would require the same Liberty of Navigation which neither the French nor English use as granted to them but at their own peril Therefore that the Truce might be made without any Exception it was passed over onely He would have Commerce restrained within those places that King Philip possessed either in Italy or Spain denying that any further Indulgence could be granted and however he would not command the same yet that would not hinder but that the Hollanders might Traffique there but it was not convenient so to be declared by a publike League for it would be enough if it were setled by private Agreements The Embassadors answer'd That therein were many things to which the States would never be perswaded for it was an Hostile Act to keep one out of the Limits of his Dominion and therefore the Hollanders had rather if they must want the fruits of Peace contend for the Possession of that World by Arms. Besides there would be little safety in private Agreements that should not be published to all Peoples Knowledge But as to what was spoken of Spain and Italy without doubt those Limitations were too narrow since the Spaniard hath excluded none from the Islands lying within the Streights of Gibraltar or the Fortunate Islands or the whole Coast of Barbary The Spaniards Replyed That during the War the Hollanders never sailed to those remote places possessed by Philip and now when they have by the Treaty of Peace acquitted the same more ought not to be asked by a Truce than either had been won by Arms or could be hoped for by Peace King Philip would not allow the Indian Trade should be left to a War and their case is far different from those of France and Brittain for from thence there went out onely a few Ships and those by stealth but the Hollanders go thither with great Fleets As to the rest they seem'd to grant the same that instead of Spain and Italy all Europe should be named and if private Covenants would not be satisfactory they desired the publike League should be made so as that the Word Indies should not be therein After the form of this Article had been often amended and what was approv'd by the one side was disliked by the other and that the Arch-Dukes had been consulted with first by Verreikâ— and afterwards by Richardot at length it was agreed in these words That the Subjects of King Philip the Arch-Dukes and the States during the Truce should maintain Amity forgetting and forgiving the Injuries given or received in the War That it be lawful for them to pass backward and forward and freely to Trade by Land Sea and Rivers which the King thinks fit to limit within Europe and such other places as have heretofore by his permission been open to his Friends and those at Peace with him but without those Bounds it shall not be lawful to negotiate and trade in any the Countries Towns and Ports by him possessed without private leave first had and obtain'd But neither King Philip his Ministers or Subjects shall hinder them then from Trading there with any other Kings or People willing to deal with them nor shall the Hollanders or any that admit the Hollanders to Commerce be molested in his Name To which words the Embassadors of the Kings would have these added viz. When in time it shall be necessary that they who are conversant beyond those Bounds with Ships and Forces understand that there is a League made from thence forward a Truce shall begin there for one Year and if a Messenger arrive there before both Parties to forbear Hostility and if after the Year any Hostile Acts be done the damage shall be made good The Spaniards hearkned to this with great Reluctancy as well because by manifest Tokens the Indies were expressed no less than if they had bin named as for that they desired Things taken and seized in that part of the World if they
tryal and privately beheaded 710 711 Elizabeth Queen her Death and Character 737 738 739 740 Emperor sends to the United States complaining of their intrusion upon his Authority with their answer therâ—to 748 749 English and French quarrel in Gertruydenberg 753 England and Scotland named Brittain 779 Emperor and others send Legates to the United States concerning a Treaty and their answer thereto 786 787 English and Hollanders difference between them and for what 794 795 English first come into the Indies and under whose Conduct 852 858 Europe a discription of many passages there transacted in the several parts thereof 858 859 Erkelen taken by Henry of Nassau 863 English and Hollanders joyntly send out Ships aâ— the Indies 869 England King thereof desired to assist to the making peace between Holland and Spain so also are divers others 892 Emperor Letters from him to the States and the purport thereof with their Answer to the same 904 905 Letters from the same to King Philip and the Arch-Dukes with their Answer wherein is set forth the Emperors pretence to be invalid 905 906 907 908 Embden troubles there between whom and how composed 910 911 Europe a short Relation of some European transactions 912 913 914 England a League concluded betwixt it and Holland 926 Embassadors move the States to a Truce and the reason why 932 The same disputed in Books 932 933 944 945 Embassadors of the Kings draw a League for a Truce the form thereof 940 F. FAction in the Netherlands after Philips departure about the Regency and between whom 21. 24. 92 93. 96. 100 French Forces intercepted in their march by the Spaniards 64 Frizeland the Towns thereof left to the fury of the Spaniards 65 France Henry King of France privately ayds the Hollanders 80. 151 Frizeland rebels against the Spaniard and imprison their Governour 85 Francis of Valois sued to and chosen Governour of the Netherlandâ— 91. 94 95. 121. 123 124 125 He is recommended by Margaret of Valois 92 Frizeland Reneberg Governour thereof to whom Campen and Deventer were soon after yielded 94 Francis of Valois comes to Bingen which he wins by storm and siege 101 Offended with Casimires success at Gaunt he departs to England 102. 124 Frizeland Renneberg revolts to the Spaniard and delivers Groningen to them 117 Francis of Valois brings ayd to the States for the relief of Cambray 123 Treats of Marriage with the English Queen 124 The Articles upon which he undertook the Government 125 Expects succour from his Brother the French King but in vain and why 129 Whereupon he falls upon dangerous Counsels and Design what they were how effected and how frustrated 129 130 131 He treats with the Hollanders departs into France and dyes 134 135 French hated by the Hollanders and why 136 Frizeland William of Nassau made Governour there 146 The Form of Government there 146 147 377 378 France French King chosen Defender of the Netherlands and why 151 152 Factions divers in Holland and for what and among whom 187 188 French King assisted by the English and Hollander 241 French and Low-Country troubles compared 242 Falcosteyne Count slain 263 Frizons desire ayd of Prince Maurice who thereupon makes an expedition into Frizeland 268 269 French King wounded 283 Famarsh General of the Ordinance to the States killed 293 Fontayne sent by Philip to govern the Netherlands his Character 298 299. 366 He is the Authour of a cruel sentence and what it was and the effects thereof 303 304 305 306 He is President of the Senate 366 His care and diligence 385 386 Ferte a Town in France besieged is relieved and ungarrisoned 386 Fayer besieged by the French King 400. 433 At last is won by Famine 427 Franecre an University in Frizeland when begun 465 French invade Artois and overthrow Varembonius taking prisoner Count Montecuculi 468 Frizeland wasted by Frederic Count Heremberg 511 French King sends an Embassador to England and for what with the Queens Answer thereto 527 528 Frizeland a Resation of new troubles arising there the cause thereof and settlement of the same 580 581 582 Falcosteyne Count Viricus treacherously murthered and by whom 607 608 Forces new raised in several places and by whom 629 630 752 Fortunate Islands their description and the assault thereof by the Dutch 641 642 ad 644 Quitted again by them 648 Frizeland new troubles there and for what and how composed 662.735 736 746 747 Flanders War transmitted thither and why 664 Another expedition thither 696 697 Henry of Nassau Governour thereof 774 French and Spaniard difference between them and for what 780 781 Frizeland terrified at Spinola's approach 804 805 France Embassadors come thence to the Hollanders who they were and their instructions 890 891 French and Hollanders make a League and what 914 915 French Colony in America comes to nothing and why 964 G. GRanvell Anthony Pereâ—et Granvell his Extract Character Honour and Greatness in the Court of the Emperour Charles and Philip. 21 His diligence and Industry in managing the Government and for what 23 He is Commanded to depart the Netherlands and go into Burgandy from whence he went to Rome 28 Gheuse the first Original of that name 34 Germanes ayd the Prince of Aurange 53 Guise the Guisian faction prevalent in France and the effect thereof 64 Geneva Discipline received in Holland Tenents thereof 71 72 Geeretruydenberg taken by the Hollanders 73 Gaunt a Peace concluded there between whom and the heads thereof 84 This Peace confirmed at Bruxels 85 A great Sedition in Gaunt 97 98 Appeased by the Prince of Aurange 104 It consents to the League of Union 110 Groningen besieged for the States by Entes but Relieved by Schencke 118 Gaunt People there deny passage to Birons Army and why 135 The Town delivered to Parma upon teâ—rms and what they were 148 149 Grave besieged by Parma relieved by Hohenlo yet cowardly surrendred to him 170 For which the Governour afterward put to death 171 Geeretruydenberg sold and delivered to the Spaniard and the pretences for the same and by whom 224 225 226 227 228 Guise Duke slain 240 Groenigen straitned by Count William of Nassau Governour of Frizeland 243 Germanes threaten revenge for the wasting of their Borders 255 344 345 Parma's Answer and the States Answer to the same 256 257 258 Groening beleaguered by Prince Maurice 269 The Citizens waver in their affection 270 Send Letters to Count Mansfeldt and an Embassie to the Emperour 284 285 Geeretruydenberg besieged by Prince Maurice with a description of the place 306 307 ad 314 A description of the Princes Camp before the Town 308 309 310 The Town delivered to him 314 Groningers send to Ernestus for ayd 326 The description of the City of Groening Territory 328 ad 332 The Siege thereof 328 332 333 ad 337 The surrender thereof to the States and they receiving a Garrison from Prince Maurice as also Count William of Nassau for their Governour 337 Groll
which is granted and upon what terms 843.844 Hautcea sent out with a Fleet to intercept the Spanish ships coming out of America and the success thereof 846 Hohenlo Philip his death and character 856 Hollanders averse to Peace 865 Hague Herman Wittenhorsten comes thither from the Archdukes concerning Peace 866 Hollanders averse to Peace and why 876 Obtain a famous Victory at Sea under the command of Jacob Hemskerk at the straights of Gibralter 881.882.883 ad 888 A description of Hercules Pillars 883.884 Hemskerk Jacob Dutch Admiral his speech to the Captains of his Fleet. 884.885 He is killed and his speech at his death 886 Holland Fleet retires to Tituan to repair their ships where they are received with joy 889 Hollanders recal their Fleet from Spain and why 892.896.897 Send Deputies to the King of Britain and for what and his answer to them 894.895 â—â—gue the place appointed for the Treaty 900 Hollanders take a great booty from the Spaniards and how 908.909 I. INquisition the Spanish Inquisition the Original cause and severity thereof one cause of the Dutch troubles 17.18.31 Command sent from Spain to put the same anew in execution 30 Received in the Netherlands and by whom 55 John Don John of Austria sent Governor into the Netherlands his Character 86 He is received by the Netherlanders 86 Accused by them to the King 87 Overthrows the Dutch Army at Gemblin 91 Offers the Confederates Articles of Peace 91 Imbis a great Incendiary at Gaunt his character and death 97.142 John Don John perswaded to Peace and by whom but in vain 99 His Army is recruited he breaks off the Treaty and pitcheth his Army near Namur 100 His death and character 102 103 Imbâ—s moves a new sedition in Gaunt 104.138 Ipre a Town joyns with the United Provinces 110 Issel a City submits to Parma 111 Ipre besieged by Parma 140 It is surrendred to him 142 Issel the derivation of the name 329 Iesuits hated in France and why banished 342 The original description and character of that order 342.343.344 Ireland Rebels there assisted by the Spaniards with a short description of the Countrey 402.403 First invaded by the English under Richard Earl of Pembroke 402 Beginning of a Rebellion there and by whom 403.404 Indies Holland ships first return thence with a description of the Countrey by them made 502.503 Isabella Clara Eugenia betrothed to Albertus and why 529 She writes to Albertus to take possession of the Netherlands which he doth privately 566.567 Iselburg forceably taken by Mendosa 611 Isabella sets an Edict out against the Hollanders and to what purpose 638.639 Isabella Fort besieged by Prince Maurice 687 Indian Company first rise thereof in Holland and the form of ordering the same 733 734 James King of Scotland Successor to Queen Elizabeth in the Throne of England and Proclaimed King 740.741 An Embassy sent to him by the United States and the Embassadors Speech to him with his Answer 741.742.743 Embassadors come to him from the King of Spain and the Archdukes 743 Indian Company send ships to Sea and whither 764.816 848. James King other Embassadors sent to him from the King of Spain and the Archdukes 777 Jesuits banished out of Britain and why but restored in France 780 Indies several ships return thence very rich 815 816 847 A Description of some part thereof 848.849 ad 856 Indian Company confirmed by Edict of the States 856 Indies West a new Company for those parts raised in Holland the Form and Government thereof 870.871 872 Several Opinions thereof 873 874.875 James King sends Embassadors to the Hague who they were and what they did 895 Indies ships come home thence rich and others sent thither 910 Janinus goes into France and for what 929 His Speech in the Councel of the States 941 942.943 K. KNights of the Golden Fleece the Original thereof and causes of their Institution 5â—6 Drawn into Parties and for what and when and by whom 24 King the Presence of the King necessary in the Netherlands to keep the Peace as the Emperor Charls was sensible 42.43 Knodsenburg Fort built and by whom 253 Knodsenburg besieged by the Duke of Parma 270 Relieved by Prince Maurice and the Duke of Parma's men worsted in sight 272.273 L. LOw Countreyes the antient situation and limits the original language Dukes Earls and how they attained and hereditary Succession 3.4 The antient form of its Government untill they fell to the Burganâ—â—ans and after that to the house of Austria 5. â— Liberty chiefly and first sollicited for at Philips departure 22 League between Philip the second of Spain and Henry the third of France and the effect thereof 30 Divers Lords of the Netherlands against the Inquisition and by whom drawn up and when 33 Lutherans formidable in the Netherlands and why 36 Law utterly laid aside and an Arbitrary Power set up and by whom 56.57 Lumey Admiral of the Prince of Aurange's Fleet his character 60.61 Luyden besieged beats off the Enemy 77.78 Lamot Philip reconciled to the King by the surrender of Gravelin draws in many others 105 Lyra won treacherously by Parma 127 Lâ—chem siege thereof raised and why 128 Lorrain Family of Lorraign claims the Crown of France which much troubles the King 152 153 League with England the heads thereof 164 Leicester Earl sent General into Holland his character 165 Much honoured at first by all and why 166 167.176 He grows ambitious and raises Factions 167.168.175.176 He takes ill the meetings of the States and why 174 And returns to England 17â— He comes back to Ostend for the relief of Sluys but marches thence and doth nothing 180.181 He renews the old factions in Holland 181 Endeavors to seize the Government but is prevented 182 He returns to England is forced to abjure his Authority and dyes 183 â—eban the place of meeting the Spanish Fleet. 207 Besieged by the English and Hollanders 239 Leige Bishopric is difference between is and the Hollanders and for what 259.260 Lopeâ— Lodewick his Treason against Queen Elizabeth and by whom 〈◊〉 341.342 Lutzenburg wasted by the French 360 361 Lâ—ere taken by Heraugier and lost again presently 397 398 Leyden in Holland and University when begun and 〈◊〉 Learned Men bred there 464.465.466.467 Lingen Besieged by Prince Maurice 520 521 And delivered together with the Castle â—â—2 Lisbone beset by the Earl of Cumberland with a Fleet and the success thereof 541 Lovestreyn a City that first threw off slavery 626 Lingen Besieged by Spinola and yielded 801 802 803 Lochem Besieged by Spinola and taken 836 Retaken by Count Ernest of Nassau 844 Lipsius Justus his Death and Character 857 Luther his Opinions 951 M. MOntiny John Count Horn's Brother and the Marquess of Berghen sent into Spain and to what purpose With the King's Answer 34 35 Margaret Lady Regent forced to give way to the Times and agree to the Counsel of the Confederate Lords 38 39 She raiseth more Souldiers and why 41 Maximilian the Emperour's
so do other places 319 320 Namur and Lisle refuse Spanish Garrisons 325 Nassau Philip of Nassau slain 392 Netherlanders Letters to King Philip concerning his Daughters Marriage with Albertus 529 530 Netherlands turned over to Albertus and Isabella the causes and Aâ—cles thereof declared by King Philip. 562 563 564 Several Opinions concerning his 〈◊〉 564 565 Netherlanders set 〈◊〉 to their obedience 567 568 Their desires to the Arch-Dukes 651 652 Newport a Town in Flanders besieged by Prince Maurice 667 Nassau Count Ernests worsted 〈◊〉 fight by Albertus at Leffingen Bridge 670 671 Newport Battel the beginning and end thereof and Victory gotten by Prince Maurice 678 679 ad 680 The number of the slain and names of the prisoners 685 686 Netherland States summoned to meet at Bruxells and the Arch-Dukes Speech to them 688 Notte Colonel succeeds Dorpe in the Government of Ostend 760 Nassau John his death and Character 856 857 Naya Francis who he is employed by the Arch-Dukes about making peace with the Hollanders 878 His desires to the States and their Answer 889 890 Netherlands under the Arch-Dukes their bounds 892 Naya appointed to rende at Delf and why 893 He hath a private meeting with Cornplius Asten Secretary to the States and the effect thereof 983 984 Nassau Adolphus slain and how 949. O. OAth imposed by the Regent on the Commander and why and who took the same 4â— Ocean breaks over its bounds with a great distruction 5◠〈◊〉 Issell Doway and other places submit to the Duke of Parma upon Condition and the heads of the same 105 106 Oâ—denard besieged stormed and taken by Parma 127 Oath imposed by the Confederate States when why and on whom 1◠〈◊〉 Michael his Ship burned and â—ow becomes a booty to the English 2â—1 â—arson Garrisoned by the Prince 291 Delivered to the Spaniard 316 323 â—al an Irish Title abjured by whom and why 403 Ostend the Siege thereof threatned but no more blocked up by Albertus 50â— â—sen 〈◊〉 by Prince Maurice 519 Ostend taken also by the same and dismantled 519 〈◊〉 and Mulsem fortified and why and by whom Orseo besieged 592 593 〈◊〉 blocked up with Form by the Spaniards 6â— Besieged by Albertus with a large descriptiâ— of the Town and the whole Siege from the beginning to the end with the Surrender thereof upon honourâ— Conditions and the names of the several Governments during the time 698 699 700 701 ad 705.708 ad 710.713 ad 717.760 ad 762.774 ad 777 Oldeâ—zpole besieged by Spinola and yielded 800 801 〈◊〉 French Colonel killed 812 〈◊〉 Burnâ—velt perswades to peace 877 In suspected and layes down his Offices in the Common-wealth had â—on desire takes them up again 944 945 P. POpe when he attained his heighth of Power and how and by what degrees 14 Philip the second King of Spain departs out of the Netherlands 21.23 〈◊〉 to consent to the States Request for removal of the Souldier 22 〈◊〉 great affection to the Netherlanders but quite contrary 29 Send his Wife Elizabeth with the Duke of Alva to a Conference at â—ajon with the French King and his Mother 30 Displeased with several of the great Men and why 32 Disappointed of rising Forces and how 36 Popes Authority denyed and by whom 38 Publike Commotions first begin in the Low-Countries and why and by whom 37 Philip talks of going into the Netherland 43 Hâ—s churlish answer to the Emperours Message by his Brother to him 52 53 His name used in all Cases by the Union 70 75 Peace Treaty of Peace at Breda between whom and the refuse thereof 76 77 Philip dischargeth his Creditors without payment 82 Approves the Peace made at Gaunt 85 Desired to make peace with the Hollanders and by whom and why 90 Parma the Duke of Parma succeeds Don John in the Government of the Netherlands his Character 103 104 He besiegeth Maestricht and takes it 104 110 111 Peace Treaty at Colen and the result thereof 104 105.110 Portugall Kingdom claimed by King Philip and Conquered by Alva to his use 114 115 Parma Duke receives Recruits from the King 1â—8 170 He pitcheth his Camp between Gaunt and Bruges 141 Takes Dendremuâ—d and Vâ—lvorde 148 Plicentia a Castle in Italy delivered to Parma by the Spaniard and why 161 Parma made a Knight of the Golden Fleece 162 He wins divers Towns and Forts to the Spaniard 172 Peace Treaty of peace between England and Spain and the heads thereof 184.186 187 Provinces under the Spanish obedience which and how many and which under the United States 188.193 Pope sets out Bulls against Q. Elizabeth and exposeth it to Conquest 205 Parma's Councel and the Marquess of Santa Cruz rejected 206 Parma collects above 30000 men with other Provisions to help the Spanish Fleet. 207. He is kept close in Dunkirk 209. Wants Seamen and why 210 Piementel Didaco with his Ship taken in Zeland 214 Parma blamed envied and hated by the Spaniards and why 231 232. He falls sick and goes to the Spaw 232 Philip of Spains pretence to the Kingdom of France 240 Parma receives gracious Letters from Spain 253. He takes a new Journey into France 254. Frees Paris from a Siege 260 The many troubles attending his return 261. Discontented at his loss before Knolsenburg He goes to the Spaw waters 273. He marcheth into France with an Army 282. Returns thence into the Netherlands having first received a wound 283. While he intends another Journey into France he dyeth 298 The causes of his death and his Character 299.300 Philip King his Declaration against the French King 348 Peace desired by all and a Treaty to that purpose between whom and what Commissioners 368. Their Speech to Prince Maurice and his Answer 369 370 371 The Treaty broken off and why with several opinions thereon 371 372 373 Philip King of Spain in great distress for money and why 454 He dischargeth all his Creditors without payments and the â—ssue thereof 455.456 Peace concludeâ— between England and France and the heads thereof as also the like with the Hollanders 461 462 463 Poland the ingrateful Speech of the Polish Embassador and upon what occasion with the States Answer thereto 492 493 Peace Reasons why the Hollanders refused peace 494 495 496 Padilia sent from Spain with a Fleet to invade Brittain being broken by Tempests and returning is removed from his Command 501 502 Philip King of Spain incline to peace and why 515 Peace treated off between France and Spain at St. Quintins by whom and upon what tearms 526 527. The Treaty goes forward to which are sent English and Holland Embassadors 544 545.553 Various opinions concerning it in the English Court and what and among whom 551 552. Treaty removed to Verbin where a Peace is concluded and the heads thereof 557 558 Philip King his death and the manner thereof 575 576. His Character 576 577. His Son Philip named the 3d succeeds him 578 Priest the noble Speech of a Priest to Mendosa 611 Peace
Companies of men fly about the Streets of the City like Conquerours crying out The Mass used in the Roman Religion is holy for this was the Signall of the Combination when the Townsmen running from their Tables for they were at dinner take their Arms against this sudden tumult the first that went out meeting the Valoysians Body to Body hindered their endeavour of passing further And in a moment more and more gathering together on every side fighting in defence of their Families and Fortunes with notable Courage and Concord they beat all that entred into the City back to the Port whereat they came in There was a horrible slaughter for in that straight they stopped out and hindred the living and those that sled could not escape their pursuers But Valois himself when he understood the infamous madness of his undertaking by the Event made with shame and terrour of Conscience and wanting all things with as many of his Forces as he could get together among many hazards of his life and the grievous loss of what belonged to him he sled by the marshes of the Fields beyond the River Dila This notorious and apparent injury most vehemently incensed the minds of many who before were no lovers of the name of France Nor did Parma and the Netherlanders that were with him omit by Letters to terrifie them laying before them their abominable defection and Revolt and to the oppressions of their new Government were more grievous than of that they shook off saying further that they must bear with the dispositions of their Superiours for a people could be safe that rebelled among so many Kingdoms But if now from this sad experience they would return to their obedience he offered them not onely equall as just Laws but also the Kings mercy and Pardon The Prince of Aurange was sensible that this time of appeasing this â—â—chief was too fit to be laid hold on for the Spanish Affairs and therefore though his Counsel had once proved unfortunate whereby he had lost the main part of his power the Peoples favour yet being asked his Opinion he declares the same with many acknowledgements of error to ave envy the more easily If the Common-wealth could by its own meanes be governed with the same unanimity as the King there would be â— dispute but that we might very well be without the Government of a single Person especially if he be a Forraigne Neither is it now to be enquired after if it be lawfull to desert him who first violated all publick Rights and Law it self of which there was so great care taken by Covenance and pact but they were to minde and observe his strength 'T is truth he hath no great Army but there were in â— to wit the Dukes Possession severall strong and well fortified Cities And the Netherlanders were now to advise whether they had rather continue their Possession to themselves or necessitate their delivery to the Enemy That it was much more convenient since they were by both abused that they should be in the French than the Spanish power for the Spaniards Dominion being well knit together by age would always find Instruments to oppress and enslave them where as the French if they should endeavour such a thing were not able to fit themselves with properties to serve their designs It were better therefore and more safe to assay and try the French who having been once taken tardy will never hereafter seek such an opportunity or if they should would never have impudence enough or courage to put it into action They ought alternately to weigh that in lieu of his own offence the Duke hath done them many kindnesses and to remember that for the last years his single care and pains had both defended their Cities and frustrated the Enemies designs That thus they would not onely revive but altogether such unity as their Warre required if Valois remembred his offence and they forgot it This Speech was seconded by others excusing the imprudence and rashness of Youth adding withall that it may be the greatness of his minde being sprung of Royall Blood and never made stoop to the humility of obedience and perchance too incensed by some contumacious persons he had taken that unfortunate way not with intent to kill and plunder but as their wickedness and mischievous Counsel informed him onely to secure his power and greatness And the King of France had with his promises and some implicite threats commended his Brother herein That therefore the Duke was to be treated with to restore the Towns he had in his power and to withdraw to Dunkirk whither the rest of his men who compounded for the other Towns they had should come to him In the Interim after many and long delayes and while he disputes the restitution of the Towns and Provisions begun to sail the Netherlandish Souldiers that were with him for fear of the multiude who mindful yet of their late danger doubted newer and greater matters and were scarcely satisfied Biron is sent thither Generall of an Army of French to stop the Duke of Parma's Carreer who then by the taking of some Towns had mightily infested and did over-run Brabant But yet the Warre did not go on as it should in his hand who with much adoe was drawn to a kind of Treaty Valois of his own accord finding fault that he had onely the bare name of a Prince that the account and disposall of monies and all other great affairs were concealed from him so that he was not able to gratifie any person And it was no wonder if after the examples of so many others who had been called in by the Netherlanders to assist them and they had found sad experiments of changed desires they had found him who long continuing in suspence concerning it would now depend upon the beck of another but he chiefly and with much regret insisted upon this That they denyed to him onely what was allowed to all other Princes namely that out of the Senate he might have a domestick Councel The use of which Custom John Bodin their Master of Requests had praysed above all others he being a man whose wisdom and affection was well known by his Writing but on the other side the Netherlanders feared nothing so much also the French offered somewhat in favour of the Roman Religion Among all these Disputes Valois being well nigh shut up in Dunkirk when now a new affliction was added to renew his old grief multitudes dying in the Town by sickness he goes thence into France either that he might refresh himself by the change of Ayr or which is most probable that he might recover his Brothers favour between whom yet remained some Seeds of discontent Certainly this Journey was made onely for a time And the Netherlanders as long as he lived never left off sending to him Embâ—ssies to intreat him to send ayd to Flanders in a staggering condition Earnestly beseeching the King also that he publickly would
own his Brothers Cause but if he could not do that yet that he would at least assist with men and money and that he should stop all the passages from France into the Enemies Country Which if they might request they did not fear to foretell to the King thereby a future Succession in his Kingdom so that he should according to the Laws of France for many Ages not want an Heir of his Body to govern the same But these Communications were shortly after quite broken off by the badness of the following times and the death of Francis de Valois He over-lived his Honour and disgrace not above seventeen moneths brought to his end as some thoughâ— by his lusts others by poyson but most believed he dyed with grief of mind the common end almost of all who either before or after him took a pride to aggravate the miseries of unfortunate people His Fune all was not attended with any Ensigns of his Belgike Government all his actions there with himself passing in oblivion while the King his Brother avoyded to incense with such toyes whom he durst not move with realities As soon as Valois was departed from Dunkirk the French Companies left there in Garrison accepting their pay marched away not daring to trust a People whom they had so mischieved Whereupon the Duke of Parma sends his inferiour Captains to besiege the Town thus destitute both of Souldiers and Shipping and anon after comes himself with an indifferent Army to strengthen the Siege Biron was commanded to follow the Enemy and fight him But the Gauntoys out of an old grudge they bore to Valois and making a shew of tumult denyed him passage alledging that it was unjust and unreasonable to use his Forces whom they neither took for their Prince nor scarcely their friends By the stubbornness therefore of those men Dunkirk came into the Spaniards power by which meanes the Sea ever after became dangerous and troublesome for upon that shore where there were no Havens or Ports there was scarce any refuge for small foysts hence as they saw it convenient or for their profit observing the passage out the Pyrates were wont to set upon the Dutch Ships as they sailed by either to fishing or with Merchandize where England being directly opposite doth narrow and streighten the Sea and they could easily escape by flight from the great Ships of Warâ—e either by their lightness and swiftness on the open Sâ—â— or else by helps of the flats and Sands whereof that part of the Ocean is full yet this losse of so eminent a Town could not mitigate or take away their dissentions but it was necessary that Biron with his Army should be sent out of the Country though the Prince of Auraage most earnestly urged the contrary for fear least they should betray the Common-wealth to their Enemy now in heart and attended with success so much mistrust had all of the French Nay the Prince himself was scandalized for them so that at Antwerp they all 〈◊〉 to their Arms upon a lye that was divulged that the Prince had brought the French into the Castles on purpose to be near to and command the City But he to whom nothing was so unusual and bitter as to live feared of his Citizens could not bear their changed countenances and suspitious ill boding silence instead of joyfull acclamations but leaving the place having lived there six years he went to Zeland and the more assured places of the Common-wealth thereby exempt from many eminent dangers and free from their ingratitude But the Duke of Parma having gotten spare 〈◊〉 for Conquest gained by surrender and otherwise Nempâ—â— scituate on the same shore but to the right hand of Dunkirk and more inward upon the Land Dixmuyde Voorne and Berghen that are called Winow Thence in Flanders the peoples hatred so increased against the Warre daily and many so highly resented the late actions that they would even take part with the Spaniards against the French About this time there was a certain base Fellow he was generally called Hog that by Discourse and Writing began to trouble Holland who notwithstandidg his Mothers vileness and his own mishapen Form yet vainly boasted the Honour and Greatness of his Bloud as being from his own Relation Son to the Emperour Charles Hence fed up with a foolish hope by some Spaniard that Philip would acknowledge him for his Brother he withdrew some led away with Novelties and others that were not pleased with the present ordring of Affairs from their then Principles to a hope of Peace and Submission to the Austrian Family But the Conspiracy being yet green and but in the Bud was by the punishment of its Author quickly nipped Now also a War did begin in the Jurisdiction of Colen which was offered together with the Bishoprick to Ernestus of Bavaria for the Marriage of Truxiors For being Bishop of that place before and being taken exceedingly with the Love of a Noble Woman had made hast to lay aside his Vow of single Life for by the Rules of the Latine Church no Priest may marry which in the Heat of his promiscuous Lusts was easily connived at Wherefore setting Humane Decrees in opposition to Divine Laws and finding himself unfit for such Charges by Casimire and Nienar Count of Nursa both Generals for indifferent Armies keeps the Cities until by his Enemies Forces and his own Mens Treacheries most of his Garrisons were taken from him and then making a League with the Dutch he fled to the Prince of Aurange whence he revenged him as well as he could by laying wast the Country And this War brings on a greater wherewith the Spaniard was well pleased because he might thereby the more colourably involve the Frontier Towns of Germany which were old Receptacles of Netherlandish Fugitives in the same And this every day augmented the growing Fortune of the Duke of Parma especially one Tasso a Captain winning by Surprize the Town of Zutphen held by a weak and ill agreeing Garrison and that by the help onely of one common Souldier that was his Prisoner From hence all the Country between the Rivers Issel and the Rhine were daily infested and harrased by Spanish Incursions nor could they at any time be hindred in their going off and the City it self was besieged but in vain Thus did the Netherlanders at this time lose both their Forces and other Opportunities And as a further mischief many of Noblemen and Chiefs utterly despairing any Remedy privately sought their own Security from the Grace and Pardon of the King which they knew was not to be hoped for by some heinous Adventure Therefore William of Heremberge who by Marriage of the Prince of Aurange's Sister was the sole Companion of his Hopes and Dangers inconsiderately and without Reason Resolved to deliver up Gelders which he then Governed to the Conquerours But his Treachery being prevented and Promise taken for his Fidelity he was dismissed yet notwithstanding he fled to