When the Leydens heard of this enterprise they tooke al the paynes that was possible to receiue them for they attended the saide Barques on the Rhin with certayne Freebutters or rather desperate Aduenturers Boates but all in vayne for this matter and yet their goyng out was not altogether in vayne for they tooke by force neere vnto Haynault bridge two wasters and speedily dispatched those that were within them When they had thus done they vnladed these shippes of all the prouision and furniture that was within borde as artillary munition victualles bread beare silkes veluets parchment lace of gold siluer and silke fifteene peeces of ordinances called Bases three Barrelles of Corne pouder and a very great number of bullets and fraught their owne boates with them Afterwarde they bouged one of the enemies vessels and sounke her and set fire on the other returning in the morning with their prize to the Towne The Spanyardes who encamped at Leyerthorpe made their account to stay these boates with all the whole prize within them at the wood bridge but the Citizens beyng in armour looking for the comming of their boates with the victualles aforesayd very couragiously salyed out of Hoogweert gate and gaue the Alarme to Leyerthorpe forte and skirmished so lustely with their enemies as that the boates and the prize passed by and besides they afterwards for the defence of the cattell which the enemy went about to carrye away so skirmished with them as that they returned all together with the sayd butyn without losse of any of the Towne cattell hauing taken Prisoner amongest those shippes one Peter Quaegelate an horrible Traytor to his countrey whom they foorthwith executed and quartered and set vp his quarters vpon the citie gates which thing the Leydens signified by their letters to his Excellency dated the 7. of Inne The Citizens dayly exercised them selues more and more to the Skirmishes aswell the youngest sorte A young youth named Lyon by reason of his valâ—ancie as also the auncientes But amongest the rest there was a proper young youth of the age of sixteene yeares named Lyon and in courage and valure a Lyon in deede For at the first siege of Leyden hee behaued him self not as a younge youth but like a Lyon against the Enemie and that to their cost This young Lyon was afterwarde in a Skirmish and laying him selfe downe vpon the grasse the Spaniards tooke him and hauing cut off his nose and eares they hoong him vp by the toes But being a very hable and strong man hee layed handes on the haulter and imped vp to the toppe of the Gallowes wher the Enemy slew him with harquebuze shot From this Lyon such an other which was taken with him the sayde Baldez wronge much matter as touching the affayres and state of the Towne Maister Thierry of Bronchorst his excellencies Substitute at Leyden and being now made Gouernour thereof The Magistrate and Nobilitie considering that the siege might last long and thereby turne to a distresse of famine during this Moneth of Iune made all the necessariest ordenaunce that possibly they could aswell for the long sauing of their victualles as also for the fortifiyng of their Rampars and Gates the better and longer to keepe their Towne And when an Inuâ—ntorie was taken of all the Come within the Towne there was found to be 4125. Busshels Ther were also then in the Towne 14000 persons Wherfore there was appoynted to euery one for the first two moneths halfe a pound of bread which oftentimes would scarsly suffice some tauellers to breakfast And therfore the Gentle Reader may easily ghesse vpon what kinde of victuals they fed most There was also an ordenaunce set down for pot hearbes and no milke to be solde whereon butter might be made Whiles the Towne of Leyden was in this sorte besieged and that the Townsmen were altogether occupyed about making of prouision of al things necessary for the defence thereof the principall parte of the sayde Commaundators Armye arryued in the quarters of Bommel Gorcum and Louuestein Howbeit the Prince the Estates made no great reckoning thereof For at Bommell which was well prouided of all things necessary was Captaine Baufour Colonell of the Scettishmen with seauen Ensignes of Scottes who dayly salied out with some Citizens and Gentlemen Hollanders to skirmishe brauly with the Enemie And besides the sufficient Garryson that was at Gorcum and Louuestein there was alwayes meanes to sâ—ccour and delyuer the Towne of Gorcum as afterward well appeared by the cutting and pearsing of the dikes The Spaniard afterward determined to goe against Worcum where lay in Garrison fiue companies of the Prince to trouble and annoy the Spaniardes as much as was possible that came from Antwarpe where by constraint and force they made the Citizens pay them foure hundred thousande Florins besides the common dammage which they there presentlye susteyned about their costs and charges This little village was shrewdly beaten with Artillery but because the Prince of Orenge would not cast away his men about the defence of so ruinous a place Worcomme taken by the Spaniards and standing onely vpon fiue familyes or housholdes he therfore commaunded theÌ„ which were in it to forsake it and so they did howbeit they could not so well nor so speedily enbarque them selues but that they lefte aboue 150 persons behind them When the Spanyardes the 8. of Iune beganne to buyld their forte and trench themselues neere Lammen which is about a quarter of a myle from Leyden standing vpon a passage of waters which flowe ouer towards Delft zoeterwood and Leyerthorpe the Leydens hauing intelligence thereof and considering what mischiefe and domage might ensue to them therby haled out the 8. of the saide Moneth sixe smal Vessels to lette their fortifying and entrenching But when they were come neere to Lammen the Enemie so lustely charged them as that notwithstanding their merueilous defence they were inforâ—ed to retyre and returne backe to the Towne neither could they so speedely doe it but that they were fayne to leaue foure of the hyndermost vesselles behynde them by reason that the nose of one of them so touched vpon the shore of the Ryuer as that she was not able well to turne her selfe about and therefore they forsooke them and saued all her people in the rest of the vessels except foure or fiue The 9. of the saide moneth the Leydens had giuen the Prince to vnderstande hereof and wroate That if it so fell out as that the enemy went about to trouble their coÌ„ming with their boats which they hoped they would not yet that commandemeÌ„t was giuen to them of Woerden Ouldwater and the rest to be still molesting of Harlem Mere in the meane while they for their parts wold indeed according to their bounden duties shew their great zeale affection and continuall trauell towardes the benefiting of the common weale of theyr countrey And on the other side the enemy slept not but still went
together with the writing the same euening exhibited as I was foorthwith enforced to departe for the cause you wote of The chiefe Officers for certayne respectes and notable aduertisementes whiche sithence come haue commanded me that ouer and besides our Ladie Churche and S. Georges that were this day named that you should like wise for the present abstaine from S. Iames and S. Michaels Which your obedience shall greatly please the Magistrate and you therin shall shew your good willes And so with my commendations I end In post haste the 23. of August 1566. All yours Iames of Wesen becke Pensioner of Antwerpe WHen they of the Religion heard that they were forbidden the occuping of these foure Churches aboue specified they had conceiued this opinion that the Magistrate woulde bee contented at the least to winke at the seruing of their turnes with the rest of the Churches Wherefore they that spake Flemish would needes preach on sunday morning being the 24. of August at the Borough Churche and the Walonnes meant to preach at the Iacopins But the very same morning there came two Gentlemen from the Prince shewing them that they must at no hande haue recourse to anie of the Churches howebeit that the chiefe Officers coulde bee contented that they shoulde meete together in the newe Towne And for this purpose they deputed one of the Sberiffes to goe and appoynt the wardes to suffer the people peaceably to passe as they went to the Sermon in that place But forsomuchas the Fleminges were already assembled in great multitudes in the saide Churches it was thought beste to let them alone for that morning vppon condition that they shoulde in the Afternoone goe to the Sermon in the newe Towne as the Walonnes did Who beeing not as yet gotten into the Iacopins for they kepte the doores shut vppon them when as they heard that there was a discharge brought that they shoulde not come in any Church assembled themselues in the new Towne by the authoritie and permission of the Magistrate Nowe at that tyme was greete trouble in Antwerpe as well by reason of the pulling downe of the Images as also in regarde of the publique Sermons whiche then serued in steede of Masses Insomuche that the whole Citie kepte almoste continuall watche and warde and the Gates and shoppes thereof were close shutte vppe Whiche was the cause that the Prince of Orange who as before is saide was gone to Bruxelles made speedye returne to Antwerpe the sixe and twentye of Auguste with the charge as Gouernour appoynted by his Maiestye for the pacifiyng of the troubles For the bringing of which to passe he caused two gentlemen to require at the handes of the two Churches to witte the Fleminges and Walonnes to depute ech of them foure wise skilfull personages who should communicate with his excellency what meanes were best to appease assure the people both of the one religion and of the other To this charge were chosen and deputed for the Fleminges Marke Peris Charles of Bombergue Herman vander Meere and Cornelius of Bombergue And for the Walonnes Frauncis Godyn Iohn Carlier Nicholas du vinier and Nicholas Sellyn Whiche eight deputies were allowed and authorized to this charge by the Prince the 28. of August and by the chiefe Officers the laste of the sayde moneth by their deedes graunted to these endes Nowe for the first conference his Excellencie propounded to the sayde Deputies these fifteene Articles ensuing with the aunsweares to euerye of them exhibited by the sayde Deputies in the name of both the Churches and his Excellencies aunsweares againe to euery of their answeares To my Lorde Monsieur the Prince MY Lord forsomuchas in your Excellēcies absence we may haue some other his Ma. Liuetenant not endued with such wisedome iustice and affection vnto the common weale quiet of this Citie as your selfe we are therfore inforced for our greater assurance in time to come to haue certayne poynts to vs propounded more particulerly to be cleared manifested which we woulde not thinke needful if wee were assured alwayes to haue to deale with your Excellencie by reason of the great trust whiche we repose in the same The first and second Articles FIrst you shal be no let to the Papists for their going to their Churches neither yet trouble them for the hauing of such exercise of their religion as they shall thinke meete conuenient 2 You shall not preache in any Churche but onely in the newe Towne and that in suche places as shall bee assigned to you The Answeare ALthough the Churches are common and free for all the Burgesses and not particuler to the Papistes yet doe wee promise neither to take nor occupie eyther by force or violence anye of them neyther yet trouble the Papistes in the exercise of their Religion Yet notwithstanding wee humblye beseeche your Excellencie to appoynt vs some Churche of theirs for the exercise of ours hauing regarde to the multitude and to the right that wee haue as Citizens whiche wee can by no meanes loose by reason of the embracing of the doctrine of the Gospell The third Artile 3 You shal haue but two Preachers and those to be of the same countrey borne The Answeare WE pray that the number of the ministers may be according to the multitude of the people and that you will graunte vnto vs for the present necessitie at the least eight for the Flemishe Churche and three for the Walonnes For the rest wee agree that the ministers of the word shal be of the same countrey borne the kings subiectes or receiued Citizens in some good citie hereabout The fourth Article 4 You shall not carrie any forbidden weapons vnto the Sermons but shal lay downe at the Princes feete al forbidden weapons The Answeare AS for the first poynt wee verily beleeue that his excellencies meaning is not but that it shal be lawfull and free for euery of vs to weare a sworde and a dagger and that hee will not graunt a larger libertie vnto the rest then the said sword and dagger And as for the seconde poynt which is to laye downe all forbidden weapons at the Princes feete vnder correction it should seeme that such a proposition concerning the priuiledges of the citie ought to be made generall to all Citizens and inhabitants of the same The fift 5 You shall make a Catalogue or rowle of all their names that bee of your Churche and the Prince shall call them before him to knowe of them if they had the same Catalogue The Answeare FOrsomuchas the libertie which we presently enioy is not confirmed by the king and the generall Estates therefore there are manie that will hardly graunt to haue their names in writing and withall it will be very harde to make such a Catalogue as his Excellencie desireth by reason of the great multitude of the people and therefore we beseech him not to take it in euill part if herein we satisfie not his desire but
concluded vpon and subscribed as aforesaid the 12. of September 1566. And signed by William of Nassau Mandato commissorum Polities AND although there were two or three poyntes heerein whiche the Deputies woulde gladlye haue altered or at the leaste haue hadde them more playnely sette downe yet neuerthelesse beeyng satisfied with the woordes of his Excellencies owne mouth this accorde was signed by the Ministers and Gouernors of the Church with a good number of the beste qualified and other members thereof The first day of the said conference and communication with his Excellencie the saide deputies hauing vnderstood of the slaunders that they of the religion were still more and more charged with and that the chiefe Officers made shew to beleeue them First that the people had beene excited and stirred vppe by the Sermons to pull downe Idolles as hauing beene taught to thrust out all Idolles not onelie from their heartes but from their eyes also and not onelye to breake them in peeres but also to burne them to ashes that the memorye of them might cleane bee quenched out Moreouer that the sayâ—e Suppliantes had hyred certaine people to pull downe the Images Item that the ministers had also taught that they were no more bounde to paye the Assyses or custome or at the least not so greate as heeretofore they had done Item that they had concluded to take the Towne house chaunge the Magistrate and expulse all such out of the citie as were not of their religion Item that they should bragge that they would not once suffer any exercise of the Romish religion in this Citie and many such other like leasings whereupon they were inforced for the purging and iustifiyng of them selues to exhibite a supplication as well to his Excellencie as also to the Magistrate and Counsell of the Citie of Antwerpe conteyning ouer and beside the saide Iustification a graunt of certayne Churches built within the sayde Citie so greate and so manye as shoulde bee thought necessarie for the greatnesse and multitude of the people Moreouer the saide Suppliants of the religion prayed to haue a good answere vnto their supplication of euery act with a copie therof foorthwith a graunt that they might cause the same to bee imprinted for the benefite vnity and quiet of the citie of Antwerpe Now there was no answere vnto their supplication because the chiefe Officers presupposed that the Articles whiche were ready to be concluded vppon shoulde bee a sufficient prouiso for the whole And as for that poynt of the burying of the dead it was sayde vnto them that they might bury them in the publique churchyardes of the Citie There was also at that time published the abolition of the Spanishe Inquisition and commissions in manner and forme as followeth A Proclamation proclaymed and set foorth by Syr Iohn of Imersele knight Lorde of Bowdrie the Scoute or Marshall the Boroughmaisters Sheriffes and Counsell of the Citie of Antwerpe the last of August 1566. BE it knowen vnto all men on the behalfe of my Lorde the Prince of Orange The abolishing of the inquisition and commissions as geuernor and chiefe of thie Citie of Antwerpe appointed thereto by his maiestie and also on the behalfe of the Lordes of the saide citie First that our soueraigne Lorde the kings most excellent maiestie according to his greate clemencie and natur all goodnes tender affection hauing had regard and consideration to and of the quiet benefit and prosperitie of the lowe countries his true and lawfull inheritance hath expresly agreed declared and consented that the inhabitants and citizens of this citie and of all the lowe countries shall bee deliuered and for euer continue acquited discharged and vtterly disburdened of the Inquisition which not manie monethes sithence hath beene so muche spoken of and muttered at through out al the sayde lowe Countreys And hencefoorth shall bee and so still continue franke and free vtterly discharged of all the ordinaunces and Commissions sette downe and graunted about the cause of heresies and controuersies in religion which haue any way heretofore been had and published And that for and vntill such time as by newe and generall Commissions which by his Maiestie with the aduise of the generall Estates of the said countreys about the state of religion shall bee ordeyned and established it bee generally otherwise purueyed for and ordeyned according to which from that tyme forwarde euery man oughte to behaue and gouerne himselfe and whereon they must relie and be assured A Grapheus AND to the ende that they of either the religion might bee more assured and rest the quietlier there was another edict published by which the chiefe Magistrates tooke vppon them to procect both the one and the other forbidding eyther of them not to seeke to wronge and deale cruelly one with another as by the tenure hereof ensuing may appeare A Proclamation made and sette foorth before the Towne howse by the Lorde Diericke Vander Meeren vnder the Scowte or Marshall the Boroughmaisters and the Sheriffes and councell of the citie of Antwerpe the 3. of September 1566. TO the end that all troubles and diuisions within this Citie might be preuented withstood therewithall in like sorâ— that the negotiation and trafficke might be restored to his olde trade and that euery man might vnderstand knowe that hence foorth hee may assuredly without any doubt or feare of empeachment or disturbance most peaceably exercise his negociation and so eftsones the exercise of his religion Bee it knowne and by my Lorde the Prince of Orange c. The appointed gouernour in the name of his maiestie and likewise of the chiefe officers of the citie it is commaunded First That no man whatsoeuer hee bee doe take in hande or vppon him to empeache or trouble the seruice of the Churches Monasteries and of the olde Catholike Religion neyther yet missay or wronge any eyther in woorde or deede in whatsoeuer matter vpon payne of the losse both of bodie and goodes or otherwise to bee punished by arbytrement according to the merite of the facte for an example to all others Item That no man of what Estate and condition soeuer hee bee shall empeach nor trouble the exercise of the other religion at this present permitted by waye of tolleration neyther ill or wronge anye man anye kinde of way eyther in worde or deede for the same vpon the like payne and punishment Ouer and besides declaring that his Excellencie and the Citie doe take in hande to protect and saue harmelesse all the enhabitannts and dwellers of the same in general without respect whether they bee of the Catholike or of the other religion whiche as before is suffered by way of tolleration and hath alredie been treated of and agreed vppon with condition notwithstanding that euery man shall liue peaceabile and quietly and obediently to the Magistrate in all matters of policie without charging huntyng after and molesting anye man eyther of the one religion or the other
for the exercise of the same Wee enioyne also and commaunde euery enhabitaunt of which of the sayde religions soeuer hee bee so to acquite and gouerne him selfe that with all his power hee ayde succoure and defende euery one althoughe hee bee of a sundrie Religion agaynst all suche as woulde violently and cruelly vse him as for the quiet of the publique weale and assuraunce of the enhabitauntes is most requisite According to which they of the newe religion haue promised to beehaue them selues and followe the same and with all their power and force ayde and make it effectuall All which is graunted by the way of tolleration and vntill suche tyme as his Maiestie with the aduise of the generall Estates shall otherwise ordeine according to which euery man from thenceforth shal be hounde to be ordered The Articulations whereof mention is made in the ende of the Articles agreed vppon ARticulations for the Citizens and enhabitauntes of the Citie of Antwerpe whiche my Lorde the Prince of Orange Vicount of the sayde Citie c. As Collonnel and Gouernour of the sayde ordeined by his Maiestie hath caused to be enrolled in the name and behalfe of the saide Citie with the Armoure and weapon for the sauetie guarde and sure defence thereof for the easing of the Citizens and enhabitauntes who hitherto haue been ouer charged with watch and warde 1 First They shall be sworne and promise to be good and faythfull vnto the kings Maiestie as Duke of Brabant Marques of the holy Empire c. And also vnto his excellencie Vicount of this Citie and well and faythfully serue this Citie and as much as in them lieth keepe and conserue the same with all careful diligence Likwise defende conserue for his Maiefties seruice the welfare and publike quiet thereof for the saftie of the citizens marchants and enhabitantes of the said citie and in like maner countergarde and looke wel to it that no outrage spoile sacking nor any other inconueniences come to passe therein 2 Item That they shall be obedient vnto his excellencie as also to his Lieutenant and to the Captaines Seriaunts of hands Diseners and others that haue charge committed or to be committed therunto by his excellencie in whatsoeuer shall be set downe or commanded vnto them for the assurance quiet and prosperitie of the said citie 3 Item That at al tide tymes whensoeuer they shall be commaunded they shall be bound to be readie furnished and armed with their ordinarie weapons at such gate streete or place whereunto they shal be appointed 4 Item That when the alarme Bell or Dromme shall sounde to the alarme euery man shall foorthwith bee readie furnished with his armour and weapon vnder his ensigne although it be not then his ordinarie watche or warde and therefore it is meete that euery man should at all times haue his armoure and weapon readie at hande 5 Item That they shall be bounde to serue in proper person without substituting any other in their steade 6 Item That they must not be absent or depart from their watche or warde where they are appointed but at the ordinarie houre or with the leaue of their Captaine 7 Item That during the time of the watch or warde they shall not drinke nor sleepe neither yet drawe any weapon or discharge any pystoll nor be droonke when they come to watch or ward neither shall they make any noyse eyther by singing and hollowing or otherwise 8 Item That they shall not refuse nor shewe themselues disobedient to doe what so euer his Excellencie the Captaynes or Corporalles shall commaunde them tending to his Maiesties seruice the prosperitie of the sayde Citte and the quiet of the inhabitauntes 9 Prouided alwayes that they shall not bee employed against any in the cause of the religion neither yet about the empeaching of any of the religious here as yet for a time tolerated But contrary wise if so bee that any by reason of the olde Catholique or of the other religion aforesayde bee wronged empeached or assaulted that they shall bee bounde to ayde defende and protecte them so farre foorth as they are able 10 Item That they shall be bounde to abide to be appointed in such places in such number with demies or whole dizaines or otherwise whither they be moe or fewer and for such a time as often and at all times so euer as they shall be commaunded and enioyned 11 Item That they shal be bounde to come to the musters as often as they shal be commanded without refusall 12 At which musters none of them shall cause him selfe to bee enrolled or bylled by any other name but by the same that was giuen him at the Font nor weare any other armour nor take and carrie any other weapons but his owne or suche as that during the tyme of his seruice hee will serue withall 13 Item That no man that hath once taken wages or pay shall departe or forsake his seruice without leaue or consent nor yet goe from one Captayne to another without passeporte 14 Item That they shall not make any controuersie dissention and stirre amongst them selues neither yet with any other but especially with the Archers of the Citie or with the ordinarie towne watch or warde 15 Item That they shall not wrong force or threaten any Citizen Marchant nor enhabitant of the Citie neyther Ecclesiasticall person or others whither it be man or woman or of what religion so euer hee or shee bee nor doe them any scathe any maner of way 16 Item That they shall not make any common assembly or alarme without the consent and knowledge of his excellencie or his Lieutenant 17 Item That they shall not take in hande any quarell neither yet contende one with another nor with any els for any cause soeuer but make their Captayne 's priuie of the harde dealing who shal agree them and if so be the case so standeth as that they be not able to do it that then his excellencie to be made priuie to the controuersie 18 Item They shal be bound to suffer iustice to be ministred betweene and against suche as haue offended and besides they shal be bounde to ayde and assist their prouost Alwayes prouided that punishment of all offences and transgressions by them committed in the watch or ward which touch the said seruice whereon neither life nor limme dependeth shal be at the discretion of his Excellencie the rest at the discretion of the scoute or Marshall the Borroughmasters Sherifes vnder whose gouernment also in al matters els not concerning the said seruice they shall remayne as all the rest of the Citizens 19 Ouer and besides this they shall be wholly bound well and faithfully to discharge them selues as becommeth good and loyall subiectes and Citizens of this Citie as in deede they are of right bounde to do 20 Neither shall they doe or attempt any thing which may any way be against the ioyfull entraunce the
confederates might easily consider gather to what ende this preparation of warre and yrefull threates of his maiestie tended but the Catholikes especially who with theyr craftie clayning and subtill dawbing might the easilier deceiue the Regent feigned that they wold rather become newters or els if they did any thing that they would after a sort take part with her excellencie as they saide for the common wealth and yet it was well enough perceiued that they shewed them selues secrete enemies both to the Inquisition and also to the Spaniardes howbeit because they hoped to obteine the good will and moderation whiche the Regent on the behalfe of her brother had giuen theÌ„ to vnderstand they to the end they would not haue their enterprises to bee discouered nor hindered fell to plaine dissembling But when both the confederates and catholikes vnderstoode of the rumor of the setting forwarde of the Spanishe warres eyther partie beganne to bestyrre hym and make shift for himselfe yea and some of the Protestants who before had refused and forsaken the gentle offer and ayde of strange captaines and souldiers because they woulde streng then themselues the better confirmed with them their confederacie and thereupon caused men to bee leuied who had taken and possessed certaine townes makyng thereby the Romanistes practises of none effect c. Now because the spoyle of the Churches greatly displeased the Catholikes they also leuied a great number of men of war that they might bee auenged of the downe pullers and breakers of theyr Images punishyng many in diuers places without being any thing at all gainsaid by any of the rest of the protestants For the third part of the confederates haunted no whit any of the assemblies but interdicting also the preachings imprisoned as many as continued constant in the exercise of religion rechristening the infants and remarrying those persons which by the ministers had been before baptised and marryed and besides when they had caused the preachings to cease they hunted and chased the ministers and gaue them vp vnto the Inquisition and to all the rest of the old ordenances Whereupon many were forced to get them away into other countries and cities where the exercise of the religion had free course amongest which Valencia was the most famous For this cause the Lady Regent had required and commanded the Valencians to take in a garrison to wit fiue ensignes of footemen and foure troupes or companies of horsemen whiche Monsieur de Noircarmes the Marques of Bergues lieuetenant Gouernour of Henault had brought But the Valencians flatly refused them the 22. of September the very selfe same yeere trusting to the strength of their citie and the ayde of certaine french which were with them Valencia is the second chiefe citie of Henault The scituation of Valencia scituate in a fruitfull soyle full of moysture by reason of two riuers which streame downe thither and there meete the greater of which is called the Escante whose spring head commeth froÌ„ the countrie of Vermand out of the East mouâ—taines and running downe by Cambray and the territories thereof taketh his couse by Valencia so vnto Conde where the Riuer called the Hayne whereof all the countrie is named falleth into Escant The whiche separating and diuiding Artoys from Henault runneth down by Tournay in Flaunders euen vnto Gand where it toyneth with Lys Which discendeth from Artoys and so parting it selfe into diuers armes runneth by Deuremond and Antwerp and lastly disgorgeth it selfe into the Ocean Sea Moreouer Valencia is a fayre citie well fenced with rampiers and ditches But the chiefest commoditie it hath is that they may drown all the whole Champion Countrie thereabout through the opening of certayne sluces or flood gates made for the same purpose for the stopping of al such as intended to come neere the Towne Ouer and besides this it is a citie well furnished with all kindes of merchandise seruyng for the trade and traffique of the Frenche and lowe countrie men When the ladie Regent had vnderstood of this refusall shee againe commanded to haue the gates to be set open Valencia refuâ—eth a garrison to take in a garrison which she had sent thyther by letters and withall the Duke of Arescote and the Counte Egmont to perswade them But when they coulde by no meanes bring to passe their purpose the Valencians were taken for his maiesties enemies and so declared and proclaimed in many places which terrified and feared the other cities Neuerthelesse at the last the said lords had so persuaded them as that they agreed to receiue a garrison although against theyr priuileges but because they would gladly bee discharged of them they were contented to giue them a summe of money vpon condition that they would agree to certaine articles Howbeit the catholikes woulde in no wise accept thereof saying that it was against all reason that any subiect shoulde prescribe lawes or articles vnto his Lord wherfore they straitly besieged the citie and made their trenches and enuironed them both on foote and horse backe In this mean while Monsieur de Noircarmes had gotten a litle village somewhat neere thereto called Spr Amand and had schooled and appointed them what they should doe and afterwarde in December 1566. hee came before Valencia with his whole campe The besiegeants likewise had prepared to defend themselues against the assaultes and attempts of the catholikes and had written to the cittes confedered beseeching their aide but especially to the gentlemen confedered because they would gladly haue been assisted by them seeing that by their incitation and encouragement they had taken in hand that warre The nobilitie woulde at no hand haue to doe with that cause but som of the common people gathered themselues together in low Flanders to rayse a campe but forsomuch as they were not prouided of an expert captain for the wars they in steebe of marching against the enemie made warre with the Priests and Churches and by that meane procured the losse of Valencia and were the cause of theyr owne destruction For when the gouernour of Doway and Orchies was aduertised of this assembly he sent against them both footemen horsemen to charge them in the reare ward Which thing wheÌ„ they of Tournay vnderstood they put theÌ„selues in armes for the ayding of the Valencians remouing of the siege The gouernour of Doway had all that night gotten his people together sent them into the champion countrey so that about 6. of the clocke in the morning there were in Armes 3. hundred Harquebuziers an hundred horses forbidding them not to fight vntill such teime as Monsieur de Noircarmes were come with his tenne Ensignes of footemen an hundred horse who assoone as they were come violently suddainely charged the men of warre of the Protestantes They of Tâ—urnay discomfited and put them to the foyle so that the third parte of them lay dead in the place and the rest were saued by their fast
perturbers of the common weale The Lorde of Brederode gaue the Secretary none other answere but this Thou art a man not worthie any answere c. The Antwerpians after long resistaunce agreed with the Dutchesse in manner and fourme following That the Sermons shoulde cease but none to be syfted or troubled for the cause of Religion And therefore for the very same purpose it was ordeined and proclaymed in Antwerpe the 7. of April 1567. That all ministers shoulde depart thence and the preachinges cease That all Catholikes shoulde bee restored to their offices and the first Commissions be obserued and kept Alwayes prouided that no man shoulde bee sifted or troubled for the religion vntill such time as his Maiestie by the aduise of the generall Estates had otherwise appointed it This matter was accomplished after that the ministers were gone out of the Citie of Antwerpe and their Churches were fast shutte and sealed vp In this sort passed the matters of Flanders Hollande zeland and the rest of the Prouinces and the persecution dayly encreased against such as had taken armes vpon them broken downe the Images and opposed themselues against the Edictes and Commissions The 18. of April The Lady Regent entred into Antwerp Count Manfields garnysoneth Antwerpe and with her the Count Mansfielde with 16. Ensignes of footmen and fiue hundreth horse After that the Prince of Orange was departed thence which was the 11. of the sayde Moneth with a great number of Citizens and enhabitauntes of the same Citie in very great miserie and with much weeping and wailing When the Lorde of Brederode had receyued the sharpe message aforesayde hee soone after in the deade of the night The L. of Brederode flyeth from Amsterdame departed the Countrey with many noble men and other souldiers whome the Count Megue pursued but it was to small purpose The 5. of May the same yeere there fell in Friselande into the Count Arenberge his handes certayne of the nobilitie that were betrayed by a Mariner who in steede to carry them ouer the seas set them on the playne grounde where they were taken by Captayne Mulert as a captayne of one of the companies of the Count Arenberge The Lords of Battenbrough and two Lordes of Friselande to witte Herman Galama and Sir Beyma besides many other Gentlemen and Captaynes The tenth of May there entred into Amstelredame certayne bandes of Souldiers and a little before into Bostleduke and Vyane of whiche the Duke Ericke of Brunswike was chief and the Countrey of Vtryght was deliuered to the Catholikes The 21. of May The Marques of Bergues died in Spayne The Marques of Bergues as it is said was poisoned in Spayne of whom wee haue before spoken And the Marquesse his wife at another time caused many Infantes to bee baptized and many to be married agayne by the priestes whome the ministers had before baptized and married and suche as refused it muste forsake the Countreye so that many menne and women were fayne to departe and goe into other Countreys The 24 of this Moneth by her highnesse appoyntment was a Proclamation proclaymed in Antwerpe muche more for the behoofe of the Catholiques then for the Protestauntes wherein was declared That as manye as woulde remayne in the Countrey shoulde from thence foorth lyue peaceably and in quiet and that all mynisters and suche as frequented Sermons and had defaced the Images shoulde lose both bodies and â—oodes and that the Father Master or Lorde shoulde answere fortheir children and seruantes And besides that all Infantes which were baptized by the ministers shoulde bee rebaptized by the Priestes after the maner of the Catholique Churche Also that no Schoolemasters might teache before such tyme as they were examined and their bookes allowed Moreouer against Printers and Statyoners which solde bookes not allowed of and agaynst all such officers as did permitte and suffer them Against all such as without his Maiesties knowledge be collectors of money vpon any of his subiectes Against euery assembly which is made agaynst the ordinaunce or consent of his Maiestie Against all Straungers which depart not the Countrey within 24 houres or bring not a testimoniall from the place from whence they come and the cause of their remayning there Lastly that no man shoulde withstande any Ecclesiasticall person The persecution dayly encreased whiche caused the people to forsake the Countrey by thousands There were in one day at Tournay an hundred and sixe riche Merchauntes and many others spoyled of their goodes and a great number put and deteyned in pryson and there ill entreated The 18. of Iuly The Dutchesse departed from Antwerpe to Bruxelles and the Count Manssielde remayned there with his Garnison An addition of certayne thinges woorthie remembrance which happened in diuers places and prouinces THe 26. and 27. of Iune 1566. The publique preaching of the syncere woorde of God beganne throughout all the low Countreys with the administration of the Sacraments in many Cities and Townes About the 16. and 17. of August the same yeere The images in diuers cities and townes of the lowe Countreys were broken in peeces and the alters and ornamentes of the Churches pulled downe and destroyed The date of this yeere when this geare was done is to bee founde by the Capitall letters of this verse following Con Cio saCra â—â—Vit tVMidi CeCidere deastri The 6. of September the same yeere were in three parishe Churches of Leawarde all the Alters pulled downe and the Images broken by the appointment of the Magistrate The 8. of the sayde moneth and the same yeere were the first Sermons made in the chiefe parish Churche of the Citie of Oldenbone by the ministers of the woorde of God and that by the consent of the Magistrate And the 15. of the sayd moneth was the supper of the Lorde there administred The 10. of September that yeere were the Aulters of the franciscane Fryers in Grâ—ening pulled down by the leaue of the Magistrate and the Images broken The 25. of September the same yeere was the first stone of the foundation of the reformed Church in Antwerpe laide The same day were they of the reformed Religion of the citie of Nymmegue in Gelderlande driuen out of the same The 3. of October the same yeere the Ministers of the woorde of GOD were forbidden at Bruxelles vppon payne of hanging to preache within the said Citie or in any other places there about This was the first dispersing sithens the publique preachings The 17. of October aforesaide there were certayne insolent partes playd by certayne young persons in our Ladye Church of Antwerpe Whereupon the Lorde of Hooghstrate Gouernour at that time beset the Churche rounde about with souldiers and entring into it tooke certayne prisoners and the next day in the morning about the dawning were sixe or seuen of them hanged in the market place The 10. of Ianuarie 1567. The ministers of the reformed religion were expulsed the Citie of Leunwarde in Fryselande The 9. of
March the same yeere The tyrannous Papists troubled the preachinges in the Towne of Andenarde and slue fiue of the company with Harquebuzes The same tynie also the reformed Churches in Flanders were vtterly despersed The 27. of Aprill the same yeere were the last Sermons made in Amstelredame when as the Lord of Brederode with the noble men and ministers departed the same Citie and was the last dispersion of the Churches in the lowe Countreys The ende of the first booke The seconde Booke of the Histories of the troubles in the low Countreys In the beginning whereof shall be described and set forth the Inquisition of Spaine and the execution thereof and next after howe the banished Princes Noble men Gentlemen and others assailed the low Countreys both with horsemen and footemen good store for the recouerie of their enheritances and goods from which they were driuen away by the tyrannie of the Duke of Alua. WE haue discoursed and set down in the first booke the maner of the passing of all the dealings in the lowe Countreys before the D. of Alua his comming and also in what state they stoode at his arriuall And besides howe all they of the reformed religion after the forbidding of the exercise of preaching were persecuted and condemned by the Inquisition But now if thou wilt a while giue eare I wil discouer vnto thee what maner a thing the same inquisitiō is which is more famous then rightly known all Europe ouer The declaration here of woulde be taken of many but for a fable and leasing if the spring head and first original thereof were not manifestly set forth and to say truly the gentle reader should take small pleasure if we should but onely speake of the bare name there of without telling what it is in deede Wherefore for the first point I will declare vnto you what it is who are the indges thereof and the maner of the administration of it And because there is not the least within these Iowe Countreys but knoweth that this Inquisition of Spayne hath been the very true originall of all the troubles I will not forget to lay wide open and set downe in writing the declaration and beginning thereof Spayne at the first was gouerned by meane kings Spaine in olde time gouerned by petie kings and after warde the greatest part thereof was conquered by the Affricanes who at last peaceably possessed it and freed it from the bondage of the Romanes After this the same Prouince was for a while gouerned by the Uandales and Alanes whom the Gothes in the dayes of the Emperours Theodose and Ualentinian the thirde expulsed out of Fraunce who conquered many Lands and Countreys destroying the Romaine Empire At last these wandering people were by the ordinaunce of Boniface gouernours in Affrica who through the dealing of the other Affricane gouernours were sent and called thereto But as they were by the vice Bothes pursued on this side the sea there passed ouer of mē women and children vnder the conduct of Gontram and Gensericke their kings and lordes in the yeere 720. about eyght hundred thousande persons to destroy and conquere Affricke After this retraite of this foresaid Uandales the Gothes by the consent of the Emperours gouerned the realme of Spayne vntill the dayes of K Rodrigue who hauing violated and defloured Cana Count Iulians daughter was ruined slayne with all his kinred For the same count Iulian in reuenge of the wrong and shame that was done him sent the Uandales Mores Affricanes and Sarazins vnder the conduct of Musa their king who haning discomfited and slayne in many battels mo then seuen hundreth thousand men conquered all Spayne and deuided it into diuers kingdomes to witte Granade Ualence Portugall Toledo Cordua and many others But the christians which came of Gothes for the auoyding of the intollerable oppressions and horrible furie of these nations retyred and withdre we them selues into the Mountaynes of Arragon who at that tyme were called the Cantabrians and Asturians and chose one named Pelagius to be their king This Pelagius forsaking the name of a Gothe beganne to make very great warres against the Mores but hee had therein but euill successe Wherefore his successours required ayde and helpe of the French kinges to witte of Pepin Charlemeine Lewis and many others so that in short tyme the Countreys that were lost were conquered agayne which were deuided into Prouinces and after into kingdomes giuing them the names of the fortresses and Townes whereby they were conquered to witte of the Citie or Towne of Leon or Legion the kingdome of Leon of Tarracon Arragon of Barcinone Barcelone of the Castle which Pelagius built so soone as hee had wonne Leon against the assault of the Mores the kingdome of Castile and after all this the kingdomes of Portugall Nauarre Galice Toledo Ualence Cordua and Granade were exected to wit when the Mores were enforced to become subiecte to Christian kings and Countreys at suche tyme as euery one warred against them in his owne Countrey the chiefe of which were the Arragonians and Castilians Nowe amongst all the Princes and Potentates that warred vpon the heathen and Infidelles Ferdinando king of Arragon was the most famous But after that the Countrey was out of the daunger of the Mores by reason of the happie successe of the heathen warres the sayde king Ferdinando suffered the Mores as his predecessors had also done to liue in quiet subiection and obedience paying certayne tribute Neuerthelesse their kinde of life was paynefull especially amongst those that were freemen and yet tollerable inough seeing they were not troubled or molested for the cause of religion But as the thinges of this worlde neuer continue in one selfe and the same estate and that the heartes of kinges and princes doe often chaunge which causeth the subiectes for the present tyme to be ouercharged and burdened There were some that perswaded the sayde king to chose certayne personnes who shoulde haue an eye to their many superstitions and infidelities to the ende the Mahometishe and Ieweshe religion myght not any way derogate from the Catholique Religion Neuerthelesse wee see by experience that oftentimes they whiche make pittes for others fall them selues into them For it is an harde matter to stumble against a stone when as they will labour to reduce others to their opinion and fantasie The king had appoynted for this purpose the moste qualified men following therein the order of his predecessors And as a king careth not what payne hee ordinarily taketh to excell all other kinges and Monarches in honour and fame Euen so this king Ferdinand purposed and concluded to shewe him selfe a no lesse true and politike then a warlike Christian for in leauing all his warlike affayres he bestowed all his care about the aduauncing of christian Religion which is a most good kingly deede and worthy great commendation as also it is the parte and duetie of a king who is the Image of the most excellent and Almightie
assembly at Deuremond But these noble men doe trust and sticke to their innocency concluding none otherwise but to propounde to the Dutchesse the contente of this letter and to keepe them selues safe from it And that which might be herein more talked of hee trusted that the Lordes which were then in prison had more at large declared the same And as concerning the rest of the articles of the inditement to wit that the Prince had counselled the L. of Brederode to fortifie and fense his castle of Viane against his M. that is a very lie and against all truth But this is true in deede that about certain yeeres past the prince himselfe being at Vyane the L. of Brederode said vnto him That the L. his father had appoynted him as it were by will to make vp the ditches and rampares of Vyane already begun whereupon he answered that for the accomplishing of his fathers will he would doe it But there was not a word spoken of the king neither had he once the heart to attempt any thing against him And as touching the aduice of fortification the nobilitie were in all times at their free choise and livertie to fortifie their Mannors when it pleased theÌ„ Moreouer Viane with all the iurisdiction thereunto belonging properly apperteâ—neth to the L. of Brederode and although his ancesters haue bin in sute for it yet hath the L. of Brederode continued stil in peaceable possession Wherfore there can be no matter of treason concluded vpon in this behalfe for that talke which they had together was nothing els but about the fortifiyng of the sayd Town but no mention was made of his Maiesties affayres and this conference was long before the time of these troubles As touching the other point that the Prince suffered the Lorde of Brederode to leuie men of warre at his pleasure in the Citie of Antwerpe and sent secretly to Vyane certayne munition against the Dutchesses Countermaund The P. answereth that hee came to Antwerpe to deliuer the Citie from those suddayne troubles and when hee vnderstoode the case he aduertised the Margraue thereof who neuer founde out any thinge of the matter but onely suche as were sytting at a table hauing Commission to leuie men howbeit they secretly got themselues away True it is that the Prince offered vnto the Lorde of Brederode certayne peeces of Artillery that were made at Vtright howebeit this was long before these troubles and at that time it was about his Maiesties seruice so that hee coulde not refuse them seeing that Vyane was not farre from Vtryght and beesides hee had also required and demaunded them And as concerning those pointes that the Prince should forbid the receiuing of his Maiesties garnisonnes into certayne places and Townes especially in Zelande where hee him selfe had sent men of warre to take vp the place and stoppe his Maiesties enteraunce by sea As for the garnysonnes the Prince saith that he neuer had it once in his thought to forbidde them and if in case it be true they ought to tell when and at what time and in what place this geare was wrought Notwithstanding when he was in Zealand he was aduertised that there was a practise to take Zealande if it were possible which was a matter of great importaunce and therefore hee commaunded the Lorde of Boxtell that no Garnison shoulde be receiued without his leaue for that is the maner of all Lieutenaunts But when hee was afterwarde aduertised by the Captayne of the Rammekins which was vnder his charge that two hundred of the Dutchesses souldiers were there arriued requiring to haue the Castle opened vnto them which the Captayne denied howebeit hee was afearde of some muteny and sedition by reason his people were vnpaide and the Castle but hardly bestead with victualles hee commaunded him that no man shoulde entre into the Castle without the Dutchesses commaundement and his leaue whereof the Dutchesse being aduertised was well pleased and sent them their pay although the Dutchesse had been before otherwise informed whiles shee lay at Bruxelles and he in Antwerpe and if the saide souldiers had entred the Castle he must haue answeared it Moreouer the Antwerpians desired that they might haue no garnisons thrust into their Citie promising to be alwayes obedient vnto his Ma. and neither spare body nor goods to doe him seruice no not once to hinder him in these affayres It is very true that certeine small vessels were laden with souldiers to come to Antwerpe who for the common quiet of the City could not bee suffered to enter wherefore they sayled towardes Zeland where they were forbidden stayed for comming on land Insomuch that they inforced through famine to returne to Antwerpe and as it is sayde that as they were in the L. of Brederode his seruice being about a mile from Antwerpe to wit at Easterwell and comming on lande were there discomfited When the reformed Churches of Antwerpe heard of this they armed themselues to help the said souldiers which caused a great alarme within the citie so that the Prince in the ende appeased the same without the effusion of any citizens blood By which bee gaue them to vnderstand that he neuer pretended to atteÌ„pt any thing in Zealand which might any way tend to the hinderance of any of his maiesties deuises practises But in that he would not receiue garnisons into the country and townes he did that for the auoiding of all dissention and to keepe the subiects in peace vnttie Wherfore the prince greatly marueileth that such great learned men as would be so well thought of would set downe and propound such matters as neuer can nor shal be any way verified There is besides in the Articles of this inditement declared that the prince was sent to Antwerpe to appease the troubles but that he suffered the exercise of all hereticall Sectes indifferently Whereunto he answereth That hee expressely tolde the Counsell that it was impossible for him to stay those of the religion notwithstanding that he woulde be as carefull to do what so euer lay in him to be done as a man mought be Insomuch that all the Townsmen gaue him great thankes for the appeasing of the troubles through his aduise and counsell The Magistrate of the Citie and not he suffered the building of the Churches and the exercise of the religion for the aueyding of a greater offence and mischiefe The Consistories were ordeyned before he came thither yea euen before the publique preachings and to meete from thenceforth with al troubles he permitted them a way or meane whereby all the circumstaunces of the affayres that might suddenly happen might be talked vpon and dealt withall and did not belieue that his Maiestie by this occasion coulde any way be endemnified seeing it serued more for the keeping of his subiects in peace and tranquilitie For the last Article where it is sayde that hee shoulde ordeyne impositions and exactions or leuie money for the paying of souldiers hee fayeth
foure thousande horse of Spaniards Italians Almaynes Burgonions and others With this armie hee encamped before Mastright to stay the enemie for passing ouer at the Maze hee made also a bridge ouer the Maze that he myght euery way cut the enemie from victuals The Prince of Orange tooke by assault Arenberg The prince taketh certaine places and Ep pen two townes standing betweene Coloigne and Duren and Hormeson also belonging to king Philip where his Ma. garnison was staine which caused the Duke of Alua to spare none eyther yet to receiue any to mercie But as the prince marched still for ward the Duke knew not whether he wold into France to ayde the Prince of Conde or whether he would come downe into the lowe countries howbeit the Princes armie coasted the riuer of Maze euen vnto Stockum where he passed the ryuer to meete with the Duke of Alua his campe Whyle these matters were in hande the Duke of Alua caused aproclamation to bee made in Antwerpe that euery man which had or knew of any goods belongyng to the Gueses shold tell it to the Lorde Treasurer or to the magistrate and officer of the place where those goods were vpon paine that whosoeeuer concealed them or suffered them to bee carryed out of the Countries shoulde pay the valure of the saide goods The one thirde part whereof shoulde bee to the Informer and the rest confisked to his maiesties vse but hee that was not able to restore them shoulde be arbitrarily punished This Proclamation caused great mischiefe In the ende of September the Duke of Alua came on Mastright side The Liegeois woulde haue taken vp a certaine passage for the stopping of the armie but the Prince marched with his people on the other side and although there had beene a controuersie between the bishop and the Liegeois yet they agreed by a coÌ„mon consent to leuie sixe ensignes of men for the defense of the citie The fifteenth of October the Orangians discomfited certain ensignes of Aluaianes But when the Prince had passed the Maze bee marched forwarde the twentieth of October leauing on his right hande the towne Tilmont and passed the riuer whiche diuideth the lande of Lieg from Brabant seeking all the wayes he could to fight with the enemie howbeit the Duke of Alua had no will to hazard it and therfore fearing the Prince of Orange his forces kept himselfe in his trences before the Citie of Mastright But Don Fredericke of Toledo his sonne came one day out of the campe with sixe Culuerines foure thousand shot and an hundred men at armes but no great matter was exployted saue that in skirmishing many on both sides were thrust out of wages When the Prince sawe that Winter drewe neere and the time passed away without giuing battaile to the Duke of Alua who lay in his Trenches before Mastright although at the first the Princes armie might haue fought and discomfited the enemie had it not beene through euill counsell or els that the Lorde GOD would not suffer it because hee woulde further punish the lowe countries for their horrible and grieuous sinnes But nowe againe to our purpose the Prince meaning to auoyde the vnprofitable charges in the consuming and spending of victuals money and munition thought it the best Councell to forsake for a time the lowe Countries and make a voyage into Fraunce where the Marshall Cossey pursued him with two thousand shot two hundred horse which was to his great hurt Whiche thing the Marshall dyd at the request of the Duke of Alua and followed the Prince euen vnto Cambresie The Frenche woulde gladly haue had the Germayne horse men to haue come downe into Fraunce But the greatest number of them returned home into Germanie for want of pay and taking their way through Champaigne entred into Lorayne and beeing come neere vnto Straesbrough they diuided themselues not well pleased with theyr pay and thus ended this warr betweene the Prince of Orange and the Duke of Alua who euer sithence hath continued a more tyrannous persecutor in murderyng emprisoning cuttyng off of heads hanging burning confisking of goods publishing of Proclamations and Commissions and bringing in of newe Bishoppes as at Leewarde in Friselande where Cunerus Petri was ordeined the first bishop the first of February 1568. And afterward were very solemnely ordeined certaine others in the prouinces of the low Countries Nowe this tyraunts great persecution and tyrannie aforesaide continued from the yeere 68. vnto the yeere 72. When as the miserable and comfortles inhabitaunts of the lowe countries had through Gods assistance and mercy some ease of their calamities by reason that the saide Duke obstinately persisted in demanding of the tenth penny without regard of the complaints of all the Estates of the lowe Countries thinking thereby to heape vp suche an infinite treasure and keepe a continuall mine of golde and siluer to withstande all kinges princes and potenrates that woulde oppose themselues against his vnnaturall tyrannie And although the Lorde hath suffered this tyrant to bee a scourge to plague the lowe Countries which sometimes so notably florished yet hath it been to none other end but to aduertise vs that we in the time of our great prosperitie wallowing and tumbling in all worldly pleasures forgot the Lorde our God and that forsaking our wicked life through the chastizement of this rod wee might frame our selues to newnesse of life according to his most holy and blessed commandements For the good God chasâ—iseth all those whome hee loueth neither hath these lowe countries been onely so greatly scourged through the tyrannie of this cruell and vnnaturall monster but hath also visited them with a most fearefull ouerflowing of waters Insomuch that the first of Nouember in the yeere 70. were drowned in Hollande Zealand Friseland Gelderland and others many thousandes of people and an innumerable multitude of cattaile for mans sustenance This wounde Gentle Reader is healed and almost for gotten but the tyrannie of the Duke of Alua is yet in force Wherefore let vs beseech the Lord our God to deliuer vs out of the handes of this tyrant to the ende wee may serue and honour him in peace and tranquilitie all the dayes of our life And heere an ende of the second Booke The thirde Booke of the Histories of the troubles in the low Countries wherin shal be set downe the second inuasion of the Nobilitie Gentlemen and other fugitiues and banished men into the same IN the first and seconde bookes Gentle Reader hath been declared vnto thee what hath come to passe from the yeere 1566. vnto the yeere 1572. and the very first originall of this present warre But in this thirde shall bee described all the matters that haue fallen out from this yeere 72. vnto the taking of the Councell of Estate in Bruxelles which was put in execution by the Lorde of Heze Captaine of the same citie the 4. of September 1576. by the ordinance of the Estates of Brabant And nowe to
continue this our historie The Duke of Alua seeing that the Prince with his armie had forsaken the low Countries as a triumphant conquerour pursued the tyrannous persecution which hee had begun against those of the reformed religion as more at large is set downe in the booke next before and although that in these Countries the warres were for the space of foure yeeres surpressed to wit from the yeere 1568. vnto the yeere 1572. Yet haue they not been free from the abundant spilling of innocent blood through the horrible furie of this vnnaturall and cruel tyrant But when the Lorde woulde graunt vs a beginning of our deliuerance hee suffered this foresaid Tyrant to abuse hymselfe through his owne insatiable couetousnes The duke demaÌ„ deth the tenth pennie by demanding of all the merchandize both going out coÌ„ming in vnto these low Countries the tenth pennie also the xx pennie of all the vnmoueable goods that should be sold within the said countries although all the Estates of the Prouinces tolde him of the inconueniences that might fall out by reason of this extreeme exaction yet persisted he in his demaunde thinking that no man durst once gainsaye him notwithstanding that it was cleane against their Priuiledges Which thing greatly moued the common people and the Citizens of all the Cities were maruellously grieued as wel for the tenth penny which the Duke woulde haue no nay of as also for the great tyranny hee vsed Lastly hee purposed to put this tenth pennye in execution in the Cytie of Bruxelles where his Court was thinking that by reason of his presence no manne durst say him naye But the Bruxellians dyuerslye sette them selues against it For neyther woulde the Brewers brewe anye drinke nor yet the Bakers bake anye bread To bee shorte there arose so greate troubles in this Citie of Bruxelles as that the Duke him selfe feared the tumulte and furye of the common people And therefore the Citizens of Bruxelles are woorthye all honour and prayse for so boldelye defending the Pryuiledges of theyr Countrey During these troubles in Bruxelles the common people of the rest of the cities and townes both in Brabant Flanders were also troubled so that the Hollanders and Zelanders begun likewise to rowze themselues out of their sleepe which made the fugitiues and banished men to thinke on their businesse and determined once againe to inuade the low countries seeing the Inhabitants of the said countries began to oppose themselues against the tyrant Wherfore De Lumay Earle of March being in England Briele taken by the L. of Lumay hauing at his commandement certayne ships got himself his retiâ—â—e to Sea vpon the sodaine tooke the Briele a towne in Holland the 1. of April 1572. For the saide Count first set the South gate on fire by meane whereof Inhabitantes kept them selues close in their houses and in the meane while the souldiers skaled the towne and the North gate and so woon it afterwarde brake and destroyed the Images and altars of the Churches The Duke of Alua was forthwith aduertised of this sodaine taking and although the newes pleased him neuer a whit yer made he small accompt of his enemies because he had continually most victoriously driuen them out of the countrey Wherfore he sent two ensignes of Spaniards from Vtright to the Briele to driue out the Gueses Howbeit the Gueses met them with theyr boates who discharging their Harquebuzes vppon the Spanyardes and comming on lande made the Spaniardes lustely flye through the myre and dyrt and droue them to Dordright The Count Bossu hauing the charge of ten ensignes of Spanyardes considering with himselfe that the Gueses would not willingly forsake and lose the Briele but were rather more like to get many other townes he therfore came to Rotterdame willing them that he might passe through the towne Whiche thing the Citizens at the first choppe denied him neuerthelesse in the end they were contented that his people shoulde passe by Diâ—aines A Massacre in Rotterdame but they making hed al at once at the gates entred together into the towne and villaynously murdered a great number of the Citizens and this was done the nienth of Aprill 1572. Three dayes before Flushing reuolteth whiche was Easter day the towne of Flushing reuolted wherein was a garnison of Walonnes And it so fell out that as the Citizens were at Churche sodaynely there was an vprore by reason that it was bruted that the Spaniardes were comming to lodge in the Towne and as the Harbingers were appoynting the lodginges they pycked a quarrell with one of the Citizens and gaue him yll language as they coulde well ynough The Cytizens who were at Churche hearing of this noyse came foorth and draue the Walonnes cleane out of the Towne and kepte the gates themselues When the Spanyardes were come before Flushing they woulde not let them come in whereuppon they hearing that the garnison of the Walons were driuen out tooke their course to Middlebrough the chiefe citie of the Isle of Walcheren where they were receyued Nowe when the Captayne of the Spanyardes who was the Duke of Alua his kinsman arryued at Flushing hee thought to haue found the Spanyardes there But the Townes men who knew wel inough that he was comming went to meete him byddyng him welcome and doyng him great honour as the maner is to honor such noblemen howbett that honour lasted not long for they foorthwith layde handes on hym and hanged him on the gallowes And so this towne hath been euer sithence kept for the prince of Orange which is the chiefe key of the Sea to come into the lowe countries to bee brought into subiection howbeit it is worthie great commendation by reason of the noble feates of warre which the Citizens haue exployted against the practizes and stratagemes of the Spaniardes for the defense of the countrie The 24. of May following after that the count Lodwike of Nassou had made a new couenaunt in Fraunce with the confederates he surprysed Monts in Haynault after this maner Mons in Haynault surprised The nyght before there went into Mons twelue aduenturers apparrelled like merchauntes and beeing at the table in the euenyng they asked of the hoste what tyme in the morning the Gates were opened The hoste tolde them at foure of the clocke and if so bee they woulde goe out any timelier he said that if they woulde giue the porter the wyne the Gates should bee opened for them as early as they woulde These iollye Merchants rose very timely and caused the Gates to bee opened promising to giue the Porter a peece of money But so soone as the Gates were open they dispatcht the Porter with a Pistoll shot and tooke away the keyes When the Gates were open counte Lodwike entred the towne with fortie men and placed them at the corners of the streetes and if any man went about to open eyther dore or window they would discharge their
Pystols on thē crying together with one voyce you haue libertie libertie graunted you the Prince of Orange is come to ayde you and you shall bee set free from the tenth pennie and all other charges wherewith the Duke of Alua woulde burden you This cry dured certaine houres with such a marueilous noyse as if thousands of souldiers had entred the towne But count Lodwike hauing long time taryed for his people and sawe that none of them came hee himselfe went out to vnderstand the cause of theyr so long tarrying and what were become of the horse men but they were out of the way in the woods from whence the Count Lodwike conducted them vnto the towne of Mons to the number of fiue hundreth and euery man a shot behinde him who beeing entred the towne first tooke the Towne house and set themselues in order of battaile In this sorte then tooke they the Towne whiche was in truth a kingly deede of a noble and famous Count and woorthie euerlasting memorie to winne by sleight and pollicie a towne so strongly fortified The same day also was the citie of Valencia surprised Valencia surprised but not many dayes after the Duke of Alua tooke it againe For as hee had sent thither Don Iohn de Mendoza with a certaine number of horse men to make prouision for the Castle that was but yll furnished with victuals and munition hee who in the name of Counce Lodwike had surprised the citie vnderstandyng of the commyng of the Spaniardes foorthwith contrary to the opinion of all men especially of the Spaniardes forsooke and least the towne who thought not so easilye without besieging to haue wonne it The Duke receyuing newes of the taking of Mons would not beleeue it trusting more to the letters whiche hee had from the Frence king by which he was aduertised that count Lodwik had been a few dayes sithence in Fraunce howbeit by the continuance of the newes hee did assure himselfe that the Towne was taken whereupon hee was cast into such a rage as that he tare his garmentes and troade vppon his cappe stormyng and chafyng as if hee had beene out of his witte and mad But as the Duke of Alua was altogether put by for resistyng of his enemies the Lorde of Lumay gotte hymselfe by little and little to bee master of the Cities and townes of Hollande who freely yeelded themselues vnder the protection of the famous Prince of Orange although hee himselfe was not there for euery man desired to bee deliuered from the slauery of the said Duke and of the Spaniardes The Citie of Enchusen standing in the North partes of Hollande was the first that opposed it selfe agaynst the tenth penie and the tyrannie of the sayde Duke and it was by reason of certayne souldiers which were in the shippes of warre whome they of Enckhuysen and Amstelredame had armed For as vpon the tenth of Iune 1572. Boshuysen Captayne of the sayd Shippes was entered Enckhuysen to furnishe his Shippes with victualles and other warlike furniture there entred by little and little many souldiers thinking to take the Towne which dealing the Citizens perceyuing made them packe out of the Towne and tooke the sayde Captayne Boshuysen prisoner whome after a while they released out of prison But as the Citizens were thus troubled and fearing the receiuing in of souldiers for the enforcing of them to pay the tenth penie they sent for Count Lumay his souldiers and put themselues vnder the obedience of the famous Prince of Orange and within a while after the townes of Alkmer Horne Edam and Memmelicke did the like When the townes of Hollande that lay nearest the Briell hearde of this they in like maner sette open their gates to the Princes people and submitted them selues vnder his obedience sauing they of Schoonehoue and Amstleredam who stoutly resisted But the Lorde of Lumay besieged Schoonehoue who seeing the breach made rendred so that all Holland yeelded to the sayde Lorde except Amstelredam which the saide Count besieged once or twise but it was in vayne and vnprofitable for it was ouer stronge neyther could hee euer wynne the Citizens heartes because they were very obstinate papistes Whiles the Count of March plaied his parte in Holland The Count of Ber◠inuadeth the Countrey of zurphen the Count Berge the Prince of Oranges brother in lawe leuied men of warre and tooke the Countie of zurphen the Townes of Dortcum Doebrough and zurphen and in the Dutchie of Gelderlande Hardwyke Ter Elberich and Hattum But in the Countrey of Twent Oldezele Goer and others The Count of Berge seeing the good affection of the Citizens of the Townes passed on like a Conquerer and came downe into the countrey of Oueryssel besieging the Town of S. Lawrance 1572. The towne of Tampen But because the Citizens were vnprouided of victualles and munition they rendred the Towne and so afterwarde did they of Swolle Hasselt and Steenewyke Townes of the Countrey of Oueryssel Whiles the lowe Countreys were assayled on euery side by the Lordes Gentlemen fugitiues and banished men of the said Countreyes the D. of Alua bent only all his forces against Counte Lodwyke his chiefe enemie and had sent into the borders of Fraunce a sufficient number of Spaniardes to fight with and discomfite the French that were sent by the Lordes of the reformed religion in Fraunce to assyste Counte Lodwyke who were betweene seuen and eyght thousand men whome the Spaniardes The ouerthrow of the French at Chieurayns the 17. of Iuly 1572. ouerthrewe at Thieuraine in a great broade fallowe fielde for want of good conduct and tooke their chiefe Captaynes Maister Ienlis and Maister Iumelle the one of which was carried to Antwerpe where without being sicke that any man knewe hee was one morning founde suddenly deade and the other to the Castle of Tournay who was deliuered in exchaunge for another prysonner being a Spaniarde After this discomfiture The Duke of Alua besiegeth Monts the Duke of Alua him selfe went and encamped before Montes and very straytly besieged it And the Count Lodwyke valiantly defended it still looking for ayde from the Prince of Orange his brother Amongst these exploytes The Gueses in uade Friseland there was likewise another inuasion made in west Friselande by the Gentlemen and the reste of the banished with their trayne amongest whome euen from the first beginning was captayne generall the Lorde of Newderworinter and after the Count Iust of Schouwenbourgh who were receiued into the Townes of Sneecke Boelswerd Franique But the Court of Friseland taking part with the aduersarie called from Groening the Lorde of Billi to bee an ayder against these Gueses who came with a iolly companie of well appointed Wallons and was receiued into the Towne and Castle of Leewarde into the Castle of Harlingue and into the Castle of Stauere The first enterprise that the Gueses tooke in hande was against Doccum for they came with good stoare of souldiers and Countreymen and
Harlem besiged the Spaniards besieged the Citie of Harlem The Citizens considering of their neighbours case and example were determined notwithstanding the weakenes and small defensablenesse of their towne to resist the force of the enemie chusing a great deale rather honorablie to die for the defence of their Countrey then to become the slaues of such murderers And therefore I will describe vnto thee in order the whole historie of the towne of Harlem howe all thinges went from the first beginning of the siege euen vnto the very last ende thereof The Duke of Alua being not yet satisfied with the innocent blood which hee had spilt aswell at zurphen as at Narden not thinking that the Lorde of hostes had an eye vnto his tyrannous deuises purposed to bring all the Cities and Townes vnder his yoke and kondageâ— Insomuche that hauing executed some tyrannie and crueltie hee purposed to beginne another To be shorte hee besieged the good Citie of Harlem meaning therebyâ— to reduce all the rest of the Townes vnder his yoke after he had once gotten it which God in his prouidence woulde not suffer him to doe Don Fridericke of Toledo the Duke of Alua his sonne through the counsell and aduice both of the Boroughmaisters of Amstelredam as also which is very likely because he was loth to cast away his souldiers practized by trecherie and warlike pollicie with the Magistrate of Harlem who partly fauoured him especially one Thyerrie a Friselander somtime Boromaister in whome was reposed the whole state and dealing of the Towne although he perfourmed not therein that duetie that hee ought to haue done but purposed to deliuer all the people into the hands of the bloody tyrauntes so that hee might haue his pardon as manifestly appeareth by a letter that was sent The thirde of December in the yeere 1572. at seuen of the clocke in the morning the great counsell of Harlem assembled by reason of a letter that was sent by one Maister Iames Wye Curate of grand Beginage secretely written and directed to a Brother of his that was then in the Towne conteyning the tyrannies which the Duke and his people had committed in many Townes but that if so be any would craue pardon hee woulde graunt it them When the Magistrate had caused this letter to be red in open counsell hee asked the opinion and aduise of them that were there whither it were best to sende to Don Fridericke or no Wherein alas was the counsell of Achitophell followed and for the bringing of it to passe there went out secretly at Spaerwouwer gate vpon a sled drawen on the yse the aforesayde Thierry the Fristander Thristopher Schagen and Adrian of Assendelft the pensioner telling the Wagonner nothing els but that they would goe to Sparendam But so soone as they were come vnto the banke or dike they saide vnto him bring vs halfe way and from thence to Sloterdike where the Wagonner set them on lande and would bring them no further so that they were enforced to foote it to Amstelredam The same day were the sworne men of the Towne of Harlem sommoned to appeare at two of the clocke in the afternoone at the crossebowe Archers Garden where also appeared Captayn Weybout Repperda Sir Launcelet of Brederode Adrtan Iansons Marshall of Harlem and Stuner the Boroughmaister when these sworne men were assembled Captayne Ripperda began his oration and sayde Worshipfull Citizens the cause of your assembly here in this place is a letter that was seat to one of our Citizens contayning that as yet there is fauour grace to be had at Don Fridericke his handes to the which ende Thierry the Friselander and others are gone to Amstelredam But my good fellowe Citizens if you well weygh and consideâ— of the grace that you are like to haue at his handes as also of the othe whiche you haue made to the Prince of Orange I doubte not but that you your selues as well as I my selfe will do all you can to obserue it For I am fully determined so long as I haue one drop of blood in my body to hazarde my selfe for the defence of the Citizens of this Citie and therefore if you your selues bee of the same opinion tell mee your mindes bouldly Whereupon the sworne men answered all with one accorde that for the defence of their Countrey they woulde hazarde both their bodies and goodes so that after many other louing exhortations they brake vp and euery man departed home to his owne house Howebeit the sayd Captayne and Marshall wrote forthwith vnto the Prince of Orange declaring vnto him the state of the towne They wrote in like maner vnto the Colonnell Maister Lazarus Muller who lay at newe Dam with tenne ensignes of foote men willing him to sende to Harlem some of his companie Whereupon the sayde Muller departed from the same place with all his Regiment and passing through base or lowe Hollande came to the ayde of Harlem So that hee arriued there the fourth of the sayde Moneth with tenne ensignes foure of which went into the towne whose Captaynes were captayne Stenbach the Colonels Lieutenant Christopher Vader Lambarde of Wirtenberge and Martin Pruys And the selfe same day were the Churches ridde and clensed of all the Idols and filthie Imageries that the pure worde of God might there be preached The fifth of December returned from Amstelredame Christopher Schagen and Adrian Assendelft the pencioner who were forthwith sent as prisonners to the Prince of Orange The same day was brought vnto the Towne from a place called the fiue houses a messenger of Amstelredam by Thierry the Friselander to the Boroughmaisters of Harlem Howebeit when the sayde messenger was come neere to the Towne hee durst not come in him selfe but sent his letter by a Countrey-man The which messenger after he had been examined and tried was hanged all but the head The 6. of the same moneth the enemie came to Sperwouwe and skyrmished to small purpose with those of Sparendam Whereupon the Boroughmasters and Captaynes sent the next morrowe three hundred souldiers to ayde Sparendam vnder the charge of Martin Pruys then Captaine The same day the enemie returned and skirmished the Sparendames lustily saluted them with their great ordinaunce The 8. of the sayde moneth the Boroughmaisters and captaynes sent to Sparendam certaine Citizens of Harlem and others to pearce the Dike whiche is betweene Sparendam and Sperwowe because they woulde haue the water ouerflowe the lande Howbeit it was not digged nor cut downe deepe enough The same day also had the Spanyardes entrenched themselues vppon the sayde Dyke against the Sparendames and made the Countreymen fill vp the sayde ditche The same day also arryued at Harlem Monsieur Saint Aldegond sent by the Prince of Orange to be a Commissioner for the choosing of a new Magistrate the placing of honest men right patrones there which in deed he did The 9. day at tenne of the clocke in the morning the sworne men once
duke theÌ„ to depart without armour weapon besides the Scots Easterlings were let to vnderstande that they were receiued into fauour wherefore the rest of the souldiers commending theÌ„selues to the mercy of God waited to see what wold become of theÌ„ WheÌ„ the L. Bordethard theÌ„ speake of grace he forthwith coÌ„manded one of his souldiers to kill hun with anharquebuze saying I beseech thee friend A souldier killeth his captains being â—o commanded by him that thou which hast done me many good seruices wouldest now at this present do me the last eueÌ„ to disbend thine harquebuze vpon me which thing the souldier after long refusall accoÌ„plished The cause why this Romane act was done was by reason that the enemie had said vpon the coÌ„position that as many as had bin at Monts in Haynault should haue no grace shewed theÌ„ At 9. of the clock in the morning they went out at the wood gate to confirme this composition and the sworne men were sent to the Towne house to know of them The Hariemians for the redemptioÌ„ of theiâ— Citie pay to Don Frederick 240 thousand Florins if the said composition liked them seeing they were the men which were to make vp the full summe of two hundred fortie thousaÌ„d Florings which the Burroughmasters had promised for the redeeming of the Town to be paid at two paiments to wit an hundred thousaÌ„d florins wtin 12. daies the rest within three moÌ„ths next ensuing with which coÌ„position the sworn meÌ„ must be coÌ„teÌ„ted The Citie of Harlem yeelded vp to the Duke Alua. Nowe when the Cittie was yeelded vp into the duke of Alua his handes a proclamatioÌ„ was forthwith made by the ringing of the great Bell That all Citizens and soldiers should bring in all their armour and weapon into the towne house and that all the men should immediatly goe to the wood Abbay the women to the cathedrall Churche and all the souldiers to Bakenesse Church Howbeit the Scottes Almaynes were appointed to garde the Rampares When this was done one Philippe Matines sometimes a Borroughmaister came to the wood Abbay praying the Borroughmaisters that they would forthwith make ready all such money as euery man was taxed to giue to the end the towne might not be sacked and that he was a substitute sent from the Duke for that end and purpose At that very present also was a loafe of bread of two pound weight deuided amongest sixe men The 14. of Iuly there came agayne to the Abbey aforesaide the said substitute with Iulian Romero who put them in good hart saying That all their liues were saued by the making vp of that summe of money The same day that the Spaniaâ—ds entred The Scots and Almaines were commanded to carry their armour and weapon to the towne house from whence they were conducted to the Monasteries of Saint Ratherine and Sainte Vrsula where the Spaniardes kept them Then entred don Fredericke and the Count Bossu and with them a great manye of Gentlemen And the same day the Captaines and Ensigne bearers who the day before had presented their ensignes were led prisoners to Clyffe house But whiles the citizens and souldiers were kept in the Church the Spaniards sackt and spoylde some of the Citizens houses The 15. Soldiours hanged and their heads cut off at Harlem of the said month three hundred Walon souldiours were hanged and beheaded without any more hurt The same day the duke of Alua came to Amsterdam to take a view of the outward part of the Citie of Harlem wherfore he road round about the Town and when he had wel viewed the platforme and the rest of the fortes and trenches he returned to Amsterdam The 16 of the said month captain Ripperda and his liuetenant were beheaded the minister or preacher of Steinbach was haÌ„ged 247. soldiours drowned in HarleÌ„ Mere. The next morow the mony for the first payment was gathered one part of the soldiours were beheaded without Scaelwyke gate The 18. daye were moe then 300. soldiours put to the sword without the saide gate amongst whom were many citizens who thought to passe with the soldiours and afterward saue them selues The same day was Symon Symons a minister beheaded The 20. of Iuly Lancelot Brederode Rosoni and the receiuer of the Briele were taken who were beheaded at Scooten And the 24. day al the men who had lately fled for religion were taken so were likwise the Boroughmaster Peter Reis Iames Gerard treasorer Arnold Thierry FloreÌ„ce WilliaÌ„s a shoemaker Arnold Thierry the Coeman of the Brooke haguemaÌ„ Margliseur AdriaÌ„ platermaker ScageÌ„ Michiel the sons of a walon The 25 of Iuly commaundement was giuen by the sounde of foure drums that euerye man should make a discouery of as many as they knew to be fled vpon paine of hanging at his own porch And the 27. were taken Adryan Iohnson Marshall Iohn Fluet and Gerard Stouer Burroughmaisters Iohn Albert secretarie Iohn de Fore Colonell Iames Bartilmewe a Captaine Peter Bal Sherife and Iames Barnerd capcaine who soone after died in prison and was buryed in the Towne There were also taken Iohn Adrianson the younger liuetenaÌ„â— Colonell Iohn Thierry and Peter Thierry Ensigne bearers and Iohn zael vnder marshal which may be a lamentable example for almagistrates Captaines citizens and others how euer they trust or buyld to or vpon the promises of peruerse malicious and subtill Tyrants The 26. of Iuly the Spaniards sommoned the Towne of Alkmere But so soone as they had gotten in captain Ruchauer they then withstoode the whole Spanish Campe and therupon al the Spaniards retyred towards Harlem where they began to mutine which fel very wel out for the Alkmerians because they had theÌ„ some leasure in the mean while to fortifie their town wherby they might the better abide the force of these barbarous tyrants The 19 of this month at night much to do there was amoÌ„gst the Spaniardes in the Campe A muteny amongst the spanish souldiours because they woulde faine haue beene in the Towne that they might haue had part of the spoyle with the rest Nowe it was an hard matter for the Gouernours to suppresse these mutenyes beecause they had then newly chosen other captaines liuetenauntes seriantes and Ensigns who were also vpon the sodaine at that present entred into the town Surelye Gentle Reader it cannot be otherwise thought but that this dissention and disorder was euen the verye mightie worke of GOD considering the great commoditie benefit and gaine that redounded to these countries hereby it continued well neere seuen whole weekes or thereabout For during all this time they could attempt nothing against the other Townes and places and againe the Townes hard by were in the meane time at good leysure to buyld them Bulwarks fortresses for their strength alwaies looking and attending for the force of the enemie The 30. of this month great troubles controuersies arose amongst the Spaniards so that
it grew to the Alarme wherevpon a cornet of horsemen entred the Towne howbeit they taryed there but a while and the last of this moneth the Spaniardes brought in 13. or 14 peeces of great ordinaunce The 6. of Auguste Seigniour Chiapin Vitelli entred into Harlem to content and satisfie or at least wise to agree with the soldiours on his maiesties behalfe for their payes wherwith the Spaniards were no whit sory The 7. of this month the soldiours of Lazarus Muller with their Captaines were conducted out of the Towne by certeine footemen and horsemen And when they had brought them neere vnto Niewer church they were discharged by captaine Broeckhuyse soldiours and others The next morrow at night the Spaniards gaue the Alarm and Simon Scorl who therby thought to escape was taken prisoner The same day the Citizens and al the Walon Captaines were brought to Scooten which was no small griefe to their friendes The 11 of this month about three hundred what of Englishmen French Scottes and walons who till then lay in prison were beheaded And the day ensuing was Don Fredericke captaine generall of the Spanish camp most triumphantly brought into the Citie For it was agreed vpon that euery man shoulde haue 30. crownes a peece for his wages The 15. The Bishop of Harlem hassoweth the great Church of August being one of our Lady dayes Godfray de Amerlede Byshop of Harlem verye solemnly hallowed saint Bauons Church And besides hee soonge masse whereat Don Frederick was present Immediatly after that the Ghospel was soung the bishops secretary propounded vnto the said Don Frede. 9. articles which he in euery conditiō promised to obserue by an oth confirmed the same in the presence of the sayd bishop The 16. of this moneth the Spaniards came into the cathedral Church of Harlem to passe the musters but because they would haue abated them their prest money they departed thence without any more to doe Howbeit the next day following they came againe to the Church to receiue their money so departed the towne for the siege of Leyden Neuerthelesse after they had long consulted of the matter they encamped before Alkmer frō whēce in the end they went with smal honour The same day so soone as the Spaniardes were gotten out the Almaynes entred And the next morrow 18. Walon Captaynes and ensignes were beheaded at Scooten The 19. day were beheaded on the Spittle key certaine souldiers which lay sicke in the saide Spittle and the Citizens which were carried to Scooten were brought backe againe to the citie The 21. day a general pardon was proclaymed for al the Citizens 57. excepted which pardon together with the name of the Citizens shall hereafter be set downe The 20. of August the chiefe of the sworne Brotherhood assembled all the sworne men out of euery Brotherhood were 12. Pioners chosen to serue in the campe of Alkmer about to be besieged by the enimie The 21. of August The siege of Alkmer the Spaniardes pitched their campe before Alkmer to besiege it and so straitely beset it as that no manne was able to passe either in or out Ouer and besides they fortified them selues sundry dayes with many Fortes or trenches giuing sundry Alarms both by day and night wherupō the Souldiers and Citizens had many times occasion giuen thē to skirmish The 15. of September at night the townes men had surprised the Spaniards trenches without Groenenbergh and brought with them a rich butin to the towne a Spaniarde also named Iohn Ieronimo who discouered vnto them many secret enterprises which the townes men afterward found to be very true and amōgst other things he said be of good courage my maisters for our men intend to batter the towne giue the assault the 20. of this moneth and if they then winne it not they will remoue and a way The night ensuing the enemy sūmoned the towne at the prison gate twise The 18. of this moneth the enemy began the battery against the towne with 20. canons euery bullet weighing 40. pounds continued it from morning to night hauing spent in that while to the number of 2036. bullets And at 3. of the clocke in the afcernoone they began the attempt at the Fishmarket gate the red tower for 3. houres together howbeit they were agayne lustely answeared both with great shot Harquebuzes Holberdes wild fire and stones at the handes of men women and children so that a great number of the enemies were there well cooled and besides the townes men had drawne vp into the towne the two bridges which were made for the Assault The same day the Spaniards gaue another Assault about the salt pannes howbeit they were driuen to retyre with the losse of a great manye of their people The 20. of September the enemy againe saluted the towne with 800. canon shot was arranged of purpose to giue the assault howbeit the Citizens so lustely aunsweared thē with theyr great ordināce as that they beat their assault bridge al to fitters And besides the citizens womē childrē had prepared an hotter messe of pottage for them then was at the first Assault The night ensuing the enemy gaue them two Alarmes and the next night after that three but thanked be God no hurt was done The 22. of this moneth was braue skirmishing to the enemies cost For a Walon souldier of the enimtes campe came to the Towne and sayde that at the former Assault were aboue 600. souldiers slayne and very neere 300. hurt by reason wherof as also because of the great raine that fel they were agreed to remoue their campe The 25. of the said moneth and foure dayes after the Spaniards embarqued all their great ordinaunce spoyle sauing sixe peeces The same day the towne coyned 10500. Tinne dollers to pay the souldiers The thirde of October three of the principall Tentes of the campe were taken away and the enemie burnt Buckler house And the next morrowe the rest of the great ordenance was enbarqued The fift of the said moneth the Alkemerans issuyng out of the towne tooke from the enemie a great barke laden with spoyle and the enemie burnt Coedike The sixth of this moneth the enemie forsooke certaine Forts or trenches which the townes men sacked and brought the butin to Alkemer And the eight day the enemie set fyre on an house standing neere a myll called the Rint myll and so tooke Outdorpway and from thence to Bergue Whereupon the Citizens pursued the enemie and in the flight did them muche mischiefe The tenth of October in the afternoone the enemie forsooke theyr principall quarter and trenches whiche was neere to the newe gate whome the Citizens pursued euen to Heylos and Costell greatly annoying them and besides brought backe with them to the towne good store of butin Thus was the good Citie of Alkmer by Gods helpe and their lustie defence deliuered from the enemie for the which bee all bonour glory and prayse vnto the Lorde
aforesaid vnderstood that the Spaniards were comming on to seeke them out they marched on and encountred them at Moquerhead The battaile at Moquerhed where a great many of theyr souldiers hauing nothing els in theyr mouthes but money money refused to fight whereupon these valiant Noble men with the rest of theyr people were enforced of necessitie to abyde the charge of the enemie loosing there both tourney and life at once after they had the fourteenth of April 1574. valiaÌ„tly fought it out When the Spaniardes had wonne this victorie The mutinie of the Spaniards in Antwerpe they againe mutined for their pay but by the aduise of Sancho de Auila they were conducted to Antwerpe where they ioyntly entred into the Castle the 26. of Apryll receiuing to their contentment froÌ„ the great commendator which hee had extorted vppon the Citizens of Antwerpe the summe of foure hundred thousand florins vsurping on them all kinde of crueltie and warlike licence libertie Moreouer the Lorde of Champigni gouernour of the sayde Towne was by them enforced to pack out thereof with all his Walons and because they feared the shippes of warre whiche lay there neere for the defense of the citie well purueied of all fortes of munitions they made them depart and ryde farder off from thence Whereupon the Flushingers being thereof aduertised A vietorls of 〈◊〉 Flushingers surprised them on a whitsunday when as the Spaniards were feasting and banqueting in al their iollitie tormenting mastring the poore Citizens of the citie After the discomfiture of the aforesaide Lordes the Spaniardes beeing aduertised that the Towne of Leyden LeydeÌ„ besleged the second time sithence theyr departure was vnprouided of victualles and munition they encamped before it and planted theyr batterie the twentie and sixt of May and more straitly enclosed it then they did at the first For the Spaniards had built in diuers places aboute the water side 22. Bulwarks in either of which were â—woor three peeces of great ordenance The historie of which siege here after ensueth Nowe before such time as I take in hand to touch and handle the principall matter I am Gentle Reader to beseech thee not to take in euill part my summarie declaration of this warre of Hollande and Zealande although it bee heere before described And first to beginne with all The Duke of Alua hauing seene that the taking of Mons in Haynault the wonderfull departure of Count Lodwyke of Nassou with the mightines and strength of his armie and the horrible murder at Paris had made readie so open a way for his blooddy tyrannie hee like vnto a seconde Antiochus full of all pride and arrogancie pursued his victorie and to beginne withall hee in October first sacked the Towne of Malines After that because hee woulde shewe his furie and insatiable erueltie hee the sixteenth of Nouember caused aboue fiue hundred men and women to bee murdered hanged headed and drowned at the Towne of Zurphen and within a whyle after hee committed another farre more cruell and horrible slaughter at the Towne of Narden where hee slue as it were all the whole Towne after hee had made them manie faire promises and bereft them of theyr armour and weapon pursuyng afterwarde with tyrannie the Townes of Hollande Howbeit the Almightie God whose mercy is alwayes most seene in the time of necessitie toke them into his protection myraculously sending vnto them the Prince of Orange as a second Iudas Machabeus to resist the blooddie tyrant Nowe it is well enough knowen by the Stories whiche haue gone before what the bridge was ouer which he entered into the garden of Holland before the citie of Harlem for the coÌ„mitting of his cursed murders here before largely enough set downe after it had abidden the siege for the space of eight moneths where Don Fredericke the saide Duke his sonne was generall of the campe who followed the fathers owne naturall inclination hauing for all that lost at that siege aboue twelue thousand men through the valtantise of the Harlemians after that the towne was rendred vnto him through the discomfiture of the princes armie and extremitie of the famine caused aboue two thousand three hundred souldiers to be executed by the sword halter and the water who valiantly had defended this towne insomuch that the Gentle Reader may manifestly consider that at that time the Hollanders were euen vp to the chinne in the water readie to be drowned and sincke to the grounde For through the losse of Harlem Alkemer and Leyden they were all in great danger Howbeit the Lord God who commonly deliuereth his from oppression depriued the Spaniards of their reasonable vnderstanding when as through their mutinie they leaft pursuing of their victorie which caused the Hollanders to take courage againe vnto them fortified their townes and by a common accorde agreed to abide susteine a defensiue warre for the defending of their wiues children and to hazarde their bodies and goods for the benefit and welfare of their countrie Which in very deede cleerely appeared by them of Leyden who according to the right custome of warres burnt and pulled downe halfe a myle about the towne all the houses castles villages monasteries and trees thereby to fortifie their towne and weaken the enemie And so likewise had the Alkemerians done And to speake the truth the yeelding vp of Harlem was a great losse to the Hollanders but on the other side whosoeuer will consider and weigh what townes and fortresses of the enemy the Lorde God hath giuen deliuered vp vnto them shall find that their conquest hath byn greater then their losse For they conquered the castle of the Rammekens in Zelande called Zeabrough wherby they not only became maisters ouer all ZelaÌ„d but obtained the key of the Sea and of all the low countries And shortly after the L. Lewys of Boyset Admyral of the quarter of the sea for the Prince of Orange wanne a iolly victory against the armie by Sea which was set foorth of Antwerpe where tenne of the greatest ships with the Admirall of the enemy were taken besides those that were sounke and the souldiers which were cast ouer the boord saue only their Captaine Iulian Romero who saued himselfe by swimming where they lost aboue 1500 of their best Souldiers as well Spanyardes as others The iolly victory likewise in North Hollande which the valiannt Captayne Nicholas Ruychauer of Harlem had against the Armye of Amsterdam where were taken Prisoners the Count of Bossue and with him many moe aswel Spaniards as others that were in the Admyrall whiche they thought inuincible I will here for this time passe ouer the siege of Alkmer and the shameful retraite of Don Fredericke after he had giueÌ„ 7. assaultes And also the Duke of Alua his retrayte into Spaine and howe to his shame the proud Image which stood in the Castle of Antwerpe was destroyed and carried away Besides the Arryuall of the greate Commendator of Castile Don
had sent for the Spanyardes whiche laie at Aloft and Mastright and were all gotten together into the same strength the 4. of Nouember 1576. thei in great furie set vpon the Toune where the Citezens did the best thei could to preserue it But what through the cowardise of the Almaines and the treason of Cornelius Vaneynd who laie in the Toune with fower Ensignes of Almaines as also by reason of the wilfull negligence of the Leaders in the ende the flowre of all the Cities in Europe was sacked a greate number murdered and the triumphant Toune house set on fire whereupon euery quarter rounde about it was dissolued into ashes so that an inestimable treasure of all kinde of Marchaundize was therein consumed ouer and besides the horrible and greeuous villanies committed bothe by the Spanyardes and traiterous Almaines Whiche horrible dealyng when the Estates of the 15. Prouinces alreadie vnited vnderstood who right well knew to their cost the Spanyardes olde canckred malice towardes the lowe Countries treated a peace with the Prince of Orenge and the Estates of Holland and Zealand the 8. of Nouember 1576. at the Citie of Gant the Copie of whiche pacification ensueth Phillip by the grace of God Kyng of Castile Leon The pâ—ciâ—â—ration of Gant Arragon Nauarre Naples Sicile Maiorque Sardingne of the Isles Indians and firme lande of the Ocean Sea Arch Duke of Austriche Duke of Burgonie Lothier Brabant Limbrough Luxenbrongh Gelderland Mylaine Count of Harbsbrough Flanders Artois Burgonie Palatine and Haynault Holland Zealand Namure and Zurphen Prince of Suane Marques of the holy Empire Lord of Friseland Salines Malines of the Citie Cities and Countrie of Vtright Transsissolaine and Groening Gouernour and chiefe Ruler in Asia and Affrique To all those to whom these presentes shall come to bee seene or heard Greetyng For so muche as the generall Estates beyng assembled in this our Citie of Bruxelles haue shewed vnto our deare and welbeloued Subiectes of our Counsell of Estate by vs deputed to the generall gouernement of our lowe Countries as it is amongst the deputies of the Prelates Nobles Cities and Members of Brabant Flanders Artois Haynault Valencian Lyle Doway and Orchie Namure Tournay Touruesy Vtright and Malines representing the Estates of the said Countries and the Deputies of the Prince of Orenge and Estates and Cities of Holland and Zealand and their Associates respectiuely on either side deputed hauyng made and set doune a certaine treatie of pacification haue required the parties aforesaied to make Letters Pattentes thereof vnder our name and seale with and insertion of the procurations of the saied Deputies and there withall a clause or prouiso that all the Subiectes of the Countries in the saied pacification comprised shal be bound to obserue the same in euery point and condition And besides to commaund and charge all Gouernours Presidents Counselles and Magistrates of our Countries to proclaime the saied pacification of which treatise the content thereof with the saied procurations hereafter ensue To all men to whom these presentes shall come to be seene heard or read Greetyng For so muche as the Countries here about these nine or teune yeares now last past through the ciuill Warres the proude and cruell gouernement loosenesse of life and suche other like disorders of the Spanyardes and their adherentes are fallen into greate miserie and calamitie for the preuenting whereof and also for the ceasing of all other further troubles oppressions and miseries of the saied Countries by the meanes of some sure peace and pacification to be had there were in Februarie in the yeare 1574. deputed and assembled at Breda the Commissaries of his Maiestie of the Prince of Orenge and of the Estates of Holland and Zealand of their Associates by whom were propounded diuers meanes and offers greatly seruyng for the settyng forward of the saied pacification and yet for all that there followed not thereof the fruite that was looked and hoped for but contrariwise whiles thei looked and hoped for comforte and meanes from his Maiesties benignitie the saied Spanyardes daiely went on in oppressyng and spoilyng thereby to bryng the poore Subiectes into perpetuall bondage and flauerie threatnyng Noble men and Cities and after a Warlike maner inuading sackyng and burnyng and therefore the Substitutes proclaimed them Enemies to his Maiestie and the common weale And the Estates here about were enforced by the leaue of the saied Substitutes to take Armes vpon them for the preuentyng of a further mischiefe or rather the vtter ruine of the whole And that the Enhabitauntes of all these lowe Countries beyng vnited together in a firme peace and accorde might ioyntly driue out the saied Spanyardes and their adherentes disturbers of the Countries and reduse them vnto the forme and maner of their olde and auncient Lawes Priuiledges Customes and Liberties whereby the traffique and wealth might be restored vnto them againe And for that cause was the former meetyng of the saied Lordes Deputies of the Countries accordyng to the treatie of the peace begun at Breda to the honor of God and seruice of his Maiestie betweene the Lords of the Cleargie the Nobilitie Cities and Members of Brabant Flaunders Artois Haynault Valencien Lysle Doway and Orchies Namure Tournay Tournesy Vtright and Malines representing the Estates of the saied Countries And the Prince of Orenge the Estates and Cities of Holland and Zealand and their Associates by the Commissaries of either side respectiuely deputed To witt the Reuerend Father Dan Ihon of Lynden Abbot of Sainct Bertrude in Louuaine Dan Gislain Abbott of Sainct Peters in Gant Dan Mathewe Abbot of Sainct Gislain chosen Bishop of Arras Lord Ihon of Mole Maister of Octingue Maister Frances Alewin Maister of Sueuegem Gouernour and Captaine of Andenerde and Commissarie for the renuyng of the Magistrates in Flanders Maister Charles Gaure Lord of Frezin Knightes Maister Elbert Leonine Doctor of the law and professor in the Vniuersite of Louuain Maister Peter Beure Counseller to his Maiestie in his Counsell in Flaunders and Maister Quintin Prietz high Sherife of Mons in Haynault with Ihon de Penants a Counseller also and Maister of his Maiesties Chamber of Accomptes in Brabant The honorable Secretarie on the behalfe of the saied Estates of Brabant Flanders Artois Haynault c. And Maister Phillip Marnix Maister of Sainct Aldegond Arnold Thorpe Maister of Teemsick Willyam Zuilen of Newfielde Maister of Heexartbergue Esquire Maister Adryan Myle Doctor of the Lawes and one of his Excellencies Counsell and also of the Prouinciall Counsell of Holland Maister Cornelius Kyng a practizer of the Lawes and an other of his Excellencies Counsell Maister Paule Buys an Aduocate of Holland Maister Peter Riche Baylife of Flusshyng Anthony Sickell Counseller of Zealand and Adryan Yong Burrough maister of Middlebrough for the saied Prince the Estates of Holland Zealand and their Associates accordyng to the tenure of their Commission inserted at the ende of this present Treatie made and established Wherein is concluded
the saied Treatie of pacification with the insertion as aforesaied to be proclaimed in euery of the Precinckes of their Iurisdictions at suche place and places where thei are wonted to make their Proclamations And the same to be obserued and kept accordyng to the forme and tenure thereof In witnesse whereof wee haue hereto put our Seale Giuen at our Citie of Bruxelles the 13. of Nouember 1576. And of our Realmes and Kyngdomes to witt of Spayne Cicile c. the 21. of Naples the 23. By the Kyng In his Counsell de Ouerloepe AFter that the accorde and pacification Gant Castle besâ—eged and rendred bothe of the one side and of the other was concluded vpon the Count de Reusse Gouernour of Flanders besieged the Castle of Gant in the custodie of the Spanyardes who hauyng gotten from my Lorde the Prince helpe bothe of men Artillarie and Munition had many daies together battered the same Whither also came the Count de Lalayng Generall of the Armie in the absence of the Duke of Arscot and the Marques of Haurech and battered the saied Castle in twoo sundrie places Now when the breaches were made and that the Spanyardes desired to come to a parle the Colonell of the Ward was deputed by the Lordes to talke with them But when as thei could not agree about their Armour and weapon Monsire de la Motte promised the besieged the worthe of them wherevpon thei yeelded them selues with the sauftie of their bodies and gooddes the 11. of Nouember 1576. In this meane while Valencia rendred to the Estates the Almaines beganne to prepare them them selues to goe from Valencia meanyng to treate of some secrete and cunnyng enterprises and newe treasons with the Spanyardes that were in the Castle For the meeting and crossyng of whiche deuise the Generall Estates sent thether the Count of of Renneberge Baron de Ville Gouernour and Captaine general of Haynault in the absence of Monsire de Lalaing who although he had but a regiment of eight Ensignes of Wallons yet he so valiauntly pursued the assault as that the saied Almaines departed the Toune vpon composition the 12. of Nouember euery Souldier hauyng a Doller to his share And sone after that he was entred into the Towne he with the helpe of the honest Citizens besieged the Castle wherein were 140. Spanyardes whom he enforced to yeeld and vpon composition giue ouer and leaue the place in the moneth and yere aforesaied The 22. of Nouember the Wallons whiche laie in Garnison at Broening takyng parte with the Estates there fell a controuersie betweene them and their Captaine Monsire de Billy the succease whereof was this When men wisely consider and weigh the secrete iudgement of God thei are to call to mynde the wordes of the kyngly Prophet Dauid saiyng If the Lorde keepe not the Citie the watch men watche in vaine But although we daiely see many and soudrie examples thereof yet fell there out here the 13. of Nouember 1576. and diuers daies after at Groening in FriselaÌ„d a most manifest example of the same For after that the miserable couetous and bloody Spanyards had as it were for the space of ten yeres vsed in all the Countreis there about their arrogancie tyrannie and loose life and had murdered spoyled and robbed the honest Enhabitauntes of those Countreis defloured their wiues and daughters and through intollerable exactions drawne drye their great Ritches spoiled their Trades and Occupations and that which is most vile deuilishe had driuen out of the Countrie the greater parte of the honest and godly people and meant euen presently The Spanyardes imagine them selues to bee maisters of the lowe Countreis to take as their owne proper enheritance all the Countreis Houses Cities Burroughes Castles Gold Siluer and all other moueable Goodes but especially to bryng the men into stauerie braggyng and boastyng that all the 17. Prouinces and what soeuer was within them was giuen them for a spoyle Yet it so fel out now as that the almightie God of his grace and mercie had so opened the eyes of some of the Estates as that thei would no longer abide their ouer greate loosenesse tyrannie and pride but sett them selues flatly against it When the Spanyards and Hispaniolized Almaines and Wallons who were â—ladd with the Spanishe brutishe tyrannie The Spanishe Souldiers assemble them selues in Brabant loosenesse and arrogancie and were become Spanishe confederates sawe this thei ioyned them selues all together in Brabant at Antwerpe Lier Mastright and certaine other places to the intent to put the Estates of the Countrie in feare and sow dissention amongst them Neuerthelesse when thei in the ende sawe that all this their hellishe pollicie auailed them nothyng thei vomited out all their couetousnesse and tyrannie vpon the Citie of Antwerpe where the greatest parte of the Treasure and riches of all the lowe Countreis laye besides the inestimable Treasure that the Almaines Frenche Englishe Italians Spanishe and Easterlyng Marchauntes had there committyng there a most cruell shamefull murder tooke awaie so muche wealth as that thei did his Maiestie so greate hurt in his Low countreis thereby as that all the seruice whiche thei shall doe hym these twentie yeres will neuer be able to counteruaile againe Whiche example Colonell Iasper de Robles Gouernour of Groenyng and of Westfriselande presumyng vppon and thinkyng that no man durst withstande him thought to followe And first he began at the toune of Groenyng and afterward proceaded in the same Countrey of Groenyng and West Friselande where he committed the like murder with burnyng and spoilyng and to that ende entred into the Citie of Groenyng Howbeit the good and mercifull Lorde lookyng vpon the saied Toune of Groenyng with the eyes of his mercie and grace merueilously and mercifully deliuered the Citezeins and Enhabitauntes thereof and stopped the tyrannous Arrogancie and deuise of the saied Colonell as hereafter shall bee declared The saied Iasper de Robles Lorde of Billy caused an othe of fidelitie to be ministred of Ferdinando Lopes and other Captaines as Monceau and Champi and also to their Seriauntes Corporelles and Officers by whiche othe he would haue them sworne to hym in the name of his Maiestie to be for the space of three monethes good and faithfull aboute whatsoeuer businesse he should employe them And saied that he would in the meane while sende into Spaine to his Maiestie to knowe whether it were his highnesse pleasure and will or not That the Countreis and Cities should growe to an attonement with the Prince of Orenge And that if it were so his Maiesties will that then he would also doe as the reste of the Countries and Cities thereaboutes did but yet he trusted that in the meane tyme he would hee Maister of the Treasure and wealthe of all the Countrey of Groenyng and Westfreseland by sackyng and spoilyng of them Whiche othe the saied Colonell Iasper de Robles offered also the 23. of Nouember 1576. to Captaine
thei we dare not once laye handes vpon so holie a thyng and besides that the confession of the Colonell and the rest was to bee heard and should goe to Bruxelles with the saied Coule On Wednesdaie came a messenger from the Lieutenaunt to the Toune Clarke callyng for a Passeport that he might goe out of the Toune whiche made the Toune Clarke suspecte the matter wherefore be was taken and â—eyng examined secret letters were found about hym from the Lieutenant Mepsque conteinyng many secret thinges of greate importaunce This beyng doen there was a staie made of all thynges vntill the retourne of those whiche were sent to Bruxelles for the doyng of all matters accordyngly as the Estates should finde to be necessarie for the peace and quiet of the Countrey When the Estates had set an order about these thynges thei gaue vnto the Count Rennenberg The Count of Renneberge commeth into Friselande the dignitie and office of this Robles and sent hym thether for the orderyng of those affaires whiche he so wisely handeled as that after the Souldiers were paied The Toune of Groenyng and all the Countrey of Friselande submitted them selues vnder the obedience of the Estates And the Castle which was now built for a strength was by the appointment of the Count Rennenberg vtterly defaced and razed In Ianuarie 1577. Anno. 1577. A skirmishe by Liege the Scottes whiche were in paie vnder the Estates vnder the conduct of their Colonell Baufour meetyng at the Foote bale within a myle of Liege were so brauely skirmished withall by the Spanyardes as that a greate sort of them were left dead in the place and the rest fled awaie Whiles the Estates warred againste the Spanyardes the king of Spaine sent into the lowe Countreis Don Ihon commeth in to the lowe Countreis Don Ihon of Austriche to be Gouernour who tariyng a while in the Countrey of Luxenbrough for the confirmation and ratifiyng of the pacification that was made at Gaunt before he came into Brabande there was and accorde thereof made at Marche in Famine betweene Don Ihon and the Estates the 12. of February 1577. The 13. The Castle of Vtright â—endred of the saied moneth the Spanyardes who kepte the Castle of Vtright beeyng besieged by the Count Bossu and Seigniour Hierges for want of victualles rendred thesame by composition into the handes of the Count Bossu The aforesaied accorde that was made by Don Ihon was in maner and fourme of a perpetuall Edict and in the ende proclaimed at Bruxelles the 17. of February and the 27. at Antwerpe The Copie whereof hereafter ensueth A perpetuall Edict made by DoÌ„ Ihon Phillip by the grace of God Kyng of Castile Leon Arragon Nauarre Naples Sicile Maiorque Sardigne of the Isles of Indie and of the firme lande of the Ocean Sea Arâ—h Duke of Austrich Duke of Burgonie Lothier Brabant Limbrough Luxenbrough Gelderlande and Mylaine Count of Harbsbrough Flaunders Artois and Burgonie Palatine of Haynault Hollande Zealande Namure and Zurphen Prince of Suane Marques of the holy Empire Lorde of Friselande Salines Malines of the Citie Tou nes and Countrie of Vtright Oneryssell and Groenyng Commaunder ouer all Asia and Affrique To all to whom these our Letters Patentes shall come to be seene heard and read Greetyng Where sithens Iulie last to our no small griefe and sorrowe there haue many thynges fallen out in our lowe Countries by reason of certaine alterations whiche haue come to passe betweene our Souldiers of Spayne and other forraine Souldiers seruing there by meanes whereof what chaunges aboute the affaires of the Common weale what troubles together what disorders inconueniences euill dealynges and miseries haue thereon ensued all the world right well knoweth We therefore for the reconciliation peace and tranquillitie of our saied lowe Countries and for the administration and generall Gouernement of the same haue sent into our saied lowe Countreis our moste deare and entirely beloued Brother Don Ihon of Austrich Knight of our order of the golden Fleese after whose arriuall in our saied lowe Countreis our foresaied good Brother dealt and concluded first in our Citie of Luxenbrough with our most deare faithfull and welbeloued the reuerent Father in God Dan Mathewe Abbot of Sainâ—t Gislaine chosen Bishoppe of Arras Charles Phillip of Croye Marques of Hawriche c. Our Cosine and one of the Gentlemen of our Chamber Charles Hanart Baron of Liekirke Vicount of our Citie of Bruxelles and Adolf Meerkirke a Counsellour and Receiuer of our lowe Countrey of Franque within our Countie of Flanders being all of them Commissioners and Deputies for the generall Estates of our saied lowe Countreis And afterwarde at our Citie of Marche and next at our Toune of Huy in the Countrey of Liege By the entermeetyng and intercession at the saied Towne of Huy of the Lordes here vnder named Ambassadors and Deputies for our moste worthie and right welbeloued Brother Rodolf the seconde of that name chosen Emperour of the Romaines alwaies Augustus c. for the bryngyng to passe and settyng forwarde of the saied reconciliation vnyon and accorde by the aforesaied Imperiall Maiestie especially appointed and sent to witt the most reuerent Father in GOD our deare and good Frende Dan Gerarde of Grossebeke Bishoppe of Liege Duke of Buillon Marques of Frauchimont Count of Loo c. Prince of the holy Empire Lorde Phillip le Alde Fraucq Baron and President of Wineabergh and Andrewe Gaile Doctor of the Lawes one of the Counsell of the saied imperiall Maiâ—stie Werner Lorde of Gimniche Drossat of the Countrey of Iuliers and Ihon Louwerman a practiser in the Lawes both Counsailours to the high and mightie Prince our moste deare and right welbeloued Vncle Willyam Duke of Iuliers Cleue c. and Prince of the holy Empire as Deputies of the saied Prince and Duke and Ambassador vnto the saied Imperiall Maiestie chosen and appointed to the thing aforesaied by the saied Prince and Duke in his absence with our moste deare and faithfull Counsailours of Estate substituted by vs to the generall and priuate gouernement of our saied lowe Countreis And the aforesaied Dan Mathewe Abbot of Sainct Gislaine chosen Bishoppe of Arras Dan Bucho Ayta Archdeacon of Ypres Lorde Fredericke Perenot Baron of Renay The worshipfull Maister Champigni Gouernour of our Citie of Antwerpe Ihon of Sainet Omer Lorde of Morbecque Gouernour of our Citie and Castle of Ayre Francis de Alewin Maister of Sueuegem chiefe Bayliefe and Captaine of our Towne and Castle of Audenarde Knightes and the saied Adolf of Meerkirke Substitutes and Deputies to the saied Estates and lastly in our Citie of Bruxelles where for the containyng and finishyng of the saied Treatie and Accorde met and ioyned together with our saied Counsell of Estate and with the Counsell of the saied Estates the saied Lordes Ambassadors and Deputies of the Empire and the Subdeleagues of the saied Prince and Duke of Iuliers together our most deare and very faithfull Counsailour the Lorde
of our aucthoritie and Commission respectiuely and otherwise bothe for our selues and our successours promised and by the faithe of good Christians honest men and true patrones of our Countrey doe promisse to holde and keepe inuiolably and for euer the saied vnion and fellowship Without any of our disioynyng or separatyng the same ether by dissimulation secrete intelligence or any other maner whatsoeuer and that for the conseruation of our holie Faithe the Catholique Apostolique Romishe Religion and accomplishement of the pacification And ioyntly for the driuing out of the Spanyardes and their adherentes and our duetifull obedience vnto his Maiestie the benefite and quiet of our Countrey and withall for the mainteinaunce of all and euery of our Priuileges Rightes FraÌ„chises Statutes Customes and auncient Vsages For bryngyng of whiche to passe we will aduenture and hazarde all the meanes pnssible wee are able bothe our Money People Counsell and gooddes yea our liues and all if neede require And besides none of vs maâ—e either in particuler giue any counsell aduise or consent nor yet talke secretly or particulerly without any whiche are not of this vnion nor contrarywise reueale any thyng whiche is or shal be treated of aduised or resolued in in our assemblie to any of theim but bee conformable to whatsoeuer our generall and coÌ„mon resolution shall establishe And if so bee that any Prouince Estate Countrey Citie Castle or House bee besieged attempted inuaded or oppressed in what sort soeuer and besides if any of vs or any others endeuour to stande for the Countrey and common defence thereof against any of the Spanyardes or any other affaires dependyng thereon aswell in generall as in particuler or hath been hunted after imprisoned raunsomed hindred molested or disquieted in his persone gooddes honour estate or otherwise we promisse to assiste the same by all the meanes aforesaied and besides doe also promisse to procure the deliueraunce of suche as are either forcebly or otherwise enprisoned vpon paine if we doe not to bee disgraded of all nobilitie name Armes and honour and to be taken for periured and vnfaithfull persones and enemies to our saied Countrey before God and all the worlde and for euer to bee accompted infamous and cowardes And for the strengthnyng of this our holie vnion and brotherly fellowship we haue subscribed to these presentes with our owne handes and sealed the same with our owne seales the nineth of Ianuary 1577. And vnderneath was sette doune euery mannes signature by it self And vnderneath theim this agreemente made by my Lordes the Counsell of Estate When the Deputies of the generall Estates about said had herevnto subscribed thei foorthwith required those of the Counsell of Estate whom his Maiestie had substituted to the generall Gouernement of the Countreis hereabout that it would please them to giue their consent to the contentes of the vnion next before written wherevpon the saied Counsell giuyng good eare vnto their saied requeste and to the reasons aboue mentioned Haue and dooe in all that in theim lieth agree and consent by these presentes vnto the whole tenure and forme of the saied vnion Giuen at Bruxelles in the Toune house in the assemblie of the saied Estates the nineth of Ianuary 1577. And vnderneath was written By the ordenaunce of my saied Lordes of the Counsell Estate Signed Berti The 17. daie of December 1577. The Prelates of Saincte Gertrude and Marolles the Duke of Arscot and the Baron of Frezin presented vnto the moste famous Archduke Mathias the Gouernement of all the lowe Countreis vpon certaine conditions and Articles whiche he accepted of and subscribed vnto The Citie of Amstelredame The enterprise of the Orengers vpon Amstelredame whiche would not acknowlege the Prince to be Gouernour as he ought to be accordyng to the pacification of Gauut was by Colonell Helyng who very couragioufly tooke vpon hym the matter purposed to bee forcebly surprised and taken Whiche dealyng when the Citezens sawe thei put them selues in Armes and stoode marueilously to their defence so that the saied Colonell was there staine in valiaunte fight and his people presently driuen out of the Toune The 18. of Ianuary 1578. Anno. 1578. The entrie of the Archduke into Bruxelles the moste famous Archduke Mathias entred into Bruxelles where beeyng the 20. of the saied Moneth solemnely sworne was with greate Magnificence appoincted Gouernour of the Lowe Countreis The Prince also was chosen to bee his Lieutenaunt generall who takyng vpon hym the charge was like wise sworne The same moneth arriued thereabout the Lorde of Selles The Baron of Seiles sent from the Kyng sent from the kyng of Spaine to aunswere the letters of the Estates of the 24. of August and the 8. of September by whiche thei desired that Don Ihon might bee sent for home againe and another gouernour to be sent in his rome Then thei beganne to talke with the saied Selles about the deuisyng of some meanes for peace but because the kyng confirmed the saied Don Ihon in Gouernement and ratified the warre whiche he had begonne all their talke was to no purpose The laste daie of Ianuary Don Ihon his victorie when the Campe of the Estates remoued and that Don Ihou had by his horsemen broken the araie of the Souldiers the whole Campe was putte to flight about Giblowe Wherevpon the Countrey beeyng greatly amazed with suche an vnlooked for losse as in suche distresses commonly commeth to passe the Enemie tooke the tounes of Giblowe Louuaine Arscot Tielmont Diest and Sichem And at Sichem he committed a moste barbarous crueltie against the Officers of the saied place When the Duke of Aniow vnderstoode of this discomfiture The Duke of Antowe sendeth to the Estates he sent Monsier de Fougere and his Secretarie to the Estates to offer theim his owne persone and the meanes how to helpe them Whiche thyng beyng accepted of he sent thether the Lordes of Rochepot and Pruneauls to the meetyng of whom were sent the Count de Lalayng the Baron of Frezin and the Counsellour Leifield Deputies for the generall Estates aboute the treatie aswell for the aidyng of the Toune of Gisâ—aine as also for the assâ—raunce thereof Now after this discomfite the Toune of Sainct Gislaine shooke in the soket and was at the pâ—incte to haue fallen into the handes of Don Ihon by reason of the Bishoppe of Arras his secret intelligence Howbeeit the Lorde of Hernisart by cunnyng got into it and so by that meanes frustred this enterprise and hauyng well prouided for the Toune to the benefite of the Countrey deliuered it vp into the handes of Count de Lalayng Gouernor of Hainault the seconde of February 1578. The 8. of the saied moneth and yere Amstelredame agâ—eth with the Prince of Orenge the Toune of Amstelre â—ame fell to composition with the Prince and Estates of Hollande and reunited it self with the reste of the Cities of the saied Countrey vnder his Excellencies Gouernement vpon certaine pointes and
Articles But because the Catholiques had not obserued the saied Articles of a gremente thei of the reformed Religion sent the old Magistrate and Franciscane Friers out of the Toune because thei would not agree to graunt theim of the reformed Religion any libertie and besides thei had also broken that poincte of the agreement whiche was made about the cause of the sworne men As the Spanyardes laie at the siege of Nyuelle Niuelle rendreth Monsire de Villers Gouernour of the Towne abode the Canon and although it was not to holde out yet he so valiauntly helde out fower assauâ—tes to wit from twelue of the clocke in the afternoone vnto seuen of the clocke at night as that the enemte made his retraict without order and afterwarde helde it two daies without parle still lookyng for ayde In the meane while the Prince and the Count of Bossu wrote vnto hym that he should withdrawe hymself with the sauftie of his people aswell as he could whiche thyng he did and departed thence by composition with bodies and goodes swordes and daggers and so did likewise the Captames and Chieftaines of the Horsemen the 15. of February 1578. Duryng these exploites An imperiall diet at Wormes there was an imperiall dyet appointed at Wormes whether was sent Monsire Sainâ—t Aldegonde Counsailour for the Estate by his Excellencie and the Estates to shewe there the estate of the affaires hereabout together for the requiryng of ayd from the Empire and Germaine Princes their good Neighbours as to people who ought to haue had some feelyng and compassion of this their greate miserie and â—alamitie The Estates also meanyng to make the same request to the Queene of England appointed for that purpose the 9. of March The Estates request to the Queene of England the Marques of Hawreche who so well plied his businesse as that he obtained at her Maiesties handes assueraunce bothe of men and money for the aidyng of the saied Estates who was also greatly honored for his owne priuate cause and besides receiued at her highnesse handes a very goodly present The 21. of Marche the greate Counsaile of Friselande was taken at Leeward to witt the President Ygrammes Ichlum Iuliers Dekema Peter Fritzma Forco Bommerts Aâ—thony Leualy Counsailours and many others and in their steade were appointed newe Counsailours to witt Maister Francâ—s Kysinga Maister Fecco Baida Maister Ihon de Steueren and many others And besides the chiefe beyng the Bishoppe of Leewarde was sent to the Castle and also certaine Counsailours whiche was taken and the rest were restâ—ained within their owne houses The 7. of Aprill the yeare aforesaied seuen of the Wallon Ensignes A mutynie amoÌ„gst some of the Souldiers at Mastright of the nine whiche laie in Garnison at Mastright mutyned for their paye and tooke the Baron of Heze their Colonell and Gouernour of the saied Towne prisoner and all the Captaines Liutenauntes Ensigne bearers and Officers of his Regiment And besides conspired to deliuer vp the Towne into the handes of the Enemie But after thei had sent Seigniour Nycholas Salmier Knight Lorde of Melcroye with the saied payes and contented the Souldiers he first of all released the prisoners and afterwarde by his wâ—t and pollicie became Maister of the Conspirators some of whiche were drouned and some hanged and hauyng brought in an other Garnison was assured thereby of the Towne in the behalf of the Countrey The 22. of Aprill An ordenaÌ„ce vpon the pacification of Gaunt there was a newe ordenaunce published at Antwerpe about the obseruation of the pacification at Gant and that all the Enhabitauntes and Citizens there about of what estate or condition soeuer thei were should bee sworne and as many as refused the same to be taken for enemies In so muche that all persones both Ecclesiasticall and seculer tooke the same othe sauyng the Iesuites who because thei would not obeye were merueilously suspected by reason whereof the common people mutyned against them Howbeit thei were for all that no waie miâ—used because of the good order whiche the Colonelles had set in the Towne The Ieâ—uites and Frters goe out of the Citie of Antwerpe saue onely were honestly sent out of the Towne aswell for their priuate assueraunce as also beyng suspected for the benefite and saufetie of the Commonweale whiche thyng was doen vpon Whitsondaie Then the Friers craued tyme to deliberate vppon but when thei sawe in the ende that the rest of the beggyng Friers Prelattes Cathedrall Churches and all Ecclesiasticall persones were obedient to the saied commaundement thei were resolued to doe the like except the Prior and three others of his Couent who obstinately stood inâ—t and therefore were likewise as men suspected tourned out of the Toune Whiles these Friers were deliberatyng what to doe some of the people that were in Armes beyng not well pleased went on forwarde with the matter and would haue enforced them which their fonde dealyng the Burroughmaister clerely frustred Nenerthelesse twoo of the companie beyng Souldiers so farre forgott them selues as that thei helde the pointes of their swordes before hym for the whiche thei lost their heades The Duke of Aniowe The men of warre of the Duke of Aniowe enter into the Countrey sent his men of warre vnto the Borders of Haynault where thei were greatly oppressed by the enemie And the Estates likewise had appointed Colonell Combelle to enter into the saied Countrey and laie with his people at Leus in Haynault a Towne of Monsire de Barlaymont whom the Spanyardes commyng to set vpon were brauely repulsed and ioliilie cooled and therevpon were enforced to retire the 21. of Maâ—e 1578. After that the Spanyards had long time besieged the Toune of Phillippeuille it was enforced at laft Phillippeuille beâ—ged and rendred for want of Victualles and Munytion to yeeld vpon composition the saied 21. of Maie While the Enemie was makyng preparation to besiege Limbourg Limbourg besteged and rendred the Gouernour and Souldiers demaunded Victualles and Munytion and promised that if thei might haue them to keepe the Towne and Castle Then the Archduke Mathias and the Estates prouided for all thynges necessarie And yet notwithstandyng thei fell to a parle with the Enemie and yeelded the same place the 15. of Iune the yere a oresaied The Duke of Aniowe for the better accomplishyng of his deuise came with a small companie to Mons in Haynault the 11. of Iulie howbeit his trame followed hym Campen besâ—eged and rendred The Almaine Souldiers of the Regiment of Polwyler who before the pacification of Gaunt laâ—e in Garnison in the Countrey of Oueryssell in Campen and Deueuter refused to come thence yea thei so greatly and so long dissembled the matter as that the saied peace was broken declaryng then that thei helde the saied Tounes for Don Ihon. Whereupon the Estates besieged them and first the Count of Rennenberge Baron of Ville and Gouernour of Friselande who was there named the generall of the
esclauisshyng and destruction for euer And therefore none other remedie could bee had about this matter but the makyng of an alliaunce and confederacie betwixt all the said Prouinces hereabout and therevpon proceaded the pacification of Gaunt whiche after many deliberations and consultations about the same was aswell by the Bishoppes Diuines as also the Counsell of Estate and others here about approued confirmed and by a solemne o th openly sworne not onely by the Ecclesiasticall and Temporall Estates of these Lowe Countreis bothe generally and particulerly but also by Don Ihon whose office chiefly was as one substituted to the gouernement and good direction of the saied lowe Countreis to se them to bee kept in peace and tranquilitie But he contrariwise hath in many pointes enfrenged the said pacification and against his othe many waies declared hym self not to bee willyng to stande thereto So that he a newe beganne the foresaied warre whiche hath enforced vs to stand for the conseruation and defense of our naturall libertie and ioyntly againe to take Armes vpon vs beeyng also thereby and through other greate extreamities wherevnto the saied warre the mother of all dissentions and inconueniences hath brought vs and against our willes and meanynges enforced vs to dooe and suffer many thynges hurtfull bothe to Religion and also to his Maiesties obedience beeyng suche thinges as otherwise we neuer once minded or thought on and whiche at this present we are no waie able to helpe as often tymes before this warre beganne wee haue sufficiently shewed and protested aswell by our letters as also by our Ambassadors sent bothe to his Maiestie and likewise to the saied Don Ihon And although it were so that wee neither could nor would want any thyng that might defende vs yet because the diuersitie of the Prouinces and mennes opinions doe make little accompte hereof it is to be doubted that neither our will nor abilitie may any waie remeady it without wee entre ioyntly into an other League and an inuiolable accord and vnioÌ„ but especially in respect of the Religion For seyng that not onely by reason of the warre but also because of the meuitable hauntyng and conseruation of the Marchauntes and the reste of the Enhabitauntes of the Realmes and Countreis nere aboute as Fraunce Englande Germanie and others who haue accepted of the preteÌ„ded reformed Religion whiche saied Religion many of the Countreis here aboute haue followed and sticketh nere their hartes It is greatly to be feared that if the exercise thereof bee not by a louyng accord and Religious permitted as well as the auncient Religion takyng example bothe by Germanie and Fraunce whiche by the like meane were brought to an vnitie whereby thei haue liued in peace and prosperitie where before thet could not abide one an other but were still at mortall warr so that for want thereof ensued greate daungers sheadyng of blood and many other inconueniences by whiche a meane shall more and more be laied open and giuen to the enemy for vs that still remaine in the Countreis where contrariwise we alliyng and confederatyng together in an amiable vnitie maie defende our selues froÌ„ all imment inconueniences and feare All which thynges duely and truely considered but especially the matter whiche the enemie least feareth whiche is our vnityng of our selues together in the respect of Religion and therefore will by all meanes possible vnder couler thereof keepe vs still at variaunce and dissention And if it so fall out that by senister practizes subtill muentions or forcibly he enter into the Countreis he will neither spare Ecclesiasticall person Catholique nor no manne els And where also thei of the reformed Religion haue been moste instant suters and made many requestes to haue the free exercise hereof graunted theim with and vnder suche rule and order as shall thereto appertaine wee therefore afore wee had throughly considered of this poinct not onely with the Deputies of the generall Estates but also of the particuler and haue heard the muides of the Estates of eche Prouince haue for their common quiet and benefite ordained and appoincted and by these presentes doe ordaine and appoint these Articles ensuyng whiche wee haue sette doune for the good and vnion of the Prouinces here about And are not to bee altered nor separated one from an other Chiefly consideryng that no man is enforced to chaunge his Religionrno yet accept of this libertie if he thinke it not good 1 It is ordeined that all offences and iniuries whiche haue been committed sithence the saied pacification of Gaunt about the cause of Religion shall be pardoned and forgotten as though thei had neuer been In so muche that no man shall bee accused nor yet by Lawe sued or otherwise for any of them neither shall there be any mention once made of them vpon paine of punishing the Transgressors as infringers and disturbers of the common quiete of the Countreis 2 To the ende that according hereunto in respect of the Religion whiche can neither by force of Armes bee entertained planted nor suppressed there arise no quarrell nor dissention It is established and ordeined that euery man whiche is of either of those two Religions maie be at his free choise so to vse them as that one of them giue no occasion of offence to an other about the same as thei will aunsâ—re it before God but that euery man whether he beâ— Ecclesiasticall or Temporall shall liue quietly with his owne Religion and serue God accordyng to his vnderstandyng and knowledge as he will aunswere at the dreadfull daie of Dome at least so farre forth and till suche tyme as either partie shal be freely heard before a Generall or prounciall Counsell and that therein it bee otherwise determined and concluded vpon 3 To the ende also that the libertie of the Religion bee for either party ruled ouer with conuenient and peaceable conditions to both their quietnesses and assueraunce It is ordeined that the Catholique Romishe Religion shall bee redressed aswell in the Cities and places of Holland and Sealand as also in all the râ—st of the Cities and places hereabout where it is banished and there to â—e peaceable and freely exercised without troubling or vexing of any of them whiche shall desire to haue it so that there bee not vnder an hundred housholdes either in Citie or Toune whiche haue continually remained and dwelt there at the least an whole yeare and the same there aboade so to be certified by the greater parte of the common Enhabitauntes 4 And so maie likewise the saied reformed Religion be publickly exercised in all the Cities and places hereabout where there shall also bee founde the like nomber by the Enhabitauntes of the saied Cities and places 5 Prouided alwaies that thei bothe of the one and of the other Religion shall come before the Magistrate where either of them shall respectiuely require the exercise of their interlaced Religion who shall forth with appoint them meete places To witt there shall be appointed out
saied 25 And for the due execution as well of matters of life and death as ciuile and the reasonable satisâ—yng of euery man It is ordeined that all Lawes and Magistrates of perticuler Cities Castles Tounes and Manors of all the Countreis hereabout shall be chosen to be suche men as are best qualified and louers of their Countrey without difference of Religion 26 Which Lawes and Magistrates shall entermeddle them selues onely and altogether in the state of Iustice Pollicie or Gouernement of those Cities and places where thei are chosen 27 That no man shall herein any waie hinder trouble or let them nor by any meanes haue to doe with them in any matter or vnder any colour whatsoeuer 28 And seeyng that in this behalfe there haue of late newe Magistrates been chosen thei whiche are called the eighteene or others whiche are appointed in their steades whether thei bee moe or fewer shall fully and wholie be deposed and forbidden to thrust them selues in about any dealynges of the publique affaires nor yet with the fortefiyng and guardyng of any of the Cities except thei bee especially chosen and deputed thereto by the saied Magistrates 29 And as concernyng this point thei maie not set doime any order of importaunce without thei first talke thereof with those Magistrates of the Cities where thei are appointed to deale and that by their expresse appointment vpon the paines aforesaied 30 And to the cude that this our ordenaunce might the better bee obserued the Commissioners and the rest of the Deputies or suche as haue auchoritie to chose newe Magistrates shal substitute fower notable vertuous and well qualified persones who vppon all occasions without exception maie by vertue of their Office make inquisition of the infringyng and crossyng of the saied Ordenaunce and the same so made to sett it doune in writyng and three of their handes at the least to be at it and immediatly to bee deliuered vp into the handes of the Magistrate and he hauyng taken a sommary knowledge thereof to proceede against the transgressors with speedie execution vpon the paines aforesaied 31 Prouided alwaies that the Office of the said notable and vertuous men shall last but one yeare and bee newe chosen and chaunged with the Magistrate 32 And by reason that the disobedience of certaine Cities hereabout against their Magistrate giueth occasion of greate distrust hauyng partly euen vnto this present hindred the permission of the libertie of the Religion and that without the sinceritie of the saied obedience there can no good grounde of any assueraunce be looked for It is therefore enacted ordeined and accorded that not onely all Magistrates but also all others of what estate qualitie or condition soeuer thei are shall from henceforth be bounde to obeye and followe all the Ordenaunces Commissions Letters and Commaundementes aswell of the said Archduke his hignesse beyng Gouernour and Captaine Generall as also of the saied Lordes the generall Estates bothe for the leuiyng dischargyng entertainyng and wagyng of men of Warre and Garmsons and shall also accordyng to the custome and maner of a Gouernour and Captaine receiue and paie out all suche sommes of money as are meere for the maintenaunce of this present Warre and generally for all thynges els 33 And all Prisoners without exception of any of what qualitie or condition soeuer thei bee and where soeuer thei are kept shall forthwith bee brought to the Lawe before their ordenarie Iudge or for want hereof to be released vnder suche conditions as for the Common wealth the sauetie bothe of them selues and Countrey shall be thought conuement vpon paine that the offenders bothe in generall and perticuler shall be left to them selues as enemies and disturbers of the Common wealthe and their goodes to be bestowed vpon the necessitie of the rest in generall 34 Prouided alwaies that if so bee any reasonable causes maie be shewed why menne should not forthwith be bound to obeye the aforesaied Ordenaunces Letters and Commaundementes that then the execution of theim to bee deferred in case the matter be able to abide any delaye vntill suche tyme as vppon the receipt of a gentle and reuerend aunswere backe again some other order be taken therein 35 And the same seconde Ordenaunce and Commaundement euery man shall bee bounde to obeye without further repliyng or delaye 36 All this to bee doen without hurt to the Priuiledged and laudable Customes or Orders of euery of the saied Prouinces whiche are still in their full force and strength notwithstanding this Ordenaunce by whiche wee meane not any waie to derogate from the saied Priuileges Alwaies reseruyng to his highnesse and the generall Estates and to either of theim the interpretation declaration diminution augmentation or chaunge of this ordenaunce and euery parte and parcell of the same as to the welfare and peace of the Countrey hereafter shall be founde to appertaine And for a full confirmation and assuraunce of all that hath been before saied the high and mightie Princes willingly and in good earnest haue comprised themselues within this treatie whiche Princes and either of theim haue as a warraunt and pledge of their fidelitie as well on the one part as the other and for a full accomplishment and setled obseruation of whatsoeuer hath been abouesaied promised and sworne in the woordes of a Prince and by the faithe and Religion whiche thei receiued at their Baptisme to defend warraunt make restitution both on the one side and on the other vnto him whosoeuer he be that shal finde hymself hereafter to bee endomaged in what maner soeuer either in parte or in all by the breakyng or crossyng of that whiche heretofore hath been saied And will also if it be possible singulerly protecte the Prelates and all other Ecclesiasticall persones so that thei shall not any waie be molested or troubled either in their persones exercises of their said Religion neither yet in the peaceable possessyng and entoiyng either of their Tithes or whatsocuer gooddes and possessions els And this is bothe by the Counsell of Estate and also of the general Estates of the Countreis hereabout assembled at Antwerpe deuised and decreed the 12. of Iuly 1578. After the publication of this peace of the Religion Publicke preachyng throughout all the towe Couutreis the reformed Religion was publickly vsed in many Cities of the low Countreis but especially at Leeward in Friselande was the first Sermon that was openly preached the 13 of August 1578 in the Iacopines Churche euen by the consent of the Friers themselues that were owners of the saied Churche The Cities of Quesnoy and Landercy whiche the Estates had promised to Monsieur Duke of Aniowe would not receiue in the Frenche but refused theim And therevpon the Abbot of Marolles was sent to see if he could cause theim to graunt vnto it howbeit it was to no purpose And therefore the said Duke required to haue some other places The Emperour beeyng greeued in weighyng and consideryng of the miserie and warre
Citezeins of Leeward who had woonne the Castle with ensigne displaied And that whiche is worthie the laughing thei had put and enterlaced al the Friers of the Citie emongest the Souldiers all behinde the Ensigne so that the poore Friers whiche were not wonted to marche in order of battaill were greatly amazed and so had out of the Citie In this sort was ouerthrowen and razed the Castle of Leeward hauyng continued 79. yeres For it was built in the yere 1501. and was destroied and razed as before hath been said the first of February 1580. The 2. Harling Castle rendred of February in the yere aforesaied the Captaines Ihon Bouma Ihon Veruew and Owen Grouestins besieged the Castle of Harlyng howbeit thei of the Castle resisted for certaine daies and sometymes so shotte of their Artillerie into the Toune as that three men were slame there withall But after thei had seen certaine letters whiche were written vnto theÌ„ and vnderstoode the content of them thei rendred the Castle the 5. of February in the yere aforesaied Whiche the Citezeins pulled doune to the ground and filled vp the Diches Thesame yere Harlyng newe gate and the Scluses beganne to be built and was then also finished and afterward the Toune was fortefied with Bulwarkes whiche before tyme had neuer a one The same yere and moneth Stauere Castle razed was the Castle of Stauere thro wen doune and razed All these thynges were executed by the good counsell and appoinctment of the honourable Lordes the Deputies of Friselande To witte by Seignior Rienich Caminga Seigmor Sipppe Meckema Doctor Baert Ytzerda Ihon Oedzinga and many others of the Nobilitie to the ende that the whole Countrie of Friselande might bee the better conserued in peace against all treason and that all meanes might be cutte of from the Enemie to serue his turne for commyng in into the saied Countrey Seyng thei had considered that their own Lieutenaunt had conceiued in his mynd to render the Countrie vnto the Enemie by treason as hereafter shall more at large be declared The 19. I puilyng doune of Images at Leeward of February there began newe warres against Images and Churches in the Citie of Leeward and al the Monasteries thereof There were also certaine Priestes driuen out of the Toune Neuerthelesse this warre against Images was not made onely in Leeward but in all the Cities and tounes of Friseland besides followyng therein the steps and examples of the Hollanders The goods moueables of the Monasteries wer sold bestowed vpoÌ„ the warres for the ibertie of the Countrie The 3. of Marche 1580. The Count of Rennenberg sheweth hymself a partaker with the Malcontentes beganne a greate and miserable sedition in the Citie of Groenyng aboute fower of the Clocke in the mornyng For George de Lalaing Countie of Rennenberg hauyng taken parte with the Malcontentes and renouncyng the vnion of Vtright wherevnto he hymself had putte his owne hande as manifestly appeareth by thesaied copie shewed then in very deede that whiche long tyme before he had conceiued in his mynde For as vpon that daie all the Citezeins of Groenyng whiche tooke parte with the Malcontes weare on their left armes white Scarfes and at the tyme prefixed came to the Market place so sone as the Drommes had souÌ„ded the Alarme where an harquebouze was shotte of and the Gouernour there on horebacke with a naked sworde in his hande saiyng Now my good fellowe Citezens ê™ he let me at this tyme haue your aide and let vs accomplishe that whiche tendeth to the seruice of his Maiestie and our owne defence to th' ende we might vaÌ„quishe and ouercome our enemies And he had no soner spoken these wordes but that al the Malcontentes ranne forthwith to the houses of the Citezens that were of the reformed Religion breakyng doune their doores and takyng the Citezens prisoners In this meane while the Gouernours horsemen roade throughout all the streates and there could no manne soner put out his heade at a windowe but that he was by and by hausled with a Pistoll and emongest all the reste there was one manne of estimation who had sometymes been a Counsellour named Iames Hillebrandes who saied to the Gouernour is this the parte of a faithfull gentleman so inciuily to deale with his subiectes And the woordes were no sooner out of his mouthe but that he was shotte into the head with a pistoll and so died of the blowe There were also in this sedition an other man and a womanne slaine The Gouernour still persisted in his wicked purpose and went on in takyng those of the reformed ReligioÌ„ prisoners In so muche that there was greate miserie and calamitie All those of the Religion in Groenyng are made prisoners and wonderfull weepyng and wailyng of women and children For as it is thought there were at that tyme of the reformed Religion about three hundred Citezens taken of whom some were kept in Churches and other some in straight prison And in this maner reuolted the Citie of Groenyng against all the whole Countrie and tooke parte with the Malcontentes whiche caused the Citie to bee encompassed and besieged on euery side WheÌ„ the Leewarders heard of the certaintie of this newes the Magistrate and all the Citezeins did wonderfully stomacke the Catholikes in so muche that thei were once bent to haue dealte with theim euen as the Groemgistes had dealte with those of the reformed Religion howbeit after some deliberation had the desisted from that purpose not meaning to vse any such or the like Tyrannie but onely shapped vp some of the Catholikes within their owne house and afterwarde banished theim the 7. and 8. of Marche 1580. When thesaied Count of Renneberg had gotten the greater parte of Friselande he came and encamped hym self before the Citie of Steenewike in the Territorie of Transisselaine howbeit gentle reader I meane not to frustrate thee about the successe of this siege in shewyng vnto thee the goyng foreward of the same as by the historie ensuyng thou maiest see After that the Armie of the vnited Prouinces 1580. vnder the conduct of the Count of Hohenloo was the 17. of Iune 1580. ouerthrowen and discomfited by the Malcontents vnder the conduct of Marten Scheuck in the lande of Hardenbergue The Citie of Groening was aided and rid of their Gouernour the Count of Rennenbergue And although the saied Count of Hohenloo had at an other tyme leuyed a reasonable greate company of Souldiers both on foote and on Horsebacke and so repaired his Army yet was it once more discomfited the 4. of September about Linigen by the said Malcontentes whiche was the cause that many of the Cities fearing the force and power of the Enemie were driuen to receiue Garnisons into theim for their defence And when the Count of Rennenbergue sawe that he had not men of warre enowe to assaile certaine renowmed Cities and of some importaunce he was againe strengthened with 11. Ensignes of Footemen and certaine
Horsemen vnder the charge of Hans Storiff of Enbricke wherevpon he caused his Army to marche towardes the Citie of Oldenzeel whiche Citie not meanyng to tarrie the siege rendred to the saied Count of Rennenbergue the 24. of September When thei of Steenwike heard of this thei receiued in a Garnison and Souldiers for their defence against the Enemie and so fortefied their Citie and Rampars still lookyng for the Army of the Euemie who planted his siege before the same the 18. of October about noone with 20. The Siege before Steenwyke companies of Almaines and others and 1500. Horse Wherupon that Euenyng two of the Gates of the Citie the one named the Giest Gate and the other Onniger Gate were with Earth and Trees fast rampard vp against the force of the Artillary of the Enemy The self same daie the Souldiers of the Toune sallied twise out to skirmish with the Enemie and so also did thei the 19. daie ensuyng and caried home with them fower Prisoners Towardes the Euenyng the Enemie passed the Riuer of Ae with eleuen companies of Friselanders and entrenched about the Chappell Steendicq The 20. daie there issued out of the Citie certaine Souldiers at the Wood Gate and had wonne and defaced the little Trench about the Chappell cariyng home the butin with them whiche Trench the night followyng was made vp againe The same daie in the Afternoone thei againe sallied out at the East Gate and after thei had skirmished with the Enemie thei caried backe with them three Prisoners and two Horses The 23. of October in the night the Enemy marched towardes the Kuynder to the ende thei might light vpon the two companies of Ihon de Eschede and Roeloff de Laughen whiche thyng thei performed For the next daie ensuyng as thei returned to the Campe thei trailed at an Horse taile iust before the Toune one of their Ensignes The 25. daie there was a braue skirmishe where the Enemie receiued a notable losse bothe of Souldiers and Horses and our men returned to the Citie without any losse cariyng with them two Prisoners and three Horses The 28. daie of the saied Moneth the Count George de Lalayng as Gouernor for his Maiestie in Friseland sent a Trumpet to sommon the Citie for the yeeldyng thereof whom Captaine Conrade aunswered that he kept the Citie for his Maiestie the Estates and the Prince of Orenge and would defende it against whom soeuer came Commaundyng the Tumpett to bee packyng without thei loued to be hausled with a Cannon shott The Count of Rennenbergue beyug stirred with this aunswere caused three peeces of greate Ordenaunce to be planted whiche he had that daie receiued and that euenyng discharged against the Citie three of the same Cannot shott This daie at the instaunce of certaine good honest Citezins was an ordenaunce made and a price sett vppon Victualles in maner and forme followyng whiche was proclaimed and afterterwarde set vp vpon one of the postes of the Toune house And first it was ordeined that no man should Brewe nor sell any Beare aboue halfe a Patart the pot of Steenwike measure A pounde of Larde was priced at three Sous A pounde of Butter fower Sous A pounde of Creame Cheese two Sous A pounde of course Cheese one Sous and one Lyard A Stockfishe two Sous sauyng a Lyard Twelue pounde of waightie Rye bread sixe Sous A measure of Eastland Graines eighteene Sous A measure of Countrey Graines sixteene Sous A measure of Barley fifteene Sous A measure of Buckweyt foreteene Sous A Bushell of Salte twelue Sous A pot of Beare called Iupenbere seuen Sous A pot of Rennishe Wine nine Sous A pot of Frenche Wine fiue Sous Whiche was proclaimed and commaunded to bee straightly obserued by the Enhabitauntes of the Citie The 29. of October were sixe greate peeces of Ordenaunce moe brought to the Campe of the Enemie and planted to batter the Citie withall whiche was in deede doen the next daie followyng so that thereby thei had no vse of the twoo Milles of the Citie The same daie the Citie understoode by Captaine Herman Olthoff his man that the Enemie meant to giue them a liuely assault The Citezens make them selues ready for the assault and therefore euery man prepared hymself to giue them an hot repulse and to that ende thei brought al the brewyng Vesselles in the Citie to the Rampars which thei had filled with hot skaldyng water and Lime for the washyng of the heades and bodies of the Enemie Thei prepared also all kindes of necessary Armour and Weapon to defende themselues against the force of the Enemie in so muche that the Souldiers and all the Citezens were fully determined to receiue and withstande the assault of the Enemie who in steade of assaulting the Citie cast vp his trenches from Giest Gate euen vnto Onniger Gate The first of Nouember a Messenger was sent to the Estates to aduertise them of the estate of the Citie And about 10. of the Clocke in the night there issued 26. valiaunt Souldiers vnder the conduct of Ihon Vorberg Captaine Cornput his Lieutenaunt who charged the very body of the Watche whiche laie betweene Giest Gate and Onniger Gate and there so pretely well cooled the courages of 24. men of the saied Watche as that 20. of them were leaft dead in the place and three caried awaie prisoners and one of them whiche would not goe was hurt vnto death and left without the Citie where he died that night but he that was in the watch saued himself with a light paire of heeles The 2. of the saied Moneth in the night the Enemie cast vp the Trenche betweene the foresaied Gates as if he would haue made there some Mount and therefore thei likewise within began to make an other Mount about Giest Gate and then were the Captaines quartered for the defending of the Rampars The same daie also were twoo deepe ditches made at Giest Gate because thei feared that the Enemie would vndermine the Citie The 3. daie at night issued certaine Souldiers and suddenly fell vpon the Pyoners certaine Countrie men and Souldiers whereof many were slaine and afterwarde thei retiered to the Citie with their butin The 7. Daie thei sallied out at the East Gate and brought awaie two Souldiers and a Victualler Prisoners leauyng behinde them vpon the waie many hurte men which would not goe with them Thei caried also awaie with them in despight of the Enemie fiue Kyne and a Souldiers wife The same daie in the afternoone there was the like sallie whereat was a liuely skirmishe so that by reason of the retraict of Captaine Oltholffe his Ensigne bearer and of Captaine Herman Olthoffe they were bothe hurt The Ensigne bearer also of Captaine Cornput standyng vpon the Citie Rampere was with a Cannon shot slaine in the place The 9. daie the Messenger returned with Letters from the Prince and the Estates to the Citie promising to ayde the Citie and raise the Campe of the
Enemie And againe the night followyng came in two Citezens saiyng that the ayd was commyng on whiche should helpe the Citie The 11. daie the Horsemen of the Enemie trouped on from Onnen by Westwyke towardes the Wood who were brauely hausled with greate Ordenaunce from the Toune to the greate losse of their people The 12. of the saied Moneth there was a sallie and a Skirmishe made to the hurte of the Enemie in whiche one Willyam Dorth Captaine Olthoffe his Sergeaunt was hurt to death and dyed the next morrow On which daie in the Sermon while there came to the Gate a man at Armes on Horseback very wel armed who was receiued into the Toune But when the Souldiers sawe that he was none of the wisest or rather a counterfeit thei thrust him out of the Gates after the Sermons were ended and slue him with Harquebouze shot keeping behinde with them his Horse and Armour The 16. and 17. daie the Enimie battered the Toune and thesame Euenyng in token thei had obtained a victorie of Hegemans people the Enemie trailed an Ensigne at his horse taile and made Bonefiers rounde about the Citie as though thei would haue assaulted it with fiers The 18. The fire taketh holde in Steenwyke daie the Enemie shotte fier into many places of the Citie in so muche that at one tyme the Citie was all on a light fier by reason whereof there were 70. houses burnt By this fier was muche victuall and other Munitions burnte to the greate losse of the enhabitauntes Diuerse houses in Onnigerstreate through the greate diligence of the Citezens were saued and so had there been also in many other places if the souldiers had not garded the Rampares because the Enemie costed all alongest one side of the Citie with Ensigne displaied as though he would haue giuen the assault whiche he might easily hatte doen by reason that in many places the Diches were hard frosen vp The Enemy sommoneth the Citie Thesame daie about the Euenyng the Enemie sent twoo Trompetts to sommon the Citie in his Maiesties name and to yeeld it self vnto the Prince of Parma as Captaine Generall and to the Count of Rennenberg as Lieutenaunt and gouernour of Friselande and so thei should depart with bagge and baggage Whom Captaine Frauncis Platte in the name of all the reste of the Captaines answered That thei kepte the Citie in the behalfe of his Maiestie of Archduke Matthias of Austriche as Captaine Generall of the Prince of Orenge his Lieutenaunt and of the Estates And that thei had none other thyng for the Count of Rennenberg to commaunde but Bullettes and pouder and therefore wished theim quietly departe without thei liked to be saluted with Cannon shotte Thesame night a messenger was dispatched towardes Campen to declare vnto them what losse thei had receiued by fier The 19. daie the Enemie moste diligently went aboute to shoote fire again into the Citie but it was to no purpose This night there came a messenger into the Citie who saied that he had cast awaie his letters whiche he had of the Estates because he feared as he saied thei carried no good newes with theim and within one houre after there came in the taile of hym three other Citezens agreyng all with one voice that there was no aide in the whole worlde ready for thei saied that the people of the Hegemans was discomfited and the Scluse and Bloczeell forsaken wherevpon the nexte daie followyng ensued greate trouble and dissention For A diuision in Steenwyke many of the Papisticall Citezens and others cried out and saied that it was reason a Oromme should bee sent to the Enemie and the Citie to bee rendred vp Howbeit there were certaine Souldiers and all the reformed citezens whiche would none of that who bothe with faire speeches also with threatnyng wordes said that thei would rather kill one an other then thei would so yeld vnto the Enemie consideryng that thei had no want of victualles In so muche that many honest and constant Citezens did weare that daie bothe Armour and weapon vnder their cloakes Some others greeuously accused the Prince and the Estates because thei had not holpen certaine Cities whiche had been besieged as Dopslach Delffziell Couerdē Maestright Harlem and Ziericzea could largely witnesse neuerthelesse the reste stoode stoutly to their trckle so that in the ende the trouble and sedition was suppressed And sone after there came a Dromme to the gate bringing letters from captaine Gedeon Pameren praiyng that he might haue his souldiers deliuered for other prisoners or els for a monethes wages whiche was graunted hym In the euenyng the Enemie very diligently sought to shoote more Fire into the Toune but it was to no purpose This night came in the faithfull and vertuous seruaunt of the Countrie Matthias Kies bringyng with hym good newes saiyng that the Estates were makyng of the moste diligent preparation that was possible to aide the Citie Some hope of ayde as also it appeared by the letters of the Estates whiche refreshed again the hartes of al the white liuered knightes of the Toune and this night Herman Henricx and George Waterwike with one of Hans Vrancquebourg Souldiers were sent out of the Citie The 21. of Nouember there issued aboute the daie breake out of the Easte gate 70. shotte who laie hidd in a secret place vntill some of Westwike Campe came that waie And then with the aide of the horsemen of the Citie thei sette vpon theim and caried awaie with theim 11. horses with a Charrette and Chariot and a victualler slayng suche as would not goe with them This victualler had about him in gold to the worth of 20. Florins and when he was examined he saied that he thought in his opion that the Enemie meant to plant the greate Ordenaunce in Eastwike and batter the Citie on that side or els cast fier into it for the doyng of it the more mischiefe but it proued nothyng The 22. the Enemie sent a Dromme for certaine prisoners whiche thyng the Captaine of the Toune denied hym for that daie because he vnderstoode not of the sedition that had been in the Citie by reason of the ill newes and former fier The drōme saied that the Counte by reason of this refusall would hang all those prisoners whiche were ours and that thei should heare of other newes shortly but he was answered againe that if thei so did thei would in like maner deale with the prisoners whiche thei had of theirs The 23. daie the Enemie beganne to caste vp a mightie and strong Trenche from Eastwike aboute the winde Milne hill and towardes euenyng he brought thether three companies of Souldiers But as the horsemen trouped on the side of the Citie some of them were slaine with Musket shotte and thesame daie thei beganne to fill vp the East gate with yearth and ramforce the Rampares and Vauntmures betwixte the saied gate and Onniger gate In the Euenyng the Enemie made a false Alarme and
Prisoner who was recouered by two bandes of Horsemen and two Ensignes of Footemen but yet thei caried awaie the Harquebouze with them This night before Midnight were seene two signes of fire and an other after midnight accordingly as the Messengers were enioyned to doe the meaning whereof our Captaines right well knewe The 14. daie the Enemie she wed hymself with foure Squadrons of Horsemen The Count of Rennenberg goeth to see the Horsemen who at last put them selues in order of battaile At whiche tyme the Counte of Rennenbergue came thether who wheeling about went from him the Enemies dischargyng all their Pistolles to honour hym withall Then the Tounes men discharged a greate peece of Ordenaunce against the Troupe and against Westerwyke Campe also and likewise against Haustroyffe quarter where he lighted from his Horse There was also another token of fire that night seene towardes Scluse The 15. The Souldiers of the toune breake the Ise daie because the water in the Ditches was hard frosen ouer the Souldiers went out to breake the Ise and in the meane while there went ouer fower of the enemies driuyng an Oxe before them towardes Eastwyke Whiche thyng when our men whiche were breakyng of the Ise saw went and tooke away the Oxe from the enemie and although many of the Souldiers of the Enemie came thether to recouer it yet did thei nothyng in it because our Souldiers had in haste driuen it to the Toune This night about 11. of the Clocke the Enemie sounded a great Alarme bothe with Drommes and Trumpettes And at that tyme also was fire cried at Giethorne and soone after many houses were seene on a light fire in so muche that the Enemie discharged three Cannons for the watch word that the Horsemen might get together There was also a greate noyse of aboue an hundred Cartes and Horses heard whiche came out of the Countrey of Drenthe but when the daie appeared bothe the cartes and also the carters were cleane gone for thei whiche had set Giethorne on fire came not nere it A forte of of Carted The next Morrowe in the euenyng Stuper his companie had broken the Ise betweene Onniger Gate and Giest Gate and so euen vnto the Wood Gate This night likewise was a greate noyse bothe of Cartes and Horses in the Enemies Campe. The 17. daie issued out seuen Souldiers to entrappe some of the Enemies nere vnto the Easterne bridge three of whiche were vpon Fredericke Lutgene his lande and the other fower in the Banke ditche But so soone as two of the Enemies of Easterwyke Campe sawe that the aforesaied three would needes charge them thei purposed forth with to saue thē selues through the lightnesse of their heeles Whiche thyng when the other fower sawe thei left their ambusshyng and tooke the one and the other eskaped with leapyng ouer the Riuer of Ae. When thei had brought the prisoner to the Towne he was examined who saied that our people had been at Giethorne and taken Ortho of Sauton Drossat of Harderwike prisoner slaine his sonne gréeuously wounded his guarde corpes and put his Souldiers to flight And besides that our mē were come to Meppell with 23. Ensignes of Footemen whom the Enemie thought to remoue going thether but with 10. Ensignes of Footemen a certaine nomber of Horsemen but it was all in vaine And further he said that the knight of Nieuorte was in the Countrey of Groenyng with a great nomber of Souldiers There was also a Dromme sent to the Enemie to knowe whether he would redeeme his Souldier with a raunsome or no. And he saied that he would howbeit he threatned for all that to hang him so soone as he had hym if so be that thei of the Toune would not doe it before but thei of the Toune accordyng to their custome and former promise would not doe it and the reason whiche moued the enemie to cause him to be hāged was this that he went from the Campe without their leaue and licence The same daie the twoo Souldiers whiche brake the Ise of the Ditches set vpon a Souldier of the enemie who had giuen them some occasion hauyng none other weapons about them but the tooles wherewith thei brake the Ise one of whiche named Ihon Montiew as he was coupled to the enemie was slaine with an Harquebouze shott and after he was dead the enemie gaue hym many a stappe with his dagger The crueltie of the enemy criyng with a loude voyce wee are the Souldiers of Suater and thus will we handle all the rest of you ye Horse eaters This their crueltie restranged the hartes of many from them and encouraged many to withstande them to the vttermost This night about twelue of the Clocke came into the Toune our three Messengers of the Citie bringing newes that thei had left at the Blacke Scluse 36. companies of Souldiers and at Bergmer Bridge 300. horse comming to ayd vs. There was also a token of fire made vpon the Tower which when the Enemie sawe he discharged a greate peece of Ordenaunce but thankes be to God did no hurt at all and the bullet was founde in the Churchyarde The 18. daie being rainie and mistie there was a sallie made to know whether the Enemie that laie so still was strong or no and after thei had skirmished a while thei retiered on either side by reason of the mist But about eight of the Clocke at night the Enemie gaue a false Alarme and shot of twise The 19. daie the Enemie shott of thrise whiche was as it was thought a certaine watch worde for three Horsemen came from the Wood and the Enemie sounded the Alarme and there might be seene many Souldiers marche without weapon from Westerwike towardes the Wood. This night about midnight came into the Toune certaine Messengers with charge and letters of Colonell Norris an Englishe man aduertising them that the Enemie had been the 18. daie with 11. Ensignes of Foote men and sixe Cornettes of Horsemen at the Blacke Scluse After that the Army of the Estates was retired from Meppell the Enemie thought to haue discomfited and ouerthrowen the three Companies whiche were left at the saied place howbeit thei met there with suche an encounter as that twoo of their Captaines were slaine in the place two Ensignes taken about 500. Souldiers slaine the Armour and weapon of 500. men left behinde A discomfiture of the Enemie at the Blacke Scluse and an Ensigne bearer taken prisoner and because that after the entre of these Messengers a token of fire was giuen vppon the Tower the Enemie shott of a greate peece of Ordenaunce The twentie daie there was so greate an hurly burly in the Campe of the Enemie as that thei might be heard criyng euen to the Rampars of the Toune money money but because certaine of our Captaines went out with some of their Souldiers into their emptie trenches to vnderstand something more of this hurly burly some of the enemies perceiuyng them