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

Artillarie and all had not the force of the Launces staied them for thei were not halfe well prouided to goe awaie vpon the spurre and againe the night commyng suddenly vppon ●hem euery man retiered hym self to his strength But because the Enemie had fought but ill that daie the next night he forsooke his seuen Trenches vppon Northe Common and Steendicque and drewe awaie his Artillarie The 23. The siege raised from before Steenwike of February whiche was the daie of the deliuerance of the Toune aboute the breake of the daie three Engishe men came out of the Wood and passed betweene the Trenches but when thei perceiued that there was neither watche nor warde within them thei came to the Toune and tolde them of it then issued out of the Toune many men and lookyng into the Trenches founde neuer a man but the seuenteene dead men whiche laie there and three dead Roiters before the Trenche Within a while after the Enemie set fire on his Campe and hauing before daie sent his Artillarie with his footemen before his horsemen stoode in order of battle vntill the afternoone in the plaine fallow fieldes of Onnen vntill suche tyme as the Englishe Colonell generall of the Campe came with his Colonelles Captaines and Officers and a fewe horsemen to passe by Steenwike in the tayle of the Enemie who as yet brauely mustered and shewed hym self And then was the Toune throughly victualled with all thinges necessarie and deliuered from the straight siege The slege of Steenwike lasted fower whole monethes whiche it endured fower whole Monethes together and therefore we can not sufficiently enough praise our good GOD who hath so louingly and mercifully dealt with vs moste miserable wretches The 24. of February the Armie of the Estates departed from the Wood and marched towardes Oldemerct to expulse the Garnisons whiche the Enemie had thrust in into Ruynder Lemmer Sloten and many other places moe whiche afterward was performed In so muche that all these places were againe restored into the handes of the Estates and vnited Prouinces Vnto whom I beseech the Lord of his mercie and grace graunt wisedome prouidence and strength daiely more and more to continue their blessed enterprises to the ende thei maie with force resist their enemies prouidently guyde all their affaires and maintaine this debonaire people with all wisedome and equitie And thus gentle Reader I conclude and ende this present Historie reseruyng the reste of the affaires whiche shall succeede for the beginning of an other Booke and if it shall please the Lord our God to graunt me that his fauour I will surely make thee partaker thereof FINIS A Table conteinyng the principall matters conteined within this Historie of the troubles and Liuill warres in the lowe Countreis A. AMbassadours sent to the Kyng from the Councell of Trent 7. An aduertisement or warnyng of those of the reformed Religion 21. Articles digested into forme and order 22. An abolishyng of the Inquisition and Commissions 25. Arragon will not receiue the Inquisition 44. Alkmere besieged 101. Arke of Delfte 126. A lustie Captaines linelinesse reuiued men halfe dead 127. Admirall determineth to batter Lammen forte 134. B. Braband Priuiledges most excellent 3. Bryngyng in of the newe Bishoppes 5. Brute and rumour of warres in the low Countrels 4. Boisleduke besieged by the Count of Megne 37. Briel taken by the Lorde of Lumay 75. Bishoppe of Harlem halloweth the greate Churche 102. Battaile by Sea 102. Battaile at Moquerhed 103. Boysot the Admirall sent to take vp mē for the aiding of Leyden 118. Baldez and his companie take a faire paire of heeles 132. Boysot the Admirall entreth Leyden 155. Baldez writeth a fewe Latin wordes vpon his departure frō the siege before Leyden 136. Baldez his Souldiers mutine 138. Baldez Souldiers marche to Vtright Ibidem Buren besieged and rendred Ibidem C. Count Menssield garnisonneth Antwerpe 39. Counsell of troubles erected 49. Castle of Antwerpe built 50. Citation against the Count of Hooghstrate 52. Count Arenbergue slaine 65. Count Adolf of Nassou slaine Ibidem Count Lodwike his aunswere to the Emperour 70. Count Lodwike raiseth his Campe. 71. Count Egmond his aunswere to his Sentence of condemnation 67. Count Egmond his letters vnto the Kyng Ibidem Count Bergue inuadeth the Countrey of Surphen 77. Castle of Stauere ayded 78. Count de la Roche his letters to the Leydens 121. Citezens most noble and couragious aunswere of Leyden to Baldes Campe. 128. Calamitie and miserie of the Leydens insupportable 130. D. Doctors of diuinitie appointed in euery Cathedrall Churche 5. Duke of Alua appointed Generall of the Army for Flanders 29. Disputation at Antwerpe 31. Duke of Alua commeth out of Spaine 49. Duke of Alua his order in the goyng of his voyage Ibidem Duches of Parma goeth out of the lowe Countrey Ibidem Duke of Alua taketh awaie the keyes from the Gauntois 50. Duke of Alua sheweth his authoritie to the Estates Ibidem Duke of Alua aideth the Frenche 51. Duke of Alua tyrannizeth 65. Duke of Alua writeth to the Bishoppe of Munster 71. Duke of Alua demaundeth the tenth peney 74. Duke of Alua besiegeth Monts 77. Don Lewis de Requesens commeth into the lowe Countreis 102. Duke of Alua plareth the bankerupt 103. Delft attempted 117. Diuers speeches vsed about the cuttyng and pearsing of the Dykes or Bankes 119. Discorde in Leyden by reason of the famine 127. Death of the Commandator 139. E. Encrease of those of the Religion 2. Examination or tryall most cruell 46. Egmond and Horne prisoners 50. Englishe men driuen out of their forte 106. Enterprise of the Commandator vpon the Countrey of Sconwene 139. F. Forme and maner of the Inquisition 44. Flusihyng reuolteth 75. Frenche ouerthrowne at Chieuerane 77. Fugitiue Hollanders letters to the Ley dens 109. Fliyng meslenger arriueth at Leyden 129. G. Gueses demaund reiected by the Regent 37. Gueses discomfited and put to flight Ibidem Greate patience in those of the Religion 1. Gueses inuade Friselande 77. Gertrudenbergue besieged 102. H. Harlem besieged 79. Harlemians for the redemption of their Citie paie to Dom Fredericke 240. thousand Florins 99. Harlem yeelded vp to the Duke of Alua. Ibidem J. Inquisition the very well spryng of the ciuill warres 2. Iewes put to death a childe of two yeres of age 43. Ihon Biancu the mutinous Spanyardes Eletto slaine 138. K. Kynges Armes broken doune 16. Kyng of Spayne ought to pawne his kyngdomes to make warre for the lowe Countreis 114. L. Luther the Author of the light of the Gospell 1. Lorde of Brederode exhibiteth a supplication 35. Ladie Regent her aunswere to the same supplication 36. League of the Knightes of the order 37. Ladie Regent tollerateth the Sermons 28. Letters of the Kynges vnto the Ladie Regent 29. Lorde Brederode taken for a Rebell 38. Lorde of Brederode fleeth from Amsterdame 39. Leyden the first tyme besieged 102. Leyden besieged the seconde tyme. 104. Leydens aunswere to the Prince 107. Leirdame besieged and

and the greate troubles and c●uile warres amongest their neighbours theyr consciences were continually thralled and oppressed and they them selues most wickedly and cruelly handled by some of the officers and inquisitors and suffered most obediently to be led like lost sheepe to the slaughter and their goods to be taken from them and made away so that their children were enforced to beg or els being driuen out of the lande were constrained to come into some other strange countrey to dwell and liue there poorely insomuch that many ended their dayes in sorrowe and great miserie But when the enemies of the Bospel perceiued that the number of the Protestantes or Lutherans in Germanie the Huguenotes in Fraunce and the Gueses in the low Countreys dayly encreased The encrease of those of the religion they cold thē find out or deuise no better way to hinder the blessed proceeding of the preaching of the Gospel then to bring in the Spanish Inquisition or the corporation and house of the Inquisitors by which they might attaine to the authoritie of Magistrasie And although his princely Maiestie openly declared to the Countie Egmont and other noble men Knights of the order that his Maiesties meaning was not to bring into thraldome his subiects but to mitigate ordaine milder and gentler lawes whereby the religion might be directed and set foorth in a good and commendable order yet was it driuen in the ende to this point through the instructions and perswasions of the Inquisitors that his Maiestie altered his opiniō gaue expresse cōmandement that the new Bishops should be appointed the counsel of Trēt to be kept the Inquisition of spain to be brought in put in execution as you may briefly vnderstād by the letters sent by the Duches of Perma ladie regent of the low countreys to all the gouernors Senates Cities with the copie of his M. letters conteining an expresse commandement that the same shoulde be done throughout all the prouinces of the lowe countreys Nowe marke I beseech you how litle authoritie the king had in Spaine when as his wordes and letters were of so small force and effect When these things were published The Inquifition the very wel spring of all the ●iuill warres and the maner of the proceeding of them deliuered to the handes of the Inquisitors such trouble of mind feare sorow so possessed the hearts of euery one as if they had receiued sentence of cōdemnation yet not with standing there appeared no signe or token of sedition neither was there any wicked practise once thought of or shewed by any person whatsoeuer but still kept a plain direct course by way of supplica●iō as the supplicatiō presented by the Antwarpians sufficiētly testifieth declaring that the anciēt priuileges statuts granted by the Dukes and Princes of olde in the Belgique prouinces ought not to be infringed or broken as by the Article next ensuing may very well appeare that is to say The Duke shall not chaunge the auncient statutes and priuiledges but by the Councell and aduise of all the estates in generall and those to be assembled duly and in good order neither may they be cōmanded and assembled by the Cleargie mē For that were against the princes oth which he taketh at his ioyfull entrance into the Dukedome wherefore they will not haue the ancient priueledges and franchises defaced but soundly conserued as well as those actes especially which king Phillip hath granted vpon that point But before I goe any further I will set foorth vnto you more at large their meaning to the ende you may the better vnderstande the matters that folow The most exlent priu●●edges of Braband the merueilous things whiche fell out about them To be short I will set downe vnto you the excellent priuiledges of brabande in sixe articles following whereof the first beginneth thus First The Duke shall not assemble the Clergie without the knowledge or consent of the other two estates to wit of the nobilitie and citizens The seconde The Duke shall not pursue any of his subiectes or enhabitantes but by the ordinarte way of iustice or law to the ende the accused may defend him selfe by his aduocates or counsellers of the law so that they may thereby in all pointes be able to defende his cause The thirde The Duke shall not impose any taxes or tollages vpon his subiectes without the consent of the estates of the countrey The Fourth No straunger may take vpon him the administration of any honourable office in Brahand but such offices as are of small estimation or importance The fifth When the Duke sommoneth and sendeth for the generall estates to obtaine any thing at their hands the Brabanders are not bounde to remoue or conclude of any thing out of their countrey The sixt if the Duke will forcibly or otherwise infringe or deface their priuiledges the Brabanders after duetiful and gentie protestation are discharged of their othe made to the Duke at their free choyse to doe whatsoeuer they thinke good Ouer and besides the aforesaid supplication of the Brabāders A supplication exhibited by those of Flanders they of Flanders exhibited another supplication although answere was made them that the Kings meaning neither had byn nor yet now was to bring in the Inquisition which made the people greatly suspect that the kings commandements edictes were counterfeited in the low countries without his Ma. knowledgee yet for al this there was great maruellous preparation made in al places For in al Senates courts Parliamēts some were appoynted to looke whether his subiects went to masse or no whether they folowed the ordinances of the romish church which officers were bound to make true certificate therof once euery 3. moneths at the court of Bruxelles yea the Inquisitors thēselues had ful authority to execute such their imagination and deuise as was cōformable agreeing with that instructiō that was granted the 31. of May in the yeere 1550. By which they had ful cōmission authority to administer the Inquisitiō to condemne correct chastise or to imprison and appoynt into the handes of the magistrate and officer whom they would Moreouer that they might haue vse what filthy prisons soeuer they pleased to iudge without any ordinary maner of lawe A secret moste subtill persuasiō of the Spanishe Inquisition sometimes chose anye one of his Ma. counsel to giue iudgement as pleased them according to the forme tenure of the popish Bul. This sentence was giuē against al such as were susperted to be of the religion or as they themselues said of Luthers or Zwinglius heresie and as many as read any of the books forbidden by the Pope should be burnt with those bookes and as many also as frequented any conuenticles where any disputing or reasoning of the holy scriptures was Ouer besides this al his maiesties subiects of what estate or condition soeuer they

an assured occasiō of trouble and muteny amongest the people which coulde in no wise abyde to be spoyled of the benefit that they tasted of by preaching and that this surceasing would turne to an vtter abolishing therof because the Estates had not met together as also experiēce had taught them besides many other reasons It was tolde vnto his excellency that it was neither reasonable dealing with God nor yet expedient for the common benefite of the cit●e to surcease the said preachings And so by this meanes the exercise of the religion was contynued And as for the bearing of weapons when as they of the religion had shewed in what daunger they stood by their meeting together out of the city without weapons it was told them that they might very wel vse them whiles they were in their assemblies But that they should leaue them without and not bring them backe againeinto the Citie wherwithal they were very wel contented therein more and more shewing their simplicitie in not looking into the waranting of thēselues their wiues and children against these helhoundes that then lay abroade The 18. A solemne procession of out lady of Anti●erpe of August solemne processions of our Ladie of Antwerp were made after the old custom wherin they carried about with them the image of our Ladie garnished and apparrelled in cloth of gold with many other precious iewels as if she had been a Queene This Image was carried about by the worshipfullest men of the Citie alwayes changing them at certayne quarters and crosse wayes of the Streetes There were at that tyme at the prince of Drange his house the Princesse his wife his brother the count Lewys and many other Gentlemen to beholde this solemne festiuall procession When this solemne procession was ended the Image was set vp in the midst of the Church as it was wonted to be where it was accustomed to stande vntill the Saterday following But because my masters of the Chapiter feared some disorder to come by reason of certayne wordes that the people spake in the time of the processiō saying O Marie Marie the Carpenters wife this shall he thy last festiuall day shee was taken away and setup againe the Tewesday following in her owne Chappell where she was wont to stande The 19. of August the Prince departed from Antwerpe The prince of Orange his goyng to 〈◊〉 and went to Bruxelles to the endelto receiue with the rest of the Counsell of the Estate an answere which her highnesse had promised to make to the deputies of the nobles the 20. or 21. of that instant by reason of a supplication which they had exhibted tending to the withstanding of the apparant troubles and commotions in the Countreys Nowe as they continued in maner and fourme as aforesaide in their common and publike Sermons certaine of lowe Flanders began to put downe the Idols and Images which thing was prosecuted in many Cities of the Countrey and amongst the rest at Antwerpe with such assuraunce and diligence as if some man had had expresse commandement from the Magistrate to execute suche an exployte with expedition This defacing of Images was the morrowe after that the Prince was gone from Antwerp to Bruxelles which was on Tewesday being the 20. of August about sixe of the clocke in the after noone And the occasion hereof grew by this meane that the Sunday next before as afore is sayde a great Image of the virgin Marie was caried about in solemne procession which was wonted to be set vp and left in a certayne place of the Temple for eyght dayes together about which euery man and woman according to their deuotion crept on their knees two or three times and on the Tewesday following the Priestes hauing shutte vp the Church doores placed her agayne in her ordinary roome And about two of the clocke in the afternoone there came to our Ladies Church certayne Mariners and other yong fellowes and merueiling that they had so often remoued the Image cryed out and sayde Marie crie vine les Gueux that is God saue the Gueses wee will giu● you the place with such other like pleasantiestes They asked also the woman that was wonted to sell the waxe candles and gather vp the offrings why they had so often remooued the saide Image and sayde further vnto her that shee might nowe shutte vp her Shoppe well inough for there were none that woulde buie any of her marchandize The woman mooued and grieued with these woordes cast the Ashes which shee had there in a pot into their eyes Whiles they were thus iesting and sporting there went to the Towne house two substanciall men and tolde the Magistrate of these tumultes and vprores The Magistrate amazed with these newes went to the Colledge and comming thence after he had paused there a while he went with the Margraue accompanied with foure Seriantes foure Halberdiers and a great trayne of people vnto the Church And when the Boyes and young Fellowes sawe the Magistrate they went out of the Churche and then beganne the Magistrate to vse these discreete speeches vnto the people saying My good friendes I pray you get you hence howebeit there was neuer a man that woulde once styrre so that hee was fayne to gette him out without any more to doe Soone after the young fellowes aforesayde came backe to the Church with one of the captaynes of the Guarde of the preachers shutting in the Church doores fel a singing of Psalmes which Psalmes being sung euery man begā to pull down deface the Images in so much that the very same night they had throwen downe the Images not onely in the great temple called our Lady Church but also in all the rest yea and in all chappels Cloysters where they made very great vnwonted caues as if they would haue drowned the Hoggesheades of wine and beare after they had drunke more then ynough and carried away all the stoore of fleshe and of other prouision whiche they coulde lay handes on Howebeit there were none that did thus but beggers women and wilde headed young fellowes And besides they deliuered out of prison in the couente of the Franciscane Fryers a poore Fryer that had been kept in prison 12. yeeres for the preaching of the trueth and deliuered also a French Baker who had been a yeere and an halfe in the towne Pryson for the religion and confession of the Gospell The Wednesday and Thursday following the worshipfull companies of liueries or brotherhoodes that had their Alter or Chappell in the aforesaide Ladie Church beganne to pull downe that that remayned and carried it out of the Churche whereupon there were others that followed them in the same Church and also in the rest to pull downe also that whiche they had leaft and this was done as if they had had commission to doe it the Magistrate not once setting him selfe agaynst them to defende it vntill at the last it came to passe that his Maiesties

Maiesties subiects were greatly offended in so much that meanes and occasions were giuen to the wicked to commence new practises who after the exhibiting of one supplication engendred many seditions disorders and rashe parts as euery man wel enough kneweth The which sedition the L. of Hoogstrate did not only not appease admonish the Citizens to desist and leaue of as being against the authority of his Ma. but contrariwise encouraged them therto personally was all in al to fauour them as afterward in very deed it wēl appeared when as he counselled them to renewe their Supplication which was the onely cleane contrary meane and way to make the Countrey of Brabant readie to become duetifull and obedient but rather enbolden them to put in execution their deuises practizes And after as he was with the Prince appoynted to the gouernmēt of the city of Antwerpe to keepe the people in the obedience fidelity of his Ma. the said Hoogstrate committed grieuous acts and amongst others openly defended the L. of Brederode against his Ma. wittingly suffered souldiers to bee leuied sent them by water to Vyane with al necessary prouisiō I wil cease to speake of the greate fauour and affection that hee hath shewed to the people wherby he mainteined the seditious parte and tooke more authority vpon him then his Ma. the Duchesse of Parma his welbeloued sister then Lady Regent of the Iowe Countries very vndutifully behauing himselfe towardes her not doing that honour which apperteined to her highnes To be short he so exalted himselfe yea rather so for forgot himselfe as that he published in the towne of Malines belonging to his Maiesty a commandement and edict without the charge and appointmēt of the said Duchesse being then Gouernesse whiche caused the people become more vnruly and goe on to doe whatsoeuer they lusted Insomuch that by this meane he encouraged the people to disobey the king after that he had both writ sēt some of the nobility vnto thē Lastly he was with the Prince of Orange and his consorts at Tennond to take counsel howe they might put themselues in armes against his Ma. to driue him out of Brabāt and the Regent his Lieutenant which thing had long before byn concluded amongest them so that there remained nothing els but the putting of it in execution that was onely for wante that they were not of power able to goe on with it All whiche things many others which in time season might be declared are the acts of a rebellious disobediēt subiect by which he hath committed high treason therfore worthy to be punished in exāple to others beseeching eftsoones his Ma. to graunt him authority to be able to proceede vpon life and death against the saide Hoogstrate During this time the Duke of Alua vnderstanding of the pacification in France that the Almaines which serued the Prince of Condie meant to come into Flanders as the king of Spaines Ambassador had both sent and writ vnto him he sent his army of Spaniards and Italians vnto the borders of Liege and also the L. Ierges with two thousand Walonnes he farther gaue cōmission to take into pay the discharged Italians which serued the French king The 24. of Aprill William Prince of Orange The answere of the Prince of Orange and Anthonie de la Laing Count of Hoogstrate aunsweared to the Inditement of the Attorney Generall of Brabant and layde all the fault of the troubles warres dissentions and seditions vpon the Inuentors and Authors of the Inquisition of Spayne and discharged them selues before the Counsell of troubles especially of high Treason accusing eftsoones the Duke of Alua of his tyrannye who was so angrie with them for it as that hee declared their goodes to bee confisked and made a seisure of the Counte of Buren the Prince of Oraunge his Sonne who studyed at Louayne and sente him into Spayne quyte against the Priuiledges of the Vniuersitye The contente of the aunsweare and defence of these noble men is this Whises the Prince of Orange had authority and Gouernement he from the first beginning of the troubles and dissentions was very painefull and diligent to appease and pacifie all the troubles that were in the Countrey of Brabant and I will leaue vnto the Reader to weigh and consider of the estate wherein the sayde Countrey of Brabant stoode both before and after the troubles of the lowe Countries and firste tell of the notable warres that the Emperour Charles the fifte of famous memorie and after him king Phillip of Spayne beeyng Lordes of the lowe Countreyes made as it were for the space of tenne yeeres with the Frenche king and what effusion of bloud happened in Fraunce the ouerthrowe of many thousandes of menne may sufficiently testifie and the Princes and Frenche noblemen and other nations whiche assisted king Henrie who bestowed both their bodies and goodes in his seruice As also maye the ruined and destroyed Townes Fortresses Castles and others or if they were well garnisoned yet they were fayne to shake off their obedience from their naturall Lorde and sweare newe obedience to a newe Lorde others that were vtterly ruined and destroyed were brought and reduced into villages and the Citizens and all the rest of the Inhabitants were sacked and brought to such pouerty as that they were all the daies of their life very poore and miserable These are the fruits of cursed warre which alas continued ouer long But as by the suppressing of the warres in Brabant and the Countries neere adioyning the people beganne to prosper and the Countrey floorish the people of the lowe countries were grieuously charged vexed with the Spanish Inquisition whiche daily augmented by reason of the increasing of the reformed religion insomuch that it was great wonder how the saide Inquisitiou was so long borne withall And yet it is most manifestly knowen that the subiects of the said low countries were alwaies ready not only to yeeld all their duetifull obedience but also hazard their liues and goods in his Ma. seruice On the other side the Nobility both did and shewed all their duetye fidelitie and louing affection and as for the Estates they richely gaue for the maintenaunce of the Warre a maruellous summe of money and that so with good heartes as that it was impossible for any man to imagine anye signe or token of mislyking in them so that it is most like to be true that the sayd lowe Countries haue so loued his Maiesty as that they behaued them selues as faithfull subiectes in all thinges which touched the obedyence and reuerence due to him to the ende that his lowe Countries might alwayes be assured against all forren inuasion and warre Seeyng then that the subiectes especially the nobility so obediently and seruiceably stood vnto his Maiesty and in the end gouerned the warres which continued so long the subiects had a woonderful great hope that his Maiesty would procure that the sayd low

they might easily haue done But contrariwise they forbore so godly and holy a resistance therefore are worthie to be iudged to bee partakers and fauourers of open and manifest Apostates heretikes and rebels Certaine also of the Nobilitie and in the name of sub●ects exhibyting bylles of complainte and supplications against the most holy Inquisition haue crafcily enflamed and encouraged the Heretikes Apostates and Rebels and therefore haue all offended in the highest degree of treason And thus it is saide and fully determined vpon in the Citie of Madrid the sixteenth of Februarie 1568. When his royall maiestie had seene the Information drawē and by his commaundement receiued vpon the cursed offence of Apostasies Heresies and rebellions committed by his subiects of the lowe Countries and had likewyse seene the mynutes and autentique instructions worthie credite annexed vnto the saide Information and faithfully sent ouer by the officers of the sacred and holy Inquisition of the lowe Countries and had besides seene the holy aduise of the office of the sacred holy Inquisition with the wise reasons which were there thrust in concerning the administration of lawe and iustice thereby for that purpose to vse his kingly and absolute power and might Sayeth and decreeth That all and euery subiect of the sayde lowe Countries and all bodies corporate and polytike of the same those onely excepted whiche in the sayde Information are noted whose names wee will in tyme and place commaunde to bee put into our Treasurie Courte of our lowe Conntries as well for theyr publique and manifest Apostasie heresie and fallyng away from God our mother holye Churche and hys Catholike commandement and obedience as also in respect of the vnduetyfull dealing of those counterfaite Catholikes whiche were amongest them wherein notwithstanding both towardes God and his maiestie in regarde of the catholike religion and their othe they are and were bound to haue resisted all publique and manifest Apostates heretikes and rebels with all theyr mayne power and force and suppressed theyr wickednesse which at the first beginning of the troubles and commotions they myght with ease lawfully haue done But they heerein contrariwise did vtterly forbeare this so holy a resistance and suppression and greatly reioyced therein and therefore are of right to bee iudged the fauourers and procurers of the saide publike and manifest Apostates heretikes and rebels They also who vnder the name of the nobilitie and subiects hauing exhibited supplications and billes of complaint against the most holy Inquisition and hauing therby vnder the pretence of godlines inflamed and incouraged the heartes and mindes of Apostates heretikes and rebels haue committed the deteftable offence of treason and therefore to bee all condemned without respect eyther of sexe or age in such paynes and punishment as the lawe hath ordeined against backslyders Wherefore his maiestie willeth and commaundeth who by so seuere sentence pretendeth to shewe some feareful example for the terrifying of all posteritie hereafter to come That the paines and punishmēts of this seuere sentence shall without any hope of fauour grace farbearing or winkyng at take full force and effect But yet in suche order and maner as shall in time and place bee reuealed and manifested in thee of our lowe countries And thus is it determined and iudged in the Citie of Madrid the 26. of February 1568. Let vs now come againe to our first matter The siege of Groening after that the Count Lodwike of Nassau had gotten the victorie against the Spaniardes hee diuided his souldiers into two companies and besieged the towne of Groening on both sides not without the great wōder of the whole world in that he durst without munition take vpon him to set vpon such a towne so strongly fortified with walles and rampares and so well victualed The Counte Megue was in the saide towne with eyghte ensignes of Almaynes and a thousande Spaniardes and Curtins Martinengo with three hundred horse The Townes men oftentimes sallied out and skirmished but chiefly the 22. of Iune when as the bestegeants were gotten into certaine of the ditches to trench The horsemen were very forwarde when as the Nassouans were busie to hynder the buildyng of the fort or trench and made liuely skirmishes so that of the Nassouans were slaine about two hundreth and so were in lyke sort a good many of Spaniardes Captaine Martinengo also was in great perill of loosing his life by reason that his horse was gotten into a quackmyre There was likewise one of the Gueses taken who as himselfe confessed meant to set on fire diuers places of the town to the end that when the Citizens haue beene busied about the quenching of the fire the Nassouans might the better haue scaled and wonne the towne Whiche Guese was hanged by the appointmente of Captaine Albanezo During these exploites Chiapin Vitelli had assembled as many men as he possibly could and whiles the Duke of Alua was preparing of his things he erected also his campe before the said towne of Groening for the defence thereof and the dryuyng away of the Nassouans but it was all in vaine There were then many skirmishes many stratagemes and warrelike pollicies Counte Lodwike at one tyme offered captaine Vitelli the battaile but he would none of it saying That he had not as yet any opportunitie because he still attended the Duke of Alua his cōming with his armie The Emperour at the Duke of Alua his request sent to Count Lodwike and commanded him vpon paine of banishing the Empyre to rayse his campe from before the towne and to get him out of the Countrie with as litle hurt doing as was possible Count Lodwike sent him worde againe Duke Lodwike his answere to the Emperour That hee could not doe it before such time as he had aduertised the prince of Orange and the rest of the Princes and Potentates his confederates thereof and that then hee woulde make hym a short answere Notwithstanding many of the Noble men of the Empyre were afraide of this message and thereupon returned home into theyr owne countries Howbeit this siege of Groening continued vntyll the commyng of the Duke of Alua who whiles hee was making of prepartion executed at Bruxelles many prisoners as hath beene before saide and in the moneth of Iuly marched towardes Boisleduke with seuenteene ensignes of footemen and certain great ordenance which came from Malynes so that hee encamped himselfe before Groening the fourteenth of the sayde moneth When Count Lodwike hearde of this hee raysed his campe and retyred towardes Embden making hauocke of all thinges in his passage breaking downe of bridges Count Lodwik● raiseth his campe and marryng the high wayes for the staying and backe keeping of the enenue but not without continuall skirmishing The Duke of Alua had sent Duke Erycke with his horsemen to Groening because the territory about the towne was moyst and soft so that the horse men coulde not passe it and hee himselfe with his foote men pursued

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

hereabout sent the Count of Swertsenbergh to the Estates offryng theim if it were possible to agree them with their kyng and to be an intercessour for them yea and promised further all the aide and seruice he was able to make and doe for that purpose The Emperour the Frenche king and the Queene of Englande sende their Imbassadours to the Estates The Frenche kyng also by Monsieur de Ballenre and the Queene of Englande by the Lorde Cobham and Maister Secretarie Walsingham one of her Maiesties priuie Counsell beyng sent all at one tyme to his highnes to Monsieur the Prince and to the Estates made the same declaration and offer whiche was to goe to Don Ihon to heare hym speake of that whiche thei pretended to gett of hym whiche thyng thei did and so tooke their iourney towardes him carriyng with them the Articles of the Estates and thei were all so foreward in their businesse as that the Deputies on either side mette at Louaine And as thei had brought the matter to a ioylly forewardnesse the kyng wrate to Don Ihon to leaue of that matter and put it into the Emperours handes Wherevppon euery manne retourned from whence he came without any forewardnesse or conclusion of the thyng And this matter begā to be treated of in the latter ende of August and ended in the beginnyng of September 1578. Duke Casunere hauyng rested hymself for a tyme Casimere coyneth hym self with the Camp of the Estates in the Countrey of Zurphen about the musteryng of his men to witte vii thousande footemen wherof fower thousande were French shotte and sixe thousande horse arriued in Brabande and ioyned hymself with the Estates the 26. of August Certaine Prelates and Gentlemen of the Countrey of Groenyng who were kept in prison in Groenyng seeyng that thei could not bee released by any of the chief Lordes letters to witte neither by his highuesse excellencie and Estates neither yet by the Commissioners whiche were expresly sent thether founde the meane to make an escape and the 17. Certaine prisoners eskape from Groenpng of September thei by a deuise got awaie sauyng three Prelates and three gentlemen who durst not put it in suche an aduenture because thei feared to bee surprised in their departure For there was greate partialitie betweene the Citie of Groenyng and the Countrey men by reason of certain Rightes and Priuiledges whiche was the cause that thei were taken prisoners Thei called also to remembraunce that the Nobilitie had heretofore armed theim selues against the Citie and had leuied and gotten together menne of warre whom the Citezeins of Groenyng draue out of the Castle of Couerden and tooke Bartholmewe Eyents their Captaine prisoner who was afterward released So soone as the force of Monsire the Duke of Aniowe Bins taken by the Duke of Aniowe was gotten into the Countreis he besieged the Citie of Bins which beyng well battered with tenne Canons and sixe Serpentines rendred the 7. of October at the discretion of the saied Duke who pardonyng the Souldiers put his owne people in Garnison The first of October The death of Don Ihon. Don Ihon dyed of the Pestilence in his Campe whiche laie hard by Namure in whose steade came Alexandra the Prince of Parma vnto whom the whole Campe sware their obedience and fidelitie 1578. The 15. of October the yere aforesaid at Leeward in Friseland in the Church called Niewenhoue and in the Franciscanes Churche were all the Images broken in peeces whiche were afterwarde restored by the Letters of the Liutenaunt the Count Rennenberge The 17. of October 1578. the Magistrate of Arras The Magistrate of Arras clapt in prison was by some of the Citezens and with the helpe of Captaine Ambrose and his people taken and kept in the Toune house whiche came by reason of a certaine Rumour that was there sowen abroade that he had receiued certaine intelligeuce from the Enemy How beit the 21. of the saied Moneth the people deliuered hym and some others were clapt vp in prison parte of whiche were afterwarde executed and parte banished Now The originall of the Malcōtentes when the Gantois had driuen out all their Churche men and broken doune all the Images in their Churches because that Don Ihou and his Adherentes had broken the pacification of Gaunt certaine Wallon Ensignes vnder colour of their paye and the restoryng of Gaunt vnto the Romishe Religion she wed them selues Malcontentes willyng that the Ecclesiasticall persones should bee restored to the possession of their goodes and that the Prisoners which were kept in Gaunt from the 20. Montigni taketh Menin of October 1577. should bee released Wherevpon also thei tooke the Citie of Menin who after thei had therein fortefied them selues and their nomber encreased their Chieftaine the Lorde Montigni and thei together beganne to make open warre vpon Gaunt for the reasons aforesaied But Duke Casimere beyng sent for came with certaine Bandes of Boyters to the ayde of Gaunt without makyng the Estates priuie thereto The Almaines that were besieged in the Citie of Deuenter Deuenter besieged and rendred stoode to the defence thereof so long as was possible yea euen vnto the 20. of Nouember and vntill suche tyme as that Count Rennenberge Baron de Ville had three whole daies together lyen beatyng at it with the force of the Canon by whiche meane thei were constrained to render it vppon Composition as thei of Campen had doen before Maister Sainct Aldegonde and soone after hym certaine others were sent to Gaunt to decide the quarrell betweene them and the Wallons howbeit thei founde those matters growne to suche a poinct and the parties so well flesht as that men iudged it to bee most necessarie for the Prince to goe thether The Prince of Orenge goeth to Gaunt for the appaising of them who to that ende tooke his iorney the 24. of Nouember 1578. The first of December the yere aforesaid the Count Swertsenbergh the Emperour his Ambassador was sent againe to the Estates with the aduise of the Emperour and of the Electors about the last treatie of peace and therevpon demaunded an aunswere from the Estates with the whiche he was forthwith changed and all by reason of the great affection whiche he had about the suppressyng of this warre and the restoryng of this miserable lowe Countreis to vnitie and peace with the Prince of Parma The 21. The death of the Count Bossu of this Moneth the Lord Maximilian Count Bossu Captaine generall of the Campe for the Estates Lorde great Maister of his highnesse housholde and a Counsailour of the Estate dyed in Antwerpe of an hot buruyng Feuer to the greate sorrowe and griefe not onely of all the Souldiers but also of all the Lordes of the Countreis and people in generall The 25. of December Mousire the Duke of Aniowe The Duke of Aniowe returneth in to Fraunce defender of the libertie of the low Countreis sent by Maister

and yere aforesaied And subscribed Ihon de Languedul M Peter Baelde The 29. of Iuly 1579. The Substitutes of the of the 〈…〉 Antwerpe appeared in the saied assemblie of the Deputies of the nerest vniō of the vnited Prouinces assembled together at Vtright the Substitutes of the Citie of Antwerpe namely Seignior Ihon de Stralen the first principall Burroughmaister Seignior Phislip de Scoonhoue M. of Waroy Sherief Ihon de Bright the old Sherief Adam Verhult Colonnell Valerius de Dale and Ihon Gysels Deane who declared that thei had seen and perused the poinctes and Articles of the saied vnion and whatsoeuer els by vertue thereof is behofull and the same thought to bee good haue by vertue of their Procuration dated the 22. of Iuly and by their letters of credit dated the 23. of the saied monethe 1579. allowed approued and ratefied and by these presentes doe allowe approue and ratefie them Promisyng with all the reste of the confedered Prouinces to keepe obserue and followe them and euery parte and percell of them in perticuler In witnesse whereof the saied Deputies of the saied Citie of Antewerpe haue with their handes subscribed herevnto the daie moneth and yere abouesaied And vnderneath was subscribed Ihon de Strahen Phillip de Schoonehoue Ihon de Brecht Adam Verhult Valerius van Dale Ihon Gysels The 13. The Deputies of Breda of September 1579. appeared in the assemblie of the saied Deputies assembled together at Vtright the Deputies of the Citie of Breda namely Godard de Lughtenbergh Burroughmaister of the said Citie Geffray Montens Sherief and Lieutenaunt to a Colonnell and a Captaine also Noell Backe Maister of the Orphelins and a dizinier who declared that thei had seen and perused the poinctes and Articles of the 〈◊〉 vnion and whatsoeuer els by vertue thereof is further behoueful and thesame supposed good and by vertue of their Procuration dated the 10. of September 1579. allowed approued and ratefied and by these presentes doe allowe approue and ratefie the same Promisyng with the reste of the confedered Prouinces to keepe obserue and followe them and euery parte and percell of them in perticuler In witnesse whereof the said Deputies of the saied Citie of Breda haue herevnto sette their handes the daie moueth and yere abouesaied Subscribed Godart de Lughtenbergh Geoffray Montent Noell Backe the soonne of Francis The first of February 1580. The Substitutes of Bruges appeared in the assemblie of the saied vnion of the vnited Prouinces assembled together at Vtright Seigniour Guido de Bruecque Sherief of the Citie of Bruges who said that he had seen and perused the pointes and Articles of thesaid vnion and whatsoeuer els by vertue thereof is further needefull and findyng the same to bee good hath without the approbation of Seignior Leuin Steppe Sherief and maister Iames Yman Pensioner of thesaied Citie of Bruges by vertue of their Procuration sealed dated the 7. of Nouember 1579. made at Antwerpe the 26. of the saied monethe by vertue of their letters of Credite and Procuration bothe at once sealed the 15. of Ianuary 1580. allowed approued and ratefied and by these presentes doeth allowe c. thesaied vnion promisyng with the rest of the confedered Prouinces to keepe obserue and followe the same and euery part and parcell thereof in particuler In witnesse whereof the saied Deputies of the saied Citie of Bruges hath signed this with his owne hand the daie monethe and yere aboue saied And subscribed Guydo de Braeck The first of February also 1580. The Substitutes of Franke in Flanders appeared in the assemblee of the saied Deputies of the vnited Prouinces assembled together at Vtright maister Gawter de Ecke Sherife of the Coūtrey of Franke who said that he had seen and perused the pomtes and Articles of thesaid vnion and whatsouer by vertue therof is further needefull whiche he findeth to bee good and doeth without the approbation of maister Isebrant Prouin pensioner of the saied Countrey of Franque by vertue of their Procuration sealed and dated the seuenteene of October a thousande fiue hundred seuentie and nine Giuen at Antwerpe the sixe and twentie of Nouember by vertue of his Procuration sealed dated the three and twentie of Ianuary that yeare and letters of credite dated the fiue and twentie of the saied moneth hath allowed approued and ratefied and by these presentes alloweth approueth and ratefieth the saied vnion Promisyng with the reste of the confedered Prouinces to obserue and followe the same and euery parte and parcell thereof In witnesse whereof the saied Deputie of the Countrey of Francq hath signed this with his hande the daie moneth and yeare aboue saied Subscribed Gautier de Ecke The Estates of Artois Haynault Lisle Douay The peace of Artois Haynault with the Prince of Parma and Orchies agreed and concluded a peace the 17. of Maie 1579. with the Prince of Parma forsaking the Pacification of Gaunt and the generall vnion whiche thereon ensued wherevnto thei had bothe subscribed and sworne And the Prince of Parma held for good and stable in the name of his Maiestie whatsoeuer was betweene Sir Matthewe Mowlerdt Bishoppe of Arras Sir Ihon of Noircarmes knight Baron of Selles and Willyam le Vasseur of Valuen Deputies and sent vnto hym and betweene theim of the saied Countries there was at Arras in the Abbay of Sainct Vast a certaine writyng established wherein were comprised 28. Articles signed by either partie and withall by the Marques of Richbrough the Count Lalayng and Seigneor Willeruall Gouernors respectiuely of the saied Countries The Sommarie of whiche Articles is the obseruation of the Catholicke Romishe Religion and the obedience of his Maiestie But because it nothyng agreeth with the Pacification made at Gannt we haue for breuities sake left it quite and cleane out The 12. Mastright besieged and w●nne of April 1579. The Prince of Parma besieged the Citie of Mastright and with suche force so straightly couped it vp and gaue so many assaultes as that these greate many yeres the like siege hath not been heard spoken of for although what by force of the Cannon and their wonderfull vnderminyng the Enemie had already woone bothe their Gates and Rampares yet were thei no whit discouraged but valiauntly like noble Souldiers and menne of warre continually repulsed theim wherein thei in verie deede shewed their greate loyaltie and cōstancie towardes their Countrie reprouyng hereby the cowardise of the Wallonnes Nobilitie who for a small portion of a share did so farforth forget it self as that thei became the Spaniar des Pages their professed enemies aidyng them to the vtter ouerthrowyng bothe of theim selues and their people And although the valiaunt Citezens were in verie greate miserie and calamitie by reason of the often batterie of the Enemie and the continuall assaultes yet thei neuer yeelded to that pusilianimitie but still stoutly stoode to this terrible siege and whiles thei were looking so wishely and so long tyme for aide and