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
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
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
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
our God for euer During the siege of Alkmer to wit the fourth of October in the yeere 1573. the Castle of the Rammekens in Zealande was yeelded vp into the princes handes because that they which were within the castle greatly feared that the myne which was digged vnder one of the greatest Towers of the saide castle woulde bee blowne vp and also by reason of the assault which they saw prepared against them The 11. of this moneth in the yeere aforesaide Gertrudenbeâ—gue surprised the L. Poyet the princes lieuâ—tenant for the warres surprised by a wonderful practise the towne of Gertrudenbergne and flue all the Walons that lay there in garnison During the time of these exploits A battaile by Sea the duke of Alua had prepared a nauie which vnder the charge of the count of Bossu kept a course to meete fight with the North Holland fleete And the name of the Admirall wherein the count Bossu was was called the inquisition These two Nauies encountring together there began a feareful thundring of Canon shot betweene them and in the ioyning was a wonderful fight and although at the first encounter the victorie seemed to leane to the Count Bossu his parte yet the North Hollenders by reason of a new strength wherewith they were supplyed had the victorie For when they had encompassed the Admyral they without ceasing so plyed the Spaniardes with balles of vuslaked lyme as that they coulde not tell where to bestowe themselues and in the meane time the rest so lustily assayled the enemie as that they were dryuen to yeelde vpon composition whereupon the Spaniardes were determined to haue set all theyr powder on fire because they feared to finde no mercy at the North Hollenders hands which thing when the rest of the ships saw they packt on all their sayles and made towards Amsterdam saue onely captaine Festen his ship whiche was suncke with a Canon shot After that they brought the Count Bossu his Spaniards with the noble prise the Admyrall called the Inquisition to the triumphant Citie of Horne where they merueilously triumphed and feasted to the great comfort of all the Countrie thereabout And therefore the townes of the North Holland to wit Anchusen and Horne are worthie all commendation for euer for their valiant and renowmed actes in the defence of their countrie When the Spaniardes saw that there was no way for them to winne Alkmer The first siege of Leyden and hauing vnderstood that Leyden was yll prouided for both of victuals munitioÌ„ they vpoÌ„ good aduise remoued theÌ„ce marched on towards LeydeÌ„ where they encaÌ„ped theÌ„ selues planted theyr ordenance the last of October before the saide towne being in good hope to winne it because of their want of victuals and they so straitly besieged it as that no man coulde ouce stirre out thereof Whiles the Duke of Alua his deuise purpose was thus made voyde as well by the dishonorable retyre of his sonne Don Fredericke from Alkmer as also by reason of Count Bossu his losse at Sea so that it seemed that the worlde went not on their side Newes were carryed by poste into Spaine that the Duke of Alua through his tyrannie and obstinate demanding of the tenth pennie Don Lewis de Requesens com eth into the low countries had made all the whole low countries reuolt whereby there was no likelihood nor hope of victorie Whereupon don Lewis of Requesens the great commendator of Castil was sent to be gouernour of the low countries arriued at Bruxelles the seuenteenth of Nouember in the yeere aforesaid When the Duke of Alua was called home into Spaine The Duke of Alua playeth the bankroute hee being mindefull of his owne profit leuied a great summe of money of the merchants because he meant to carry home a greate butin with hym And being lodged at the house of one Iohn Persins in Amsterdam from whence hee intended to depart the countrie hee caused it to bee proclaimed twise by the sounde of the Trumpet that as many as he owed any thing vnto shoulde repayre thither and receiue their money Whereupon manie came to his lodging one demaunding two thousand crownes which hee had disboursed for him in readie money another two thousand fiue hundred and so a great many mo according to the proportion of their due When the Duke had seene this account hee appointed euery of them to resort vnto him the next day at eight of the clocke in the morning to receiue their money howebeit hee was somewhat earlier then they and departed timely in the morning without bidding them once farewell Thus when the said Duke had as aforesaid most tyrannously and cruelly gouerned the lowe countries and brought it into extreme pouertie miserie and desolation be returned thence into Spaine leauing there behinde him a great number of widowes and fatherles children without either wealth kinred or friendes and so got him out of Bruxelles the tenth of DeceÌ„ber 1573. The great Commendator being receiued for gouernour arriued at Antwerpe where was a Nauie prepared by Sea to revictuall and ayde Middlebrough in Zealand being very straitly besieged by the Prince of Orange his people and as the saide Commendator greatly desired to haue the battaile goe on his side so likewise woulde hee be an eye witnesse thereof thereupon going to Bergues vpon Zoome got himself that day that the battaile should be fought vpon the top of the wall or dyke bancke to beholde it where hee manifestly and in deed saw that in steede of victorie which he had promised to himselfe his Spaniardes and Walons were vanquished The victory of the flushingers many plunged ouer head and eares in the water and many lead away prysoners being in this sort hanseled with a newyeeres gift the second of Ianuariâ— in the yeere 1574. After that they of Middlebrough had by this long strait and hard siege beene weeried and left bare and naked without all hope of ayde and succour because the Flushingers had oftentimes beene victors at Sea and taken such a number of wel appointed shippes with great ordenance and other munition and besides had gotten thereby great and rich prises their heartes were in their hose Insomuch that by reason of the great pouertie miserie and famine which they had susteined they were driuen of necessitie to yeelde themselues into the Prince of Oranges handes whose souldiers entred into it the 22. of February and his excellencie the 24 of the said moneth in the yeere aforesaide During these exploytes Duke Christopher of Bauiere the sonne of count Palatine the Elector accompanied with the two brethren Count Lodwyke and Count Henrie of Nassou came in the middest of Winter with a good sort both of horse men and footemen within two myles of Mastright wherupon the Spaniardes which lay at the siege of Leyden were driuen of necessitie to rayse their siege the 21. of March in the yeere aforesaid to resist them When the Lords
wherevnto all good subiectes and louers of their Countrey of very right offer them selues and the rather she we them selues readie because all the worlde knoweth of the peruerse counsaill and deuise of the saied Spanyardes and their Adherentes as tendyng after the long pacience of their insupportable outrage in the ende to the vtter ruine destruction and sclauerie of all the Prouinces of the lowe Countreis and the faithfull enhabitauntes of the same wherevnto it was apparaunt thei would come had it not been that some other conuenient remedie aboue all other thinges in tyme had beene prouided and that cheefly by the common power and agrement of all the lowe Countreis for the departure and driuyng awaie of the Spanyardes and their Adherentes and that after certaine louyng warnynges and admonitions by his excellencie and the saied Estates of Hollande and Scalande giuen to that ende vnto the rest of the Prouinces of the saied lowe Countreis semyng to be thereto enclined and altogether affected so that for the adâ—â—uncement of the benefite quiet and vnitie of the saied Lowe Countreis his Excellencie and the Estates aforesaid agreed on either side to meete and entre into communication together about the same when his Excellencie and the Estates of Hollande and Sealande were agreed and withall had ioyned and strengthened them selues together in this matter for the Bommelians and all the reste of their associates For the sendyng to this ende and purpose their Deputies at a certaine daie to Gant And therefore for this cause his Excellencie together the Estates of Hollande and Sealande haue substituted and by these presentes doe substitute The noble honourable and good Lorde Phillip de Marnix Maister sainct Aldegonde Arnold Thorpe Willyam Zuilen of Newfield Adrian Myle Cornelius Kyng Adrian the yonger in the behalfe and name of his Excellencie and the Estates to be all together or the greater parte of them at the said conference in the Citie of Gant and with the saied Estates and the rest of the Prouinces of the lowe Countreis or their lawfull Deputies beyng there present to treate aduise and conclude vpon whatsoeuer maie best serue for the setting fore ward of the peace Amiâ—ie and Vnitie of the saied lowe Countreis and the enhabitauntes of the same hauyng alwaies a regard to the former speeches and honest offer oftentymes by his Excellencie and the sard Estates of Hollande and Sealande and their associates but especially to the last treatie of peace with the Kynges Deputies at Bredâ— and to that whiche there vpon the matter of pacification might haue been treated of and made whervpon the said Deputies might proceade further on if thei thought it requisite or necessarie Giuyng and grauntyng vnto the saied Substitutes or to the more parte of them full aucthoritie and also generall and especiall Commission to accorde and agree with the saied Estates and the rest of the Prouinces about whatsoeuer thei shal find to be any wâ—e profitable and for the 〈◊〉 theraunce and 〈◊〉 of the Common wealth but especially for the resistyng weakening and driuyng out of the saied Spanyardes as common enemies to the Countrey and common quiet thereof and to the same ende also binde them selues with the rest of the Prouinces vnder suche reasonable conditions and articles as maâ—e be godlie and honouble for the repose and wealthe of the Countrey His Excellencie and the Estates of Hollande and Sealande aforesaid promisyng vpon their fidelitie and honour to holde the same as good and effectuall and so farforthe as concerneth them irreuocablie and inuiolably to keepe whatsoeuer their saied Deputies as before is mentioned and in that whiche hath been before saied shall treate of without crossyng or sufferyng the same to be crossed directly or inderectly bindyng them selues their gooddes and generally all the inhabitauntes bothe of Hollande and Sealande and their associates by these presentes bothe for this tyme and the tyme to come without exception of any In witnesse whereof his Excellencie and the saied Estates of Holland and Sealand to these presentes haue Subscribed and for confirmation thereof put to their seales Giuen at Middlebrough the 12. of October and at Delft the 14. of September in the yere 1576. Subscribed by Willyam of Nassou And by the especiall commaundement of the Estates of Hollande subscribed by Peter Bushe And by the expresse commaundement of the Estates of Sealande subscribed by Faymon and sealed with three Seales in redde Waxe at a double Labell of Parchement The Commission of the Secretary The Seâ—retaâ— Commission WHere about the seruice of the Lordes the Commissioners chosen by my Lords of the Estates of the Countries here about assembled at Bruxelles for a new entraunce into the conference of the pacification with the Deputies of my Lord the Prince of Orenge and of the Estates of Holland and Zealand and their Associates it was necessarily required that thei should haue a Secretary for the dispatchyng siegniyng and an ende takyng in their name all the Letters Actes Copies and other writinges about their businesse who was left by my saied Lords to bee chosen by the Commissioners aforesaied My saied Lordes of the Estates hauyng chosen and named Ihon de Penantes one of our soueraigne Lorde the Kyng his Counsellours and Maister of his Chamber of the Accomptes of Brabant a man accordyng to their hartes desire haue and doe by these presentes aucthorize the saied Penantes to make dispatche siegne and autentique of knowledge in the name and by the appointment of the saied Lords Commissioners all Acts Letters Copies Writynges that the same might be the better beleued and al other needefull businesse and what soeuer in them contained to be receiued and admitted as thynges very true and credible Prouided alwaies that he shall be duely sworne vnto the said Lords Commissioners therein accordyngly as to them shal seeme most meete Giuen at Bruxelles by vertue of the Estates of Brabant in the name and at the request of all the rest and siegned by their Secretary the 13. of October 1576. and vnderneath was written by the expresse commaundement of the saied Lordes of Estates and subscribed by Cornelius Weelemans and sealed with the priuie Seale of the saied Estates after the maner of a Commission Bee it knowne vnto all men that at the suppication and request of our saied Estates and accordyng to the agreement and confirmation of our said Counsell of Estate in maner and forme as it is set doune the 5. of this present Moneth We will and commaunde our welbeloued and faithfull chiefe Presidentes and those of our priuie Counsell and Counsell at large Our Chauncellour and Counsell of Brabant Our Gouernour President and Counsellors of Flaunders and Artois our greate Bayliefe of Haynault and Counsellors at Mons The Prouoste of Valencia Gouernour of Lysâ—e Doway and Orchies Our Gonernour President and Counsellors at Namure Our Gouernour Bailiefe and Counsell at Tournay Our Liutenaunt President and Counsailors at Vtright and the Sherife of Malines That thei cause
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
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
Prouinces shall bee bounde to be conformable to the currauntnesse of the Coyne and course of the Money accordyng to the content of suche Ordenaunces as at the first were thereon made and ordeined whiche Coynes the one without the other maie not be chaunged 13 And as for the matter of Religion the Hollanders and Zealanders shall vse their religion as to them shall seeme good And the rest of the Prouinces of this vnion shall frame them selues to liue accordyng to the content of the peace of the Religiou whiche hath alreadie been deuised and set forthe by Archduke Mathias Gouernour and Captaine generall of these low Countreis and his counsell and also by the aduise and counsell of the Generall Estates or els set suche an order herein either generally or perticulerly whiche thei shall thinke to bee most meete for the quiete and benefite of the Prouinces Cities and euery particuler Member of them and as shal appertaine to the conseruation of the goodes and enheritaunces of either Ecclesiasticall or Temporall person or persons whatsoeuer without this that there maie be by some other Prouince some obstacke or staie made seeyng that euery priuate persone is at his owne choyse to haue his Religion free to hym self Neither shall any one finde fault or trouble one an other for his Religions sake but rest onely vpon that point of the pacification made at Gant 14 All Religious houses and Ecclesiasticall persones shall accordyng to the pacification enioye their goodes and possessions whiche were mutually placed in any of these vnited Prouinces And therefore seyng that certaine Ecclesiasticall persones of the Prouinces who duryng the warres betweene the Countreis of Hollande and Zealand against the Spanyardes were vnder the iurisdiction of the saied Spany ardes and forsooke their Monasteries or Colleges vnder the iurisdiction of the Hollanders and Sealanders there shall bee a sufficient liuing prouided for them duryng their life and so shall also the like prouision bee made for all suche as withdrewe themselues out of Hollande and Sealande into certaine other Prouinces of this vnion where thei as yet still remaine 15 And thei also whiche are or haue been professed in any of the Monasteries or Ecclesiasticall Colleges of these Lowe Countreis and whiche either by reason of the Religion or vppon any other reasonable occasion will forsake or that haue alreadie forsaken them a sufficient portion to liue withall shall be taken out of the renenues of their Couent or Colleges during their life tyme so farre forth as the qualitie of their goodes and possessions will extende Alwaies prouided that whosoeuer after the date of these presentes shall enter into any of the Monasteries and afterwarde forsake them shall haue no reliefe out of them but maie for their benefite and reliefe withdraw them selues to the place whether thei caried them And that thei likewise whiche presently are or hereafter shall be in any Couent or Colleges shall bee at free choise to vse their Religion and apparell also saufe that in all other thynges thei shall be obedient to the Prior of the Couent 16 And if it shall so fall out whiche thyng God forbid that any entended mischeef dissention or discord shal arise betweene the saied Prouinces whereof thei will not be aknowne one to an other that then the saied mischiefe in case it concerne any of the Prouinces in perticuler shall be suppressed and decyded by the rest of the Prouinces or by them who in that behalfe shal be thereto deputed But if the matter concerne all the Prouinces in generall that then it shall be decyded by the Lieutenauntes of the Prouinces accordyng to the maner and forme of the 19. Article heretofore mentioned who shall be bounde to yeeld to either partie his right or els agree thereon within one Moneth or els sooner if the necessitie of the matter so requireth after it hath been called vpon or required to that ende either by the one partie or th' other and whatsoeuer shal be pronounced by the rest of the saied Prouinces or their Deputies or by the saied Lordes Lieutenauntes shall be obserued and followed without any further prouocation or tolleration of Lawe therein whether it bee by appeale reliefe reuysion adnichilation or any other quarrelles whatsoeuer which any waie might be required or vsed 17 That the saied Prouinces Cities and the Members of them shall haue greate regarde how thei offer any occasion of Warre to Princes Potentates foreine Countreis or Cities And therefore for the auoydyng of all suche occasions the saied Prouinces Cities and euery Member of them shall be bound to administer true lawe and Iustice aswell to Straungers as to the Enhabitauntes of the saied Prouinces and if any default be herein founde to bee in any of them the rest of the confederates shall procure by all iust and true meanes to finde it out that it is so and all suche abuses whereby any suche thyng might be made frustrate and lawe neglected shall be corrected and reformed accordyng to the lawes and abilities of the Priuiledges and the laudable auncient customes of euery of them 18 Neither shall any one of the vnited Prouinces Cities or any Member of them raise to the charge and hurte of one an other and without common consent any impositions preste money nor any suche like charges neither yet charge or burden any of these confederates more then thei would their owne Enhabitauntes 19 And to the ende that all occurraunces and controuersies might bee well prouided for and looked vnto The confede red Princes shal be bounde at his sendyng for who shall thereto bee aucthorised to appeace if it were possible at Vtright at suche a daie as the same shal be sent for aboute those thynges and cointrouersies aforesaied whiche shal be expressed in the letters missiues neither must the matter by common aduise and consent be kept secret nor yet be determined and resolued on by the pluralitie of voices in maner as aforesaid although there should not some appeare there by whiche euent the rest whiche did appere might also very well proceade conclude vpon whatsoeuer thei should finde might tende to the Commonwealth of these vnited Coūtreis Prouinces And that whatsoeuer thei shal conclude vppon shall likewise be obserued by those whiche appeared not Excepte the matters were of suche greate waight as that thei might abide to bee delaied in whiche case thei that appeare not might bee sent for at some other tyme to appeare at some other certaine appoincted daie vppon paine of losyng their voice for that tyme and that whatsoeuer shall be concluded vpon by those whiche are there present to stande in full power and vertue notwithstanding the absence of all the rest of the Prouinces sauing that that the same Prouince whiche cannot well and conueniently appeare maie sende their opinion in writyng and therevpon suche a regard to be had in the collection as appertaineth 20 To this ende also all and euery of the saied confedered Prouinces
¶ 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 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. geÌ„t ¶ Jmprinted at London by John Kyngston for Tobie Smith dwelling in Paules Churchyarde at the signe of the Crane BRIDGEWATER LIBRARY TO THE RIGHT HOnorable the Lorde Robert Dudley Erle of Leicester Baron of Denbigh Knight of the moste noble Order of either Garter and of sainct Michaels Maister of her Maiesties Horses and one of her Highnesse moste honourable Priuie Counsell encrease of all honour healthe and wealthe in this life and in the worlde to come the blessed Estate of life euerlastyng AFter I had finished the TraÌ„slation of this Tragicall Historie Right honourable conteinyng the verie originall of the warres in the now miserable lowe Countries whiche before those troubles were taken as it were to bee the Paragone or rather â—earthly Paradise of all the Countries in Europe whiche warres and troubles as myne Auctour hath sett doune beganne in the yere 1559. and hath continued his Storie vnto the yere 1581 In whiche I finde how the moste righteous God in his moste iuste Iudgement hath with his roddes of corrections I meane the Spaniardes and certaine other Hispaniolized low Countrey men fatherly chastized that people for their greate disobedience and woonderfull vnthankefulnesse especially for the contempte of the glorious Gospell of his deare beloued Soonne our onely Sauiour and Redeamer Christe Jesus so frely offered vnto them besides all the reste of his notable benefites whiche roddes and scourges when he hath in his great wisedome teawed vpon them for their amendement he will surely like a tender and louyng Father caste into the fire VVhiche his fatherlike dealyng should moue vs of the Englishe nation throughly consider of For in my simple opinion sauyng the iudgement of farre grauer wiser and learneder then my self our staffe staÌ„deth next the dore For where can wee read either in the olde Testament or yet in any other prophane Historie that euer GOD dealte more bountifully with any Nation then with vs either for thynges needefull and necessarie or delightfull and pleasaunt for this life So that it maie vetie well be saied of vs that we enioye a lande flowyng with Milke and Honie But especially for the plentifull bestowyng of his moste holie and blessed worde emongest vs whiche chief and principall benefite is in suche sort by the greater nomber of vs so contemned as that it must needes cause hym one daie make vs feele his heauie haÌ„d as these low Countries haue already â—elt without we speedely returne vnto him in true and vnfained repentaunce for we must not thinke that if we fault in the like sinnes but to reape the like Iudgement because he is one and the self same God in punishyng from euerlastyng No 〈◊〉 â—use sir this historie declareth vnto vs that the beginnyng of these troubles came by reason of the refusyng of the Spanishe Inquisition and of the defence of the state of Religion whiche wee at this daie professe And whiche the Lorde be thanked for it euer sitheÌ„ce the first blessed entrauÌ„ce of her Maiesties most Godly and gracious gouernment ouer this noble Realme of EnglaÌ„d hath by the good aduise of your lordship the rest of her highnesse most honorable priuâ—e Counsell been by her excellencie maintained and defended I therefore bothe because of your holie faithe knowledge zeale and obedience in the truth of the same Religion which the Lord more and more encrease strengthen and continue in you as also by reason of the aidyng of all those godly Ministers whom Sathan with his Impes and Suppostes haue sought and daiely seeke by all meanes possible to deface as manifestly hath beene seene and yet still appeareth haue the rather for these vertues aforesaied presumed vpon your honourable courtesie to choose you out from amongest the rest of the right honourable to be the Patrone of this my poore trauell vnder whose godly protection it might marche and be sheelded Humbly beseechyng your Lorshippe not to regarde so muche my boldnesse in my choise for the whiche I craue pardone as the ende wherefore the Historie was first written and for what cause also I haue put the same in Englishe And then I doubt not but that your good Lordshippe will the better accept of the one for the cause of the other And for your honourable and godlie dealyng aswell to wardes the worde as also towardes the godlie Ministers you baue shewed your self to resemble that valiaunt and milde leader of the children of Israell Moses a verie true and faithfull seruaunt of GOD ouer his house and Churche all his life long And so your Lordshipp still perseueryng therein as you haue begonne shall not onely resemble Moses but followe also the godlie steppes of that valiaunt â—aptaine Josua Moses his successor who as we read in the laste Chapter of his Booke after he had assembled all the people together and recounted vnto theim the woonderfull thynges whiche God had doen for them he exhorted them therefore to serue the lorde in perfectnesse and truth and not serue those Gods whiche their forefathers had serued on the other side of the stood and in Egipte saiyng further vnto theim that if thei thought it not good to serue that Lorde that thei should chose that date whom thei would serue For â—he if you intende to serue the Gods whoÌ„ your forefathers serued or the Goddes of the Ammorites in whose lande you dwell you shall serue them alone for me For I and my house will serue the Lorde who hath doen all these thynges for vs. VVhiche Grace and boldnesse I besâ—â—he the Lorde our God euen for his mercie and truthes sake graunt you and all her Matesties moste honourable and faithfull Counsellors I shal not here neede right honourable make any lenger discourse of the first occasiâ— of these troubles other then as I haue in the beginnyng touched for if I did I should trouble our honorable eares with superfluous matter seeyng the readyng ouer of the same which if it might so please you I gladly wish will leade you to a more sufficient and better vnderstandyng thereof whiche hath been one especiall cause why I haue offered it vnto your Lordship But more especiall to shewe vnto your good Lordship some parte of my poore affectioÌ„ and good will to wardes you who desireth nothyng more then in all humble and dâ—etifull
and the greate troubles and câ—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 theÌ„ 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 opinioÌ„ gaue expresse coÌ„mandement that the new Bishops should be appointed the counsel of TreÌ„t to be kept the Inquisition of spain to be brought in put in execution as you may briefly vnderstaÌ„d 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 â—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 coÌ„demnation 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 supplicaâ—ioÌ„ as the supplicatioÌ„ presented by the Antwarpians sufficieÌ„tly testifieth declaring that the ancieÌ„t 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 coÌ„manded and assembled by the Cleargie meÌ„ 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 priuâ—â—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 BrabaÌ„ders 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 ParliameÌ„ts 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 theÌ„selues had ful authority to execute such their imagination and deuise as was coÌ„formable agreeing with that instructioÌ„ that was granted the 31. of May in the yeere 1550. By which they had ful coÌ„mission authority to administer the InquisitioÌ„ 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 persuasioÌ„ 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 giueÌ„ 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
were whether President Counseller Boroughmaister or whatsoeuer officer els were enforced before the Inquisitors to take knowledge of as many as were preseÌ„ted vnto them punish al those that were fauourers of herefie and heretikes Furthermore the Inquisitors tooke a note of all merchants artificers poore or rich that were any way suspected of the reformed religion The Inquisitors are commonly Franciscanes or preaching Friers which take a note of al suche as come not to confession or that offer not to their boxe giuing a copie of theÌ„ to the new bishops whose officers as vshers Sariauntes first of al by coÌ„position burdened the poore soules who soone after were enforced to flee the countrey if they would not be taken so put to death as by experience often was seene At that time it was noysed all the low countrey throughout A brute rumor of warres in the low countries supposed to be a most certaine truth that Duke Erike of BruÌ„swike had leuyed a mighty army both of horsemen footmen to plant the Inquisition in the low countries by force of armes accordingly as he had before by the deuise purpose of the Cardinal of Granuelle enterprised to accomplishe so by that meane meaÌ„t to make a conquest of the prouinces of the laÌ„d of Belgique and abolish al priuiledges and franchises and in the end make an absolute kingdome of it for this cause was the charge committed to the rulers and captaines who had receiued money of Duke Erike for the leuying of men of warre These newnes engendered such a great feare in the hearts of the people as that the notablest richest merchaÌ„ts of the countrey Many merchants got theÌ„ away into other countries got packed vp al their goods together went away into other laÌ„ds insomuch that the artificer had no work to set himself vpon al reÌ„ts reuenues decreased many cities townes were vnpeopled so that it was a lameÌ„table thing to see into what a miserable estate the low couÌ„trey which before was the Paragon of all trade of merchandise not the like in the vniuersal world to be found was fallen now become thus sodainly desolate ruined Againe there were certaine gouernours officers of great authority wealth who first considering of the horrible effect tenure of the letters manifestly declaring that in case there were any man that would oppose himself against the meaning of those letters not ayde the Inquisitors for the accomplishing of their commssion that he whatsoeuer he was should be deposed from his estate another placed in his roome next of al they seeyng the fury and wrath of the people to be greatly moued through such disorderly charges and tyrannies and become so outragious mad that they would not spare any magistrate or officer whatsoeuer And last of all considering that they coulde not with a good conscience in such a case be both plantifes Iudges they were fully resolued to yeelde vp their offices into the kings hands if he purposed to persist in that his intended opinion On the otherside the ancient enemies of the house of Burgoin woulde in no wise let slip this occasion but carefully and dilâ—geÌ„tly sounded the heartes of the enhabitaunts of this low Countrey to see if they could by any meanes possible make them shake off their sidelitie from their Prince Lord hauing gotten men for that purpose to she we vnto them howe insupporlable a bondage that is by which all other franchifes priuiledges and other ordinaunces are defaced and broken and that there shoulde be other Lawes and Statutes appointed after the manner of Spaine which should haue full power and authoritie ouer their moueable and vnmouable goods their wiues and children yea that all the goodes which they haue so long possessed should now be no longer theirs but shoulde themselues also be brought into flauerie and bondage Howebeit they tolde them that this thing shoulde not take effect before such time as his Maiestie shoulde submit himselfe vnto the Inquisition Neither did they forget to shewe the great dammage and losse whiche the countrey was like to receiue through the want of the recourse and company of the Marchantes seeing that marchandize is the very nurse of these Prouinces and that by reason of the trade thereof in other partes the enhabitantes of the lowe Countreys should be ready to starue And that which is more that the bondage of conscience wherunto they shoulde be alwayes tyed was nowe concluded vppon Moreouer they compared all these thinges to other prouinces and regions with their franchises and liberties saying that these prouinces farre passed all other in trade of marchandise and goodnesse of Ground and further tolde them of the great commoditie which other prouinces receiued from these lowe Countreys and coulde not be without them Neuerthelesse their fidelitie and constant loyaltie to their prince was so great and wrought so in them as that they gaue no eare to such suborners but aduertised the Magistrate to be ware of this fetch and drift and preueut it howbeit they were no whit the more abashed for all this neither knewe they what was best for them to do or what best to be left vndone Now for the better vnderstanding of the cause why The bringing in of the new Bishoppes and in what fort these new bishops were erected we are to know that the Priestes Inquisitors for their better assurance of the bringing in of the inquisition into king Philips dominions considering that certaine ecclesiasticall prelates in some measure fauoured the Protestants and were in great authoritie and very rich they therefore greatly enuied them for it For which cause the Inquisitors imagined to erect a newe estate of prelates and to deuide the Archbishopricks Bishopricks Abbaies Pryories c. into many partes And to this ende in the yeere 1558. was appointed at the request of king Philip by the Exclesiasticall estate Francis Sonnius a Doctor in 〈◊〉 and sent to Rome Sonnius sent to Rome who hauing set foorth the noblensse of the lowe Countries and the great riches of the Ecclesiasticall prelates there wrought his matters so wisely as that hee compassed this much That Pope Paule the 4. of that name by the aduise of seuen Cardinalles appointed for that put pose gaue the saide Sonnius audience and graunted him his demaund Whereupon they tooke from the Archbishopricke of Coloigne whose dyocesse was ouerlarge the Bishoprick of Vtrecht made the same an Archbishoprick wherunto they subiected fiue other Bishops to wit the Bishoprick of Deuenter in the countrie of Tranfisselaine the Bishopricke of Harlem in Holland the Bishopricke of Leauwarden in Friseland the Bishopricke of Middlebourgh in Zealande and the Bishoprick Groening in the countrie of Wedde All which plates are farre distant from the Citie of Coloigne neither doe their languages agree with them of Coloigne and therefore the sentences pronounced at Coloigne could not wel bee
parma in that matter as that in the end shee sent the Counte Egmont towardes the kyng of Spaine giuing him charge commission to seek by al meanes possible the mittigation of his maiesties heart in getting him to cease the inquisition in the coūtries thereabout Whē the Coūte was returned out of Spain he brought letters thence with him to the Dutches charging her to deuise some sound fit meanes for the quiet tranquility of the country alwayes prouided that the catholike religion should in no wise be empayred For performyng wherof she appointed 3. bishops three doctors who were wel seene both in dininitie and also in the ciuill cannon lawes that they myght be the better able to discerne iudge of such as were accused of heresie But because this seemed to be ouer weake a moderation tendyng to the abasing of princes amongst theyr subiects the inquisition was a fresh brought in established cōmandemēt giuen that the decrees of the councell of Trent should be obserued a seuere proceeding has agaynst the aforesayd supplyāts Nowe as the cōmon people were heereat greatly troubled perplexed the nobilitie were determined to declare vnto her highnes the mischiefe that therupon might ensue protesting that they had sufficiently discharged the duty of loyall subiects vassals vnto his maiestye if for want of such prouision therein as they had deuised any ruine or desolatiō shold arise vnto the coūtry And for this end purpose there met at Bruxelles the 5. of April 1566 about 200. Gentlemen exhibited to her highnes this supplication here set downe The speeches which the L. of Brederode vsed vnto the lady Regent before he deliuered vp the supplication MAdame the gentlemen in this city here assembled The oratione◠the Lord of Brederode and the rest of the same condition and qualitie who are not in number fewe haue not met and stayed here together for any other respects then for the seruice of the prince and common weale of the low coūtries in most hūble wise to exhibite vnto your highnes this supplicatiō vpō the view sight wherof it may please you to take such order as by the same may seem cōueniēt beseeching your highnes to take it in good part Ouer and besides this Madame we are let to vnderstād that we are charged before your highnes the Lords of the Councel and others that our chiefe determination hath been to stir vp tumults to cause reuolts and to make sedition and that which is most detestable they haue charged vs that we goe about to change the prince by practising of leagues and conspiracies with strange princes and captaines as well Frenche Germanes as others which thing we neuer once thought of and is the very thing in deed that is cleane contrary to our fidelitie and allegeance and that your highnesse shall find by readyng ouer this supplication most humbly beseeching your highues by the way to shew vs so much fauor as to discouer and name vnto vs those persons who haue so vniustly slaundered so noble and honorable a companie And besides this madame the Lordes here present are let to vnderstand that there are some of them particulerly accused and charged to haue lift vp their hands gone about to put in execution the aboue said wicked enterprise as well with the French as also with other strangers wherewith we finde our selues not a little greeued and therefore we most humbly beseech your highnes to do vs the good pleasure to name vnto vs both the accusers the accused to the end that the wrong wicked deed being discouered your highnes may make thereof a quicke and speedy exāple of iustice whereby you may meete with the mischiefes hurt that therby might fall out assuring our selues that your highnes wil neuer suffer so noble honorable a cōpanie to stand vniustly charged with so shamefull wicked attempts The supplication of the nobilitie of the low countries exhibited to the Dutches of Parma and Plaisance c. MAdame it is right well knowne as presently also may bee seene that the great fidelitie of the people of the low countries towards their Lords naturall princes hath euer al christendome ouer bin highly renowmed in which alleageance the nobilitie haue alwayes been chiefe as men who neuer made any reckoning eyther of their bodies or goods for the increasing of theyr Princes honour and glorie Wherein wee his Maiesties most humble vassals entende by the grace of God for euer to continue from good to better insomuche as wee will day and night be ready both with our bodies and goodes most humbly to serue him and therefore we seeing vppon what termes the state presently standeth haue rather chosen to take a little fault vpon our selues then to conceale such thinges as hereafter might turne to his Maiesties hurt and so eftsoones trouble the peace and quietnes of these countries trusting that the effect will in time shew that of all the seruices which wee might haue done or may doe in time to come vnto his maiestie this which now we are about will be thought to be the notablest to greatest purpose whereupon wee assuredly perswade our selues that your highnesse will not but take it in good part Although then Madam we doubt not that what soeuer his maiestie hath heretofore yea and at this present doeth ordeine for the cause of the Inquisition and the straite obseruing of the commissions vpon the state of the religion hath not had any sound ground and iust title and so continue the same whiche the late Emperour Charles of famous memorie had vpon a good meaning stayed yet neuertheles seeyng that the difference of times bringeth therewith diuersity of remedies that although not many yeeres sithence the said cōmissions for al this were not rigorously executed yet haue they giuē occasiō to breed many grieuous incōueniēces Surely his Ma. last determinatiō where in he did not only forbid that any moderation of the said cōmissions should be had but also gaue expresse cōmandemēt that the Inquisition shoulde be obserued the cōmissions most sharply executed giueth vs very iust occasion to feare that therby not onely the said inconueniences may come grow but that there may also in the end a generall commotion ensue therof tending to the miserable destruction of the whole countrie as the manifest tokens of the alteration of the people which euery where may be perceiued layeth it wide open before our faces Wherfore we knowing the manifest likelihood greatnes of the danger which threaten vs were in good hope euen vntil nowe that eyther the nobility or els the Estates of the countrey woulde at some cōuentent time haue made supplication vnto your highnes to the end some remedy might haue byn foūd for the same by taking away the cause original of the mischief therfore after we had seene that they were therein nothing foreward vppon what occasions we know not
an assured occasioÌ„ 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 experieÌ„ce 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 citâ—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 theÌ„selues their wiues and children against these helhoundes that then lay abroade The 18. A solemne procession of out lady of Antiâ—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 processioÌ„ 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 giuâ— 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 begaÌ„ 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
the Deputies culled out certaine Articles whiche shoulde serue for a full resolution which his Excellencie hauing receiued digested them in order as followeth Articles agreed vpon and signed Articles digested into forme and order TO the ende that all troubles and discordes which haue fallen out within this Citie of Antwerpe by reasō of religion might cease be for euer stayed and that all the Citizens Inhabitauntes thereof might from hencefoorth liue soberlye and peaceablye in all loue and amitte together and the negotiation or traffique bee brought againe vnto the olde trade and this Citie be defended from all further inconueniences So it is that after diuers communications and deliberations heereuppon had and holden and diuers poyntes and Articles propounded both on the one side and on the other my Lorde the Prince of Orange Vicount of this Citie and the appoynted Gouernour thereof in his Maiesties name and the right woorshipfull the Scowte or Marshall Boroughmaisters and Sheriffes of the same haue as it were by way of tolleration vntill suche time as his Maiestie with the aduise of the Generall Estates of these lowe Countries shal bee able otherwise to dispose and ordeyne agreed with those of the new Religion and permitted and tollerated these poyntes and Articles hereafter written which they of the Religion haue also promised and are bounde to keepe and follow 1 First of all they maye no way hinder nor trouble the Seruice Sermons nor other Church matters nor yet any of the Catholique religiō nor cause them to be hindred troubled nor indamaged by any manner of meanes soeuer 2 Also they maye not occupie nor yet keepe their Sermons or other exercises of their religion in anye Churches Monasteries or other hallowed places but onelye in some of the three places vndernamed to witte in the voyde or waste grounde of Paule van Gamer in the horse market In the voyde or waste grounde of Maister Lyekercke in Wapper or in the whiting garden in the Hospitall medowes harde by the Garden of the Archers and Arbalisters Prouided alwayes that if they canne gette none of these places aforesaide that then by the consent of his Excellencye they maye in steede of them vse some other places of the like bignesse and scituation and for so many vse those places in the newe Towne whiche heretofore they ware woonted to haue their Sermons in 3 At which places they may all at one time preach on the Sunday and vppon festiuall or holie dayes but vppon none other daies except it be on the Wednesday when there falleth not an holy daye in that weeke And they may haue for euerie preaching place a Minister and another to be ioyned with him who by reason of sicknes absence or other let may supply the others place as an assistaunt 4 Also that all these Preachers and Ministers muste bee borne in the Countries Subiecte to his Maiestie or els bee Citizens of some good Citie or Towne of those lowe Countries And thereuppon shall sweare vnto his Excellencye or in his absence to the Magistrate to bee obedient and faithfull in all matters of pollicie so longe as they shal remayne there 5 They may not haue nor beare to nor fro vnto the Sermons and of assemblie any Harquebusses Pistolles Holbardes or other forbidden weapons Alwayes prouided that no manne shall trouble anye of them for wearing either sworde or dagger 6 Item they shall in all matters of pollicie bee obetient vnto the Superiors and Magistrates and bee contributories to all the common charges of the Citie euen as all the reste of the Inhabitauntes and imploye them selues for the conseruation tranquilitie and common weale therof as wel as they 7 Item that all Preachers of what Religion soeuer they bee shall take heede howe they vtter anye despitefull rayling and iniurious wordes and generally all seditious speeches whether it be against anthority or the magistrate or against those of another religion Alwaies prouided that any thing cōcerning doctrine or the exercise of religion the reprehending of manners and disordered kind of life shall not be taken for seditious wordes 8 Item that his Excellencie may depute any Magistrate to be present at the choosing of any ministers Elders or deacons of their Churches or at their meetings together for the handling of any other cause concerning their Religion to that end he might alwaies make a true and faithful reporte both to his Excellency and to the Magistrate 9 Item that one of them maye not mocke another ueyther yet hinder hurte nor doe violence one to another anye manner of way by reason of the diuersitie of Religion but shal be bound to helpe one another if so be any violence or wrong be done vnto them 10 Item that no person whatsoeuer he be of the one religion or the other may stop the law either in apprchēding punishing or executing of Churchrobbers or offenders either yet in any other cause whatsoeuer but that the malefactors may bee dealte withall according to iustice 11 Item that none may sing in the streets where any people shall assemble or may be assembled 12 Item that his excellency the Magistrate of this citie shal not onely protect those of the religion but also generally all the inhabitants of this citie liuing in obedience peace and politike vnitie without regard whether they be of the Catholike or of this religion 13 All which poynts articles the ministers preachers of their Religion shal in al their sermons declare againe vnto the people admonish them with al speed to order and behaue them selues accordingly 14 Item that all the poyntes heeretofore mentioned shal as it were by way of tolleration bee inuiolably obserued and kepte vntill suche time as his Maiesty with the aduise of the generall estates of this countrey haue otherwise ordeined vnto the whiche ordinaunce those of the religion from thencefoorth shal be subiect and from this present promise to folow and keepe Alwaies prouided that if herein any thing shal bee established contrary to their conscience and religion that in this case there shal be a fit time agreed vpō that they may without impeachmēt freely get them away out of the countrey with their goods whethersoeuer they please 15 Item that the Preachers ministers elders deacons and other seruitours in their Churches with a good number of the best qualified in their Religion shal agree to these articles promise to keepe cause thē to be kept to thevttermost of their power subscribe also for the greater assuraunce of this present act Prouided alwayes that they shall not by reason of this subscribing in time to come be suspected troubled nor hunted after And his Excellencie with a secretary in the name of the Magistrate of this citie shall subscribe also for their safetie vnto this present Acte of whiche two shall bee expedient the one for his Excellency and the Magistrate and the other for those of the religion In witnes wherof this present act is
running into Tournay The enimie pursuing of them came before the Citie with niene ensignes and bad them let them in wherupon they rendred the towne where they houng vp certeyne ministers and the best or most qualified Protestantes When Noircarmes saw that the Valencians were no whit discomfited with the ouerthrowe of their neighboures and that they continued full and whole stiffe and constaunt in their purpose hee retyred from Tournay to Valencia A skirmish bâ—tweene Noircarmes the Valencians and skirmyshed with those of the saide Citie where immediatly were staine an hundred and threescore of the Valencians wherefore the sayde Noircarmes sent as well to Doway and Tournay as to other Cities thereabout for as much Artillery as was possiblye to be had and after he had made his trenches and planted his artillery or great shot he summoned Valencia with the cannon so that they of the sayd Citie considering that the Noble men and Gentlemen had forsaken them tooke counsell and after some debates about the Regents letters Valencia yâ—â—lded vp the Catholikes yeelded vp the ciâ— tie against the myndes of the French and many others the 24. of Marche 1567. Howbeeit they kept not their promise whiche they had made them For Monsieur de Noircarmes keeping the gates shut for certaine dayes committed that while many cruell deeds for the satisfiyng of his bloudy minde for he houng sâ—ew many French ministers The 〈◊〉 of Noircarmes and other very well qualified Protestantes confisked their goods abolished preaching restored the Ecclesiastical state This wicked deed cruel executioÌ„ marueâ—lously astonished the rest of the cities insomuch that Cambresis was forsaken Mastright rendred and the rest shortly after receiued Catholike garrisons While these things aboue said thus houng A disputation at Antwerpe Mathias Flaccus Illiricus A man well knowne Spangenberger and other Ministers of the confession of Ausbourgh arriued at Antwerpe and prouoked the ministers of the reformed Religion to dispute vppon the point of the presence of Christ Iesus his bodie in the Supper truely a matter of ouer greate waight for so an euill fauoured vnfitte tyme. Either partie had publyshed and prynted the confession of their faith This controuersie not well vnderstood is as yet vndecided and at that time nothing was concluded vpon wherefore the Germayne Doctors a few dayes after went from Antwerpe without doyng of anye thing At this very time the Protestantes considering the greate prosperitie and aduauncement of the Catholikes and their owne declining and abasing and besides the Regent persisting in following the Protestants made small account of her promises made to the nobility nor yet of her ordinaunces by her published and proclaymed to wit that the Inquisition shoulde cease and publique preaching bee graunted but layed all the blame vppon his Maiestie exhibited the 27. of October 1566. A supplication vnto my Lorde the Count of Hoogstrate Gouernour c. And to the Lords of the citie of Antwerpe the tenure whereof ensueth To the King IN all humble and most obedient wise shewe vnto your Maiestie your faithfull vassalles and true Subiectes of all the lowe Countries That whereas they haue alwayes employed their bodies and goodes and all other dueties in your Highnesse seruice as well in your absence as in your presence neuer refusing to paye anie customes Impostes tollages nor other extraordinary subsidies for your Maiesties conseruation but still bearing and continuing the same their good willes and feruent affections to wardes you and desiring to increase surpasse daylie more and more therin doe likewise trust that they shal perceiue find by experâ—ence such your Ma. great fauour and clemency as heeretofore they haue felt by singuler and notable tokens and testimonies For although your maiestie hath beene alwayes councelled and induced to pursue by most cruell death and losse of goods as many as will not in all points receiue the doctrine of the Romishe Church as also hath of late beene propounded and set foorth by the councell of Trent thereby to maintaine the inquisition where it was first planted and to bring it into other places where it was neuer before receiued beeing a deuise wholy against the liberties and priuileges of your lowe countries hereabouts and also your faithful subiects in them Neuerthelesse so it is that your maiestie hauing vnderstood it by the supplication of the nobilitie hereabout the estate of this low countrie was well contented not onely to cause the saide Inquisition to cease but also according to your owne naturall clemencie and benignitie to surcease the commissions proclaimed about the cause of religion and the same to find out by the way of moderation and tollerations for the pleasing of your people for the which we haue to render thanks vnto our good God and to attend and looke for all fauour and grace at your maiesties hands Now the people hauing been as it were a long time brought into slauerie by keeping of the said commissions and yet hauing secretely very well profited in the true knowledge of their saluation as well by reading of the holy Scriptures inspired by God as also by the teaching and exhorting of certaine good and godly Preachers well instructed both in diuinitie and humanitie beeyng moued by the continuall slaunders and false accusations of some euill willers who neuer ceased to cause them to bee suspected of theyr religion knewe not nor could not any longer hyde it and therefore for the shutting vp of the mouthes of all Backbiters and staunderers and the satisfiyng and contenting of themselues by shewing theyr owne zeale and feruencie they went to the publike exercises of the said religioÌ„ to the end euery man might know what the religion was which they before so secretely vsed amongest themselues which beeing done there met such great numbers of men so well qualified at the assemblies and preachings as that they could hardly bee counted and the matter more hardly bee beleeued of those that were not present at the doyng and sight there of and besides the multitude still dayly so increased as that it passed all mans vnderstandyng But although the mynisters in their Sermons greatly trauelled in exhorting the people to all modestie and dutiful reuerence and obedience vnto the magistrate and in preaching namely against idolatry admonished them to conteine them selues within the boundes of their vocation without vsurping of the saide magistrates office by thrusting themselues forewarde to the pulling downe of Images and such like things yet it so fell out as that certaine companies of people carried with an ouer hoat and indiscrete zeale amongest whom were some dissolute and wicked persons who looked after nothing but spoyling and pilfring accompanied with a multitude of womeÌ„ young youthes and children gaue themselues to the pulling downe of the Images in the Churches and such other like disorders to our vnspeakle griefe whereupon the magistrates euery where were in such a fright and feare because they doubted of more grieuous
her that their contracte and promises might be sure sound seeing that she seemed by maner of an ordinari way to shake make void the contracts insomuch that it brought all the countries in an vprore trouble notwithstanding the great diligence pain which they had taken about the establishing of a good peace publike vnitie which by reasoÌ„ of the merueilous lightnes of their enemies is spurned at wherfore they beseech your highnes to suffer the people to haue their preachings and to surcease and abolish the new commissions ordeyned against them and withal likewise that all the ministers and the rest of the religion which are nowe prisoners may bee released and deliuered Moreouer that all the men of warre which are alredie and hereafter to be lcuied aswell without as within the countries together the garnisons in euery citie be cast and euery man licensed to returne home to his house and abiding place To the end the prouinces of the low countries may bee gouerned after their own liberties and priuileges and therfore do beseech your highnes to make them a short resolute answere therto The Lady 〈◊〉 gents answeate vnto the suppâ— cation The 16. of Februarie 1567 the Ladie Regent answered the said supplication in maner and forme following I cannot a little maruel ne yet thinke what noble men or people these are which exhibite vnto vs this supplication seeing that many of the Lords confedered are contented that not only the inquisition and commissions should hee obserued but are also well pleased with the assurance that is promised them and therfore doe daily offer vp vnto his maiestie their humble seruices and obedience And she herselfe also thinketh it very strange that they can perswade themselues that it was euer her highnes wyl meaning to graunt vnto the exercise of the religion seeing she had giuen it out sufficiently enough to be other wise vnderstoode by the article of the agreement although it was contrary to the promise that some of the nobilitie made to the people touching the faide exercise which was plainely against her well and intent And whereas the L. L. desired that all leuiyng of souldiers shoulde cease and be cast so likewise ought they to bee contented to haue the auncient religion without bringing in any new whereunto she neuer agreed Ouer and besides this if they did well remember themselues with what grudging and griefe of minde the preachings were in diuers places suffered without taking of offences and giuing of blowes they might easily ghesse what small pleasure she tooke in fauouring the preachings I will not speake of the rest of the exercises of the religion But so much as concerned the liberty of conscience I agreed onely to that and graunted the same that was conteyned in their supplication exhibited the fifth of Aprill the yeere last past howbeit at that time was no mention made of the cause of religion which they contrary to theyr conscience and duetie suffered longe before to enter Wherefore I haue iuste occasion to be grieued seeing they haue of their owne authoritie taken vpon them a matter preiudiciall and hurefull vnto his maiestie And therefore had his maiestie also great reason to be moued and angry when as hee was aduertised that his subiects vsed an other exercise of religion and that by theyr newe magistrates they had inforced his maiesties officers The Regent refecteth the demaund of the Gueses the doyng whereof they shoulde shortly feele and for answere thereof the Dutches dyd them to wit That they had not obserued the conditions promised and that these speeches are false and fained For many of the magistrates woulde neuer graunt to any such thing and also that shee neuer went against her promises although they had by her appointmeÌ„t imprisoned certain for their faults offences For she was neuer of the minde to deliuer the Church robbers and pullers downe and breakers of Images especially suche as were put in prison sithence the argreemeÌ„t made with som of the nobles confedered Besides all this they yet continue theyr preachinges in some Cities where were neuer any before Moreouer that they had taken certaine Churches Monasteries and Gentlemens houses dryuen out thence the knightes of the order threatened the Cleargie men preached in places where in tyme past were neuer any yea that the people is styrred vp encouraged by the confederates and doe keepe certaine Cities and places belonging to his matestie brynging in Artillerie and munition depose and expulse his maiesties officers are come in open field in armes and haue not onely threatened all the Catholikes but her highnes also And by the intercepting of letters and the men of warre of Valencia theyr purpose is founde out and knowen to wit if god had not prouided for it euen to haue depriued his maiestie of all his countries And as for their request about the casting of the souldiers that are leuied and the commissions newly published thereby their meaning is to take away the sword which GOD hath giuen vs. Lastly her highnes intent is that the Lord of Brederode and his confederates doe admonishe the people of theyr vprore and rebellion giue them warning that they take heed they pul not his maiesties wrath more and more vpon their heads After that these complaintes and answeres were made euery man on either side prouided for him selfe as much as was possible but especially the Catholiques who had the winde in the poupe insomuche that the confederates feared them by reason of the great number of souldiers that were leuied and the kinge taking their part The Count of Megue was come with certaine ensignes of footemen Bolsteduke bâ—sieged by the count of Megus and companies of horemen before the Towne of Boisleduke who helde it for the confederates After that the sayde Count sent twelue ensignes about Vtryght to surprese the souldiers and Towne of Vyane And as manye as were taken prysoners in all the Countreys were condemned and punished as rebels and seditious persons and the destroyers of the images were hanged and their goodes confisked and forfayted Ouer and besides all those that were of the reformed religion or that had frequented the Sermons were holden for Rebelles Wherefore a great number of them conueied themselues away into straunge Countreys and chiefely into Englande But some that were of courage assembled theÌ„ selues in companies In this meane while the Lordes and Knightes of the golden Fleese were newely sworne The league of the knightes of the order to keepe inuiolably the Catholique fayth emongest whome a secrete league was made by the counsell of the Count Egmount who traueyling through the Cities of Flanders and Artois where remayned as yet some Protestauntes did his best to cause the Sermous to bee left Euen as the Prince of Orange and the Count of Hoogstrate had done at Antwerpe And about Antwerpe the Lorde of Tolonse caused men of warre to be leuied in the name and behalfe of
the Protestantes who by reason of the scituation and commoditie of the place assembled them selues at Oosterwell a shorte myle from Antwerpe When the Dutchesse vnderstoode of this shee sent the 13. of Marche vnder the conduct of Hans de Grauedrossat of Brabant foure hundred footemen and fiue hundred horse which were piked out of the Garisons aswell of Brabant as of Flaunders who assayled and fought with the Protestantes ouerthrew them and put them to flight The Gueses discomfited puâ— to flights There were slayne at that instant their Captayne Mounsieur de Tolonse and a great manie of others some gotte into the Medowe ditches thinking thereby to saue them selues howebeit they were slayne with Harquebuze shotte and some of them were burnt vp in the Barnes and Houses of Oosterwell without any resistaunce They tooke also a prisoner who had a scrowle of the names of all those that subscribed to the Conspiracie by which meane they learned and came to the knowledge of manie secrete purposes whereupon also ensued very much mischiefe When the Protestantes of Antwerpe vnderstood of these dealings they put themselues in armes and passing by the Meire Bridge marched on towardes the Gate that they might get out of the Citie to helpe their people But my L. the P. of Orange who remayned stil in Antwerp gouernour for his Maiestie being hereof aduertised came vnto them and admonished counselled them to leaue off that enterprise saying that it was impossible for theÌ„ to ayde the souldiers of Oosterwell and that if so be they issued out of the Towne they should tast of the same sawce and be laid on Gods deare earth as we say as the rest were because they were too too weake to deale agaynst Horsemen But if they woulde abyde in the towne that theyr bodtes and goods shoulde be saued for there shoulde no man take any wronge in his presence Whiles the Prince was thus talking with the Citizens A sedition and tumult in Antwerpe the tumult encreased more and more For both horsemen and footemen had taken and kept the Meire Bridge and the streete called Hauuetters street where they continued in armes vntill it was after noone During these troubles the Prince had talked and agreed with the Magistrate and counsell of Antwerpe that the three companies of the souldiers that were leuied for the safeguard of the Citie as before hath been said which were ranged in order of battayle in the market place shoulde returne home and the artillery be drawen to the ordinarie place And although through the good and gentle woordes of the Prince of Orange this tumult and trouble was supressed yet renued it agayne by reason that the Italians Spaniards Catholikes together those of the religion had gotten the Market place on horsebacke Iusomuch that they of the reformed religion assembled themselues a freshe This sedition continued two dayes together and euery man doubted that some mischieuous issue woulde thereon eusue And as they were all very desirous to haue one another by the eares it was feared that there woulde bee a wonderfull great effusion of blood and that the victors would sacke the vanquisheds houses Insomuch that there was great mourning and weeping of women and children in euery house But as eyther part kept their order of battell the Prince and the Boroughmasters traueiled in all they might to agree them The tumultâ— suppressed and stayed the apparant effusion of blood and dealt so earnestly betweene them as that they appeased the parties as followeth 1 First That all the Citizens both of the one religion of the other shoulde be sworne to bee faythfull and loyall to the king and to the Prince of Drange for the common quiet and benefite of the citie of Antwerp and with al their care and fidelitie stoutly keepe and defende the same 2 The Gouernours and Magistrates shall not receiue any men of warre into the Citie without the common consent of the three members of the Citie 3 All the priuiledges and liberties of the Citie of Antwerpe shall be obserued 4 Item That for the benefite of the common weale and the aduauncing of the negociation or trade the agreement made in september concerning the religion shall abide in full strength without any fraude or guile whatsoeuer vntill such time as his Maiestie with the aduise of the generall Estates shall otherwise haue appointed the same 5 Item That the beste qualified of eyther Religion shal promise not to molest one the other but in any neede assiste and ayde one the other to the vttermost of their power 6 That for the better assuraunce the keyes of the Citie shall be deliuered vp into the handes of the Prince of Orange to shut and open the Gates thereof 7 There shall be a good watch appointed of Citiznes and souldiers of the Citie 8 All thinges that are past shall be forgiuen and forgotten 9 Whosoeuer he be that watcheth not shall keep his house and tende his businesse 10 Item That for the greater safetie of the Citie there shall bee leuied by the consent of the three members foure hundred Horsemen and the Skelde to be guarded by the furnished Shippes of warre if it shall seeme good to those of the religion and the Chieftaynes who by the common counsell are thereto appoynted 11 All the enhabitauntes of the Citie of Antwerpe none excepted shal be bounde to helpe beare the charges which shall bee made for the conseruation of the Citie 12 All the Artillery that is planted on the Bulwarkes and on other places shall bee deliâ—ered vp into the handes of the gouernours 13 All the troubles with a common assistance shall be suppressed for the common quiet of the Citie and the seditious enprisoned 14 For the greater assuraunce and obseruing of the things and pointes aforesayde The Gouernour Magistrate and other officers of the Citie all those of the religion shall by othe confirme them selues to keepe them without fraude or guile whatsoeuer 15 The Captaynes and Souldiers which are now leuied or that are hereafter to be leuied shal be retained vntil such time as it be otherwise agreed vpon Lastly They of the religion beseeche her Excellencie that it woulde please her to bee alwayes myndefull for the welfare of the Citie and haue a care for his Maiesties profitand the Cities These Articles beeing accepted on eyther side The Spanyardes and Italians departed first nexte the Gueses who at that tyme were so called and last of all the Catholiques and the laying all at once their Armoure and weapon aside During these troubles The L. of Breâ—erode taken for â—rebell the Dutchesse had sent one of the Secretaries of the prinie Counsell to the Lorde of Brederode and to his consortes who lay in Holland in the Citte of Amsterdame sharpely commanding them to departe the Citie and Countrey by reason of the rebellion which they had committed against his Maiestie if they woulde not bee pursued as enemies to the Countrey and
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
all their friendes and spende their liues in perpetuall miserie which thinges did not onelye cause great alterations and changes but an hatred against the inquisition Insomuch that in many places the officers durst not openly put it in execution but very secretly and yet not without great perill and danger of commotion Which thing some of the officers can beare witnesse of who had some of the prisonners taken from them agaynst their willes whiche caused all suche as experience had taught long before to foresee that the sayde Inquisition woulde bee the cause of some trouble and commotion if in continuaunce of time it were not wisely prouided for and good order taken about it The Queene of Hongrie then gouernesse of the low Countrey greatly feared this mischiefe and miserie Wherefore shee tooke her voyage to Ausbourgh towardes her brother the Emperour of famous memorie Charles the fifth with whome shee so handled her businesse as that the crueltie of the Counsell of Trent then concluded vpon shoulde be moderated and that the Antwerpians and Brabanders that woulde not receyue the Inquisition shoulde bee quite and cleane rid of it as afterward they were Nowe whiles the Countrey of Brabante had beene in quiet a good long time throughe the aucthoritie of the Gouernesse and that all thinges were ordered by the aduise of the Counsell of estate the Attorney Generall thrust himselfe in to treate or deale immediatly after his Ma. departure eyther alone or els with some tyrannous noblemen of in matters of great charge and waight and immediately signified vnto his Ma. of their peruerse counsel When the king was aduertised that the Inquisition had not his right course and proceeding he was very angry pensiue neuerthelesse some curteous noblemen earnestly besought him to haue an hearty remembrance of the seruices good deedes which his subiectes had done in the former warres so rule himself as the state of the time required abolishe all newe deuises as the new Bishoppes the Inquisition according to the priuiledges of the countries seeing that some wicked men had practized these new deuises in the lowe Countries contrary to the state of the time and against all the immunities and priuiledges of the lowe Countries and that those thinges might be abolished considering that the troubles and commotion in Fraunce which happened there by reason of the Inquisition are appeased and suppressed by the ceasing therof Moreouer that the erection and institution of the new Bishoprickes is hurtfull to the forraine Archbishoppes and bishoppes whiche haue any iurisdiction and diocesse in these low countries For this and many other reasons therefore they of the lowe Countries considering that the newe deuises were the causes of great misery and manye mischiefes if in tyme they were not prouided for and remedyed made complaynt vnto the Gouernesse who by and vppon the deliberation and determination of the Counsell of estate dispatched the Baron of Montigni knight of the order and sent him poste into Spayne to his Maiesty with commission to declare vnto the king the Estate and generall mislyking of the lowe countries whiche hath risen by reason of these newe deuises and that for this cause it is come to passe that the Nobilitye of Brabant to meete with this mischiefe and misery haue beene pressed and constrayned especially to haue theyr desire and demaunde accomplished alwayes hoping that his Maiesty would satisfie their request or that he would at the least moderate the charge and burden wherwith they were too too much oppressed and especially the Byshoppes and Abbots whiche heretofore flourished in Brabant were nowe greatly endammaged wherfore they haue likewise sent their Deputies vnto his Ma. as also the Antwerpians for the withstanding and letting of the Inquisition and the Institution of the new Bishops The which message at sometimes had kept in suspence the troubles of the low countries because euerye man hoped that the sayde Deputies and Ambassades might by his Maiesties good counsell and conclusion receiue some good ordinance for their aduancement and profite accordingly as the affayres required But that the reformed Religion was so rooted euery where as that in some places Sermons were openly preached to wit at Valence Tournay and other Cities and Townes the reason was that because the liberty of the religiō in France was agreed vpō the low countrey mē hoped verily thought thēselues to haue as wel deserued for their seruices passed towards their king his presidēts as the Frenchmē towards the French king and therefore that they ought likewise to bee agreed haue the liberty of conscience granced of them For it might be manifestly seene that it was impossible for the auncient Romish ordinances to be obserued and kept in the countries aforesaid because that they which vsed the trade of merchādise bought solde their commodities with such nations their neere neighbours as were of another religion But when the aduerse party began to suppresse root out the reformed religion thē it might be easily seene how it continually grew encreased And yet neuertheles the cardinal of Granuelle so hotly followed his busines as that he put the afore sayd Bishops in possessiō because be himselfe had the Archbishoprick of Malines for his share by vertue wherof he was Legatus natus Primate ouer al the other bishops had ouer besides for a commendum the Abbotship of Affligam which was one of the richest in al the whole countrey hauing gotten also to himselfe of the Abbayes that remayned certayne of the Diuines to be his fauourites And although cōtrary to al hope expectation this new deuise was brought in into diuers cities yet might the enuy malice of many be easily seene knowen herein for diuers cities woulde at no hād receiue accept of these new bishops but opposed thē selues against them to wit the Antwerpians Rurmondians Goreningians Deuentrians others Howbeit by this doing the cardinal of Grāuelle had obteined such authority fauor as that he might giue away bestow al his M. offices benefices wher it pleased him insomuch that he had gottē for his part to be Lord king ouer al his other fellow bishops for by the mean diuers deuises were practized to obtaine keepe the authority superintendentship in his Ma. countries And to the end he might vnderstād the state of al the whole doings there as also to get the loue and good wil of al the kings princes potētates neere about he had authority to make place al his Ma. commissaries other officers emōgst the rest made his brother Germaine Ambassador in France who had woon there such fauour as that the king and the Queene sent with al careful diligence to haue him sent back vnto their Ma. for the quiet of the common weale And whosoeuer would cōsider throughly weigh the things afore said might easily iudge who it was that had vsurped chalēged to himself power
maiestie howbeit no whit agreed vnto neither yet published Ouer and besides this in the end of the same yeere his maiestie gaue expresse commandement that the new bishops should bee brought in without contradiction or els proclaime the decrees of the councell of Trent giue vnto the Inquisitors their authoritie and power by which they had both teÌ„poral ecclesiastical knowledge authoritie that the determination couclusion of the Tridentine councel shold foorthwith be put in execution with all seueritie The copies of this commandement were by and by sent vnto al the cities townes of the low countries expresly coÌ„manding them to rule theÌ„selues according to his maiesties commadement and commissions This was the second cause and chief occasion of the alterations and disorders as hereafter shal be shewed Seeing then that the inquisition principally was by his maiestie expresly coÌ„manded it must of necessitie follow that al the fault of the troubles and disorders passed is to be laid vpon himselfe vpon none els Wherfore it neither agreeth with the truth nor yet any way like to be true that through the exhortation of the prince of Orange the subiects should rebel against his hignes or that he first of all should by his perswasions draw them out of the way stir vp the greatest part of the nobilitie to confederate theÌ„selues with him or to be mutinous and by an oth confirm their league to the end to oppose defend themselues at all times against his maiestie his ordinances which were from the first beginning obserued kept And besides it is vnlike to be true that this asseÌ„bly and confederacie was made in his courts of Breda Bruxelles so accordingly to be the authour fautor chiefe of the obstinate mutinous rebels or disturber of the publike weale For he neuer stirred vp sedition or dissention against his maiestie therefore ought not to be accused thereof for the saide conspiracie began not by any exhorting of his but through the griefes proceeding from the Inquisition and because that the promises and other incidents made in the yeere 50.55.62.65 as before hath been declared and shewed were not performed and kept Wherefore the prince of Orange affirmeth that by the foresaide league and the accusations and other matters ensuing the selfe same thing came to passe which the Dutches of Parma heeretofore had spoken in open councell to wit that the declaration of the cruell commissions published by his matestie woulde cause a merueilous alteration seeing that many had conceiued som good hope of the good tidings that the Count of Egmont would bring with him at his returne out of Spaine And it is sithence also come to passe that it was written to the Dutches as she herselfe hath confessed in her answere that the declaration of the Commissions published by his maiestie was the cause of the whole alteration which commissions as before is said are the very spring head of the league made against his knowledge and will But so soone as the same declaration was come to the handes of the said Dutches and vnderstood the content thereof 15. dayes before the confederates had assembled themselues at the Towne house she saide and expresly declared that the same declaration liked her not in al those points that she could not deuise howe the rigour of the commissions coulde by any meanes keepe the lowe countries in peace and â—nitie Surely her highnes tooke not the meaning of the consederates to bee sedicious seeing shee vertly beleeued that the confederates woulde attempt nothing against his maiestie nor their countrie neither yet any thing that might be hurtful thereto so that this is a cleere case that these alterations troubles came first and principally from the Inquisition Here are to be considered and weighed the examples of Germanie Fraunce England and Scotland ho wheit it must needes bee graunted that his maiestie meant to shewe nothing els by the setting forth of these cruell commissions but in time vtterly to destroy the countrie of Brabant And contrariwise in the countries where the religion or at least the libertie of conscience is graunted and agreed vpon where the Inquisition hath had nothing to do there is a peaceable and quiet abiding and dwellyng Which thing witnesseth vnto vs that there is a greater difference to liue with libertie of conscience without the Inquisition then in all malice iniquitie and licenciousnes without correction and chastifemeÌ„t neyther yet did it euer like the princes potentates of Germanie who euer desired the peace of theyr countries alwayes sought the publyque weale of them vnto whome the matter as greatly apperteineth as vnto his maiestie but to suffer the libertie of religion or conscience if at any time they feared commotions and rebellion Moreouer his maiestie might well enough vnderstande the meaning of the confederates seeyng they neuer shewed themselues obstinate or went about by force to obteine that which they craued but only besought his matestie to vnderst and their grief and supplication thereupon take the aduise of the generall Estates promising hereafter to liue in the cause of religion according to the ordenauce determination of the said Estates And theÌ„ if any man should be disobedient seditious or a disturber of the common weale that he might be punished according to the qualitie of the offence Now the confederates desire nothing els but to haue their supplicatioÌ„ heard or that the generall Estates might be called assembled together and seeing that this busines had so fallen out in Brabant that is was also necessary that a thing of so great importaÌ„ce should be propounded to the said estates who in all ages vpon such occasions according to the tenure of theyr priuileges were called together by the Emperour Charles the fift to determine conclude vpon the state of religion according to the ordenances which cleerely may be seen in the text graunted and published in the yeere of our Lord. 1531. Wherefore the confederates thought it lawefull for them to requyre and craue so much sith it hath been alwayes the custome in such sort to require such kind of things As also in the bookes of the Machabees we shall finde good and holy confederacies made for the aduauncing of the glory of God the welfare and health of the Gouernors and Magistrates and the prosperity of the common wealth of the countrie Likewise the prince of OraÌ„ge thinketh that the confederacie of the nobilitie ought not to be takeÌ„ for sedition or rebellion against his maiesty forsomuch as coÌ„cerning the same the coÌ„federates haue toyntly promised to ayâ— and assist one the other against the same but yet vpon this condition that this conspiracie as before is sayd should end when as his maiestie had by experience found that the Inquisition wold be enemie to all peace tranquilitie wherefore they also offred to desist leaue off theyr petition purpose yeelde vnto his maiestie alobedience
be ruled by the determination ordenāce of the generall estates The dutches also was of this minde who had said before the arriuall of the confederates that she was of the opinion to moderate his maiesties determination as touching the Inquisition yea she made a kynd of shewe in the kyngs name that she would exempt the countrie of Brabant from the Inquisition howbeit sithence her first commyng into these low countries vntill her departure hence she hath in very deed shewed the contrary For shee tooke this confederacy and the exhibityng of the supplication for disobedtence and sedition although shee had notwithstanding heretofore dissembled the same both in word and deed This her dissembling and hypocrisie the prince minded to shew not that hee had beene the inuenter and furtherer of this confederacie which no way toucheth him but because he woulde hereeby declare that she iumped with his maiesties opinion who esteemed of the confederates as rebels traytours But when as the dutches by his maiesties commandement by the aduise of all the councels had agreed to the supplication of the confederates yea so far as that she had promised vnder her owne hand and seale that the confederates should not bee holden guiltie nor yet accused by reason of this cōfederacie nor of what soeuer followed thereon it followeth that neither his maiestie nor yet the dutches had iust occasion to distrust the confederates neyther say that the Dutches had done it for any other purpose to appease those that had vndutifully behaued themselues and cast downe the Images which was altogether done against his will and pleasure Neuerthelesse a man might say that his maiesties meaning and the Dutches were diuerse although they agreed and were all one For the intent of eyther of both was none other but to winne the friendship and good will of the confederates whereby the welfare of his maiestie as they thoughte shoulde bee more aduaunced then hyndred For the declaration of his Maiestie and of the Dutchesse hath been so at large set downe as that it is enough to excuse and purge them of the accusation wherewith they were charged wherefore it is to be considered that neyther his Maiestie nor yet the Dutchesse do take the confederates to bee seditious thus a man may easily weigh how variable and inconstant the hearts and thoughtes of Kings and Princes are Moreouer the king had written with his owne hande to the same intent and purpose in the moneth of August to wit after and before that the sayd confederacie and supplication were made that his Maiestie greatly liked of the prince of Oranges seruices neyther did hee make any account of that that had passed and that the Prince shoulde not leaue off for any other reasons to bee perswaded touching his fidelitie but that his Maiestie wholly trusted him and woulde not beleeue any reasons that shoulde tende to his hurt of whome hee wrote that they had been too blame and done very ill Thus by the reasons aboue sayde may easily bee perceiued that there is no likelihoode why the sayde Prince shoulde bee called the chiefe inuentor and fautor of those that were rebelles seeing it could not be founde that he had stirred vp maynteyned and defended the sayde confederates neither was any man able to say that euer he protected any of the confederats or others and therfore why should he be ther of accused furthermore he is charged that some of the confederates put thē selues in armes and stood at defense in diuers places without regarde of any thing what so euer which matter toucheth no whitte the sayde Prince and therefore not bounde to answere it neyther yet to excuse himself for other mens faultes and offences and agayne hee is not to be charged in that that some of the confederates became after Rebelles and Traytors seeing that what so euer ensued thereof was done not onely without his commaundement but also to his great sorrowe and griefe Yea and that which is more all these thinges were committed in his absence and for that cause leuied hee men of warre for his owne defence although his aduersaries say to the contrarie and that this was done by reason that hee woulde take al his Maiesties authoritie to him selfe considering that he had at that tyme in his handes both cities and castles Howebeit the Prince had none other meaning but according to the Dutchesse commaundement reduce the sayde Countreys especially Holland Zeland and Vtryght of which he was goueruour to peace and quiernesse and them to conserue vnder his Maiesties obedience and fidelitie doing all duetie for the saythfull administring of his Estate and office Whereof the presidentes Counselles Estates Officers and Magistrates of the sayde Countreys and Cities can beare him good witnesse and that he was no whit partiall but admonished eyther partie to bee obedient and faithfull vnto his Maiestie as hee also so did in many other places where he had any dominion Which thing may manifestly bee seene by that that the Prince by the grace of God hath there resisted and letted that in all these troubles and seditions no Citie or Towne belonging to his Maiestie hath been endomaged taken or withdrawne either from his or the Dutchesse obedience And for confutation and ouerthrowe of the Count Hooghstrate his inditement and the accusation of his ambition and for the holding of an assemblie in his castle of Hooghstrate or the conspiring with the Countes of Egmont and Horne at Deuremond likwise his conspiracie with the Prince of Orange in ioyntly ioyning together in armes against his Maiestie and the stopping with all their power and might the enteraunce of his armie into Brabant The Prince protesteth and referreth himselfe ouer to the testimonies of the Lordes that then were assēbled at Hoogstrate who can report whither any other matters were there treated of then visiting of one another and to be merry together in meeting of certain noble mē strangers their good friends kinsmen neither shall it euer be prooued that any thing in that place was determined concluded vpon that might any way turn to his M. hurt And again they shall neuer be able truly proue that he had been at any assembly either at Deuremond or in any other place about the consulting conspiring for the stopping of his M. arriuall into Brabant But he right well vnderstandeth that all these actions haue sinisterly bin enterpreted vnto his M. which hath greatly empayred his highnes louing affertion to wards him For he had gotten the copy of a letter written by Francis of Alana his M. ambassador in France to the Dutchesse that whē time place serued the Countes of Egmond Horne and the P. of Orange shoulde be punished as they had deserued but that in the meane while they should be gently and louingly intreated and in the said letter was also conteyned that the troubles and commotions in Brabant were imputed to them Thus here we see the principall cause of their
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 subâ—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 draweÌ„ 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 punishmeÌ„ts 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 woÌ„der 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 coÌ„ming 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 Lodwikâ— 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
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
by the ordenaunce of the Captaines which were at Leyerthorp namely Le Drossat of Wedd and Gerard of Sichem aduertised them of the singular grace and fauour which should be graunted to the Leydens if so be they woulde in any reasonable order submit them selues vnto his Maiestie and that they should haue a gratious and commendable pardon Wherefore if they were so minded that they might send their deputies and for the suertie of their persons they offer the sayd Captayne and Drostat to hee their Ostages or pledges and to come to the Towne vntill such time as they had conferred with Frauncys Baldez Generall of the Campe who then laye at Haye c. The Townesmen after the Romayne and Grecian manner brieflye aunswered these Letters in this one verse following Fistuladulce canit volucrem dum decipit Auceps That is to say The Fowler with the sweete call of his pipe beguileth the Bird and driueth him into his net The sayde Hooghstrate wrote another Letter the same day vnto his Cosin aduertising him that he feared that his firste Letter which he sent by a mayde seruaunt neuer came to his handes seeing he had receyued a Letter enâ—orsed To Mayster Gerard of Hooghstrate But nothing was written in it saue Fistula dulce canit c. without any subscribing which caused him to write another Letter to put him in minde of the contents of the firste aduertising him that it would turne neither to a fable nor yet to any merrye iest if the Leydens contemned his Maiesties pardonne greatlye threatning the Townesmen besides with the great preparation and furniture nowe already in hand and yet still in preparing and furnishing for the chastising of obstinate rebels with many such other like reasons They Spanyâ—lated Iohn le Hutter writeth to the Leydens The 29. day aforesaid Iohn le Hutter wrote a letter froÌ„ Hay to the Burroughmaisters of Leiden as it were to the same effect the Hooghstrate his letter was He wrote that some of his Maiesties men of war were returned againe into the countrie to the end to ease and deliuer the paysauntes of the great charges and exactions which were layde vpon them and also of the Leydens to offer them a general pardon aswel for the offences coÌ„mitted in the yeare 1566. as at this present and certified as he which hath seene the precinctes of the exceptions that no person within Leyden is excepted in the sayde pardon because they had about a month sithence refused to take in the Princes men of war saue onely now about two daies past And therfore he aduised them to accept of his Maiesties grace while it is time to the ende they fell not through the force of the Camp which was at hand into extreame miserie and calamitie And that Seigniour Baldez would make intercession for them by his Letters vnto the great Commaundator that they might euen with the first commers haue their parden and therefore if they minded to accept thereof that they shoulde send their deputies to parle of the matter For so soone as they had gotten their pardon they should then be charged but with a small garrison of Almaines promising them all ayd assistance for the doing hereof The same daye also wrote Iohn Gautier of Wybesma to the Leydens vehemently vrging the matter in the beginning of his Letters and greatly commending their fidelitic in that they had not receyued in any of the Princes Garrisons supposing that the same would greatly auaile them and was a singular seruice for his maiestin He also set before them as the rest did the general pardon and that it was not the kinges pleasure that there should be any effusion of bloud within his Cities and Townes Counselling them to keepe their Gates fast locked as well against his Maiesties people as also against the Princes vntill such time as they had obteined their request and gotten it signed with the kinges owne hand promising them in the meane while to lye quietlye and still without doing any hurt to their Towne and that they would giue commaundement that all their Cattell should freely feede in their medowes and pastures Offering them to come in person to Leyden and hazarde with them both theyr bodyes and goodes promising besides that for seauen yeares space no not whiles he lyued they should haue any Garrison in the Towne for he know what the expresse charge was which he had from his Maiestie Deale not saieth hee with anye manne and let none enter vntyll such tyme as I my selfe haue talked with you and write vnto mee an aunsweare heereof and let euery of vs be loyall and faithfull My intent and purpose was here to set downe the Hyspaniolized Hollanders letters thereby to she we the constancy of the good Citizens who notwithstanding this sweete and sugred writing and cruell threates calling to minde the confederacye which they had made with an othe remaining firme and constaÌ„t made these letters profitable vnto them Let these letters and Citizens therefore be an example to all the rest of the Cities and townes which hereafter may be besieged that in this or the like occasion they become stedfast and constaunt and keepe their faith and promise with their fellow countrie men After that the Papistes aforesaid had been in councell at Zoeterwood and had there as in other places inforced the paysants to lade theyr boates and barkes with earthen cloddes seeing what small effect their letters had wrought but onely discouered thereby their owne intent and purpose and encouraged the Citizens they so straitly hemmed in and couped vp the Citie with their Trenches and Forts at Poele bridge and Harlem Mere bridge as that from thence foorth nothing could be carryed to the town but in marueilous danger which before might easily haue been done in this maner the Goudeans attempted this enterprise the 6. of Iune Certaine Citizens who by the sodaine besieging of the Towne wild they nild they were shut out of Leyden had laden by his excellencies lycence and the assistance of the Gouernour and Burroughmaisters of Goude 30. Barkes with wheat and Rye By reason that two Paysaunts and a Marshall had bragged that they would guyde them in a secrete way through Coppiereka which they had cut through and after got into the barks to conduct them to Leyden Nowe the Barques being well furnished with water men and hauing also in euery of them two souldiers sayled by nyght to the sayd Coppiereka which they found to be very deepe cut howbeit the paysaunt which should haue beene their Pylot was not there wherefore they sayled on and where they should haue taken the left hande way they tooke the right sayling still a wronge course vntill such time as the day beganne to breake and they thought the Paysant had betrayed them who indeed by reason of the greate payne that hee had taken was fallen a sleepe behinde in the way Wherefore they returned backe to Gaude without executing of this enterprise
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
voyde and of none effect And the same with all their Actes and Actitates drawne and set doune in writyng shall be made voyde and razed out of their Registers without it be needefull for the takyng of some other Instructions or els for the obtainyng of some other tolleration then this present Treatie Neuerthelesse what soeuer Incorporation Rightes Customes Priuiledges Prescriptions aswell Legale Conuentionale Customary as Locale nor yet any other exceptions what soeuer to the contrarie whiche herein or in any other matters els concernyng the saied troubles shall bee voyde and of none effect as beyng thynges if neede were hereunto especially derogatorie neither is a setled lawe any generall derogation without there bee some former mention thereof made 11 It is alwaies prouided that herein shall bee comprised for the enioiyng of this present benefite the right honorable Ladie now wife to the right noble Count Palatine of the Rhine Elector sometyme the Lord of Brederede his Widowe so farre forthe as concerneth the Countrie of Vyane and the rest of the Goodes and Possessions there wherein the saied Countesse Palatine or any other that taketh her cause in hand maie haue lawe and Iustice 12 There shall likewise herein be comprised the Count Buren so farre foorth as toucheth the Citie and Castle of the Countrie of Buren and the same inioye as his owne proper Gooddes and Possessions after that the Garnison is displaced 13 All the Pillers Trophees Inscriptions and other Monumentes whiche the Duke of Alua caused most dishonorably and shamefully to bee erected and set vp aswell of the thynges aforesaied as of what soeuer thyng els shall be defaced and vtterly destroyed 14 As concerning the commodities of the Lordshippes and Possessions aforesaied the Arrerages and Reuenues of Dowries Rent Victuall House rent aswell the Kyng Countrie Cities and Townes as also all other thynges what soeuer before the date of this presentes and yet neither paied nor receiued by his Maiestie or hauyng his Action euery man maie receiue his owne Goodes and rentes and quietly enioye them 15 Prouided alwaies that what soeuer of the saied Landes Reuenues Rentes or Goodes hath beene escheated sithence the Feast of Ihon Baptist last past in the yeare 1576. shall remaine and be aunswerable to the behoofe of him to whom it belongeth notwithstandyng that the receiuer fiscall or any other haue receiued any of the reuenues of those Lands Rentes and Goodes whereupon in suche a case a restitution shall be made 16 That if so be his Maiestie shall haue for certaine yeares taken or els giuen vnto him any of the said House rents or other reuenues vnder the title of confiscation that euery man shall for those yeares bee holden as franke and free and acquited of all charges reall and rentes goyng out of his Possessions and shall bee also at all tymes franke and free and acquited of all Rentes wherewith the Landes and Possessions are charged whiche thei could not quietly enioye by reason of the troubles past and accordyng to the full rate of the tyme of the saied Estoppell whiche thei could enioye because of the occasion aforesaied that then so fell out 17 And as for moueable Goodes and all suche shorte endes whiche were on either side robbed solde or otherwise chopped and chaunged that no man looke for any recompence of them 18 And as for the immouable Goodes as Houses Rentes and Reuenues whiche vnder the title of confiscation are solde or chopped and chaunged the generall Estates shall appoint some of the saied Estates in euery Prouince to be Commissioners to examine the saied Controuersies if any suche bee and prouide that reasonable satisfaction bee made aswell to suche to whom those thynges of right appertained as also to the buyers and sellers of the Possessions and Rentes aforesaied in respect of their euiction 19 The like also shall be doen about the Arrerages of rents and Obligations Personalles and all other pretenses and plaintes whiche the Losers on either side by reason of the troubles would bryng in and conuence in what maner soeuer 20 That all Prelates and all other Ecclesiasticall parsons whose Abbaies Monasteries Foundations and Residentships whiche lye without the Countries of Holland and Zealand and yet haue their Possessions and Goodes in the saied Countries shall enter into the proprietie and enioiyng of their saied gooddes and Possessions as heretofore they had doen as if they were seculer 21 But as touchyng the Cloysterers and suche other like Churche men whiche are in the saied Prouinces and their Associates professed or Prebenders and haue absented them selues or gone awaie from thence by reason that the greater parte of their goodes and possessions are taken from them To these shall from hencefoorth be allowed a reasonable portion to liue by with those that remaine or otherwise thei shall be permitted to enioye their Possessions How be it at the appointment of the Estates altogether by waie of tolleration and vntill suche tyme as vppon their further pretence it shall bee otherwise appointed by the generall Estates 22 It is also moreouer agreed that all Grauntes Exhereditations and other disposed goodes Interviuos vel causa mortis made and graunted by perticuler and priuate persones by whom the true enheritors either by reason of the troubles or of the Religion are disturbed made no bodies or vtterly dishenerited of their due succession shall by vertue of these presentes be voyde and of none effect 23 And whereas the Hollanders and Zealanders for the better defrainyng of the charge of the Warres haue set on hier price of euery peece of Golde and Siluer then the rest of the Prouinces can allowe of without losse It is conditioned that the deputies of the generall Estates so sone as thei can possible shal take aduise for the settyng in of a generall foote thereto to the ende that the saied money might runne as egally as could bee for the maintenaunce of this vnion and the mutuall entercourse of Marthaundrise 24 Moreouer to the ende that vppon the supplication made by the Deputies of Holland and Zealand all the lowe Countries in generall might bee charged with all the debtes whiche the Prince hath contracted for about the makyng of the two expeditions whereunto bothe the Hollanders and Zealanders and the Prouinces and Cities whiche yeelded them selues vnto the last expedition were bounde as thei saied the same point is left vnto the discretion and decidyng of the said generall Estates wherein when all thynges shall be appaised suche a reporte or declaration shall therein bee made as that a meete and conuenient regarde shall be had about the same 25 And in this common accorde and pacification the Countries Seigniories Lordshippes and Cities whiche are on the contrarie parte are cleane exempt from the enioiyng of this benefite vntill suche tyme as thei haue in deede conioyned themselues with this confederacie whiche when it pleaseth theim thei maie doe Whiche treatie and pacification accordyng to the relation agrement and truste aswell of the
Lordes who haue the gouernement of the Countrey committed vnto them as also of the Estates themselues together of the Prince Estates of Hollande and Zealande and their associates in all the pointes and Articles aforesaied and withall what soeuer by the generall Estates in that whiche hath been saied and others shal be decreed and ordeined The saied Deputies haue by vertue of their Commission and aucthoritie promised and sworne and by their presentes dooe promise and sweare inuiolably to obserue keepe and accomplishe and mutually cause euery parte and parcell of them respectiuely to be ratified sworne vnto subscribed and sealed by the Prelates Nobilitie Cities and other members of the saied Countries especially by the foresaied Prince aswell generally as particulerly and that within one moneth next ensuyng to the contentation of all men In witnesse whereof the saied Deputies to this present Treatie haue sette to their handes in the Sherief house of Gant the 18. of Nouember 1576. Ihon Lynden Abbot of Sainct Gertrude Gislaine Abbot of Sainct Peters Frauncis Mathewe Abbot of sainct Gislaine c. Ihon Mole Frauncis Alewyn Charles Gaure Elbert Leonyne Q. Predt P. Beuero Philip Marnix Arnold Thorpe W. Zuilen of Newfild A. Myle Peter Ritche Ihon King P. Buys and Androwe Zickelen the yonger I beeyng present Ihon de Penants ¶ The Commission of the Generall Estates THe Prelates Nobilitie and Cities representyng the Countre is here about and presently assembled at the Citie of Bruxelles To all to whom these presentes shall come to be seen Gretyng Where long agoe the Prince of Orenge with the Hollanders and Zealanders were determined and fully resolued to entre into communication with the Commissioners of our Soueraigne Lorde the Kyng and that about the moneth of Februarie in the yere 1574. accordyng to the auncient order of Brabant The saied Commissioners of his Maiestie mette at Breda with the saied Princes Deputies together with the Hollanders and Zealanders their adherentes and associates and holde there many meetynges and treaties about the case of pacification and yet not withstandyng the same tooke none effect to the no small greef of the said Estates Consideryng the long miseries pouertie and afflictions of the said Countries and because it is a thyng necessarie to auoide the vtter ruine and destruction of all the said Countreâ—s It is thought necessarie for the speedy redresse thereof that thei should againe enter into communication and proceede vnto the saied pacification Be it knowne that we hauyng regarde to the so extreame and vtterly desolated Countreis aforesaied and beyng also verie desirous to redresse and bryng againe the enhabitauntes hereaboutes to peace and quietnesse that thei might thereby liue in all wealth and prosperitie as heretofore thei were long sithens woonted and vsyng the best and fittest meaues that maie bee for the causyng of all troubles diuisions and Ciuile warres to cease to Gods glorie and his Maiesties and the common weale of the saied Countreis haue deputed and substituted and by these presentes dooe depute and substitute for the continuaunce and affectuall bringing to passe of the aforesaid communication pacification The right reuerent father in God Ihon Lynde Abbot of Saincte Gertrude in Louuayne Dan Gislain Tymmerman Abbot of Sainct Peters in Gant or in his steede Dan Bucho Apta Archbishop of Ypres Dan Mathe we Abbot of Sainct Gyslaine chosen Bishop of Artas The right worshipfull Ihon de Moll maister Detingue maister Francis Alewyn maister Sueuegem maister Charles de Gaure maister de Frezin knightes maister Elbert Leonyne Doctor professor of the Lawes in the Vniuersitie of Louayne maister Peter de Beuere or maister Ioest Houseman Counseller in Flanders and maister Quintin Deprat high Sherief of Mons in Hainault with suche a Secretarie as thei shall name and appoint All which together or to sixe of theÌ„ we haue giuen graunted and by these presents both perticulerly generally doe giue and graunt full power and aucthoritie to meete with the Deputies of the saied Prince of the Hollanders and Sealanders their Adherentes and associates at the Citie of Gant the 12. of this moneth of October to proceede forewarde in the saied Communication and Pacification accordyng to those poinctes and orders already propounded or others that maie hereafter be propouÌ„ded generally and especially about that whiche before hath been spoken of and thereon doeth depeÌ„d and to speake and dooe whatsoeuer their shall thinke to bee conuenient especially for the assuryng and agreeyng of all controuersies that maie bee propounded for the finishyng of a pacification and publicke peace promisyng if neede bee to giue them more large auchoritie for the due and true bringyng of the same effectually to passe And wee further in truthe and faithfully doe promise and bothe for the present and hereafter do hinde our seiues our Successours in all that wee are worthe bothe generally and perticulerly Doe holde for firme and effectuall for euer in euery point and pointes all suche articles as the saied Commissioners or sixe of them shall in our behalfes consent agree vnto and the same to ratefie and inuiolably keepe and accomplish without for ruer directly or indirectly to crosse the same in maner whatsoeuer In witnesse whereof we haue caused to bee set the seale of the Estates of Brabant in the name and at the request of all the rest of the Estates Giuen at the said Citie of Bruxelles the 10. of October 1576. And vnderneath was written and subscribed at the expresse commanndement of the Deputies of the Estates of the lowe Countreis assembled at Bruxelles Cornelius Weeâ—emans And the said Commission was sealed with the greate seale of the saied Estates of Brabant in redde Waxe vppon a double Labell hangyng thereat The Commission of the Deputies of the Prince of Orenge ¶ The Commission of the Deputies of the Prince of Orenge and of the Estates of Hollandâ— and 〈◊〉 WE Willym by the grace of GOD Prince of Orenge Count of Nassou Catsene lebogâ— Vianden Diets Buren Lerdam c. Lorde and Baron of Breda Dreft Grimberge Arlay Nozeron c. Vicount of Antwerpe and Bysanson Lieutenaunt and Captaine Generall of Hollande Sealande West Friselande Vtright together the Knightes Nobilitie and Cities of Hollande and Scalande doe by these presentes let all the worlde vnderstande That where it hath pleased almightie God of his singuler fauour and grace to offer occasions and meanâ—â— whereby the lowe Countreis Cities and enhabitauntes thereof whiche through the Spanyardes and their Eyrannous gouernement for certaine yeres euen vnto this present haue been miserably troubled with dissentions and ciuill warres might haue been brought to naught and vtterly destroied and be againe restored to the auncient libertie trassique and wealthe emongest the Commons and Subiectes of the saied Countreis and also that the saied Countreis might from henceforth bee established in their rightes libertie and wealthe to the honour of God the seruice of his Maiestie and the rest and prosperitie of the enhabitauntes of these Countreis
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
Oâ—tauyan Gouzage Knight Substituted with our saied good Brother for that ende and purpose by whom was sent certaine pointes and Articles tendyng and seruyng for the saied reconciliation accorde and vnion and for the good addresse and direction thereof We accordyng to the determination counsaile and aduise of our saied good Brother Don Ihon of Austriche and of our saied Counsailes of Estate and also of our priuie Counsaile haue for agreement sake and accordyng to the tenure and preporte of the saied pointes and meanes betwixt vs on the one side and the saied Estates on the other treated and agreed for vs our Heires and Successors and haue also appointed and ordained and by these presentes by waie of a perpetuall and erreconcible Edict dooe constitute and ordaine the pointes and Articles hereafter ensuyng 1 That all offences iniuries faultes hurtes harmes and generally all factes and actes doen happened and accomplished by reason of the chaunges alterations and troubles aforesaied by all and euery of the Enhabitauntes and Citizens of our said lowe Countreis in whatsoeuer place and in what maner soeuer aswell generally as perticulerly shall bee vtterly forgâ—tten and taken as not doen or happened so that neuer hereafter any mention molestation griefe nor siftyng out shall be made or had vpon any of the Citizens and Enhabitauntes aforesaied for the same 2 And because that the Bishoppes Abbots and other Prelattes and Ecclesiasticall parsones of our foresaied lowe Countreis together the Diuines and Lawyers of the Vniuersitie of Louuaine by diuers their Letters Patentes thereon by them made haue giuen counsaile and testimonie that accordyng to the Estate of the affaires of our saied lowe Countreis wherein at that tyme thei were the treatie of the peace made in our Citie of Gaunt and concluded the 8. of Nouember last betweene the aforesaied Estates on the one side and our saied Cosine Lorde Willyam of Nasson Knight of our order aforesaied Prince of Orenge and the Estates of our Countreis of Hollande and Zealande and their associates and confederates on the other side containyng nothyng that was any waie preiudiciall to our holie Faith and the Catholique and Apostolique Romishe Religion but contrartwise to the aduauncyng and settyng vp of the same and our saied Counsaile of Estate hauing likewise giuen aduise testimonie and Certificates that accordyng to the Estate of the affaires of the saied lowe Countreis wherein thei then were the saied treatie of peace likewise not containyng any thyng hurtfull to our highnes aucthoritie and obedience due to vs by our said lowe Countreis and especially the saied Lordes Ambassadors and Deputies of the Empire and Subdelegates of the saied Prince and Duke of Iuliers hauyng witnessed and certified that whiche before is saied accordyng to the conformitie of the saied Bishoppes Abbots and other Prelattes and Ecclesiasticall parsons and of all the rest of our saied Counsaile of Estate Wee haue agreed approued and ratified and by this our saied present treatie of peace doe agree approue and ratifie to and all and euery of these pointes and Articles First by the faithe and in the worde of a Kyng and Prince so farre as this treatie of peace maie touch and concerne vs and inuiolably to obserue and keepe the same for euer and likewise cause all and euery one whom it shall touche to obserue and keepe and accordyng thereto wee agree and ordaine that the conuocation and assemble of the generall Estates of our saied lowe Countreis mentioned in the third Article of the saied treatie of peace shal be made in suche maner and fourme and to suche effect as in the saied Article more at large is contained 3 Also wee agree appointe and ordaine that all and euery our menne of warre aswell Spanyardes Almaines Italians Bougonians and all other forrein Souldiers whatsoeuer whether thei serue on foote or on horsebacke beyng now in our saied low Countreis shall depart franckly and freely by land without any stoppe or staie of any of our saied lowe Countreis and neuer to retourne againe nor any other to bee sent thether and not one forraine Souldier to remaine there generally and forbiddyng also all foreiners without thei haue necessarie businesse of their owne or haue leaue and be allowed by the generall Estates of our saied lowe Countreis 4 As for the tyme and terme of the departure of our saied men of warre we agree appoint and ordaine that all the Spanyardes Italians and Bougonions must and shall bee gone with in twentie daies of the insinuation whiche thereon shall incontinently be made by our saied good Brother out of our Citie and Castle of Antwerpe and out of all other Cities Castles and fortresses of our saied lowe Countreis whiche thei presently holde and enioye or in any place els wheresoeuer within any of all our said lowe Countreis and namely in our Duchy of Luxenbrough within other twentie daies and soner if soner maie bee aboute whiche our saied good Brother will with all his power and might employe hymself And duryng the tyme of the saied fourtie daies all and euery of our men of warre shall beare and behaue them selues honestly and peaceably without ransackyng pillyng and pollyng and in no maner whatsoeuer oppresse and hurte our lowe Countreis nor yet any of the Countreis or enhabitauntes of them nere adioynyng 5 As for the tyme and terme of the departure of the aforesaied Almaines thei shall departe and goe out of our saied Lowe Countreis so sone as the saied Estates shall haue agreed with theim vpon the finishyng as hereafter in the 15. Article of our present Letters shall more at large bee set doune and foresene of their accompt and reckenyng made with them and thei paied all suche dueties as in equitie and conscience are due vnto them 6 That all our saied men of warre aswell Spanyardes Almaines Italians Bourgonions and all the rest must and shall leaue behinde theim after their departure out of our saied Cities and Castles all the Victualles Prouision Artillarie and all the warlike furniture that thei there haue whiche our Cities and Castles with the Victualles Prouision Artillarie and warlike furniture we will by the aduise of our saied Counsaile of Estate put into the handes of the most qualified and mere naturall borne Countrey menne within our saied Lowe Countreis according to the priuiledges of our saied Lowe Countreis and for the tyme beeyng into the possession of suche as our saied Estates shall best like of 7 And as touchyng the oppression taxes and compositions whiche by any of our saied men of warre whatsoeuer haue in our saied lowe Countreis been committed we will leaue the same to be ordered accordyngly as shall appertaine to Lawe reason and equitie and whiche also for quietnesse sake maie by moste apparaunt likelyhodes bee performed and brought to passe Wee will also that enquirie bee made aswell about the heades and chief of our men of Warre as also about all and euery of our saied inferiour Souldiers who in any maner and sorte whatsoeuer
monethe and yere he was with greate triumphe and ioye marueilously receiued The Almaines at Breda were by the Estates besieged who deliueryng vp their Colonell Fronsberg prisoner departed vppon composition frankly and freely the 4. of October The 22. of October the Prince was chosen Gouernour of Brabande to the greate contentation of the whole Countrey The Prince of Orenge chosen Gouernem of Brabant makyng Bonefiers at Bruxelles in token of wonderfull ioye After that the Duke of Arscot was appoincted Gouernour of Flanders he went to Gande where the Citezens and Enhabitauntes louyngly receiued hym bauyng marchyng before him 23. Ensignes of footmen and 300. horse she wyng all the tokens of ioy that might be Now three daies after that he was receiued as Gouernour to wit the 28. of October thei hauyng some â—umultes and vprores growyng emongest theim selues went of their owne heades to his house and tooke and ledde hym awaie prisoner to the no small greef bothe of the Prince The Duke of 〈◊〉 â—aken prisoner by them of Gaunt and Counsell of Estate and also of the Generall Estates But the 14. of Nouember acknowledged their fault and the greate inâ—urie whiche thei had doen hym thei set hym free and at libertie and yet with this condition that he should forget his euill handelyng and pardon the wrong that was dooen vnto hym and neuer once thinke of it more At the very same tyme likewise thei tooke the Bishoppes of Bruges and Ypres The Baron of Rassingem the Lorde of Champigni the Lorde of Moucron and his sonne The Lorde of Sueuegem and Eycke The first of Nouember 1577. Prelates and Gentlemen taken prisoners at Groenyng the Citizens and Enhabitants of the Citie of Groening in Friselande tooke certaine Prelattes and Gentlemen of the Countrey of Groening prisoners by reason of the auncient quarrell and dissention that the Citie long tyme had against the Countrey men Wherefore thether was sent Monsire Sainct Aldegonde and Sille by his Excellencie the Counsaile of Estate and of the Estates generall Howbeit thei could winne nothyng at the common peoples hande Neuerthelesse some of the Prisoners afterwarde very craftely got out of Prison and escaped out of the Towne also The 9. or 10. of Nouember 1577. appeared a fearfull Comette in the lowe Countreis A blazyng Starre seen wherevpon ensued great sheddyng of blood and the death of Don Ihon. The chiefe Lordes there aboutes The Archduke Mathias commeth into the â—owe Countreis trustyng to mollefie the Kynges harte by makyng some of his owne blood Gouernour generall sent the Lorde of Malstede to the right high Mathias Archduke of Austriche sonne and Brother to the Emperour beseechyng hym to come thether for that ende and purpose But the Archduke seyng that the Emperour was afeard to displease the Kyng and therefore would not consent thereto secretly departed from Vienne without hauyng any bodie with hym saue the L. de Danwiâ—tes his chiefe Chamberlaine And at last came to Antwerpe the 12. of Nouember 1577. The 7. of December Don Ihon and his adherentes proclaimed open enemies Don Ihon and his Adherentes were declared to bee the Kynges and Countreis enemies and so proclaimed the tenure whereof ensueth By the Kyng OUR deare and faithfull Knight Lorde George de Lalayng Count of Renneberge free Baron de Ville Gouernour and Captaine generall of our Countrey of Friselande Oueryssell Groenyng and Lingem Greetyng Whereas certaine Cities Castles Fortresses and other places of certaine Prouinces hereabout especially certaine Noblemen Gentlemen and priuate persons haue gone about and doe contrary to the duetifull sidelitie whiche thei owe to vs and then Countrey directly to ouer reache and crosse the pacification made at Gaunt and the perpetuall Edict whiche thereon ensued by vs agreed vpon and breakyng the vnyon whiche the generall Estates of our Countreis here aboutes made and by some of them subscribed vnto takyng parte with the Spanyardes whom we of late declared and proclaimed Rebelles and had helde and did stil hâ—lde with Don Ihon of Austriche and the saied Spanyardes and their adherentes fauouryng aâ—yng and assistyng them with counsatle Men Munition Victualles Moneâ— and other necessaries shewyng them selues as aduersaries and takyng armes against vs the saied Estates generall and their owne Countrey for the whiche thei are to bee taken as Rebelles and worthie so to bee punished bothe in bodie and goodes And we are further informed and aduertised that the said Cities places and persones whiche fauour our aduerse partie as before hath beene saied seeke by all meanes possible to chaunge alter leuie and recouer their Goodes Reuâ—nues Rentes and debtes whiche thei haue had and yet haue in ouâ— Countreis here about bothe for the helpyng of them selues and also for the bestowyng of the same against vs and their Countrey and more would bestowe if wee on our behalfe looked not to the same in tyme. And therefore wee hauyng considered of the matters aforesaied and beyng very desirous to remedie the same haue by the aduise of our most deare and welbeloued the Prelattes Nobles and Deputies of the Prouinces and Cities representyng the saied generall Estates of our Countries here aboutes presently assembled in this our Citie of Bruxelles ordained and by these presentes doe ordaine all our Lieutenauntes Gouernours Officers Ammans Drossartes Bayliefes Marshalles Prouostes and Receiuers of our Reuenues euery one within his Precinct and Iurisdiction and as many to whom this shall appertaine to take a note and make seysure of all the mouâ—able and immoneable Boodes Aâ—â—ions and Credittes of our saied Aduersaries their adherentes and fauters aswell those which belong vnto the Cities Townes Commonaltie as also to priuate persones and the same to be kept and conserued for the benefite and vse of those to whom it shall appertaine and after to bee ordered and disposed as shal be thought good We also further will and commaund all those whiche haue in possession pawne or that can otherwise tell if any goodes debtes or actions belongyng to suche as take parte with our saied aduersaries and enemies of the generall Estates of what estate and condition so euer thei are that forthwith or at the least within eight daies after the publication hereof thei denounce signifie and declare vnto the chiefe Officer resiaunt amongest them together vnto the Receiuer of our Reuenues there aswell whatsoeuer thei haue in pawne and possession and whatsoeuer els thei owe vnto the saied persones fauouryng our saied aduersaries or whatsoeuer els thei knowe others to haue in pawne or possession or might any waie owe them And besides where wee haue heretofore inhibited and forbidden wee also by these presentes doe inhibite and forbidde all our Subiectes or other Enhabitauntes and Resiauntes in our saied Countreis hereabout of what estate or condition soeuer thei bee to paie or deliuer vnto any of the saied Enemies and Aduersaries of the Countreis or their adherentes whether it be to Cities Tounes Burroughes Fraternities or other priuate
persons vpon paine of repaiyng the same or suche as haue concealed the thyng afore saied or haue not opened the same to cause the value of the same to be paied whiche thei haue concealed and the forfaitures afore sated to be coumpted as followeth that is to saie One third part to our benefite and vse and the same to be bestowed about the defence of our Countreis against the saied Enemies and Rebelles an other third parte to the benefite of hym that descrieth it and the last third parte to the benefite of hym whiche putteth it in execution And last of all wee clerely forbidde all and euery Cittes Townes Burroughes Places Brotherhoodes and other priuate persones to aide and assist the saied Don Ihon of Austrich and all others whiche bee our Aduersaries and Enemies of our generall Estates either with connsaile Men Victualles Munition Armour Weapon or Money nor yet any waie benefite them by aduertisementes or otherwise directly or indirectly in what maner soeuer vpon paine of suche punishment bothe in bodie and goodes as is due to the fauters and abbetrors of Rebels and enemies of the Countreis And for as muche as there are a great many of principal Officers in our saied Countreis who sithence the retraict of the saied Don Ihon of Austriche into the Castle of Namure haue absented them selues without leaue and consent and by reason thereof haue not executed their saied Offices but haue been resiaunt out of our saied Countreis We will and commaunde all suche as haue so absented them selues and all the rest likewise whiche haue openly sheweâ—â—hem selues parties and aduersaries to the saied Countreis to retourne in proper persone for the executing of their saied Offices within fifteene daies at the fardest after the publication of these presentes vpon paine of the losse and deprauation of their saied Offices and dignities and to be taken as fauters and abettors of Rebelles and enemies of the saied Countreis in maner as aforesaied And to the ende that none should pretende ignoraunce of this our ordenaunce and Inhibition wee expressely will and commaunde that forthwith and without delaie you cause these presentes to be proclaimed in all suche places where commonly Proclamations are proclaimed throughout all the Cities Burroughes and Townes of our saied Countreis of Friselande Oueryssell Groenyng and Lingen And for the better proceedyng in the obseruation hereof to execute the forfaitures and paines aforesaied vpon all the transgressors of the same without fauour meede or supportyng what soeuer For performaunce whereof and whatsoeuer els dependyng thereon wee giue you and all others to whom it shall appertaine full power aucthoritie and speciall commaundement and doe farther will and commaunde all and euery of them which so doe that both you and thei them selues doe rightly vnderstand and obaie the same because it is our pleasure it should bee so Giuen at our Citie of Bruxelles vnder our Countrie seale whiche is here put to this Commission the 7. of December 1577. And vnderneath was written By the Kyng and vnder it subscribed Mesdach An open declaration made by the Generall Estates of the Countreis thereabout against Don Ihon of Austrich and against suche naturall Countrey men borne as are his followers and assisters THE Prelates A declaratioÌ„ of the Estates against Don Ihon. Nobilitie and Deputies of the Prouinces and Cities representyng the generall Estates of the Countreis hereabout being presently assembled and met together at the Citie of Bruxelles hauing vnderstood that there are certaine whiche stande in doubte whether Don Ihon of Austrich ought to be dealt withal and holden as enemie to the Countreis or not Nâ—tâ—standyng that through his deuises and doynges he hath she wed hymself to be suche a one in deede sithence his retraict to the Castle of Namure Whiche his dealyng the said Estates by their Iustification doe also openly declare wherby is found that many inconueniences haue thereupoÌ„ risen For remediyng whereof the saied generall Estates haue been verie willyng by these presentes to declare and publishe to all and euery persone and persones that thei neuer tooke Don Ihon of Austricâ—e to bee his Maiesties Lieutenaunt Gouernour nor Captaine Generall of the saied Countreis But alwaies tooke hym to bee a breaker and alreadie an infringer of that pacification wherevnto he was sworne and an enemie to our Countrey euer sithence his retraict to Namure aforesaied And as many as are naturally borne within the said Countreis beyng his followers aiders and abbettours to bee no better but Rebelles vnto the saied Countreis and fully and wholly so to be taken in all places soeuer and to bee dealt withall in suche mauer bothe in their bodies nad gooddes as by his Maiesties Proclamation hath been published Giuen at Bruxelles the 7. of December 1577. And vnderneath was written By the Ordenaunce of my saied Lordes the generall Estates Cornelius Weellemans The 10. of December the generall Estates of the Lowe Countreis beeyng assembled at Bruxelles deuised and made an vnion and confederacie whiche was concluded vpon the nineth of Ianuary ensuyng the Copie whereof hereafter followeth We the Prelates Churchemen Lordes Gentlemen Iudges of the Lawes The vnyon of the generall Estates Cities Castle keepers and others here vnder written representyng the Estates of the lowe Countries at this Citie of Bruxelles presently mette together besides certaine others also beyng vnder the obedience of the moste high mightie and famous Prince kyng Phillip our Soueraigne Lorde and naturall Prince doe all men to vnderstande bothe now present and hereafter to come that we seyng our common Countrey to be afflicted by a moste barbarous and tyraunt oppression of Spaniardes haue been stirred vp and enforced to vnite and ioyne our selues together and with Armes Counsell Men and Money to helpe one an other against the saied Spanyardes and suche their adherentes as were proclaimed rebelles vnto his Maiestie and our enemies and that this vnion and coniunction hath sithence been confirmed by the laste pacification altoger made by the aucthoritie and agrement of the Counsaill of Estate whiche his Maiestie had deputed to the generall Gouernement of the saied Countreis And because the pretended scope and drifte of this vnion requireth foreuer all fidelitie constancie and mutuall assistauÌ„ce and that we would by no meanes through misunderstandyng that any matter of suspition should growe thereby and muche lesse any finister will to be founde in any of vs But contrariwise to the ende the affaires of this vnion might with all sinceritie sidelitie and diligence be procured cared for and executed so that none of the subiectes and enhabitauntes of the saied CouÌ„treis might haue any iuste occasion to be miscontented or doubt of vs for these reasons therfore and also to the ende that nothing should vnfaithfully be doen to the hurte of the common wealthe of our Countrey and iuste defence thereof or any thyng els by negligence or dissimulation to be ouerslipt whiche is or shall be required for the iuste defence thereof wee haue by verâ—ue
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
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
Dampmartin vnto the Estates what the cause was of his retournyng into Fraunce and of the forsakyng of the lowe Countreis and amongest other thynges he wrote vnto them of the louyng request of the Kyng his Brother by reason of an vprore that arose in Fraunce So that hereby some bodie had perswaded the people that his presence was an hinderaunce to the generall peace of the lowe Countreis and besides that he went about none other thyng but to make hym self Lord and Maister of all the Cities hereabout whiche his dealyng he forsooth would aswell as he could needes excuse saiyng that it was vtterly vntrue and his reason was because that at his departure he rendred vp all thinges into the handes of the Estates further offryng that wheresoeuer he became he would alwaies remaine their good frende and so takyng his leaue required that thei would in regarde hereof be myndfull of the greate charges he had beene at for the aidyng of them leauyng with the saied Estates Maister Pruneaux as his Ambassadour lydger The Estates greatly marueilyng The Estates sende thankes to the Duke of Antowe at this his so sudden and vnlooked for departure dispatched Seigmour Froymont and Gyles Martin a Doctor of the Ciuile Lawe and Secretarie of the Citie of Antwerpe towardes the saied Duke to declare vnto hym how greatly thei had weighed and considered of his departure beseechyng hym to take suche a course as that he might still remaine hereabout and acknowledgyng the benefites whiche thei had receiued by hym offered hym all their seruice with promise of suche satisfaction and contentation as was meete for one in so high a callyng Now the Prince of Orenge had so well and wisely handled his matters at the Citie of Gaunt as that the peace of the Religion was there proclaimed the 27. of December 1578. and with all certaine other Articles concernyng the Ceremonies of the Romishe Religion The 29. of Ianuary 1579. The Estates of Hollande and Sealande Vtright Gelderlande Friselande and the reste of the Prouinces wisely consideryng that the Enemie went about to dismember the Prouinces as hereafter you shall heare and that the Malcontentes were very foreward in the suppressyng of those of the reformed Religion fell to a conclusion of a farre better vnion at Vtright the tenure whereof hereafter ensueth Wee hauyng by wofull and lamentable experience founde out The vnion of Vtright that sithence the pacification of Gaunt by whiche all the Prouinces of the Lowe Countreis sufficienâ—ly bounde theim selues to aide one an other bothe with their bodies and goods for the driuyng out of these Countreis the Spanyardes and other Foreine nations with all their adherentes the Spanyardes with Don Ihon of Austriche and the reste of their Chieftaines and Captaines haue hunted and still by all meanes possible doe daiely hunte after the saied Prouinces aswell whollie as in parte for the bryngyng of them vnder their subiection tyrannicâ—ll gouernement and sclaucrie And bothe by armes and practizes to dismember thesaied Prouinces and make the vnioÌ„ whiche was made sithence thesaied Pacification of none effect to the vtter ruine and desolation of thesaied Countreis whiche wee in deede haue founde not long sithence by their perseueraunce in their said purposes through the soliciting of certaine Cities and places by their letters as the Countrey of Geldrelande and the surprisyng of others by Armes And therefore all thei of the Duchy of Geldrelande and of the Countrey of Zurphen and all thei of the Counties of Hollande and Sealande Vtright and the Countreis about Friselande beyng betweene the Riuer of Eems and Lauwers haue thought it bothe good and profitable to binde and vnite themselues together more nerely and particulerly not that thei meane to cutt them selues of from thesaied generall vnion that was made by the PacificatioÌ„ of Gaunt but to be thereby a greate deale the stronger and prouide against all inconueniences wherevnto thei might fall through the Stratagemes enterprises or force of the Enemie and vnderstande how and in what sorte the aforesaid Prouinces might behoue themselues in suche occurraunces and so defende themselues against the power of the Enemie And for the auoidyng of a further separation of the saied Prouinces and the particuler members of the same leauyng still the saied generall vnion and Pacification of Gaunt in full strength and vertue are accordyng thervnto by the Deputies of the said Prouinces fully by theirs respectiuely aucthorised to the same agreed and concluded vpon the poinctes and articles ensuyng not meanyng thereby whatsoeuer shall otherwise fall out to separate theim selues from the holy Romishe Empire 1 And first it is agreed and concluded vpon that thesaid Prouinces shall binde confederate and vnite them sclues together and by these prefentes doe binde coÌ„federate and vnite themselues for euer to holde together euery maner of waie as if thei were but one onely Prouince without also for euer to separate deuide or cut of theim selues one from an other either by will graunt alteration contracte treatie of peace or of mariage nor yet for any other occasion whatsoeuer that might happen and to vphold and maintaiue the Prluiledges Fraunchises Exemptions Lawes Statutes laudable and auncient Customes Vsances and whatsouer either especiall or particuler Rightes of euery Prouince particuler Cities and all the members and enhabitauutes of the same and none of theim to hurte and hinder one an other but rather aide and helpe one an other by all the meanes possible thei can yea if neede bee mainteine confirme strengthen garde and defende one an other bothe with their bodies and gooddes against all and euery persone and persones whether it bee man or woman whiche shall goe about in deede any waie to infringe theim Prouided alwaies that the controsies that are or hereafter maie be betwene some of the saied Prouinces members or Cities of this vnion as touching their perticuler and speciall Priuiledges Fraunchises Exemptions Lawes Statutes Laudabse and auncient Customes Vsances and other rightes shal be decided by the ordenarie course of law arbitrement or frendly agrement and none of the other Countreis and Prouinces Cities or members of any of them so loÌ„g as either partie is contented to submit hym self to the law once to haue to doe with them without it shal be their pleasures to go frendly betwene them for the makyng of a louyng and peaceable accorde 2 Item for the conformyng and accomplishyng of the saied vnion and confederacie the saied Prouinces shal be bound to aide one an other bothe with their bodies goodes and blood against all the force and violence that any waie maie be offred them vnder the colour and name of his Maiestie or in his behalfe whether it be by reason of the PacificatioÌ„ made at Gant or because thei tooke armes vpon them against Don Ihon of Austrich receiued Archduke Mathias for their gouernour and whatsoeuer dependeth or hath fallen or shall fall out thereon although it should be vnder colour onely of reestablishing restoring or
bringyng in again of the Catholick Romish Religion or of any innouations or alteratiōs which haue happened in some of the said Prouinces Cities or members of the same sithence the yere 1558. either yet by reason of this present vuion and confederacie or suche like occasions and the case to be all a like in vsyng the saied forces and violences against one of the saied Prouinces Estates Cities or any one onely member of the same as if thei vsed them against all the rest in generall 3 And the Prouinces aforesaid shall in like maner be bound to assiste aide and defende one an other against all Lordes Dukes or Princes Countreis Prouinces Cities or the members of them who generally or particulerly would vse any force violence or wrong against them or yet make warre vpon them alwaies prouided that the generall assistaunce of this vnion shall vpon good vnderstandyng and knowledge and according to the necessitie of the cause bee decreed 4 And for the better assuraunce and sauftie of the saied Prouinces Cities and members of theim againste all power the frontier Cities and all the reste also in whatsoeuer Prouince thei are if it shall be so thought necessary shall by the aduise and appointment of these vnited Prouinces be fortesied and doubte strengthned at the costes and charges of those Cities and Prouinces wherein thei are scituate and therein bee generally assisted of the one moitie Saufe that it shal be lawfull for the saied Prouinces if thei thinke it good and profitable to plant certain newe fortes and Fortresses or if any be there already to chaūge or pull them doune and the necessarie charges of the same to be borne by all the Prouinces in generall 5 And for prouidyng of the necessarie charges in the cases aforesaied for the defense of the saied Prouinces it is agreed vppon that there shal be continually in a readinesse for the commō defense of the saied Prouinces certaine impositions imposed and commonly at the fardest from three monethes to three monethes or at some other fit tymes to be gathered throughout all the vnited Prouinces Cities and members of the same vpon all kindes of Wines Beare Brued either within or without them grindyng of all kinde of Corne Salt Clothe of Gold and Siluer Silkes and Woolle Oxen and Kine Corne grounde all kinde of fleshe meate that is kilde Horses Oxen solde or chopped and chaunged all thinges sold by waight and all other thinges els that maie hereafter be found by common aduise and cōsent to bee good and accordyng to the ordenaunce whiche shall hereon be deuised and made and shall employe the reuenues of his Maiesties Demeines the charges of the same beeyng deducted to that vse 6 Whiche impositions shall by a common aduise bee raised and abased as in that behalfe and in those cases shall bee thought needefull and bee onely employed for the common defence and so farre forthe as thei in generall shall therein be boūd to beare and yet not so fully and wholly to bee emploied thereon as that the saied impositions maie not be conuerted to some other necessarie vses 7 That thesaid Frontier Cities and all the reste also if neede be shall at all times be bounde to receiue into them suche a garrison as the saied vnited Prouinces shall thinke good of and besides if any Gouernour of the Prouinces shall by his owne aduise appoinct any Garrison to be thrust in into any of them thei shall in no wise refuse the same Prouided alwaies that the saied vnited Prouinces shall paie the saied Garrisons their wages And that all Captaines and Souldiers ouer and besides their generall othe shal be particulerly sworne to the Citie or Cities and Prouinces wherein thei shal be placed and this poinct also for this ende and purpose shal be put in emonges the rest of their Articles That suche order discipline shal be kept emongst the Souldiers as that the Citizens and Enhabitauntes of the Cities and Countrey aswell Ecclesiasticall as Temporall shall not hereby bee vexed nor iniuried neither shall the saied Garrisons bee any more exempt from the Assises and Impostes then the Citezens and Enhabitauntes of the place where thei shal be placed and besides there shall in generall be giuen vnto thesaid Citizens and Enhabitauntes money for the Souldiers lodginges euen as it hath vnto this present been vsed throughout all Hollande 8 And for the more assured aidyng and mainteinaunce of the Countreis at all tyme and tymes all the Enhabitauntes of euery of these Prouinces Cities and vplande Countreis thus vnited beeyng betweene 18. and 60. yeres of age shall within one moneth at the fardest after the date of these presentes be enrowled and mustered to the ende that the nomber of the polles beeyng knowne there might be some further order taken after the first assemble of these confederates as shall seeme moste meete for their better defence and sauetic of these vnited Prouinces 9 Neither shall there be any agreement of trewes or peace no nor yet any Warre taken in hande nor any impositions or contributions imposed touchyng this generall League but by the common aduise and consent of the saied Prouinces Neuerthelesse as concernyng the gouernement of this confederacie in other thynges and whiche maie fall out and ensue thereon euery man shall liue and be gouerned accordyngly as shall be aduised and concluded vpon by the greater nomber of the voyces of the Prouinces comprised within this League whiche shal be gathered together euen as it hath been wonted generally to be vsed of the Estates vnto this daie that by waie of tolleration vntill suche tyme as by the common aduise of these confederates there bee other prouision therein made Saufe that if it so fall out that the Prouinces in matters of trewes peace warre or contributiō can not agree together the controuersie shal by way of tolleration be referred and set ouer vnto the Lordes Lieutenauntes of the saied Prouinces beyng at this present vnited together who shall deale indifferently about the controuersie betweene the saied parties or els pronounce therein accordyngly as thei shall finde appertaine to the equitie of the cause Prouided alwaies that if the Lordes Lieutenauntes can not herein make them agree that then thei shall take and ioyne vnto them suche indifferent Assistauntes as thei shall thinke good and the parties shall be bounde to stande to suche order as shall be by the saied Lordes Lieutenauntes accordyngly sett doune in maner and forme as before hath been saied 10 That none of the saied Prouinces Cities or any of their Members shall make any Confederacie or League with any Potentates or their nere Neighbours without the consent of the rest of the vnited and confedered Prouinces 11 It is agreed and accorded that if any Prouinces Potentates Countreis or Cities nere adioyning will vnite themselues with the saied Prouinces and yeeld vnto this confederacie that thei shall bee receiued into it by the aduise and consent of these Prouinces 12 That the saied
shal be bound to write all those thinges whiche shall fall out and occurre emongest theÌ„ and whereon thei shall thinke either the publique welfare or ouerthrowe of the vnited and coÌ„federed Prouinces doeth depende to suche as are in aucthoritie that maie commaunde to sende that by hym the rest of the Prouinces in this behalfe might be sent for in maner as aforesaied 21 And if herein any obscuritie or doubte is to bee founde whereon any question or dispute might arise that then the Prouinces confedered to haue the interpretation of the true meanyng thereof who by a common aduise and consent shall hereon ordeine as thei shall thinke moste meete and pertinent But if so be thei are not able to agree herevpoÌ„ that then thei shall haue recourse vnto the Lordes Lieutenauntes of the Prouinces in forme as aforesaied 22 Likewise if so be that it were thought to be a thing necessarie either to augment or alter the Articles of this vnion confederacie or league in any the pointes or Articles that then the same also to bee doen by the common aduise and consent of the saied Prouinces confedered and not otherwise 23 All whiche Poinctes and Articles and euery of theim in perticuler the saied Prouinces haue promised and by these presentes doe promise to obserue and followe cause to be obserued and followed without crossyng or causyng theim to bee crossed neither yet suffer theÌ„ directly or indirectly to bee crossed in any maner whatsoeuer And if so be that any thyng be by any one of them doen or attempted to the coÌ„trary thei pronounce the same to bee nothyng nor of any valure and herein binde them selues and all the enhabitauntes of their Prouinces and respectiuely all the Cities and euery member of them and also all persones and gooddes and that all those whatsoeuer whiche any waie should goe about the crossyng of the obseruation of these presentes and whatsoeuer dependeth thereon might bee arrested and troubled in all places and before all Magistrates Iudges and Iustices where soeuer thei shall bee founde or taken And for this cause might caste of all Exceptions Graces Priâ—ledges Releuementes and generally all other benefites of Lawes whiche any wate might serue their tournes contrary herevnto and especially against the Lawe saiyng that a generall forsakyng or castyng of taketh no place where an especiall goeth not before 24 And for the greater confirmation hereof the Lordes Liutenauntes of the saied Prouinces whiche now are or hereafter shall bee together all Magistrates and chief Officers of euery Prouince Citie or any member of them shall be bounde to promisse to obserue and keepe and cause to be obserued and kepte this vnion and confederacie and euery Article thereof in perticuler 25 All swornemen Brotherhoods Collegiannes likewise who are resiant within any of the Cities or places of this vnion ought by othe to promisse to obserue and keepe them 26 And herevpon shall letters bee made in due forme whiche by the Lordes Lieutenauntes and principall members and Cities of the Prouinces especially required by the reste be sealed and by their Secretarie respectiuely subscribed These poinctes and articles aforesaied A subscribyng of the vnion of Vtright by the Lordes and Deputies of the Cities are subscribed by the Deputies of Geldreland the Count of Zurphen and namely by my Lorde Ihon Count of Nassou Lieutenaunt of the saied Countries for hym self and with the rest of the Substitutes in the name of the common order of Knighthoode of the saied Duchy of Geldrelande and Countie of Zurphen together with the Deputies of Hollande Sealande Vtright and the Countries nere round about Vtright assembled and aucthorized as aboue said finally staied and concluded vpon And thesaied Deputies of the Countries of Geldrelande and Countie of Zurphen for a larger declaration of the Barons of the great and small Cities and of the said Duchy and Countie haue taken a further longer daie vnto the 9. of February next commyng in the Citie of Vtright with the CoÌ„missioners of the Estates there And this was doen at Vtright the 13. of Ianuary 1579. And for the greater assuraunce emongest the rest was subscribed vnderneath the signature of Mounsieur the Lieutenaunt abouesaid and the said Deputies Ihon Graeffzu Nassou Catzenellebogh c. And on the behalfe of the knightes of the Duchy of Geldrelande and Countie of Zurphen Alexandre de Telight Giles Piec Ioachim de Liere Alexandre Bentink On the behalfe of the Hollanders G. Poelgeest P. Busshe Rene Cant. On the behalf of the Estates of Sealande Willyam Roesius Nieholas Blankis Peter le Riche Iasper Vospergen On the behalf of the Estates of Vtright Ausonius de Galama By the coÌ„maundement of the Chapter Scorus Iames Verbaer vicedeane of S. Peters Of the Chaplers Mandate Adrian de Suylen Lambert de Bourgh By the coÌ„maundement of the Chapter F. de Wyen Eng. Reignold de Azewyne Bartholomewe de la Waell Nicholas de la Zuylon A. D. Leyden Lubert de Cleues On the behalfe of the Estates of the Countries nere rounde about Egbert Clants E. Ierges As certaine semed to make some difficultie vpon the 13. Article of this vnion and so staied the 13. of this moneth emongest the Deputies of the Countries of Geldrelande and Zurphen Hollande Sealande Vtright and the Countries nere aboute betweene Eems and Leuwers as if thei had meant to receiue none into the saied vnion but suche as would suffer the peace of the Religion deuised by the Archeduke of of Austriche and his Counsell with the aduise of the generall Estates or at the least whiche of the twoo Religions to witte the Romishe Catholique and the reformed And therfore for this cause haue the saied Deputies whiche are to deale in this vnion and establishyng of the same for the auoidyng of all intended mischief and mistruste meant hereby to declare that thei neuer yet endended nor at this tyme doe entende to barre any Cities or Prouinces who will onely stande to the Romishe Catholique Religion from the saied vnion and league and where the nomber of the Enhabitauntes of the saied reformed Religion is not greate yet that thei maie by vertue of the saied peace of Religion enioye the exercise of the reformed Religion And yet thei shall notwithstandyng the same bee ready to receiue into this vnion all suche Cities and Prouinces whiche will onely stande to the saied Romishe Religion so that thei will be bounde to all the rest of the poinctes and Articles of the said vnion and behaue them selues as good defenders of their Countries seeyng there is none other meanyng but that one Prouince or Citie should not deale and contende against an other in the cause of ReligioÌ„ and that to bee doen for the better holdyng of the peace and concord emongest the Prouinces and the auoidyng and cuttyng of the principallest occasions whiche might cause diffention and discorde Giuen at Vtright the first of February 1579. An Amplification of the 15. Article Where in the 15. Article here
succour behold thei were in a mornyng assailed bothe within and without for the Enemie had in suche forte wrought his Mine woorkes as that he had gotten into a Monasterie within the Citie in so muche that the poore Citezens and Souldiers seyng theÌ„ selues on euery side thus sodainly assailed and not able to make any shifte to defende them selues againste the force of the Enemie who so furiously coupled with theim as that the greateste nomber bothe of men and women and children were there driuen miserably to lose their liues for the women chose rather to drowne them selues in the Riuer of Maze then to be dishonored with so Barbarous a Maran and faithlesse forsworne Wallon The 4. of Maie 1579. The greaâ— Councell of Friselande banished commaundement was giuen to the President and Counsellours of the Court of Friselande who before had been taken prisoners and depriued of their Estate to departe the Citie before the Sunne settyng and afterward to be banished the Countrie The 5. of Maie 1579. The Count Rennenbergh Lieutenaunt of the Countrie of Friselande takyng parte with the Ommelandes besieged the Citie of Groening with one Regiment of Souldiers vnder the charge of one Captaine Bartell Ents a very warlike man in so muche that the Groennigistes were enforced to come to a composition with the Count Rennenbergh and the Ommelandes In Iune Iuly and August 1579. An assemblie at Coloigne there assembled at Coloigne many noble men of the Empire to witt Ambassadours from the Pope from the Emperour from the kyng of Spaine and from certaine other Bishoppes and Lordes on the one side and for the lowe Countries the Duke of Arscote and other noble menne and Deputies of euery Prouince on the other side But because thei of the lowe Countries would by no meanes condescende to the treatie deuised at Coloigne euery man retourned from whence he came Neuerthelesse the noble menne that were there assembled established a peace the effecte whereof was this An obseruation of the Catholique Romishe Religion and of the obedience of his Maiestie And ouer and besides this that all old officers should be restored againe into their Estate and that his Maiestie would at no hande admit and suffer those of the reformed Religion And therefore if there were any of the reformed Religion whiche would not bee contented with the Romishe Religion that then thei might departe the Countrie sell their goodes and so enioye them whiche peace was but a trappe to entrappe them for the ruinyng and vtter extirpyng of all those of the reformed Religion or els to driue them quite and cleane out of the Countrie howbeit none of the Prouinces of the lowe Countries would accept of this but Artois and Hainault as hath been before saied and so did likewise Malines and Boisleduke but the seuen Prouinces whiche ioyned with those of Flaunders Antwerpe and Bruxells had rather hazard bothe bodies and gooddes for their Countrie then that thei would suffer bothe them selues their children or successours to be brought into euerlastyng bondage and sclauerte The 2. of Iune 1579. there was a newe gate set vp at Leeward called our Ladie Gate and was by the honourable aduise of the Counsell of the Citie there that yere finished to witt by Aedge Lambert Meynart Wychers and Ielle Sybes Burroghmaisters and is a most excellent principall peece of work as euery man maie iudge whiche hath seen it In September 1579. An enterprise against the Briele there was a treason counterfetted betweene the Captaine of the Briele and the MalconteÌ„tes of Artoies and Haynault conditionally that thei should come by sea with their Shippes and people furnished and trimmed like vnto the Princes and then the Captaine would set open the gates and let them in But as the Malcontentes were on the waie to bryng this matter to passe the Hollanders were gotten to Sea with all their men and Shippes and so welcomed them as that thei made a massacre of some of them and the rest were drouned by storme and tempest The 26. of October Menine furprised by the Estates in the yere aforesaied the Estates of Flanders had by surprise taken the Forte of Menin whiche the Malcontentes before had wonne For whiles the Malcontentes were thinkyng to gette into the gates of Courtray for it was in deede promised them that thei should bee lefte open the Scottes vppon the sodaine entred Menin Wherevpon this Prouerbe arose Menin thought to winne Courtray but Menin caused Menin to be loste The first of February 1580. 1580. The Castle of Leeward besleged and rendred a greate Alarme was giuen to the Castle of Leeward in Friselande in this maner and order as followeth It fell out one daie aboute seuen of the Clocke in the Mornyng that the Souldiers of the Toune warded neare the Castle wherevpon the Captaine fearyng that the Castle would be taken from him perforce caused to sound the Alarme but when the Drommes neuer ceased soundyng the Citezens and Souldiers fell in Armes and enuironyng the Castle beganne to trenche And the Citezens had aduaunced fower Ensignes emonges their owne Souldiers Arnold Herdenberg Wybe Obbes Douwe Egbertes and Ebbe Douwe These Captaines had brauely trained their Citezens and Souldiers and made shewe as though thei would haue giuen an assaulte but yet thei firste meant to make their Trenches and fill vp the Castle Diches with the yearth Now for the makyng of their Trenches and fillyng of their Diches thei appoincted for that purpose the Souldiers wiues of the Castle whiche laye in the Toune driuyng also before them to woorke and fill vp the Diches a greate many of Friers and Priestes But when the Souldiers of the Castle sawe one of the sides of the Diche to be made in Trenches ther were marueilously afeard partly because that the greater nomber were the Citezens children whom thei were lothe any waie to hurte or yet the Toune and partly because of their owne wiues and Citezens whom thei meant to spare besides many other thinges of importaunce whiche were ouer long here to rehearse Wherevpon when Captaine Ihon Scagen sawe his Souldiers forsake hym he was amazed In so muche he yeelded vp the Castle with the sauftie of bodie and gooddes And yet there were twoo other companies of Souldiers liyng in Flie within the Suburbes of Leeward who laye quiet and still till neede were whose Captaines were Maister Bouma and Ihon Veruew There was also ready with his companie Owen Grouestins Now when the Citezeins were maisters of the Castle thei threwe doune the Rampares and filled the diches and the children drewe all the greate Drdenance into the Citie whiche was a marueilous thyng to behold consideryng that there were horses inough in the Citie to haue doâ—n it Whiles the Citezeins were troubled aboute the pullyng doune of the Castle the twoo companies of Ihon Bouma and Ihon Veruew shewed themselues came with great triumph as though thei had been Conquerours whiche was to the great honour of the commendable
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
vnderstood by the lowe countrie men And again the citie of Coloigne was so farre thence as that it was an eight dayes iourney in passing and very chargeable and besides the bishop of Coloigne had not kept his ordinary disitations long time before And therfore for the moderating and qualifiyng heereof they erected Vâ—recht iuto an Archbishoprick because it stood in the midst of the other suffragane bishopricks Besides they exected the Bishoprick of Cambray into an Archbishoprick wherunto they subâ—ed 4. other suffragane bishopricks to wit in Artois the Bishoprick of Arras and the bishoprick of S. Omer in Tournois the Bishopricke of Tournay in the countrse of Namur the Bishoprick of Namur They also erected the â—hurch of S. Rumold at Malines into an Archbishopricke wherunto they subiected 6. Bishops to wit in Braband the Bishopricke of Antwerp the Bishopricke of Boysleducke in Gelderland the Bishopricke of Rurmond in Flaunders the Bishopricke of Gaud the Bishopricke of Bruges the Bishaprick of Ypres There was appoyured to euery one of these new Bishoprickes for the maintenance of the estate sixe thousand florins of yeerelyreÌ„t but to the bishopricke of Malines ten thousand Now for the more 〈◊〉 and better assigning out of these 6. thousaÌ„d florins there were certaine Suffraganeships of catheâ—â—al churches conuertedinto Bishopricks 〈…〉 if the reuenue of the Suffraganeship amouÌ„ted not vnto 6. M. florins as aforesaid the rest was assigned out of the Abbeyes next adioyning But because the citie of Tyrwine and the Cathedrall â—hurch therof were in the former wâ—rres destroyed razed that diocesse was equally divided amongest thiee Bishoprickes for that part that was in Flaunders was assigned to the bishopricke of Ypres and that part that lay in Artois to the bishopricke of S. Omer and that part which lay in Fraunce to the bishoprick of Boloigne Now this diuision of suffragane vishopricks vnder the Archbishoprickes was made to this end that euery Archbishopricke should haue within it self one selfe same language to wit eyther Wallonish Flennsh or els Guelderlish It was also appointed in euery of these Cathedral churches Doctors of diuinity appoynted in euery cathedral church that the niene Prebendeâ— which were first voyde shatilde be assigned after this manner to wit three vnto Noble men three to Diuines and three to Canonistes vpon condition that they shoulde assist the Bishoppe in the Inquisition but chiefly and especially the Diuines and Canonists of which 2. of the auncientest learnedest diuines should be Inquisitors These meÌ„ for their payne trauel aduancemeÌ„t of the religion next vnto the Deane shoulde haue the first voyce in the Chapter au hundred florins wages Furthermore that no Pastor of any Church should be amnitted except be were first examined by a Doctor of diuinitie and a Canonist and by them found to be a meere man for that purpose That euery bishopps which should be abseut from his bishopricke by the space of 6. moneths vnles he were sent by the Pope or the prince in some commission or embassadge should lose his reuenue for that time cueÌ„ aswell as any of the rest of the Canons Lastly that the Archebishopricke of Malines shoulde bee chiefe aboue the rest that the Archbishop which was Legatus natus should be there resident abiding in his owne person that he might be alwaies neere vnto the kings court at Bruxelles which prefermeÌ„t Lopin the Cardinal of Granuelle had got for himselfe That the king should haue the nomination of the bishops and the Pope the confirmation But because we might the better vnderstand to what ende all this geare tended I haue thought it very expedient and good to set downe the 12. articles that were inuented practised by the Spanish Inquisition to the end they might inuade get and tyraÌ„nize the Belgique prouinces which articles were found in the house of M. I. Hessels a councellour of the councell of troubles by which euery maÌ„ may easily perceiue the good wil they beare vnto the low countries to the prosperity welfare of our coÌ„mon weale as hereafter in the drift purpose of this historie by the resolution or determination of the Inquisition confirmed at Madrid the 26. of Febr. 1568. by the sentence of his Maiesty against the low countries manifestly may appeare Articles and determinations of the Spanish Inquisition for the inuading getting and tyrannizing of the lowe Countries THE moste sacred or holie office of the Inquisition so often times by his Maiestie attempted in the low Countries and euen vnto this verie present stayed and hindered shall by this moste expedient manner of dealing bee instituted and aduaunced First the exring and wickedly confederating Emperor with the Heretikes muste bee perswaded to resigne ouer vnto his sonue all the dominions terretories and full gouernment of the lowe Countries For wee haue hitherto too too vainely gone about our businesse with the Emperour but we shal at our pleasure deale wel inough with his young and simple sonne concerning this holy Inquisition Secondly soone after that the Emperour and his two sisters haue giuen ouer their charges left the lowe countries and god ten themselues into Spaine wee may assnre our selues that they mill not returne thence to hurte the sequele of our proceedings Thirdly These beeing dispatched it shal behoue vs also to remoue the king from vs and so deale with him as that hee neuer returne thence and that no Fleming bee suffered to haue accesse vnto him or yet speake with him Fourthly That the king shal write and send vnto the orders of the Clear gie men of the low countries to accept fifteene new Bishops with the inquisition who shall haue free power ouer all seculer Iurisdiction yea euen to deale in matters of high treason Fiftly The subiectes of the low countries by reason of their malice and ouer full fed will reuoult rayse commotions and tumultes agreeing to all thinges sauing vnto those that wee bring in Sixtly The princes and nobles with the chiefe leaders and Authours of these factions as also the subiects may heereupon by some slie and subtill dealing bee dispatched of their liues and the rest brought into good frame and order Seuenthly we will at our owne perill like of the reauers robbers of all churches and images and by some subtill shifte or other make all the woride impute the fault thereof vnto the rebelles and so by that meane wee shall get the vpper hande of them Eightly wee will ouerthrowe all trafficke trade of merchaudise riches wealth liberties and priueleges and bring them all vnto extreeme beggerie and so by this meane the Realme shall be euer ours Nienthly There shall none in all the low countries except those of our faction bee thought worthie to liue so that in the ende wee will roote out from amongest them all goods landes occupations and all good order and make a new kingdome and new people thereof Tenthly For accomplishing of this office and dealing the wise and valiant
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
haue misused them selues and offended within our saied lowe Countreis or the Countreis to them adioynyng and therevppon will see that Lawe and Iustice be administred whether it be in our lowe countreis or otherwise within our Realmes of Spain or els wheresoeuer we shall finde the same best appertaine 8 Wee also agree appointe and ordaine that all and euery prisoner and prisoners who by reason of the saied chaunges alterations and troubles haue been put to raunsome shall be mutually released and freely deliuered thereof Alwaies prouided that as concernyng the returne of our Cosin Phillip Willyam of Nassou Count of Buren in our saied Lowe Countreis shall by all the meanes possible we can bee set forthwith free and at libertie in our saied Lowe Countreis immediatly vpon the breaking vp and endyng of the saied assemblie of the Generall Estates and vpon the reall and actuall accomplishyng of the saied Prince of Orenge his promisse determined and concluded in the aforesaied assemblie 9 Wee also agree appoinâ—t and ordeine that the question difference and coutrouersie for the reestablishyng and restoryng of any of the Lordes and Officers vnto their Gouernementes Estates and Offices from whiche by reason of the chaunges alterations and troubles aforesaied thei are deposed shall bee suspended and surcease vntill the ende of the Assemble of the saied Generall Estates and then the same question difference and coÌ„trouersie to bee put to the Lawe and respectiuely committed to the ordenatie Eounselles and Iustices of our saied Lowe Countreis and accordyng to suche knowledge as thei shall finde out to bee truely and iustly decided and determined 10 Wee promise vpon the faithe of a Kyng and Prince to obserue and mainteine and in the behalfe of our saied good Brother and of all other Gouernours and euery of them aswell Generall as perticuler and in the behalfe also of as many as are by vs or hereafter shall by our successours bee substituted to cause all and euery Priuiledges Lawes Vses and Customes of our Lowe Countreis to be obserued and mainteined Neither will we appoinct to be substituted vnder vs either our saied good Brother nor any other Gouernours of our saied lowe Countreis in counsell nor otherwise for the true Gouernement and publicke administration of our saied Lowe Countreis saue onely suche as are naturally borne within our saied Countreis 11 And so likewise haue thesaied Estates mutually for their parte vppon their conscience faithe and honour before God and men promised to obserue and mainteine and must and shall also obserue and mainteine eche and euery where our holie Catholique and Romishe faithe and all aucthoritie and obedience to vs apperteinyng without crossyng the same any waie whatsoeuer 12 The saied Estates haue also promised to renounce and must and shall renounce all and euery Alleaunce and Confederacie whiche thei for their sauftie and defence haue with forreiners sithence the aforesaied chaunges alterations and troubles 13 The saied Estates haue in like sorte and maner also promised to cause to bee licensed and sent awaie and must and shall license and sende awaie out of our Lowe Countreis all and euery foreine Souldiers by them leuied or caused to be leuied And to also against and must and shall be against all the rest for their commyng into our saied Lowe Countreis 14 The saied Estates also in token of the true and naturall affection whiche thei beare towardes our seruice haue freely offered and graunted vnto vs the somme of sixe hundred thousande poundes at fourtie Flemishe Grotes to the pound The one half of whiche somme thei haue faithfully promised forthwith to paie into the handes of the saied Lordes Ambassadoures of the Empire and Subdeleagues of the said Prince and Duke of Iuliers to the ende that the saied moitie might by the saied Lordes Ambassadours Deputies and Subdealeagues bee equally paied and deliuered vnto the handes of our saied good Brother or to his Substitutes at the will and discretion of the saied Lordes Ambassadoures and Deputies for our said men of warre Spaniardes Italians Bourgonions and other Forreiners for the dispatchyng of them out of our Citie and Castle of Antwerpe and out of all the rest of our other Cities Castles and Fortresses alwaies reseruyng the saied Almaines vntill suche tyme as ther haue fully and wholy reckned with them as hereafter shall be declared And the other halfe the saied Estates shall by their sufficient letters sende the same to Geennes in exchange within twoo monethes after that the saied Spanyardes Italians and Bourgonians shall departe from our saied Citie and Castle of Antwerpe and there paie it into the haÌ„des of suche as our saied good Brother shall giue full power and aucthoritie to receiue 15 The said Estates haue in maner and forme as aforesaid promised to take and haue already taken the charge to content our saied Almaines their wages and hier after that thei haue reckned with them and as thei finde them in reason and equitie to bee behinde For accomplishyng whereof wee and our good Brother doe promise to helpe the saied Estates and accordyng to our powers aucthoritie and credite will helpe theÌ„ to all suche recknynges and notes into their handes as maie induse or any waie perswade the saied Almaines that their whole meanyng and entent is to paie theim that whiche is their due and whatsoeuer els thei shall thinke to be reasonable And againe thesaid Lordes and Deputies of the Empire and the Subdealeagues of the saied Prince and Duke of Iuliers did likewise franckly offer to doe the like vnto the saied Almaines And besides that thei would desire the saied Imperiall Maiestie to bee so good and gracious as to vse and imploie his saied aucthoritie vppon the aforesaied Almaines And commaunde theim that vntill suche tyme as thei were satisfied to remaine peaceably in suche places of our Lowe Countreis as we by the aduise of our saied Counsell of Estate should appoincte theim for the defence and assuraunce of vs and of our saied Estates 16 The saied Estates also haue in maner and forme aforesaied promised and are to stande bound that after the departure of the aforesaied Spanyardes Italians and Bourgonions out of our Lowe Countreis to receiue our saied good Brother who hath with hym Letters Patentes of Commission thereto seruyng made for the same purpose And when accordyng to Custome he is sworne and hath receiued all the Ceremonies that are to be vsed and obserued about the chosyng of a Gouernour Lieutenaunt and Generall for vs in our lowe Countreis That then the sated Estates are to behaue theim selues to hym as to their Gouernour and shall behaue them selues towardes hym in suche regard honour and obedience as to the like Potentate appertemeth Alwaies prouided that tht saied treatie of peace made in our citie of Gaunt and whatsoeuer els thereon dependyng shall not withstanding remain in full strength and vertue 17 We also enact and ordeine that our Successors at their ioyfull entrie and our saied good Brother and all the rest of our
Gouernours by vs or our Successors admitted into our Lowe countreis aswell generall as perticuler and all and euery of our Presidentes Counsailours Officers and Iusticers before the commyng in entrie and beginnyng of their Administration and charge of their Gouernements Dignities and Offices shall be solempely sworne to keepe and obserue and asmuche as in them lyeth cause this our present Acte and Ordenaunce to bee obserued and kept 18 And lastly we agree approue and holde for effectuall and good all constitutions of Rentes Pensions and all Bondes and Assuraunces whiche the saied Estates haue made and passed or whiche as yet thei shall make and paâ—se to all and euery one whiche haue assested furnished and lent them or whiche shall hereafter assest furnish or lende them any money for the seruing of their turnes and helpyng of them by reason of the aforesaied troubles and tumultes and especially all Bondes and Assuraunces made to the most high and mightie Princesse our most deare Sister the Queene of Englande 19 To the ende that all the pointes and Articles aforesaied might faithfully and in deede be obserued accomplished and take effect and that whatsoeuer contained within these our present Letters might remaine firme constant and remaine inuiolable for euer We haue caused these presentes by our saied good Brother to be signed and sealed on the one parte And the saied Estates on the other parte haue caused the Seale of the Estates of our Duchy and Countrey of Brabant for and in the name and at the request of all the rest of the saied Estates to bee put to and caused the same to be signed at the especiall and expresse commaundement and appoinctment of all the saied Estates by our deare and beloued Cornelius Weellemans Secretarie to the saied Estates of Brabant And likewise at the request and entreaty on the behalfe bothe of vs and our saied good Brother about this acte as also at the request of the saied Estates the saied Lordes Ambassadors Deputies of the Empire and Subdelegates of the saied Prince and Duke of Iuliers as Mediators and Intercessors for the saied reconciliation accorde and vnyon comprised in our present deede haue in like sorte beene a meane to sett forwarde with their owne handes the saied our present deede signed Hauyng also willyngly offred to get the same to bee commended confirmed approued and ratified and whatsoeuer els if it shall bee thought necessarie by the imperiall Maiestie for the settyng forwarde of the saied reconciliation accorde and vnyou by them made and treated of Giuen at our Citie of Marche in Famine the 12. of February 1577. And of our Kyngdomes to wit of Spayne Sicile c. the 23. And of Naples the 25. subscribed Ihon. And vnderneath was written By the appointment of his hignesse and signed F. le Vasseur And on the other side was written Giuen at our Citie of Bruxelles the 17. of February 1577. And of our Raigne to wit of Spayne Sicile c. 23. And of Naples the 25. And vnderneath was written By the ordenaunce of the Counsell of Estate of our soueraigne Lord the kyng Substituted by his Maiestie to the generall Gouernement of our Lowe Countreis hereabout and signed D'ouerloepe And then againe was written By the especiall and expresse appointement of the Lordes of the generall Estates of the Lowe Countreis And signed Cornelius Weellemans and vnderneath it Girard Bishop of Liege Phillip the Elder Baron of Winnenberg c. Audre we Gaill D. Wernertzo Gimmiche and Ihon Louwerman And vnderneath all this was written Proclaimed at Brurelles the 17. of February 1577. in the presence of my Lordes the Counsell of Estate Substituted by the kyng to the generall Gouernement of the Lowe Countreis And by the prinie Counsell and by my Lorde the moste reuerende Bishop and Prince of Liege and the other Lordes Ambassadours and Deputies of the Imperiall Maiestie and my Lordes the generall Estates of the Lowe Countreis By me the Secretarie of the Citie of Bruxelles And subscribed Aerssens The Prince of Orenge and the Estates of Hollande and Sealande hauyng receiued the Copie of the saied perpe tuall Edicte make protestation vnto the pointes and Articles of the peace of Don Ihon as followeth The Prince of Orenge his protestation THe Prince of Orenge and the Estates of Hollande and Sealande hauyng seen letters of credite whiche letters on the behalfe of my Lordes the Estates of the Lowe Countreis hereaboute by the lorde Wileruall and maister Paule Bush Aduocate of Hollande accompanied with the Lordes the Ambassadours of the Emperour who were herevnto instanly required are shewed to his Excellencie by whiche my Lordes the Estates demaunde aduise and aunswere vnto certaine Articles framed in forme of a perpetuall Edict in the kynges name tending to the vmon of the Countreis here about and by Don Ihon of Austriche to theim for that purpose deliuered Haue aunswered and by these also doe aunswere that thei as concernyng the saied Articles doe greatly praise and commende the holy zeale good meanyng and intent whiche the saied Lordes of the Estates declare theim selues to haue for the reducyng againe of our poore and miserable Countrey vnto suche a desired tranquilitie and vnion greatly assuryng them selues that thesaied Lordes of the Estates seke herein nothyng els but the deliueraunce of the poore afflicted enhabitauntes from the greate pouertie and miserie wherein thei are as it were cleane ouer hedde and eares by the cruell and insupportable Eyrrannie of the proude Spanishe nation and their ill ordered gouernement and that for the obseruation of the auncient Priuiledges Lawes and Francheses thei had set a good and sure order to the ende thei might not hereafter fall into the like inconuenience but principally in approchyng fully and wholly by the saied Articles vnto the laste pacification made at Gaunt the 8. of Nouember laste past So that thei haue in all their matters and protestation alwaies promised and also made commendable actes and worthie perpetuall memorie Neuerthelesse after that the renowmed and worthy Prince together the Estates of Hollande and Sealande had from point to point taken in hande to peruse the aforesaied Articles and had accordyng to the extreame necessitie of the matter consideratly weighed them as in deede our predecessours in the like case neuer wonted to forget the obtainyng of all newe and commendable Priuiledges at their Lordes and Princes handes thei were fully persuaded that by thesaied Articles the zeale and desire of the Lordes of the Estates aboue declared was not as yet throughly satisfied For first it seemeth that the saied auncient Priuiledges of the Countreis whiche thei would in all poinctes wrongfully defende are verie preiudiciall bothe because that the libertie of the assemblyng of the generall Estates to whom of right it aunciently apperteineth is thereby quite and cleane taken from them and also because the Estates are driuen to a newe bond and othe not to be vsed And this maie easely appeare in the newe infringyng of the