whiche was held as a greate and holy Relique among the Frenchmen At this siege was the Erle of Penbrooke sent from Quéen Mary as Generall ouer fiue thousande Englishemen and in that company the Lorde Grey of VVilton the Earle of Leycester called then Lorde Robert Dudley and the Lord Henry his brother Lorde Bray Lorde Delawaer Sir William Courtney Sir Iohn Pollard and a greate number of nobilitie and worthy Gentlemen which being mustred and putte in order of battell on Saint Peters gréene by Callice made as gallant a shewe as was séene in those partes a long season before King Phillippe béeyng happye in warres and hauyng alwayes or the most parte victorie and aduauntage ouer the Frenche made what stirre or businesse hée pleased during the time of his abode in Flaunders and departing to Spaine lefte the Dutchesse of Parma as Regent But about that season or anone after the French Kyng sente Monsieur de Termes who was Generall of Callice when England had loste it with tenne thousand Souldioures to destroy a greate péece of the lowe countrie and they prospered a while and burnte Donkirke and Berges and sundrie other Townes and Uillages But the Counte De Egmond with a noble bande of Burgonions gaue a charge vppon Monsieur de Termes before Grauelin and ouerthrewe hys whole armye leauing but a fewe horsemenne to runne awaye and make reporte of the conflicte Oure shippes on the Sea as some saye dyd further muche this victorie Thus all this while did Flaunders moste manfullye anâ—… stoutlye striue with the Frenchmen and gote commonlyâ—… twice so muche as they loste either by martiall feates in field or pollicie at home in peace And surely Flaunders had the name to haue as greate souldiors and as wise Counselloures as any one parte of Christendome Lette their actes in our daies be a testimonie to trie their valor and worthinesse and for my parte I goe no further in their fame and glorie than al their neighboures can beare witnesse of and hath bin séene in the compasse of thirtie yeares of whiche time I haue had some triall among them of their wars and experiences in martiall causes But what can mans force or pollicie doe when God withdrawes his goodnesse from the peopleâ—… Did not Rome florish many yeares and conquered in a maner the greater parte of the world Did not Carthage Thebes Athens Florence Genewa Venice Naples and a number of other Kingdomes and Seigniories abounde in wealth and glorie and nowe at these daies are but a few of them left able to compare with this little Iland And to speake of Flaunders though I knew the day when it might haue compared with the greatest state that I haue named the greater is the fall thereof at this presente and the more it is to be lamented not onely bicause it was our antient neighbour and friende but for that it was a famous and riche countrey whiche I leaue to Gods ordinance and appointmente purposâ—…ng to follow the matter I haue taken in hand The Dutchesse of Parma remaining Regent had much adoe to quiet things in hir time for the state beganne to be deuided and a quarrel betwéene the Cardinall Granduiell and Monsieur Degmond who gaue the Cardinall a blow encreased such dissention as coulde not be a long wâ—…ile bée pacified and then the Prince of Orange Counte de Horne Counte de Heâ—…traed and others of the greatest calling aduaunced Religion and brought suche matters in question as bredde great businesse and bloudshed The first of this ruffling and sturre began at Antwerpe where they threwe down Images and made a greate vproare among the common people so that they fell to sides and factions and thereby a grudge of ranckor tooke roote in their heartes in suche sorte that the one side sought the others ouerthrow and vtter subuersion At thys tyme a greate Citie called Valentian taking holde and sauoure of Religion reuolted from the Regent whiche towne was besieged a long season by the Regents power and by practise and policie surprised taken and cruelly handled But in the mean season there was one called Monsieur Tolouse that assembled a company of souldioures to the number of two thousand and fortified a place neare Antwerpe called Austeâ—…uiel in minde to exercise Religion there and to draw as many vnto them as were fauorers of that enterprise The Regent hearing thereof with all expedition sente Monsieur Beauoys with a sufficient hand both of horsmen footemen which set vpon Monsieur Tolouse his companye when they were not well prouided to withstande such a chardge and ouerthrewe the whole assembly putting to the sworde as many as they coulde lay hand vpon with as great terror and crueltie as coulde anye waye be imagined The common people of Antwerpe standyng on their walles and beholding this murther and massacre began to murmure at the matter and so burst out in open words of malice and swore to reuenge the bloudshed they behelde of their brethren and countrimen Whervpon a common crie was sodainâ—…ly raised throughout the stréetes of Viue le geuxe all the people arming themselues in euerye parte of the Citie came running to the Mear Broeg a wide and large stréete adioyning to the Borse when they hadde assembled togither to the number of tenne thousand shotte and armed menne they determined to march out of the towne and méete Monsieur Beauoys as hée returned from Austreuiel But in the market place was assembled twelue Auntients of the Regents side who had the keyes of the gates and so kepte the people from their purpose a little season But the multitude was so greate and the people swarmed so thicke in euery place that the Regentes power in the Market place were â—…aine to drawe the Cannons from the walles and gather theyr friendes togither from all partes of the Citye and hauyng a greate power all in one place they chardged all theyr Cannons and greate péeces with haile shotte and dydde fortifye themselues in the Market place verye stronglye The nighte before one Capitayne Bright and Capitaine Marya an Italian hadde broken all the bridges and passages that the people of the Citie shoulde haue gone ouer or haue hadde anye passage at whiche was done vppon some suspition they had conceiued of a reuolte The people being with this and other occasions made angrie and brought in a rage beganne furiouslye to goe aboute the walles and kepte togither by thousandes and multitudes the number whereof coulde not easilye be knowen but they were iudged in all to be fiue and twentye thousande able men and yet among them hadde they no speciall Captaine noâ—… any that woulde take vppon him to shâ—…w what was necessarie to be done in this their extreame hazard and danger The Prince of Orange the Count de Horne the Count de Hostâ—… Monsieur Decaerdes al the nobilitie being afraide to offende the King with an open reuolte did perswade the Regents power to make peace with the people and aboute that
féeble both of force and courage the souldioures little set by their marchaunts despised and their noble men so daunted by meanes of the pride of the Spaniarde and plague of the â—…nquisition that they thoughte themselues rather in a slauishe bonâ—…age than handled like subiectes and woulde haue faine shaken â—…st the yoke of this seruitude but their power was so small and their miserie so greate that little or nothing at all coulde they doe and were forced to beare and suâ—…er with patience a burthen most heauie and a loade that ouercharged both bodye and conscience The Prince of Orange hauing hope that sundrie of the towns and stréets of the Countrey in this extremitie would haue ioyned with him for the recouering of their libertie and priuiledges drewe himselfe among his friendes in Germanie and practised for money and men to be ready with an army to encounter the Duke of Alua and either by battaile to ende tho miseries of Flaunders or by strong hande to driue oute the perturbers of their publske state and quietnesse And so resolued to trie what good fortune and fast friends woulde doe in those affaires He remained at his house ten Dutche leagues beyonde Collen called Dilleâ—…burgh a goodlye seate and a faire strong Castell to which place repaired many noble personages of Germany and Capitaines of greate conduct and charge to deuise and talke of matter conuenient for the purpose rehearsed In whiche communication was concluded that as soone as an army mighte be leuied they woulde méete and assemble at an Abbey neare vnto Andernake which Monasterie was beyond the riuer of Rhein and stoode wel for the suretie of the people that there should be mustred It came well to passe after a long prouision and that a braue regiment of Frenchmen were readye that Monsieur Maulberg brought out of Fraunce that the Prince his people met assembled at this Abbey in such warlike sorte and order as gaue a great hope of some high attempt and enterprise For in verie troth the Counte de Hostraet a noble worthye manne the Counte Lodwike a moste valiaunte souldiour were come to the Prince and brought with them a great bande of Burgonions of great and good houses and suche as hadde bin well experimented in wars And a maruellous companye of Swarfe Rutters high Almaines and Sweessers were come from Germany and at one instant and time they met all togither and muster was taken of aleauen thousand horsemen and two and twenty thousande footmen whiche made so noble a shewe when they were assembled as me thoughte was worthy the noting and mighte encourage anie souldiour to march among and kéepe companye withall The Prince hadde prepared so great a treasure that immediatly after the army was mustred there was a generall pay for two moneths and out of hande order was taken for to passe ouer the great riuer of Rhein not far from Andernak the towne being gladde to stand as our friendes and aide vs with all that they might And so marching forwarde as direct a way towards Flaunders as was thought necessarie we encamped betwéen Boen and Collen where the Flemings and highe Almaines hadde of the Frenchmen in our Campe receiued some words of reproche touching the ouerthrow that the Counte Lodwike hadde at Groening in Freeslande on which words the Almaines being ful of wine made a mutinie and put themselues in battel and shotte off their small péeces and began a foule businesse To appease the same broyle all the whole army were in armes and the Swarfe Rutters were mounted and were come into the fielde the French and Burgonions tooke one side and the Almaines and Rutters another and so there was a greate murther but it dured not long for the Prince of Orange his brother Count Lodwike by muche entreatie stayed the strife The Duke of Aluaes Campe hearde of this mutinie and hadde not a greate riuer bin betwéene oure Campe and his power we had smarted for the folly the Almaines committed But as by wisedome and hap of good heads sel out better things than was looked for and all matters were quieted and she beginners of this vproare and madnesse were by martiall lawe punished After this we encamped before Ayex Ocorken where commonlye the Emperoure is crowned a greate Cittie not very farre from Mastricke the people wherof did feare to be besieged and so with a great summe of money redéemed their towne The Spaniardes the neare vnto our camp shewed themselues and were repulsed to their losse and so the camp marched a little further in a most braue and gallant order The Prince of Orange vsed here a noble policie firste hée sente to the Bishop of Leeg willyng hym to let his armye passe through the Citie of Leeg promising to passe quietly â–ª the Bishop being wylie sente the Prince worde that he would make a bridge by the Citie for the army to passe ouer at and made the Duke of Alua prâ—…uy to hys practise who should haue bin on the other side of y water with his armye to haue receiued our people Whiche Stratageme the Prince suspected but yet with fayre words he helde the Bishoppe in beléefe he woulde passe ouer the bridge and tooke the offer thankfullye and a daye was appoynted that al things should be in a readinesse But in the mean time the Prince by good espiall tryed out the fine fetch and cunning of the Byshoppe and sodainely when no one man in our army knew which way we shoulde marche the Drum was souÌ„ded and our carriages going towards Leeg and al oure faces tourned that way and marched a good while as thoughe the Prince meant to passe ouer the bridge spoken of And when oure people beganne moste to doubte some danger talked of the hazard the Prince caused our army to turne their faces by that time night approched and hauing good guydes we marched swiftly without making any noise ij Dutch leagues down y riuers side called Moesse y wether being foule the night very dark And surely a sore iorney it was a loÌ„g march But in the morning at the dawning of the daye we came to a shallowe place of the water where was a foord to passe ouer and so much expedition was made that eleauen thousand horse and two and twenty thousand footemen were passed ouer the water in one daies labour but the legs of the horses kepte vp the water so long a season that the riuer rose a yard in height by which means many horsmen footmen wer drowned all our victuall had taken great wet and was in a maner marred and spoyled quite Notwithstanding to oure great hope and comforte our campe was nowe in Flaunders and our enimies were deceyued vtterly of their expectation and deuice Nowe after this labour we tarryed ouer long to refresh the army for thrée dayes were spent in ydlenesse in which time the enimies heade and body was occupied lyttle to oure aduantage yet the thirde daye we marched full vpon
the enimyes campe whiche daye was so cleare and the countrey so plaine to marche in that all the order of oure campe mighte be throughlye discerned And who that had séene the glistering battels of footmen and the awful shew and troupes of the horsemen which wâ—…re not a few would neuer in his life dayes forgette that noble assemblie for it was a wonder of the worlde to sée so many braue and lusty souldiers togither and as it séemed euery man was bent to battell and prepared with weapon and courage to conquere a Kingdom And vndoubtedly the most of our camp looked that night for a combate and sharpe encounter for the enimyes were thrée and thirtie thousande footemen and fiue thousande and eight hundreth horsemen and gallant laddes both well furnished and well disposed whiche was argument ynough that they woulde looke vs in the faces their leader in like sorte a graue Prince and an auntient wise souldiour alwayes stoute and honorable But neither we feared his force nor doubted his pollicie but marchyng towards him came in viewe of his camp and so néerâ—… â–ª 〈◊〉 that his great Cannons went off at our â—…ple and cure péeces played lustily on his power againe and a hote skirmishe beganne with egâ—…e desire on both sides to gette glorie bloude and victorie But the Duke hadde entrenched his Campe so stronglye rounde aboute that oure horsmen could not gyue a charge And peraduenture all our Swarfe Rutters were not of one minde as the sequele hereafter maye shew Thus in sâ—…irmishe all the daye was spente in somuch that at night we were faine to encampe our selues on a toppe of a hill full in the enimies eye the seruice dured so long and late we could not be better prouided The Duke of Alua at thrée of the clocke after midnight dislodged hys Campe went from Mastricke where he laâ—… and marched along the riuer side towardes Leeg very closely and without brute or sounde of Trumpet and at the peepe of daye oure vancurrers hadde a viewe of the enimyes and we might at the length perceiue them fully and beholde the whole order of their battels and marche Oure people beyng moued with that â—…ighte albeit it was somewhat feareful to fainte courages offered the skirmishe coÌ„tinued in the same a long time butiour meaning was to marche into Flaunders and get some Townes for oure succoure and money for the reléefe of the souldioures So wée came to a Towne called Tonger and tooke in the same a number of Waggoris loaden with victuall that was going to the Dukes campe and froÌ„ thence to Sentrâ—…e an other great Town we marched which Town was strong and stood against vs til they saw the battery placed theÌ„ was it yéelded somewhat spoiled where religious persons were found and it redéemed itselfe for a summe of mony and remained in peace wheÌ„ we marched further into y country The Duke followed oure Campe dayly and wayted so vppon vs that the stragglers were soone sente home and y who le armye tooke greate héede and care of all things they did The wether was moste parte foule and the wayes seldome fayre and victualles euer harde to come by by mean of a commaundement and charge giuen by the Duke to y Boores and Countrymen who continually did annoy vs as they might breaking bridges Mils all other thinges that shoulde doe vs good for the whiche their houses and stackes of corne were burnt and their wiues and familie when we tooke them were very yll entreated This scarcâ—…tie of victuall and crueltie of the Countrimen encreased dayly and as it was reported diuers of good calling brake promisse with the Prince drewe an other way which in very déede pintched and wroong the heart in the breast of those that wisely wayed the inconstancâ—…e of the world and suche as had not made before good prouision were put to their plunge and felte penurie and indigence ynough and as victuall wared scant so garmentes horse-shoes and other necessaries could not be gotten for mony that was a miserye remedileâ—…e and a mischiefe that neither man nor beast mighte easily abide Yet as for victualles some shift with sword was made that people perished not in ertreame lacke and want of sustentation Many daies and seasons we pingled and struggled with the Spaniardes for breade and other cates and often wée mette with them in the Townes Uillages open fields and skirmished at y very skirts of their caÌ„pe procuring theÌ„ to fight But y Duke wold haue no battel and our Rutters were so wise y they would make y war long to bring good bags ful purses Waggons home to their houses when the Prince should retyre But whatsoeuer might be iudged of the matter the souldiors on both sides were sometimes loath to encounter except vpon a great aduantage much procurement to the same they were pricked forwarde to â—…eeke aduentures and féele the force of Fortune The Prince being once neare Louaine thought to haue besieged y town by the watche wayting on him that the Duke vsed was driuen to séeke many wayes to compasse that he sought one while to bid the bace to the Dukes coÌ„panye another while to practize for the preueÌ„ting of mischiefe al the meanes that possible could be deuised retyring sometimes to make the Duke folow folowing somtimes to putte the enimies to flight if fortune so fauored occasion could be taken houering vp down a great time in the maner rehersed before he had to passe by Tillemont a bridge betwéen two woods which bridge his enimie thoughte to guard or at the least to shew some exploite at encamping themselues neare the Prince the Princes vangard maine battel marched towards the passage The Duke to occupy y tune til his purposed deuice tooke place made as though he would haue biddeÌ„ battel came ful before the reregarde of the Prince to a waters side hauing on both his wings a mightie wood and guarded behinde with waggons cariages hasted apace towardes the Prince with al his power The Prince very glad to sée the enimie so desirous of battel approched with his reregard néere the enimy sent with spéede for the vangard maine battel to come backe agayn for causes conuenient which came in open field presented themselues in order of battell to the enimie but the Duke kept him and his power beyonde the water and yet put out dyuers bands to holde the Prince in play drawe our people neare the great and small shotte The Burgonions Rutters Almaines most of the lustiest souldiours about the Prince ranne so couragiously to thys encounter and péece of seruice that sundrye were galled hurte at the first charge and fewe or none that aduentured anye thing at al but escaped hardlye the daunger of body losse of life the ground which the enimies had choseÌ„ was so ful of aduaÌ„tage the Spaniards so valiantly maintained the skirmish
we did for most certaine the scarcitie was such of the same that some in the Campe and right good men for the space of twentie or thirtie dayes neuer tasted of bread nor dranke better than water yet what with Apples and frute and other moyst things we found the Camp was satisfyed and men in hope of better sustenance shifted out a sorowful season and nothing gréeued their heartes more than that they couâ—…d not end or ease that miserie with y hazard of battell Nowe when necessitie compelled the Prince to wythdraw his power or desperateâ—…ie to set on the enimies camp in a fixed determination he sought daylie after the Duke of Alua who still auoyded the fight Yet to trayne the enimie néere vs and bring theÌ„ from the wooddes to the plaine that the Horsemen myghte charge them The Prince marched towards Leeg and beséeged that great and goodly City although the Rutters stiffely refused that seruice saying it was imperiall and a Towne they ought not meddle withall But froÌ„ wheÌ„ce that reason was racked or wherof that answere did smel I report me to those that knowes the handling and scanning of such cunning mysteries The Cannons were planted for all this contradiction and the greate péeces did play vpon the Citie two or thrée dayes and the Duke hearing thereof came as it was reported to set on some of the Princes people and forces The Prince hauing examined a prisoner that was taken at that present vnderstanding where and which way the Duke might be found sent for his chiefe Captaines commaunded anone after midnight to dislodge quietly without souÌ„d of Drumme or TruÌ„pet march as they might towards the Duke albeit the night was darke and the weather inconstant which was a great trouble to the Camp yet the Prince was resolued to trie out by aduersitie whether the Duke or he had the more hard destiny and aduerse fortune Nowe the Souldioures beganne to reioyce and although the way was combersome and the nighte darke and vncomfortable yet euery man bore a portion of the trauell in hope to come quickly to an end of the trouble And by my troth the maner of our march was so difficult and strange and y Camp went so scattered abroade at all aduentures that we were like ynough before day to be some of vs tâ—…nne mile asunder or to happen in the hands of the Duke of Aluaes watch vnawares and so we did for some taking the Rutters that the Duke had to be our men and mistaking the way they should haue kept fell in the middle of y Duke of Aluaes centinell but they were but a few that so foolishâ—…y wandred Yet by this blind occasion the Duke gat lightof the Princes purpose and thereon entrenched himselfe and his Camp in a strong ground to his greate suretie and aduantage And at the breake of day our Camp begaÌ„ chéerefully to sounde a marche full in the hearing of the Dukes power I doubt if I made mention of the mirth that oure people had some fyne fellowes woulde scarcely beléeue it wherefore I procéede to my matter The Campes thus being néere togither were both in order of battell the Dukes entrenched and the Princes in open playne and the Princes power presented the battell in a braue and goodly order but it was refused Notwithstanding y enimie issued out of their trench by multitudes and offered y skyrmish but that was thought but a meane to gall hurt our best Souldioures as in déede a skirmishâ—… in some cases is no better wherfore the Prince marched about more néedefull affaires and yet helde the enimie play ynough with a sufficiente company for that purpose they came out for In a little while after knowing y the Duke would not fight though he were able and durst if he pleased the Prince meante to depart from Flaunders and comming by trifling Townes yet some of them well walled he did what he thought conuenient to those Townes and at length came before Chaiteu Caembersey which would not yéelde and so the Prince beséeged it but the batterie was so farre off that it did no greate hurt And the Duke minding to shew some rescue to the Towne came in the sighte of our Camp and lodged betwéene two great wooddes Yet nothing worthy noting was attempted And the Prince séeing time was consumed without anye profit or lykelyhode of battell he marched unto France entring betwéene Gwyse and Saint Quintains two speciall Townes of the French Kyngs and comming nowe into a goodly Countrey full of holesome Wyues and healthfull thyngs that oure siâ—…ke and sore weatherbeaten Campe néeded and were gladde of wée rested awhile and fylled our emptie bellies wyth benefyte of the earthe and blessings of God and so in small processe of time returned into Straesbrâ—…eg and other partes of Germanie where after this long voyage and hard fare many dyed of suche diseases as followes the miserable estate of man and cuttes off the dayes and lyues of Millions The Prince went in a while after to hys house at Dillenbrough and euery other person to suche places and Countreys as best they liked and mighte most contente theyr mindes and calling and the Duke drewe hymselfe towardes Antwerpe and both their great armyes were dispersed and seuered asunder in a shorte season But Flaunders béeyng ordeyned to troubles coulde no season rest withoute some persecution and practiseâ—…s to vexe and disquiet the state so that thousandes were alwayes busilie occupyed not only to molest the Spanyards but also to gette and winne suche plottes and péeces of the Countrey of Flaunders Zelande and Hollande as myght bée an occasion to bring the Priuiledges of all the Countrey in question and debate their causes at large And hauyng hadde some talke one with another of these matters that were againste the Dukes gouernemente the Count De Lume otherwise named Count De la March a lustye Gentleman came with a sufficiente power and tooke the Breell an Iland that fronts vpon Flushing The Prince and his brother was or had bin before with the Duke de Dupont and the Prince of Condey in greate seruices for the whiche they wanne worthy fame for theyr adueÌ„ture with the said Prince of Condey And the Prince of Orange woulde take no charge but as it séemed came to sée how the affayres of the world would burst out or finish Yet in the ende the Prince of Orange and his brother came home and the Count Lodwike to exercise his greate heart in great things went against y Duke of Alua was receiued into Mounts in Henalt a stroÌ„g towne The Duke not asléepe but had so waking a wit y he would rise earely to bid his enimies good morow came beséeged Mounts in Henals Sir WilliaÌ„ MorgaÌ„ being then with CouÌ„t Lodwike with much businesse and great adoe vpon hard conditions agréed that the Count Lodwike and all his noble Souldiers shoulde departe with bagge and baggage whersoeuer they pleased The Duke most honorably saw
novv lyes hid Bycause my pillers shrinke in hoales my nobles sevred are And for to please a forraine foe casts off their countrey care We neuer fearde our fall til novv the Faggots bande is broke And stickes flee out yea all the house is full of flame and smoke And in this heate and smother foule the enmy spies his time And â—…inely layes to catch the birdes the suttle snares and lime O vvilfull vvaste and blindenesse great that vvill not see the sore Where bile begins to beale and burst and breedes a canckred core O running vvittes that roues and shootes at markes past reasons reatch O frovvard flocke and schollers rude that no scholeman may teach O vvretched members of my state that teares in sunder all And seekes to giue a cunning trippe to soote that vvould not fall O carreine Crovves that follovv fleshe and flee the fruite of spreete O tipsie brains and senselesse heads that knovves not sovvre from svveete My glorie had not so declinde had you your duetie done You haue no stay your steppes do slyde your feete a gadding runne Ful many yeares as cause you had to Englands aide you stoode And alvvaies leaned to that lande that most might do you good And novv to strangers frame your selues your flytting may proue vvell But vvith the colde conceite of this in care doth Flaunders dvvell My care is lesse though shame be much for your offence and foyle I beare the blame and yours the fault and I the only soyle That some shootes at and playes vpon vvhat play oh Lord he knovves Some come as they vvere lookers on but some haue longer vvoes That reacheth to the highest cloudes your quaffing sees not that You svvallovv vp a Cammel great and snatche a little gnatte I liste no further speake of faults nor teache you to agree But hovv so ere the matter goes I vvarne you looke to mee O staggring state that reeleth still yet looke vnto thy strength Or else my povvre aud name shall slyde and thou shalt fall at length And make a crack as though in deede ten thousand trees fell dovvne O members mine that me forgets yet loke to Antvverpe tovvne That long hath lasted to my fame and stoode vvith greatest peeres With svvorde and shotte in open plaine this many hundreth yeeres But all in vaine that tale is tolde What shoulde I further speake When might decayes and force of man by finesse vvaxeth vveake My members must giue place to time and I therevvith decay As frost and Snovv and cakes of Ise do melt on Sommers daye The heat of my good hap is gon the prime of pompe is past And as the vvarmth forsakes the vvorld the colde comes on as fast The Spring but threatens fal of leafe all bravrie beggrie brings He vvepes in vvant that first in vvelth and toppe of triumph sings Yet vvellavvay and stil vvo vvorrh the causers of my crie Who rockes my people fast asleepe vvith many a farced lye And fables forced for the nonce oh pause I go too farre My slouth or sinne or foule carovvse is cause of all this vvarre That bybbing vp deep bovvles of vvine vvent drousie home to bedde And savv not vvhat shrevvde matters luâ—…kt in sober suttel hed Well since my faulte as people say is partly cause of this I must require the vvondring vvorld to take it as it is And by the same a mirror make that they in one agree And seeke throvv loue and good accorde to shunne the plagues of me Who novv laments and cryes alas too late as vvisedome shoes And am compeld in hard extreames to yeelde to mortall foes FINIS Of the Warres and troubles in Flaunders during the raigne of the Emperoure Charles the fifth and since those dayes a rehearsall of sundrie things till the late death of Don Iohn de Austria IN the raigne of y mightie Emperour Charles y fiâ—…th whose victories conquests are registred in Chronicle Flaunders did flourishe with Souldioures abounde in wealth prospered in wâ—…r and wanted neyther wise men to make peace at their aduantage nor good Gouernoures to maynteyne their publike stare common coÌ„moditie and yet their Countrey stoode neuer frée froÌ„ troubles nor their Townes Fortes and foâ—…tifications coulde any long whyle in quietnesse remayne the occasion whereof may procéede eyther of the ambition of this gréedie worlde or the plagues prepared of God and poured on the people whose wealth and pride was so great that they were wart so wanton with abundaunce of treasure that sometymes they fell to open rebellion treason and insolencie and sometime to such disorder of life as was not to be suffered For the which cause the Emperour made in Gaunt a great Castel and kept such a garrison in the same as might feare the offenders and animate good subiectes in well doing So the whole Country of Flaunders Brabanâ—… Seland Holland Artoys Henalt Namure and other members thereof whatsoeuer were gouerned by a Regente called the Quéene of Hungary sister to the Emperoure in whyche season fell out many matters but especially suche warres as I meane to make mention of and ought not to be forgotten in this shorte rehearsall of the affayres of Flaunders Nowe to touche briefelie the broyles and businesse of those dayes it is to be presupposed that Fraunce hadde a clayme to some partes of the Countrey of Flaunders for whyche clayme or gréedie desire of dominion a most cruell and pitifull warre burst out betweene the Emperoure and the French king And continuing long in diuers exploytes and exercises of armes the King of Naâ—…arre with an armie entred the lowe Countrey néere vnto Saint Homers burning and spoyling what hée thought conuenient or had by sworde conquered Monsieur Grand Maeter called Count Dernes dyd leauie another power of Burgonyons Flemmings and Englishmen and so marched to withstande the furie of the Frenche and encamped himselfe néere vnto the King of Nauarre called Duke de Vandoem where was oftentimes hote skirmishes and good leaping of dikes the seruice was so well plyed on both the parties At whyche seruice were sundrie English bands and many Gentlemen of Englande as Sir Anthonie Storley Captayne Matson Francis Horâ—…ey Sir William Drurie Captayne Mitchell Captayne Plonket Captayne Hinde my selfe and a great number of others whose names I haue forgotten This businesse béeyng done and the Frenchmen retyred Monsieure Grand Maeter beséeged Hedding and battered the Castell where Duke Orace was slayne and manye other noble men of Fraunce and at length the Castell and Towne was assaulted and Captayne Matsons Auntiente was the fyrste that entred the Towne William Hinde bearing it and gaue the fyrste signe of victorie after whyche Conquest with the pause of thrée dayes aduisemente the Castell of Hedding was yéelded to Monsieur Dernes and the Frenche Souldyoures marched away with bagge and baggage to the greate glorie of the Burgonyons and discontentmente of the French. The Emperoure not long after wyth a puissante power and a mightie armye beséeged
and people were driuen through a thousande hazards to saue life and libertie The Prince was fayne to depart to a Towne of his owne called Breda and hauing hast away or for some great cause left his sonne and heyre called Monsieur Debuer in Louaine at Schole and dyuers Gentlemen shifted away as they might among the rest I seambled hardly into Englande being layde for and yet so desguised that I escaped the handes of my enimies who hadde a commaundement from the Regente to put mée to death with Martiali law a badde recompence for so great good and diligence bestowed on hir people and a naughtie reward for the frute of a good meaning mind Flaunders and all the lowe Countreys belonging to the King of Spayne after this time fell in a maruellous mislike of King Philips friendes and so to bridle that Countrey and kéepe the people in awe and feare were appoynted streighte lawes and seuere Gouernoures And among the rest of cruelties the inquisition was thought a necessarie curb or plague to persecute y heads that were thrust out too farre And with this inquisition was sente from Kyng Philip the Duke of Alua a graue Prince but a sterne and stoute Souldyoure at whose comming the Dutches of Parma was to departe and to yéelde the gouernemente to the aforesayde Duke of Alua. And to fetche him into the Countrey went the Count Degmond and al the Nobilitie of Flaâ—…ders whereof some were eyther in Religion or other causes to King Philip offendors before But neyther their offering of seruice nor diligent attendance coulde plucke him from his purpose that came for a pretenced persecution and sâ—…ourge prepared for people that God appointed to be plagued And the Duke of Alâ—…a minding the matter he came for and forgetting no aduantage that mighte be taken in time beganne roughly and wyth some rigor to shew the power and commission he had sparing neyther purse câ—…ming nor practise to accomplish hys desire and bring to full effect by sword and policie the substance of a plotte and grounde settled in his iudgemente And going on a determined course neyther reuocable nor to be controlled like a Hercules that woulde sette Pillers where neuer none had bin procéeded so farre in his owne opinion and resolute mind that he feared the offenders so much that gladde was the man of what degrée soeuer hée was that by submission myghte purchace hys fauoure And he fyndyng hymselfe thus feared and soughte vnto vsed hys forces and extremities to subdue by violence that whyche some Gouernoures by swéete persuasions woulde haue reformed wherevppon hée layde handes on the Count Degmonde Count De Horne and many others that he thoughte woulde bée a lette to that he went about and hadde at his commaundemente for the execution of these causes â–ª a greate number of Spanyardes and Straungers that gaped for nothing else but the liues and goodes of those that eyther rigour of law or seueare iustice hadde condemned so withoute delayes or deferring of punishmentes vppon an open Skaffolde to the greate terror of y beholders Count Degmonde and Count De Horne were beheaded after theyr araynemente condemnation made and many others were not only dayly troubled but likewise were put to death and a generall persecution was ministred and felt through the whole Countrey of Flanders The Spanyards as maysters and rulers of all Fortes Townes and strong holdes prospered in wealth brauerie and benefite and became so hauty and stoute that neyther Burgonion nor Flemming durst struggle with them in ame sort or manner by whiche meanes the people murmured and thought all amisse but knew not how to amend anye péece thereof Wherfore they put their neckes willinglie in the yoke and drew that way that the Spanyardes would wrest them offering no resistance to any insolence or disordered behauioure that the Spanyarde might vse towards theÌ„ And in that kinde of seruitude the poore Countrey continued a long season Upon the mislike of some â—…ractions and other streyghte handlings there grewe a grudge and a common hatred among the people agaynst the Spanyards but they were so hardly held looked vnto y both their power fayled to answere their mindes and their courage was daunted and could do nothing in recouering their former liberties and priuiledges belonging to their state Then diuers fleddé from their patrimonies and liuing and came to the Count Lodwike who hadde gathered a good power and lay in Freeseland to anoy the Spanyards and wiâ—…e a Towne called Groening And this valiát Earle had many followers and fauourers and many times wanne of the Spanyards and put theÌ„ to the foyle But in conclusion his people béeing not all sound nor so desirous to sight as they were willing to haue warres in a maner at a great extremitie and pushe of seruice for sooke their noble Captaine cowardly behaued themselues when valiancie should most haue bin séene and force of manhode sword might by fortune haue gotté great victory In which ouer sight féeble spréete of y Almaynes the Counte Lodwike was put to flight all his powâ—…r eyther ouerthrowne or dispersed and he himselfe forced to make shift in the best manner he coulde hauing loste at this encounter seauen thousande men and all his campe spoyled and no one thing left at his power and commaundement that before his enimies had no power of Master Crewes an auntient Souldioure was at this ouerthrowe with the Counte Lodwicke The Spaniardes as occasion fell out on this victorie besides the other greate hopes they had waxed some what more stoute than they were wont to be and hauing the brydle caste on their neckes and holding the bitte in their téeth ranne what course they thought conuenient not fearing the myre that a headstrong horse mighte happen in nor suspecting any danger that ouermuch libertie myghte bring them to fell after in a mischeuous Labyrinth and could not get out of the same since that present time to this day as héereafter in playne discourse shall appéere Nowe the Countrey of Flaunders perceyuing that the Spaniardes soughte not to preserue the people thereof nor vse anye meane to encrease credite and continue in good liking and finding as they thought those that should haue proued guides and shepeheards became Wolues and spoilers of their common wealth the willing obedieÌ„ce of thousands grew to a common contempt and wilfull stubbornnesse and fewe was the number were lefte willinglye to obey the Duke of Aluaes direction and new deuised orders that the straungers had offered them So some ran to y Prince of Orange some sled to England and that in greate numbers some slypped into Fraunce and some were readye to tourne any way and goe where Fortune assygned them And great was the griefe that some did féele that tarryed at home who gladly kept silence and watched a season to vtter their malice or auoyde their present mischiefe Flaunders and all the lowe couÌ„trie being in this perplexitie began to decline and waxe
bayne hope of a multitude wente openly about their businesse and assembled of their friendes a greate companye togither able with good gouernement to haue gyuen a battell whiche band and carelesse company lay in Antwerpe solacing themselues and making good chéere as al things should haue gone with theÌ„ according to their wish But euen as those people that Samson destroyed amidde their banquets and feasting smarting himselfe with committing the murther or rather like wilfull weaklings wanton children that neuer tasted the strength of a man beléeues that blunt wasters wil byte like sharpe weapoÌ„s and so â—…unne on heade to their owne harmes and behaue themselues so carelesly for the combate that one man well aduised shall beate a hundreth of those harebraines Euen so in no better plight or in a worse case y multitude were taken and putte to open foyle and reproche to the greate shame and ouersight of themselues that hadde charge and disgrace of euerye good souldior that they loft The Spaniards wisely and warily but sure about a bloudy and cruel act came as closely as they could togither into the Castell of Aâ—…twerpe whiche the Duke of Alua caused to be builte and there consulted quickly on the thing they hastily went aboute and making no more adde but eiâ—…er to kill or be killed aboute dinner time when some haue more mind of their belly than their safetie and fall to quaffing and bibbing when greedie hunger and thirste shoulde be moderated with sober diet the Spaniardes issued furiouslye into the Citie into whiche the greate Cannon shotte came roaring before them and with them came suche a thunder of harquebuzers and trampling of horses that the Towne thoughte that Hel hadde béene burste open or that the skies hadde fallen vppon them by some sodaine rattle aud thunder-cracke from the Heauens But well away manye a sily soule by this bloudye bargaine were sente vnto Heauen or Hell and the simple people that trusted to the wisedome of their leaders fell all by their owne follie to the mercie of the Spaniardes whyche are not ignorant in the vsage of victorie nor ouer-mercifull till they finde themselues Maisters of the fielde and in secure and peaceable estate Thus Antwerpe was throughlye spoyled and in manye places burnte and defaced where the Spaniardes founde suche a deale of golde and treasure as hath not bin possessed by one spoile in anye two Townes these manye hundreth yeares and there was taken prisoner the young Counte Degmond with some others of good reputation a warniug to all wanton Cities hereafter to giue and kéepe better watche of their libertie and wealth and to cause the inhabitants of euerye Towne and Corporation to haue suche regarde of God and the leading of their liues that they come not into the indignation of the highest who often doth visite the base conditions of the people with sword fire and pestilence and manye other punishementes and plagues that oure present daies doeth present vs and the worldes wickednesse cannot shunne It is to be thought while these things were a doyng y Don Iohn de Austria was drawing hymselfe towards Flaunders but as it fell out by matter that followeth a verie fewe of good calling in the state were willing to receiue him especially willing to be gouerned with a straunger or stande any way pleased with the Spanyardes in the lowe Countrey For long before the murther and bloudshed in Antwerpe there was so hotte a fyre kyndled in the fornace of the breast and fancies of men that all the water in Antwerpe Towne coulde not quenche And after this furious facte was committed neyther gentle wordes nor mylde Gouernoures if they were straungers that should speake or gouerne coulde salue the swelling sore and bléedyng woundes of the tormented myndes that dayly were perplered with thoughte and care of theyr poore Countrey of Flaunders Howe the Spanyardes hadde vsed the people at anye tyme or howe this vnquenâ—…hable fire of malice dyd firste take flame or how the heartes of the commons conceyued suche offence as was past forgiuenesse I neyther knowe nor meddle withall but I knowe and experience teacheth it is a harde and a dangerous hazarde to happen in the hatered of a multitude and be condemned of the common people albeit theyr iudgementes are not alwayes sounde yet their displeasure is durable and so sore to susteyne that the wisest of al times and ages haue bin contente to beare wyth theyr follyes and rather flatter them to haue their fauoures than with Milions of Gold dwell any while in theyr dislike And malice is of the nature of Cancker whyche the longer it is suffered on good mettall or badde the further and déeper it eates and rusteth the thing it taketh holde of Or hatered may better be compared to Gunnepouder that the longer it is dryed the sooner it taketh fire and when one corne thereof is touched with a hoâ—…e coale it not only consumes it selfe with a flasshing flame but burnes or hurtes all that standes néere it or commes in the compasse of his flame and furie And commonly malice is neuer quenched till reuenge hathe produced some notable mischiefe and so y person y striketh and body that is striken eyther by rigour of law or violeÌ„ce vsed by weapon end in a short season their liues that long haue bin a nourishing Wherefore as diuers affirme confesse there is not a greater enimie to coÌ„mon wealthes and Countreys thaÌ„ that gnawing worme of continuall malice hatered which for small offences hath made so greate a dissention that mighty Monarkes haue bin shaken downe withall many a state at this day stands tottering thereby are readie wheÌ„ a rough tempest doth blow to tipe in y dust or féele the force of a terrible bâ—…ast God graunt that Flanders he not the first that hatred and malice by mean of dissention shall bring to decay So now to my matter as bréefely as I meant to penne out this discourse The comming doÌ„wne of Don Iohn to the low Countreys made the Spanyards looke for some succoure and moued the people of Flanders to thinke and looke of other maâ—…ters and in a while they openly published that they coulde not abide the behauiour of strangers and woulde not permitte any â—…o to enter and gouerne before the Spanyardes wer eâ—…pulsed or drawn by the King from their territories offering all obedience and duties to the King of Spayne their Maister if the Spanyardes and strangers were taken from theÌ„ But their offer and demaund toke suche small hold in the fanour of Don Iohn that great matter grew therof as I might pâ—…rceiue being in Bruzels by their musters there and Don Iohns preparation lying at Lusenbroeg and after at a Towne called Hâ—… The States I meane suche as held against Don Iohn somewhat standing on their gard made streight orders for the Spanyardes if they vsed violence and hadde so good an eye ouer them that at a tune when the Spanyards thought to do some erployte a
¶ A Lamentable and pitifull Description of the wofull warres in Flaunders since the foure last yeares of the Emperor Charles the fifth his raigne With a briefe rehearsall of many things done since that season vntill this present yeare and death of Don Iohn Written by Thomas Churchyarde Gentleman ¶ Imprinted at London by Ralph Nevvberie Anno. 1578. To the Right Honorable Sir Frauncis Walsingham Knight Principall Secretarie to the Queenes Maiestie and one of hir Highnesse most Honorable priuie Counsâ—…ile THO. CHVRCHYARD wisheth continuance of noble giftes and increase of vertues SOme men righte Honorable searche many soyles and trauell very farre to finde out a pretious Iewell or rare deuise to presente vnto their friende when they come home And gayning by their gift and honest intent a thankefull benefite and special good turne makes of their labours a pleasure and coÌ„moditie But I that often haue bin abroade for the like purpose and heere at home haue soughte the bottome of my studie and sifted out the best frute that eyther deuise of head or paynes with my penne could yeeld can not finde any thing worthy acceptation where I made promise and purposed long ago to offer a presente And the longer I haue tarried and looked about me the worse I am furnished for the answering of my hope and the lesse able I feele my iudgemente to performe that I purpose like a maÌ„ that would fayne trauell a great iourney hauing a weake body and a lusty mind And before he commes halfe way to the ende of his pilgrimage his legges waxe lame and he calleth for his crutche and yet when there is no remedy must either of force hoppe homewarde againe or hale forward as fast as he may to come to the knitting vp of his attempted labour But though with like weakenes my body is discouraged when the mind glories too muche in his owne strength yet another thing comforts me which may be a great help to my smal ability a special cause to find thereby some singular fauour Sir the troth is I heare that others haue sped wel were well liked for presenting to your honourable discretioÌ„ the iudgement of their Bookes and creeping vnder the buckler sheld of such courtesie though not with such matter as is meete for your wisedome I humbly presente you with a breefe discourse that I haue drawne out touching the troubles afflictioÌ„ of FlaÌ„ders not gathered out of other meÌ„s gardens the more my ouersight as the Bee sucketh forth honey from seuerall sweete floures but collected and takeÌ„ froÌ„ the coÌ„passe of mine owne knowledge experience of our time in the view of mine eye reach of my reason Yet had I beautified my Boke with the depe iudgemeÌ„ts of my betters filled the empty places seÌ„teÌ„ces voyd of learning with some borowed tearmes fine traÌ„slatioÌ„s as wisely lernedlie some haue done my ignoraÌ„ce and boldnesse heerein so soone had not bin espyed and I might haue found more pillâ—…rs and proppes to haue susteyned vp from falling a long season my weake and fâ—…eble workemanship and tottering building but wanting that prouision and foresight and bringing froÌ„ the Printer my Booke I make my selfe and my credite subiecte to the worldes reporte and must desire your honorable countenance to the furthering of my good name and liking of my worke And for that of late you were Embassadour in Flaunders and haue bin long acquainted with the causes of that Countrey I haue dedicated my paynes heerein to your hands and protection minding if this be well accepted as I doubt not but it shall be to set forth another worke called the calamitie of Fraunce the bloudy broyles of Germany the persecution of Spayne the misfortune of Portingall the troubles of Scotlande the miserie of Irelande and the blessed state of England as knoweth the Lord of all Kingdomes who accomplish and fulfil the good course your noble mind hath held and make your desired hope to be as happy as your well wonne fame doth deserue honoure At your honorable commaundement Thomas Churchyard ¶ Flaunders bewayles with bitter sorovv the soare affliction of hir state and Countrey THe vvife that hath hir husband lost alone may sit and vvaile Whose teares faste trickle dovvne hir cheekes as thicke as shovvres of hayle The friend that farre is from his feere and vvants a faithfull mate By vievve of foe and fraude of vvorld lamentes his losse to late The labring man that sees his land lye vvaste for vvant of plovve And can not vvell supply his lack is fraught vvith sorovv throvv The sadde and heauie minded vvight of ioy that takes no holde As mirth forsakes the striken breast hath hart full deade and colde The Merchaunt vvhom the Pyrate spoyles and in vvide vvorld is laft May blame the vviles of vvicked heades and cursse their cunning crafte The Captaine vvhich no souldiers hath vvho lost his force by fight Doth folde his armes and vvrings his handes and sorrovves day and night But none of those compares vvith me that left am as you knovv In friendlesse sort vvith many babes like vvidovve full of vvoe That each man vvrongs and fevve do help and in myne aged dayes Am made a pray to people straunge that plagues me many vvayes I flourisht once in pompe and pride beyonde my neyghbours all But vvhere apace came in the tide novv floud beginnes to fall And at lovve vvater marke I stand that earst haue floated stil My hauen mouth is chokt vvith sande my loades men lacke the skil To passe the strayghtes and safely bring my barcke to quiet port Novv vvaste and empty lye the tovvnes vvherein vvas greatre sort And vvhere my Merchaunts trafficke kept novv men of vvarre do flocke And vvhere the gates vvide open stoode vvith barres and double locke Novv are they shutte and rammed fast and bulvvarkes still vve make And ore the vvalles the Cannon rores vvhereat our houses shake Our hartes in breast do tremble too vvhen vve beholde this change O ruinous lande oh soyle forlorne oh dolefull destnie strange That throvves a vvelthie countrey dovvne and maketh straungers raigne On harmelesse folke and silly soules and simple people plaine My fall alas I see at hande and vvhere vvas most my ioy The tovvne vvhere al my triumph vvas shall be a seconde Troy. Oh Antvverp vvepe thy fatall chaunge thy filth hath vvrought thy foyle Thou vvast the pirate of the vvorld that didst all nations spoyle And novv I feare for thy foule factes the vvorld shall ring on thee For by my scourge and common plague thy drearie date I see Yea manie stately tovvnes beside vvel vvallde and peopled both Through vvrath of God and rage of vvarre to vvracke and mischiefe goth I vvas puft vp vvith Princely povvre and vvorthie vvariours stoute Who stoode like friends vvith push of pike to keepe proude enmies out And vvhiles in deede vve drevve one yoake great things poore Flaunders did Whose former fame and bright renovvme in darkenesse