the fift hir sonne being yet a child Shee marries againe with Robert the Frison sonne to the earle of Flanders They are chased out of Holland by Godfâ—…ey the Crookebacke duke of Lorraine called in by William bishop of Vtrecht ¶ Godfrey is the ninth Earle of Holland accounting Gertrude and Robert for two heads he vanquished the Frisons built the towne of Delf and was slaine in Antuerpe easing of himselfe ¶ Robert the Frison being earle of â—…landers restores Cont Thierry to Holland and Zeeland who vanquished the bishop of Vtrecht and tooke him prisoner Hee made war against the Frisons who would be free vnder the Empire and defeats them his death ¶ Floris the Fat the sonnâ—… of Thierry the fift the eleuenth earle of Holland c. he makes war against the Frisons subdues them and dies hauing reigned 30 yeares ¶ Thierry the sixt of that name the twelfth Earle he makes war against the Frisons with whome Floris the Blacke his brother ioins these bretheren being afterwards reconciled the earle of Cuycke kils Floris Thierry reuengeth his death and besiegeth Vtrecht The Frisons defeated by him in Holland and then he dies hauing raigned fortie yeares ¶ Floris the third the 13 earle sonne to Thierry the sixt Warre against the Frisons War betwixt the earles of Holland and Flanders for the island of Walchren The prowâ—…sse of the Hollanders at the siege of Damiette in which voiage the Earle died ¶ Thierry the seuenth the 14 earle succeeded his father he was in quarell with William of Holland his brother who ioined with the Frisons but they were afterwards reconciled Dying he left one only daughter ¶ Ada daughter to Thierry the seuenth the 15 commaunding in Holland she gouerned but one yeare and died without children During hir life she was still in war against the earle of Eastfriseland hir vncle who succeeded hir and was ¶ William the first of that name the sixteenth earle of Holland the crown of Scotland fell vnto him by his mother but he neglected it Dying he had ruled 19 years in Holland and 26 in Friseland ¶ Floris the fourth succceded William his father the seuenteenth Earle Strange war with the bishop of Vtrecht He is slaine at a tourney at Clermont ¶ William the second succeeded Floris his father being yet a child vnder the guard of his vncle the Bâ—…shop of Vtrecht He was crowned king of Romans He went against the Frisons where he was slaine ¶ Floris the fift the nineteenth Earle hee had great war against the Frisons whom he vanquished and brought backe his fathers bones hee was slâ—…ne by Gerard van Velsen knight ¶ Iohn the first of that name succeeded his father Floris the 20 Earle of Holland Being returned out of England where hee had married the kings daughter he reuenged his fathers death He died without children and in him failed the race of Earles descended from Thierry of Aquitaine THE yeare of our Redemption 863 Charles the Bald king of France being in Brabant in the Prouince of Campeigne at a towne called Bladell he called a generall assemblie of his Princes and Barons to consult of the best means to repell the Normans and Danes who made daylie incursions into Germanie Friseland Holland Zeland and into the realme of France Thither came many Princes and great Noblemen both Spirituall and Temporall from all parts whether in like sort the Pope being then at Mentz vpon the Rhin sent his Legats Among other Princes and Noblemen there present came Cont Haghen of little Troy which at this present is the towne of Zanthen vpon the Rhin betwixt the towns of Nuys and Cleefe bringing with him his sister Mathild wife of Sigebert duke of Aquitaine with hir two sonnes the eldest was called Walger whom king Charles did then make Earle of Teysterbaudt the which did at that instant and long after containe and comprehend the townes of Tyel Bommell Arkell Heusden Altem Vianen Culembourg Buren Leederdam Aspren and Henckelom with a great circuit of countrey vnto the riuer of Meuse The youngest was Thierry who as yet had no siegneorie nor commaund but was a valiant and hardie knight who with his father Sigibert had done many valiant exploits both in Prouence and Aquitaine against the Sâ—…rasins who made many incursions into those countries so as for his valour and prowessâ—… hee was much esteemed in Court and well fauoured of king Charles THIERRY of Aquitaine the first Earle of Holland King Charles surnamed the Bald first made me Earle by name Oâ—… Holland 〈◊〉 his brother Lewis of Zeeland did the same ' But troubles manifold soone 〈◊〉 my honour â—…ent Downe to the graue if the Emperour had me no succour lent Twise twentie yeares I held the Danes still in alarmes And did abate thou pride of heart by valor and by armes Of Aquitame I was surnamed borne and bred Gune my wife and in Egmont my corpt lies buried At this assemblie of Bladell the earle Haghen his vncle besought the king to remember Thierry his nephew and to aduaunce and inuest him in some part of the countrie which the Normans and Danes had lately spoiled and destroied knowing him as that was well known to all men to be valiant strong able to endure trauell wise temperat and discreet to keepe that which should be giuen him in charge besides hee was honourably descended issued from the bloud of France by the antient Troians King Charles hearing so many good testimonies of this young knight at the request of the Popes Legats and the instance of the Earle Haghen his vncle gaue vnto Thierry of Aquitaine all the countrie of Holland with a part of East-Frizeland from Dockum to the riuer of Lanuers as the Chronicles of Holland doe maintaine which the Frizelanders seemed to dislike and impugne saying that Charles who was then but king of France and not Emperor could not dispose nor giue away Frizeland the which maintained it selfe vnder the Romane Empire to defend and protect them by his valour from the inuasions and spoiles of the Danes and Normans who euen at that time held and enioied the towne of Vtrecht the Bishop and all his Prebends to auoid their furie being fled to the town of Deuenter in the countrie of Oueryssel the which was subiect both to the Temporall and Spirituall jurisdiction of the said Bishop of Vtrecht This assemblie at Bladell being ended king Charles went with this knight Thierry into Holland to put him in possission of the countrie by force of armes the vicount of Leyden and the lord of Wassenare his cousin these two houses being since vnited in that of the vicounts gathered together what forces they could to make head against king Charles and to hinder Thierry in the possession of that which was giuen him refusing absolutely to receiue Thierry for their lord and earle desiring rather to ioine with them of Friseland and to remain subiects to the empire The king and Cont Thierry marched against them and gaue
Winckell a furious battaile was fought wherein the Hollanders hauing the worst cont Arnold with a great number of the chiefe of his nobilitie were slaine in the yeare 993 the day after S. Lambert which was the eighteenth of October hauing gouerned Holland and Zeeland fiue yeares after the decease of his father he is interred in the abbie of Egmont by his father and grandfather leauing his eldest sonne Thierry the third for his successor in the said earledomes Hee had also another sonne called Ziffrid the Frisons call him Sicco who being fallen in disgrace with his father to auoid his displeasure went voluntarily into exile into the countrie of Friseland where he was courteously receiued by Gosso Ludingama then Potestat or gouernour of the Frisons with whose daughter he fell in loue and married hir without the priuitie of the earle his brother of whome hee had two sonnes the eldest he called Thierry by his grandfathers name and Simon Afterward Ziffrid being reconciled to his father was made his lieutenant in the quarter of Kennemerland and had for his part a portion of land measured with the great yard the word of Breede-roede signifieng a Great Yard so as euer since the siegneorie of the said Ziffrid hath retained the name of Brederode vnto this day His father did also giue him the castell of Theylingen the which Ziffrid did giue and bequeath vnto Simon his yoongest sonne from whome discended the familie of Theylingen at this present quite extinct by the death of two brethren which remained the which were both slaine in battaile by the Frisons with Cont William of Hainalt the fourth of that name their prince as wee shall hereafter see and how that also by the like accident of war we haue seene die without leauing any issue foure braue knights of the house of Brederode being yet in the flower of their youth not any one remaining of that house at this day but three bretheren the eldst Walrauen lord of BREDERODE baron of Vianen and of Ameyden Florent the second brother lately deceased left one sonne lord of Cloetinghen heire apparent of the whole house and Maximilian the youngest who liues in Brabant There are many of the same house bearing the same surname and armes but broken gentlemen come of bastards The Epitaph of this earle Arnold preserued with many others in the ruines of the said abbie of Egmont whereas most of the earles of Holland haue bene interred hauing bene recouered by me although it be but grossely composed as also the rest that follow yet could I not omit them for that they shewed their antiquitie the which is not wholy to be reiected Such was the Epitaph of the said earle and the ladie Lutgard his wife Gloria carnalis pernicibus euolat alis Et quasi non fuerit cum moriente perit Hic Comes Arnulphus patrioe tutela sepultus Expectat requiem Iudicijque diem Iste venustauit hac sancta locumque beauit Terris mancipijs oedibus Ecclesijs Qui bis septenas Octobre rotante Calendas Hostili gladio transijté medio Laudibus meritò similis Lutgarda marito Complexu fedei consepelitur ei Per tauri sydus ternas Maius regit Idus Dum Comitissa pijs fungitur exequijs This Countesse Lutgarda wife to Cont Arnold and daughter to Theophanes Emperour of Constantinople and of Greece died in the month of May but I find not in what yeare She lies by hir husband in the abbie that was of Egmont THIERRY THE THIRD OF THAT name sonne to Cont ARNOLD was fourth Earle of Holland Zeeland and Lord of Friseland 4 Theodoricus Tertius This THIERRY to reuenge his fathers death in hast With forces great to Freeseland marcht and laid the countrie wast Saâ—…ked the townes and slue the towns-men cruelly And made the bishop of Vtrecht his prisoner valiantly On pilgrimage he went vnto the Holy land And there the Turkes in Palestine did mightily withstand And being home return'd vnto his spouse most true At six and fortie yeares of age did yeeld to death his due THIERRY the third of that name after the death of Cont Arnold his father was in number the fourth Earle of Holland and Zeeland and lord of Friseland Being come vnto the Principalitie he demaunded homage of the Frisons the which being denied him dissembling the discontent and the desire of reuenge he had for his fathers death he then surceased to make any further question attending some fitter opportunitie He tooke to wife in his fathers life time Withild daughter to the emperour Otho the second duke of Saxe whome he had of his second wife daughter to the Marquis of Austria Of which Withild Cont Thierry had two sonnes the eldest was called as his father and the fourth of that name earle of Holland the second was Floris earle of East-Friseland who after the death of his brother without children succeeded in the said counties of Holland Zeeland and siegneorie of Friseland After the death of Anfrid the 18 bishop of Vtrecht issued from the race of Charlemagne Adelbold descended from Manson a nobleman of the countrie of Friseland was chosen Bishop for his great knowledge as well in Diuinitie as in other liberall arts hee had bene Councellor to the emperour Henry the second he was the first bishop that began to aduance himselfe and to make war against the Hollanders For when as Thierry the third earle of Holland had liued some time in rest and peace and that Walbold deane of the Cathedrall church of Vtrecht was made bishop of Liege who before had bene chiefe chancellor to Adelbold dissuading him stil from all attempts of warre this Walbold being thus retired to his bishoprike Adelbold desirous of alterations would needs without any colour make warre against the Earle and the Hollanders The causes and motiues of this war were That Adelbold had animated the Frisons and fortified them to rise rebell against Cont Thierry their naturall lord moreouer this bishop had aduaunced a gentleman called Didier Bruno to bee earle of Bodegrauen and of Suvamerdam who did greatly wrong and oppresse the Hollanders his neighbours wherupon Cont Thierry went with his troups to assaile him and hauing defeated him in battaile hee expelled him by force out of his siegneorie The bishop bearing it impatiently to see his vassall thus expelled leuied an armie with an intent to restore him by force so the 9 of Iune in the yeare 1018 the bishop hauing brought his men to field betwixt Bodegraue Suvamerdam the earle Thierry went to charge them being accompanied by his brother Ziffrid lieutenant of Kennemerland by Iohn lord of Arkel the siegneor Iohn of Persin the vicount of Leyden and many other braue knights and gentlemen But this incounter proued vnfortunat for the bishop wherin he was defeated and put to rout There died on his side among the most remarkable Wyger Aduoe that is to say Aduocat generall of the diocesse of Vtrecht
them of Vtrecht to his seruice they should bee bound to send him fiue hundred souldiers at their owne charge That there should bee a breach made in the wall of twentie foot by the which he should enter into the towne as a Conquerour and that he should haue one street in the said towne at his commaundement the which is at this day called the Hollanders street first a truce was concluded vntill Saint Martins during which time the aboue recited conditions of peace were set downe but they were not effected for that Cont William during the said truce went to make warre in East-Friseland where being entred without order and not knowing the passages of the countrey Iohn of Henault sonne to the Earle of Blois came to the Cloyster of Saint Odolphe where hee planted his campe in a faire plaine called Zuytbeuer on the sea side a part of his Hollanders not staying vntill the rest of the armie were landed went to skirmish with the Frisons chasing part of them into Staueren and the rest into Saint Odolphes where going to set vpon them in their trenches the Frisons defended themselues so couragiously that many of the Hollanders lost their liues there Cont William knowing nothing of this skirmish landed on the North side of the Cloyster and aduauncing with fiue hundred men burnt the first village he found and at the first charge he gaue against the Frisons with his owne hand hee slew a gentleman that was a captaine who had valiantly defended himselfe vnto the death and would neuer yeeld to bee a prisoner The other bands of Frisons seeing this captaine dead and the villages burne fell like mad men with great furie vpon this small troupe of Hollanders whom they defeated and there Cont VVilliam was slame vnknowne before the rest of the armie could aduaunce who marching in disorder were likewise charged The Frisons encouraged the more by the defeat of the first fiue hundred Hollanders and of the Earle their Generall did fight with such great furie and courage as they did put the Armie to rout with such confusion that many were slaine before they could recouer their shippes and there were as many drowned through hast as that saued themselues This vnfortunate encounter happened in the yeare 1346 vpon the foure and twentieth of September in the same place whereas the Earles of Holland were vsually accustomed to hold their seat of Iustice when they came into East-Friseland It was the eight yeare of the raigne of the said Earle Renauld the blacke earle of Gueldres had foretold his death as hee held him at the Font to bee christened by vttering these words This child shall bee one day slaine by the Frisons There were slaine in this defeat of the Hollanders about eighteene thousand men and almost as many drowned with some fiue hundred knights the most apparent whereof were these The Lords of Horne Lygny Walcourt Manin Antoin the Seignior of la Vere Floris of Borssele the Seigniors of Cruningen Romerswael Hamstede Merwede all Barons Gerard with the great beard VVilliam of Naeldwyck Symon and Didier of Meylingen Guido of Aspren Iohn Regnier William of Montfort Didier of Sandtfort Herman of Zwieten Floris of Merwe Oger of Spangen Gerard Euer Alfert of Bergerhorst Nicholas Oom William of Drongen Didier of Valewort and Gerard Florinuille all choice knights with a great number of other Nobles Knights and Gentlemen Tenne daies after this defeat Martin Commaunder of the knights of Saint Iohn in Harlem went into Friseland and sought for the Earles bodie the which beeing knowne by some markes hee caused it with eight other dead bodies of Noblemen to be brought to the cloyster of Fleurchamp neere vnto Boswaert The Contesse Ioan of Brabant his widow went to her father and was maried to Wenselin duke of Luxembourg second sonne to Iohn king of Bohemia of whom we haue formerly spoken Cont William the fourth left one bastard called Daniel vanden Poel the which hee had of a Gentlewoman called Alix vander Merwe of Ghertruydenbergh leauing no other lawfull child that might succeed him the Empresse his sister remaining his sole heire MARGVERITE EMPRESSE THE 24. commaunding in Holland Zeeland and Friseland Contesse of Henault 24 Margarita Imperatrix Earle WILLIAMS sister MARGVERITâ—… the Emperors wife In Holland caus'd contencion and much debate and strife For though vnto her sonne her right she had assign'd With him she still contended for 't nothing could please her mind Her state was great her honour much nâ—… need her draue With him in Holland such continuall strife to haue Which in fiue yeares she was constrained for to leaue To him for that death end of all did her of life bereaue MARGVERITE EMPRESSE THE 24. commanding in Holland Zeeland and Friseland Countesse of Henault LEVVIS of Bauaria Emperor of Romains hearing of the death of Cont William of Holland slaine in warre by the Frisons whose eldest sister he had marryed and had left no children caused the Princes of the Empire to assemble to whom he declared that the Earledomes of Holland and Zeeland and the siegneorie of Friseland for want of heires lawfully begotten of the said William were falne vnto the Empire Wherevpon the Emperor interposing his authoritie for that the Empresse his wife pretended an interest as sole heire to her Brother saying that those fees were as well Feminine as Masculine as it did appeare by the succession which Iohn Earle of Henault had after the death 〈◊〉 Iohn Earle of Holland sonne to Cont Floris the 5. adiudged the said Earledomes anâ—… siegneories to the Lady Marguerite his wife This being done the same yeare 1346. the said Empresse being well accompanied with Princes Earles Barons Knights Ladies and Gentlewomen went downe by the Rhine into Holland where she was honourably receiued in all places with great pompe and acknowledged Lady and Princesse of the said Countries of Holland Zeeland and Friseland Hauing receiued their homages and fealties she did greatlie increase their liberties and freedomes and made a truce for two yeares with the Bishop of Vtrecht She did make forfeit all the goods which the Frisons might haue in her Countries of Holland Zeeland and West-Friseland whereof the Earles had beene long in quiet possession aswell Ecclesiasticall as Temporall the which she sould to diuers persons without any future hope of recouerie or restitution by reason of the death of Cont William her Brother Among other Cleargie goods there was solde the Village and siegneorie of Marcke belonging to the Abbay of Marien-garde of the order of Premonstrez scituated in Friseland which the Abbot and Couent had bought of Nicholas of Persâ—… Lord of Waterlandt This Empresse Marguerite had by the Emperor Lewis of Bauraia her husband one sonne called William which was the eldest Albert the second and Lewis the yongest called the Romaine for that he was borne at Rome during the time of her husbands coronation which three sonnes were all intituled Dukes of Bauaria not that
estate and traine appointed him as if he had beene the Dukes owne Sonne In the yeare 1460. died the sayed French King Charles the seauenth called the Gentle The Duke of Bourgongne being aduertised thereof assembled all his Barrons and cheife Nobility to conduct Lewis Daulphine of France and to see him take possession as the eldest Sonne of the deceased King of the Realme and Crowne of France The King being crowned by the helpe of the Duke of Bourgongne being desirous to shewe himselfe thankefull for so great a seruice hauing as it were led him by the hand vnto the Crowne gaue him great thankes and to recompence him in some sort he gaue vnto the Earle of Charolois his Sonne certaine townes and castells in France with a yearly pension The King would haue make an exchange with the Duke of some townes but they could not agree so as many yeares after the King discouered a spleene and dislike which hee had conceiued against the Duke and that before hee had confirmed the donation made vnto the Earle of Charolois of the sayd townes and castells The Earle of Charolois besides his seigneuries of Bethune Chasteau-Bellain Archel Putten Streyen and the Country of Goyelandt receiued in the yeare 1461. by Adrian of Borselle his Atorney in that behalfe the possession of the moeity of the Seigneury towne and castell of Aspren by reason of a certaine murther committed by one William van Buren vpon Rutger of Boetselaer lord of the other moeity And in the yeare 1462. the sayd Earle was receiued lord of the towne of Henkelom being but a quarter of a league from Aspren by the forfeiture of Iohn of Henkelom and Otto his Sonne who in the ende did resigne it vnto him by agreement And so this signeury of Henkelom returned to that of Arckel from whence it issued at the first At that time there fell out great troubles in the Duke of Bourgongnes Court for the causes which followe Iohn lord of Croy had in his youth bred vp a poore boye in his house named Iohn of Koestein whome hee aduanced to be first an assistant and then a groome of the Dukes chamber who carried himselfe so loyally and vertuously as the duke esteemed him very much giuing him great meanes and hauing made him knight hee was his taster for his drinke By which aduancements both in goods and honours hee grewe so proude and arrogant as hee beganne to contemne others yea Barons so gracious hee was in the Duke his Maisters fauour as hee seemed to bee the onely man to mannage his most important affaiers At the same season Iohn of Croy and Iohn of Lanoy Gouernor of Holland conceiued a secret hatred against the Earle of Charolois the dukes Sonne their Prince for that hee had obtained of his Father the countrie of Arckel the which the Duke had giuen a little before vnto the sayd lord of Lanoy and the gouernment of Namur and Boulenois to the lord of Croy who had inioyed it manie yeares for which guifts the Earle had growne in hatred of these two Noblemen who notwithstanding did wholie gouerne and possesse the dukes person who by their means shewed his Son the Earle of Charolois no good coūtenance The Earle finding it left the duke his Fathers Court and retired himselfe into Holland hoping that this dislike would passe and die Some of the cheife Noblemen of Brabant and Flanders came vnto him and furnished him with all that hee had neede of These two Noblemen of Croy and Lanoy full of spight to see his traine so great and the cheife Noblemen runne after him consulted for the better maintenance of them selues how they might supplant and ruine the Earle the which they did impart vnto Iohn of Koestein who fearing likewise to bee disgraced and put from his Offices after the dukes death beeing also wholie bound vnto the lord of Croy for his aduancement gaue ◅are willingly vnto them and tooke the charge vpon him corrupting a poore younger brother a Bourguignon with the promise of a great sum of money and sending him into Piedmont to buy poison descouring vnto him to what ende it was This gentleman called Iohn d'Iuy hauing performed his voiage and brought this poyson to Koestein demanded that which he had promised him the which he not onely refused to pay him but also abused him with iniurious words ◅Iuy discontented at this answere complained to an other gentleman of Bourgongne called Arguenbant and discouered vnto him the whole secret This Arguenbant being wonderfully amazed aduised Iuy to goe speedily and discouer the whole truth of this matter vnto the Earle of Charolois saying that if he went not hee himselfe would goe and accuse him Iohn of Iuy without any farther stay went vnto the Earle and casting himselfe on his knees before him he beseeched him humbly to pardon him the offence which he would reueale vnto him and then layed open the whole truth of the matter The Earle being much amazed thereat went presently to the Duke his Father to descouer vnto him all that hee had heard of this villanous practise crauing iustice of the Author thereof naming Iohn of Koestein The duke hauing promised to do him iustice the Earle went vnto his lodging commanding Iohn of Iuy to goe vnto Rupelmond and to attend him there as he did The next day morning Iohn of Koestein beeing a hunting in the Parke at Brusselles the duke called him commanding him to go with the lords of Aussy and Creueceur to Ruppelmond to make answere to a gentleman that did greatly taxe his honour Koestein answered him proudly after his accustomed manner that hee feared no man liuing whervpon he pulled on his bootes and went to horse-backe with fiue seruants and so went to the lord of Aussy whome hee found on horse-backe with the lord of Creuecaeur with fifteene or sixteene Archers of the Dukes garde Being come to Ruppelmond soone after arriued Anthony bastard of Bourgongne the Bishoppe of Tournay with the lords of Croy and Goulx The Earle of Charolois came also and caused Koestein to bee put into a Tower of the which hee him-selfe kept the keyes so as no man might speake vnto him but in his presence These foure Noblemen made the processe of the sayd Koestein after that hee had beene confronted with Iohn of Iuy declaring him guilty and condemning him to loose his head and his bodie to bee cut in foure quarters Beeing brought to the place of execution which was vpon one of the highest Towers of the castell hee disired to speake with the Earle of Charolois who went vnto him and heard him long in secret which made them presume that hee accused some one namely the sayd lords of Croy and Lanoy the which the Earle dissembled Hee intreated that his bodie might not bee quartered the which beeing graunted him hee lost his head This done Iohn of Iuy was called of whome the Earle demaunded if Koestein had kept his
Picardy ioyful by the death of the duke of Bourgongne to see himselfe victorious ouer all his enemies wherof the duke was the mightiest who with his father duke Philippe had beene in warre with him and King Charles the seauenth his Father for the space of 32. yeares hauing all his landes and Seigneuries ioyning vpon France and his subiects disposed and accustomed to warre and therefore the dukes death was a greater content vnto him then the death of the duke of Guienne his Brother the Constable of Saint Poll of Rene King of Sicile of duke Iohn and Nicholas of Calabria of the Earles of Prouence and Mary their Cousins and of the Earle of Armaignac who had beene slaine at Estore of all which the King had inioyed their goods and possessions both moouables and immoouables presupposing now that during his life he should neuer finde any opposition in his kingdome And although hee were thus freed from all feare yet God would not suffer him to take the right course to vnite these great seigneuries to his crowne the which hee should haue done by some treatie of marriage or drawne them vnto him by loue and friendship which he might haue easily done seeing the great desolation into the which those Prouinces were brought whereby he should haue freed them from great warres miseries and calamities where into they haue since fallen and should haue fortified his Realâ—…e and inriched both countries by the means of so long and durable a peace The chiefe meanes to attaine vnto it was to marrie his Sonne who was afterwardes King of France called Charles the eight to the Ladie Marie Princesse of Bourgongne daughter and onelie heire to the deceased duke although he were then but fifteene yeares olde and shee eighteene But when hee did see the father dead all his thoughts and cogitations were only to spoile this Orphan Princesse of her fathers inheritance wherin God did not blesse his actions nor his designes the which were for the most part ouerthrowne by the marriage which the sayd Princesse made with Maximilian Archduke of Austria Sonne to the Emperor Frederic as you shall presently heare The King beeing entred in Piccardie with his army the townes of Peronne Ham and Bohain were yeelded vnto him Hee sent his Barber called Oliuer le Dain vnto Gand and Robinet of Audensort vnto Saint Oâ—…er where they had friends to put men into them The good successe which hee had in the beginning in Piccardie made him to hope that all would yeeld vnto him and he was aduised by some wherevnto he was of his owne disposition inclined to ruine the house of Bourgongne and to diuide the Prouinces to many euen naming those to whome he ment to giue the Earldomes of Henault and Namur and the Dutchies of Lembourg and Luxembourg lying vpon the frontiers As for the other great Prouinces of Brabant Holland Zeeland and Friseland he would make vse of them to winne some Princes of Germanie which should be his friends and helpe him to execute his desseignes Oliuer the Kings Barbar who termed himselfe Earle of Meulan a little towne nere vnto Paris whereof hee was captaine carried letters of credit to the Princesse of Bourgongne and had commission to conferre with her secretly and to perswade her to put her selfe into the Kings hands but this was not his chiefe charge but to mutine the people whome hee knewe to bee sufficiently inclyned therevnto by reason of their Preuiledges which duke Philippe and Charles had taken from them Hauing remayned at Gand some time hee was sent for to deliuer his charge hee went and deliuered his letters of credit to the Princesse beeing set betwixt the duke of Cleues and the Bishoppe of Liege and accompanied by a great number of Noblemen Shee read his letter and Maister Oliuer was commaunded to deliuer his charge openly who answered that hee had no commission but to speake priuatly vnto the Princesse They sayd vnto him that it was not the custome especially to so young a Princesse yet hee persisted in his first speech and they answered him that hee should bee forced â—…o deliuer wherevpon hee grewe fearefull making some excuse and so departed without deliuering of his charge Some of this councell skorned him by reason of his olde age and for the speeches hee vsed especially the Bourgesses of Gand who knew him to well beeing borne in a nere Village and did him some affronts and disgraces threatning to cast him into the Riuer the which they would haue done if hee had not speedily fled At his departure from Gand hee went to Tournay beeing then a Neuter towne but much affected to the French Hee knewe the sayd towne to bee neere to both countries and fit to annoy either partie so as they might drawe in any souldiars the which the 〈◊〉 would not haue yeelded vnto hauing neuer shewed themselues Partisans but Neuters to both the Noble Princes but Maister Oliuer sent secretly for the Lord of Mour whose Sonne was Baylife of the afforesayd Towne but was not resident there 〈◊〉 he should come at a certaine time appointed and bring with him his company of men at armes which were at Saint Quintins and some other souldiers out of those parts who failed not to come at the prefixed houre to the towne gate where he found maister Oliuer with fortie men who partly by loue and partly by force caused the Barre to be opened and so gaue entrance to the men at armes wherewith the people were some-what content but the Magistrate nothing at all of the which hee sent seauen or eight prisoners to Paris where they remained during the Kings life Thus was Tournay put into the Kings hands by the dexteritie of his Barber wherein a wiser or a greater personage then himselfe might haue failed The King being at Peronne there came vnto him from the Princesse certaine Ambassadors which were of the principall men about her wherof the chiefe were William Hugonet her Chancellor the Lord of Humbercourt the Lord of Gruythuyse Gouernor of Holland and the Lord of Vere of Zeland and many Prelates and Deputies of Townes The King before their audience laboured all he could to winne them as well in generall as in particular from whom hee receiued nothing but humble and reuerend words as from men that were in feare yet such as had their lands lying whereas they thought the King could not annoy them would in no sort binde themselues vnto him but in making the marriage of the Doulphin his sonne with their Princesse The Chancellor and the Lord of Humbercourt who had beene bred and brought vp in great authoritie with the deceased Duke desiring to continue so still hauing their lands lying in the Kings dominions that is to say the Chancellor in Bourgongne and the Lord of Humbercourt in Picardie and Arthois gaue eare vnto the King and his offers and did in a manner consent to serue him in making of this marriage and to retire themselues
he should leaue the sayd towne and retier with all his men out of the country of Friseland wherevnto he obeyed fearing the power of this Prince more then the dukes of Saxony The country of Friseland beeing deliuered into the hands of the Lord of Iselstein all the Artillery which belonged to the duke of Saxony remained one whole yeare in the castells and forts the which was deliuered by Inuentary with a condition to deliuer them or to paye the value of them within the yeare The Saxons did also yeeld vp the castell of Medemblyck in West-Friseland then all the dukes officers went out of Friseland the which remained for a while in some rest by reason of the truce which was betwixt Prince Charles and the duke of Geldres which was prolonged for three yeares but twise broken by the Geldrois In the beginning of the yeare 1516. Prince Charles being in Holland Ambassadors came vnto him from Francis the first the French King to wit the duke of Vendosme and the bishop of Paris well accompanied to congratulate his comming to the crowne of the realmes of Spaine and to so many goodly estates which hee did inherit by the death of his Grandfather Don Ferdinando of Arragon The Prince being at the Hage there was speech of a marriage betwixt Prince Ferdinand of Austria brother to Prince Charles with the sister of Lewis King of Hungary wherein there was great diuersity of opinions There was also concluded by the aduice of the Emperor Maximilian the mariage of Christerne the 2. King of Denmarke Lady Isabella sister to the Princesse of Austria For which effect the Bishop of Dronten was sent Ambassador for the King of Denmarke into Holland with a great conuoy of ships beeing accompanied with the chiefe Nobility of the Realme to receiue the sayd Princesse in their name according to the treaty of marriage and to conduct her to the King her spouse And to attend on her there were appointed on the behalfe of Prince Charles the Lady of Chymay with a goodly traine of ladies and gentlewomen and for their conuoy at sea Philip of Bourgongne Admirall of the Netherlands the Lords of Faleze Cortgeene Chasteau and other noblemen and gentlemen with a great number of ships oâ—… Holland and Zeland This Princesse with all her fleet had great tempests and a dangerous passage Prince Charles desirous to imitate the ancient custome of his Predecessors dukes of Bourgongne in the conuocation of a generall chapter of the order of the golden fleece wherewith the greatest Kings and Princes of Christendome are commonly honored if they be obseruers of the relligious ceremonies thereof and the most worthy and valiant noblemen as wel vassals of the house of Bourgongne as others And to hold a sollemne feast of the order in the same manner that the good duke Philip of Bourgongne his great great grandfather had instituted it continued by his other Predecessors vnto his time Hee began to hold this feast the 26. of October in his Pallace at Brusselles continuing three daies togither in diuers habits Frederic of Baden bishop of Vtrecht finding himselfe sick and very weake of al his members so as hee could no more gouerne his estate nor defend his subiects from the Inuasions of their enemies the Geldrois and others after that hee had gouerned his bishoprike about 20. years He was perswaded to resigne it as wel by the motion of the Emperor Maximilion as of Prince Charles his councell to some one of the house of Bourgongne pretending in time to make the temporall Iurisdiction of Vtrecht to fall into the house of Austria as it did The which hee did vnto Phillippe of Bourgongne bastard Sonne to the good duke Philippe of Bourgongne and brother vnto Dauid who had beene Bishoppe of Vtrecht before Frederic of Baden Hee was now growne so olde beeing Admirall at the sea as hee left it to bee admitted in the sayd Bishoprike whereof hee tooke possession and made his entrie in the yeare 1516. where hee was honourablie receiued as well by the Clergie as the temporaltie of the sayd Towne and Countrie of Vtrecht Hee was much respected of them and beloued for his peaceable gouerment he like vnto his brother Dauid very curious to adorne the Temles and to repaire the Castells The truce being broken by the Geldrois the spoyles of the Bourguignons were not lesse in those times in the countrie of Geldros then those of the Geldrois in Freezland doing what mischiefe they could But soone after the Geldrois found themselues so oppressed in their owne countrie euen the towne of Arnhem the Metropolitaine of the Dutchie In thâ—…â—…hich the Duke was straightly besieged and so tormented by the Bourguignons as they could not long haue subsisted if the French King had not beene a mediator and procured them a â—…ce the which was granted for six monthes but it lasted noâ—… long for when as they 〈◊〉 to proclaime it in such places as the Duke held in Freezland the Captaines Geldrois did not onely reiect it but committed strange outrageâ—… 〈◊〉 the Captaine of the casâ—…l of Rheeâ—…stick caused him that had brought this treatâ—… to be put into a 〈◊〉 and â—…st â—…to the water Arkelens chiefe of the men of war in the towne of Sâ—…ke cast the â—…essenger in prison that came vnto him and would haue intreated him in this same manner if his father had not beene a dweller in Sneeke and if the inhabitants â—…d not sâ—…ed foâ—… him Goldsteyn captaine of the towne of Dockom forced the messenger to eat and swallow downe the writing of the accord of this truce thâ—… which contained aboue six sheets of paper the which the said Captaines did for that they would not yeeld to any peace noâ—… truce The Geldrois hauing absolutly refused the truce imploied all their best meanes to draw the Frisons to the obedience of the Duke of Geldres And therevpon Arkelens the Dukes Lieutenant caused the deputies of the townes of Freezland to be assembled the tenth of Nouember 1517. producing a certaine letter written by his master letting them vnderstand that it was neuer his intention to abandon the country of Freezland nor the good inhabitans thereof neither at the instant would he leaâ—…e them but rather hazard body and goods to mantaine and preserue them and that whatsoeuer concerning them had beene giuen out and affirmed by the Bourguignons was a meere lie to distract his good subiects by such false practises and that so long as they should remaine faithfull vnto him they should find him well affected vnto them The Cittizens answered that so theâ—…e would and desired to liue his most faithfull subiects euen vnto the last breath The Lieutenant was exceeding glad of this answere and that he had perswaded them therevnto for that he did greatly doubt that the commons would ioyne with the Bourguignon partie The Geldrois hauing twise broken the truce oppressing and molesting the subiects of Prince Charles both
drie and then they lay them in garrets and barnes which lie open to the winde and sunne after which they are caried by boats through all Holland Zeeland and into Brabant They haue another kind of turffe which they digge out of the earth in some places seuen or eight foot deepe in some lesse the which being cut square or long they dry vpon heapes as the rest with little labour A third kind of turffe is drawne from the superficies of the earth in the heat of summer out of quagmiers and moorish places and dried with the heat of the sunne the which they cut long thicke and large the two last sorts are in a manner alike in goodnesse but not like vnto the first They make another kind of turffe of their cattels dung mixt with straw or reeds which they drie and cut like the first The nuptiall chastity was in old time so strictly obserued there as if a woman were found in adultery they did not put her to death as at this day how great soeuer the crime bee they put not any woman to death in some parts of Friseland but keepe them in perpetuall prison but in signe of ignominie and reproche they did cut of the tresses of their haire which the women carie at this day vnder their kerchiefes on their foreheads and the virgins bare in great rowles To entertaine this nuptiall chastitie in olde time the priests were forced to marie least they should defile anothers bed they thinking it impossible that any one could liue chastly without a wife Hauing described Batauia according to Petit and set dowee the maners and customes of the antient Batauiens let vs speake something of the scituation of Holland and of the present estate thereof as Emanuel Demetrius hath set it downe in his Hystorie Holland is little for that in length from Marsdiepe to the Meuse it is but eighteene Dutch miles but if you should reckon from Heusden to the lands end called Texel there is not any prouince in the Netherlands so long and it is so narrow as wheresoeuer you be you may go to the confines in halfe a day A third part of it is water for that within the land it hath fiue great waters or seas as Harlem sea Scheermeer Bemster the Waert and Purmeer being all ful of fish This little countrey being most part medow ground is preserued by many great ditches dammes sluces and water mils besides the downes and sands on the shore which haue beene cast vp by the waues of the sea The cost and charges to make and entertaine these ditches sluces and mills is thought to be more than the ground it selfe is worth for in some places the land lyeth much lower than the sea yet notwithstanding although it be well defenced from the sea yet would the countrey be ouerflowne with the raine water which falleth for that as we haue sayd in many places it lyeth lower than the sea and therefore it can haue no passage away if it were not by chargeable water-mills the which by motion of the wind carrieth the water forcibly vp and casteth it through diuers sluces into the sea These sluces are made in the ditches and haue double doores which when the sea ebs do open of themselues and when it begins to flow then they shut againe either by the sea water or of themselues the charge whereof is so great as being set downe no man would beleeue that such a countrey could be able to maintaine so great wars This prouince of Holland hath aboue 30 walled townes and 400 villages in it full of people all liuing by sea faring fishing trade of merchandise seething of salt making of ships ditches nets and all necessaries for sea faring and fishing besides building which is great and costly cutting of turffes whereby many thousand get their liuing They haue the sweetest medowes and fruitfullest cattell in the world all kinds of wildfoule and great store of conies hares and deere They haue not corne ynough growing to suffice the fourth part of the inhabitants The superfluitie of their store they send into all other countries The butter and cheese onely which they send abroad besides their owne store amounteth yerely to aboue an hundred thousand pounds sterling The women being many in regard of the men who are much cousumed by the wars and at sea are so industrious as by their spinning and weauing of Holland cloth and making of nets they are spoken of throughout all the world and besides the women are so politike diligent and carefull as they can buy and sell keepe accounts traffique and trauell from place to place as well as their husbands in their absence without any touch of lightnesse or dishonestie The like of them are not to be found in any countrey being for the most part big tall faire and well proportioned and so actiue as they are more respected than women in other countries whereas iealousie lightnesse and pride raigneth more than simple honestie The Rhine runneth through Holland and Zeeland the which diuideth it selfe into two great armes the Wahal and Leck which run into the sea and the riuers of Meuse and Scheld which come out of France all which riuers these prouinces can shut vp and open when they please with their great number of ships which brings them great profit by the transportation vp and downe of all sorts of wares and merchandise by the said riuers In time of warre they bring in great reuenewes for conuoy and licence money so as those prouinces haue almost as many ships and barkes great and small as there are houses by the traffique whereof they make their townes as it were sellers packhouses warehouses spice chambers and staples for al kinds of wares which they transport in Summer towards the East and in Winter to the West The great number of their ships and sea faring men may partly be gest by this that in the yeare 1587 there were aboue 600 Holland and Zeeland ships arrested in the Sont by the king of Denmarke besides others which went on the Vly for Norway and others that sayled into England Scotland France Portugall Spaine Italy Turkie the Indies and other countries and islands And in the yeare 1588 when as the Spanish fleet came it appeared true by information that within fourteene dayes they were able to set out an hundred good ships of warre to lie in the English chanell and that in Holland Zeeland and Friseland there were found to be 27 hundred great ships from two hundred to eight hundred tuns burthen a peece which without doubt may seeme an incredible number beside the great number of Buisses dogboats and crabbers so called in their countrie the which goe out to the common fishing into the ocean vnder Norwaie England Scotland and Ireland and neuer put into any hauen vntill they returne from whence they went and afterwards the fish and herrings are transported in other shippes
Wickin and Gadezo earles Lazo Alger and Zuveer that is to say Asuerus knights with a great number of squires and gentlemen besides the men at armes and common souldiors which were very many The bishop Adelbold was much perplexed for this defeat yet he fainted not but gathering together his dispersed troupes would make a second proofe and hazard another battaile the which was more preiudiciall and fatall vnto him than the first for not only his armie was defeated but himselfe was taken prisoner hauing lost among the men of marke Volckert a priest and chanon Bertold a deacon Iohn and Godfrey earles Hiddo Halmeric Wabtelin Hubert and Hildebold knights Zidfrid and Heyman barons with a great number of braue souldiors Cont Thierry after these two victories his men being laden with spoile and good prisoners returned into Holland leading his bishop with him whome he entreated very courteously seeking to comfort him and to moderat his passions in this his aduersitie being much troubled for his ouerthrow and imprisonment One day among the rest Cont Thierry asked of him by way of familiar discourse What had mooued him so to malice the Hollanders and to make war against them seeing that neythâ—…r they nor he himselfe had euer wronged him or don him iniurie The bishop answered Sir I confesse that I neuer receiued any wrong from your selfe nor your subiects neither yet from any of your predecessors but that which moued me to attempt war against you and to oppresse and molest your subiects was only for that I was giuen to vnderstand that the countrie of Holland did antiently hold of my bishoprike of Vtrecht for proofe whereof we read in Hystories that Vtrecht was in old time the chiefe and capitall towne of Holland and that at this day it is so held and therefore in my opinion Holland in former times did belong to my predecessors for this cause I did moue and incite the Frisons to rebell that by the help of their forces and succours I might expell you out of your countrey and ioyne it vnto my seigniorie But seeing I haue taken a wrong course and am taken in the snare which I prepared for you I will foretell you by way of prophesie That there shall neuer bee any pâ—…rtect loue and friendship betwixt them of Vtrecht and the Hollanders and that in future ages they shall much vexe one another by warre robberies oppression and spoiles sometimes one being victor sometimes the other Whereunto Cont Thierry answered Gods wil be done in al things both in my countries and elswhere according to his good pleasure yet I would haue my lord bishop vnderstand that the princes of Holland do little esteeme the towne of Vtrecht but I grieue for the poore commons who endure much through the spoyles and insolencies of men of warre Yet if you will promise me vnder your hand and seale neuer to stirre vp nor incourage my Frisons to rebell I will suffer you to depart free and will giue you leaue to doe what you can for that I do not much apprehend what you and yours can doe vnto me To whom the bishop said Although I do it vnwillingly yet necessitie will force mee vnto it Whereupon the Earle replied If my lord bishop will not accept nor effect that which I haue propounded he may remaine here with me and I will take order for his charges and for all other things necessarie yet my lord must vnderstand that neither he nor any of his predecessors had euer any right of proprietie or temporal iurisdiction vpon Holland nor on the dependances thereof in any sort whatsoeuer Neither shall it bee found in any writings and euidences That the bishops of Vtrecht were euer intitled Earles of Holland seeing that Charles the Bald king of France and afterwards Emperour hauing succeeded by the death of his father Lewis the Gentle sonne to Charlemaigne in the countries of Holland and Zeeland as wel as in the realme of France and other countries of his inheritance after that hee had defeated the Normanes gaue them to my great grandfather Cont Thierry the first sonne to Sigehert Duke of Aquitaine And for the better assurance and confirmation of the said grant at the instance of Pope Iohn the 9. he himselfe in person put the said Count Thierry in full possession of the said Earledomes and subiected them vnto him by force of armes instituting him as his royall letters patents make mention the first Earle to protect and defend them against the incursions of the Danes and by good and mild courses to draw this rough and vnciuile people to his deuotion as he hath done The like I may affirme and proue by good testimonies that Friseland is of the iurisdiction of Holland for that Lewis king of Germanie brother to Charles the Bald gaue all that countrie to the said Cont Thierry vnto the riuer of Lanuvers and beyond it bending towards the East Charles the Great king of France and Emperour gaue it vnto Godefroy king of Denmarke in dowery with his wife vpon condition That he should be baptised who afterwards was slaine And therefore if Godefroy hath made any cession or gift vnto the bishop of Vtrecht I am well pleased therewith and will not pretend any interest to that which lyes beyond the said riuer of Lanuvers My lord must also vnderstand the great ingratitude of them of Vtrecht for the benefits which they receiued of my great grandfather for he and his brother Walger Earle of Teysterbaudt remaining at Anezaet neere vnto Tyl made so long warre against the Danes which did then possesse the towne of Vtrecht as they forced them to abandon the place and restored the bishop Rabod who as an exiled prelat kept at Deuenter to his episcopall seat These be the thanks we receiue now from them of Vtrecht who require me euill for good I therefore conclude with the truth That neither my lord bishop nor any of his predecessors had euer any right interest nor title of temporall iurisdiction in the countries of Holland nor of Friseland for as much as is contained within the riuer of Lanuvers vnlesse your lordship can shew produce some sale transport or donation which my predecessors haue made vnto the bishop of Vtrecht as they had the power and meanes to do the which doth appeare by the letters granted by Emperors kings their benefactors Bishop Adelbold hauing wel duly considered of all Cont Thierries reasons confessed his error and that being ill aduised he had first attempted warre against him and that in all the lands and seigniories of the said Earle he had no other iurisdiction but spirituall in that which concernes the administration and gouernment of the church onely as it had beene giuen from Emperours and kings to Willebrord the first bishop as farre as it may extend vnto this day It is true said the Earle and we acknowledge you for our spirituall father commaunder in diuine things and which concerne the saluation of
our soules And we do also confesse that by reason of your bishopricke you haue much land and many rents tithes possessions and other reuenues which haue beene giuen by my auncestors vnto the church of Vtrecht for the honor of God and the entertainment of divine service the which I would be verie loath any way to impeach or hinder As I also would intreat your lordship your subiects to vse the like moderation towards me and my vassals and so he ended his discourse After these two goodly victories which Cont Thierry had gotten against Adelbold bishop of Vtrecht he resolued to reuenge the death of his father in Friseland for the effecting wherof he was assisted by the Emperour Henry the 2 who sent Godefroy with the great beard duke of Lorraine vnto him with goodly succors of souldiers The Earle hauing also leuied a goodly armie of his owne subiects leading the bishop prisoner with him entred into the countrey of Friseland where going to affront the Frisons armie a sodaine terrour and feare seized vpon the Hollanders without any apparant cause which made them sodainly to disband flie as if they had been chased and followed at the heeles by their enemies so as it was not possible to stay them to fight euery one seeking his owne safetie The Frisons seeing this vnexpected rout pursued them at their ease in which pursute the Duke of Lorraine was taken and the bishop escaped from the Hollanders retyring himselfe vnto the Frisons incensing them more and more against Cont Thierry who hauing made his retreat to Harlem he speedily gathered together his scattered armie with the which he marched directly to Heyligerlee where he met the Frisons with the bishop who came boldly and resolutely to charge him hauing forced the Duke of Lorraine to accompanie them to the battaile the which was fierce and very bloudie whereas the Earle had the victorie with great slaughter of the Frisons the Duke being freed from their hands and ioyned with the Earle after that the bishop beeing wounded had saued himselfe with great danger of his life they both together with their vnited troups fell vpon the country of Friseland putting all to fire sword destroying the whole countrey vnpeopling it of men and cattell taking and carrying away all they could find And thus the Earle reduced all the countrey of Friseland vnder his obedience the which he gaue to his yonger sonne Floris and forced the inhabitants which remained to acknowledge him for their lord and to take an othe of fealtie holding the said seigniorie notwithstanding in fee of the Earle his father who returned victorious into Holland Floris remained in Friseland the which he gouerned with power and authoritie all his lifetime Cont Thierry finding himselfe at rest from all his wars hauing subdued all his enemies he went accompanied with the lord of Arckel his faithfull subiect and a great traine of gentlemen to Ierusalem where the said lord of Arckel died of sicknesse and was honorably interred there by Cont Thierry who being returned into Holland after that hee had finished his pilgrimage liued some yeares intrest and quietnesse with his wife and children then hauing ended the course of his life he died in the yere 1039. hauing raigned 46 yeares and was buried in the church of the Abbey of Egmont by his fathers The lady Withilde his widow returned into her countrey of Saxony where she died foure yeares after In the said Abbey of Egmont there was found preserued from ruine the Epitaph of these three Earles Thierry the 1. 2 and 3. Earles of Holland and Zeeland Lords of Friseland of the lady Gena wife to the first and of the lady Hildegarde wife to the second as we haue extracted and inserted them here for the reuerence of antiquitie The odericorum tria corpora magnificâ—…rum Hic sita sunt titulis quaeque not at a suis. Hi fundaâ—…rant loca nostra Patresque fuerunt Istsus ornatus ordinis atque status Hic Comitissarum sociantur membraduarum Virtus est quarum non celebrandaparum Genna prior dicta tum pracipue benedicta Hildâ—… garda suo digna legititulo Auropraeclâ—… am tabulam quae struxit ad aram Multiâ—…dis donis iure sequendabonis Progenies borum mores imitare tuorum Quos coeliregio sumpsit ab exilio In the said Abbey is also found the Epitaph of Sicco or Ziffrid of Holland first lord of Brederode sonne to Arnould brother to Thierry the 3. Earles of Holland as followeth Status sepe morum statu immutatur honorum Quod Comes exegst quem lapis iste tegit Siccogâ—…nus Comitum Comitatum ponit auitum Dum quod amat sequitur sic minor efficitur Sed fundis seruis aerisque nitebat aceruis Inferior solo Principe fratre suo Qui dum perpendit quo mundi gloria tendit Iuris multa suitradit huic domui Stâ—…rps de Siccane processit in hac regione Florens diuitijs viribus ingenijs Iulius in Nâ—…nis tulit hunc vt conditionis Cui vera sit quies perpetâ—…sque dies THIERRY THE FOVRTH OF THAT name and fift Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland 5 Theodoricus Quartus Nine yeares I liued Earle of Holland fortunate Not knowing nor yes caring what belongd to mariage state The Germans I compeld the towne of Dort to leaue That sought by all the meanes they could my life for to bereaue Who being ouercome and put vnto the flight Turn'd backe and shot a shaft at me which in my thigh did light The names of three of my forefathers I did beare And with them in their sepulcher my bones interred were THIERRY the 4. of that name after the decease of Thierry the 3. his father was the fift Earle of Holland and Zeeland and Lord of Friseland Hee was neuer married and therefore he left not any children to succeed him On a time a torney being appointed in the citie of Liege whither came many Princes and Noble men Cont Thierry went thither in like sort accompanied with many Noble men and Barons his vassals As the Princes Noble men were at the torney it happened by an vnfortunat blow that the Earle slew the brother of the bishops of Cologne and Liege so as the noble men of Germanie sought to reuenge the death of this yong knight Thierry vnable to make his partie good retired secretly with all his traine out of the citie The Germains aduertised of his retreat pursued him and hauing ouertaken the last of his traine they slew some among the which were two knights Cont Thierry hauing recouered Holland without danger went to Dordrecht and caused all the ships of Cologne and Liege to be burnt tooke all the Germaine marchants prisoners and put them to great ransoms to reuenge the death of his two knights and of his other seruants The bishops of Liege and Cologne bearing this indignitie impatiently sent an armie vnder the command of the Marques
into Friseland being not aboue fiue or six leagues distance And the said Floris had yet done worse vnto his brother and the Hollanders if the Emperour Lothaire their vncle hauing intelligence of the quarrell of these two brethren his sisters sonnes had not reconciled them together as they were soone after The emperor had a great desire to be reuenged of the Frisons who had rebelled against cont Thierry by reason of the donation which hee had made vnto him of the countries of Oostergoe Westergoe the seuen Forests but hauing great wars in Germany Italy he could not pursue his intent therfore this grant did not greatly aduance him nor his successors Besides Andrew bishop of Vtrecht brother to the Earle of Cuick found himselfe grieued saying That those iurisdictions belonged vnto him by the gift of former Emperors whereupon hee went to Conrard competitor to Lothaire in the empire who disâ—…lled that which Lothaire had giuen to Thierry and confirmed that which the Emperors their predecessors had graunted to former bishops And withall bishop Herbert successor to Andrew after the death of the Emperor Lothaire to whom Conrard was forced to giue place obtained of the said Conrard being confirmed in the empire after the death of Lothaire a new â—…tification of the said grant But as all those which had been made were but in paper or pâ—…ment either partie wanting force to take possession therof the Frisons maintaining themselues in their auntient freedoms and liberties by force of armes which liberties had been giuen them by auntient Emperours and namely by Charlemaigne and which they had purchased with the deere price of their liues and bloud Neither had the Earles of Holland nor bishop of Vtrecht any great authoritie nor commaund in the said iurisdictions of Friseland except the bishop of Vtrecht who for a time did quietly enioy the towne and countrie of Gronninghen by the like grant from Emperors The quarrell of the two brethren Cont Thierry and Floris the Blacke beeing pacified and they reconciled the said Floris had another with the Earles Gouard of Arlisberg Herman of Cuick brethren These two Earls had one niece the daughter of Arnoult van Iâ—…ochem a knight and of Alice their sister who after the decease of her father and mother liued with Cont Herman of Cuick her vncle Some of the friends seruants of this yong gentlewoman to whom the valour and merits of Floris were well knowne did greatly wish and desire a marriage betwixt them two but these two Earles would by no meanes yeeld thereunto deuising all the trauerses and crosses they could Those of Vtrecht as well for feare of the Emperor Lothaire his vncle as for the loue of the Earle of Holland his brother receiued the lord Floris into their towne giuing him free egresse and regresse when he pleased with all his traine Hee beeing much moued and discontented that the Earles of Arlisberg and Cuick with Andrew bishop of Vtrecht all three brethren had refused him this gentlewoman their niece resolued to be reuenged of the said bishop and to do him all the iniurie he could for that hee hated him most whereupon entring with an armie into his diocesse of Vtrecht hee burnt the towne of Lermeude Cont Herman knowing well that by open force he could not auoid him by reason of the great aid and support that he had from the Emperour his vncle and from the Earle his brother he laid an ambush to surprise and take him prisoner One morning attending Floris comming out of the towne with ten or twelue gentlemen to hunt issuing out of his ambush he went to charge him Floris meaning to saue himselfe turned his horse head and fled towards the towne with such hast as both he and his horse were ouerthrowne Cont Herman pursuing him and ouertaking him slew him before he could recouer himselfe The Emperor hearing of his nephews death called Cont Herman by proclamation of the empire and for his contumacie and not appearing depriued him of his seigniorie and degraded him of all armes and honour for so soule a murther On the other side the Earle of Holland entred with a great armie into the Earle of Cuicks countrey burning al the castles and chasing Cont Herman and Andrew bishop of Vtrecht his brother out of their teâ—…ories Notwithstanding after the death of the Emperour Lothaire by the intercession of some noblemen Herman was reconciled to the Earle doing him homage and taking an othe of fealtie and the bishop was likewise restored to his bishopricke Among those which had purâ—…d Floris when he was slaine there was a knight called Herolt of Barne he being on a time chased by Cont Thierryes men leaped with his horse into the Meuse and so escaped swimming ouer to the other banke At that time Cont Otto of Benthem sonne to Otto Palatin of Rhin brother to Sophia Contesse of Holland brother in law to Cont Thierry vpon an old quarrell entred into the country of Tuvent and vpon the bishop of Vtrechts territories who presently leuied some small troups of horse and foot vnder the command of Hugh Butterman lord of Buttersloot Botslandt and Spicke who went to incounter the Earle of Benthem in the open field defeated him and tooke him prisoner in which incounter the Earle Otto of Biel was slaine with many gentlemen Cont Thierry hearing of this defeat of the taking of his brother in law went to besiege the towne of Vtrecht Bishop Herebert successor to Andrew finding himselfe vnable to resist and to preserue the towne from ruine sought to releeue himselfe by spirituall armes and going out of the towne with all his Clergie crosses and banners as if it had beene to a generall Procession carrying a booke in his hand went to excommunicat him Cont Thierry and his Hollanders seeing them come a farre off thinking it had been a sally made by the besieged fell to armes Approching neere vnto them the Earle seeing the bishop and his clergie thus attired in their Ecclesiasticall ornaments goes from his horse and bare headed goes to craue for mercie of the bishop that he might not excommunicat him as he had determined The bishop taking him vp with a kisse of peace they were reconciled together and Cont Otto Palatin of Rhin set at libertie who in regard thereof promised to hold his Earledome of Benthem of the bishop of Vtrecht and his successors in fee to do him homage A while after the said Cont Otto was slaine by Cont Herman van Staelwyck to whom there succeeded in the earldome of Benthem Otto of Holland his nephew sonne to Cont Thierry the 6 and to the lady Sophia for that Floris their eldest sonne who was to inherit and succeed in the countie of Holland Zeeland and Friseland c. In the yeare 1155 the Frisons vpon Drent made a road into Holland with an armie where they did spoile and sack the towne of Zande The nobilitie and
began to fish for herrings at the mouth of the riuer of Meuse and in the Brittish sea along the coast of Holland Zeeland and Friseland the first fishing was about the island of Bryele where as they did fish with small barkes called Sabards Those of Zirixee were the first that did fish and packt them vp in barrels Those of Bierulyet a small island vpon the coast of Flanders the better to preserue them being salted inuented the meanes to gill them and to pull out the garbage or els they would soone corrupt In the yere 1190 the emperor Frederic being in Nicea a citie of Bythynia hauing extreame heat he went into a riuer to bath him but the violence of the streame carried him away he was drowned in the presence of all his people who could not helpe him About which time Floris the third Earle of Holland fell sicke in the armie died in this voyage and was interred by the emperor Frederic hauing gouerned his prouinces seuen and twentie yeares Ada his his wife did suruiue him eighteene yeares and died in the yere 1208 being interred in the abbey of Middlebourg in Zeeland William their sonne hauing accompanied his father as wee haue said at his returne passing through Germanie he maried the daughter of Frederic duke of Suabe whom he enioyed not long THIERRY THE SEVENTH OF THAT name foureteenth Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland 14 Theodoricus Septimus In peace I was most mild in warre both stout and bold And did my brother ouerthrow and Frisons pride controld In Flanders Gelder and Brabant victoriously I ouercame my enemies and Boisleduke valiantly Did enter but by chance there prisoner I was made My wife that was a lady faire to name ALIDE had Irul'd full thirteene yeares and did much fear'd of many For that for courage in my time like me there was not any THIERRY the seuenth of that name and fourteenth Earle of Holland after the decease of Cont Floris his father in Palestina succeeded in all his earledomes He had to wife Aleydâ—… Alix or Adella daughter to Didier earle of Cleue by whom he had notany sonnes but two daughters excreding faire whereof the first called Adella was maried to Henry of Gueldre and died without children ther Ada whom the mother after the decease of her father against the liking and consent of all tâ—…e noblemen of Holland maried to Cont Lewis of Loos who was but of meane calling shee being Contesse of Holland This Cont Thierry hauing after the decease of his father gouerned his countries quietly for the space of fiue yeares the lord William of Holland being returned from Palestina where hee had buried Cont Floris their father vpon some false reports entred into contention with him By reason whereof William retired himselfe into Friseland to the Dreuthers with whom being entred into league he made many roads into Holland On the other side Baldwin earle of Flanders entred with an armie into the isle of Walchren which lay neere vnto him Cont Thierry seeing himselfe assaulted on two sides leuied all the men he could and diuided them into two armies the one he took with himself and the other he left to the Contesse Adella his wife to lead against William his brother and to suppresse the Frisons Cont Thierry imbarked with his armie and landed in Zeeland from whence after a great battaile he chased the Flemings His wife with her troups went from Egmont towards Alcmar to fight with the Frisons The lord William of Holland came to incounter her with his men and presented himself in battaile but as they of Winckel and Nieudorp hauing retired themselues on the one side refusing to fight against their princesse being corrupted with mony the Kennemers did chase the Frisons vnto a certain strait which was a marish ground ful of reeds William seeing his Frisons wauer and readie to Breake incouraged them so wiâ—…words and behaued himselfe so valiantly in his owne person as hauing long defended themselues in the end hee carried them backe into their owne countrey with small losse The Frisons seeing his indeuors and how faithfully William of Holland had assisted them they trusted him more than before making him their head their podestate and their captaine generall Cont Thierry hauing succesfully ended the wars in Zeeland returned with his armie into Holland into the quarter of Kennemerlandt to make more violent war against the Frisons and his brother William But to the end these two brethren should not pollute themselues any more with the bloud of their subiects by their ciuile wars Baldwin bishop of Vtrecht Didier cathedrall prouost of the said bishopricke and Otto earle of Benthem vncles to these two brethren laboured all they could to reconcile them by whom it was concluded That Thierry as the elder brother should remain Earle of Holland and Zeeland and that William should hold of his brother in fee the countrey of East and West Friseland on either side the riuer of Flie vnto that of Lanuvers and moreover should receiue for an annuall pension out of the custome of Ghoervlyet the summe of eighteen hundred liures The Frisons vnderstand not how nor by what title this diuision of Friseland was made wherof there is not any mention made in their Annals yet some writers confesse that they yeelded hereunto in fauour of William of Holland but they deny that it was vpon condition to hold it in fee of Cont Thierry and to do him homage or to any other prince seeing there was neuer any thing more odious vnto them than to bee subiect to any other superioritie than the empire according to their antient liberties freedoms by priuiledges giuen them by antient emperors whereof they haue alwayes been very iealous and strict obseruers euen vnto the death This peace made betwixt the two brethren William returned into Friseland where he was honourably receiued and from that time during his life acknowledged for their prince where he built a castle called Osterzee in the which hee made his ordinarie aboad and residence After the death of Baldwin of Holland bishop of Vtrecht vncle to Cont Thierry being readie to proceed to the election of a new bishop Thierry Earle of Holland Otto earle of Gueldre came both armed into the citie of Vtrecht which was the cause of great iealousie and discord betwixt the chanoims and chapter for that some did chuse Didier cathedrall prouost of Vtrecht brother vnto Baldwin the last bishop and vncle to the Earle of Holland others had chosen Arnould of Isenbourgh prouost collegiall of Deuenter who was supported by the earle of Gueldre and by all those of the countrey of Ouerissel The emperor placed Didier of Holland there by prouision vntill it were iudicially determined by the Roman sea â—…o administer the goods of the said bishoprick as he did but that the earle of Gueldre hâ—…ndred him from the receiâ—… of any thing in the prouince of Ouerissell By â—…eason whereof Cont
of Brabant who was imbarked in this quarrell with the Flemings woon the towne of Gertruydenberg with all South-Holland except the town of Dordrecht which he besieged tenne daies gaue many assaults vnto it and cast in fire the inhabitants behaued themselues valiantly both in repulsing his attempts and in quenching the fire making a braue sally with Nicholas of Putten their leader vpon the Brabancons whom they chased with their duke out of their quarters pursuing them at the heeles and spoyling many good villages euen to Boisleduc into the which in despight of the duke they cast fire and burnt a good part of the towne and so returned laden with spoiles vnto Gertruydenberg hauing first chased away the Brabancons then they came backe to their owne towne of Dordrecht This done they got a new supply of men and vnder the commaund of the said Seignior of Putten did fight with Guy of Flanders neere vnto Isselmond whereas there were slain aboue two thousand Flemings so as Guy saued himselfe with great difficultie During the time that Guy of Henault bishop of Vtrecht was prisoner in Flanders there were two contrarie factions in the town the which had beene enemies one to another a long time but hearing that their prince and bishop was taken prisoner they reconciled themselues each to other both parties swearing faithfully to preserue and maintain the citie in good estate so long as their lord should remaine prisoner but one of the parties did not long keepe their othe for soone after Gerard of Brucken a knight was slain standing before his doore the murtherers going on seised vpon the persons of Ieams of Lichtenbourg of the seignior of Weruher whom they shut vp in the castle of Vreeseburch and soone after brought them to S. Katherins place at mid-night and there put them to death which was the cause afterwards of great murthers calamities and miseries in the said towne of Vtrecht Guy of Flanders hearing of these alterations in Vtrecht entred with his forces displaceth the magistrats by his own authoritie and chuseth others in their places persuading the chapter to depose their bishop Guy who was in prison and to receiue in his place VVilliam of Iuilliers the which haply hee had obtained if VVitten bastard of Holland lord of Hamstede had not come speedily from Ziricxee to Stanfort neere Harlem This lord of Hamstede being entred into Harlem with a small troupe of souldiers displayed his banner with the armes of Holland whereat the Kennemers Waterlanders and Frisons both East and West reioyced much praysing God that they had yet one captaine descended from the right line and stocke of Holland Hee then seeing all this people well resolued to follow him goes out of the towne in arms to fight with the Flemings Comming to the village of Hillegom they had before them the gouernor of Flanders with his armie the which they quite defeated The Frisons stript them that were slain and laid them on a heape one vpon another and so left them like vnto a mount of ioy for a marke or remembrance vnto the Flemings when they should haue any desire to returne how they had beene intreated there which place is at this day remarkable by the name of Outdt-manne-pat The newes of this defeat were presently spred ouer all Holland There was in the towne of Delft a valiant gentleman named Ockenburch who hearing of this victorie tooke a banner with the armes of Holland in his hand and went crying through the streets Holland Holland c. At which crie all the commons did rise in armes chasing the Flemings out of their towne and spoyled a good number of them this done the Delfois went to Leyden where they did the like and with them of Leyden went to la Goude which they surprised chased away the Flemings and rescued their bourgesses that were prisoners there In the meane time the lord of Hamstede arriued with his troups who chased away the rest of the Flemings that were about Leyden who thinking to saue themselues in Delft were poorely receiued and miserably cut in peeces so as in one street there were 〈◊〉 Fleming found dead vpon the pauement which street is at this day called Flemings street some to saue their liues cast themselues from the top of the wall into the towne ditches where they were drowned And thus the lord of Hamstede recouered all Holland in a short time to his great honor and an irrecouerable losse to the Flemings from whom both he and his souldiers tooke a great and rich spoile At the same time Nicholas de Cats who as we haue said had beene appointed by Guy of Flanders gouernor of Schoonhouen came from the castle to see and heare what was done or said in the towne but the inhabitants laid presently hold vpon him sent him to the lord of Hamstede intreating him to come vnto them the which he did presently with some troups and besieged the castle the which in the end he forced to yeeld and the Flemings were in like sort chased from thence Guy of Flanders being aduertised of the good successe of the lord of Hamstede and of the losse of his men in so many places aised a great mightie armie with the which he marched towards Vtrecht and from thence came the third time to besiege the towne of Ziricxee the which he straitly begirt with many trenches blockhouses mounts and battered it with his rammes crossebowes and other engines the which did cast stones of an exceeding greatnesse It happened that during this siege the Flemings cast one great stone into the towne in the which place there was a mechanike man the which was verie expert in casting of stones who said Giue me this stonie messenger I will send it from whence it came and hauing banded his engin deliuered it so cunningly as it fell vpon the engin that had first sent it brake it all in peeces and crusht the hand of the enginer that gouerned it Guy of Flanders resolued to carry the towne by assault commanding his souldiers to bring as much straw reeds and bauins as they could carrie on their backs to fill vp the ditch which being done hee caused his men to approach neere the walls but the besieged presented themselues couragiously repulsing them as well with handie blowes as with stones The yongest and most able defended the assault at the breach the elder were in the towers casting stones incessantly and shooting arrowes as thicke as haile the women and maids brought them stones by heaps that they might not faile in their defence for want of offenciue armes If the enemie did cast fire vpon any house they ran speedily to quench it To conclude this furious assault was so manfully defended and the enemies so valiantly repulst as Guy was forced to leaue the assault with losse of his men very many being hurt who of a long time were not able to fight and finding that by this assault he had preuailed
Prouence who was condemned to be hanged being priuy to the earle Campobachios treacherous practises and not caused him to be sodainly executed at the instance of this traitor hee might haue preuented his owne death and the ruine of his estate which the said Campobachio had plotted with the duke of Lorraine to the great content of Lewis the 11. And it is friuolous to say that in such cases prisoners condemned make such suits to prolong their liues for no aduertisements in matter of war how small soeuer from whence they may draw great coniectures and from coniectures come vnto the proofe are to be reiected And therefore wee may not wonder if things succeed not well with that prince that relies too much on the passions of his counsellors whom he should alwayes suspect to be enemies or to malice and hate him to whom they dissuade him to giue audience and the prince ought herein being well assured of his person vse his owne wisedome But let vs returne to our hystorie To pacifie these great quarrels betwixt Philip the Faire king of France Iohn of Henault earl of Holland Guy bishop of Vtrecht and Guy of Dompierre earle of Flanders and his three sonnes the duke of Bourgoigne and some other princes were intercessors and mediators on either side so as in the end an accord was made betwixt them by the which it was concluded That Guy bishop of Vtrecht shold be set at libertie shold be restored to the possession of his bishoprick the which was done That the earle of Flanders with his threesons some princes and noblemen with fortie Flemish gentlemen should be set at libertie by the king the which returned ioyfully into Flanders euerie one to his owne home But the earle after his inlargement grew so sicke as he died the 20 of March 1305 and was buried at Scluce neere vnto the contesse Marguerite his mother Some chronicles of Flanders say that he died at Campeigne in France being yet a prisoner Iohn of Henault Earlé of Holland and Zeeland Lord of West-Friseland hauing aduertisement of the victorie which God had giuen vnto VVilliam earle of Ostreuant his sonne was verie ioyfull and soone after the second day of the ides of September 1305 departed this world in peace and rest after that he had gouerned Henault 30 yeares and Holland and Zeeland c. 5 yeares and was interred at Valenciennes The lady Philip of Luxembourg his wife died soone after and was buried by her husband At the time of the death of the said Cont Iohn there were many noblemen barons knights and squiers that were renowned in the countries of Holland and Zeeland amongst the which the most famous were Guy of Henault lord of Amstel and of Woerden afterwards bishop of Vtrecht brother to the said Cont Iohn Iohn without mercie earle of Ostreuant who was slaine before the death of his father at the battaile of Courtray William who succeeded him in the said earldome of Ostreuant his second son afterwards Earle of Henault Holland Zeeland c. Iohn of Beaumont earle of Blois and of Soissons all three brethren sonnes to the said Cont Iohn of Henault Didier the Gentle lord of Brederode William and Thierry his brethren Didier lord of Theylinghen Iohn of Heusden Iohn lord of Arckel Hugh Butterman lord of Buttersloot Albert lord of Voorne Nicholas lord of Putten and of Stryen Iohn lord of Leck and Polanen Iohn lord of Hencklom Otto lord of of Aspren and Abkoy Ghysbrecht of Yselsteyn Henry vicont of Leyden Didier lord of Wassenare Henry lord of Vianen Nicholas of Persin Didier of Harlem Witten bastard of Holland lord of Hamstede in Zeeland Nicholas of Cats Peregrin lord of Lederdam and of Haestrecht William of Egmond Iohn lord of Elshaut Iohn seignior of Drongelon Didier seignior of Lyenburch Ieams vander Wuoude Gerard of Heemskerke Gerard of Polgeest seignior of Almade Simon of Benthem Wolwin of Sasse Adamâ—… Escosse Baldwin of Naeldwick Floris van Duynen Floris van Tol all knights Among the squiers William of Harlem William of Assendelf Iohn van Zil Nicholas of Adrichom Wouter of Wyck were the most markable with an infinit number of gentlemen of name and armes The yeare before the death of Cont Iohn of Henault there were so great tempests and such tides on a S. Katherines day as many banks and dikes were broken and carried away in Zeeland and the isle of Walchren was so ouerflowne as the countrey men were out of all hope to recouer their banks and if William Earle of Ostreuant who made his vsuall residence in Zeeland and the lord of Borssele had not preuented it at their owne charge this island had beene lost WILLIAM THE THIRD OF THAT name the two and twentieth Earle of Holland Zeeland and Henault Lord of Friseland 22 Guil ielmus 3 Hanoniae Cogn Bonus IOANE daughter to king CHARLES de Valois was thy spouse That brought thee children worthy thy degree and noble house Whereof one did his valour great and vertue show By mounting thee againe when as thy foes did ouerthrow Thee from thy horse whereby at last God did thee send The victorie to honour of the French as then thy friend Thou punishedst a bailife that a poore mans Cow did take And ruling thirtie yeares and one this life thou didst forsake WILLIAM the third of that name before Earle of Ostreuant after the decease of Cont Iohn of Henault his father succeeded and was the 22 Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland vnited to his county of Henault for his mildnesse gentlenesse equitie and good life hee was called The good Earle William Hee was generally beloued of all knights princes noblemen and greatly honoured of all men for his valour he was surnamed The Master of Knights Lord of Princes He had to wife Ioane the daughter of Charls of Valois brother to Philip the Faire king of France by whom he had Iohn his eldest son who died yong VVilliam earle of Ostreuant who was his successor and Lewis who died also yong Marguerite wife to Lewis duke of Bauiere emperour who after the decease of her brother VVilliam was contesse of Henault Holland Zeeland and ladie of Friseland Ioane who was maried to the earle of Iuilliers another Ioane who was queene of England and the fourth Elizabeth At his comming to these earldoms and seigniories he kept open court whither came 20 earles 100 barons 1000 knights and an infinit number of gentlemen ladies and gentlewomen comming from all parts This feast continued eight daies in all kind of sports and pastimes afterwards the princes of Germany did chuse him vicar of the empire He was much renowned throughout al Germanie in respect of two strong castles which he did win neer vnto Cologne that is Bruile Wolmestein He was founder of the chanory of Middlebourg in Zeeland walled in the town fortified it This Cont VVilliam had one brother as we haue said called Iohn of
gouernment shee was much disquieted As soone as the Earâ—…e her father was dead all the banished men and those whom in his life time he had oppressed reioyced amongst others Iohn Lord of Egmond and William Lord of Iselstein brethren who consulted how they might recouer their Landes which the Earle had forfeited The Lord of Iselstein with some troupes hauing intellegence in his towne found the meanes to haue a port opened and entred secretly in the night without any discouerie or opposition yet he could not at that time get the Castle The Lady Iaqueline being then with her mother in Henault during her absence some Noblemen affectionate to her seruice preuailed so with the succors of them of Vtrecht and of Amerssord as they came and besieged the saide Towne of Iselstein At which siege there commanded Walrauen of Brederode and Iohn Vicont of Montfort Befoâ—…e they could be ready for the siege the two brethren of Egmond found meaens to get the castle into the which they shut themselues Those of Vtrecht did much affect this siege knowing that Herman of Lochorst and Iohn vanden Spiegel were also within it and therefore they built certen Bastillions Caualiers and other places for battery foure dayes after that the Campe was planted there almost all the townes of Hollande came with their coullors flying to conquer it Iohn of Bauaria bishop of Leige vncle to the Countesse Iaqueline came thither also with good troupes so as the Towne was besieged on all sides These brethren of Egmond seeing so mightie an armie before them consulted of their affaires so as by the meanes and intercession of Iohn of Heemskerk there was an agreement made with them by the which it was said that the said Lords of Egmond and the banished of Vtrecht should depart out of the towne and castle of Iselstein with bag and baggage the which they should deliuer into the handes of the Lieutenant and deputies of the Countesse of Holland and that all the inhabitantes of the towne aboue thirteene yeares old should take the oath of fealtie and submit themselues vnder her obedience which being done the armie entred into the towne Soone after the lady Iaqueline came out of Henault into Holland who hearing of this victorie obtained vnder her authoritie and in her name thanked her friends who had been carefull of her good Those of Vtrecht desired that the towne might bee giuen unto them to dispose thereof at their pleasure which being too lightly granted not thinking they would vse it in that sort they demanteled the Ports towers and walles and ruined the castle vnto the ground the which did much displease the Nobilitie of Holland And for that those of Vtrecht thought it was two neere a neighbour vnto them the same yeare they had leaue to burne the whole towne except the Church and Monasteries This ruin of Iselstein happened during the Consulate of Wolpert of Amerongen and Didier of Houdam Bourgmasters of Vtrecht Which towne remained thus desolate and ruined without walles vnto the time of Charles the warlike Duke of Burgongne Earle of Holland c. Of whom Frederik of Iselstein afterwards Earle of Buren obtained leaue to repaire it and to build a new castle In the said yeere 1417. the Contesse Iaqueline was in like sort receiued and tooke possession of her inheritance of Holland Zeland and Frise-land as she had been before in Henault To fulfill the will of Cont William her father hauing desired before his death that she should mary again with Iohn duke of Brabant although he were her cosin germaine The said duke hauing intelligence of the death of Cont William went to Gaunt to Duke Iohn of Bourgongne his vncle to whom he vsed some speech of this marriage Wherevpon there was a meeting appointed at Byervlyet whether came the said Duke Iohn Philip Earle of Charolois sonne to Duke Iohn of Bourgongne and many other great Noblemen and Barons The Lady Iaqueline came also with the Lady Marguerite of Bourgongne her mother Aunt to Duke Iohn of Brabant and Iohn of Bauaria bishop of Liege vncle by the fathers side to the said Lady all accompained with great traines of Noblemen There it was determined that the Will of Cont William the father should be fulfilled whereupon a marriage was concluded betwixt the Duke of Brabant and the Countesse of Holland and there they were made sure if the Court of Rome would consent thereunto wherof their were mutuall promises the first day of August the same yeere 1417. and there were letters drawn with a penaltie to be paid by any of the parties that should repent or oppose with other conditions among the which Iohn of Bauaria bishop of Liege should inioy all that which Cont Albert his father and Cont William his brother together with the Ladie Iaqueline his Neece had giuen and confirmed vnto him in consideration whereof they Bishop did consent vnto the marriage and therevpon the Assembly at Byervlyet was dissolued Presently there was a notable Embassage sent in the name of the Duke of Brabant and the Countesse of Holland his spowse to the Councell of Constance to obtaine a dispensation for their marriage notwithstanding the proximitie of blood the which was denyed them for that the Emperour Sigismond and this bishop of Liege crossed it all they could for this bishop had such a conceite and so great a desire to be Earle of Holland as the same yeere in September he went out of Liege and neuer after returned more came to Dordrecht in Holland and sent his deputies to the said councell with an ample Procuration to resigne into the Popes handes his bishopricke of Liege the which he had gouerned 27. yeers and also to hinder the dispensation of the marriage whereof the Duke of Brabant was secretly aduertised by some friends which he had in the said councell of Constance This Iohn of Bauaria hauing left his bishopricke of Leige and being at Dordrecht writ to all the townes of Holland that they should receiue him and acknowledge him for Gouernor and Tutor of the Contesse his Neece being a widow who could not be dispenced withall by the Councell for her marriage shewing that hee did onely seeke the aduancement and greatnesse of his Neece with the preseruation of her Estate But God knowes that he had a contrarie intent to dispossesse her And to that end he caused an assembly to be held at Schonhouen where he made this proposition but it was denied him by the said Ladie his Neece who notwithstanding offered to confirme vnto him what had beene concluded at the foresaid treatie of marriage Iohn of Bauaria seeing himselfe thus refused returned to Dordrecht much discontented where hee made a league with the Cabillautin faction of the which those of Egmond werethe cheef and was acknowledged in the said town of Dordrecht for Tutor and Gouernour of Holland and Zeeland Vpon which support he sent to somon the sayde Ladie to submit
disasters of the said Contesse vnto the death IHON OF BAVARIA CARRYING himselfe as Gouernor then Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland 28 Dn̄s Iohannes Bauariae Thy faith of Dordrect force and thy faiths loss◅ Made thee resigne thy Bishopricke and Crosse By Merlus ayde thy greedie chests to fill VVith great reuenues of thy Neece a Pupill At Luxenbrough thou took'st vnto thy spouse Elisa carlesse of her blood or House In thy Church Order long thou didst not liu◅ An Earle nor marryed One blacke day did giue End to all slipp◅rie t◅ares let fall for thee And to thy short vnstable memorie IHON OF BAVARIA hauing gouerned his Bishopricke of Leige 27. years for whose sake as we haue sayd before so much blood had beene spilt and so many good men lost their liues hauing resigned his Bishopricke into the Popes hands notwithstanding that he was a Deacon obtained a dispenspation to mary taking to wife the lady Elizabeth widow to Anthonie duke of Brabant father to duke Iohn and Duchesse of Luxembourgh his Gossip hauing beene Godfather to a sonne of hers He carryed himselfe at the first as Tutor to the contesse Iaqueline his neece and then Gouernor of Holland c. Then he obtained of the Emperor Sigismond his wiues vncle the Earldomes of Holland Zeeland and Henault the lordship of Frizeland in fealtie and homage as fallen vnto the Emperor by the death of cont William his brother for want of heires male excluding the contesse Iaqueline his neece The which the Emperor being at Constance did intimate vnto the Duke of Brabant his vassall with a prohibition not to challenge any thing to himselfe in the saide countries According to the which Iohn of Bauaria did presse the chiefe townes of the saide Prouinces to receiue him for their Lord and Prince The townes of Holland and Zeland made him answere that they had acknowledged and did acknowledge the said Ladie for their princesse as the only daughter sole heire to cont VVilliam the 6. their deceased prince and that the said Iohn her vncle had also acknowledged her for such and taken vp certaine fees and signiories of her so as they could nor ought not to leaue her Moreouer they said that the said Prouinces had fallen twise before to the female kinde whereof they had imperiall letters and therefore they intreated him to desist Those of Henault sent him their answere and among other pointes they laied open this more pertinently then the other Prouinces maintaining absolutely that the countrey of Henault did no way hold of the Empire in the which the daughters had often succeeded Yet Iohn of Bauaria tooke vpon him the title of Earle of Henault Holland and Zeland and lord of Frizland and was so acknowledged at Dordrecht and at Bryele notwithstanding the promise they had made vnder their oaths and seales with the other townes of Holland vnto Cont VVilliam father to the contesse Iaqueline whereupon Iohn of Bauaria was proclaimed enemie to Holland and Zeland He therfore gathers together all the men he could of what conditio soeuer with the which he made war in Holland Those of Dordrecht and of Bryele doing all the harme they could vnto their neighbors that held the Princesse part The duke of Brabant seeing this reuolt defied Iohn of Bauaria and came with his wife into Holland where with his Brabansons he went to besiege the Towne of Dordrecht lodging his Hollanders vppon the dyke of Papendrecht But this siege was vnfortunate Iohn of Bauaria being then in Dordrecht very glad of their deliuery seazed soone after on the towne of Roterdam whether he went caused himself to be acknowledged Earle of Holland staying there some time he sought to be master of Delfe and of Goude Whereof the countesse being aduertised she fortified them the towne of Schyedam with good Garrisons In the meane time Iohn of Bauaria ceased not day and night to molest the Hollanders and to hinder their Nauigation to the sea by the Riuer of Meuse And for that during this warre many places and castles were dayly ruined the countrey made waste and the mischiefe increasing dayly there was an assembly appointed in the towne of Wandrechom whether came for chiefe mediators betwixt both parties Philip Earle of Charolois sonne to Iohn duke of Burgongne Lewis of Luxembourg Bishop of Teroagne and Peter of Luxenbourg his brother during which treatie a truce was made there also came Iohn duke of Brabant and the lady Iaqueline his wife with the lady Marguerite Douager her mother Iohn of Bauaria sent his Commissioners in the company of a Baron of Bauaria Gerrard of Boel lord of Hemskerke and some others There was an accord made by the which it was said that Iohn of Bauaria should remaine lord of Dordrecht with the appurtenances of the towne of Gorrichom the country of Arkel of Lederdam Schoonwert of Bryele of the contrie of Voern of the towne of Roterdam and the siegniorie of Waerden and inioy them for him and his heires for euer the which hee should hold by fee and homage of the duke of Brabant in the right of the lady Iaqueline Contesse of Holland his wife And moreouer he should pay vnto him within a yeare a hundred thousand English Nobles remaining Lieutenant of Holland Zeeland and Frizeland for the space of three yeares with authoritie to dispose of halfe the officers and magistrates and the Contesse his Neece of the other halfe These conditions were confirmed reciprocally vnder their seales the 19. of Iuly in the yeare 1419. Those of Vtrecht and Amersfort were also reconciled and all acts of hostilitie laied aside both in Holland Zeeland and the Diocesse of Vtrecht yet in all these treaties of peace Iohn of Egmond nor his brother of Yselstein were comprehended nor spoken of About the end of the said yeare 1419. there sprung vp newe warres in Holland and the D◅ocesse of Vtrecht by reason of great robberies and spoiles committed by Iohn lord of Egmond who tooke all he could finde vpon the riuer of Leck comming out of Brabant or Flanders sinking their ships and taking their men prisoners Those of Vtrecht write vnto Iohn of Bauaria intreating him to doe them reason iustice of the wrongs which ths said lord of Egmond had done them but he regarded them not They considering therefore in what estate their affaires were and that they must expect no good from Iohn of Bauaria sent vnto Iohn duke of Brabant and the Contesse his wife to acquaint them with the wrongs which had been done notwithstanding the league which was betwixt Holland and Vtrecht The duke made no account of it and the Contesse being desirous to assist and helpe them had no meanes they therefore adrest themselues to Frederic of Blankenhein their Prince and Bishop and to the Townes of the hye diocesse which is the country of Oueryssel They seeing there would neuer bee any end of
Noblemen to court among others the Earle of Saint Pol Anthonie and Baldwine his bastard brethren braue Kinghts and the most of the Duke his fathers counsell to whom hee sayde My maisters and friends I cannot nor will not conceale from you any longer my heartes discontent but will presently deliuer vnto you that which I haue kept long secret I would haue you know that the Lord of Croy with his kinsmen and Allyes are and so I repute them for my greatest and most mortall enemies Then he made knowne the causes vnto them the which hee sent in writing to all the good Townes of his fathers countries Hauing spoken thus vnto his friendes hee gaue notice vnto the Siegneor of Quivarin who was chiefe Chamberlayne to the Duke his father by two or three Knights that hee should retier himselfe from the Duke his fathers seruice and that he should be packing with as little brute as he could without aduertising of his Father least he should be disquieted The signior of Quieurain was much perplexed at these newes beeing loath to leaue so good a house whereas all his kindred had growne great and rich but hee feared to offend the Earle Hee therefore without taking aduice of any one went the next daie in the morning to the Duke and falling downe vpon his knees before him thanked him most humbly for the good and honour hee had receiued from his greatnesse beseeching him to take his poore seruice in good part crauing leaue to depart seeing that the Earle his Sonne had sent him worde that hee would kill him if he retyred not The Duke hearing him speake in this sorte was exceeding wroth and hauing commanded him to stay he tooke a boarspeere in his hand and went out of his chamber full of rage saying to them that were about him that he would goe see if his Sonne would kill his seruants Those that were present seeing him in that estate caused the gates to bee shut and the Porter to bee hidden so as the Duke could not get forth whilest they sought for the keies the duchesse of Bourbon his Sister and many ladies of his house came with Anthonie of Bourgongne his bastard who vsed such milde perswasions as they did some what pacifie his rage and he returned into his chamber During this trouble the Signior of Quieurain got out of the Court and departed with one with him as secretly as he could The Earle knowing that his Father was much displeased with him was euery day in counsell as well with his owne as with the Dukes cheife Councellors seeking all meanes to pacifie him euery man imploying himselfe all he could in that good seruice In the ende it was thought good that the Earle should write vnto all the good townes of his Fathers Countries what his heart thought and the reasons which mooued him to discharge them of Croy from the seruice of his house which letter should be red publikely in all places that euerie man might be aduertised thereof The like letters were sent vnto all the cheife of the Nobilitie the tenor whereof is to bee red at large in my great chronicle the which I omit here for breuities sake they were dated the two and twenty of March 1464. The same month of March the Signior of Roubais with good troupes went by the Earles commande to seaze vpon the towne and castell of Lanoy thinking to finde the lord of the place there beeing Nephew to the lord of Croy who was then Gouernor of Lille and baylife of Amiens but they neyther found him nor his wife nor children there for beeing aduertised of Roubais comming hee had retyred himselfe with all his gold siluer and richest mouables into the towne of Tournay two leagues from thence then held by the French The Earle gaue the sayd towne and castell of Lanoy to Iames of Luxembourg brother to the Earle of Saint Pol withall the prouision that was found within it the which was verie great both in poudred flesh meale and other prouisions and munition of warre At that time Charles duke of Berry brother to Lewis the leauenth the French King being about eighteene yeares olde whome the King kept in his Court simplier and in meaner estate then hee had beene in the time of their Father Charles the seauenth one day he made shew to goe a hunting with ten men onelie and fled for refuge to the Duke of Brittaine the discours of all the troubles which followed after in France being called the warre of the common-weale is written at large in the Inuentorie of the Historie of France to the which I will referre the Reader for that it doth not properly belong vnto our subiect The Earle of Charolois writ letters to them of Arras sending them word that he was aduertised that the lord of Croy and his friends did leauy men to lead them out of the duke his Fathers countries that the Earle of Neuers was gone with the lord of Croy to molest the sayd countries the which he ment to preuent and therefore hee commanded them to make publicke proclamations in all their iurisdictions that none should presume to serue his couzin of Neuers nor them of Croy without the duke his Fathers leaue vpon paine of confiscation of bodie and goods The twelfth day of Aprill 1465. which was the day of our Redeemers passion a great diuine preached at Busselles in the chappell of the Court in the presence of the duke and of a great and noble assembly In his sermon hee discoursed at large what clemency and mercy was that he might mooue the duke to remit the discontent hee had against his Sonne by reason of the lord of Chimay the which vntill that daie hee would not do The sermon being ended many knights of the golden Fleece went vnto the Duke and beseeched him humblie that according to the Preachers exhortation he would pardon his sonne the offence which hee had committed The next day about noone the Earle went to present himselfe before his Father vpon his knee saying My most redoubted lord and father I beseech you for the honour of the passion of our Lord Iesus Christ that it would please you to pardon mee that which I haue misdone for what I haue done hath beene to preserue you and my selfe also from death and for the preseruation of all your Countries and subiects as I will giue you to vnderstand at large hereafter And hauing spoken other wordes wisely and humbly to the great satisfaction of all the hearers The duke holding him by the elbow and looking still in his face sayd vnto him Charles my Sonne all that euer you haue misdone vnto this day I pardon bee a good Sonne vnto mee and I wil be a good father vnto thee In speaking of which words the teares stood in the dukes eyes the which mooued the hearts of all the company so as some could not forbeare weeping This reconciliation made betwixt the Father and
speech and yet subiect to choller high minded and not willing to be braued of any how great soeuer as hee did often shew to King Charles the 7. and Lewis the 11. of France he was very curious to entertaine peace with his subiects whom hee loued and sought their quiet so in his time all his countries flourished in wealth and aboundance Hee was a wiseman discreet charitable and a great Almes-giuer by reason whereof hee was called the good but full of reuenge and very ambitious desiring to make himself great by what means so-euer as appeared by so many fals bounds which he played to the contesse of Holland his cosin He exceeded all his Predecessors Dukes of Bourgongne in riches Seigneories greatnes of state and pompe so as in his time there was no Christian Prince that for his qualitie might be compared vnto him He tooke pleasure to breed vp and nourish sundry strange and wilde beasts He had a Gyant and many Turks among his houshold seruants which he had caused to be baptized The Duke being dead the Earle of Charolois his onely sonne and sole heire called for the Seales the which he presently brake This done after that he had giuen order for the dead body vntill his returne he tooke poste and went to Lille where he sealed vp the chamber and the cofers of his fathers treasure appointing gardes that none might touch them then he returned presently to Bruges where hee perfourmed the funeralles of his father with great pompe and state his heart was buried in the Church of Arras and his body was layed in a coffin of leade and left in the Church vntill that it should be transported from thence to Ierusalem and interred neere to the holy Sepulchre hauing giuen great giftes to the Couent of Fryars of the said Sepulcher The Lady Isabel his wife dyed the 17. of December in the yeare 1471. in the towne of Aire and was interred in the cloyster of Nunnes at Gouvay by Bethune afterwards her bodie and the duke her husbands were carried to the Chartreux by Digeon in Bourgongne where as they lie vnder a stately tombe of brasse guilt richly curiously wrought About that time the art of Printing was inuented wherof those of Harlem in Holland challenge the first honor yet afterwards it was brought to perfection at Mentz by one that had been seruant to Laurence Ianson of Harlem the first inuentor and ranne from him to Mentz with his tooles they write his name was Iohn Faustus as they of Harlem do constantly affirme Carolus Dux Burgund CHARLES THE WARLIKE THE 1. OF that Name the 31. Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Frizeland Duke of Bourgongne Brabant Lembourg Luxemburg Earle of Flanders Arthois Henault and Namur Lord of Salins and Macklyn Of so many goodly Countries successor to my father Of three wiues I had but one only heire At Montlehery I defeyted the French brauely At Macklyn I erected my heigh Parliament Being incensed I made the Liegeois feele my splene If against the Cantons I had not taken Armes I had beene more happie and cruell death Had not shewed his force against me at Nancy The Argument of the fourth Booke CHARLES Duke of Bourgongne in the life of his father the good Duke Philip was called Earle of Charolois the 31. Earle of Holland c. At his first entrie into Gant the Inhabitants maintayned against him but he brought them vnder The Liegeois breake the peace and entred into warre against the Duke he defeats them in Battaile wherevpon the Towne of Liege yeelded The Duke of Bourgongne makes a peace with the French king who comes to the Duke to Peronne hee was in feare there least the Duke should haue detained him The Liegeois arme a newe against the Duke of Bourgongne he forceth King Lewis to go with him to the fiege of their Towne the which he ruines practises to ruine the house of Brederode The Duke makes war against the Frisons He entertaines many Princes with the hope of marrying with his daughter The french king the Duke of Bourgongne seek to deceiue one another The Constable of S. Poll growes odious to thē both they resolut to ruine him He seeks to reconcile the duke of Gelders his son besiegeth Neuse The motiue of the war against the Swisses A truce for nine years betwixt the Duke and the French king they sweare the Constables death who in the end is beheaded at Paris The duke makes war against the Swisses he is defeated by them first at Granson then at Morat wherewith the Swisses were inriched the Duke besiegeth Nancy where he was slaine in battaile by the treason of the Earle of Campobachio an Italian Marie of Bourgongne his only daughter succeeds him and was the 32. commanding in Holland c The French Long seazeth vpon the townes of Piccardie and Arthois with an intent to ruine her this Princesse being in the Ganthois power suffers much putting her cheefest seruants and Councellors to death the Flemings defeated and the yong Duke of Gellers slaine A marriage betwixt Maximilian of Austria the Emperor Fredericks sonne and the Lady Marie of Bourgongne CHARLES of Bourgongne called the Warlike for that hee had been so great a Warrior succeeded vnto Duke Philip of Bourgongne his father in all his Estates Siegneories was Duke of Bourgongne Brabant Lembourg and Luxembourg Earle of Flanders Arthois Henault Bourgongne Holland Zeeland and Namur Marquis of the holy Empire and Lord of Friseland Salins and Macklyn His father hauing left him great treasures of Gold and Siluer hee bought or as some write had in morgage of Sigismond Arch-duke of Austria the Earledome of Ferret in the Countrie of Elsatia neere vnto Basill in Swisserland vpon the Rhin somewhat neere to the Dutchie of Bourgongne and too farre from Sigismond to defend it from the incursions of neighbour Princes Hee was 33. yeare olde when hee succeeded all these goodly Estates Katherine the daughter of King Charles the 7. of France was first promised him to wife but she dyed yong before she was married Afterwards hee married Elizabeth daughter to the Duke of Burbon his cousin by whome hee had one daughter and onely heire called Marie This Dutches Elizabeth being dead he marryed Marguerite daughter to Richard Duke of Yorke and sister to Edward the fourth King of England by whom hee had not any children His father gaue him in his youth to maintaine his estate the Earldome of Charolois which is in the Contie of Bourgongne otherwise called Franch Contie with the Siegniors of Bethune Arckel and Bellain In his fathers life time he wanne from the Sea a great circuit of countrie opposite to Rotterdam causing a Village to be built there the which hee called with the whole countrie by his name Charolois and so it continues vnto this day Hee had begunne a great fort in the towne of Gorrichom vppon the Riuer of Wahal but it remained during his life
the lord of Humbercourt the last hated him mortally for a lie which the Constable had giuen him in a conference of State betwixt the King and the dukes men the which did afterwards cost him his head This assembly of Bouines was in the yeare 1474. In the which it was concluded by both their deputies that the Constable for certaine reasons set downe in writing was guilty of high treason against both these Princes and all that should serue or assist him Moreouer the King should giue vnto the duke the towne of S. Quentin withall his treasure and mouables that should be found in the Realme of France with all the lands and Seigneuries which he had held of the duke Among others Ham and Bohain strong places and well appointed And at a certaine day prefixed the King and the duke should haue their armies ready to goe and beseege the Constable in Ham. But hee flattered the King in such sort as all that was disapointed for afterwards there was an entervewe betwixt the King and him the Constable comming armed conferring togither at a bar where he was reconciled to the King and to the Earle of Dompmartin making his excuse that hee came armed for the hatred and feare of him from thence the Constable went to lodge at Noion and the next day at Saint Quentin well reconciled as hee sayd and thought The King hearing what the world sayd of this his conference with the Constable he excused himselfe for his folly and basenesse to haue treated with his subiect and seruant accompanied with 400. men at armes all his owne subiects and entertained at his charge hauing a barre betwixt them From that time the Kings hatred increased daylie against the Constable Herein the Kings basenesse is excused for if hee had not done it the duke of Bourgongne would easily haue receiued him yeelding vp Saint Quentin We haue said before that Prince Adolph of Geldres deteined his father Duke Arnold in prison in the yeare 1464. which was the cause of great warres The Duke of Bourgongne did often seeke to reconcile them but he could not in the end the Pope and the Emperor dealt in it commanding the Duke of Bourgongne to drawe Duke Arnold out of prison the which hee did vpon a sommons made to Prince Adoph the which he durst not refuze seeing so many Potentates to deale in the cause and fearing the dukes forces so the duke of Geldres was brought to Dourlans to the duke of Bourgongne at such time as the French King was about Amiens Prince Adolph his Sonne appeered also vpon the same adiournement Once among the rest being called into the dukes chamber thinking to reconcile them in a great assembly of his councellors where they pleaded their cause the good old duke presented his gage of battaile vnto his Sonne The duke of Bourgongne for the alliance which Prince Adolph had made in his house and through the recōmendations of the deceased duke Philip his Father desired much to reconcile them yet he fauored the yong Prince most offring vnto him the title of gouernor of Bourgongne and the country of Gelders withall the reuenues except the towne of Graue scituated in Brabant the which should remaine to the father with the title of duke the Sonne should be called M◅bour Gardien or Regent of the country The lord of Argenton in his memorials writs that hee was commanded by the duke of Bourgongne to deliuer this message vnto Prince Adolph who answered That hee had rather haue cast his Father headlong into a well and himselfe after then make such an agreement That his Father had beene duke forty foure yeares and that it was now time hee were in his turne but hee would willingly yeelde him 3000. florins a yeare vpon condition that hee should neuer come into the Countrie of Geldres with manie more wicked and impious speeches The Duke of Bourgongne hearing the villanous speeches of this young Prince was very much mooued and would force him to make an ende with his Father But as the duke after the taking of Amiens parted to goe to Hesdin this Prince attyred himselfe like a Frenchman and escaped away with one man in his company to goe into his country passing a bridge neere vnto Namur where there was a certaine Toll to bee payed hee payed a Florin for his passage But a Priest knowing him discouered him to the Tol-gatherer who stayed him and caused him to be ledde to Namur from thence he was carried to Gand where hee remayned prysoner vntill the death of the duke of Bourgongne duke Arnold his Father was verie ioyfull of his imprysonment who to reuenge the iniury and outrage that had beene done him resigned his Duchie of Geldres to the duke of Bourgongne who kept his sonne prysoner who tooke possession thereof notwithstanding the great resistance he found there and inioyed it vntill his death The duke of Bourgongne after the Inuestiture of this Duchie of Geldres returned into his country hauing his heart swollen with pride to haue inlarged his territories and increased his reuenues with this goodly Prouince He beganne to haue some taste in these matters of Germany for that the Emperor Frederic was a quiet still man who suffred much to auoide charge and who of himselfe without the Princes of Germany had no great power Hauing a desire to take something from the Germaines hee prolonged the truce with the French For the effecting whereof there fell out happily for him a quarrell betwixt two Noblemen competitors for the bishoprick of Cologne the one was brother to the Landtgraue of Hessen the other kinsman to the Palatin of Rhine The duke of Bourgongne would hold the Palatins partie and vndertooke to put him into possession by force hoping to get some share And in the same yeare 1474. hee went to beseege Nuys fiue leagues from Cologne and of that Diocesse a strong Towne in the which the Landtgraue of Hessen himselfe was and many of his Kinsmen and friends to the number of 1800. horse The duke had neuer such goodly troupes of Caualerie and among the rest 1000. Italian launces which the Earle of Campobachio a Neapolitan led who afterwardes betrayed him and was the cause of his death Those of Cologne did their best endeauors to succor the towne The Emperor and the Princes of Germany assembled about this businesse and resolued to rayse an armie The French King had sent to sollicit them vnder hand The Princes sent an Ambassador vnto him intreating him that as soone as the Emperor should goe to field he would straight gather him with 20000 men the which hee promised vnder the commande of the lords of Craen and Salezard This Germaine armie was great for all the Princes both spirituall and temporall with the Bishoppes and Townes had sent their forces The Emperour was seauen monethes in raysing of this army with the which hee went and campt within halfe a league of
forsoke him The Constable being well aduertised that all his dissignes and practises had beene discouered and that his enemies had beene negotiators in the Truce hee begunne to bee much amazed sending to the Duke of Bourgongne to beseech him to send him his letters of safegard to goe and conferre with him of some matters of importance which touched him very neere whereat the Duke making some difficultie in the ende he sent them This man who was wont to be great in credite and authoritie did then study which might be his best course to flie and saue himself holding many consultations with his friendes vpon this point in the ende hee resolued to goe to the Duke of Bourgongne and went to Mons in Henault with some twenty horse whereas the siegnior of Aymeries his deare friend was great Baliffe and stayed there attending newes from the Duke who was then in warre against the duke of Lorraine for the causes before mentioned The King aduertised that the Constable was gone into Henault seazed vpon Saint Quintin to preuent all reconciliation with the Duke who hearing of these newes sent to the Siegnior of Aymeries to appoint a good gard in Mons that hee might not goe foorth and that commandement might bee giuen him not to depart out of his Inne the which was done Then the King sent the Lord of Bouchages and other Ambassadors to the Duke to presse him to deliuer the Constable or to performe the contens of his letter and promises the which he delayed vntill he might see an end of the siege of Nancy yet fearing least the King should hinder him in his enterprise of Lorraine hee writ vnto his Chancellor and to the Lord of Humbercourt both mortall enemies to the Constable that they should goe vnto Peronne and at a certaine day deliuerer the Constable to such as should bee sent by the King commanding the Siegnior of Aymeries to deliuer him to them The Constable according to the commandement giuen by the Duke of Bourgongne was deliuered at the gate of Peronne to the Bastard of Burbon Admirall of France and to the Lord of S. Pierre who carryed him to Paris where hee lost his head This deliuerie was held dishonourable in a great Prince that had giuen him his safe conduit but hee soone after reaped the fruites of his treacherie in the same place where he had falsefied his word to ruine him God sending him an enemie that was yong weake and of small experience with a seruant of his own in whom he trusted most who became a traytor besides being growne suspitious of his subiects and good seruants which were all preparatiues of a ruinous change yet he neuer fainted The Duke of Bourgongne leauing Lorraine being angry went to bee reuenged of the Swisses for that they had headed Duke Sigismond of Austria to recouer the Earldome of Ferrette executed the siegnior of Hagenbach otherwise called Arquembault in the Towne of Basill taken much land from the Earle of Romont and the Towne of Granson from the Lorde of Chasteau-Guyon The Swisses hearing that he came to assaile them sent twise vnto them to make great offers of submission the which he reiected and being resolutely determined to ruine them went to besiege Granson the which hauing battred furiously they yeelded simply to his mercie whom he put all to death The Swisses being in armes but in no great numbers for they made haste to succor this place marching in field they were aduertised that the towne was yeelded and that all their men had beene slaine The Duke contrarie to the opinion of his counsell at warre resolued to goe and meete them at the entrie of the mountaines beeing in a place of great aduantage for him He sent a 100. Archars to gard a certaine passage of these mountaines and he himself aduancing incountred the Swisses the greatest part of his army being in the plaine The first ranke of his Troupes meaning to retyre and ioyne with the body of his Armie the foot-men which followed thinking they had recoyled began to flie In the ende the Swisses marched still on came to the Bourguignons Campe where they made no resistance but all fled The Swisses tooke their campe the artillerie and all the Dukes Tents and Pauilions with other infinit wealth for they saued nothing but their persons the Duke hauing lost all his great Iewels and plate but there were fewe prisoners taken for that both he his whole armie fled This was the first disgrace which the Duke of Bourgongne euer had for in his other interprises he alwayes reaped honor and profit This happened through his owne wilfulnesse contemning the aduice of his Counsell Such as the day before temporized with him and seemed to bee his friendes became sodainely his open enemies And all this quarrell grew for a poore cart-loade of sheep-skinnes which the Earle of Romont tooke from a Swisse passing through his countrie Without doubt if God had not depriued the Duke of Bourgongne of sense he would not for so small a matter haue runne into so great a danger against so poore a nation whereas there was neither honor nor profit to be gotten One of their Ambassadors making sute vnto the Duke to diuert him from this warre sayde vnto him That there was nothing to he gotten from them their countrey being most poore and barren that he should haue no good prisoners there and that hee did thinke the bits of his horses and the spurres of his armie were of more value then all the goods of the Inhabitants of the Countrey or the ransome of them all in generall if they were prisoners could amount vnto After this defeat the Duke was carefull to gather together his scattered Armie so as in 3. weekes he recouered a great number of those that had been dispersed the day of battaile remayning at that time in Losanne in Sauoy where hee fell sicke for griefe of his disgrace and losse Hauing recouered his armie and growing obstinate as before he went and planted his campe before Morat a small towne neere vnto Berne belonging vnto the Earle of Romont The Cantons of Swisses with the forces of Germanie went and lodged neere vnto him being come to fight with him or to raise the siege They were 11000. pikes 10000. halberts and 10000. harguebuziers and 4000. horse the Duke of Lorraine was there also with some small troupes comming before the battell and both armies were in field ready to ioyne the Cantons being wearie with lying three dayes so neere the Duke idlely for that hee kept himselfe in a place of strength But in the end a battaile was giuen and the Duke againe defeated and put to flight he sauing himselfe by swimming on horse-backe through the Lake the which is as broad as the Riuer before Antwerp But it fell not out with him heere as at the battell of Granson whereas hee lost but seuen men at Armes the reason was for that the Swisses had
passages with cartes and other impedimentes hoping that the Duke beeing defeated and flying there would some fall to his share as there did many The Germaines marched in good order hauing good store of french horse whom the King had suffered to goe to those warres many lay in Ambush neere vnto the place where the battaile should bee fought to see if the Duke were defeated or to get some good prisoners or other bootie You may see into what a wretched estate the Duke had thrust himselfe in neglecting of good counsell The two Armies comming to ioyne the Duke of Bourgongnes armie which had beene lately twise defeated beeing fewe in number and ill appointed was presently put to rout and flight many saued themselues the rest were slaine or prisoners among the which the Duke himselfe was slaine in the field being ouerthrowne by a great troupe of Lanciers and not able to bee relieued of his followers for that they were prisoners Hee had three woundes the one on the head the other in the thigh and the third in the fundement The Bourguignons would not belieue that he was slaine but that hee was fled into Germanie and that hee had vowed to doe seuen yeares penance There were some among the Bourguinons which sold Iewels horses and other things to be paid when hee should returne and at Burchselles in the Diocesse of Spierre in Germanie a poore man begging they thought him to bee the Duke who did penance euery man desired to see him and hee receiued good almes Naucler writes that he had seene the said man The French King was well aduertised of the defeate whereof they did hourely expect some newes The Lorde of Lude who lay without Plessis where the King then was heard the first newes by the Poste which the Lorde of Craon and others had sent but no man did assure the Dukes death but onely the defeate before Nancy and that he was fled The King at the first was sole transported with ioy at these newes as hee knew not how to containe himselfe yet hee did thinke that if hee were taken by the Germaines they would compound with him for some great summe of money which hee would easily pay them On the other side hee was in great care if the Duke were defeated escaped whether he should seaze on the Duchie of Bourgongne or not being so easie to take seeing that all his best men and his chiefe Commanders were almost dead in these three battailes wherevpon it was resolued that although the Duke were in health yet hee would send his Armie into Bourgongne and seaze vppon the Countrey in this amazement which beeing done hee should aduertise the duke that he did it with an intent to preserue it that the Germaines might not destroy it for that the said Dutchie did hold of the Souerainty of the crowne of France the which he would not haue falne into the hands of the Germains that what soeuer he should take he would yeeld vnto him againe which few men would beleeue Duke Charles had beene a Noble and valiant Prince well bred vp in his youth and instructed in the tongues and liberal Arts yea in Astronomy and Musick a man wel spoken and of a good grace exceeding chaste but very high minded who would not indure any iniury of his equall nor of any greater Prince then himselfe exceeding cholerike froward and willfull he left one only daughter and heyre 〈◊〉 Maria Charlesia My father beeing deceast I was young left A Pupill to the Cleuoys for a while But tho of father I was quite bereft Me Maximilian gaue the marriage stile I him my fayth and dowry In yeares fiue I became Mother of three Children faire But being twenty six I left to liue My soule vnto her Maker did repaire Bruges reseru'd my bones my corps lay there MARY DVTCHESSE OF BOVRGONgne Countesse 32. ruling in Holland and Zeeland Duchesse of Brabant Lembourg Luxembourg and Geldres Countesse of Flanders Arthois Henault Namur and of Zutphen Lady of Sallins and Macklin Marquis of the holy Empire MARY the daughter and onelie heire to Charles duke of Bourgongne called the Warlike succeeded vnto her father in all his countries lands and Seigneuries shee was eighteene yeares olde when her Father was slaine before Nancy and remained vnder the care and charge of the duke of Cleues and the Lord of Rauestein his brother After that Lewis the leauenth the French King had certaine newes of the dukes death hee sent the bastard of Bourbon Admirall of France and Philip of Comines lord of Argenton into Piccardie with commission to receiue all those that would submit themselues vnder his obedience These two Noblemen went to Abeuille which was one of the townes giuen to duke Philip called the good at the peace of Arras by King Charles the seauenth the which for want of heires Masâ—…e should returno to the crowne of France At their arriuall they found that the Inhabitants were in treaty with the lord of Torcy to whome after that they were freed of foure hundred lances that were there in garrison they opened the gates From thence the Admirall and the lord of Argenton went to Dourlans from thence they sent to sommon Arras the Metropolitaine towne of Arthois and the ancient patrimony of the Earles of Flanders in the which time out of minde the daughters did succed as well as the Sonnes The lords of Rauestein and Cordes being in Arras went to speake with them in the Abbey of Saint Eloy two leagues from thence and with them Iohn de la Vacquery first President of the Court of Parliament at Paris These Noblemen entring into conference the Frenchmen demanded to haue the cittie opened for the King and to bee receiued in his name being that the King pretended it to be his by right of confiscation with all the country of Arthois and if they did refuse it they were in danger to bee forced considering that their Prince was dead and their chiefe commanders slaine in these three battailes whereby all the countrie was vnfurnished of defence The Bourguignons answered by Vacquerie that the countrie of Arthois belonged to the Ladie Mary of Bourgongne daughter to their deceased Prince who was lawfully descended from the Ladie Marguerite of Flanders her great great Grandmother who was Countesse of Flanders and Arthois c. the which was married to Philip the Hardie duke of Bourgongne sonne to King Iohn of France and brother to King Charles the fift Beseeching the King to entertaine the truce which continued yet betwixt him and their deceased Prince The conference of these Noblemen was not long for the French expected no other answere The Low-countries were much amazed and not without cause for in eight daies they could not gather togither fiftie men at armes as for other martiall men there were but 1500 in the countries of Henault and Namur that were escaped from the defeat of Nancy The French King marched with his army towards
wholy vnder his obedience the marriage being accomplished And although that this were the best and most honorable course for the King yet was it not pleasing vnto him but hee would haue all eyther by loue or force to impouerish this Princesse But in these great actions God disposeth of the hearts of Kings and Princes to take those wayes by the which hee will afterwards worke For without all question if the King had taken this course which hee himselfe had sought and desired before the death of the Duke of Bourgongne the warres and ruines which haue beene since and continue euen vnto this day in the Netherlands had not happened and the said Prouinces had beene successiuely vnder the Crowne of France and had neuer felt the furies of Spaine but wee were not worthy to receiue so great a benefit from the hand of God the which this perpetuall peace would haue brought by the vniting of these two great estates into one body who happily would haue prescribed a law to all their neighbours And it seemes God had so appointed it that the one might serue as a bridle and a restraint vnto the other hee did also fore-see the dissolution of the one and the other such as wee haue seene it whom hee would chastise by such meanes in their due season The King had good intelligence with the Lord of Cordes Gouernor of Arras whose name was Philip of Creuecaeur brother to the Lord of Creuecaeur who had all his liuing in Picardie lying along the riuer of Some The King required the Ambassadors that they should cause the Cittie of Arras to bee opened vnto him for at that time there were walles and ditches betwixt the Towne and the Cittie and a gate shutting against the sayd Cittie and now it is contrary for the Cittie shuttes against the Towne After many admonitions and propositions made vnto the Ambassadors what were the best course and that they should more easily attaine vnto a peace in shewing this obedience to the King they consented especially the Chancellor and the Lord of Humbercourt and gaue their letters of consent the which afterwards cost both their liues to deliuer the Cittie of Arras vnto the King with a discharge to the Lordes The which hee did willingly retiring out of the towne and drawing forth his men at armes Then holding himselfe discharged of the Princesses seruice by this consent hee tooke an othe vnto the King and became his seruant for that his name his armes and his lands were beyond the riuer of Some neere vnto Beauuois in Beauuoisin Hee was made Gouernour of Picardie for the King Seneshall of Pontheiure Captaine of Crotoy Gouernour in parcicular of Peronne Roye and Montdider and captaine of Bologne and Hesdin as he had held them in the time of Duke Charles of Bourgongne After that the King had disposed of the Cittie of Arras he went from thence to besiege Hesdein whether hee led the Lord of Cordes who was Captaine and Gouernor whom the besieged hearing to speake making some shew as if they would preserue it for their Princesse in the end they yeelded the place From thence the King went before Boulogne the which did the like after that they had made some shew of defence for the space of fiue dayes Whilest the King staied before Bologne those of the Towne of Arras found that they had beene deceiued being shut vpon euery side and a great number of soldiers and Artillerie about them they did therefore what they could to furnish their towne with men at Armes and to that end did write vnto their neighbour townes as to Bethune Douay and Lille There were in Douay some few horsemen among others the siegnior of Vergy who had escaped from the battaile of Nancie the which horsemen resolued to goe and succour the towne of Arras gathering together about 300. horse and fiue or 600. foote Those of Douay who were at that time somewhat proud as they bee at this day prest them whether they would or not to depart at noone day the which succeeded vnhappily for them For as betwixt Arras and Douay being but foure leagues it is an open champion Countrie if they had staied vntill night they might easily haue effected their desseigne But marching in the open day the French-men that were in the Cittie went and incountred them in the way charged and quite defeated them most of them were slaine the rest were taken prisoners among the which was the Lord of Vergy The King came the next day into the Cittie being very glad of this defeat hee caused many footemen that were prisoners to bee put to death to terrifie those few soldiers that remained in those quarters He caused the Lord of Vergy to be a long time straightly kept in prison vntill in the end by the perswasion of his Mother he tooke an othe to the King who caused all his goods to bee restored him giuing him more-ouer 1000. pounds a yeare rent and goodly offices Such as escaped from this defeate being very few saued themselues in Arras whether the King caused his Artillerie to approach and battred it the Bourgesses seeing themselues vnfurnished of soldiers and their walles beaten downe and their ditches filled vp by the furie of the Canon yeelded vpon composition the which was not well obserued and kept for the Lord of Lude put many good Citizens and other men of qualitie to death to haue their goods and besides the Cittie was taxed at 60000. Crownes to the King During this siege of Arras the Princesse of Bourgongne was in Gaunt detained by the inhabitants to her great preiudice and the Kings profit For the Ganthois hearing of the death of the Duke her father their Lord and Prince it seemed vnto them as if they had escaâ—…ed out of some prison attributing vnto themselues all the authoritie not onely of the towne but of the whole Countie of Flanders They tooke all them of the lawe prisoners to the number of sixe and twentie whereof they put most of them to death vpon a coullor that the day before they had caused a man to bee beheaded who although hee had well deserued death the Magistrate as they sayd could not put to death seeing their power and authoritie ceased by the death of the Prince which had created them They did also put to death many good men who had beene seruants and friends to the Duke although that some of them had before time diswaded the Duke meaning to destroy a great part of the towne for their rebellion They forced their Princesse to restore and confirme their ancient priuiledges which they had forfaited the which had beene taken from them by Duke Philip and Charles which priuiledge to speake truely and properly serued them to no other end but to make occasion to picke quarrels with their Princes The King thinking that all things had beene to his minde assured himselfe that hee should see them more succesfull then they proued knowing
the factious disposition of the Ganthois who would not faile to attempt some newe thing against their Princesse and sti◅re vp some sedition in her Estate knowing how they had alwaies carryed themselues to their Princes and Lordes whilest that the King was before Arras there came certaine Ambassadors vnto him from the thre Estates of the sayd Princesses countries who were then assembled in the cittie of Gand for whome the Ganthois did not much care doing all things after their owne mindes and ouer-ruling their Princesse whome they detained among these Ambassadors there were also some deputies of the towne of Gand. The King heard them among other speeches they sayd that what they had propounded to his Maiesty touching a peace did proceed from the motion and will of their Princesse who in all things was resolued to gouerne herselfe by the aduice and councell of her States desyring his Maiestie to desist from making of warre as well in Bourgongne as in Arthois and that it would please him to choose a daie for a friendly treatie and that in the meane time there might bee assurance of armes The King tooke hold onelie of that which they had sayd That their Princesse would not doe any thing without the councell and aduise of the three Estates of there countries and answered them that they were ill informed for hee was well assured that shee would gouerne her affayres by priuate persons who desired not any peace and that they should bee disauowed Whereat the Ambassadors were much perplexed and like indiscreete men answered sodenly that they were verie well assured of what they sayd and that they could shewe their instruction if neede were Wherevnto some replied that if it pleased the King hee could shewe them letters written by such a hand as they would beleeue it the which did import that the Princesse would not gouerne her affaires but by foure speciall persons they answered that they were assured to the contrary Then the King shewed them a writing which the chanceller of Bourgongne and the Lord of Humbercourt had the time before brought vnto Peronne whereof part was written by the Princesse and part by the Duchesse Douager of Bourgongne widow to duke Charles deceased and Sister to King Edward of England then raigning and part of it by the hand of the lord of Rauestein brother to the duke of Cleues neere kinsman to the sayd Princesse So this letter was written by three sundrie handes although it went in the Princesses name onelie the which had beene done expresly to haue the more credit It was a letter of credit for the Chancellor and the lord of Humbercourt And moreouer the Princesse did declare that her intention was that all her affaires should bee gouerned by foure persons The sayd Ladie Douager her mother in lawe the Lord of Rauestein and the sayd Chancelor and lord of Humbercourt beseeching the King that whatsoeuer hee should please to haue managed with her might be by their hands and that he would be pleased to direct himselfe vnto them and not to confer with any other When the Ambassadors had seene this letter they were wonderfully troubled and perplexed being incensed more more by such as treated with them for the King In the end the same letter was giuen them and they had no other dispatch of importance Wherevpon they returned directly to Gand wheras they foūd their Princesse accompanied with the bishoppe of Liege and the duke of Cleues There was also William of la Marke a valiant goodly Knight but cruel il conditioned whom the bishop had taken into fauour although hee had alwayes beene enemie to him and to the House of Bourgongne holding the partie of the Liegeois to whom the Princesse had giuen 150000. Florins of the Rhin in fauour of the Bishop to reconcile him But soone after he banded against her and against the Bishop his prince hauing attempted by force and the fauour of the French King to make his sonne Bishop of Liege Afterwardes he defeated the said Bishop in battaile slue him with his owne hand and caused him to be cast into the Riuer where hee remained three dayes The Duke of Cleues was neerest vnto the Princesse hoping to make a marriage betwixt his sonne and her which seemed very fit and conuenient for many respects but his humors were not pleasing to her nor her seruants and muchlesse to her Ladyes for he had bin bred vp in that house and it may be the ordinary sight of him and the long knowledge they had had of him did him that harme The Ambassadors from the States of the Netherlands being returned out of France to Gaunt a Counsell was held and the Princesse set in her seat with these Noblemen about her to heare their report They began to charge her touching the letter aboue mentioned wherewith being suddenly mooued and in choller She answered That it was not so thinking assuredly the said letter had not beene seene Then presently the Pensioner or Orator of Gaunt who made the speech drew the sayd letter out of his bosome before all the world and gaue it her wherein hee played the part of a simple and vnciuill man to doe this publike disgrace vnto his Princesse in the presence of the Dutchesse Dowager the Lord of Rauesteyn the Chancellour and the Lord of Humbercourt They had before had some speech with the Duke of Cleues touching the marriage of his sonne which bred an alteration in them all and they beganne to enter into great diuision The Duke of Cleues had beene alwayes in hope vntill that time that the Lord of Humbercourt had fauoured this marriage But seeing this letter he found himselfe deceiued and became his enemie The Bishop of Liege loued him not nor William of la Marke for those things which had past in the cittie of Liege whereof the Lord of Humbercourt had beene Gouernor The Earle of S. Pol sonne to the Constable of France of whom wee haue spoken sufficiently before hated the Chancellour and Humbercourt to the death for that they deliuered his father at Peronne into the Kings seruants hands Those of Gaunt hated them not for any offence they had done them but only enuying their great authoritie and credite Finally the night following after that this letter had beene showne in the morning the Chancellor Hugonet and the lord of Humbercourt were committed to prison by the Ganthois notwithstanding that they were sufficiently aduertised thereof before yet could they not with all their wisedome auoyde their owne miseries as many others did who retyred themselues in time out of the Town They might well presume that their enemies aboue mentioned would helpe them forward There was taken with them William of Clugny bishop of Teroane who dyed afterwardes bishop of Poitiers all three were put together in prison Those of Gaunt obserued a certaine forme of proceeding against them the which they had not accustomed to doe in their reuenges and appointed some of
their magistrates to examine them giuing them an assistant of the house of La Marke a mortall enemie to the Lorde of Humbercourt In the beginning they examined them Why they had caused the Lord of Cordes to deliuer vp the cittie of Arras vnto the King but they stucke but little vppon that point although they could not haue conuinced them of any other their passions were not busied about the notable losse of such a Cittie neither did they care â—…o see their Princesse grow weake nor were the capable to comprehend and iudge how preiudiciall the losse of that Towne might bee hereafter The Commissioners or Iudges of the Ganthois stood onely vpon two points the one was vpon certaine gifts and presents which they obiected they had receiued and especially for a sute which the Cittie of Gaunt had lately gotten by their seâ—…tence and pronounced by the Chancellor against a priuat person wherein they accused him To haue sold iustice and to haue taken a bribe of them to haue their right Whereunto the accused answered That in that they had obtained their sute it was according to equitie and iustice that they had iudged it and as for the money which they had receiued they demaunded it not but tooke it when it was offered The second matter wherewith the Commissioners did charge them was That during the time they were in seruice with Duke Charles their Maister and in his absence his Lieutenants they had done many things against the Priuiledges and Statutes of their Towne and that any man that attempted any thing against their Priuiledges must loose his life Herevnto the accused answered That therein there was no matter to charge them withall being neither Bourgesses of the Towne nor any way subiect vnto it and therefore they could not breake their Priuiledges That if Duke Charles or his father had taken any from them it was by a composition made betwixt them after many warres and rebellions but those that had been left them had been well obserued Notwithstanding all the excuses and iustifications of these famous and worthy men vnto those two crimes obiected after they had tormented them cruelly without all order of Lawe the Magistrates of Gaunt condemned them to die They hearing this cruell sentence were much amazed and not without cause seeing themselues in their handes whereas reason had no place notwithstanding for that the soueraigntie of Flanders depended on the crowne of France they did appeale to the Parliament at Paris hoping at the least that it might giue some delay to the execution of the sentence and in the meane time their friends might help to saue their liues There Processe continued but sixe dayes and notwithstanding the sayd appellation being condemned they gaue them but three houres libertie to consider of their affaires and to dispose themselues to death This short time being expired they led them to the Market-place vpon a Scaffold to execute them by the sword The Princesse hearing of this condemnation went to the Towne-house to sue and intreate for these two Noble-men but it preuailed not from thence she went into the Market-place whereas all the people beeing in armes shee saw these two Noble-men that were condemned vpon the Scaffold shee was in a mourning weed and a plaine kerchief on her head which should haue mooued them to pittie Being there shee beseeched the people with teares in her eyes and her haire hanging about her eares to take pitty of her two seruants and deliuer them vnto her Some of the people would haue had her will fulfilled and that they should not die others would haue the contrary and began to bend their Pikes one against another and were ready for murther but those that would haue them dye were the greatest number who cryed out vnto the Officers that were vppon the Scaffold that they should dispatch them wherevppon they lost their heades and this poore Princesse returned desolate to her house After that the Ganthois had done this execution they did sequester from their Princesse the Dutchesse Dowager of Bourgongne her mother in law and the Lorde of Ravensteyn her kinsman for that they had set their hands to the Letter which the Chancellor and Humbercourt had carryed to the King was the cause of their death and did seaze absolutely of the authoritie and gouernment of this poore Princesse Shee might well bee termed poore not onely for the losse of many good Townes which the King had taken from her by force but to see her selfe in the power and subiection of ancient Rebels and very persecutors of her house and that which was the greatest miserie of all was to see her selfe so depriued of her liberty sequestred from her most familiar friendes They of Gaunt hauing forcibly seazed vpon the gouernment of State and of their Princesse person put two Noble-men to death chased whom they pleased out of their Towne and spoyled all the ancient seruantes of the House of Bourgongne of their goods Now they began to studie of alteration first they drew the yong Duke of Gelders out of prison who had beene taken neere vnto Namur and then sent to Gaunt and made him head of an Armie which they raised among themselues and their neighbours of Bruges Ypre and other places and sent it before Tournay where hee onely burnt the Suburbes without any profit There was within the Towne foure hundred men at Armes who sallied foorth and charged these Flemmings in the Reere as they made their retreate who presently fled with disorder The yong duke of Geldres who was a valiant Prince made head against them that pursued that his people might haue the better meanes to retier but beeing ill seconded hee was slaine with a good number of his people The Princesse of Bourgongne and those that loued her were glad of this defeat and of the death of the Prince of Geldres for it was sayd that the Ganthois intended to force her to marry with him else shee would neuer haue done it with her owne good liking for his great disloyaltie and cruelty against his father In the meane time there was a speech of diuers marriages for the Princesse of Bourgongne all men concluding generally that shee must haue a husband to defend all the rest of her Seigneories or els that shee should marrie the Daulphin of France that shee might enioye all in peace Some did much affect that Royall marriage especially shee her selfe before that her letters carried by the Chancellor and Humbercourt had beene discouered Others tooke exception at the Daulphins young and tender age and the marriage of him promised wiâ—…h the daughter of England There were others that laboured for the prince of Cleues Others for Maximillian Arch-duke of Austria the onely sonne to the Emperour Frederick This Princesse had conceiued an extreame hatred against the French King for the discouerie of her letters for shee imagined that hee had beene the cause in giuing them
to the Ambassadors of Gaunt of the death of these two good men and of the disgrace she receiued when as they produced them before so great a multitude and that it had giuen the Ganthois such libertie as they had presumed to chase away her old seruants and to seperate her mother in law and the lord of Rauestein from her and had strucke such a feare into her Ladyes and Gentlewomen that neither shee nor they durst receiue nor open a letter without shewing it to them nor yet talke together in priuate See what a libertie a rascall multitude will take when as they haue vsurped any authoritie ouer their Prince Then also she began to estrange her selfe to the bishop of Liege being of the house of Bourbon who labored the marriage of the Dolphin whereof she would heare no more spoken wherefore euery man held his peace from that time and the bishop retyred himselfe into his Countrey of Liege They had before held a counsell about that matter whereas the Lady of Halwin the first lady of honor to the Princesse was present who hearing speake of the Dolphin said That they had need of a man and not of a child that her Mistresse was a woman able to beare children whereof the countrie had most need All were of this opinon Some would blame the said Lady for speaking so freely others commended her saying That she spake but of marriage and of that the Countrey had most need The question was now to find out this man If the French King would haue beene content shee should haue married with the Earle of Angoulesme it may be she would haue consented she had so great a desire to be allyed to the house of France The Duke of Cleues laboured for his sonne but she had no disposition to it The Emperor sent his Ambassadors to Gaunt to the Princesse to entreat a marriage who being first arryued at Bruxelles they were requested to stay there a while and they should be sent for the which the Duke of Cieues did hauing no delight in their comming and practising to make them returne discontented But the Ambassadors who had good intelligence in the Princesse court especially with the Dutches Dowager of Bourgongne her mother in law past on for she did aduise them to come forward notwithstanding any letter to the contrarie She did also aduertise them what they should doe at their comming to Gaunt and that the Princesse with many of her friends and Counsell were disposed to their intention The Ambassadours followed her aduice and came directly to Gaunt notwithstanding any message that was sent them whereat the Duke of Cleues was much discontented for he was not yet priuy to the Princesse will and disposition It was resolued on in Counsell that they should haue audience and the Princesse was put in mind to say after that they had deliuered their charge That they were very welcome and that she would consider of their propositions and that at that present shee would say no more vnto them but that they should haue an answere giuen them The Ambassadors being entred into the place of audience whereas the Princesse was set in the midst of her Counsell presented their letters when they were appointed and deliuered their charge which was That whereas a marriage had been concluded and agreed vpon beewixt the Emperor and the Duke of Bourgongne her father with her owne priuitie and consent as did appeare by Letters written with her owne hand which they did produce with a Diamond â—…hich they said hâ—…d beene sent and giuen in signe of marriage desiring earnestly in the behalfe of of the Emperor their Maister and the Arch-duke his sonne That it would please the Princesse to accomplish this marriage which was conformable both to her father 〈◊〉 and hâ—…r owne Sommoning her moreouer to declare openly if shee had written the sâ—…id Letter or no and if she had any desire to performe her promise Wherevnto without demanding futher counsell she answered That she had written the said Letters by the 〈◊〉 of the Duke her Lord and father and had sent the Diamond avowing all Wherevppon the Ambassadors did thanke her most humbly and returned ioyfully to their lodgings The Duke of Cleues was discontented with this answere which was contrary to that which had beene decreed in Counsell telling the Princesse that shee had spoken very ill but this Counsell knew not what this Commission was nor what the Ambassadours speech would bee wherevnto shee answered That shee could not otherwise doe that it was a thing promised and past the which shee could not recall nor gaine-say Which answere being heard and knowing well that the greatest part were of the Princesse minde the Duke of Cleues held his peace and resolued to giue ouer his pursute for his sonne and to returne into his owne Countrie and the Ambassadours well satisfied to the Emperour and the Arch duke their Maisters to make their report to hasten their yong Prince to come Who soone after their returne came to Cologne whereas some of the Noble-men and Barons seruantes to the Princesse went to meet him and was by them conducted vnto Gaunt hauing eight hundred horse in his traine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Austrius MAXIMILIAN ARCH-DVKE OF Austria sonne to the Emperour Fredericke by the Lady Marie of Bourgongne his wife the 33. Earle of Holland Zeeland and Lord of Freezland Nor am I Heire nor Earle but countable Vnto my sonne and for his good I hold it I onely twelue yeares kept the Dukedome stable To render it to him at yeares â—…'vphold it What I possesse is his for him I keepe My Empire me contents no more I thirst Two wiues I had but now with death I sleepe At Newstad with my Mother I lye Herst The Argument of the fift Booke THE good parts of the Arch-duke Maximilian the knowledge of Tongs reuiued the Arch-dukes marriage with the Princesse of Bourgongne the order of the Golden Fleece giuen to the Arch-duke The birth of Prince Philip of Austria the Geldrois reuolts from the house of Bourgongne the battell of Guinegate whereas the Arch-duke is Victor Tourney yeelded to the Arch-duke Truce betwixt the French King and the Arch-duke warre betwixt the Geldrois and Hollanders New tumults in Holland by the two Factions which the Arch-duke doth pacifie Dordrecht surpized by the yong Lord of Egmond Many townes in Gelders yeelded to the Arch-duke The factions reuiued in Freezland Warre betwixt the Hollanders and them of Vtrecht the death of the Arch-dutchesse the Flemmings take vppon them the gouernment of the Countrie and fall to their old mutinies Pettie warres in Freezland the Lady Marguerite carried into France after the peace to bee married to the Dolphin New troubles at Vtrecht and the Bishop prisoner afterwards restored by the Arch-duke Engelbert Earle of Nassau made gouernour of the Neitherlands by the Arch-duke Maximilian and Philip his sonne The Arch-duke creatâ—…d King of Romans the Factions reuiued and great troubles in
into the towne pardoned all that was past yet at night some vnquiet mutiners stirred vp some of the Bourgeses against their Prince so as the Archduke had beene in danger of his person if his men had not speedily gone to armes and chased away these rascalls whereof manie were committed to prison and executed Then had hee occasion to take from them their preuiledges and freedomes the which hee cancelled and disanuilled and tooke Prince Philip his Sonne and carried him to Macklyn to his grand-mother in lawe the Douager of Bourgongne Soone after there came to reconcile themselues vnto him Adolph of Cleues lord of Rauestein the Earle of Romont the lord of Vere and the lord of Baueren who soone after married with the daughter of the sayd lord of Vere About that time the Emperor Frederic came to Cologne where hee staied eight daies the Archduke Maximilian his Sonne went to him to Aix who had not seene him of a long time and from thence they went togither about Lent to Cologne All difficulties and quarrells pacified betwixt duke Iohn of Cleues and the Diocesse of Cologne in the which the Emperor had inuested Herman Landtgraue of Hessen togither with the Duchie of Westphalen and the countie of Arensbourg The Emperor the Archduke his Sonne and all the Princes that were with them parted on Saint Agathes day from Cologne towardes Francfort to choose a King of the Romans where the 16. of February by a common consent of all the Princes Electors Maximilian of Austria was chosen and proclaimed King of Romains And the Thursday after Easter following they returned all to Aix where he was crowned in our Ladies Church with all the accustomed Ceremonies where as the sayd King did knight many Princes and Noblemen among the which were Philippe of Bauaria Palatin of Rhine Arnold duke of Saxony both Princes Electors the duke Gaspar of Bauaria William duke of Iuliers William Lantgraue of Hessen Albert Marquis of Baden William Lord of Egmont and many others to the number of 200. The feast of his coronation beeing ended the Princes retired euery one to his home the Emperor into Austria and the King of Romains into Brabant Before that the Archduke went vnto the Emperor his Father hee made Engelbert Earle of Nassau Gouernor of all the Netherlands in his absence by vertue of a commission giuen him at Boisleduc in that yeare 1485. whome wee will place for the first Gouernor made by the Prince ENGELBERT EARLE OF NASSAV the first Gouernor Lieutenant and Captaine generall for the Prince in the Lowe Countries ENGELBERTVS COMES NASSAVIVS GVBERNAT BELGII I did first Gouerne of the Nasouien bloud True to my lord of these Low-countries good Where Maximilian of the Romans King Of Austria Duke and the Archduke his son Taking faire note of me did forthwith bring Me vnto place and Eminence but t' was done With a prouiso onely for a space Through which occasion I did tame the rage Of the tumultuous Brugeois which to my Grace Nassau our house at Court can giue good gage IN the yeare 1491. Engelbert Earle of Nassau was by Maximilian the first King of Romains going into Hungary made Gouernor of the County of Flanders and the Baylewiks of Lille Douay Orchies and Saint Omer And afterwards in the yeare 1501. the Archduke Philip going into Spaine he was appointed by him gouernor generall of the Netherlands All this while the factions of Vetcoopers and Schieringers raged in Friseland one against an other In the which the Monks and relligious men delt with their thundring excomunications among others Aggo Albert of Heenlon did excomunicat Iga Galama and his brethren which was the cause of great mischiefe and ruine For the sayd brethren of the faction of Vetcoopers drewe vnto their succors Iohn of Egmont gouernor of Holland who sent them strange soldiars with the which and some Gentlemen Frisons their Partisans they went and besieged the Abbey of Heenlon which the Monkes had fortified the which brought distruction to the sayd Abbey and to many Villages there abouts These factions brought great miseries and calamities vnto Friseland for the Vetcoopers allied themselues to the towne of Groninghen and the Schyeringers called the duke of Saxony into their country which caused the totall ruine of both parties as we will relate succinctly hereafter during the gouernment of Albert and George dukes of Saxony Soone after that Maximilian King of Romains was returned out of Germaine into the Netherlands the Ganthois and Brugeois did mutine againe And therefore the King had leauied 20000. horse and foote for his gard the which being lodged and disperced in the the countrie did much mischiefe to the poore countriemen who seemed to bee worse intreated by them then by their enemies being all high Bourguignons or Hanniuers besides the country was daily surcharged with new impositions more then they could beare al by the perswasion sayd they of Peter Lanchals knight his treasorer Baylife of Bruges whome the Ganthois and Brugeois would not obey wherevpon the King came in February withall his nobility into the towne of Bruges leauing the horsemen of his gard without reseruing some which he held by him with some Landtsknets he made certaine demands vnto the Magistrate which they would not accept Hee being displeased at this refusall by the aduice of the sayd Lanchals marched in armes withall his traine vnto the market place The sworne bands not knowing what this might pretend doubted some treasons and therefore a great number of the Bourgeses went to armes to appose themselues against the King and his followers so as they could not aduance Some Noblemen of his councell perswaded him to retire to his Pallace the which hee did and in this sort was kept vnder good gard by the inhabitans who tooke some Noblemen and gentlemen of his houshold prisoners yea they kept the King so straightly in his Pallace as he could neither write nor receiue any letters without their priuitie and consent Peter Lanchals seeing this disorder beeing well acquainted with the disposition of this people went and hid himselfe The companies which did hate him to the death sought him in all places but not finding him they promised a great summe of money to him that should discouer him In the meane time they put manie of those prisoners to death terming them Traitors and rebells to the cittie Afterwardes they made a third proclamation by the which it was sayd That if any one had concealed him till that time in bringing him forth they should bee pardoned if not all those that had so long kept and concealed him in their houses should themselues and all their family bee hanged before their dores the which did so terrefie them as hee was discouered and presently led vnto a scaffold that was made readie whereas after they had tormented them strangely in the presence of all the people they caused his head to be cut off The King of Romains beeing thus
his men But the lord of Rauestein should remaine with his familie aboue in the great Castell the which hee should keepe during his life for the seruice of Prince Philip Archduke of Austria The King of Romains visiting the townes of Holland one after an other beeing at Harlem the fiue chiefe townes of the countrie that is to say Dordrecht Leyden Delf Amsterdam and Goude came with their complaints vnto him for that the Harlemois during all the warres against the Flemings would neuer assist them nor contribute any thing to the charges But they so excused themselues as hee remained satisfied so as for a good summe of money which they did furnish hee gaue them an Acte of exemption of his hand for that which the other townes complained of them who beeing discontented with this graunt bare it patiently vntill that dukeâ—… Albert came to Harlem where they renewed their former complaints but for that the duke had made an accord with them and with the towne of Alcmar they preuailed nothing at that time Yet for that they would not desist to molest the sayd towne of Harlem seeking to wrest from them the summe of three score and ten thousand Florins In the end this towne and the other fiue submitted themselues to the arbitrement of certaine worthy men promising vpon certaine pennalties to performe what they should decree and set downe which Arbitrators for all the pretensions of the demanders did taxe the towne of Harlem at 20000. florines to bee payd in three yeares at three equall paiements Wherevnto they yeelded although it were verie hard for all them to beare and to great bitternesse in the rest to haue prest them so farre besides all their former losses by their intestine and ciuill warres and the tumults of the Kennemers But this summe did little profit the rest For the duke of Saxony did suck them in such sort as Hollande did neuer suffer the like in the time of any of their Earles Wherein hee tooke delight to teach them not to bee so cruell and bitter one against an other nor to entertaine factions and partialities amongst them-selues as they had donne manie yeares vnder the titles of Hoecks Cabillaux the which it was impossible to roote out but by reducing both Factions to extremitie The like hee did vnder the authoritie of the King of Romaines in Freezland to the Schieringers Vetcoopers factions that were as pernitious as those of Holland The which after that they had wasted one an other burnt beaten downe ruined and spoyled houses and Castells yea whole Townes they were in the end ouerthrowne by the same Duke of Saxonie and his successours for many yeares But the said Duke made no great profit of all the gold and siluer hee had extorted generally from the Neitherlands neither did hee purchase any lands or siegneories therewith for his children but wasted it wholy in those warres against the Frisons and Groningeois and in the end lost his owne life and his sonne Henryes so as George his yongest sonne was forced to abandon all as wee shall shew in the following course of this Historie In the meane time there was great heart-burning in Freezeland betwixt the Nobles of both factions Duke Albert to seeke some occasion of quarrell against them after he had ended the troubles of the Netherlanders and Kennemers writ vnto them commanding them to send him a certaine some of money by way of loane exaction imposition or how they pleased to call it Wherevppon the Frisons hauing conferred together what were best to be done and how to answere their Duke they writ vnto him resolutely That he had no right nor authoritie ouer them to make any such demand the which they were in no sort willing to grant him and if any had otherwise informed him they had abused him Offering that if it pleased him to come or to send his Deputies to Staueren or to Workom that they should finde them to conferre with them And if it were found that the Emperor or the Earles of Holland had euer had any such right and power as he pretended that they would submit themselues and do that which belonged to good subiects and vassals About the end of Iaunary in the yeare 1493. the Germaine troupes of Duke Albert which was called Dye groote gaerde that is to say the great rodde or the great whippe entred into the countrie of Gelders spoyling and destroying all where they past specially at the Abbie of Marie-wert then after they had burnt many villages in the end of February they came before Vtrecht lodging in the suburbes committing a 1000. insolencies and keeping the gates so straightly besieged as nothing could get in nor out The Lord of Iselstein had drawne them together to be reuenged of them of Vtrecht who had taken from him the Fort of S. Katherins gate whereof hee was Captaine and first executed then quartered some of his men The Traiectins seeing the great spoiles these Germaine souldiers made about this towne and fearing some greater inconuenience by the fauour of some friendes they made an Accord for a good summe of money with the Lord of Iselstein vpon condition That they should take downe the quarters and heades from the gates of those that bad beene executed and burie them in the Church-yarde Wherevppon the horses retyred The Emperour Frederick the third dyed at Vienna in Austria the 3. of August for that as they said he had eaten too many Melons after that he had raigned 44. years being 73. years old he was buried in S. Steuens Church in the said Towne To whom his sonne Maximilian King of the Romanes Archduke of Austria succeeded in the Empire who was borne the 12. of March 1459. He had beene crowned King of the Romaines the sixt of Februarie 1486. by the consent of all the Princes Electors About that time and before the death of the Emperor Frederick the Schyeringers and Vetcoopers in Friseland tormented one another dayly the Groningeois being ioyned to the Schyeringers holding the towne of Leeuwarden and all the Countrey of Ostergoe which was the cause of great effusion of blood So as Duke Albert seeing some occasion of quarrel against the Frisons aduertised the Emperor Frederick who being loath to attempt any thing rashly sent Otto van Langen one of his Counsell to informe himselfe of all the estate of Friseland and to pacifie the troubles and intestine warres if it might be The said Commissioner being come into Swoll in the countrey of Ouerysel sent for them of Groninghen and of Snecke to come vnto him being then in warre one with another But after that hee had heard all their grieuancâ—… and could not reconcile them he returned backe to the Emperor Afterwards the siegnior Douwe Curate of Itens being returned from the Emperors court brought letters of Committimus to Herman Arch-bishop of Cologue and to Henry bishop of Munster to take information of the attemps of them of Groninghen who
little regard the good of their Countrie nor the preseruation of their Priuiledges Freedoms but rather through ambition their owne priuate profits to the suppression of their rights and ancient Statutes Which words drew them on to proude bitter termes The common people of the partie of Iongama and Walta being stronger then the rest would haue taken Armes against the Nobles of the other partie wherevppon some great inconuenience would haue growne if the Commissioner had not cunningly pacified themâ—… intreating them to retyre for that time euery man to his lodging to consider better thereof at leisure sommoning them to come thither the next day at two of the clocke in the afternoone and whosoeuer did faile to forfeit a quart of wine the which pleased all the company and so by that meanes they departed The which the Commissioner did very discretly to draw himselfe and the Nobles that were come with him out of danger into the which they were fallen by this confused multitude of base people That night he went with Peter Camstra and the Hottingas to lodge in the castle of Iongama and the next day early in the morning they returned to Snecke being assured that he should doe no good at Bolswaert and that it was dangerous to stay there it might bee with effusion of blood the which he sought to auoyd for he see in the rest nothing but hatred and spleen The next day Iuw Iongama Tyarck-walta the Galamas and their Partisans came at the appointed hower to the Fryers where finding neither the Commissioner nor the other Nobles they were almost mad with spight not knowing how to take it exclaming against the Hottingas and their Allyes And so this Convocation proued â—…lesse The reason why Iongama the Galamas and their Partisans had shewed themselues so obstinate was for that they relyed much vppon the Groningeois who through their too great pride and presumption made no accompt neither of the Commissioner nor of any commandement from the Imperiall chamber no not of the Emperour himselfe Otto of Langen the Emperors Commissioner seeing that by their factions and bitter partialities and by the instigation of the Groningeois hee should profit nothing departed from Sneck and went to Deuenter whither hee sent againe for the parties and them of Groninghen to come vnto him the 4. of February but beeing there they were so incensed one against another with such bitternesse as they departed without doing any thing and the said Commissioner tooke his way towardes the Emperour Afterwards that which he had fore-told them came to passe That if they would not consent to the election of a Potestate within a short time other strangers would come and force them vnto obedience The which happened for they themselues digged a piâ—… into the which they fell There were yet other Commissioners sent by the Emperour to them of Groningen with Letters of Inhibition not to attempt any more but to restore Friseland to her first rights and Priuiledges but nothing auayled for the partialities and Factions as well of them that were allyed to the Groningeois as of the Schyeringers and Vetcoopers continued as violently as before so as there followed at diâ—…ers times yea in one Family of the Iongamas diuers factions and great effusion of blood Those of Harinxima and Galama did no lesse one vnto another The Townes Abbaies and Monasteries did the like calling in forces and in so great numbers to their succours as they could not be freed of them vntill they had payed them the last farthing to the great oppression of the people The which was no sooner dismist and gone out of the Countrey but Duke Albert of Saxony entertained them and came into Friseland to make them to lay aside their factions being forced therevnto by pouertie And these were the fruits of their wilfull obstinacie PHILIP OF AVSTRIA THE 2. OF that name the 34. Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland Duke of Bourgongne c Earle of Flanders c. Marquis of the holy Empire Philippus 2. Austrius My fatâ—…er with my goods gaue me a wife A peâ—…rlesse Princesse of the Arragoâ—… blood From her sixe children Kings and Queenes tooke life By 〈◊〉 twâ—…e years Helland from danger stood And by my wife I did inherite Spaine But my death prou'd my wiues who with griefe werryed Waâ—…ng â—…y corpes in tears that stream'd amaine My â—…s at Burgos in a Tombe interred PHILIP the second of that name Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland the onely sonne of the Archduke Maximilian of Austria afterwards Emperour and of Mary Dutchesse of Bourgongne daughter to Duke Charles the warlike was borne in Bruges the 20. day of Iune in the yeare 1470. hee was foure yeere old when his mother dyed Sence whose death the Archduke king of Romaines his father in qualitie of Regent Tutor or Curator gouerned his wiues Inheritance with great troubles and vexation by reason of the great factions and partialities which raigned then both in Holland and Flanders vnto the yeare 1494. that the King of Romanes by the death of the Emperour Frederick his father was crowned Emperor Prince Philip his sonne being then 16. yeares old was intituled Archduke of Austria Duke of Bourgongne Lothier Brabant Styria Carinthia Lembourg Luxembourg and Gelders Earle of Habsbourg Flanders Arthois Bourgongne Ferrette and Kiburch Palatin of Henault Holland Zeeland Namur and Zuphen Marquis of the Holy Empire and of Bourgau Landtgraue of Elsaten Lord of Windismark Portenau Salines and Macklyn The 16. of March the same yeare the Emperor Maximilian marryed in the towne of Inspruch the Lady Blanch Maria daughter to Galeas Duke of Milan and sister to Duke Iohn Galeas Maria. This marriage discontented some Princes of the Empire and many of the Emperors friends for that she was not of so noble a House as they desired for of the Viscontes side who then gouerned at Milan there was little Nobilitie and of the Sforces side lesse A while after he brought his wife into the Low-countries being accompaned by many Princes of Germanie The Archduke Philip his sonne and the Lady Marguerite his sister who had beene sent backe out of France after the marriage of King Charles the 8. to whom shee was promised with the Dutchesse of Brittaine went to meet them with the chiefe Nobilitie of the Neitherlands at Maestricht from thence they came to Louvain whereas the Archduke was with great Ceremonies and pompe put into possession of the Dutchie of Brabant and soone after in Antwerp of the Marquisate of the holy Empire The 12. of December in the Towne of S. Gheertrudenbergh of the Earledome of Holland and soone after at Romerswael of the Countie of Zeeland From thence hee went into â—…landers Arthois and Henault where he receiued the like whither the Deputies of euery Prouince came who did him homage and tooke an oath of fealtie In the same moneth of December Charles Duke of Gelders returned out of Lorraine
did much anoy the Geldrois within the circuit of Tyel and Bomel by spoiles and ransomes and among others he ruined the great village of Dryell On the other side Robert of Aremberghe being in garrison at Naerden as Gouernor of the contry of Goylandt did no lesse vpon the Velawe and contry there abouts To conclude all this warre was nothing but the ruine of the Contry-man and of some priuate Gentlemen In the yeare 1505. the truce betwixt the Duke of Saxony and the Groningeois expired and not being able to agree the warre reuiued The Regents for so we will call those sixe men which duke George had lefâ—… for the Gouernment of the Contry of Fresland did presently put 400. men into the fort of Auâ—…ert The Duke sent them also for a supply the seignior Vit van 〈◊〉 with some troopes who did also lodge in Auwert And then the Earle of Emden in the Dukes absence tooke vpon him the charge of Geneâ—…all of all the army and of the campe which he planted before Groningen willing the Regents to send him 600. men well armed wherein he was presently obeyed He caused a foâ—…t to be built vpon the territorâ—… oâ—… Ouerissell to keepe all succors from entring into Groningen on that side whereof the townes of the said Contrie of Ouerissel which are of the Dâ—…ocese of Vtrecht complained vnto their Bishop for otherwise they would willinglâ—… haue succored them but the Bishop pacified them and touching the succoâ—…s he diuided the Townes some desiring it others not so as in the meane time the fort was finished the which was called Wâ—…ert dâ—…n bras wherby the Groningeois were frustrate of the succors which they expected from them of Oueryssell The Emperour Maximiliâ—… being then in the contry of Gelders the towne of Groningen and the Townes of Ouerissel sent their deputies vnto him to make their complaints of the duke of Saxony and of the Regents which hee had commited for the gouerment of Frisland whervpon there was a day appointed in the towne of Hatem in Gelders whether came the saâ—…d dâ—…puties on the one part and the Earâ—…e of Emden with some of the 〈◊〉 on the other part Euery one deliuered his reasons which were well heard Bâ—…t the â—…mperour fauoring the dâ—…ke more then the rest the Groningeois and those of 〈◊〉 preuayled nothing In the same yeare died the Lady Isabella Queene of Castilâ—…e 〈◊〉 to the King Don Fernando of Arragon mother to the Lady Iane Arch-duâ—…hesse of Austria wife to the Archduke Phillip remayning their onely daughter so as now she was their onely heire and succeeded in the realmes of Castille Leon Granado c. Whereof she and her husband were crowned King and Queene in Brusselles whither the Crowne was sent them out of Spaine Cont Englebert of Nassau had alwayes disswaded the Archduke from making of warre against the duke of Gelders for being a wise Noble-man and knowing whereon he grounded his right hee did fore-see what the issue would bee after his death Some of the Archdukes counsell newly King of Castile perswaded him that before hee went into Spaine with his wife to take possession of her Kingdomes he should conquer all the Dutchie of Gelders and the Countie of Zutphen where-vppon hauing made a great preparation he went and besieged Bommel the which hee battered for a time then hauing but two Forts to keepe them in hee marched with his armie towards Arnhem the chiefe Towne and Chancerie of the Dutchie the which hauing besieged long and battered vntill it could endure no more in the end it was yeelded paying to the souldiers to redeeme the assaults 8000. Florins That of Harderwyck which is a sea Towne belonging to the duke of Gelders yeelded in the like maner then the Towne and castle of Hattem vppon the Riuer of Yssell where as the Earle of Suffolke an English-man was taken Then the Townes of Elburch Doesburch Dotecom Grolle Tyell Bommel Lochem and other small townes yeelded There was also many Gentle-men Geldrois which tooke the Bourguinons partie for so the Archdukes men were called Among others the siegnior of Bronckhorst Wisch Scheeren berghe Otto Scenck of Wachtendonck a braue knight who did much anoy the Geldrois with some others who went to serue the Archduke The duke of Gelders affaires were then reduced to that estate as if the Bourguignons had then pursued their victory they had wholy conquered all the duke of Gelders country During the Earle of Emdens siege before Groninghen there grewe some diuision betwixt him and the Germaine Collonels and other chiefe Officers of the duke of Saxonies wherewith the Earle was so discontented as without speaking of any word hee retyred to Dam the which his men held 3. leagues from Groninghen which the Germaines did little regard assuring themselues of the taking of Groninghen which was then brought to extremitie and could not long hold out hauing beene besieged almost a whole yeare so as they not onely had neede of victuals but of all other prouisions and munitions for warre Wherevpon the Groningeois both gentlemen and Bourgesses assembled vppon the place before the Counsell house to aduise of that which should be most expedient for them to doe for the auoyding of the totall ruine of their Towne and that they might not bee â—…orced to yeelde vnto the mercie of the Germaines In the ende it was resolued to call Vytt van Draecksdorâ—… one of the chiefe commanders of the duke of Saxonyes armie next vnto the Farle of Emden and to capitulate alone with him of their redition hoping that in offering him that honour seeing that hee had the chiefe command ouer the Saxons and Germaines they should haue the better composition But as this was thus decreâ—…d and that they were ready to send their deputies to him to Auwert Behold there came into the towne a Bourgeois and his wife whilest the inhabitants were yet together so villanosly entreated and dissigured as all men had horrour to behold them for beeing prisoners and hauing no meanes to pay the raâ—…some which they demanded Collonell Vytt caused their noses and eares to be cut off sending them back thus dissigured to the Towne who by their â—…ryes and lamentations did moue all the cittizens to pittie and furie against Vytt and all the Germaines resoluing to set fire on the Towne and consume it to ashes rather then to veeld to such tyrants and so they entertained themselues in their pouertie for a while But hearing afterwards of the dislike that was betwixt the Earle of Emden Collonel Vytt theâ—… writ secretly vnto the Earle to know his minde If he would not receiue them vndâ—…r his hereditary protection as wel for him as for his successors These Letters did wonderfully please the Earle who sent the Messenger backe with an answere as pleasing to them of the Towne which was That they should send their Deputies with full power and ample commission to treat with him The which they did
their departure was made Gouernour of all the Neitherlands in the Kings absence and recommended his sonnes Charles and Ferdinand to the Ladie Marguerite his sister Douwager of Sauoy The French King hearing that they tooke their way by Sea and would not passe through France he sent Philip of Cleues Earle of Neuers and the bishop of Paris vnto them in Ambassage requiring first That the marriage which had beene concluded betwixt Prince Charles their sonne and the Lady Claude of France the Kings daughter should bee diasnulled and made voyde for that the Princes of the blood and the Parliament did not thinke it conuenient And for the second point That the King of Castile should not attempt any thing vpon the Soueraigne iurisdiction of Flanders in ciuill causes and in Arthois touching Appellations both in Ciuill and Cryminall causes The which was wholy granted These Ambassadours dispatcht away King Philip and Queene Iane of Castile his wife accompanied with a goodly traine of Princes Noble-men Princesses and great Ladyes parted in the ende of the yeare 1505. from Antwerp and came into Zee-land where waying anchor at Arnmuyden the day after tweft day 1506 they went to Sea with a rich and mightie Fleet of shippes but they had not beene long at Sea before that there did rise a great tempest of winde snowe and such mists as being long before they knew what course they went they were hourely in great danger to perrish in the Sea Euery man wondered that in the depth of winter they would commit themselues to the danger and perrill of the Sea GOD letting them for to vnderstand that the greatest Kings and Princes are subiect vnto these dangers as well as the poorest Marryners but he preserued them and they put to land at Weymouth in the West part of England all the rest of the fleet was so dispersed as they knew not what was become of them whereof some shippes were cast away Henrie the seauenth King of England hearing of their being in the Harbour sent some of his Princes to receiue them in his name and to intreat them to come on land and refresh themselues whether he himselfe went and entertained them very louingly shewing them all the delights hee could and giuing them many goodly presents to make them forget their troubles past at sea At one time King Henry intreated King Philip that he would deliuer him the Earle of Suffolk who as we haue sayd was taken with the bastard of Geldres in the Castell of Hattem King Philip after great importunity vpon promise that King Henry should not touch his life consented that the Earle of Suffolke should be brought into England the which did much discontent many good men He was kept in the Castell of Namur from whence hee was brought and deliuered to the King of England who caused him to be lodged in the Tower of London Afâ—…er that King Philip and the Queene his wife had stayed for a faire season from their landing which was in Ianuary vnto the 24. of March they put to sea and hauing a prosperous winde they arriued soone after at the Groyne from whence they went to visit the râ—…licks of Saint Iames in Compostella going from thence towards Castille where they were royally receiued by all the Princes and Noblemen of Spaine The King of Castille had no sooner left the Netherlands but the Geldrois went to horsbacke against the treaty made at Roosendael falling vpon those townes and places which by the sayd treaty remained to the King of Castille among the rest vpon Groll and Waganengen the which they tooke running from them into Holland and Brabant The lord of Cheures hauing leauied an army went and besieged the sayd towne of Wagenengen but it was furnished with such good men which made continuall sallies vpon his campe as in the end seeing that he preuailed nothing he retired his army In August the same yeare 1506. there appered a Comete which did rise at the North-east and did set in the North-west drawing the taile which was great and large in forme of a rod towards the West the which was seene eighteene daies togither In the same moneth there was a poore woman in Holland betwixt the villages of Beuerwic and Vyc vpon the sea great with child and readie to bee deliuered Fifteene daies before her lying downe the fruite that was in her won be â—…as heard almost continually to cry and lament The which many worthy men for a greater approbation of the truth went daylie to heare it and since haue certified it Whereof some learned men in Philosophy and the Mathematiks haue diuersly written inferring that the crying of this child with the Comete did pronosticate the death of the â—…ing of Castille Pâ—…ince of the Netherlands and the great miseries which haue since happened in Holland and other of the sayd Prouinces The King and Queene of Castille beeing arriued in Spaine went from one Realme vnto an other and from oâ—…e cittie vnto an other to take possession according to the Preuiledges and customes of places Although that the King Don Fernando of Arragon father to the Qâ—…eene offred to King Philip 500000. ducates a yeare to remaine in the lowe countries and not to come into Spaine yet hee and his wife would goe and themselues in person end the controuersie that was by reason of the succession of the deceased Queene Isabella betwixt them and the King Don Ferdinando their father The which they did and Philip in the right of his wife was acknowledged King of Castille Leon Grenado c. But he enioyed it not long for the 27 of September in the same yeare 1506. he died sodenly in the citty of Bourgos not without suspition of poison being but 28. yeares old He desired before his death that his heart might be carried and buried at Ierusalem ioyning to that of the dâ—…ke of Bourgongnes his great grandfather the which was done His bowells were carried to Bruges in Flanders and his body was interred in a Couent of Chartreux Monks called Amesâ—…ur vpon a mountaine without the citty of Bourgos The Lady Iane his widoe was with child of a daughter whereof she was afterwards deliuered The newes of the death of this Prince caused great mourning and heauines throughout all the Netherlands fearing other troubles and reuolts by reason of the warre betwixt the duke of Geldres and them Those which at that time pretended to knowe the affaires of State sayd that the marriage which the Archduke Philip made with the Lady Iane of Castille was vnhappie for the Netherlands not for the miseries which the Spaniards haue of late yeares brought in and which the countries haue suffred for they could not fore-see these things so long before but for the great charges wherwith they were burthened to enter into those realmes of Spaine with a rich and stately pompe the which he did by the councell of his wife to impouerish the said countries
â—…or besides that which he solde alienated and surcharged yea ingaged his reuenues this ladie carried with her all the goodly Iewels riche Tapistrie massie plate both of golde and siluer that great and famous Flower de Lys of Diamants one of the nailes wherewith our Lord IESVS CHRIST â—…eredere fasâ—…est was nailed vnto the crosse and the great Besome of Flanders To conclude she left not any thing causing all to be packt vp all which was in those dayes esteemed at nine Millions of gold After the death of â—…ing Philip all the Noblemen of the Netherlands were sent out of Spaine neither were they very welcome there so as the greatest part of these riche moueables plate and Iewels was stolne and lost onely some little which Iohn Earle of Nassau Lord of Breda recouered with great diligence and care and brought them with him into the Lowe-countries In the yeare 1507. the Dutchesse of Burbon Ante to the Duke of Gelders by the mothers side sent as it was reported certaine troupes of Frenchmen vnto her Nephew the which being come to Ruremonde the Duke lead them being ioyned wiâ—…h his owne forces to Tournhoult in Brabant to spoile it then hee went before Dyest pretending to surprise it but Cont Iohn of Nassau made such resistance as he got nothing but blower From thence the Duke went to Tillemont which he tooke by assault where he lost a Germaine Earle the which hauing spoyled and taken many good prisoners he abandoned carrying all the bootie to Ruremonde and putting his men into Garrisons The Frenchmen passing by the countrie of Liege to returne into France with their prey being in the Forrest of Ardennes lodgeâ—… about Saint Hubert and making good cheere vpon the poore country men and as they say sleeping after the French fashion some Namurois Houilliers and Bocquillons to the number of 600. men vnder Iohn Despontin their Captaine came early in a morning to wake them they first slew their Sentinels and corps de garde then entred into their quarter and surprized them in bed whereof there were many slaine who thought but too late to take armes there were many prisoners especially of Gentlemen to conclude all were defeated and happy was he that loosing his horse armes and baggage could sane himselfe on foote in the Forrest So as these Namurois by this hard enterprise wone much honor and a riche spoile both of horses armes gold siluer plate silkes and veluets which the French had gotten in Brabant casâ—…ng vp all at once which they had gotten in the diuers towns which they had spoiled Soone after the Geldrois burnt that goodly great village of Bodegraue betwixt the townes of Woerden and Leyden in Holland Iohn of Egmont Gouernour of Holland to be reuenged of the Geldrois weâ—… at the Hollanders charge and of them of Boisleduc to besiege the strong plaâ—…e and Castell of Puydroyen whereas then the Seignior of Seewint Marshall of Gelders did much harme vnto the Marchants to whom the sayd Marshall was a capitall enemie But the Duke of Gelders came himselfe in person forcing the Lord of Egmont to dislodge After the death of the King of Castile the Emperour Maximilian tooke vpon him the gouernment of the Netherlands as gardien to Charles and Ferdinand his Grand-children and by the meanes of the French King and the King of Arragon a peace was concluded at Cambray betwixt the Emperour in qualitie of gardien and the Duke of Gelders the which was of no long continuance the warre kindling againe soone after by some occasions offred by the Lord of â—…selsteyn CAROLVS 5 IMPERATOR CHARLES OF AVSTRIA THE 2 of that name the 35. Earle of Holland and Zeeland the first Temporall Lord of the Towne and Diocesse of Vtrecht of Friseland Oueryseel and Groninghen The fift Emperour of that name England France Afrique Turkey Germanie Haue felt my spirit to their seuerall losses Beyond Gibralter are my pillars planted My wife a Portugaise and Philips daughter Through my victorious powers fayre Italie Hath seemd to tremble when nâ—…re Pauia I plotted 'gainst the French and tooke as Captiue Francis the first their famous warre-like King Then with fresh Souldiers being from Spaine supplyde I quite did tame the haughtie Germaines pride I call to witnesse prisoners that were Princes As Saxonie and the Lans-graue the rich Ransomes Engines of warre with which as gifts constrainde They made peace with my furie great and small Were ransomde as I pleas'd my Spanish Forces Tooke holy Rome the Italians greatest Terror There three dayes was their Pillage in no place The Pope found succour but his powers and hee Lay in their Forts besiegde not Issuing forth Vntill their Ransomes bought them a free way From which the Almaine armie receiu'd pay Was it not I with blowes as quicke as lightning Conquerd Golletto Tunis and Argier And made the famous Pyrate Barbarosa At Ariaden shrinck vnder my Sinewe Who bade fare-well to Africa by flight Which also stoopt and sunke vnder my might Did not I Muly-assen then erect When I Barbarians and the Moores had tamed Was it not I that with my Campe of Almaynes From Austria chasde the great Turke Solyman With which the noble conquests that I held In the West-Indyes may be paraleld Were not my men the first that did finde out Those mynes of Peru-gold and made bolde way Through sandy bounds of rich America Vnder the obedience of the Spanish lawes Bringing their Kings what though at first afront They Kingly stroue being vanquisht there my slaues Nor ought the world forget my souldiers deedes That two and twenty millions put to sword Of rebell Indians forcing the remaynes Like brutish beasts to vnder-goe base paines Am not I CHARLES fifth Emperour of that name Throughout the vniuersall Globe the Terror But when I thought mee firme-vnder my stroake The Spaniard toucht the Almaines left my yoake And a new Trouble nere conceiude before Did vnawares beset mee Germaine Princes Confederates came vnexpected Foes And forest me flie from Inspruck all vnfurnisht I that was woont Foes with a whip to chase Was forst to worke my safetie by my flight Death to my pride and furie of my Sword Yet all I wrought either by force or Law When I to narrow straights the Cleuoys forest That Gelders Freezeland Vtrecht in the end And beyond Island all the wealth was mine Vnder my Lawes stoopt Groninghen and Cambray Fiftie two yeares I Holland did possesse Then to my Sonne all titles I resignde My flesh lyes at Granado my soule fares Like her eternal selfe from humaine eares The Argument of the sixt Booke THe birth of the Emperor Charles the fifth warre betwixt the Esterlings Danes and Hollanders The Duke of Geldres makes warre against the Bishop of Vtrecht and the Hollanders The state of Friseland A quarrell betwixt the Duke of Saxony and the Earle of Emden for the siegmory of Groningen Henry Duke of Brunswyke slaine there The Groningeois giue themselues to the Duke of
Geldres Prince Charles of Austria takes possession of the Netherlands George duke of Saxony resignes his interest of Friseland to Prince Charles Hee holds the feast of the golden sâ—…ce at Brusselles Philip Bastard of Bougongne Bishop of Vtrecht Maâ—…ten van Rossen Gouernor in Friseland Prince Charles crowned King of Spaine the death of the Emperor Maximilian Charles the â—…ift chosen Emperor the Lady Marguerite Duchesse of 〈◊〉 Gouernesse of the Netherlands Troubles in Spaine the King being absent warre in Friseland warre betwixt the French and the Bourguignons the Peasants warre in Germany the Groningeois reâ—…ing the Duke of Geldres giue themsselues to the Emperor the second bloudy Edâ—… made by the Emperor aâ—…st the Protestants of the Netherlands A tumult at Vtrecht who call in the Geldrois against their Bishop VVilliam van Enkeâ—…oort 59. Bishop of Vtrecht the Coronation of the Emperor Charles by the Pope An Impâ—…iall diet at Ausbourg whereas the Protestant Princes present a confession of their faith A wonderfull deuoâ—… rinâ—… Inundation in the Netherlands Mary of Austria Queene Douager of Hongarie succeeds in the gouernment of the Netherlands after the death of the Ladie Marguerite her Aunâ—… warre betwixt them of Lubâ—…c and Holland An Imperiall dyet held at Ratisbone concerning religion A peaâ—… betwixt the Emperor and the Duke of Geldres warre betwixt the French and the Bourguignons The townes of Geldres mutine against their duke the Emperor comes out of Spaine through France to punish the Ganthois warre betwixt the Emperor and the French King A peace concluded CHARLES the second of that name the 35. Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland eldest sonne to the Archduke Philip of Austria and of Lady Iane Queene of Castile was borne at Gand in Flanders the 24 of February 1500. After the death of his Father he did inherit ouer and aboue the counties of Holland Zeeland West-frisland the Dutchies of Bourgongne Brabant Styria Carinthia Carniola Lembourg Luxembourg and Geldres The counties of Flanders Arthois Henault Bourgongne Ferrete Kyburg Namur and Zutphen the Landtgraueship of Elsaten the Marquisate of Burgau and of the holy Empire the Principalitie of Suaue and the Seigneuries of Windismark Portenau Salins and Macklin Afterwards hee conquered the Dutchie of Milan and did incorporate the country of Friseland Vtrecht Oueryssel Groningen Cambray and Cambresis all holding of the Empire The Emperour Maximilian hauing as we haue sayd taken vpon him the gardianship of his Nephews and Neeces retiring out of the Netherlands to goe into Germanie about the affaires of the Empire hee appointed his daughter the Lady Marguerite Douager of Sauoy Aunt to the Princes Charles and Ferdinand Regent of the low-countries in the name of the Prince her Nephewe who meaning to come out of Flanders into Zeeland she imbarked at Nyeuwerhauen right against Flesingue Philip of Bourgongne lord of Somersdike Admiral Adolphe of Bourgongne lord of Beueren with the Noblemen and deputies of the states of Zeland went with a good number of flie-boates shaloups other light boates to receiue her at the sayd place of Nyeuwerhauen Whilest that the sayd Noblemen were gone to land to entertaine the sayd Princesse the ships of war lying before the hauen shoting off their great Ordinance in signe of honour it happened that fire fell into the poulder of the Admirall so as many were slaine drowned and wounded but there were not any of these Noblemen in her al being gone to land in their long boates to salute the Gouernesse At that time died the vertuous Lady Anne bastard of Bourgongne Lady of Rauestein of whom we haue formerly spoken after that shee had recouered and walled in many Islands that were drowned in Zeeland To whose goods succeeded Baldwyn and Philip of Bourgongne her brethren except the Island of Duyueland the which returned to them of the house of Borssele from whence it first came William of Egmont Lord of Iselstein with the consent and coÌ„mission of the Emperour Maximillan and of his councell went to take and ransome some Inhabitants about Bommel for that they said they were of the Iurisdiction of Geldres and contrarywise the said Lord of Iselstein would haue them of his Princes Iurisdiction where-vpon the Duke of Geldres tooke occasion to reuiue the warres Saying that the Bourguignons had first of al broken the peace where-vpon the Geldrois lay in waite for the marchants of the Netherlands at their returne from Francfort Mart whome they spoiled and carried away prisoners to the towne of Gelder setting them at great ransomes besides their losses which they had taken from them In the same yeare 1508. Raoul Prince of Anhault of the noble and ancient house of Ascagâ—…e cheefe of Maximilian the Emperors Armie in the Netherlands â—…nt againe to beseege the castell of Puydroyen in the month of March from whence the duke of Geldres had forced Iohn of Egmont to raise his seege who hauing battred it and giuen diuers assaults in the which the marshall Seewint was slaine in the end it was yeelded to his mercie which was that the beseeged should depart euery one with a white wand retaining twelue to dispose of at his pleasure whom he caused to be presently hanged before the port then he caused both castell and fort to be ruied and razed In the meane time the duke of Geldres thought to surprise the towne of Harderwick which the Bourguignons held yet but he failed from thence the Prince of Anhalt went to beseege the towne of Wesep and the Castell of Muyden both together being but a quarter of a League one from an other The French king sent an ambassador to the Princes campe who did mediate the yeelding vp of the said two places by some good accord to the said Prince in the Emperors name after that the Geldrois had first been chased from the Block-house of Amsterdam and the Lord of Aymeries with his walons defeated vpon the mont of Muyden where the Lord of Iselstein was slaine In the yeare 1509. there died in the citty of Cologne Cont Henry of Stolburch Gouernor for the Duke of Saxony in the contry of Freeseland he was much lamented of the Frisons for his mild gouernment being a good Iusticer an vpright man fearing God after whose death Duke Georges Mareshall came into Friseland bringing with him Euerwin earle of Benthem with the dukes Comission to be gouernor of the said contry In the yeare 1510. there fell out great warre betwixt the King of Denmarke and the townes of the East contries as Lubeck Wismare Rostwicke and others Theyof Lubeck did write into Holland Zeeland and Freeseland for-bidding them to sayle into Denmarke but they would not forbeare for that the greatest profit of those contries consists in nauigation where-vpon the Lubeckers tooke some of their ships at two seuerall times their second losse was by the default of the Danes who did not succor them as they ought The yeare following the Esterlings came
ceremonies accustomed at the coronation of the Kings of Castile This done the King and the Queene his Mother sitting in their Throne Don Garcia did read the othe with a lowde voyce the which was great and sollemne the which the Prelates Princes and Gouernours of Prouinces and Townes were accustomed to take to his Predecessors Kings of Castile Wherefore all those that were bound to that othe drew neere and presented themselues euery one swearing vpon the holy Euangelist and then they kist the Kings hand The first was Prince Ferdinand the Kings Brother then the Lady Elenor his sister and after came the Prelates as Archbishops Bishops and other Cleargie men This othe being taken Don Garcia did read with a lowd voyce the homage of a loyall vassall the which the Princes and Noblemen were to doe The first of the which also was Prince Ferdinand and his Sister who did their homage in the hands of William of Croy Lord of Cheures Gouernour to the King either of them putting their hands ioyned into the sayd Lords hands who receiued them in the Kings name This homage done the King caused Prince Ferdinand to sit downe by him in a seate appointed for that purpose where sitting bare-headed hee receiued in the King his Brothers name the homages of all the Princes and Noblemen of the realme who after they had deliuered their hands into Prince Ferdinands kissed the Kings hands This ceremonie being ended Te deum was song and the Trumpets and clarions sounded Then the King retired to his Pallace being alwayes accompanied by the Princes and Noblemen on foote none being on horse-back but Prince Ferdinand and the Ambassadors to the Emperour Pope Kings of France England and of Portugall and of the Seigneurie of Venice The remainder of the dayes of this feast were spent in Tylt Tourney Dancing and other sports and so the feast ended with all ioy and content From that time the Kings affaires began to prosper more and more all his subiects of his Realmes of Spaine comming to yeeld him obedience and fealtie Wee haue before made mention of that Blacke troupe which the Duke of Saxonie hauing payed were sent out of Friseland and that a French Collonel had entertained them but hauing neither money nor meanes to imploy them they continued eating and spoyling in the high diocesse of Vtrecht about Deuenter from thence they went into the countrie of Geldres from whence the Duke caused them to dislodge where-vpon they thrust themselues into the country of Cleues These gallants with-out care or feare of any man continued there so long vntill that the Dukes of Cleues and Geldres the Bishop of Cologne and the Earle of Nassau hauing gathered together three thousand horse and some good troopes of foote went to seeke them They had made some accord with the Earle of Nassau but the Wallons hauing defeated 1200. at one charge the commons seeing this fell vpon the great troope being yet in their trenches who were so amazed as abandoning armes and all euery man sought how to saue himselfe and so these insolent soldiars which had done so much mischiefe were defeated and dispersed a great number of them were slaine by the peasants and afterwards many of them were taken and executed by the hand of Iustice especially all those that were knowne to haue beene at the sacke of the towne of Aspren the bloud of Innocents crying vp to heauen for vengeance against those execrable murtherers The Emperour Maximilian beeing discharged of the Gardienship of Prince Charles his grand-child hee tooke his leaue of him and of the Noblemen of the Netherlands taking his way towards Germanie where after that hee had disposed of his affaires returning from an Imperiall diet at Ausbourg hee fell sicke aâ—… Inspruck of a â—…ux which grewe by weakenesse from whence for his ease hee was transported to the towne of Velse whereas his infirmitie did so increase daily as the Phisitions despaired â—…f his helth There hee made his last will and testament by the which among other things hee did expresly forbid them to imbalme his bodie but they should find out a coffin of oake in the which hee would bee buried saying that therein they should finde all things necessary for a dead bodie which was a course canuase sheete wherein his bodie should bee sowed ordayning that they should fill his eares eyes and mouth full of lime and so put his bodie into this coffin of oake and cause it to bee interred Aboue three yeares before his death hee had alwaies carried this coffin about with him wheresoeuer he went lockt vp in an other cofer of iron whereof hee himselfe had the keye the which hee would euery night haue carefully carryed into his chamber which made many to coniecture that there was some great treasure in it His sicknesse increasing hee disposed himselfe to die remitting himselfe vnder the Standard of fayth with a full confidence in the merits and satisfaction made by the bloud and passion of IESVS CHRIST our Lord and recommending his soule vnto GOD he gaue vp the Ghost the twelfth of February 1519. beeing fifty nine yeares old one month and one day hauing beene Emperor 32. yeares and a leauen monethes Then beeing layed in this coffin according to this decree he was carryed to Nyeustadt and burried by his mother the Ladie Elenor daughter of Portugall Hee was a Prince indued with singular vertues hee spent one part of his life priuately among learned men with whome hee discoursed familiarly of diuinitie of all partes of Philosophy but especially of Phisick of the Mathematikes and of the Histories of all ages quickning his wit daylie with the reading and meditation of these things so as by his example his exhortations and the recompences which hee promised the knowledge of histories in Germany was reuiued beeing then buried in Barbarisme and ignorant of the pinciples of true and sollide learning so as before him there was not any Prince that either priuatly or publickely did inrich Germanie with more excellent guiftes then hee did Hee was a great louer of Phisicke And for that hee was very curious in the serch of Antiquities hee caused Cuspinian Nauclerus Conrade Putinger and Iames Manlius to write generall histories from the begâ—…nning of the world He did incite certaine others as Ladislas Suntheius and Stabius to serch out and write without flatterie or corruption the auncient familes of Germanie the Nobilitie whereof hee knewe in olde time to haue beene verie great wherein hee spent great summes of money The other Noble Princes of Germany mooued by the example of this Emperour beganne to shew themselues in the like zeale and affection to the knowledge of histories and learning And then they beganne to erect many vniuersities After the death of this Emperor they found that the Assemblie of the seauen Princes Electors of Germanie did auaile much for the quiet of all Europe for matters inclyning to some great alteration the dignity of
the Bishop of Vtrechts forces vnder Nicholas of Wilderstorffe against the Geldrois and Frison Geldrois vnder the command of the Earle of Maeurs of Collonell Martin van Rossen and Captaine Grand Pierre for the Duke of Geldres vnto the yeare 1526. During the which there were many townes and castels taken and recouered againe on eyther side diuers incounters skirmishes and sieges raised where-with the whole country was miserably afflicted and ruined for if the poore country-men of eyther side would keepe any thing they must of necessitie carrie it into the townes from whence they might not retire it when they would Some writers speake diuersly of the causes and motiues of the warre betwixt the Emperour and the French King But all concurre that the election of Charles reuiued the old quarrels and bred new The French King had alwayes an eye to the realme of Naples hauing treated with Pope Leo for the recouerie thereof Hee desired also to restore the King of Nauarre to his kingdome seeing that the Emperour made no accoumpt to leaue it On the other side the Emperor was not well pleased to pay the 100000. crownes pension to the French king according to the accord made with the Lord of Cheures his Gouernour ratified by the Emperour Maximilian his grand-father for the rights pretended by the French king vpon Naples Hee did also beare the losse of the Duchie of Bourgongne impatiently seazed vpon by king Lewis the eleuenth after the death of Duke Charles his great Grand-father by the Mother side slaine before Nancy There wanted no quarrell also touching the Duchie of Milan As they were about to seeke occasions to assaile one another there was one offered small in shew at the beginning but it was the fire-brand to kindle this flame the which afterwards did thrust the greatest part of Europe into combustion and made these two Princes their successors and subiects so to afflict one another as all the miseries that might be imagined haue followed and this was the occasion There was a sute betwixt the Lord of Aymerie and the Prince of Chimay of the house of Croy for a Towne in the forrest of Ardennes called Hierges and a sentence giuen in fauour of Chimay by the Peers of the Dutchie of Bouillon who doe iudge soueraignely without any appeale from their sentences yet the Lord of Aimery who had great credit with the Emperor Charles and the chiefe in Court preuailed so as he obtained letters from the Chancerie of Brabant to call in the heyres of the Prince of Chimay to appeare at a certaine day and to heare the reasons of Aimery if need were and to see the sentence giuen in their fauour disanulled They seeing the wrong that was offered them repaired to Robert of Marcke Duke of Bouillon as to their Lord and Protector that he might defend the liberties and priuiledges of his Duchie being withall Tutor vnto Chimays children hauing married their Aunte Wherevpon the Duke did what he could possible to maintaine his rights but seeing that they meant to depriue him he addressed himselfe to the French king with whom he found meanes to make his peace being before in some disgrace with him putting into his hands both his person and his places crauing fauour and support that he might haue Iustice of the wrong done vnto his soueraigntie Hauing thus prouided for his affaires hee sent to defie the Emperor the which was a great presumption for him and he bought it full deerely at the diet at Wormes and soone after the Lord of Florenges his eldest sonne leuied 3000. foote and 500. horse in France against the kings Proclamation and went to besiege Vireton a small towne in the country of Luxembourg Heerevpon the King of England hauing perswaded the French King not to enter into quarrell for so small a subiect as that of Bouillon with the Emperour matters were past ouer and the Duke of Bouillon dismissed his Armie But in the meane time the Emperour raised one whereof the Earle of Nassau had the command with the which he tooke Longues Meusancourt Fleuranges Sanchy and Bouillon wherevpon the Duke finding himselfe too weake obtained a truce of the Emperor for sixe weekes onely The French King considering that the granting of this truce was a secret declaration of warre against him for that if the Emperor had had no other desseigne but against the Duke of Bouillon there had beene no need of any truce hauing meanes to ruine him within sixe weekes hee began in like sort to raise an Armie solliciting the King of England to ioyne with him The Emperour on the other side hauing this ouerture began to looke to himselfe and both Armies went to field attempting nothing yet one against the other for the King of England hauing offered to be an arbitrator of their quarrells a parle was appointed at Calais whether the Commissioners of both parties came But for that they did not yeeld vnto the Emperor the restitution of the Duchie of Bourgongue and the abolition of the homage of Flanders and Arthois which hold of the Crowne of France there was nothing concluded In the meane time the Lord of Liques a Wallon made an enterprise vpon the Abbay of Saint Amant in Tournesis belonging to the Cardinall of Bourbon and vpon a small Towne called Mortaigne not farre from thence of the county of Holland This Gentleman pretended these places to belong vnto him and made himselfe Maister thereof At the same instant the Lord of Fiennes Gouernor of Flanders did besiege Tournay of all which exploits the Emperour excused himselfe saying that they were priuate quarrels But the King seeing that the Imperiall Armie vnder colour that the truce with the Duke of Bouillon grew to an end approched neere Mouson hee sent some troupes thether and so the warre began betwixt these two great Princes both in Champaigne Picardie and else-where all which I will forbeare to write of in this worke both for that they do not properly concerne this subiect as also being set downe at large in the Historie of France George Schenck Gouernor of Friseland with the Lords of Wastenare and Castre hauing taken the fort of Warckom and Mackom the Townes of Dockom and Bolswaert with some other forts holding the Geldrois party they went to besiege the Towne of Sloten the which they did batter furiously and the besieged defended themselues as couragiously so as in a sally which they made in the night the Lord of Wassenare was shot in the arme and the Gouernor Schenck in the bottome of his belly yet they remoued not out of the Campe. Those of the Towne seeing there was no hope of succours were forced to yeeld The Earle of Maeurs being at Steenwyke and hearing that the Bourguignons had taken Sloten retired from thence vnder coulour that he went into Geldres as he sayd to the Duke to seeke for succours From Sloten the Gouernor Schenck went to besiege Lemmer those within it
The Dukes men were diuided to goe to Nymegen and Zutphen hoping to recouer by some Intelligence within the Townes but they were so well entertayned by the Inhabitants and soldiars as they were forced to retire with shame The Duke much discontented that hee could not preuaile ouer these Townes sent his horsmen into the quarter of the Veluwe to ruine the peasants and to spoile the country What doth a Prince get in ruining his owne subiects through wilfullnes to make him selfe poore he sent his Deputies to the aboue named townes to know the reasons why they ruined his Castells who answered that they did acknowledge him for their Prince and Lord and that they desired no other so long as hee liued And for the Castells which they had beaten downe that it had not beene for any other reason but that they feared they should haue bene forced to receiue in the French by them and to take an oth to the French King the which they were not resolued to do But during his life they would not acknowledge any other and that hee being dead they would receiue him for their Lord that had most right This remayned a while in suspence not long after hee sent his Comissioners againe to these Townes to command them to pay him his reuenues and that they send their Deputies with them of the Townes to Arnhem where hee was resolued to hold an Assembly of his States they answered that they were not resolued to paie him any thing vntill that hee discharged his horsmen and sent them out of the Country These Townes hauing beene long thus in bad tearmes with their Prince and that sometimes their soldiars fell vppon the Dukes men who ouerunne the Veluwe ill intreating the poore countrymen in the end by the meanes of some Noblemen an Accord was made about the end of December betwixt the Duke and the Townes after the which the Country of Gelders and the Country of Zutphen were at rest vntill the Dukes death About the end of this yeare the Lady Issabella Empresse was deliuered of a second sonne in Spaine called Iohn whereof there was great ioy in the Netherlands hoping to haue a particular Prince but hee died in Aprill following The second of Iuly in the yeare 1538. Charles of Egmont Duke of Gelders died beeing 71. yeares old hauing gouerned and molested his Country for the space of thirty six yeares Hee was the cause through his violence that the Prouince of Friseland the Diocesse of Vtrecht the Towne of Groninghen and the Ommelands came vnder the Emperors obedience the which he might easily haue preserued for himselfe if he had not continuallie ouercharged the people with new exactions by the which he lost the hearts of men This prince was of a turbulent spirit and a great louer of Innouations Being dead William duke of Cleues came into Gelders where he was honoubly receiued and sollemnly put in possession of the said Duchie and of the Country of Zutphen The 13. of September in the same yeare 1538. Henry Earle of Nassau father to William prince of Orange died in his Castell of Breda eight daies after hee had feasted the Queene of Hongarie Gouernesse of the Netherlands with great Pompe In February 1539. died Iohn Duke of Cleues to wome William his sonne succeeded who was Duke of Cleues Iulliers and Bergh Earle of La Marck and Rauensbourg Lord of Rauensteyn c. and heiâ—…e to the Ducthy of Gelders by the death of Duke Charles of Egmont The 17. of August the Ganthois began to mutine the companies of trades and occupations assembled togither in their seuerall halles and then they went to armes seeking to extort many things from the great Bayliffe and from the Magistrate of the Towne They committed many of the Court of Flanders to prison and among others one Lieuin Pin whome vppon their owne motion and authoritie they caused to be publikely beheaded The 25. of September the Bayliffe Bourgmaister the Secretary of the towne of Maestricht in a great popular tumult were all three massackred The 24. of October died Floris of Egmont the first Earle of Buren in his castell of Buren Maximilian his sonne Lord of Iselstein succeeded him whose daughter and onely heire William of Nassau Prince of Orange tooke to his first wife of which marriage are issued Philip of Nassau at this day Prince of Orange and the Lady Mary of Nassau widow to Count Philip of Hohenlo The thirty of the sayd month the Earle of Roeux entred into Gant hauing giuen them to vnderstand in the Emperors name that they should hold their lawes rights and accustomed preuiledges And the tenth of December the Emperour trusting to the French Kings word and safe-conduit parted from Spaine to come by land into the Netherlands through France The Prince Daulphin and the duke of Orleans the Kings sonnes were to receiue him at the foote of the Pyrenee Mountaines who conducted him to Paris Hee was receiued with great State in all townes where he passed with acclamations and great shewes of â—…oye hoping that his comming should bee a confirmation of a perpetuall peace Approching neere vnto Paris the King went to meete him beeing accompanied with all his Princes and Noblemen and 1500. gentlemen all richly appointed The Marchants did him all the honour they could comming to the Lovure his reception was great and stately by the King and Queene the Emperors sister Hauing taken his leaue of the King and Queene hee was conducted by the Daulphin and many Princes and Noblemen to Valenciences the first towne in Henalt whereas the Lady Mary Queene of Hungary went to receiue him from whence they went to Brusselles where hee arriued the nineteene of February 1540. In the beginning of the sayd moneth of â—…ebruary died that valiant captaine George Schenck Baron of Tautenbourg knight of the order of the golden fleece Gouernor of the countries of Friseland and Groningen in whose place succeeded to the same Gouernment Maximilian of Egmont Earle of Buren Lord of Iselsteyn The second day of Aprill died in the citty of Gant Anthony of Lalain Earlâ—… of Hoochstraten after that hee had beene eighteene yeares Gouernor of Holland Zeeland c. to whome succeeded Rene of Chalons Prince of Orange Earle of Nassau and Lord of Breda The Emperour beeing arriued at Brusselles hearing the many complaints that were made vnto him of the rebellion of the Ganthois hee parted from Busselles with foure thousand men towardes Gant comming neere the towne the Magistrates went to meete him and brought him into the towne with great honour During his aboad hauing beene dulie informed of all matters hee caused many Bourgeses to be apprehended and among others the great deane who was a carpenter by his trade the chiefe motiue of this rebellion Their Processe being made finished nine of the chiefe were beheaded and the Burgeses were forbidden to carry any kniues vnlesse the pointes of them
the Protestants armie being deuided the Prince Elector went with his troopes against Maurice and recouered all that he had taken from him The Emperour seeing the Protestants army thus dispearsed vppon no occasion and that the Landtgraue was retyred to his owne home he writte letters full of threates to the duke of Wirtembourg who sent to sue for pardon by his Ambassadors and so in a manner did all the Protestant townes whome he did ransom for money and many peeces of Artillery The warre beeing thus inflamed betwixt the two Noble couzins of Saxony and the Emperor hearing in what estate duke Maurice was hee sent Albert of Brandebourg vnto him with some troupes who was taken at Rochlick and brought vnto the Prince Elector and soone after the towne was also taken Ferdinand the Emperors brother King of Hungary Bohemia by the Lady Anne his wife would haue forced the Bohemians to serue against the Prince Elector of Saxony the which they refuzed to do by reason of the old leagues betwixt the Saxons and Bohemians and seeking to force them they rise in armes against him The Protestants had sent their Ambassadors to the French King and to the King of England to shewe the equitie of their cause and that they had taken armes against the Emperor for the defence of their liues goods religion and the liberty of Germany who hauing had audience of the French King past into England whereas they found King Henry the eight verie sicke so as hee died in the end of Ianuarie 1547. The French King had sent by these Ambassadors two hundred thousand crownes in lone to the Protestant Princes to ayde them in this warre And as the King of England died whilest the Ambassadors were there so at their returne into France they found King Francis extreamely sick who died at Rambouillet It was a happy chance for the Emperour among many other good fortunes that two so great and mighty Princes which had the meanes and as manie thought a desire to crosse the Emperor in his enterprises and high disseignes died both in a manner at one time In the same yeare 1547. Adolph of Bourgongne Seignior of Chappelle and Wackene Ierosme Sandelin Seignior of Herentont Receiuor of Bewesterscheldt in Zeeland and some priuate gentlemen did recouer and wall in about Sheerenskerke and Heinkensandt in the country of Zuydbeuelandt otherwise called the I le of Ter-Goes the old inclosure or Polder which is a land wonne from the sea the which before the Inundation was vsually called Zeeshuys so as it remayned a long time vnprofitable but since that it was recouered they call it Cray at this present a most fertill country whereby those that haue thus defended it from the Sea with their bankes haue made great profit The Emperor hauing an intent to ruine Iohn Frederick Prince Elector past the riuer of Elbe with all speed to fight with him on the other side which done the Prince hauing not all his armie in one bodie as the Emperor had was there forced to make head against him and to giue him battaile in the which the duke beeing verie greatly wounded in the cheeke was ledde by the duke of Alua Lieutenant of the armie to the Emperor The duke Ernest of Brunswyck was taken with him The Emperor and King Ferdinand vsed the Prince Elector very roughlie in wordes giuing sentence of death against him the which hee bare verie patiently but the Emperour durst not proceede to the execution thereof yet hee propounded heauie and rigorous conditions vnto him taking from him the greatest part of his Seigneuries the which hee gaue to Maurice his couzine with the dignity of the Electorship As for the Landtgraue of Hessen vpon the assurances which the duke Maurice and the Marquis Albert of Brandenbourg his sonnes in lawe gaue him he presented himselfe vpon his knees vnto the Emperor crauing pardon for all that was past wherevnto answere was made him in obscure tearmes which did not shew an absolute pardon Yet this Nobleman thinking that all went well with him thanked the Emperor and for that he suffred him to kneele too long he rose of himself He was led to supper with the duke of Alua when after supper thinking to retire with the two Noblemen his sons in lawe he was stayed prisoner the which ministred great matter of discontent who not-with-standing all the Protestation which duke Maurice and Brandebourg could make was detained and put into the gard of Spaniardes The two Noblemen charged the Emperour with his promise that hee would not keepe him in pryson his aunswere was that hee had promised not to keepe him there in perpetuall pryson wherevpon the Duke of Alua sayd vnto them that if in steede of foureteene daies the Emperor should restraine him 14. yeares he should not breake his word So the Landtgraue remained a prisoner being carried from place to place alwayes garded by the Spaniards of whom he receued a thousand indignities and he was not freed but by constraint no more then the Duke of Saxony which was the cause that the Emperor was chased out of Germany as we shall here-after shew The 23. of December in the said yeare 1548. died that valiant Captaine Maximilian of Egmont Earle of Buren after that he had arriued so happely to serue the Emperor in his warre of Germany of an extraordinary death for being fower daies before his death abandoned by all his Phisitions who had foretold him the day of his death hauing called all his houshold seruants and made them goodly exhortations giuing to euery one some thing by his testament he died speaking and appareled in his chaier Maximilian of Austria eldest sonne to Ferdinand hauing married the Lady Mary eldest daughter to the Emperor Prince Phillip 21. years old being sent for by his father began his iorney to come into the Netherlands leauing his cosin and Brother in law Maximilian to be Gouernor of Spaine in his absence and hauing set saile the 25. of Nouember with a goodly fleet of shippes and Galleis commanded by Andrew Doria he landed at Genoa accompanied with many Princes of Spaine among others by the Duke of Alua and the Cardinall of Trent from thence hee came to Milan and passing by Mantoua and Trent hee came to Ausbourg and Spyer so crossing the Country of Luxembourg hee arriued at the Emperor his fathers court at Bruslelles Duke Maurice went to meet him intreating him to moue the Emperor for the Landtgraue of Hessen his Father in law who was Prisoner the which he did It were tedious to make particular relation of his stately entery into Brusselles whereas the Lady Elenor the French Queene and the Lady Mary Queene of Hongary his Aunt 's receiued him and conducted him to the Emperor his father The fourth of Iuly the Emperor with his two sisters and the Prince his sonne went to Louuaine the most ancient and cheefe towne of the Duchy of Brabant to
the furious battery of the ennemy There were siue companies in the place the Emperor made the fiue Captaines Kinghts giuing vnto the soldiars as hee had promised them three monethes pay extraordinary and all they that were banished or charged with murthers or other crymes had their pardons The Emperor hauing the yeare before razed the Towne and Castell of Hesdin hauing obserued a place fitte to bee fortified a League from thence more towards France hee resolued to build a new fort and a Towne there and for that he would not be hindred in the xecution of this enterprise he entertained his armie the the which in Nouember burnt all the country about Amiens so as all the burthen of the warre fell vppon the poore Country-men After that hee retayned but two regiments dismissing the rest of his Armie and so he parted from Arras to come to Brusselles And in the end of October hee caused King Philip his Sonne to bee put in possession of the duchie of Milan by deputies the accustomed ceremonies therein obserued This yeare in August was a furious fight at sea betwixt two and twenty Merchants ships of Holland Zeeland and Westfriseland which came out of Spaine laden with sundry sorts of Merchandise and nineteene French ships of warre and sixe carauells appointed with Artillery souldiars and marriners for the purpose which attended for them and seeing them come vpon the coast of England neere Douer they began to assaile them and the others to defend themselues The French who were better manned made hast to boord them to auoide the furie of the Hollanders Ordinance and in the ende they grapeled fifteene French shippes to fifteene others thinking to vanquish them by force and the numbers of their men but those Hollanders shippes that were free shot continually at the French There was a fearefull fight for though the Dutch had fewer men yet their shippes were greater and higher and they knewe better howe to handle their Ordinance The fight continued so long that the French growing weary demaunded a truce but the noyse cryes and thunder of the Oâ—…dinance and small shot was so great as they could not bee heard and therefore they aduised for their surest remedie thinking that the Hollanders would let them goe to set fire of their owne sayles but the euent was not so as they looked for or expected But as these shippes could not so easilie vngraple themselues and the winde dryuing the fire from the sayles to the ships they fell all on fire so as they were forced to leaue the fight to quench the fire But some were fiered in such sort as there was no meanes to saue them the men casting them selues into the sea to auoyde the flames without respect to what shippes they went were they friendes or enemies seeking onelie to saue themselues in the first shippe they could get into which proued a strange victory vnto the French for there were so manie Frenchmen got into the Hollanders shippes before they perceiued it as after some small fight they mastred them and tooke both men and shippes The end of this furious battaile which had lasted sixe houres was there were sixe French shippes burnt and one sunke and of the Hollanders and others sixe were burnt and fiue were taken by the French with manie prisoners The number of the dead was different for the French lost aboue a thousand men and the others about three thousand men The seauenth of May Anthony Perronet Bishop of Arras was sent by the the Emperor to Graueling to conferre about a treatie of peace with the French King They met on both sides in a great plaine betwixt Ardres Calais and Graueling vnder pauilions where there was a great circuit compassed in with cloath in the which they assembled The deputies had about it euery one his quarter apart and the English Cardinall assisted as mediator or vmpier betwixt them The demandes of either side were so excessiue as they could not agree and so the assemblie proued fruitelesse The ninth of the same month newes came to the Emperor of the death of the Lady Iane Queene of Castille his mother at whose funeralls which should bee made at Brusselles King Philip would bee present and therefore they were deferred vntill his comming On Whitsonday died that great captaine Martin van Rossen Seignior of Puydroyen who in his life time had serued many maisters the duke Charles of Geldres William duke of Cleues the French King and the Emperor The fifteene of Iuly the French passing the fronters came to victuall Mariembourg without any cartes but with horses laden onelie and at their returne thinking to surprize all the souldiars that were in the new fort whereof William of Nassau Prince of Orange was Generall beeing discouered there was a very hot skirmish the which continued from noone vntill night wherein there died many on eyther side A while after the Seignior of Aussimont Gouernor of Bapaulmes the terror of the French hearing that some garrisons of Picardie ioyned with fifteene hundred horse of the Arrierban of France which they call the companies of the Nobles and foure hundred foote did roade vp and downe the countrie of Arthois hauing spoyled the suburbes of Lilliers and the burrow of Saint Venant he went and charged them in their returne being Laden with spoyles and hauing defeated them in an instant made them abandon their pray la Iaille their leader was hurt and a boue fiue hundred taken prisoners with him some escaped and the rest were slaine vpon the place where of the Arthesiens made a Iest saying That the Bourguognons tooke the Nobles of France without waying them where-vpon it was called the Incounter of the Nobles The eight of September King Phillip came after his marriage with Queene Mary out of England to Brusselles accompanied with Emanuell Philibert Duke of Sauoy and fower or fiue English Noblemen Knights of the garter and the sixteen of the said moneth the funeralles of the Emperors Mother were celebrated with great pompe and state In October there was order giuen by the Emperor and Gouernesse vpon the complaint of the Bourgéses of Brusselles to the Alcaide Captain of the Court to the steuard of the houshould to the Amptman and to the Magistrate of Brusselles to deuise some meanes to discharge the great and excessiue debts which the Spaniards as well Courtiars as soldiars did owe throughout all the towne of Brusselles as well to Inkeepers as to Marchants to the end their might bee no tumult at their retreat seeing that the Bourgeses stood in some feare that they would goe away without paying them whereby some should bee much impourished and others vtterly ruined and therefore they must preuent an imminent danger before it falles About the end of October the Emperor sent his letters to the States and townes of the Netherlands to assemble in the towne of Brusselles and there to heare matters that should bee propounded vnto them in his behalfe to which
of the contract of matrimonie in Paris for him and in his name with the lady Isabella and at the same time the duke of Sauoy rid thither with a great traine to marry with the kings sister which was done with great triumphs where there was a great running at tilt appointed to be holden in Paris wherin the king himselfe the duke of Guise the prince of Serrare and the duke de Nemours were chalengers against all commers The king in the first and second daies ran brauely and the third day the queene fearing hee would ouer-labor and heat himselfe too much or hauing a secret conceit of some misfortune that might happen vnto him desired him to refrain from running that day but he would not and the third day when he had run two houres and was about to giue ouer he would needs shew that he was not wearie and calling Monsieur Lorges earle of Montgomery then captaine of his guard that was esteemed to be one of the best runners at tilt in France willed him to breake one launce more with him who excused himselfe by the wearinesse of his horse and other things but the king would not be denied and so as they were running one against the other it fortuned that Montgomery breaking his launce vpon the kings breast the splinters thereof slew into the kings visor of his helmet which was forgotten to be close shut and by reason that the visor gaue vp one of the splinters strucke the king in the right eye and wounded him deadly and when he began to stagger he was vpholden and taken downe from his horse sore bleeding with great crying of all the court and many of the people and being vnarmed and his wound visited by diuers expert surgeons whereof one was Andreas Vesalius sent thither by king Philip it was found to be mortall and altogether deadly and yet by the great experience and policie of the said surgeons he liued ten daies after and died vpon the tenth of August 1554 at the age of fortie yeres and in the twelfth yere of his raigne at his death complaining of his owne lightnes and also amongst other things that he had been ouer-rigorous against those of the reformed religion but the Cardinall of Lorraine told him that it was the diuell that troubled his mind so much willing him to striue and resist against him He was a wise prince and a right souldier couetous of honour and high minded The earle of Montgomery after the deed done fell downe vpon his knees before him acknowledging that hee had well deserued to die but the king would not in any wise that it should bee imputed vnto him but freely forgaue him as hauing compelled him thereunto but he presently departed from the court keeping himselfe solitarily as a man desolat comfortlesse but being counselled to read the holy Scriptures for his consolation as the Frenchmen write in the end it was the meanes to cause him to alter his religion and being before that a Romish Catholick and one that earnestly persecuted the reformed religion after that became a great protector defendor thereof in Fraunce and at the last being besieged in a small towne of Normandy called Damsron he was taken prisoner from thence caried to Paris and there openly beheaded whose death was imputed vnto the queene her children to be a point of cruelty reuenge King Henry left issue foure sonnes and three daughters Isabella the eldest was then espoused to the king of Spaine the second was dutchesse of Lorraine and the third queene of Nauarre Francis the eldest sonne was maried to the queene of Scotland and succeeded his father after him Charles after him Henry that was also king of Poland Francis the fourth son in Ann. 1582 was made duke of Brabant all which died without issue In K. Henry the seconds time two great sinnes raigned much in France as Atheisme Nigromancie which was much imputed to the Italians that were attendants vpon Q. Katherine de Medices and thought to be they that brought it in wherein many French poets and rymers were great helpers which many wise and learned men ascribe to be the cause of the deserued punishment that fell vpon the country of France Those of the reformed religion in Fraunce write that strange death of the king to be iustly sent vnto him and a great fauour of God towards them as thereby shewing his church his great power and a deliuery from a great persecution which the duke of Alua being there at that time sought to put in practise by the said kings aid according to the first article of the last peace concluded tending to the destruction of all those of the reformed religion throughout the world which it seemeth that the king sought to begin with the lords of his parliament among the rest committed Anna du bourg prisoner that openly spake vnto the king in the parliament house to be fauourable to those of the reformed religion for which cause the K. being fore moued threatned him that he would himself see him burnt which God by the wound in his eie would not suffer him to do but the said duhourg was afterward burnt notwithstāding the kings death This yere in August Pope Paule the fourth of the familie of Caraffa that was the cause of breaking the peace and had made war against the king of Spaine and the first founder of the Iesuits died in Rome at such time as with all his kinred and sect he had vndertaken and concluded to make a great persecution vnder pretence of religion against all good persons His death gaue many men cause to reioice especially the inhabitants of Rome in regard of the innumerable warres taxations burthens that he his practised procured so that the people of Rome arming themselues ran vnto the Inquisition house where they wounded the chiefe Inquisitor the rest flying away to saue their liues which done they burnt the house and released the prisoners would haue burnt the cloyster of Minerua because they were addicted vnto the Inquisitors if by meanes of Marcus Antoniu◅ Columna and Iulius Caesarino it had not beene preuented who by many faire words dissuaded them from it whereby also the Popes nephewes and kindreds houses were likewise spared The Popes image standing in the Capitoll they beat downe and drawing it through the streets cast it into the riuer of Tyber and commandement giuen in the name of the counsell and people of Rome vpon paine of great punishment that all the Popes and his familie of Caraffes images armes shields and titles should be broken downe in euery place of Rome as deadly enemies vnto mankind whose memorie deserued not to bee kept in the world Pope Pius the fourth his successor although hee had promised Cardinall Caraffa and the duke of Paliano his cousin and their familie to forgiue all offences fore-past and assured them thereof by his hand writing yet neuerthelesse he caused them all to
as much as this seemeth strange to some to giue heretickes leaue to sowe their heresies let vs see if it be possible to preuent their assemblies and doubtlesse if we looke vnto experience the perfect mistresse of all things we shall find it is as possible to hinder it as it is impossible to keepe them from beleeuing of that which they think fit and agreeing with the word of God Haue we not I pray you seene the great power of the most victorious Emperour Charles the fifth of famous memory who made all the world to tremble Haue we not seene his incredible diligence to suppresse this Religion Haue we not seene the rigorous Edicts which he made And wherto tended it but to hinder the preaching of this new Religion and that they which made profession thereof should forbeare their assemblies for he knew well their hearts could not be forced and yet he preuayled nothing notwithstanding all his prohibitions It may be they assembled in some strange countrey where they had greater libertie no no but contrariwise all the princes in Christendome together with the Pope were resolued to root them out and to giue them no place of retreat but all was in vaine How doe we then thinke that the kings power the which out of doubt is not greater than the Emperors can hinder it seeing that now France England Germany Scotland and all the countries about are open vnto them to retire themselues and to vse the libertie that is here denied them whereas they haue so many princes and kings on their side whereas the number is multiplied by infinite thousands Without doubt they that gaue his Maiesty this counsell shew plainely that either they want iudgement or els they seeke to settle their owne greatnesse to the preiudice of the king and the ruine of the countrey Let them examine all the hystories of the world and they shall find That when any new Religion hath beene grounded vpon the inward persuasion of the word of God that all the striuing in the world could neuer hinder but the exterior discipline thereof would haue it course The Romane Emperors could neuer force the Iewes to receiue their statutes into their Temples nor hinder the Christians from their assemblies who desired rather to liue like sauage beasts in caues and rockes than to abandon the exercise of their Religion I will not examine if their quarrell be like vnto this so it is that they are as well persuaded in their hearts that they follow the word of God and that they are commaunded to assemble and preach as they were which persuasion can neuer bee wrested from them by any violence For they say among themselues That if they should be allowed to beleeue what they would so as they would forbeare to teach and assemble were as much as if they should suffer a man to liue so as he would take no refection and nourishment for they maintaine that Faith is entertained by the preaching of the word euen as the life of the body is by the nourishment of meat But admit it were possible to forbid their assemblies they must proceed either by rigour and force or by gentlenesse and persuasions that is they must either corrupt them or els force them to doe against the testimonie of their consciences and falsifie their faith which they owe vnto God It is most certaine that the constant and vertuous will rather chuse a thousand deaths than to doe any thing against their consciences so as with them there were nothing to bee gotten As for the rest who for feare or hope would denie their faith first they should grieuously offend the diuine Maiestie and damne their owne soules by this false-hood and dissimulation for that they should sinne doubly first to haue embraced the error and afterwards more to haue falsified the faith and testimonie of their conscience and to haue dealt doubly whereas God requireth synceritie and plainenesse so as they that should force them thereunto should be the cause of their more grieuous damnation They then which counsell the king to force or corrupt his subiects to the end they should dissemble and make shew of any other Religion than that which they beleeue in their hearts are the cause of the disloyaltie which they commit against God and the king For without doubt he that shall carrie himselfe disloyally vnto God eyther for feare or hope it is to be presumed that by the same passions he will carry himselfe as disloyally vnto the king when as time and occasion shall be offered Constantius father to Constantine the great although he were a Pagan yet hee called Christians into his Court and admitted them to fauour whom hee did see ready to abandon goods and honours yea their owne liues rather than to be disloyall vnto the God whome they did worship yea hee held them worthie of his friendship and did impart vnto them his most important affaires And in truth the king hath no subiects more faithfull than those which obey him for conscience that is to say because God hath so commaunded it They which falsifie their conscience to please the king or for any other priuate respect shew that they doe not obey the king for conscience onely but for some other particular affection And if they make no difficultie to falsifie their consciences in the seruice of God without doubt it is to bee feared that when any passion or affection should moue them eyther the feare of death or the losse of goods and credite or some such like things they would make no greater difficultie to falsifie their faith which they owe vnto the king So as they which giue this counsell vnto the king shew their ignorance for that they seeke to root out them which in simplicitie and synceritie of heart yeeld obedience vnto God and the king And as for those which proceed disloyally and against their consciences they are not onely content to suffer them but also to aduaunce them vnto honours as wee haue seene by some examples of those who hauing before made profession of this Religion haue afterwards without being condemned of errour onely to aspire to honour and credit turned their coats To conclude although it were a thing possible to force or corrupt the Protestants to abandon their Religion and to doe against their consciences yet were it not expedient for the good of the Commonweale But as I haue said it is not possible to hinder them vnlesse they will ruine them and put them to death The which were hard to compasse for in the place of one they should put to death tenne others would rise and those which die so constantly rather than renounce their faith are held for good men by the common people who haue more regard to the constancie than to the cause which they maintaine whereupon they haue a desire to examine the cause and come to fall into the same opinions so as this must needs cause them to multiplie
os hemos escandaliza dos pues somos mortales y caducos y nos adiudeys con vuestras Oraciones and so he presently disposed himselfe to death and was soone executed Their heads were set vp opposite one to another vpon two poles tied to the side of the scaffold where they continued vntill three of ◅he clocke in the afternoone a pitifull and fearefull spectacle and therein the earle of Egmonts words were verified when as he sent for the earle of Horne to come to court assuring him that hee should haue no worse vsage than hee himselfe The bodies hauing the heads sowed to them againe were put into hearses and embalmed that of Egmont was caried to S. Clares church and that of Horne to S. Guydules and afterwards interred in the town of Wert and Egmonts in his borough of Sottingham The earle of Egmonts seruants set his armes in mourning manner according to the custome ouer the porch of his house but the duke of Alua caused them to be taken downe The emperour Maximilian the second before the death of these noblemen sent a gentleman to the contesse of Egmont to comfort her and to assure her that her husband shold haue no harme for that he would entreat for him But the duke being aduertised thereof made hast of his execution and the same night that the gentleman arriued sent to insinuate the sentence vnto them and the next day caused them to be executed The death of these noblemen did perplexe many being the more terrified euery one iudging that their bloud which was shed would not be stanched by their death but that it threatened greater calamities vnto the countrey So as some pricked by their owne consciences others distrusting their innocencie fearing through the frauds and treasons of their enemies to fall into the hands of the counsell of troubles and to bee forced through tortures and torments to confesse that which they had neuer done nor thought fled out of the country abandoning their goods wiues and children and many more had retyred had not the hope been of a generall pardon Many wondered how in so dangerous a time hauing now warres in hand the euent whereof was doubtfull and vncertaine he should so precipitate the death of these two noblemen for the which there are two reasons pretended the first was for that by the affront which he had receiued in Friseland his souldiers began to wauer not so much for the losse as for that it seemed a sinister presage of the future by so bad a beginning for which consideration he would himselfe goe in person to the army to assure it and to containe his men in their duties the which he could not doe vnlesse he gathered all his troupes together in one body if he had done it in the life time of these noblemen he feared a sedition of the people who would haue deliuered them by force and made them their heads to be reuenged of him knowing well how hatefull that both he and all his Spaniards were growne by reason of their tyrannie of which feare he would free himselfe before he would frame the body of an army The second reason they say was to be reuenged of the death of his Spaniards defeated at Winschote whereas most of the prisoners were hanged It shall not be amisse in this place to declare the deaths of the baron de Montigni brother to the earle of Horne and of the marquesse of Berghen both knights of the order of the golden Fleece which two lords were thought to be the fittest and wisest persons in the Netherlands to bee sent into Spaine there to certifie the king particularly touching the state of the countrey and for that cause were sent by the Regent the duchesse of Parma and the Netherlands as embassadours vnto the king as it hath already beene declared who being in Spaine and hauing informed the king of all things at large were well receiued and entertayned of him But after that when newes was brought into Spaine of the breaking downe of the Images and other troubles in the Low countries the king much mooued thereat and being incited and stirred vp by the enemies of the Netherlands such as were wholly vnexperienced in the affaires qualities and natures of the countrey and the people tooke another course than the said lords thought well of which by their enemies was well perceiued Hereupon the marquesse of Berghen fell sicke and desired the king to haue licence to depart and to returne againe into the Netherlands which the king with faire words refused him but at the last when he became sicker and like to die he had leaue to depart when it was too late and being at the point of death he sent for Rigomes prince of Eboli his old friend and one that was very great with the king to whom he made complaint That his good and faithfull seruice was not onely little or nought esteemed but that it was suspected protesting that he had not done neither sought to do any thing other than that he thought and esteemed to be most for the furtherance and aduancement of the kings seruice not doubting but that in time his good counsell and aduice would be found to be true and with that hee desired God to haue mercie on his soule as truly as he thought and vttered that from the bottome of his heart desiring him in friendly wise to tell the same vnto the king by word of mouth and so died vpon the 22 of May 1567. But this his confession was of no weight to represse nor withdraw his enemies more than a yeare after to summon charge and condemne him by the duke of Alua and his bloudy counsels meanes to be a traitor and all his goods confiscated to the king The lord de Montmorency baron de Leuzi and Montigni gouernour of Turwin and Tournay knight of the order of the golden Fleece and brother to the earle of Horne a wise politicke and well experienced nobleman hauing lost his fellow embassador in Spaine desired leaue of the king to returne vnto his gouernment of Turwin but the king as it was then reported throughout Spaine that hee would in person goe into the Netherlands told him hee should go with him but when the kings mind was altered and his voyage stayed and that he saw the duke of Alua was appointed to go into the Netherlands the baron de Montigni perceiued that the king began to be estranged from him for which cause he spake vnto him and complaining told him that he wel saw and perceiued that his Ma. shewed not the accustomed fauor and grace towards him that he vsed to do which he thought to proceed of some kind of iealousie by his grace vniustly cōceiued against him beseeching his Ma. if there were any such bad opinion or suspition in his mind against him that it would please him to tell it him praying him to commit him to prison and that so he might cleare himselfe by law Wherunto the
king gaue him a good and a friendly answer but yet subtilly and craftily saying that it was far both from him and his nature to haue a bad opinion of one that had bin so good and trustie a seruitor both to his father and him and that the cause why he denied him his pasport was for that he would haue him to goe with himselfe into the Netherlands or els to vse his counsell with many such like words but in the meane time order was taken in all places that no man should let nor sell him nor his seruants any horses which was discouered and perceiued when as before he and the marques of Berghen rode vpon a time to confession to our lady of Guadalupo when as there were forty horses sent after them which secretly attended and watched them After that when newes came into Spaine of the imprisonment of the earles of Egmont and Horne his brother the baron de Selles lieutenant of the kings guard of Netherland archers was commaunded to enter his house and to commit him prisoner with a Netherland gentleman called Nesse being the kings chamberlain and both caried to the castle of Segobia where the baron de Montigni was put into a small high tower with one of his seruants called Arthur de Munter a Luycknaer and eight souldiers appointed to guard him which vsed him most shamefully being thus committed to prison he desired diuers times that he might haue law and iustice as belonged vnto a lord of his qualitie vpon which his request receiuing no answere nor resolution he sought meanes to breake and escape out of prison whereunto he had woon a Spaniard one of his guard to consent and some of his owne seruants as his Secretarie Anthony vander Becque and another gentleman of Pruseland called Iohn Hanowe his steward Iohn le Moyne and his cooke that baked his bread after the Netherland manner those he wrote vnto by letters sent them by meanes of the said Spaniard of his guard and they answered his letters againe which they baked in his bread and so conueyed them vnto him meane time he got files wherewith he filed certaine yron barres and in a cofer had ladders sent him that shut and folded one within the other besides that hee had post horses made ready for him and all other things necessarie and fit for such a purpose to ride away all beeing well and politickely deuised and foreseene but when it came to the point and that the horses stood ready the steward Iohn le Moine neglecting his time to deliuer the last bread being ouer busie and earnest to take his leaue or last farewell of his whore whereby the bread that had the letter in it was not deliuered as it should be but came to the hands of the captaine of his guard which brake or cut it vp and found the letter in it whereby the whole enterprise was discouered for which cause all his seruants were committed to prison and condemned to die and to that end had their confessors often sent vnto them expecting nothing but death But many men tooke compassion on them so that the Spaniard of the guard onely was hanged and the cooke condemned to haue two hundred blowes with a broad thicke peece of leather which was done with wonderfull compassion of the standers by that cried out and said That they as seruants had done nothing but that which was commâ—…ndable seeking their lord and masters deliuerie that had long sought and desired to haue law and iustice whereby they were not put to death but the foure seruants were committed prisoners into a castle callâ—…d Valasco where they continued and liued a long time in great miserie till in Nouember 1567 at which time it happened that the princes of Portugall the kings sister and mother to Dom Sebastian king of Portugall passing by the prison the said prisoners making a great noise both with their chaines and cries she asked what they were and was certified that they were Flemings imprisoned onely because they sought to haue gotten their lord and master out of prison that had long sought for iustice but could not obtaine it Whereupon she promised for the lord of Montignies sake and the innocencie of their small offence earnestly to solicite for their deliuerance vnto the king which she obtained for the which they most heartily thanked God and the princes The baron de Montigni vnderstanding thereof vsed such meanes by secret friends that hee got a certaine summe of money and gaue it them for to beare their charges into the Netherlands giuing them letters to his wife the lady Montigni daughter and sister to the prince of Espinoy and Dauitourgh of the house of Melun that she should allow them euery one according to his place a certaine yearely pention out of his lands during their liues in recompence of their seruice and troubles endured for his sake They being so discharged and come into the Netherlands seeking to obtaine their said reward and to that end making meanes vnto the baron de Noircarmes to bee an intercessour for them not onely to the lady Montigni but also to the duke of Alua that had forbidden her to giue them any thing at the last got nothing but were vpon paine of hanging banished out of Brussels After that the duke of Alua caused the said lord de Montignies processe of life and goods to be made as he had done against the other lords wholly without his knowledge appointing a counsellor to answere for him that neuer spake with the said lord de Montigni nor yet could get any instruction or information out of Spaine from him he himselfe not once vnderstanding thereof And when Annavan Austria the emperour Maximilians daughter passed through the Netherlands to goe into Spaine to marry with the king the Contesse of Horne mother vnto the said lord de Montigni and his wife with diuers others kneeling downe before her desired her to be a meanes vnto the king that his processe might be made and he deliuered out of prison which the said espoused queene promised in most friendly manner that it should be the first request that she would make vnto the king her husband Which the duke of Alua vnderstanding presently sent letters into Spaine and procured the meanes that the said baron de Montigni was remooued from Segobia vnto the castle of Simancas and before the queene got out of the ship to set foot on land he was poysoned by a young page that put poyson into certaine broth wherewith he serued him which page was expressely charged to doe it vpon paine of death as he after confessed vnto his secret friends by meanes of the which broth he fell into a burning feauer whereof hee died in the beginning of October in Anno 1570 his sentence being by the said duke of Alua first published in the Netherlands in March after in Anno 1571 and all his goods confiscate He left issue by his wife whom he had newly
married before his departure in Spaine but one daughter that died very young After his death his wife maried the lord of Floyon of the house of Barlamont and after earle of Barlamont who after her death maried with the onely daughter and heire of the earle of Lalaine These lords manner of life and Religion could not escape the Spanish furie although they were most earnest and good catholickes the marquesse of Berghen being so earnest therein that he commaunded all catholicke offices to be performed within his gouernment and caused the children of those of the reformed Religion to be baptised againe neither yet could the intercession of the emperour the princes of Germany and others preuaile any thing therein Touching the liues actions and seruices of these lords done for the king and the benefite of the Netherlands many men in other countries round about were of opinion that they only were the principallest instruments both by counsell and action of the kings good and prosperous proceedings victories and greatnesse and that his affaires through his father the emperours crosses in Germanie and his weakenesse of bodie being at an ebbe were by theirs and other Netherlanders means so much furthered and aduanced that thereby they brought Fraunce to graunt to so good and an honourable peace in his behalfe But it was their euill fortunes that they were too well beloued and fauoured of the common people and by their vpright and good seruices together with other Netherlanders had gotten ouer-great credite and report in euery place whereby they had not onely mooued and enticed the people to yeeld great tributes taxes tallages and honours vnto the king but also procured great seruices to be done for him in other countries as in Germany c. And when the king with his counsell in Spaine had fully resolued to bring the Netherlands vnder full obedience and subiection by the Inquisition and other strange deuices brought into it and other countries whether it were of zeale vnto the Romish catholicke Religion or that he ouer-much desired his owne profite and greatnesse hee sought and expected from those lords that they should and would vse and put in practise their authoritie and power aforesaid among the common people as they had done before wherein they did not acquite themselues so well as the vnexperienced counsellors in Spaine concerning the affaires of the Netherlands desired and expected they should haue done which the said lords esteemed to bee cleane contrarie vnto the kings seruice and the profit of the Netherlands as also thinking it to bee a thing vnreasonable for them to withstand and contrary their owne friends kindred countrey lawes and priuiledges knowing better than they of Spaine wherein the profit and commoditie of the Netherlands and consequently the aduancement of the kings honour and seruice chiefely consisted esteeming it vnpossible to hold and maintaine a people that had alwaies liued in freedome in peace and quietnesse by such odious kind of rigour as the proclamations and the Inquisition brought in and inflicted vpon them For which cause they seeing the proceedings of their neighbour countries sought to procure and induce the king to a necessarie kind of altering or moderating of his pretended course by diuers and seuerall meanes for the maintenance and preseruation of the catholicke Romish Religion which otherwise stood in great danger to be ouerthrowne which disliked and much displeased the king and his counsell and was the matter of Treason as the Spaniards supposed for the which they must die others measuring their actions by another way esteemed and iudged them both by God and mans law to haue iustly deserued to die for that in so good 〈◊〉 cause wherein so much consisted the honour of God Religion the countries welfare and the kings profit they were not more vigilant carefull prouident and earnest than they had beene but through feare and suspition of the kings carelesnesse beeing badly informed by the enemies of the countrey suffered themselues to be easily carried away and to let such cases of importance as the abolishing of the proclamations for the assembling of the States and such like priuiledges graunted in times past to be taken away from the Netherlands by prouiso whereby they made the other lords and gentlemen become faint hearted and partly holpe and assisted to persecute them contrarie to their owne promises wils and consciences seeing and knowing wherein the honour of God the Religion the countries welfare and the profite of the king most consisted better than any other counsellors about him did as time it selfe hath sufficiently made manifest and declared Some others argued to the contrarie excusing them That they thereby hoped to pacifie the kings wrath when he should see and perceiue the obedience of his subiects and the weightinesse of the cause together with the daungers therein consisting and so might be mooued to a softer and more conuenient remedie Wherein also they were much deceiued which the prince of Orange and others had sufficiently foretold them as that they would bee the bridge and onely instrument vpon the which and wherewith the Spaniards would enter into the Netherlands counselling and aduising them rather to kepe all strangers out of the land vntill the king by aduice of the generall States should be better counselled Generally euery man esteemed that the king could reape no good nor profit by the rigor and crueltie that he had vsed against those earles and other noblemen and gentlemen but be a meanes to breed much hatred euill will and desperation among the people towards him which since hath cost many mens liues and consumed a great masse of treasure These were the common and generall opinions of all well experienced persons in matters concerning estate in other princes countries and courts touching their deaths Cont Lodowic of Nassau hauing gotten the victorie against Cont Arembergh and the Spaniards diuided his armie into two with the which he went to besiege Groningen a great and mightie towne in the countrey of Friseland not without great admiration of all men how hee durst with so few men and so little munition attempt such a towne whereas the earle of Meghen was with eighteene ensignes of Germanes and a thousand Spaniards and Curio Martinengue with three hundred horsemen The besieged made many braue sallies and among others one on the two and twentieth of Iune in the which the earle of Nassau lost aboue two hundred men seeking to hinder them from building of a fort betwixt two riuers In the meane time Chiapin Vitelli marshal of the campe to the duke of Alua gathered together what men he could with the which he aduanced whilest that the duke prepared to rayse the siege Chiapin camped on the one side of the towne not farre from Cont Lodowics Protestants who sent to offer him battaile but he excused himselfe The duke of Alua sent to entreat the emperour in the king his masters name that he would commaund the earle of Nassau to leaue the siege
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say The break of day chaseth away euill On the left hand was an altar with the fire of sacrifice kindled and there was written Deo Patrum nostrorum as if hee would say To the God of our Fathers to whom we sacrifice for the deliuerie of the country and victorie ouer our enemies This figure was interpreted after diuers manners some said these two heads were the earles of Egmont and Horne others the prince of Orange and cont Lodowic his brother But Aries Montanus had alluded this bodie beaten downe to the Netherlands which was gouerned by the three estates whereof the duke had subdued two leauing the clergie in his full power the two heads represented the nobilitie and the people of the six armes three were applied to the nobles holding the paper which was the petition presented to the duchesse the toarch the counsell and the mace their force the other three agreed with the people holding the hammer and the hatchet instruments wherewith they had beaten downe the images and the purse the support of money which the people furnished the maske is vnderstood of himselfe Others may interpret it after their owne fancies The earle of Lodron being in garrison at Valenciennes with his regiment of Landtsknechts the most part Grisons and of the countrey of Tyrolle was kept prisoner by his souldiers mutining for their pay whom he pacified with good words and solemne othes in receiuing the sacrament of the altar that nothing should be imputed vnto them Hauing found meanes to pay them he required a new othe of them some of the captaines would not yeeld to it saying That there was no trust in an Italian but they should rather carrie him with them into their countrey and there breake their colours such as were of this opinion â—…tired the rest suffered themselues to be persuaded alledging their pay which did bind them to serue the king They were drawne out of Valenciennes with good words to Bourgerhout neâ—…re vnto Antuerpe there to be mustered but they were presently enuironed by the Spanish horsemen who slew a good number of them kept many prisoners who were afterwards executed by the sword and hanged both within and without Antuerp Such as could escape this furie fled into Germany and so into their owne countrey who were afterwards reuenged for this treacheâ—…ie vpon the lands and subiects of the earle of Lodron beeing neere neighbours to the Grisons countrey We haue formerly spoken of the prouost Spelle named Iohn Cronelt which was one of the cruellest instruments that the duke of Alua could haue imployed this tyrant was conuicted of many concussions and to haue put many innocents to death vnder counterfeit names and to haue released some for great summes of money and also to haue taken money of the kinsfolkes of some and yet afterwards to haue put them to death â—…estoring nothing of that which he had receiued for which crimes the duke of Alua caused him to be hanged at Brussels with two of his instruments so as that which he had done wrongfully to many was done rightfully to him according vnto iustice He had without any â—…espect or discretion put many thousands to death as also the duke of Alua had sometimes vanted that he had caused aboue 18000 by good account to passe through the hands of his executioners the which he tâ—…rmed by the name of Iustice. At that time the duke was at rest fearing no enemie imagining that hee had subdued and expelled all hee therefore now dreamed of new meanes to oppresse to Netherlands and to draw home and get into his clawes those that were fled into the neighbor countries as into France England Germanie the East countries and elsewhere hee cals them home by a generall pardon published in Iuly but they were not so foolish nor simple to trust vnto it only some artisans and poore creatures did hazard themselues for whom beeing so few in number and the purchase so small the duke would not violat his faith but left them in peace gouerning themselues according to his pardon And withall the said pardon was so restrained as it was not in a manner but for the innocents for such as had in any sort offendâ—…d during the troubles were not comprehended As after the defeats of the Protestants in the Netherlands at Waterloo Austerweel Valenciennes and S. Valerie many which had then escaped had not the means to get out of the country fearing least they shold be incountred in the way vpoÌ„ their retreat by the Prouosts marshals who pursued them and had charge to put as many to death as they could take that had carried armes against the king his lieutenants and officers they put themselues in troups into the woods and forrests as at Nieppes in Flanders Richbourg Olhain and Verdres in Arthois Mourmal and others in Henault and carrying themselues vnder the name of the prince of Orange they made warre apart against the priests and officers of iustice who they said were their enemies killing spoyling and ransoming them without doing any wrong to farmers or countreymen who in the night fuâ—…nished them with victuals One day they tooke the prouost marshall of Arthois named Dentelin Gondebleâ—… their great persecuter whom they did miserably spoyle with all his men in a farme belonging to one Israel of Escluse a banished man They tooke foure and twentie horse which they carried in the night hauing in the day time their retreat into the woods to sell in France Of all the prouosts men there escaped none but the hangman verie sore wounded and left for dead vpon the dunghill They called these men Boskets or Bosquillons for that they kept in the woods and forrests They kept a certaine discipline among them not to hurt any marchants or other passengers if they were not of the iustice whom they put to death or church men whom they drew into the woods and ransomed deteining them there vntill the money were come If they found that there were any theeues in the said woods which vnder their names did rob the passengers they pursued them and hauing taken them they deliuered them to the Prouosts men at the entrie of the wood not suffering them to approach within harguebuse shot neither durst the others come any neerer Their armes weâ—…e a â—…arguebuse hanged at their backes in a scarfe a hanger at their girdles and a halfe pike on theâ—… shoulders with the which they leaped ouer ditches were they twentie foot broad men actiue and resolute in great numbers When as the prouost could take aâ—…y of them he burnt them or râ—…sted them with a small fire On the other side those that were fled out of the realme as into England Germanie the East countries and to Rochell went to sea vnder the princes name and it may bee vnder his commission making warre against all ships of the Netherlands that came or went into Spain whom they did take and spoile making their
king of Spaine and the duke of Alua his lieutenant to cease their persecutions But the duke made no account of it continuing his course as before so as after he had put an infinit number to death of all qualities and sexes and that he had in his conceit subdued al the Netherlands of which conquest Alonso d'Vlloa hath written the hystorie to the honor of the duke as the greatest conqueror in the world holding himselfe after the retreat of the prince of Oranges armie to be a conqueror finding himselfe now quiet without any enemies that had experience in war hauing a conceit that he had restored the countrey to their former peace he began to study how he might at the peoples charge entertaine a great number of souldiers both Spaniards Italians and Germans To which end there were sundry impositions exactions and extraordinarie taxes inuented among others the tenth and the twentieth part of all marchandise generally throughout the Netherlands for euer meaning therein to imitat princes or tyrants who by force and violence haue gotten estates realmes and seigniories who after their conquests impose vpon the vanquished nations some tribute impost or some extraordinarie custome in signe of their victories So the duke of Alua in witnesse of his conquest for it was his vsuall speech that the Netherlands did not belong any more vnto the king by title of inheritance but as hauing conquered it by his armes of the successe of which imposition we wil hereafter speake In the beginning of this yeare 1571 there was erected in the Netherlands by the commandement of the duke of Alua who had propounded to settle a new order both in the iustice and the gouernment after his owne inuention a manner of proceeding in criminall causes which was extraordinarie the which he would haue obserued for a law and perpetuall edict notwithstanding all vses statutes customes priuiledges and ordinances to the contrarie with a new forme of othe for all judges and other chiefe officers of the kings gift About that time Herman of Ruytter a valiant and an aduenturous man belonging to the prince of Orange borne in Boisleduke found meanes with a few men to surprise the strong castle of Louvestein right against Wadrichom in the corner of an island which makes the seperation of the riuers of Wahal and Meuse ioyning vnto Gorricom the which hee resolued to hold for the prince expecting succours which the earle vanden Berghe had promised to bring him The duke of Alua caused him to be summoned to yeeld which he would not do so as the castle was besieged battered and taken by assault he being retired into a hall defended himselfe long with a two handed sword but the number of his enemies increasing in the end he was ouerthrowne valiantly slaine euery man wondering at his great resolution and valour His head was caried to Boisleduke and in contempt set vpon a gibet to vexe greeue his kinsfolks and friends seuenteen of his men were taken and afterwards hanged except two which were broken vpon the wheele The duke hauing in anno 1568 ouercome and driuen the prince of Orange and the earle Lodowicke his brother out of the Netherlands and hauing need to pay his souldiers and to keepe a great garrison besides the yearely pentions in Germany hee thought it conuenient to reape the fruits of his victories and to imploy all his wits power and authoritie to get and gather money and that by a continuall taxe perceiuing that by reason of the great number of fugitiue and banished persons together with the hatred conceiued against him within the land that he was to expect diuers troubles and vproares and for that cause hee determined to send for the generall states of the Netherlands to Brussels and to mooue them to consent to giue the king the hundreth penie of all their mouable and immouable goods and besides that the tenth peny of all their mouable goods that should be bought and sold with the twentieth peny of their immouable goods without nominating any time how long those taxes and exactions should continue Whereunto the generall states and the officers of the treasorie vnder them made answere and shewed what troubles rose in anno 1556 vpon the raising of the hundreth penie for that the common people would not consent that it should be known what money euery man had in his chest and how much they were worth Touching the tenth and twentieth penie in Spaine called Alcoual they shewed him what difficultie would thereby arise not only for the newnesse therof but for the burthen that would thereby fall vpon the people as also the trouble that would ensue about the collection thereof in regard of the great deceit that would bee vsed by the buyers and sellers to the great costs and charges of the collectors and officers therunto appointed and that the same would bee a great hurt and hinderance vnto the Netherlands getting their liuings most part by trade of merchandise for that thereby all kind of handiworkes would be very deere and by that meanes must of force bee sold deerer in other forreine countries and that therefore the inhabitants would leaue the Netherlands and seeke worke in other countries and so all handicrafts and occupations would cease and bee left off shewing by examples how euerie thing would thereby be made deerer as namely that many things before they could be brought to full perfection should thereby pay the tenth peny in the verie material substance thereof at the least 5 6 or seuen times as clothes saies mockadoes tapistries and such like wares as first in buying of the wooll then the yarne then the weauing the dying and lastly selling and buying and so forth as there should bee occasion to vse diuers kinds of stuffe and the same to be oftentimes sold and brought to the market and that the foreine merchants bringing their wares into the Netherlands would sell them the deerer who for that cause would much complaine and some confederated princes and potentates would alledge the said inhauncing of the prices of wares to bee contrarie to the contracts and intercourses made with them pretending to bee free to deale and traffique in the Netherlands as they were accustomed to be paying their antient customes and charges Whereunto the duke alledged That it was a small matter for the seller to pay the king the tenth penie as long as he kept nine for himselfe and that if that summe did amount to a great yearely value the townes and the prouinces might therby receiue all their debts and dammages and be vnburdened of all interests paid for money transportations poundages heard monies and such like burthens as also that it would be a means to vnburthen the kings rents and reuenues for that without due and conuenient contributions the king should not haue the meanes to pay his souldiers nor yet to defend the countrey Hee said that hee had heard the emperour Charles often
bloudie counsell punish such breach of promise as rebellion and lay their heads at their feet with all such as vpheld and maintained the same and that generally specially to the states of Flanders great fauour had been shewed vnto all the states hauing all deserued no lesse rigour at the kings hands than the earles of Egmont and the prince of Orange had and that in recompence and redemption thereof the king was content to accept the said taxe of the tenth penie but hee might haue gotten a great deale more for the king by confiscations if hee would haue vsed that meanes as hee might well haue done than by the tenth penie caring not for the pretended priuiledges of the particular prouinces and townes specially the Ioyous entrie of Brabant which hee said they as well as those of Vtrecht had forfeited and lost Whereupon some made him answer That the declaration and sentence of depriuation or forfeiture must first bee published and that the attempting thereof would bee dangerous He made answer That hee would rather suffer himselfe to bee cut and hewed in peeces than to endure that the countrey should not hold their promise and that the Sunne and Moone should first loose their light before hee would faile of the tenth penie The states perceiuing the dukes resolution and intent at the last thought it requisit in the beginning of the yeare 1572 each prouince to send one into Spaine in their behalfes vnto the king which he neuerthelesse commanded to come backe again threatning them with death but yet they got through into Spaine but before any resolution was taken therein there happened an alteration in the Netherlands by the taking of the Bryele Flessingue and other places as hereafter shall bee shewed without the which alteration the messengers in Spaine had surely beene in great danger of their liues The duke notwithstanding in the meane time sought to raise the tenth penie in some particular townes appointing his officers to receiue the same and first in Brussels where he thought best to begin but they of Brussels shut vp all their shops and would sell nothing that they might not bee compelled to pay the tenth penie The Bakers nor Brewers woâ—… neither bake nor brew whereby there grew a great confusion and desperation amongst tâ—… people which to preuent the duke intended to deale by force resoluing in March 1572 to hang seuenteene of the chiefe townes men in Brussels that were against him whose names hee had al eadie written in a scroll in the night time before their doores or else hee would make them graunt to sell their wares and to pay him thereafter the which to effect hee had giuen charge vnto the executioners to bee readie with ladders and cords to execute them the next night after the newes came into Brussels that the earle Vander Marke had taken the towne of Bryele which losse of the said towne of Bryle made him see that hee had done better to haue put garrisons into the hauen townes and to haue dealt in milder sort with the people rather than to haue sought to haue his owne wil so much and to taxe the land at his pleasure whereas the Netherlands offered such great summes as that the state of the land could hardly raise Thus by meanes of the taking of the Bryele the raysing of the tenth and twentieth penie was stayed although it hath since beene sought and required They of Amsterdam because they would not absolutely consent to his demaund of the tenth penie were fined to pay the summe of fiue and twentie thousand gulderns towards the buylding of the castle at Flessingue but they excused themselues by their great losse endured by the great flouds and the mending and making of their ditches and aboue all that they dayly indured so great losse by the water Gueux that tooke their fleets comming from the East and West Indies As I said before a great number of banished and fugitiue persons of the Netherlands hauing prepared ships kept at sea and were conducted by certaine gentlemen and others who most by pouertie were driuen to seeke some recompence of their losses and hinderance by force and extremities After that other ioyned with them hauing a further intent to do something tending to the deliuerance and good of their natiue countrey This number daily increasing and doing great hurt vnto their enemies round about Holland as in the Vlie Texel and the Ems harbouring most commonly vnder England in the downes and at Douer and thereabouts amongst the which the prince of Orange as admirall by force of his letters of Mart had his officers that receiued the tenth penie of their prizes The duke of Alua made meanes to the queene of England to intreat her not to suffer them to harbor there alledging that she ought not according to the contracts made betweene England and the Netherlands to suffer the kings rebels to haue so open passage to and from her hauens The queene although shee had cause ynough to dislike of the duke in March 1572 made proclamation That they should all depart out of her hauens forbidding her subiects to sell them any victuals neuerthelesse with this condition That her English rebels should bee driuen out of the king of Spaines dominions Whereby they were constrained to depart and to enterprise something in the countries of the Netherlands whereunto they knew themselues not to bee strong ynough This necessitie compelled them to vse order and discipliâ—… amongst them and to that end they all put themselues vnder the commaund of William earle Vander Marke free heire to Lumey lord of Serrain Borset and Minderleyt and heire of Franchimont c. eldest sonne of Iohn lord of Lumey and of Marguerite youngest daughter of Iohn lord of Wassenare This earle Vander Marke made himselfe admirall and his lieutenant Bartel Entes van Meutheda viceadmirall hauing with him captaine William de Bloys called Threlon the lord of Sweten Lancelot van Brederode Iacob Cabilleaw one of Egmont Iaques Schooneual Antonis Wenthoue Antonis van Rhine William de Graue van Egmont Iaques Metens Nicholas Ruythauer captaine Eloy Iock and Iohn Abels Marinus Brandt Roybol Iaques Hennebert Iohn Clauson Spiegel Iohn Simonson Merten Merous Walter Franson captaine Ielande and diuers others All these together hauing about fortie ships most flie-boats in the moneth of March put out of England and tooke a great ship of Antuerpe laden with Spanish wares and another ship of Biskaie Their meaning was to saile to North-Holland although their enterprise there was as then not fully readie but determined in the meane time to spoyle certaine ships of war belonging to the duke that lay at Amsterdam and Enchuysen but the wind beeing against them they put into the Bryel the island being called Voorn and the town Bryel there to take certaine ships lying in the Meuse readie to sayle to Spaine but they perceiuing them to enter the Meuse hoysed sayle and went vp to Rotterdam whereby the earle
and yet the duke of Alua surpassed him This is that which both his friends and foes speake and write of him although for mine own part I delight not in discouering so fowle cruelties and imperfections in a publike Gouernour LVDOVICVS REQVESEN MAGN. COMEN REG. CAST. R. M. CON. GVB ETCAP GEN. BEL. DOM LEWIS DE REQVESENS GREAT Commander of Castile Gouernor Lieutenant and Captaine generall for the King in the Netherlands My predecessors course that me the way had led I held and in his gouernment I was established Where while I rul'd I did the Kings nauy behold Orethrowne and vanquisht and their great pride controld My actions to my Prince did little good prooure And at my hands the States did none or little hurt endure My death by Spaniards mutinie to them did guie A great meanes to helpe themselues and their estates relieue The Argument of the tenth booke THe great Commander by the calling home of the Duke of Alua being entred into the gouernment of the Netherlands and continuing the Dukes first course the towne of Middelbourg being reduced to extreme necessity and famine he sent a fleete by sea to succor it the which he see defeated before his owne eyes whereof followed the yeelding of Middelbourg the which Collonel Mondragon deliuered vp to the Prince of Orange Cont Lodowic the Princes brother came to succor the Netherlands with an Army the Spaniards leauing the seege of Leyden go to meet him they defeat him and he is slaine with Cont Henry his Brother and Duke Christopher A mutiny of the Spaniards in Antwerp called Fuora villiacos The Spaniards after the defeat of Cont Lodouic take their lodging againe before Leyden which had bene long blockt vp there are faire wars betwixt the Prince and the Commander who proclaimes a generall pardon and seemes to desire a peace A Petition made there-vpon to the king of Spaine By the Princes aduise the States resolue to drowne the country to succor Leyden the which they doe and in the end the Towne is deliuered by the Prince through the dround Land after that the Towne had endured much miserie the Spaniards being mutined take Francisco valdes their Generall prisoner and faile to surprise Vtrecht The Commander making a shew to desire peace resolues to wa◅re and Oudwater is beseeged and in the end yeelded with many other townes to the Spaniard The seege of Bomell which the Spaniard wins deerly The seege of Ziricxe The States consult vpon their presernation and send to demand succors in England The death of the great Commander to whome the Councell of state for the King of Spaine succeeds in the Gouernment The Spaniards mutiny hauing fayled to surprise Brusselles they fall vpon Alost they are proclamed all the country is in armes against them The Councell of state is seaz◅d on by the states of Brabant who write vnto the other prouinces to ioyne with them to chase the spaniards out of the Country The death of the Emperor Maximilian the Sack of Antwerp◅ The comming of Don Iohn of Austria All the Prouinces of the Netherlands vnited at the pacification of Gand after which the Castle is beseeged and yeelded to the states with many other townes the Spaniards depart out of the Castell of Antwerp the which is put into the states hands Don Iohn is receiued for Gouernor who seekes occasion to renew the warre against the Prince of Orange he goes to Namur complaines of the states they sue vnto him he discouers himselfe and they growe Iealous of him Many Castels razed in the Netherlands as harbours for Spanish tirants Don Iohn proclaimed an ennemy to the country The Arch-duke Mathias the Emperors Brother called for Gouernor The states and Don Iohn in armes Iealousie disperceth the cheefe of the states whereby their armie was defeated by Don Iohn who recouered manie townes the states raise a new armie and calin the Duke of Aniou to succor them Duke Casimire comes also but to small purpose Arthois and Henault begin to fall from the generall vnion of the Netherlands troubles in Arras the death of Don Iohn of Austria DOn Lewis of Requesens being entred into the gouernment of the Netherlands by the Duke of Aluas retreat thought to succor Middelbourg the which endured much pouerty and misery as well by famine as otherwise besides a great nomber of Bourgers retiring them-selues by boat were daily taken and many which came flying to Flessingue and la Vere onely to haue a mouthfull of bread where after they had fed them they sent them backe who not suffered to enter into Middelbourg for that they hed fled out of it died in the fields or at the Towne gates many soldiars comming to yeeld them-selues through famine were entertayned for that they had need of them There were letters of the 10. of Ianuary 1574. written in cipher by Mondragon surprised by the which hee did aduertise him that he could not hold out aboue the 15. or 16. of the moneth there were others intercepted written vpon the backe of a Pasport the which was red holding it before the fire by the which he intreated the great Commander to aduertise him speedely if hee had any hope to succor him The 14. day of the moneth they of Middelbourg ruined the fort which they had with-out the towne towards Flessingue for that many soldiars which were put there in gard fled to the Protestants The 19. of the moneth Hans Cocq a marriner passed with a barke from Antwerp to Middelbourg bringing letters from Don Lewis containing hope of succors which made the souldiars beseeged resolue to attend yet some daies or else they had bene ready to parle The next day Cocq returned to Don Lewis to informe him into what extremity the Townes of Middelbourg and Arnemuyden were brought And that day a ship comming from Danswic meaning to go to Scluse hauing the wind contrary fell for Flessingue thinking as the brute was then in England that Middelbourg was yeelded vnto the Prince to sell his Marchandise there to good proffit This ship hauing passed the hauen of Flessingue was called to by the ships of war of the Protestants neere vnto Rameken to cast anchor the which he did else he had entred into Middelbourg and by that meanes the Beseeged had bene vitteled beyond all hope for in the said ship there were 14 lasts of wheat 7. of Rie halfe a last of herring with some Beere and other comodities The 23 of the moneth the Commander don Lewis sent Instructions to Iulien Romero what hee should do in the Conduct of his army for the vitteling of M◅ddelbourg the which fell into the Zeelanders hands The tenor whereof was as followeth An Instruction of that which Iulian Romero the Maister of the campe is to doe with the army which he hath in charge conducting it from Berghes to succor the I le of Walchrē By reason of his sodaine departure he must follow the order which is giuen him by these presents
cause vpon the 27. of April he sent for all his soldiars fortifying all the bridges entries into the new towne with carts wagons and wool-sacks holding their ships of war with their peeces charged ready prepared on the other side and so sought to defend himselfe being assisted by Hamsted the Vize-admiral his sailors that sought nothing else with certaine Wallons but only to fight being sufficiently assured of the Burgers ayd In the meane time Chiapini Vitelli Mondragon and others went from the one to the other to pacifie them but all in vaine all the Spaniards crying Wallones fuora fuora Villiacos so that at the last the Cōmander to bring them to some better passe cōmanded Champigni with his Wallons to go out of the towne which he presently did so went to Eeckerē and Wilnerdouck where-vpon the mutinous Spaniards placed a gard at euery gate tooke the keyes from the Magistrats still making a great noise and crying about the towne thereby to hasten the Burgers to gather bring in money to pay them who as thē were assembled in the towne-house about the same At which time a spanish Iesuite of great estimation amongst them would haue preached vnto them in the market place to shew them of their insolent behauiour to tell them what a nomber of women they had caused to miscarry being with childe whereof hee said they were the murtherers But they asked him if he had any mony and so with noise of drums made him hold his peace leaue his exhortation Meane time the richest of the Burgers were sent for to the towne-house who were rated euery one according to his ability towards the paiment of the soldiars which done the Electo was willed to appoint a place for them to muster in that the next day they should be paid The Commāder giuing them to vnderstand that their insolencies tended to the deminishing of the kings honor reputatiō willing them not to make such a noise in the night-time as they had done Wherevnto they made answer that in asking of their pay they did nothing but was right reason so to do and that being paid they would be ready to do any seruice whatso-euer promising not to make any more such noise by night in the towne as they had done The 29 of Aprill they being al sent for to come vnto the market place their Electo being a very wise and well spoken man and yet but a common soldier founding before the towne house made an oration vnto them shewing what burthen and charge they had put the Bourgers vnto being not content with that which was set before thē to eate and drinke saying that they ought to behaue themselues honestly and ciuilly Wherewith they all cried that iustice should be done vpon all such disordered persons and that they should passe through the pikes shewing themselues that they should chuse two deputies out of euery company to speake with the Marquis Chiappini vitelli and to shew their minde vnto him by writing which they did saying that they desired to be payd euery penny that was behinde vnpaide vnto them as well for the dead as for the lyuing The Marquis Chiappini vitelli offered them ten monthes pay in ready money fiue months in wool linnen and silkes and for the rest that they should haue the marchants billes of Antwerp to bee payd at two paiements which the deputies refused saying that they would make report thereof vnto the seignores Soldados for which cause they were once againe assembled in the market place and then the Electo leaning ouer the railes shewed them what the Marquis had offered them wherewith they made a monsterous noyse crying out and saying todo todo dineros Y non palabras that is all all money and no words The Electo hauing gotten them to be silent once againe spake vnto them and sharpely reprouing them sayd That they were all rebells vnto the King and that they had all deserued to die First for that they had taken Antwerp one of the Kings townes not as friends but like enemies breaking their walles and fortifications Secondly for that they had driuen the gouernor and the garrison out of the towne that were placed therin by his Maiesty besides many other rebellious actions which his Maiesty could not well leaue vnpunnished all which their insolency notwithstanding the Magistrates of the towne humbling themselues before them made them that offer which they ought willingly to accept and vpon their knees to giue God thankes for the grace and fauour shewed vnto them saying further that if they seemed to bee so obstinate that they would not accept thereof that they might assure themselues that being found guiltie of rebellion as they were they should be punnished for the same as iustice required protesting from that time forward for his part not to be their Electo any longer where vnto they had forcibly compelled him keeping him pirsoner to that end in the towne-house saying that he would not be saued to be the head of their rebellion nor yet speake in the fauour and behalfe of such mutinous fellowes and that if they would not discharge him of the place he praied them presently to shoote him into the body with a bullet protesting to the death that hee would no more bee their Electo But all this would not helpe so that with the great noyse made they would not suffer him to bee heard speake any more crying todo todo todo contynuing still in that manner vntill it was night and that they were weary with crying but when night came they began againe to runne vp and downe the streetes like diuells knocking and thundering at the gates dores and windowes and pulling all the bel-ropes of the houses in peeces shooting in at the windowes causing great feare and offring as much dispight vnto the Burgers as they could still crying fuora fuora villiacos driuing and compelling their companions that hipocritically seemed not to bee of these disordered company to do as they did euery one making shew as if he were compelled thereunto by the strongest part of them that in time to come one might not bee accounted to be in greater fault then they other euery one pretending to be constrained therevnto against his will and when the saw any one amongst them whome they suspected to bee vnwilling to doe as they did They forced them with blowes to call cry and speake as they did and so made it one generall offence The 29. of April the great or cōmon counsel of Antwerp being assembled to take order about the same the Commander asked the towne 400. thousand guilders in ready money saying that he would furnish the rest causing all his plate iewels to bee brought from Brussels which he offered to lay to pawne for money and to pacifie the Spaniards the Burgers were forced to make readie that money euery man agreeing what he would giue that so they might bee ridde
Spanish yoke made the pacification of Gaunt in a maner conformable to the articles and propositions afore-said with the Prince of Orange and the states of Holland and Zeeland and there assotiates in the yeare 1575. This treaty of peace succeeding not as the Commander did well hope he returns againe to his course of war wherein he resolues to be obstinate He commanded the Seignior of Hierges to go to field with the Spaniards and Wallons and to attempt some good exploite in Holland or else where vnder the vnion of the States wherevpon Hierges marched directly before the towne and castell of Buren which is not far from Bomel belonging at this present to Phillip of Nassau Prince of Orange the which the Gouernor yeelded vp with out any shot of great ordynance or any force offred him The States would haue puthim to death for his base couardise but the Prince desiring to saue his life sent him prisoner to the Castle of Goude After the taking of Buren Hierges did also ceaze vpon some Castells in that quarter but of smale importance At that time there was an vniuersity erected in the towne of Leyden for Holland and Zeland by the States of the said two Prouinces indowing it with goodly preuiledges where-vnto were called from diuers parts Professors in all faculties allowing them good stipends This towne is faire neate and spatious diuided with diuers chanells in the best ayer of al Holland seemes most fit for the muses The 11. of Iune the Prince of Orange did marrie in the the towne of Bryele one of the Ilands of Holland the Lady Charlot of Bourbon daughter to the Duke of Montpensier for his third wife a Princesse indowed with singular piety by whome hee had six daughters as we shall hereafter shew The 18. of Iuly by the breake of day the Seignior of Hierges came with his army before the towne of Oudewater in Holland with an intent to beseege it he had marched with great speed all night to the end his comming might be vnknowne which bred a great amazement in them when they first discouered him At the same instant the ◅ort which was at the Scluse of the dike chanel which goes to Montfort and to Vtrecht within harguebuse shot of Oudewater was abandoned by the Scottishmen that were in it the which they neither fiered nor retired the munition as they ought to haue done This fort had beene good ◅o haue busied the Spaniards for some time and haue hindred their passage and therefore euere man thought yea the Spaniards themselues that it should not be so soone abandoned seeing that they might haue retired their soldiars at need And then the alarume was giuen in the towne and they began to giue order to fortefie and defend themselues Some countriemen thereabouts retired them-selues thether with their cattell and others went forth to draw them out of the neer pastures and to bring them into the towne Some Bourguers ill affected to that party found meanes to go and yeeld vnto the Spaniards to giue them intelligence of the whole estate of the towne yea they were seene to shew them some places Captaine Morcant a Wallon sallied forth with some of his troupes to fier certen houses standing vpō the dike on the other side of the riuer of Yssel towards Goude neere vnto the port and bridge the which he executed wherevpon there grew a skirmish in the which both he and his soldiars discharged themselues wel where there were some hurt and slaine of either side After which time they resolued not to issue forth any more for that they had to few men to hazard them lightly The same day and soone after there was an other fort abandoned halfe a league from the towne at a Scluse vpon the causey which goes to Goude on the same side where there was in garrison a captaine Geldrois called Willeken van Angren the which was an imputation vnto him for they held the place tenable and might haue succored the towne for that they might haue raised the said Scluse and cut the dike or causey of either side of the fort as they did at Goude and Oudewater to let the water of the Riuer of Yssel runne into the country and by that meames succor the beseeged with small gallies as they had of late done at Leyden but the Spaniard making hast to cast vp a dike against it hindred the water that it could not come soone enough from Goude to Oudewater On the other side he stopt the riuer of Issell in such sort towards Goude the tides being Low as the water at a spring tide could no more come vnto the towne as it was wont to disperse it selfe ouer the country by the said Scluses and now it began to couer it towards Goude In the towne ditches the water was not aboue a foote deepe so as the towne was enuironed and beseeged round from the first day in such sort as they could put no more soldiars into it as they desired and as necessity required They sent messengers to the Prince and States who might well passe but had no meanes to returne They sent others with Pigeons but neither they nor their Pigeons returned any more wherefore all this seege they had not any letters nor message from the Prince In the meane time all the Captaines Maiestrats soldiars and common people resolued with one generall consent to hold good euen vnto the death if need were and to imploy all their meanes and force for the defence of the towne And although it were in poore estate weake of all sides and of great garde hauing but foure small companies two of Wallons of Morcant and St. Mary one Flemish of Captaine Munter and one Scottish whose Captaine was absent and could not enter in all which companies were not aboue three hundred fighting men the nomber of Bourgers also was smale for that many were retired feeling the storme approch the hope of succors was smale or none at all yet not-with-standing all these difficulties they fainted not nor lost any courage This towne was of great importance and might easely and with smale charge haue bene made very strong and almost impregnable yet they had made but two rauelins towards the east The companies of Saint Mary Morcant and the Scottish were entred but fewe daies before for that the Spanish campe approched after much deniall especally that of Moroant who remayned fiue howers vpon the dike before he was assured whether hee should enter or not All townes doe commonly so refusing to receiue so great a garrison as is needfull of two mischeefs to auoyd the greater and so many haue beene and are often lost like vnto this as afterwards the towne of Countray and others but when they can no more haue it then they desire it but it is to late Some Captaines had also thought it good in the beginning too take vp the Scluses to couer the country
to do some great exploit they did nothing but lost some of their ships and many of their men among others Lewis of Boisot their Admirall whose eldest brother Charles of Boisot gouernor of the Iland of Walchren had bin slaine before at the passage of the Spaniards into Saint Anne-landt Philip-landt Duyuelandt After the death of the great Cōmander the Kings councell of state made Peter Ernest earle of Mās◅ieldt gouernor of Luxembourg general of the Spanish army whilest that the said councell should manage the affaires of state vntill the King should other-waies dispose thereof The King approued all hoping it would proue succesfull vnto him for it seemed vnto him that matters should be managed with more modestie then they had bin vnder the Duke of Alua or the great Commander In the meane time the towne of Ziriczee not able to hold out any longer sent their deputies to the councell of State at Brussels who receiued them and made an agreement with them whervpon the towne was yeelded to the Kings obedience the soldiers departing with armes and baggage but no colours flying nor drums sounding nor matches lighted vntil they were imbarked their two ministers with them and 13. strangers the Bourgers paying a hundred thousand Florins for their ransome And that Adolph of Hemstede viceadmirall of An◅werp taken prisoner two yeares before should bee deliuered without ransome It was decreed that Sanchio d' Auila should retire from thence with his Spaniards in whose place Collonell Mondragon should enter with his regiment of Wallons This victory of Ziriczee like vnto that of Harlem and the battaile of Mocken caused a mutinie among the Spaniards The soldiars which had continued all the winter before the towne ◅d end◅red great miseries seeing themselues in a poore wretched Iland where there was nothing to be gotten so as taking an occasion vpon the arrerages of their pay they gathered together about 1500. men and in despight of their Collonels and Captain◅ who ◅ought to disswade them by all meanes leauing the Iland of Schouwen and the towne of Ziriczee they retired into Brabant hauing made an enterprise on Brussels which they thought to spoile or at the least to hold it for their pay But the inhabitants hauing some intelligence thereof went to armes kept good gard so as the Spaniards were forced to retire The Kings councell of state seeing the danger that might grow by this mutinie thought it fit to treat with them to see if they might pacifie them The charge was giuen to Cont Peter Ernest of Mansfieldt who went to parle with them in a village foure leagues from Brussels but they would do nothing without mon◅ he told them that there was no money in the Kings cofers but they should be paid the first that came out of Spaine these words did incense them more then before so as they resolued to seize vpon some strong place the which they might hold vntill they were paid and so they came in the end of Iuly to Alost the which they surprized without any resistance Soone after they went besieged the castell of Lydekerke a strong place in Brabant the which was yeelded them by the Lord of the place although there were some of the Earle of Roeux regiment in it and a great number of peasants but it seemed that the Earle of Roeux fauoured the Spaniards and so he was suspected The Duke of Arscot the Earle of Mansfieldt with Ieronimo de Roda chiefe of the councell of troubles who had succeeded in the place of Iohn de Vergas retired with the Duke of Alua went thether to pacifie them but it was well knowne that what Arschot and Mans◅dt did was to drawe themselues out of the danger of the furie of the people of Brusselles who were much mooued and the sayd Ieronimo de Roda to goe and ioyne with the mutines as he did in Alost where he was well welcome and acknowledged for their head The States of the Dutchie of Brabant considering these proceedings and the excesse of the Spaniards made their complaints vnto the generall estates of the Netherlands intreating them to prouide for the auoiding of further inconueniences but it seemed that in steed of punishing them the councell of State did winke at their doings for although that the States of Brabant had proclaimed them enemies yet was there not any order taken as if this declaration had beene but a vaile to blinde them of Brabant yet they must vnmaske themselues for the said councell of State had caused them to be proscribed giuen leaue to all men to kill them or otherwise to intreate them in any hostile manner Then was the time fit to chase away the mutinous Spaniards In a manner all the townes of Brabant and Flanders yea of Arthois and Henault tooke armes euery one beginning to cast his eye vpon this Ieronimo de Roda a Spanish priest and other councellors and Noblemen Spaniolized And as they were not very sure of their persons so could they in no sort trust them and the rather for that they see the Marquis of Haurec and others newly come from Spaine were they that did most hate the Spaniards Some-what to pacifie this distrust it was concluded betwixt the states of Brabant and Sanchio d' Auila that Ieronimo de Roda who went and came from Alost to Brusselles and other Spanish Caualiers should retire from Brussels and goe to Antwerpe and that some other Noblemen of the countrie should goe to Brussels In the meane time whilest that the States gathered soldiers together the Collonels did all they could to prouide money to pay their mutined soldiers in Alost fearing some greater inconuenience the money being ready they sought to pacifie them but they were then bitterly incensed and discontented partly for that they had bin declared rebels and enemies to the country partly for that they vnderstood of the great preparation that was made against him so as the Collonels were forced to let them alone In the meane time they of Brussels tooke foure companies of the ordinary garrison of Wallons for their garde The councell of Brabant on the other side being much disquieted and discontented with the oppressions spoiles which the mutins made in the champian country and at the wincking of the councell of state who made no shew to remedie it with the aduise of some of their Prelats and ecclesiasticall members they appointed the siegnior of Heze gouernor of the towne of Brussels and the siegnior of Gliues great ba◅liffe of Brabant with the assistance of the Bourgesses to seaze vpon the councell of state the which was done the 4. of September The chiefe of them and those that were most Spaniolized and suspected vnto them of the country were the Earles of Mansfieldt and Barlamont Christopher d'Assonuille a councellor and the Secretary Berti and Scharemberg all which were carried to prison The duke of Arschot was chosen cheefe by prouision vntill
the first conuocation of the generall Estates the which should be held at Berghen vpon Soom where he should be allowed confirmed by a generall consent There were letters written to the other Prouinces and townes in the behalfe of them of Brabant to draw them into their societie with their iustification for the taking of the said Noblemen and a declaration of the loue affection they bare vnto their country as followeth My maisters it is notorious to all the world how the Spaniards borne in pouerty and come out of a poore country obseruing the riches wealth of these Netherlands haue alwaies sought which now they shew by effect to plant themselues there to make it their continuall aboade and to hold the greatest and best offices but not able to attaine there-vnto our priuiledges not admitting any stranger to be aduanced to any office they haue fought by all meanes possible vtterly to ruine it Hauing therin shewed their pernicious desseigne at the first alteration which happened in these Netherlands in the yeare 1566. the which the Duches the councel did very discreetly pacefy so as since they haue enioyed some rest al questions being laid aside The which by a naturall and inueterate hatred against these countries they haue made proofe of when as they sent the duke of Alua into these parts who well instructed in Machiuells precepts put many of the chiefe and ancient Nobility to death building here and there Cittadels to reduce the people into slauery besides the excessiue and insupportable impositions and executions as of the 30. and 10. penny of all merchandise aduancing the skum of his leud instruments to offices of greatest honor entertayning a multitude of traitors and spies among the people to obserue their actions and words â—…and against the liberties freedomes and preuiledges of the country hindering forbidding the connocation of the generall Estateâ—… he suffred his Spaniards to commit all sorts of insolencies and villenies with an vnrestrained liberty to kill and murther whom they thought good to force and rauish wiâ—…es and virgins noble and base and to commit al sorts of cruelties with impunity not only by their Commanders and captaines but also by the meanest soldiar among them Wherby we see that the riches and welth of these countries which was wont to be very great is now come to nothing and the glory of our ancestors turned to ignominy and shame And which is more it doth not appeere that they will desist from their courses in the least point vntil that by their thefts robberies spoyling burnings and deuastations they haue made these countries a wildernes desart As of late by their mutiny vnder collour that they are not paied their entertainment they practise all acts of hostility threatning in case they bee not paied to ruine many good townes being to that end retired out of the Island of Ziricxee and come into the country of Brabant to shew the hatred where with they are inflamed against vs hauing a dessigne to ceaze vpon the noble and mighty town of Brussells the aboad of the Court to spoile it but seeing themselues discouered that the good inhabitants of the sayd towne were in armes and stood vpon their gard changing their desseigne they haue fallen vpon Flanders and in hostile manner haue surprized Alost threatning to do the like vnto Brussells to destroy it wherfore the States of Brabant considering what miseries and calamities all these practises might bring vnto the country they held them not to be any longer tollerated and hauing laied them before the councell of State they were also of the same opinion and haue thought it necessary to resist such insolencies and violences declaring the Spaniards to bee as rebells and enemies to the King and States punishing them according to their merits Wherevpon the States haue decreed that to maintaine the royall authoritie and for the defence of the countrie there should be a leauie made of horse and foote But whereas it hath beene discouered that some of the councell of State did secretly and vnder hand fauour the sayd rebells and mutines yea did incorrage and perswade them to set vpon the towne of Brussells and to extort and wrest from them a great sum of money seeking also to hinder the leauy of men of warre as the States had decreed opposing themselues against it â—…ith all their power and seeking to disapoint the intentions and meanes of the States and by lies and false-hoods to frustrate their good councells and holesome resolutions all to the aduancement of these mutines finally hauing made shewe that their countries good is displeasing vnto them and that they will in no sort diuert and preuent the mischiefe seeking rather to defend and maintaine these Spaniards their enemies vntill that new succors may bee sent them from Spaine Euery one may hereby easily â—…dge of the equity of the States cause in that they seeke councell and meanes to defend themselues against the tirany of the Spanish nation who by their pride despite and irreconciliable hatred which they haue long norrished and entertained as if they had presently conquered al the country by their armes thinke to dispose thereof at their pleasures imposing vpon them a perpetuall yoake of seruitude after they had spoiled them of their preuiledges and freedomes which hetherto wee haue preserued and maintained vnder the cruelties of the inquisition of Spaine To preuent the which and to resist them by all meanes possible the States of Brabant haue thought it sit to seize vpon the persones of such councellors being secret fauorers adherents to the enemies of the country vntill that the King may bee fully informed of the estate here as we hope he shall be shortly being resolued to aduertise him particularly and of our good intentions and the affection wee beare vnto our country who will neuer indure any thing that shall bee contrary to the duty of his Maiesties good and faithfull seruants At this time there was a great discontent betwixt the English the Zelanders who could not endure to see that the Marchants of the Netherlands vnder the K. of Spaines obedience should trafficke into Spaine in English ships vnder the name of Englishmens goods although they did belong to them of Antwerpe Tournay Lille Valencieâ—…es and other townes Of which ships the Zeelanders tooke some the which by the iudgâ—… of the Admiralty were adiuged good prize The complaints hereof being come into England and foure of the Zelanders ships being driuen in by fowle weather neere vnto Plimouth the English arrested them and kept the Captaines prisoners The marriners hauing found meanes to escape and to returne into Holland complained of that which had happened to their Captaines and ships durâ—…g this breache the Zeelanders tooke at diuers times 14. English ships whereof the English demanded â—…stitution for the which they sued in the Admiralty court so as in the end they did agree vpon certain conditions
which is the strongest part of Antwerpe by reason of the chanels that do enuiron it where they thought to fortifie themselues yet they continued there idle vntill the next day at noone that the snips of Holland and Zeeland began to shew themselues which struck such a terror into the Germaines as leauing the Towne they fled away Foucker to Berghen vpon Zoome and Frunsberg to Breda On the other side the Lord of Champaigni Gouernor of Antwerpe went with his Regiment to incounter the companies of Cornellis van Einden the which hee defeated and kept them from ioyning with them of Breda Don Iohn being much troubled with this vnfortunate crosse writ to Collonell Foucker the eight of August complaining of this misfortune yet he reioyced that the Collonell had escaped out of Antwerpe with his life commanding him to remaine in Berghen vntill hee had seene further order and after the date of the sayd letter hee writ vnto him to goe to Namur to command all the Germaines by reason of the indisposition of the Baron of Frunsbergh But Collonell Fouckers men hauing receiued this great disgrace at Antwerpe did mutinie against him and the tenth of September following tooke him prisoner and deliuered him to the States with the Towne of Berghen The States being freed of all feare of the Towne and Castell of Antwerpe seeing the Germaines thus disperst they assured them-selues of Liere two leagues from Antwerpe dooing that which any man of spirit and resolution that hath his life honour wife children goods and countrey in any recommendation is bound to doe for the preseruation and libertie thereof discharging them-selues faithfully in all things that were committed vnto them for the publicke good of the countrey for they did see plainely that this hatred which Don Iohn had conceiued against them was not newly growne vpon any occasion which they might haue giuen him but had taken roote from his first arriuall and reception to the gouernment as appeareth by those letters that were intercepted And that at the same time when it began to bud out and to shew the fruites by all effects of hostilitie GOD by his grace did so fauour the States as to discouer the first originall by the interception of the sayd letters Whereby they did finde that there was small hope of any redresse and lesse reason to suffer them-selues to bee any longer abused with good words and faire promises Iohn of Bourgongne a Knight Siegnior of Fromont being after the death of the Lord of Barlaimont appointed Gouernor of the countrey of Namur by the States a Gentleman of great age wise and vertuous hauing let Don Iohn vnderstand his error and that those countries were not to bee so gouerned nor abused as hee thought to doe and seeing that all his reasons and admonitions preuailed not and fearing on the other-side that the states would not yet seeke to preuent it by armes meaning to aduertise them to bee carefull of their affaires hee left Don Iohn and came into Brabant to ioyne with the States The Duke of Arschot and the Marquis of Haurec brethren by whom Don Iohn thought to bee assisted and supported waying well all his practises and desseignes and what might in the end happen vnto them and that no perswasions nor admonitions might preuaile to diuert him they made some difficultie to enter any more in councell with him Don Iohn fearing to loose them and to bee abandoned set watches ouer them and held them as it were prisoners yet not-with-standing his good garde hauing caused their horses to bee lead out of the Towne of Namur they slipt away vnknowne to him and without their traine Beeing come to Brussells like good Countrey-men they consulted with the States of the meanes to preuent the danger and to cure this new wound which Don Iohn had made Thus were the States forced against their wills to enter into a new warre against Don Iohn who madde with rage for such vnfortunate successe of all his desseignes did nothing but practise by what meanes hee might bee reuenged continuing his accustomed dissembling And to iustifie his actions after that hee had made his complaint by letters which hee had written to the States hee insisted vpon two points which were the maintenance of the Catholicke and Romish religion and the obedience due vnto the King Saving that hee pretented no other thing and that hauing receiued satisfact on therein hee would aboue all things seeke the good and quiet of the countrey And as for his retreate to the Castell of Namur it was onely for the safetie of his person against the conspiracie which he maintained was practised against him But if hee would haue confessed the truth of this retreate hee must haue sayd it had beene for two reasons the first was to preuent the danger of beeing stayed prisoner beeing at Brusselles or Macklyn and to haue all his desseignes discouered if this attempt vpon the Castell of Antwerpe should faile whereof hee was freed being in the Castell of Namur The other was to haue alwayes a back-doore open hauing the countrey of Luxembourg at his deuotion to drawe as many strangers into the Netherlands as hee pleased Hee did also complaine much of the retreate of the Duke of Arschot and the Marquis of Haurec who beeing aduertised of this practise of the Castell of Antwerpe had abandoned him as wee haue sayd And although sayd hee hee had noted such and the like indignities and affronts which had beene done him yet hee desired to gouerne himselfe according to his first contract seeking nothing more then to haue all things well ordered Hauing to that end intreated the Bishop of Liege to goe to Brussells to conferre with the States the which hee was ready to performe if hee had not beene countermanded in all hast by them of Liege In the meane time the States began to take heart and to gather their forces together whereof at that time the Lord of Champaigni had the charge with the which hee went to besiege the castell of Wouwe beeing held by certaine Germaines of Collonell Fouckers Regiment But seeing they could not maintaine it they yeelded the fourth of August the like did Steenberghen the ninth of that moneth and the Towne and Iland of Ter-tolen in Zeeland the nine-teenth The Queene of England hearing that the King of Spaine did conceiue sinisterly of her proceedings with the Estates of the Netherlands she sent Maister Wilks into Spaine to giue hiâ—… satisfaction and aduice withall for the pacefying of the Netherlands as you may see by this letter A declaration sent to the King of Spaine contayning a iustification of her Maiesties proceedings with the Estates of the Netherlands By Maister Thomas Wilkes THe Queenes Maiesty being giuen to vnderstand of diuers faulse and very scandalous reports giuen out touching her actions and proceedings with the Estates of the Netherlands tending as it were to make her the motiue and chiefe supporter of the
in loue with the eldest called Mary being about sixteene yeares old al the whole household sought to serue and intreat him well to auoide the insolencies which such people doe vsually shew vnto poore pesants This captaine being one daie at dinner with the father mother and daughters hee demanded of the father his daughter Marie in marriage The good man hauing answered that it was not a marriage equall nor sutable for him fearing that after hee had abused her hee would chase her awaie or keepe her as his strumpet refused him flatly The captaine incensed at this refusall swearing and cursing chased the father the mother and the whole familie out of the house keeping onelie this poore Virgin whome hee rauished and caused three or foure of his souldiars to doe the like Which done hee went to the table and set this poore maiden by him mocking still at her with verie filthie and dissolute speeches Shee who spake nothing studying how shee might bee reuenged with her owne hand whatsoeuer should become of her desiring rather to die then to liue anie longer with such reproch and infamie obserued a Corporall that came to speake to the captaine in his eare who turning his head backe to heare him she tooke a knife and stabbed him therewith vnto the heart so as he fell downe presently dead and she thinking to saue her selfe by flight was ouertaken by his souldiars who bound her to a tree and shot her to death The father hearing these pittifull newes of his daughter bruted it abroade and went to make his complaints to all the neighbour villages so as the alarum bells ringing of all sides the pesants went to armes and fell vpon the souldiers of Becourt and vpon all others that laie nere vnto them whom they slue yea their pages laquais strumpets and dogges leauing nothing aliue of foure companies that were in that quarter but their horses so greedie all these pesants were to reuenge the death and iniurie done this Virgin Doubtlesse if Lucrece deserued great commendations for killing of her selfe after that shee had beene forced by Tarquin this maide deserues much more who before her death could take reuenge of her more then barbarous rauisher Almightie GOD meaning thereby to punish the excesse of these French souldiars to make others learne more wisdome and temperatenesse The Archduke Mathias Gouernor and the generall Estates hauing raysed a great and mightie armie vnder the conduct and command of the Earle of Bossu a braue valiant and hardie Knight and the signior of La Noue a valiant and worthie French Gentleman they planted their campenere vnto Remenant in Brabant a league from Macklin Whereas Don Iohn resolued to charge them before they were all come togither hee beeing verie stronge and hauing new men come out of Italie could make about thirty thousand souldiers amongst the which were fiue or sixe thousand horse-men all or the most part old expert souldiers and choise men his Lieutenant Generall was the Prince of Parma Octauio Gonzaga was generall of the horse men Peter Ernest Earle of Mansfield Lord Marshall the Earle of Barlamont Maister of the ordinance with his Sonne and many other Lords and Gentlemen as the Earles of Reâ—…lx and Falckenburg Robles Lord of Billy the Lord of Ruyrooke the Lord of Lyques the Lord of Faulx the Lord of Marle the Lord of Rosingnol the Lord of Gomicourt the Lord of Warlonzel the Lord de Monteragon and other strange Lords Don Alonso Martines de Lieua Sonne to Don Sanchio Vice-roye of Naples who in times past had beene generall of the Gallies of Spaine this Don Alonso had a company of two hundred stronge wherein there was ten braue captaines as Don Diego and Don Pedro de Mendoza Don Sanchto de Lieua his brother and others his Ensigne being blacke with a crucifix therin which was holloed and consecrated at Naples by the Cardinall Gesnada and that daie hee had desired Don Iohn to haue the vantgard of the armie hoping that it should fall out as well with him that daie as it did at Gemblours Don Iohn himselfe in his Ensigne had a crosse with this poesie By this signe I ouercame the Turkes and by the same signe also I will ouercome the Heretikes and being thus prepared vpon the last day of Iuly he came with al his armie to Arschot with full intent to set vpon the states campe or with aduantage to procure them to a battaile But the Earle of Bossu beeing aduertised by his sentinels of horse that there were about some a leauen or twelue cornets of horse comming against them with a great squadron of footemen which were about 90. or a hundred men they all gaue charge that the States gards should retire to a place where hee had set fiue or sixe hundred Harguebuziers which at last by reason of the multitude of their enemies were forced to giue back by the aide and releefe of certaine Ruiters and light horsemen and yet without any great hurt whereby Don Iohns men beeing imboldened gaue a stronge and mightie charge vpon the States Ruyters and other horsemen which valiantly withstood them and yet in such sort as the enemie had some aduantage but after that beeing seconded they turned so brauely backe againe as they forced Don Iohns men to leaue the heath and to retire themselues to certaine hedges but for that the Earle of Bossu to keepe those hedges had placed certaine Englishmen vnder the regiment of Collonel Norris that was come thether but an houre before and certaine Scots hard by the Riuer all alonge to his campe Don Iohn could not breake thorough notwithstanding that hee still sent more men thether to winne the place by force the great shot likewise that plaied out of the States trenches doing him much harme as his men came any thing neere which at that time discharged a hundred and twentie times vpon the enemy the Lord of Crequis being generall of the ordinance in steed of Treslon This skirmish beginning at seauen of the clocke in the morning continewed vntill euening about fiue or sixe of the clocke beeing a wonderfull hot daie so as the English Scots and other souldiars were forced to put of their cloathes and to fight in their shirtes where they behaued them-selues as brauely as possible they might considering the great number of the enemy and that they were all old experienced Soldiers that they had to doe withall Colonell Norris sonne to the Lord Norris with the English-men behaued himselfe very valiantly and had certaine horses killed vnder him The like did Captaine Bingham a man of great experience and policie although hee was but hardly and badly vsed by his men beeing then Lieutenant to Captaine Candish and there lost two bretheren The like did the Scottes vnder Collonell Stuart the French and Netherland foote-men shewing also great courage and valour for that the ground was not very fitte to vse many of the horse-men If at that time the Earle
made betweene the Duke of Aniou and the States their power hauing so great an army and mony like wise to maintaine the same saying that he might depart with honor when as his departure should be procured by the Mediation and intercession of the Emperor the King of France and the Queene of England which dying they said hee might assure the Netherlands vnto their naturall Prince and by that meanes procure the maintenance and furtherance of the Romish Catholiks religion touching the said articles the Ambassadors had many conferences and meetings betweene them the estates and Don Iohn speaking with Don Iohn him-selfe at Lovuain and there abouts but it was al in vaine for that Don Iohn would haue the states to giue ouer their armes to send the Prince of Orange into Holland and then he said he would harken to a peace yet telling them plainely that hee would permit no new religion and many things else and yet hee made a shew as that in regard of the miseries of the country hee would haue consented to a truce for a time that so hee might deale further about the conditions of peace propounded but this was done onely to winne time and in the meane while to gather more forces and to make the States weary but the States there affaires not permitting it would not harken to it Don Iohn likewise for his part hauing gotten more soldiars and being aduertised that the States men wanted pay at the last he made answeare to the Ambassadors that the King of Spaine had referred the whole dealing for the peace vnto the States only to whome full power and authority should bee giuen for the same being indeed some-what iealous of France and England and to that end hee shewed them lettters so thanking them for their paines hee tooke his leaue and departed and by that meanes that treatie of peace proued frutelesse The generall estates thinking verely that they had well secured and assured the Catholike Romish Religion by the new publication of the pacification at Gaunt found it to auaile them little for that they were forced neuer-the-lesse to satisfie and content the mindes of the peolpe in euery place thereby to maintaine the warres and that they had need of such soldiers as they might trust which they esteemed to be Hollanders and those of the religion and therefore in euery place they put such as were of the religion into offices within the townes as knowing them thereby to bee bound not onely for the loue and good will they bare vnto their natiue country but also in regard of the religion to bee faithfull trusty and true obseruing that it was not onely the meanes for them to defend their bodies liues goods wiues and children but chiefly for the honor of GOD as they were perswaded whereby many being of the reformed religion and aduanced to offices in diuers places of the Netherlands were forced by all the meanes they could to further the said religion although some through simple zeale dealt vnaduisedly therein From these and the like causes it fell out that they of the reformed religion imbouldned them-selues to present a request vnto the Arch duke Mathias and the generall estates bearing date the twenty two of Iune therein shewing that they desired to liue according to the reformed religion and that they had separated them-selues from the Romish Church for many causes as it appeared by diuers bookes put in Print containing the summe and contents of their faith which many had sealed with their bloods and that the more it had beene persecuted the more it had spred abroad and increased as it appeared by the tiranie of the Duke of Alua that had put eight-teene or nine-teene thousand persons to death by the hand of the executioner after whome followed Don Loys de Requesens the great Commaunder of Castile who also had driuen an innumerable number of good men out of the Netherlands and caused all traficke and good handycrafts wherein the chiefe riches of the land consisted to be caried into strange and forrene countries by which meanes the warres began shewing the Spaniards practises and desseignes and their reddinesse and willingnesse to defend their natiue country and that yet neuer-the-lesse they feared that they should bee once againe put to the slaughter after that the countrie should haue made vse of them and by expence and losse of their liues and goods gotten the victory which must of necessity procure great vnwillingnesse from whence many difficulties were to bee expected by nise vsing liberty amonst the Burgers and the townes men which difficulties and inconueniences by meanes of the free permission of the reformed Religion would be let and hindered where-as to the contrary the refusing and deniall thereof would bee the originall of all euill intents and of such enterprises which neither the Protestants would like of nor they them-selues bee well pleased withall They likewise showed that they were content to put in securitie to them of the Romish religion that they desired not to roote them out nor yet to take their goods from them nor to doe any thing that should bee contrary to the duties of good Townes-men and fellow Burgers but alwayes to bee ready for the common cause to defend and maintaine their natiue countrey whereby all discord beeing layd away a perfect peace might bee established They likewise hoped that touching the reformed religion some order would before that time haue beene taken by the generall estates which by many hinderances had beene put off and chiefly by the meanes and practises of the enemy or else by some that hoped the enemy being ouercome once againe to roast the Protestants at a fire and therefore they desired that no credit might bee giuen vnto such men as reiected the pacification of Gant thinking that two religions could not bee maintayned in one kingdome and that there could bee no securitie giuen to the spirituall persons saying further that the enemy had manifestly broken the pacification of Gant and that for as much as it concerned the land they might by common consent breake mitigate expound and declare the same for the good of their natiue countrey thereby to resist and with-stand the secret practises of the enemy yet they desired that it might not bee broken but that rather according to the contents thereof the point concerning the free exercise of their religion might bee discided by the generall estates Shewing further by their request that two religions might well bee indured in one countrey by examples of the first Christians and their Emperors and after that in our times permitted by foure Emperors and by the Kings of France Poland the great Turke and the King of Morocus and others yea and by the Pope himselfe that permitted the Iewes to haue their Synaguogues And touching the securitie for spirituall persons they desired that the States would set downe an order for the same and that they were ready according to their
1578. wherein hee complained of the long delaies vsed in Spaine touching that which should bee determined about his affaires in the Netherlandes and with what policie and patiencie hee was to arme himselfe to withstand the same that he must of force suffer himselfe to bee inclosed by his enemies which had almost stopped vp all his passages in such sort as hee should bee constrained to retire to the place appointed him for his vttermost refuge for that hee had no hope to fight as beeing to weake vnlesse he should forcibly make a passage through his enemies and so escape awaie and that whensouer hee should doe it the King who was the onely cause thereof would be in danger to loose all the country he complained further that he had made a new motion vnto the King that hee would take order what hee should doe and his Maiesties pleasure should be obeied and put in execution but that he feared the remedy would come to late for that neither his writing nor his meanes preuailed not saying that both his hands beeing cut off hee was fully perswaded that their meaning was hee should likewise stretch out and lay downe his necke and so desiring them to haue him in remembrance in their daylie praiers he committed them to God He that is desirous to know more hereof may reade the booke of the sayd letters printed by William Siluius in Antwerp by which letters written not long before he died it appeeres what a troubled minde and how much discontented he was being yong high minded and inconstant yet wanting no iudgement hee had great aduersaries in the Court of Spaine as the adherents of the duke of Alua who sought by his policy and great experience to draw Don Iohns proceedings into dislike From his youth vpwards hee alwaies sought to aspire to a Kingly estate and to effect great matters as it likewise apeereth by a Spanish booke made by Anthonio Perez Secretarie to the King of Spaine touching the death of Iohn Escouedo Secretary to the aforesayd Don Iohn for the which the sayd Anthonio Perez after long imprisonment and persecution and great vprores touching the same in Arragon about the priueledges of the country whereof the King tooke great reuenge was forced to flie into France and after that into England and there staied In the sayd booke it is shewed that Don Iohns minde was wholy addicted to aspire to high matters and that the King of Spaine had apointed him a trusty Secretary called Iohn de Soto who serued him well in the warres in Granado and in his office of Admirall in the great victory against the Turkes but while that Don Iohn was in Italie the Pope was secretly delt withall to make him King of Tunis which the Kings secretary vnderstanding and the motion beeing afterwards made by the Pope vnto him the King thanked the Pope for the great care he had of his brother but he denied the request as being much mooued and very iealious thereof for that hee seemed to depend more vpon the Pope then vpon him suspecting his Secretary Iohn Soto to bee the cause thereof and therefore tooke councell and agreed with Anthonio Perez his Secretarie to deuise the meanes to place Iohn Escouedo to bee Don Iohns Secretarie promooting Soto to a better place and gaue Escouedo diuerse and perticular instructions to pull downe Don Iohns haughty and proude minde and to bridle the same and so to amend that which Soto had neglected but Don Iohn beeing sent for to bee gouernor in the lowe countries pretended that as soone he should haue gotten the full charge and commande ouer the souldiars in the sayd countries and setled the same in peace that hee would enterpize somewhat with them against England as it hath beene partly shewed and there to put the Queene from her crowne and to marry with the imprisoned Queene of Scots and so to make himselfe King of England wherevnto hee had obtained leaâ—…e and the name or title thereof from the Pope with promise of aide hee had likewise a secret practise and contract in France with the Duke of Guise and the league which they named the defence of both the Kingdomes of Spaine and France which the King also vnderstood by his Ambassador Iohn Vargas Don Iohn not once perceiuing it although hee caused his pretended enterprize against England to bee certified to the King by the Popes legate But that was broken off for that the Estates in the Netherlands beeing then in treaty of peace with Don Iohn would by no meanes consent that the Spaniards should goe out of the countrie by sea whereby hee was preuented of his purpose and perceiuing that in the Netherlands by reason of the Estates good policie and foresight there was no meanes or matter of great honour or dignitie to bee attained vnto beeing desperately minded he sought secret meanes to bee discharged of the same gouernment or els to haue so great a powre of men and money from the King as he might by force become maister thereof or of some other place whereby it apeared that hee would in a manner compell the King to followe his humor as it is apparant by the letters aforesayd and others also from Escouedo and specially by one bearing date the tenth of February in the yeare of our Lord 1577. Wherein hee wrot that hee was so much out of conceite with himselfe that hee had failed of his enterprise against England that with meere discouragement hee was of the minde to be become an hermite for that he could not finde in his heart to liue as hee had done to that daie saying further that rather then he would liue in that gouernment vnlesse it were vntill an other came to take his place there should no resolution bee so hard and difficult vnto him that hee would not sooner take in hand although it should cost him his dearest bloud insisting so earnestly vpon his discharge that he sayd hee would leaue it either by faire or foule meanes and that if hee were not discharged thereof hee sayd hee feared hee should fall into the sinne of disobedience to shunne the sinne of dishonor saying that hee had rather to goe take an aduenture into France with sixe thousand foote and two thousand horsemen then to staie in the gouernment of the Netherlands These desperate and doubtfull speeches mooued the King of Spaine verie much and gaue him great occasions of distrust when such things were secretly brought vnto his eares Remembring likewise some of the words he vsed before hee went into the Netherlands saying that whensoeuer hee was King of England that then he would be equall with Spaine especially if hee once got the entry into Saint Andrewes and the castle which is the frontire of Biskaie and a fort vpon the rode called Megro from whence all Spaine was to bee ouerrunne and vanquished These and the like dealings with the Pope and the Duke of Guise beeing knowne vnto the King and some of
his familiers bred great suspition in the Kings minde the falt thereof beeing layd vpon Escouedo his Secretary esteeming him to haue added more therevnto then his commission was and therefore hee beeing sent into Spaine by Don Iohn the King gaue expresse commandement that hee should bee staied there and for that Don Iohn wrot so earnestly for money and for his secretary Escouedo the aforesayd Anthonio Perez the Kings Secretary had commission to finde the meanes to kill him as secretly as hee could that Don Iohn might haue no suspition thereof for that the sayd Anthonio Perez was the onelie man that with the King knewe all Don Iohns and Escouedoes proceedings and two or three more that were but partly made acquainted therewith which Perez by his aforesaid booke acknowledgeth to haue done by the Kings commandement vseing therein a certaine souldiar called Gartia Darze and fiue or sixe others who in an euening as hee was going to his lodging sodenly inclozed him about and killed him as if there had bin some priuat quarell betweene him and them The death of this Escouedo brought many iealousies into Don Iohns head who finding himselfe to bee charged with many limmited instructions and commandements from the King hee became still more and more distempered whereby hee knewe not what to resolue as the aforesayd letters declared and therefore his suddaine death gaue men cause of great suspition that it was secretly procured although that greefe and conceite haue more force in Princes haughtie and proude hearts then in meaner persons Don Iohn beeing dead in the armie his bodie with great and stately pompe was borne into the Church at Namur and from thence carried into Spaine leauing his Lieutenant Alexander Farneze Prince of Parma gouernor in his place that was afterwards inuested with the same by the King himselfe this death of Don Iohn fell out verie well for the Netherlands considering the state wherein they as then were as I haue alreadie shewed ALEXANDER FARNESIVS PARMAE ET PLACEN DVX GVBERN ET CAP GENER BELGICAE ALEXANDER FARNEZE DVKE OF Parma and Placentia Lieutenant and Captaine Generall for the King of Spaine Of all the Gouernor that in the Netherland Wherof most were vnfit did take their wars in hand I was the only man that rul'd them prudently And longer then thē all maintaind the wars co◅agiously Like valiant champion and h◅d a most great care My promise to fulfill for such a royall minde I bare That neuer in my life vnto my enemie I falcified my word or faith which was the cause that I A good report obtain'd which was my recompence Else gaind I nought but for my paines was put to great exp◅nce The Argument of the eleuenth Booke ALexander Farneze Prince of Parma Nephew by bastardise to the King of Spaine Sonne to his bastard sister succeeded Don Iohn in the gouernment of the Netherlands the Ganthois begin to mutine The Prince of Orange is much troubled to reconcil◅ them the Duke of Aniou retires into France The building of the disunion of Arthois and Henault the which is conc◅uded in the Prince of Parmas campe before Masstricht Whervpon they make a more stricter vnion at Vt echt betwtxt the Prouinces which continue in the generality The King of Spaine hinders the Emperor and some Princes of Germany from treating of an accord and generall reconciliation wherevpon an assembly is made at Collogne where they treat of it but in vaine those of Holland Zeeland and their Associats thinking it had beene only to circumuent them Gant falls againe into troubles by the practises of Imbise the Burguemaster the which the Prince going thether in person doth pacefie by the absence of Imbise The taking of townes and ouerthrowes at that time of either part the speech and aduice of the Prince of Orange to the estates of the generall vnion the state of Friseland and Groninghen The Duke of Aniou brother to the French King called for Protector and partly Lord of the countries remayning in the vnion the Archduke Mathias after thankes giuen him retiers by reason of his insufficiency the King of Spaine proscribes the Prince of Orange sets his life to sale to euery point of which proscription the Prince makes answere The vnfortunate seege of the states of Flanders before Ingllemoustier defeated and the signior of La Noue taken prisoner Macklin and diuers other townes surprized by the States the Prince of Conde comming from England into the Netherlands is at Gant the Prince of Parma makes a vaine enterprize vpon the sayd towne but not without great danger thereof what past in Friseland at that time St◅nwic beseeged by the Spaniard victual◅ed and succored by the States The death of the Earle of Reneberg and what he was the taking and retaking of townes of either part in Friseland Flanders and else where the Prince of Parma hauing long beseeged and blockt vp the Cittte of Cambray the Duke of Aniou comes in person to su◅cor it and victuells it the Spaniard refusing to fight whereas hee was receiued and acknowledged for Duke of Cambray and Cambresis the signior of Inchy remayning Gouernor of the towne and Cittadell in the sayd Dukes name ALEXANDER Farneze Prince of Parma the sonne of Duke Octauio and the Ladie Marguerite bastard to the Emperor Charles the fift being the yeare before come into the Netherlands succeeded after the death of Don Iohn of Austria in the gouernment of the sayd countries beeing before his Lieutenant a Prince much more milde and temperate then the other to whom the whole armie tooke their oth and acknowledged for Gouernor in the campe neere vnto Namur Yet through the death of Don Iohn the Spaniards affaires were somewhat crost and hindred for the duke of Aniou imbracing this occasion went to beseege Bins in Henault the which hee battred and gaue an assault and although hee tooke it not at the first yet in the end hee forced it the Spaniards beeing to much troubled in their campe for the death of Don Iohn so as they neither had meanes nor leisure to succor it and when they would gladly haue done it it was too late for it was forced and taken by assault the French killing all that they found armed spoyling the towne and Churches the which happened the seauenth of October The same moneth the Ganthois meaning to build a fort in the Village of Lauwe a league from Menin they sent three hundred Prioners and Pesants with some of their companies to labour there The Malcontents hearing that this fort vpon the riuer of Lys should be a bridle vnto them went fell vpon these poore laborers and soldiers of Gant whom they defeated and cut some of them in peeces carried others prisoners to Menin from thence they went to the village of Warneton where there is a castle belonging to the Prince of Orange betwixt Menin and Ypre two leagues from the one the other a place very famous for
without entermingling matters of Religion seeing that the stay growes neither from the Emperor nor from vs but from those Prouinces which haue entred into priuate treaties the which the enemie finding more auaylable he hath delaied to treate with the generality by the meanes of his Emperiall Maiesty It is vntrue that the Prince of Parma did euer make offer vnto vs by his letters to effect the pacification of Gant as you may plainely see by the coppie of those which he sent vs and our answere therevnto Moreouer other Prouinces haue beene carefull not to treat anything in particular with the enemie or to make declaration vnto him that they would not haue the question of Religion handled So as wee finde you are abused by some wicked spirits disciples of Escouedo which seeke to diuide vs and to stirre vp a warre for Religion and to chase away and massaker one by an other as hereto fore hath happened in Germanie England France and else-where Intreating you aâ—…aine â—…o weigh and consider all things well and to continue vnited with vs to repulse the common enemy and presently to send your deputies hether to determine and resolue of publike affaires by a generall consent and to send our deputies to Cologne to make a good and assured generall peace Wee for our parts doe promise to helpe and assist you in all things that shal be needfull for your quiet and prosperitie and entring into a generall treatie to yeeld vnto all reasonable conditions as wee haue offred to the Prince of Parma as you may see more at large by the coppie of our answer Whervpon we pray vnto GOD c. From Antwerp the eight of Aprill 1579. vnder written your good and affectionate friends the generall Estates of the Netherlands signed A. Blyleuen The superscription was To the states of Lille Douay and Orchies During all these practises of priuate reconciliation of thé of Arthois Henault Lille c. The Prince of Parma holding Mastricht beseeged with a mightie armie where as the sayd Prouinces had their deputies who sollicited all they could Peter of Melun Prince of Espinoy Seneshall of Henault newly succeeded to the sayd Principality by the death of Charles of Melun his elder brother gouernor and the States of Tournay and Tournesis according to the first practises which were made in October 1578. and the instruction giuen vnto the signior of Charpesteau by the states of Henault at the same time when as the states of Arthois and they of Arras began their broiles which instruction we haue also thought good to insert in this place before we proceed as followeth The signior Iosse of CaÌ„pen squier signior of Charpesteau Ostregnis c. at theâ—…e quest and deputation of the states of the country and county of Henault shall transport himselfe with all speed vnto the states of the country towne and Citty of Tournay and Tournesis and shall present vnto them the humble commendations of the said states of Henault their letters of credit According vnto the which he shal giue them to vnderstand that we ought alwaies to stand vpon our gard to foresee al inconueniences that may happen much more when we see the fire kindled we must fly to the remedy to hinder and preuent a greater ruine and combustion It is most notorious that although the Prouinces in these parts laboring to recouer their liberty and to free themselues from the Spaniards and their adherents and from the yoake and seruitude wherevnto they would subiect them had treated a pacification with the Prince of Orange and the states of Holland Zeland and their associats by the which it was expresly promised sworn not to attempt any thing that might be scandalous against the Catholike Apostolike and Romish religion vpon paine to be blamed and punished as troublers of the saith publike quiet thervpon was made and sollemnly sworne a general vnion contayning the same points yet it appeeres plainly of all sides that the sectaries and heretiks carry themselues most insolently preaching and making publike exercises of their sects and pestiferous religions ruining and profaning the holy Sacraments Cloisters Abbaies spoyling Churches and Images and massacring Church-men and good Catholiks surprizing and doing outrage to monasteries townes and castles forcing rauishing and abusing holy virgins and other chast wiues and maidens applying to their owne vse the goods and reuenues of the church imprisoning putting to death with great indignity Bishops Prelats honorable persons that were iust innocent subuerting al ancient order of iustice gouernment and lawfull Magistrats bringing to that end both men and ordinance to field and doing al acts of hostility And they did not only exceed therein but haue also attempted against the nobility with such fury as it appeers painly and as some of the chiefe of them haue shewed openly that they are resolued and fully determined to ruine and roote them out one after an other and all good Catholiks for euer It is certaine they had not beene forward and violent in their pernicious desseignes if they were not animated and supported by them which haue most sworne promised signed and ratefied the said pacification who at the least for their iustification should seeme to bee displeased therewith and helpe to suppresse and punish such outrages Wheras contrariwise we see that he which is come mercinarily to the great charge of the country to serue and succor it against the common enemies thereof is gone with his forces to succor them being called as the brute goes to be not only their Protector and Defender but also gouernor or Lord of the country leauing and abandoning both the campe and the country in prey to the common enemie if they had power to do it The which wee ought to preuent in time and to seeke all meanes which is the Office of Christians by a common course and in discharge of the vnion so sollemnly sworne by the Prouinces to suppresse such insolencies rashe excesse and outrages The which hath not yet beene done to the great preiudice interest and decaie of our holie saith Catholike and Romish Religion and of all good men and likely to augment daylie and to continue to the ruine and rooting out of all Pietie Nobilitie and order of pollicy and iustice if it be not preuented fore-seeing therfore that the negligence of many Gouernors the dissimulation of some the secret practises of the chiefe and the small zeale and courage which they that hold the better partie carrie to the preseruation of our sayd faith and Religion and the helth and publike peace may soone cause a ruine and generall desolution The sayd states of Henault haue fore-seene that it is needfull and more then necessarie that those Prouinces which are least dismembred and haue maintained themselues till now vnder the pacification of Gant and the sworne vnion should imbrace the affaires with more earnestnesse and resolue of some such remedie as
manner of gouernment then did hee by his letters that were written in cyphers and with double instructions plainely and euidently shew that he attended but some more conuenient and fit meanes to vse his extreame rigour against the Netherlands as it appeared by his instructions sent to Dom Iohn and others It was likewise found by example and many histories That such kings and mightie potentates as he neuer or very sildome let their countries escape vnpunished when time and oportunitie serued although for a time they seemed to winke thereat For which cause king Salomon giueth vs warning saying That the kings wrath is a most certaine dore or entry vnto death as it appeared not long since in Fraunce whereas neither the peace of two yeres the deliuering ouer of all the townes forts and castles nor yet the mariage of the kings owne sister could moue the king to refraine from taking reuenge vpon the admirall and so great a number of gentlemen and other persons of diuers estates and qualities whom he caused to be murthered without compassion And in the Netherlands they themselues had seene That the emperor Maximilian grandfather to the deceased emperour Charles the fifth notwithstanding the peace which had been made by meanes of the princes of Germanie who had signed and sealed the same and Maximilian himselfe had bound it by an oath yet neuerthelesse hee was so reuenged vpon Bruges and thereby satisfied his humor as euery man that heareth therof yet vnto this day is stricken with feare and terror and yet Maximiltan was one of the most mild courteous princes that had liued in many hundred yeares What then was to be expected from the king of Spaine that would not hold nor keep his promise vnlesse it were to assure the countrey in time to come and not to fall again into such great costs and charges as all potentates vse to do when they feare a reuolt especially when as they thinke they haue receiued any disgrace or vndutifull seruice at their hands as the example of Gant in Anno 1539 well witnessed Besides that it was euidently knowne to euery man That all the proclamations promises contracts and oaths c. that could or might be deuised might be broken and disannulled by the Popes Bull as long as it was a certaine decree That no faith nor promise was to be holden with heretickes as he accounted them all to be And that in their gouernment it is holden for a Maxime or an vndoubted rule That whatsoeuer the king should promise and graunt vnto his subiects that were reuolted from him he was not bound nor tyed to obserue nor fulfill the same for that they were not esteemed nor accounted to be right and lawfull enemies but rebellious peace-breakers and as they call them traytors with whome according vnto the lawes of nature no man is bound to obserue any promise as those who at this day write against vs beeing both Diuines and Lawyers sufficiently declare as Cornelius Calidius Chrisopolitanus Iohannes Leuseius Cunerus bishop of Leeuwerden and many others And if it were so that the king were content to keepe his faith and promise yet it is manifest that the Pope of Rome and the Inquisition of Spaine would not suffer him but still would put him in feare of conscience and compell him to root out and vtterly extirpe all heretickes as it is well knowne that they brought the king of Fraunce thereunto so that without all doubt the massacre of Paris was first hatched and inuented both in Spaine and Italie Besides all this it was to be considered what thing had mooued the king vnto such wrath and bitternesse against the Netherlands for that if it were meerely of his owne nature and disposition then there was no hope of any better to be expected for that there is no suddaine action of man but that nature can expell it but if he be naturally giuen to be gracious peaceable mild and gentle as some men report him to be then it might be that hee was mooued thereunto through zeale of Religion or by the counsell and prouocation of those that are enemies vnto the Netherlands as the Pope and the Inquisition of Spaine If it were zeale of Religion that moued him thereunto then the same zeale was not diminished because hee was persuaded that Religion was the onely ground and foundation of all the rebellion but had rather attained vnto the highest degree Whereby from thenceforth it was apparent what was to be expected from him for that those that had persuaded and incited him thereunto were then more exasperated against the Netherlands and bare more hatred and malice vnto the same than euer they did esteeming the inhabitants to bee reuolters rebels heretickes peace-breakers and mutinous persons What securitie what freedome of the countrey and priuiledges and what libertie of conscience and Religion were there then to bee hoped for of the king and what the king might do in a countrey where he yet had so many townes vnder his commaund and so many adherents and well-willers the example of Dom Iohn had sufficiently declared when as hee might easily haue made himselfe master of the land if he could haue behaued himselfe somewhat closer and secretlyer for a while or that his letters by great fortune had not fallen into their hands or if that in steed of going to Mechelen he had gone to the castle of Antuerpe and had taken it Now it was to be examined on the other side if that those points might bee found in the duke of Aniou or not As for him he should haue much lesse meanes he being a stranger and suspected of the inhabitants hauing no correspondence in the Netherlands as also that he had neither towns forts nor any of the chiefe noblemen of the land at his commaund nor would not lightly vndertake any bad enterprise out of his owne countrey vnlesse he were better assured Touching his power it was alreadie declared concerning his will it was easie to be perceiued that it would stand him more vpon to win the hearts and good wils of the inhabitants of the Netherlands than to bring them into distrust or hatred against him and as he should be brought in by the good and well minded he should alwayes haue cause to bee fauourable vnto them as hauing no cause of bitternesse or reuenge against the countrey And touching the Religion hee was sufficiently accustomed to see the exercise of both the Religions in France yea and that in his owne house hauing diuers of the Religion that were his seruants and causing the religious peace to be obserued in his owne countrey so that both in matters of Religion and in politicke gouernment all securitie was to be expected at his hands in regard that good conditions contracts should be offered vnto him which by no means could be done with the king of Spaine Touching his nature and disposition he was reported to be peaceable and courteous hauing behaued himselfe in
diligence the souldiers were brought into order of battaile againe and so retyred still fighting till they came to Heilegerlee and Winschoten where they found the earle of Hohenlo with the German horse and so in hast past by Weeden to get to the Bourentang where diuers times they bad the enemie battaile but when as Renenberghes whole forces came together he was forced to retire and being pursued by Renenberghes launciers many of them were slaine and the eight companies of footmen and a cornet of horse with the ordnance that lay before Weeden were all taken and great store of their armes lost and throwne away Meane time the earl of Renenbergh hauing left the new companies of the Drossart Ens and Blanckenuoort in the abbey of great Auwart they did ouer-run all the countrey thereabouts and went towards Collum the which cloister they tooke vpon the 8 of September and slew at the least 300 of them besides those that were taken prisoners but fearing to bee forced and spoiled by their enemie they abandoned the cloister with al the prouision therin because they could not beare it away The earle of Reuenbergh went presently to Coeuoorden which beeing not fortified vpon the 20 of September after that they had begun to dig through the water was yeelded vnto him with safetie of liues and goods From thence he went to Oldenzeel wherein were the companies of the lord of Sneeten and Fisher of Amsterdam both beeing about two hundred men and the horsemen of Elleborn lieutenant to captaine Goor their gouernor being the lord of Eck a yong gentleman of the East countrey This towne of Oldenzeel is a reasonable pretie towne lying fiue small miles from Coeuoorden and six miles from Deuenter in the Eastland way it hath no riuer but a great high stone wal with towers after the old maner with a ditch and without that an earthen wall and another ditch whereby it should seeme to be verie strong and yet it hath no bridge all the water in the ditches being kept in by dammes by which means it may wel be let out and hath no bulwarks at all on Benthen side from whence it lyeth but two miles and a halfe it hath on the one side a hall full of bushes and on the other side it is verie easie to be besieged The earle of Renenbergh came sodainly before it and presently burnt the gates and gaue a great and furious assault but with the losse of 300 of his men and certaine captaines for which cause they being in a feare he was forced to leaue the town but the bourgers being most of the Spanish faction which for that cause had been much trobled by the garrison fearing worse sent after him and deliuered the towne into his hand vpon condition that the garrison with all their prouision and goods should depart out of the same and sweare not to beare armes against the king in three moneths after This was done vpon the 24 day of Septemb. as the Estates were making preparation to releeue it From thence he went to Swool which he besieged round about where he ouerthrew Petin lieutenant colonell to Michael Caulier captain Cressomiere that thought to haue entred therin and both were taken prisoners but staying for more men that were to come ouer the Rhin which he feared would be incountred and spoiled he went to meet them as hereafter I wil shew so went to besiege Steenwick There was also about this time a double treatie plaid against the male-contents of Arthois Henault in the towne of Bouchain in Henault The seignior Villers brother to the lord of Hautain hauing in former time beene gouernor of Nyuelle in Brabant where as wee haue said he had caried himself valiantly was then gouernor of Bouchain The male contents among the which one of their cōmanders was the baron of Selles brother to the lord of Noircarmes who treated with a lieutenant of a company of the towne called Grosbedon whom he thought he had won at his deuotion to deliuer the said towne to the king of Spaine whereof the seignior of Villers being well informed by this lieutenant suffered him to treat to mannage this businesse in such sort as at an appointed houre they should haue a port open whereby they might enter This enterprise was in Iune when the dayes were longest At the appointed day the baron of Selles with good troups of foot and horse among the which there were many butchers of Doway carrying the standerd of S. Meurant their patron presented themselues at the port which they found open The gouernour Villers to the end the vndertakers might be assured of their enterprise had the day before sent forth his horsemen as it were by chance whereof the male-contents being aduertised were the more assured In the mean time they of the towne had prepared a banquet to feast them at their entrie After they had suffered as many to enter as they thought good and as their forces would beare the which they might easily defeat the which being entred to the number of fiue or six hundred with the baron of Selles and these butchers the portcullis being let down and they cacht as mise in a trap they of the garrison began to shew themselues and to discharge their muskets and the canon plaid vpon them that remained without who the horsemen which went forth the day before came and charged behind and chased them euen vnto their ditches beeing in hope that their men which were entred should become masters of the town vpon the report which was made vnto them of the small garrison which remained Thus both they within and they without were defeated whereof there was some 150 slaine and the rest within the towne were taken prisoners among the which was the baron of Selles whom the seignior of Villers sent with some other chiefe prisoners to the castle of Cambray to the end that not keeping them with him they should haue no desire to besiege him Afterwards the baron of Selles and the earl of Egmont were carried to the castle of Ramekins in Zeeland where the baron died yet the Estates had offered to deliuer him the earle of Egmont and the lord of Champigni all three together in exchange for monsieur de la Noue some other prisoners of mean quality which the king refused wherein the Estates made shew of their loue and affection to strangers that came voluntarily to serue them and on the other side the king his ingratitude to such great personages his naturall vassals being prisoners for his seruice Whereupon the baron of Selles exclaimed at his death against the king of Spaine that forreine enemies were more respected by him and held in greater esteeme than his naturall subiects and faithfull seruants The earle of Egmont in like sort for despight and hearts griefe that the king would not exchange him for la Noue grew distracted of his wits and during his frenzie hee so hurt the
earle of Hoochstraten who of the lady N. of Egmont widow to the earle of Hennin lord of Capres left one son after his death This earle of Renenbergh was a courteous nobleman well red in Greeke and Latin a great louer of histories and of musicke wherein he spent most of his time He was an enemie to all tyrannie although he committed that vild act in Groning the which he afterwards repented 1000 times and a great obseruer of militarie discipline he was withall very carefull to haue his souldiers duly paied As for his religion I will not meddle with it but we may coniecture what the heart was hauing red so many bookes of the learnedest Protestants and had conuersed so long with them but the feare of his mother of the chanon his vncle who had made him his heire of the earle of Lalain his cousin and of the persuasions of his sister had made him to change his party the which he often repented Colonel Gaspar Verdugo succeeded him in the gouernment of Friseland and Groning The Estates of Flanders sent a little armie into the quarter of Ypre and Dixmuyden vnder the commaund of the prince of Espinoy whom they made generall whereof the Seignior of Villers before gouernour of Bouchain was marshall of the campe to make worke on that side for the prince of Parma during the victualling of Cambray But the Parmo is beeing stronger in horse than the Estates he defeated some neere vnto Dixmuyden In the mean time the prince of Espinoys mē that remained in garrison at Tournay in his gouernmēt of Tournesis gaue many affronts vnto their enemies in Henault whom they annoyed all they could as in like manner the malecontents did beeing lodged in the fort of Hauteriue betwixt Tournay and Audenarde from whence they did runne dayly to the ports of either towne who at the same time defeated a rich conuoy of ninetie wagons with all sorts of marchandise going to Antuerpe and from thence to the fayre of Francfort beeing guarded but by some few foot and fifteene horse onely Of all these wagons there were about seuentie taken the rest escaped This vnfortunate incounter made many poore men who went themselues to Gant and Antuerpe to sell their marchandise of the which there were some taken prisoners who besides all their losses were hardly ransomed Such encounters were made dayly on eyther side whereby all traffique both in fayres and markets decayed At that time the Estates had their armie encamped neere vnto the village of Loos in the Chasteleine of Furnes in West-Flanders in a commodious place hauing but three thousand foot and eight hundred horse The male contents thinking to rayse them from thence went and encamped at Pont Rouard called in Dutch Rousbrugghe where they skirmished daily one with another but seeing that they preuailed little and got nothing but blowes they retired from thence with the losse of three hundred men to go and ioine with the prince of Parma before Cambray where they expected the French The Seignior of Iuchy gouernour of Cambray had beene forced but with the consent of the Estates to treat with the duke of Aniou brother to the French king who had sent him certaine French companies led by the Seignior of Balaigni bastard to Iohn of Monluc bishop of Valence On the other side the prince of Parma and the Wallon neighbour prouinces fearing least the French should settle themselues and lodge there sought all meanes possible to dislodge them by faire meanes money secret practises and intelligences with their partisans within the towne the which not succeeding the prince thought to force them by necessitie and famine and therefore built forts and made trenches at all the approches vnto the towne as at Marquion Creuecaeur Vauchelle and other places by means whereof he would besiege them farre off by whole yeares cutting off the victuals and munition which before the French brought vnto them So as in the end beeing annoyed with the said forts and trenches and by the horsemen which scoured the plaines those of the towne grew to want all things but bread and salt especially for as much as would be contained in a womans thymble would cost aboue a penny For whose succours the duke of Aniou according to his promise made all the hast he could to leuie men ouer all Fraunce But before he could effect it he was constrained first to seeke to pacifie the quarrell that was in Fraunce touching the entertaining of the fifth Edict of peace which some of the Spanish faction did kindle all they could to crosse his designe The which being done and the peace proclaymed in Fraunce he assembled his armie about Chasteaudun consisting of goodly troupes both of horse and foot hauing the greatest part of the French nobilitie voluntaries whom he had inuited to doe him this great and notable seruice with the which were the old companies of men at armes vnder the commaund of the lord of Bellegarde all amounting to foure thousand horse and tenne thousand foot the said duke marching with his artillerie in the head of his armie towards Cambray being resolued to giue battaile to the prince of Parma if hee would attend him Among the chiefe of his armie there were the marquesse de Elbeuf the earles of la Val S. Aignan and his sonne Rochpot Montgomery and Vantadour the Viconts of Tureine and la Guerche the Vidame of Amiens the lords of Feruaques la Chastre S. Luc Dieu la Mauvissiere and many others with foure marshals of the campe whereof Feruaques was the chiefe The Queene mother sought by entreaties and all other meanes to call backe her sonne the duke of Aniou from this expedition and to hinder him from relieuing of Cambray but he reiected all entreaties as inhumane hauing promised the Estates not to fayle them in this extremitie which made him to persist in his pretended enterprise Some gaue it out that the Spaniards sought to corrupt him with great gifts that he might desist from his intended enterprise and that many of the French nobilitie through the presents which they had receiued and large promises grew into suspition to haue secret intelligence with the Spaniard King Philip hearing of the duke of Aniou his great preparations supposing that such great troupes beeing like vnto a royall armie could not bee raysed without the kings consent hee complained by his embassadour of his brothers great preparation to aid and protect his rebellious subiects of the Netherlands who were enemies of the true Religion and of the faith of Christ against their naturall prince against the Catholicke faith and against a king which was his kinsman and good f◅iend hauing neuer giuen him any cause of so great a wrong and therefore he could not beleeue that so great forces could be gathered together without the kings aid and consent entreating him therefore that seeing he had receiued no wrong from him he would also forbeare to iniure a king that was his friend and
but to God onely For this cause and for the pitie they had of the poore people the chiefe of the nobility in the country did in the yere 1566 exhibite certaine admonitions by way of a petition beseeching him that for the pacifying of the commons and to auoid all tumults and seditions it would please his Maiesty shewing the loue and affection which as a mild and mercifull prince hee bare vnto his subiects to moderate the said points and especially those which concerned the rigorous Inquisition and the punishments for matters of Religion And to informe the king more particularly thereof and with more authoritie and to let him vnderstand how necessary it was for the good and prosperitie of the countrey and for the maintenance of peace and tranquilitie to abolish and disannull those innouations and to moderat the rigour of publicke Edicts for matter of Religion the said marquesse of Berghes and baron of Montigny at the request of the said lady Regent the counsell of Estate and the generall Estates of all the countries went into Spaine as embassadours whereas the king in steed of giuing them audience and to preuent the inconueniences deliuered by them the which for that they were not remedied in time as vrgent necessitie required began in effect to discouer themselues throughout the whole countrey among the commons by the instinct persuasion and aduice of the counsell of Spaine he hath caused all them to be proclaymed rebels and guiltie of high treason and to haue forfeited bodie and goods that presented the said petition And moreouer thinking himselfe to be fully assured of the countrey by the forces and violence of the duke of Alua and to haue reduced them vnder his full power and subiection he had afterwards against the lawes of nations the which haue beene in all ages inuiolably obserued yea among the most barbarous and cruell nations and most tyrannous princes imprisoned and caused the said noblemen embassadours to be put to death confiscating all their goods And although that all this alteration which had happened in the yeare 1566 vpon the foresaid occasion was in a manner pacified by the Regent her counsell and that the greatest part of them which had presented themselues vnto her for the liberty of the countrey were retired or chased away and the rest brought vnder obedience yet not to loose the oportunity which the counsell of Spaine had long expected as it appeared plainly the same yeare 1566 by letters intercepted which were written by the embassadour Alana to the duchesse of Parma to haue meanes vnder some pretext to ouerthrow all the priuiledges of the countrey and to gouerne them rigorously by the Spaniards as they did the Indi◅ and other countries which had beene newly conquered by them he by the instruction and counsell of the said Spaniards shewing therein the small affection which he bare vnto his subiects of these countries contrary to that whereunto he was bound as their prince protectour and good shepheard sent into these countries the duke of Alua very famous for his rigor and crueltie and one of the chiefe enemies of these countries with a counsell of the same humour and disposition And although that the said duke of Alua entred with his army into this coūtrey without any let or opposition was receiued of the poore inhabitants with all reuerēce and honour expecting all mildnesse and clemencie according vnto that which the king had so often promised by his letters fainedly written yea that he was resolued to come himselfe in person into the countrey and to order all things to euery mans content the said king hauing besides all this at the very instant of the duke of Alua his departure caused a fleet of shippes to bee armed in Spaine to bring him hither and another in Zeeland to goe and meet him as the bruite was to the great charge of the countrey the better to abuse his poore subiects and to draw them more easily into his snares notwithstanding the sayd duke of Alua presently after his arriuall although hee were a stranger and not any way of the bloud royall gaue it out that hee had a commission from the king of chiefe captaine and soone after of gouernour generall of the countrey the which was quite contrarie to the priuiledges and antient customes thereof and discouering his designes plainely he sodainly put garrisons into the chiefe townes and forts of the countrey and then he built citadels in the richest and strongest townes to keepe them in subiection And by commaundement from the king as they said he friendly called vnto him as well by letters as otherwise the chiefe noblemen of the countrey pretending that hee had need of their counsell and assistance for the seruice of the king and the good of the country after the which he caused them to be apprehended who hauing giuen credit to his letters were come vnto him whom contrarie to the priuiledges he caused to be carried prisoners out of Brabant where they had bin apprehended causing their processe to be informed before him and his counsell although they were no competent judges and before any due proofes were made and the noblemen that were accused fully heard in their defences they were condemned to haue committed rebellion causing them to be publikely ignominiously put to death Others who for that they were better acquainted with the Spaniards dissembling were retired and kept out of the countrey were declared rebels and guiltie of high treason and to haue forfeited bodies and goods All which was done to the end the poore inhabitants should not aid themselues in the iust defence of their libertie against the oppression of the Spaniards and their forces by the helpe and assistance of these noblemen and princes besides an infinit number of gentlemen and rich bourgers whereof some he hath put to death others he hath chased away and forfeited their goods oppressing the rest of the good inhabitants as well by the insolencie of the souldiers as by other outrages in their wiues children and goods as also by diuers exactions and taxes forcing them to contribute for the building of new citadels and fortifications of townes which he made to oppresse them and also to pay the hundreth and the twentieth penie for the paiment of souldiers whereof some were brought by him and others newly leuied to imploy them against their countreymen and them who with the hazard of their liues sought to defend the liberties of their countrey To the end that the subiects being thus impouerished there should be no meanes to hinder or frustrat his designes for the better effecting of the instructions which had beene giuen him in Spaine which was to vse the countrey as newly conquered to which end in some places and chiefe townes he changed their forme of gouernment and of iustice and erected new consuls after the Spanish manner directly contrarie to the priuiledges of the country And in the end thinking himselfe free from all feare he
sought to bring in by force a certaine imposition of the tenth penie vpon all merchandise and handiworkes to the absolute ruine of the commons whose good and prosperitie consists chiefly in traffique and handiworkes notwithstanding manie admonitions and persuasions made to the contrarie as well by euerie one of the prouinces in particular as by all in generall The which he had effected by violence if it had not beene that soone after by the meanes of the prince of Orange and a good number of gentlemen and others borne in these countries banished by this duke of Alua following the partie of the said prince and being for the most part in his seruice and other inhabitants affected to the libertie of their countrey the prouinces of Holland and Zeeland had not reuolted and put themselues vnder the princes protection Against which two prouinces the duke hath since during his gouernment and after him the great Commaunder of Castile sent in his place by the king not to moderat any thing of his predecessors tyrannie but to pursue it more couertly and cunningly than he had done forced the prouinces who by their garrisons and citadels were made subiect to the Spanish yoâ—…ke to imploy their persons and meanes to helpe to subdue them yet no wayes easing the said prouinces but intreating them like enemies suffering the Spaniards vnder colour of a mutinie in view of the said Commander to enter by force into the towne of Antuerpe and there to remaine six weeks liuing at discretion at the poor bourgers charge forcing them moreouer to be freed from their insolencies to furnish foure hundred thousand florins to pay the said Spaniards Which done the said souldiers growing more bold through the sufferance of their commanders presumed to take armes against the countrey seeking first to surprise Brussels and in the place of the antient and ordinarie seat of princes to make it a nest and denne of theeues The which not succeeding according to their designe they tooke Alost by force and soone after forced the towne of Maestricht And since beeing violently entred into Antuerpe they spoyled it sacked it and wasted it with fire and sword in such sort as the most barbarous and cruell enemies could not haue done more to the vnspeakable losse not onely of the poore inhabitants but in a manner of all the nations of the world who had their merchandise debts and money there And although the said Spaniards by a decree of the counsell of Estate to whom the king by the death of the great Commaunder had conferred the generall gouernment of the countrey were in the presence of Ieronimo de Rhoda proclaimed enemies to the countrey yet the said Rhoda of his owne priuat authoritie as it is to be presumed by vertue of some secret instruction which hee had from Spaine tooke vpon him to be the head of the said Spaniards and their adherents so as without respect of the counsell of Estate hee vsurped the kings name and authoritie counterfeited his seale and carried himselfe as a gouernour and the kings lieutenant in these countries The which moued the Estates at the same instant to agree with the prince of Orange and the Estates of Holland and Zeeland which accord was allowed by the counsell of State as lawfull gouernours that they might iointly with their common forces make war against the Spaniards Omitting not as good subiects by diuers humble petitions to beseech the king to haue regard vnto the troubles oppressions and inconueniences which had happened and were like to follow and that he would be pleased with all conuenient speed possible to commaund the Spaniards to depart out of the countrey and especially those which had bin the cause of the sacke and ruine of the chiefe townes of his countrey and other innumerable insolencies and violences which his poore subiects had endured to the comfort and ease of them that had endured them and to the example of all others Yet notwithstanding the king although that he made shew by words that what had happened displeased him and was against his will and that he had an intent to punish the heads and authors and to prouide for the quiet of the countrey with all clemencie as it behooued a mercifull prince hath not only neglected to punish the said heads and authors but contrariwise as it appeareth all was with his consent and former resolution of the counsell of Spaine as certaine letters of his intercepted soone after doe plainely shew by the which it was written vnto Rhoda and to the other captaines authors of all the mischiefe That the king not onely did not blame that action but did allow thereof and commend it promising to recompence them especially the said Rhoda as hauing done him a singular seruice The which at his returne into Spaine and to all other ministers of the oppressions that were vsed in these countries he did shew by effect At the same time the king thinking the better to blind the eyes of his subiects sent into these countries for gouernour generall Dom Iohn of Austria his bastard brother as beeing of his bloud who making shew vnto the Estates that he did allow of the pacification of Gant promised to send away the Spaniards to punish the authors of all insolencies and disorders which had happened in the countrey and to take an order for the generall peace and the restoring of their antient liberties sought to diuide the Estates and to subdue one countrey after another By the permission and prouidence of God who is an enemie to all oppression hee was discouered by the intercepting of certaine letters where he was commanded by the king to gouerne himselfe in these countries according to the instructions that should bee giuen him by Rhoda And to couer this practise the king had forbidden Dom Iohn to see or speake one vnto another commanding him to carrie himselfe vnto the chiefe noblemen with all mildnesse and courtesie to win their loues vntill that by their assistance and meanes hee might reduce Holland and Zeeland and afterwards worke his will of the other prouinces Wereupon Dom Iohn notwithstanding that he had solemnly sworne in the presence of all the Estates of the countrey to obserue the said pacification of Gant yet contrarie thereunto he sought by meanes of their colonels whom hee had alreadie at his deuotion and great promises to win the German souldiers who were then in garrison had the guard of the chiefe towns forts of the country whereof by that meanes he made himselfe master holding himself assured of those places they held so by that means to force them that wold not ioyne with him to make war against the prince of Orange and them of Holland and Zeeland and so to raise a more bloudie and intestine warre than had beene before But as all things that are treated cunningly with dissimulation cannot be long kept secret Dom Iohns practises being discouered before he could effect what he had
smoke of the canon which was discharged from the town and ships he was conducted to the towne-house where his lodging was prepared and dinner readie staying there vntill the next day from whence after his repast being then exceeding cold hee wenton foot with all the princes and noblemen to Middleburg which is a good league distant from thence where he was receiued very honorably without the town gate by the deputies of the Estates of the countie of Zeeland the bourgers being ten ensignes were in armes wel appointed both without and within the towne to guard him The next day hee had a very stately banquet made him at the towne-house the which was the most rare and sumptuous considering their small time of preparation that had been made him in all the Netherlands which made him admire the riches and sumptuousnesse of such a towne seated in so small an island besides the goodly presents which the magistrats made vnto him hauing staid vntill the 17 day he departed to go vnto Antuerpe and lodged that night in the fort of Lillo vpon the riuer of Escault FRANCIS DE VALOIS DVKE OF ANiou of Brabant c. Earle of Flanders c. Protector of the Belgicke Libertie FRANCISCVS VALESIVS D G DVX ALENSON ET BRABANT COMES FLANDRIAE PROTECT BELGICAE By royall race I was the sonne of valiant Henrie The second king of France and did behold with wofull eye The massacre that in my youth in Paris once was made Whereat I was in heart sore grieu'd and great compassion had The warres in France once finished I did then vndertake To aid the Netherlands that me their soueraigne prince did make Where peruerse counsell of such men as enui'd my estate Seduced me and made my actions proue vnfortunate For seeking Antuerpe to subdue in their defence They did become my mortall foes and draue me out from thence So deadly hated of them all in France I then retir'd Whereas in Chastean Thirry death my vitall dayes expir'd THE twentie ninth of Februarie the Duke of Aniou to make his ioyfull entrie into the towne of Antuerpe where hee was attended in great deuotion with an incredible preparation all his ships of warre hauing their pauillions and standerds flying with a wonderfull noyse of trumpets drummes and canon shot he sayled along the towne whereas all the kayes were full of men in armes and landed beyond the castle in the suburbe beyond the towne whereas the salt pits be called the Kiel At which place there was a great scaffold made and richly hanged where being mounted there was read vnto him in the vulgar tongue and interpreted into French the priuiledges statutes and ordinances of the duchie of Brabant of the towne of Antuerpe and of the marquisite of the holy empire which belongs to the same towne and the iurisdiction thereof The which he sware and promised to entertaine vpon the holy Euangils in the hands of the seignior Theodore of Lysfeldt chancellor of Brabant As in like sort the chiefe noblemen gentlemen and others there present his vassals by reason of the said duchy and marquisit tooke their othe and did him homage all with great ioy of the people and of all the assistants Then was hee attired by the princes of Orange and Espinoy with the dukes robe of crimson veluet surred with Ermins the prince of Orange saying Let vs make fast this button that the robe may not be pulled away Then was the hat put on his head the prince Daulphin saying to the prince of Orange Brother set it fast on that it fly not off All was performed with great pompe and ceremonies the which continued almost two howers there being all that day aboue twentie thousand men in armes as well within as without the towne All these solemnities of his reception inuestiture othes and homages being ended the pentioner of the towne of Antuerpe called M. Iohn vanden Werke made by commandement of the magistrat a speech vnto the people shewing That the Duke would in like sort take a particular othe for the marquisite of the holy empire and that they should pray vnto God that by such solemne acts redounding to his honour and gloire the countrey might flourish in all happinesse and prosperitie This Oration being ended the Duke tooke the said othe in the hands of the seignior of Stralen Amptman of the towne who in signe of acknowledgement and obedience presented him a golden key the which the duke returned him backe againe and commaunded him to keepe it safely These solemnities being finished the heralds with their coats of armes of Brabant Lembourg and Lothier bare headed began to crie God saue the Duke of Brabant and the trumpets sounding they cast among the people many handfuls of gold siluer On the one side of the coynes was his picture with his name and titles and on the other his deuice drawne from the vertue of the Sunne with these words Foâ—…et discutit that is He doth nourish and chase away This done the Duke going from the scaffold with the princes and noblemen that did accompanie him went to horseback being mounted vpon a goodly Neapolitan courser and so went towards the towne Before him there marched in goodly order first the sergeant maiors the officers of the town house the trumpets of the towne merchant strangers Dutch and Easterlings all in white and well mounted the English in blacke veluet the colonels and captaines of the towne then many gentlemen as well of the Netherlands as French and English after followed the magistrats and chiefe officers of the town as the Amptman Bourgmasters Sherifes Pentioners Secretaries Treasurers Receiuers and other officers beeing followed by the trumpets of the Estates Then marched in order the deputies of the Estates of euery prouince first they of the duchy and nobles of Brabant after whom followed the chauncellor of Brabant and with him cont Lamoral of Egmont as baron of Gaesbeke then his guard of Switsers being followed by many gentlemen of the countrey French and English after whom came the Duke in his ornaments hauing before him first the Markgraue of Antuerpe bare headed carrying his long rod the marke of iustice then the baron of Merode seignior of Petershem who that day supplied the place of marshall of Brabant carrying a naked sword the said nobleman marched in the middest of three of the sworne companies of the towne that is of crossebowes archers and harguebusiers with as goodly armes as could be seene seruing him as a guard then followed his French guard on horsebacke carrying petronels attyred in crimson veluet laid with silke and gold lace the Duke marching in this pompe towards the towne At the port there were six gentlemen carrying a canopie of cloth of gold richly embroidered who attended him vnder the which hee rode alone through the citie vnto his palace At his entrie he found a triumphant chariot of the vnion on the which was set a faire virgine richly adorned representing
their horsemen did not second them fainted and fled to saue their liues of the which there were about two hundred slaine and taken prisoners The second of May there was a generall fast commanded by the duke and the generall Estates throughout all the vnited prouinces to giue God thankes for the prince of Orange his health and that they had obtained a good prince in making choice of the duke who did defend and maintaine them against the Spanish tyrannie The lady Charlotte of Bourbon wife to the prince of Orange hauing first conceiued an exceeding griefe for her husbands hurt and afterwards by his recouerie an incredible ioy being deliuered of child she fell into a continuall burning feauer whereof she dyed the fifth of May leauing vnto the prince six daughters who had all great marriages Shee was buried in our ladies church in Antuerpe with a stately funerall pompe The eight of Iune following there also dyed in the same towne the lady Mary of Lalain wife to Peter of Melun prince of Espinoy Seneschall of Henault c. and was buried in the Quier of the Church of S. Michaels abbey in the same towne without the Romish ceremonies About that time the Seignior of Hautepenne sonne to the earle of Barlamont made a rode with six hundred horse about Antuerpe from whence he carried a great bootie in prisoners cattell and other goods Captaine Alonzo a Spaniard who serued the duke a braue souldier being in garrison in Liere wâ—…â—…forth with his troupe of horse and charged them but he was hurt and taken yet he wâ—… pâ—…ntly rescued and carried backe into Liere where he remained sicke in his bed of this wound vntill that hee was traiterously sold to the prince of Parma by a Scottish captaine as you shall presently see At this time the duke of Aniou his men made another enterprise vpon the towne of Arschot with some troupes of horse and foot but being entred a good way into the towne they were repulsed with the losse of thirtie men All this Summer was spent in enterprises on eyther side but few succeeded yet the garrisons of Dyest and Herental surprised Tillemont in Brabant for the Estates in the which there were three companies for the prince of Parma lodged in a cloyster which they defeated in their retrenchment then they sacked the towne and abandoned it The prince of Parma keeping then his court at Tournay went to Namur to receiue the troupes which the earle of Martinengues and Dom Iohn of Manriques de Lara brought vnto him The duke of Aniou and Brabant about that time made certaine proclamations for his greater assurance and brake quarter with the men of warre commaunding them not to take any enemie to ransome He also brake the licences which are certaine customes and tols imposed vpon all marchandise passing from one countrey to another not suffering that any thing should be transported either by water or land vnto the enemie and generally not to traffique nor to haue any correspondencie with them by exchange or otherwise in what sort soeuer The foureteenth of Iuly the duke being accompanied by the princes of Orange and Espinoy and all their traine departed from Antuerpe to go into Zeeland from whence on the sixteenth day he went to Scluse to make his entry the next day into Bruges The bourgers went forth of the towne well appointed in armes to meet him along the riuer which goeth from Bruges to Dam hauing some number of the sworn companies of crosse-bows harguebusiers and archers in very good equipage appointed for his guard They of the towne of Antuerpe of the same qualitie did attend him thither and then returned home The duke entring into the towne was receiued with great humilitie by the foure members of Flanders and was conducted through the streets with all the honour they could deuise hauing triumphant arches liuely representations made vpon scaffolds artificiall figures painted statues pyramides porches with such like and diuers kinds of flames and artificiall fires flying in the aire whereby they made shew how pleasing and acceptable his comming and entry was vnto them receiuing him for their prince and lord as earle of Flanders The duke being in this towne of Bruges there was a great treason discouered inuented by a Spaniard or a Spaniards sonne called Nicholas Salcedo of one Francisco Baza an Italian of a horseman of Fernando of Gonzagues companie and of one Nicholas Hugot called La Borde a Frenchman who were corrupted and set on by the prince of Parma or his counsell in the name of the king of Spaine to murther the said duke and the prince of Orange both together or apart in what sort soeuer as it appeared by the confession and processe of the said Salcedo and by that which happened to Francisco Baza This Salcedo had beene at the dukes request saued from the gallowes at Rouan being accused of coyning being after that retyred for a time into Spaine he returned into Lorraine where he came into the dukes seruice at the victualling of Cambray and so followed him continually vnto Antuerpe thinking to be there employed and to haue some charge but he was alwayes held in iealousie by the prince of Orange And as the said Salcedo was very familiar with the Seignior Amoral afterwards earle of Egmont whom the prince loued not onely for the good remembrance of his father but for that the Countesse his mother had recommended him and all her other children vnto him at the houre of her death in Antuerpe and also for that the said Seignior Amoral made profession of the Protestants Religion and receiued the Communion these reasons made the prince to aske him once in secret what great acquaintance and familiaritie he had with the said Salcedo Hee answered him That hee had none but for the loue of Alchimie whereupon the prince replyed That hee feared some worse matter aduising him to beware of him and not to conuerse any more with him wishing him withall not to discouer any thing of this aduertisement to Salcedo Yet notwithstanding this young nobleman whether it were of lightnesse or for that it is the nature of man to affect that most which is most forbiddeâ—…â—…im at his first encounter with Salcedo he discouered all vnto him Vpon certaine aduertisements and strong presumptions Salcedo was apprehended Francisco Baza was without the court attending for him and seeing that he came not in the end he asked for him and so was in like manner laid hold on La Borde fearing or discouering something saued himselfe Salcedo and Baza being examined vpon the aduertisements and circumstances which they had to confirme the presumptions of their fact they did confesse and signe it that their designe was to haue murthered or poysoned the duke and prince in what sort soeuer The young lord Amoral was in like sort examined who confessed presently that he had bewrayed vnto Salcedo all that the prince had said vnto him touching the conuersation and familiaritie he
a publike proclamation within the towne That no man should presume to speake of making peace with the king of Spaine nor to receiue any letters from the prince of Parma for that hee had written the like to them of Gant Bruges and other townes so as some townes of Flanders and of Brabant sent their deputies among the which was the abbot of S. Gheertruyde to the prince of Parma to treat of their reconciliation The queene of England hauing newes of this accident sent her embassadors to the Estates requiring them with all speed to reconcile themselues vnto the duke of Aniou for that it was to be feared that if they did not agree the prince of Parma beeing growne weake for want of victuals would fortifie himselfe more than before whereon they should bee verie carefull The same newes being come to Rouan and to Paris and made much greater than it was as if the duke and all the princes and French nobilitie had beene slaine there the Parisians staied all the merchants and goods of Antuerpe who the truth of the matter beeing knowne had great difficultie to recouer their goods againe and not without some losse The king sent the seigniour of Mirambeau to excuse his brothers fault and soone after monsieur de Bellieure a counsellor of state with letters to them of Antuerpe by the which hee excused as much as hee could his brothers errour laying the blame vpon his youth his bad counsell and the mutinie of his souldiers promising them that in reconciling themselues vnto him hee would giue them all fauour and assistance The duke himselfe did write afterwards vnto the Estates colouring somewhat his enterprise and promising them all seruice both of his person and meanes desiring to enter into some friendly conference with them and to satisfie them that were distasted But the common people seemed at the first so much altered as no excuses could preuaile refusing to acknowledge him any more for the protector of their libertie and much lesse their prince but they tearmed him an enemie to the publike good of the countrey so great was their spleene in the beginning after the deed was done against his Highnesse yet it had beene much better they had beene sooner reconciled together vpon some good conditions seeing that beeing thus discouered they should euer after haue lesse feare of him than before and it was to bee hoped his future actions would bee such as they should deface that first blemish For the Spaniard who slept not beeing watchfull to imbrace all occasions seeing the countrey destitute of a head of succours and of support might easily haue ouerthrowne all their designes to his great aduantage and the hazard of their fortunes All this beeing well knowne vnto the prince of Orange one day in the assemblie of the great Counsell which they call Breeden Raed in the towne of Antuerpe beeing required to speake his mind touching the reconciliation with the duke of Aniou hee deliuered his opinion at large the which was presented also in writing vnto the generall Estates of the countries of the Netherlands where after that hee had excused himselfe hee sayd That the Estates should remember what hee had propounded vnto them when as by the losses of Tournay and Maestricht they were in a dangerous estate the Spaniard going on still and prospering and that it was then needfull to seeke ayd and succours from some great prince to preserue and maintaine them Intreating them that they would reuiew the acts and all that had passed betwixt them and him when there was question to chuse the Duke of Aniou In doing so for that it seemed they would blame him for this election they should see to whom the fault was to bee imputed seeing that hee had alwayes protested That if the Estates could find any other better expedient that hee would follow it vnto the death That they themselues could witnesse that at that instant they had no other helpe but to call in the said Duke of Aniou as it was resolued by themselues Wherefore it were verie vniust although the mischiefe which hath happened had beene greater to blame him alone for this election and to lay the fault vpon him for that which is past He would not deny for that the duke had done and attempted against his othe according to the treatie of Burdeaux but that he was fallen from the right of this euocation the seigniory of these countries whereof hee had receiued the inuestiture although that hee confessed That his aduice was to call him to their succours But if they would iudge thereof without passion they must also confesse what benefit they haue receiued in three yeares that by his meanes they had made head against the enemie who at that time had two mightie armies the which by the grace of God and the dukes assistance were made vnprofitable the one before Cambray the other much greater the last Summer Moreouer that with his succours you had raysed the enemies siege from before Lochum on which towne depends the countrey of Gueldres and the countie of Zutphen and Ouerissell That no man could denie the succours which hee had giuen to the reformed churches in Fraunce hauing beene the meanes to procure them libertie of religion Holding it most certaine that by the name and armes of the duke of Aniou the name and forces of Spaine were obscured But in this present action there were three points whereon they must resolue The reconciliation with the Spaniard for one or with the duke for another and the third is to maintaine and defend themselues alone with their owne proper meanes Hee said That for the Spaniard there was no likelyhood to effect it although the name and armes should cease for if they thinke to reconcile themselues with him vnder the name of the male-contents as la Motte writes and that to that end the marquesse of Roubay and the lords of Montigny and Rassinghem are met whereunto it seemes some yeeld an eare hee conceiues as much as may bee in this matter of estate that those men will not doe any thing without the will of the prince of Parma whereof they may be sufficiently persuaded by the treatie of Cologne in the yere 1579 made betwixt some priuat men among the male-contents and the said prince of Parma the which was no sooner past but they sent them greater numbers of Spaniards and Italians than euer before Besides the treatie which now they may make with the male-contents would minister matter to the duke of Aniou to reproach the Estates withall that whilest hee offers to reconcile himselfe with them they treat with his enemies the which should helpe to iustifie him with the French king his brother the queene of England and other princes and potentats and make their cause odious And that to reconcile themselues with the Spaniards and male-contents were all one deed The question is Whether the Wallons the Spaniard beeing retired would be more tollerable
ware was about tenne of the clocke at night at one instant set on fire at the foure corners beeing past helpe and past any mans knowledge how it came some imputing the fault to one thing and some vnto another but the French were not freed from blame nor the prisoners without great feare some saying that they had caused it to bee done to be reuenged others spake otherwise and all diuersly but howsoeuer it came the losse was very great for the poore marchants This great fire made the bourgers of the towne to doubt some treason wherefore they continued all night in armes and vpon their guards with the chaynes of the streets drawne In March one Cornellis of Hooghe was beheaded and quartered at the Haghe in Holland tearming himselfe to bee bastard sonne to the emperour Charles the fifth hee was conuicted to haue treated with the king of Spaine promising vpon hope to be aduowed for his naturall brother and so entertained to make the vnited Prouinces reuolt and that he had drawne many to be at his deuotion who when time serued should take armes to make some new broyles in Holland But he was discouered by his owne follower conuicted of his designes and punished according to his merits not for that he qualified himselfe the emperours bastard whereof some doubted by reason of his resemblance but for his apparent practises In the same moneth there was taken in Antuerpe and discouered vpon small grounds a certaine Spaniard called Pedro Dordâ—…igno who confessed that he was expressely come out of Spaine to kill the prince of Orange and that he had treated with the king himselfe although afterwards he would haue excused it saying it was but with his Secretarie Hee confessed that passing by Grauelingue he had conference with la Motte gouernour of that place He did counterfeit himselfe to be a high Germane saying that hee was of Croatia he was expert in the knowledge of many tongues hauing also beene at the sacke of Antuerpe he was redde hayred nothing like a Spaniard there was neuer any man of so saint a courage after his sentence for so great an attempt According vnto his confession he was afterwards strangled and then quartered thanking the Iustice for so mild a death The seuenth of Aprill there arriued in Zeeland the lady Louyse of Coligni daughter to Gaspar of Coligni lord of Chastillon admirall of Fraunce who was murthered at the massacre of Paris in the yeare 1572 and widdow to the lord of Teligni brother to the ladie of la Noue who was also murthered at the same massacre which lady Louyse the prince of Orange married for his fourth wife the twelfth day following in the chappell of the castle of Antuerpe of whom vpon the six and twentieth of Februarie in the yeare following 1584 he had a sonne called Henry Frederic a prince well bred and of a great hope The thirteenth of the same moneth Hans Hanssz a rich marchant of Flessingue was beheaded who for meere hatred he bare vnto the prince of Orange sought to kill him and all those that should be with him setting fire to certaine barrels of gunne-powder in a cellar ioyning to the house where the prince should lodge and thereof hee had treated with the Spanish embassador being in the French kings court He was discouered by another marchant called Anthony Auquema a Frison whom he trusted thinking to haue him his confederat in so execrable an act but God would not suffer it The towne of Eindouen was at this time besieged by Cont Charles of Mansfeldt in the which the lord of Boniuet sonne to the lord of Creuecuaer a Frenchman commaunded with eight hundred souldiers but by reason of the difficulties that were betwixt the duke of Aniou and the Estates although they hoped that the marshall of Biron should goe and relieue him the lord of Boniuet not able to hold it any longer yeelded it vpon condition to depart with their armes and baggage and their colours flying whither they pleased the sayd lord excusing it vpon the want of powder hauing first capitulated That if within eight dayes he were not relieued to yeeld the towne as he did vpon the nineteenth of Aprill seeing no succours come into the towne as he expected for during all the siege the Estates armie vnder the commaund of the marshall of Biron was about Antuerpe with great preparation to goe and relieue it but for want of money the succours could not be readie in time wherein they of Antuerpe were somewhat restie remembring how much money they had voluntarily furnished for the reliefe of Maestricht in the yeare 1579 so as nothing was done at all and the towne was lost for want of a speedie resolution After the losse of Eindouen the marshall lying with his armie before the fort of Versele in the quarter of Liere in Brabant after that he had battered it a little it was yeelded by composition the three and twentieth of the same moneth captaine Wensel who commanded there and his chiefe officers remayning prisoners and the rest of the souldiers departing with their rapiers and daggers At this paltrie siege the Seignior of la Garde a French colonel master of the dukes artillerie was hurt by one of his owne pieces which brake wherof he dyed hauing done great seruices to the prince of Orange and the Estates of Holland and Zeeland in their first warres during the time of the duke of Alua and other gouernors hauing continued there vntill his death His body was carried to Antuerpe and interred in S. Georges church with an honourable militarie pompe He had been one of the most valiant wise modest and most expert captaines in all the vnited prouinces a man of great counsell learned and well red in the lawes and politicke gouernment Hee behaued himselfe worthily at the victualling of Leyden and therefore was much lamented of the prince and Estates After the taking of this paltrie castle the marshall went to besiege the strong castle of Woude a league from Berghen vpon Soom from whence the marquesse of Berghen lord of that place of the house of Gaesbeke was dislodged some few daies before There was in it sixe score souldiers Italians and an hundred and fiftie pesants Hauing spent some fifteene hundred canon shot although there were no sufficient breach made an amazement seized on the besieged so as they yeelded it by composition vnto the enemie the souldier departing with their rapiers and daggers onely the ninth of May and all the pesants retayned prisoners and put to ransome The Italian captaine who had commanded therein at his returne to Breda lost his head for his reward by the prince of Parma his commaundement At that time they of the priuie counsell of the vnited Prouinces whome the duke of Aniou and Brabant had established comming to Antuerpe were declared to be suspended of their offices by an act made by the generall Estates the which was signified vnto them by an vsher
of Lyefkenshoek went to assayle one of the Spaniards forts neere vnto it in the which there commaunded one captaine Wiiflenen who defended it valiantly and repulsed the earles men whereof some were slaine vpon the place and the earle himselfe had two horses killed vnder him the which made him retyre At his departure he cryed out vnto them of the fort that they should tell the earle of Arembergh That of late he had borrowed two of his horses the which hee had brought backe and he should find them before the fort Three dayes after the sayd earle of Hohenlo did againe attempt this fort but hee preuayled no more than he did at the first for hee had one of his captaines hurt and sixteene of his men taken prisoners This Summer in Iune Iohn William prince of Iuilliers Cleue and Bergh his father duke William being yet liuing married with the lady Iaqueline daughter to the marquesse of Baden and the solemnities of this marriage were celebrated with great pompe in the towne of Dusseldorp in the countrey of Bergh It was an vnfortunate marriage for this young prince not onely for that she was giuen vnto lasciuiousnesse and loosenesse of life whereof she was publickely conuicted being also barren but for that shee had drawne the Spaniards and other of the king of Spaine his souldiers into those Duchies who haue not onely ruined them but haue beene the cause that the Estates souldiers haue beene often there to dislodge them all redounding vnto the desolation of those neutrall countries This good ladie dyed afterwards in prison being committed thither for her adulteries Shee had so filled her husband with diseases as his sences were much weakened thereby God doth sometimes send such instruments when hee will punish a prince or his people There was another proiect to breake the bridge before Antuerpe made by one of Berghen vpon Zoome the which the generall Estates being then at Middlebourg did like so well of as within eight dayes he came before Lillo with his inuention beeing of fiue great shippes of fourescore foot long apiece tyed from both sides one vnto another with seuen cables wreathed all in one and with certaine long beames fastened from one shippe vnto another vnder the lower decke which holes were well stopped so as the water could by no meanes enter and aboue the sayd decke vnder the hatches there were many emptie barrels well stopped which could not bee carried away by the water although the shippes had beene full of water vp to the hatches aboue the which and vpon the barrels there was great store of straw wood faggots ropes tarred pipes full of pitch tarre and rosine and other stuffe fit to entertaine a long fire which might not bee quenched nor the shippes seperated one from another as the Spaniards had done to the flat bottommed boats of Antuerpe for that the cables and other bonds which kept them firme together were deepe in the water for in the bottome of the said shippes there were many holes stopped with leather and when as they would sinke the shippes vp to the first decke and barrels they might easily doe it in piercing the leather with a halfe pike whereby the water might enter by little and little into the shippes vnto the hatches and barrels and no further so as after they which did guide them had made those vents and passages through the leather and set fire on those things which were subiect to burne lying vpon the hatches they had leisure enough to make shift to saue themselues in their long boats In the meane time these shippes thus sunke but not on ground had gone on burning vnto the Stocadoes which they must needes haue burnt and consumed This designe was easie to be executed and without any danger beeing all readie yet nothing followed and they did not make any vse of it although that the inuentor did offer that in giuing him fiue or sixe men hee would put it in execution but it seemed that God would not suffer it and that hee himselfe would worke his will vpon the towne of Antuerpe The earle of Moeurs Colonel Schencke and the Seignior of Villers gouernour of Vtrecht were with the Estates armie about Amerongen betwixt Vtrecht and Rhenen whither Verdugo gouernour of Friseland for the king sent Iohn Baptista Taxis his Lieutenant the three and twentieth daie of Iune with certaine troopes of horse and foote the which he laid in ambush in a wood neere vnto Amerongen The earle of Moeurs men hearing that the Spaniards had beene seene in those parts of the countrie and that they came neere vnto them went forth to charge them the Spaniards to drawe them on made a shewe of flying and skirmished faintly vntill that the protestants were come into the ambush then they discouered themselues and charged them behinde and those which seemed to flie turned head vpon their enemies and fought valiantly for a long time till in the end the protestants being compassed in round about and charged of all sides were put to rout all their foot-men were in a manner cut in peeces and foure cornets of horse defeated The earle of Moeurs saued himselfe in Amersfort and Colonel Schencke in Vtrecht but the marshall Villers beeing sore wounded was taken prisoner with some captaines and diuers souldiers They thought to haue put Villers to death for that long before in the deliuering ouer of the towne of Bouchan he had dealt hardly with them yet in the end hee was set free for a great ransome and in exchange of other prisoners This ouerthrowe giuen by Taxis after a long and doubtfull fight was much furthered by the two sonnes of the earle of Berghes who at that very instant came with a troope of fresh horse to helpe them these two young earles of Berghes are the prince of Oranges sisters sonnes and brought vp by him but for that the Estates had their father in suspition they left them and serued vnder the king of Spaine The earle of Moeurs and Schencke hauing gathered the scattered troopes againe together built certaine skonces betwixt Vianen Vtrecht and other places and Schencke not long after recouered some part of his losse from the enemie by the ouerthrowe of two cornets of horse and after that he had an enterprise against Groningue but beeing discouered hee was forced to retire The prince of Parma the more to presse them of Antuerpe sent some troopes from the campe to seize vpon one of their suburbs called Bourgerhout which they wonne easily the place beeing abandoned by the garrison which fledde There was in the suburbe a great fort which the Spaniards tooke by assault chasing the souldiers that were in it euen vnto the ports of Antuerpe There was also another fort ioyning vnto it called Sterckenhof in the which there were some thirtie souldiers Wallons with their captaine who had the rest of his companie at Cantercrois he refused to yeeld vntill that he had seene and heard the artillerie
or els to make a treatie for protection and defence or for aide and assistance by some English forces the Hollanders for their parts were resolued and content to deliuer ouer some of their townes vnto the Queene for her securitie Their deputies procuration and authoritie was made from the nobilitie gentlemen and townes as Dort Harlem Delft Leyden Amsterdam Gant Rotterdam Gorcum Schiedam Briel Alcmar Hoorn Enckhuysen Schoonhouen Eedam Monickedam Medenblick Woerden Oudewater Heusden Gertruydenberghe Weesp Naerden Muyden and Purmerend answering for the rest of the small townes lordships and villages of Holland and West-Friseland in generall These embassadours beeing arriued in England they were well and courteously receiued and while they abode there honourably feasted and entertained at the Queenes charges and vpon the ninth of Iune were admitted to her Maiesties presence beeing then at Greenwich where with all honourable and submissiue dutie in humble wise they presented their request by word of mouth deliuered by Ioos de Menin the effect whereof was as here followeth That the Estates of the vnited Netherland prouinces greatly thanked her Maiestie for the honourable and many fauours which it had pleased her to shewe and vouchsafe vnto them in their necessities hauing not long since renewed and confirmed her princely clemencie when after the cruell murther of the prince of Orange it pleased her Maiestie by her Embassadour M. Dauison to signifie vnto them the great care shee had for their defence and preseruation and after that againe by the lord of Grise by whom shee let them vnderstand how much shee was discontented to see them frustrated of their expectations reposed vpon the hope they had in the treatie of France and that neuerthelesse the care shee had for their prosperitie and welfares was not in any thing diminished but rather increased in that shee saw greater reason to mooue her thereunto for the which the whole Netherlands in generall and euery of them in particular should rest bound vnto her Maiestie for euer to deserue and requite the same with all fidelitie and submission And therefore the Estates aforesaid obseruing that since the death of the prince of Orange they had lost many of their forts and good townes and that for the vpholding and defending of the said vnited Netherlands they had great need of a soueraigne prince and chiefe commander to gouerne the same who by his power and authoritie might protect and preserue them from the insolencies and oppressions of the Spaniards and their adherents who sought daiely more and more all the means they could with their vnreasonable arms other sinister means to spoile and vtterly roote vp the foundation of the aforesaid Netherlands and thereby to bring the poore afflicted people of the same into perpetuall bondage worse than the Indian slauerie vnder the vnsupportable and accursed inquisition of Spaine Finding likewise that the inhabitants of the said Netherlands were persuaded and had an assured confidence that her Maiestie out of her princely minde would not suffer nor endure to see them vtterly ouerthrowne as their enemies expected and desired by molesting them with such long and tedious warres the which the Estates according to their duties and in respect of their places in the behalfe of their fellowes and brethren were forced to withstand and as much as in them lay oppose themselues against the manifest slauerie which they thought to impose vpon the poore common people and by their best indeauours to defend and maintaine their auncient freedomes lawes and priuiledges with the exercise of the true christian religion whereof her Maiestie truely and by good right bare the title of defendresse against the which the enemie and all their adherents had made so many leagues attempted so many fearefull and deceitfull enterprises and treasons and yet cease not daiely to seeke inuent practise and deuise the destruction of her Maiesties royall person together with her estate and kingdomes which the almightie God vnder the protection of his euerlasting goodnesse hitherto had preserued and kept from all dangers for the good and vpholding of the church of Christ here vpon earth For these reasons and many other right good considerations the Estates aforesaid with one full and free consent had altogether determined and fully resolued to flie vnto her Maiestie in regard it is an vsuall thing for all oppressed and distressed people and nations in their great need and necessitie to seeke iust aide and assistance against their enemies from the kings and princes their neighbours and especially from those that were indued with courage feare of God vprightnesse of heart and other princely ornaments and to that end the Estates aforesaid had sent them and giuen them charge to desire and beseech her Maiestie to accept of the soueraigntie and lawfull gouernment of the said vnited prouinces vpon good and reasonable conditions especially tending to the vpholding maintaining and furtherance of Gods true religion and the auncient priuiledges and freedomes to them due and belonging together with the gouernment and managing of the warres policie and iustice of the said vnited prouinces of the Netherlands And although the said Netherlands had indured diuers wrongs and that many of their townes and forts had beene wonne from them by the enemie during those warres neuerthelesse in Brabant Guelderland Flaunders Macklyn and Ouerissel there were yet many good townes and places that held against the enemie and the prouinces of Holland Zeeland Vtrecht and Friseland were by Gods grace and wonderfull prouidence still kept and preserued in their whole and entire possessions wherein they had many great and strong townes and places faire riuers deepes and hauens whereby her Maiestie and her successors might haue good commodities seruices and profits whereof it were needlesse to make any longer discourse and one in speciall that by the vniting the countries of Holland Zeeland Friseland and the townes of Oostend and Scluse vnto her Maiesties kingdomes and dominions shee might haue the absolute commaund gouernment power and authoritie ouer the great ocean and consequently shee might haue a perpetuall assured and happie traffique for the subiects and inhabitants of her Maiesties kingdomes and dominions Most humbly and submissiuely beseeching her royall Maiestie to vouchsafe of her royall fauour and princely bountie to agree and consent to the foresaid points of their request and so to accept for her and her lawfull heires or successors in the crowne of England defendors of the true Christian religion the soueraigne principalitie and chiefe gouernment of the said Netherlands and in regard thereof to receiue the inhabitants of the same countries as her Maiesties most humble and obedient subiects into her perpetuall safegard and protection a people as true faithfull and louing to their princes and commaunders without vaine boasting bee it spoken as any other in christendome And so doing shee should preserue and protect many faire churches which it had pleased almightie God in those latter daies to gather together in seuerall countries
of his owne free-will without hope of reward or recompence as wee know so many Noblemen and Gentlemen haue done yea of the best houses of England which haue accompanied his Excelencie Ingratitude is a vice hatefull to GOD and Men the which GOD doth some-times seuerely punnish for that it violates the bonds of humaine societie It is sayd in an ancient Latin Prouerbe Ingratam qui dixit omnia dixit As if all wickednesse were comprehended vnder this name and vice of ingratitude How much her Maiestie his Excelencie and the whole nation haue bound this people vnto them euery one sees and all Christian Princes know it and admire it and posteritie will iudge better of it Wee cannot expresse the miseries and want which so many poore English souldiars haue suffred which haue come into these partes It wil be prooued by some Commissaries of musters honest men and of credit that the souldiars of the fort before Zutphen were in December last during the great frost sixe daies togither without any other beuerage then yce water to drinke and yet the fort was not besieged nor in daunger to be lost but onelie through their default who had charge to supplie this place and others befides the other discomodities of hunger and cold which the sayd soldiars haue suffred there and do yet suffer els-where which breed either death or diseases Besides is there any one so ingrate or malicious that will say the English are not good souldiars for that they cannot endure all these discommodities as if in all ages and of late yeares in many exploites in these partes they had not giuen good proofes of their valour courage and aptnesse to armes euen amazing many of this countrie when they haue seene them goe to assaultes and combates with such a corrage and resolution as if they had had no feare nor apprehension of death But admit they had not aduentured their liues and persons as they haue done yet their great expences and the discommodities which they haue suffred here besides the absence from their Wiues Children Kinsmen and Friends and losse which many of them haue sustained thereby and all without any hope of recompence or reward desires that they should bee spared in their honours and reputations yea although they had descouered some errors and imperfections the which haue hetherto beene so small as few men haue cause to reproch the English for the rauishing of their wiues and children or any outrage done vnto their persones or the taking away of their goods or that they haue beene quarelors riotors or drunkards Wherefore I hope that no good man in these partes will giue eare to these wicked spirites which disperse these scandalous brutes some to reduce the people to the necessitie of an accord with the King of Spaine and others for that they would not loose the credit commandement and authoritie which they haue in these Prouinces nor see any other Nation heere that doth exceed them in valour and prowesse and finally for the feare which they haue that his Excelencies comming will obscure their starres and disperse the cloudes and darkenesse vnder the which so manie confusions factions and secret practises are couered and hatcht tending to the ouerthrowe of all order authoritie and lawfull gouernment And I hope also that the wise and best aduised will consider that there is at this daie but one onelie meanes to preserue this Noble Estate the which is England and that it is to great an absurditie to seeke their fauour whome wee speake ill of and detract and a great discretion to commit the gard of that to an other which they cannot keepe them-selues especially to a Princesse who is free from all suspition to haue euer affected it to a Princesse which hath so manie waies shewed how much shee loues the good and libertie of these Prouinces to a Princesse whose crowne hath beene alwaies allied by many contracts to this countrie and to the house of Bourgongne to a Princesse who is at this daie the onelie mother and nurce of all the churches of Christendome and protection of all the afflicted to a Princesse who for that shee hath fauored the defence of this countrie against the oppression of Spaine hath incurred and doth daily a thousand hazards of her life and States by the practises of the enemies of Religion and of this Estate To conclude the resolution of this people to defend their liberty is much to be commended and admired who haue so vertuously for many yeares sustained the indignation of a King of Spaine and resisted the oppression which should fall vpon their heads if they bee subdued by the Spanish Nation hauing to that end not onely exposed their liues but contributed yearely aboue a moitie or two third partes of their goods and reuenues But if this money hath not beene well imploied his Excelencie is not to bee blamed but such as haue had the managing thereof Herevpon Sir I haue heard some discourse that they which haue the managing of the money and of all authoritie in this Estate are for the most part Marchants Orators of townes mechanike men ignorant louing gaine naturally without respect of honour and who conuert the peoples money to their owne priuate and for that they are men of that condition borne to obey rather then to commande who hauing once tasted the sweetnesse of authoritie for that they haue not had for some yeares any soueraigne Prince they haue by little and little perswaded themselues that they were soueraignes and vnder this name of the Estates they haue in a manner made themselues maisters of the Estate insulting ouer the people and controuling him to whome they had by oth referred the absolute and generall gouernment I thinke this happens for that such men are continued to many yeares in their charges being once entred and anchored there they will command like Princes and doe all things at their pleasures I knowe well the assemblie of the Estates hath beene in all Estates an inuention to bridle Kings and Princes but they were neuer called but vpon great and extraordinarie necessitie neither were the same persons alwaies imploied and sent but as it were requisite in this Estate they deputed some from time to time who representing the people respectiuely in the three Estates came to such assemblies and their commission powre and authoritie ended with the assemblie as it is obserued in other places If this custome which is good and commendable cannot bee reduced to the first institution yet in my opinion they should change such men euery yeare or euerie sixe monethes least they should settle an opinion that they are maisters and soueraignes seeing that the Soueraignty belongs really vnto the people to whome they are but seruants and deputies I say in this Estate where there is no Prince acknowledged nor lawfully advowed If then there bee lesse daunger to bee commanded and if it so fall out to bee tyrannized by one then by manie and
this declaration with a hope of Gods blessing and of good successe in their wars Besides the former declaration the same day being the 6. of October they deliuered vnto the Councel of Estate being vnder his Excelency a certaine writing in the name of the nobility gentry and townes of Holland and Westfrisland conteyning the order which from time to time had alwaies beene obserued in those countries for the maintenance of their preuiledges freedomes lawes and commendable customes the which for that is worth the noting I haue thought good to insert as it was written The Nobility Gentry and townes of Holland and Westfrisland representing the Estates of the said Prouinces haue vpon mature deliberatiō according to their othes duties thought it fit and necessary by this their declaration to set downe the true and lawful Estate of the countries of Holland and Westfrisland hoping that euery man that shal read the same wil censure it as fauorably as the troblesome Estate thereof requireth It is euidently knowne that the Prouinces of Holland Westfrisland Zeeland for the space of 800. years hetherto haue bin gouerned by Earles and Countesses to whom by the nobility gentry and townes representing the Estates of these countries the inheritance soueraignty therof was lawfully giuen who behaued themselues with such moderation and discretion in their gouernments as they neuer vndertooke any war or to make a peace to raise any contributions or taxes or to doe any thing concerning the Estate of the countrie although they were alwaies well prouided and furnished of wise Councell consisting of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of the country without the aduise and consent of the gentlemen and townes wherevnto they were by writing orderly summoned and called and besides their owne assemblies they haue alwaies and in all causes giuen the sayd gentlemen and townes a fauorable audience credit and good resolution vpon all things whatsoeuer they had to propound vnto them concerning the Estate of the countries The which being as lawfull a kinde of gouernment as euer any was or hath beene knowne did produce fruites which tended especially to the honor and reputation of the sayd Earles togither with the wellfare of the countrie and the Inhabitants thereof As first of all that the Earles of Holland Zeeland and Friseland within the compasse of so small a Gouernment haue bene in great honor respect and estimation with all the Princes and Potentates of Christendome as appeereth by the great and mighty alliances they had by marriages with most of the greatest Princes in Europe and that in the yeare 1247. William the second of that name Earle of Holland c. was chosen King of Romaines that they haue alwaies beene victorious and valiantly defended the frontiers of their countries against their enemies how mightie soeuer they were whereby they were of no small esteeme withall their neighbors and wee may truely speake it that the countries of Holland and Zeeland for the space of eight hundred yeares were neuer conquered by force nor brought vnder by forreine nor yet by ciuill enemies The onelie reason that may bee giuen of this is that they alwaies held and maintained a good and perfect forme of vnitie loue and correspondencie betweene the Prince and the Estates of the country for that the Princes who of themselues had no powre without the Nobility and townes could not doe any thing hauing commonly no more meanes then the reuenues of their demaines for the defraying of their houshold and paying of the ordinarie officers It is also well knowne what authority the country had to bring their Princes beeing misled by bad counsell to the hurt of the country to reason and conformity not onely by petitions and declarations but also by seuerely punishing of all such as had in any sort abased or disorderly gouerned their Princes affaires and authoritie whereof many examples are yet extant to be seene It is also manifest that the charge and office of the Estates was to bee carefull to prouidetutors gouernors and gardians for their Princes in their nonage as the like was done for Earle William the fift of that name beeing distracted of his wits Lastly it is out of all doubt that the administration of the soueraigntie of these Prouinces was at all times executed by the Estates and when as by disorder minority frensie or any other accident the countries were destitute of good gouernment by their Princes they haue often-times chosen a gouernor to guide and direct them commonly called a Protector the which was also obserued in the time of the gouernment of the house of Bourgondy as after the death of Duke Charles and the Dutchesse Mary his daughter at which time Maximilian seeking by force to innouate and alter many things contrarie to the authoritie of the Estates hee brought the whole state of the countrie into great extremitie and danger and the Emperor Charles the fift himselfe during his minority was by the authority of the States prouided of Tutors and the country of fit and conuenient gouernors who alwaies respected although in many things the liberty of the country during the gouernment of the house of Bourgondy was much diminished the Estates of the countrie alwaies foreseeing that his owne Estate could not bee setled by any other meanes seeking to bring his sonne the King of Spaine to the like opinion and consideration telling him plainely that his Estate would be in danger whensoeuer he began to discountenance the Estates of the country as he now findeth both to his and to the countries hindrance and decay for no man can impute the beginning of these warres to any other cause whatsoeuer the world may say but that he sought by armes to compell these Prouinces to that which the States being assembled in regard of their preuiledges held inconuenient especially in matters which concerned the Estate of the country All which although wee hold it questionlesse wee haue thought good to set downe for that many are herein much mistaken perswading themselues that the assembly of the Estates representeth no other thing then as they in their imaginations will conceiue therof and as the qualities of the persons appeering in the sayd assemblies in outward shew doe merit and deserue and of the causes and serious matters therein by them handled and censured As if those persons deputed by the Nobles and Townes of the said Prouinces did hold and accoumpt them-selues to bee the Estates and thereby to haue the Soueraignty of the Country in their hands and that they may after their owne santasies dispose of all causes and matters belonging to the gouernment of the State vsurping vnto them-selues the whole disposition thereof at their pleasures but those that haue a nearer in-sight into these and other greater matters which haue beene brought to passe by the Prince with the ayd and assisstance of the Estates and especially those thinges which haue beene done within these fifteene yeares in these countries
and of Iustice according to the commission and Act of declaration of the same gouernment Dated the first of February 1586. And for that the present Estate of this Kingdome requyring it wee were commanded to returne home into England for her Maiesties seruice And for that by reason of our absence wee cannot execute the authoritie as we should and as it is necessary to bee done for the good and prosperitie of the country Therefore wee giue you to vnder-stand that our desire is for the cause aforesaid to bee discharged and vnburthened of our said gouernment and place of Captaine generall of the said vnited Prouinces as also of the commission and charge giuen vs to that end and that by this Act signed and sealed with our hand wee haue resigned left hereby doe resigne and leaue the same In such sort that wee will from henceforth wholy leaue of and refuse to haue any dealing in the same commission giuen vnto vs by the aforesad Estates in what manner soeuer it were leauing it vnto them to proceed therein by aduice from her Maiestie as they shall find it necessary and conuenient for the good well-fare of those countries Giuen at London vnder our hand and seale the 17. of December 1587. Subcribed Leicester This Act was presented to the Estates by Sir Henry Killegrey vpon the first of Aprill 1588. being Agent there for her Maiestie With excuse that it came no sooner to his hands Which Resignation the Estates caused to bee generally proclaimed throughout all the Prouinces to the end that euery man might know hee was discharged of his oth to the Earle of Leicester remayning onely bound to the vnited Prouinces States and Townes c. So as after that no man would acknowledge any gouernment of that of the Estates and the soldiars no other Captaine generall then Prince Maurice and the Earle of Hohenloo his Lieutenant The twentith of December Collonell Schenck being at Rhynberghe hauing gathered out of the neighbour garrisons some foure hundred foote three hundred horse hee marcht neere vnto the towne of Zulpich in the Diocesse of Collogne vppon the frontiers of Iuilliers where hee lay quiet for three daies doing wrong to no man vntill that his troopes were fortified No man could iudge what his disseigne was many thinking it was but to spoile the Territories of Collogne against the which hee had a great spleene But on the two and twentith day being risen with his troopes he made a shew to march towards the quarter of Eyssell the brute whereof came presently to Bonne being foure leagues from Collogne But turning head hee past at noone day through a wood at the Village of Rhybourg and so marching on hee aduanced to the mid-way betwixt Bonne and Brulle Where hee made a stand in a little groue vntill that night approached Then taking the lower way by Buhell and Bourchem from whence they of the Castell shotte at his men passing close by their ditch the which they might heare easily at Bonne and to the end they of the towne should haue no adaduertisment he sent certaine horsemen before who staid all those they met Approching neere the towne about eight of the clocke at night he rested a while to feed his men and horses in the vilages of Transdorp and Endich Then comming neere vnto the towne with his ladders although hee vsed them not hauing past by Popeldorf wheras the Archbishops of Cologne haue a pallace he placed his footemen along the riuer of Rhine were not discouered nether by the keeper of Popeldorf nor by the gard of the towne for that the season was darke and rainy And to take away the noise of his men which were vnder the towne there was one of his soldiars gotten into a hogs coate beating the swine continually to make them cry And in this sort the collonell stayd vntill three of the clocke after midnight during the which he caused a great Petard to be made fast to a posterne gate towards the key of the riuer of Rhine close by the towle house the which was seldome opened where he lay still obseruing the rounds of the towne as they past by the light of a Lanterne and seeing no more to passe growing neere fower of the clocke imagining that night workes to be past and that the officers were gone to their rest he commanded them to set fier to the Petard the which gaue so great a blow as not onely the Port but a part of the wall was ouerthrowne by the which the soldiars entred in a throng vnto the second port the which was not so strong as the first which they beat downe sodenly with hatchets and pikeaxes Being entred into the towne some of his men ran vnto the rampars and the Boulwarks and others vnto the Market place the which they seazed on without any resistance there be ing neither captaine nor commander to put the soldiars and Bourgers in order for their defence or that did any thing except one Canonier who made a shot with the which he slue Hans Wichman and soone after the said canonier was ouerthrowne with a small shotte This being done they beat downe Stockem port by the which the Ritmaister Gerard van Balen entred with his cornet the other horsemen being alredy entred by the posterne The collonel who was entred at the first with the foot-men went then to horsebacke and ranne throughout all the quarters of the towne placing his sentinels and corps de gard forbidding vpon paine of death to spoyle vntill they were well assured The Bourgers hearing this great noyse and terror of the petard the trompets sounding and the drommes beating an alarum with the soldiers cryes kept them-selues close in their houses for wheresoeuer the soldiars discouered any light they shot through the doores and windoes Schencke placed his horse-men in the Bishops Pallace to preserue the chancery So after that hee had set all things in good order being maister of the towne he abandoned it to his soldiars who spoyled it and put the Bourgers to ransome intreating them no other-wise then it it had beene an enemies towne taken by assault Charles Bille gouernor of the towne hearing the noyse which the petard made the alarum escaped halfe drest and fled towards Confluence He had beene aduertised two daies before that Schenks men were lodged about Zulpich whervpon he sent a good part of the garrison to keepe the neighbour villages from spoyling yet he was sufficiently warned that there were mad lads would come to visit him wherevnto he answered that hee must take the care of it for the which Schenck did afterwards flowt him This towne of Bonne being well assured for Truchses Schenck resolued to keepe it causing it to be rampared and fortefied in all places and then did furnish it withall things necessary for a towne of warre withall he caused a fort to be presently built right opposit on the other side of the riuer
but the English had the aduantage being better of saile and could easelier wind and turneabout them going close vp to them and discharging their broad sides and so continued the fight with their great and smale shotte all the day long vntill their poulder and bullets began to fayle them so as they thought it not conuenient to board the Spaniards in regard of the greatnesse of their shippes and for that they kept themselues so close together being content to haue driuen them from Callis and Dunkerke and from ioyning with the Duke of Parma but especially for that they had forced them to sayle before the wind and to passe a long beyond their coast That day the Spiniards receiued great hurt both in their shippes and losse of men by reason that many of their shippes were shotte betwixt wind and water In all these fights the English lost not one shippe nor any man of quality nor aboue a hundred men in all There were so many of the Spanish shipes shotte vnder the water as in the night and the next day two or three of them sounke among the which there was a great shippe of Biscaye whereof some of the men were saued who shewed that the commanders of that shippe had stabbed one another for that one of them perswaded the rest to yeeld so as the other thrust him into the body with his poiniard whose brother reuenged his death in stabbing him and there-with the shippe sounke presently The same night two great gallions of Portugall of fourteene or sixteene hundred tonnes a peece were forsaken by the fleet the one called Saint Phillip the other Saint Mathew being shotte so vnder water as they could hardly keepe them-selues vpright In the Saint Phillip was Don Francisco de Toledo brother to the Earle of Orgas and one of the 5. collonels with other gentlemen whose mast being shotte downe they sought to saue them-selues in Flanders but finding it impossible the cheefe men escaped in boats and the shippe was taken by the Flusingers In the Saint Mathew was Don Diego de Piementel an other of the Collonels being brother to the Marquis of Taueras with many other gentlemen and Captaines hauing a great leake before Graueling the Duke of Medina sent a boat for him and some of the cheefe to saue themselues but he to preserue his honor resused it then he willed him to stay by him the which he could not doe by reason that the water came in the night time so fast into the shippe as they were forced to keepe fifty men continually at the pumpe to keepe the shippe aboue water but at the last seeing him-selfe forsaken by the Admirall he sought to runne her on ground vpon the coast of Flanders and to saue his life desiring ayde of the fishermen but being descried by foure or fiue shippes of warre which lay vpon the coast they made towards him bidding him yeeld which he refusing they all shotte at him and slue aboue fourty of his men so as hee was forced to yeeld him selfe into the hands of Peter vander Does who brought the shippe into Zeeland with the other the which when as most of the goods were taken out of them through negligence sunke vnder the water An other small ship being forced to run a shoare about Blankenbergh in Flanders Sir Iohn Conway manned out 2. or 3. fisher boats for that the Spaniards were already gone out and had taken forth two peeces of ordinance and brought them on shore to take and ransacke the shippe who draue the Spaniards from her and brought the spoyle into Ostend On Monday the eight of August the Spanish armie being in this sort assayled they thought it best hauing done as much as they had in charge to retire themselues so kept togither with small sailes vntill they were past Dunkerke being followed by the English the next day hauing gotten some-what before they set on more saile seeming to haue more desire to flie then to fight wherevpon the Lord Admirall of England sent the Lord Henry Seymer with the small shippes backe againe to ioyne with the Netherlanders who lay before Dunkerke to keepe in the Duke of Parmaes forces and hee with the greatest shippes followed the Spaniardes but the winde rysing and the Spaniards bending their course towards Norwaye making shew as if they sought meanes onelie to get away and to commit themselues to a dangerous Northerne nauigation the English fleete wanting both poulder and shot returned backe into England leauing some small pinasses to follow them and to bring aduise what course they tooke The Spanish fleete being in the North seas tooke a fisher boate of Zeeland with twelue men in her who were carried into the Admiralls shippe and sailed with them into Spaine at their returne home they reported that whilest the English fleet followed them they saw a white flag preparing to bee set vp in the poope in token of yeelding or at the least to parle fearing to passe through the Northerne seas but beeing disswaded by certaine Clergy men and seeing the English desist from following them they changed their resolution Those fisher men also reported that in the Dukes shippe there was a place made Cannon proofe wherein the duke himselfe with twelue persons more remained all the time of the fight and that of 1200. men that were in the shippe there were 300. slaine and hurt Thus the Spanish fleete hauing lost ten or twelue of their best ships with foure or fiue thousand men hauing many sicke and wounded aboard their ships wanting many necessaries for their ships despayring of any aide from the Duke of Parma who expected their returne and continued still his preparation they resolued if the winde would serue them to saile home into Spaine behinde Scotland and Ireland hearing that they should finde small releefe in Scotland and that Norway could not supplie their wants they tooke all the English or Scottish fishermen they could to serue for pilots and doubting they should want fresh water they cast their horses ouerboard and so they past betwixt the Orcades and faire Island landing in no place but sailed so farre Northwards as they were vnder three score and two degrees and two hundred and forty miles from any land Being there the Duke of Medina commanded all the shippes to take the best course they could for Biscay and he himselfe with twenty or fiue and twenty shippes which were best prouided of fresh water kept his course very high into the sea which brought him directly into Spaine but the rest being aboue forty vnder the leading of the Vice-admirall held their course neerer vnto Ireland making towards Cape-Clere hoping to refresh themselues there but the winde being contrary a great storme arose out of the South-west about the second of September and cast most of them vpon the coast of Ireland where many of them perished and amongst others the Gallion of Michaell d' Oquendo one of the foure great Galliasses two
this inscription vnder the foundation called religion Hac nitimur and ouer the hat of libertie Hanc tuemur as if they would say By the force of truth and vnity grounded vpon religion with the helpe of God we enioye and maintaine our libertie For the generall gouernment of the Prouinces they had a counsell of Estate consisting of gentlemen and lawiers where the Queene of England was to haue two councellers but at that time there was but one which was Maister Thomas Bodley now a Knight and Maister Gilpin Secretarie of the sayd counsell this councell had the ordring of all causes in euery Prouince the generall Estates being not alwaies assembled who commanded ouer this councell of Estate and besides this euerie particular Prouince had their priuate councell After the death of the Prince of Orange they did chuse Prince Maurice Earle of Nassau Gouernor of Holland and Zeeland Admirall of the sea and Lieutenant generall of their forces and Philip Earle of Hohenlo an old souldiar and of great experience his Lieutenant Vtrecht Oueryssel and Gelderland did likewise at that time chuse Prince Maurice for their gouernor William Lodowike Earle of Nassau eldest sonne to Iohn Earle of Nassau was gouernor in Friseland a souldiar of good experience and polliticke Prince Maurice was from his youth trained vp by his father in the warres and in affaires of Estate and was his second sonne his eldest brother Philip William who is now Prince of Orange and Earle of Buren beeing yet kept prisoner in Spaine and for that cause beeing verie fit to supplie the place hee was chosen chiefe Generall and Commander ouer all their forces both by sea and land In matters concerning the land hee was to bee ruled by the aduise of the councell of Estate and touching the sea by the admiralitie and certaine Comities were appointed vnder him when any thing was to bee done concerning the countrie and the limmits of their liberties by whose aduice all causes touching the state were directed in the armie and the particular affaires concerning Gouernment and Pollicie by the Councell of warre chosen out of euerie Regiment and Nation seruing therein And for that Holland was the greatest strongest and mightiest of all the vnited Prouinces therefore many causes which were handled in the councell of Estate were done by the aduise and councell of Iohn van Ouden Barnevelt Lord of Crimpel Aduocate of Holland in regarde of his great wisdome and experience The Netherlanders haue as great meanes to bring in money for the mayntenance of their warres as euer was heard or seene in any Countrie the which is done willingly with a generall consent and with little hurt and preiudice to the Inhabitants and by that meanes the countrie grewe rich mighty and strong for they suffred any thing to bee carried vnto the enemie paying lycense for the same especially such things whereof they had aboundance and superfluitie and that there subiects by making working and carrying it thether may get any thing arysing or abating the rate of the license as they found the enemy to haue neede of their commodities moderating it in such sort as the enemy could not buy it better cheape in any place then of them They suffred the enemy to bring any thing vnto them that they had neede of especially such things as they could not well haue but from thence paying but small custome or lycense mony and contrarywise making them to pay great custome for things which they brought whereof they had no neede hauing still a great regard vnto their trade of marchandise and especially vnto their sea-faring and fishing Besides this they could so well husband their mony and imploy it to the best profit as all Potentates common weales and commanders in the warres might take example by them capitulating with their Collonels Captaines and soldiars as strictly as they could yet alwaies paying them wel which made the captaines to complaine oftentimes for that a captaine seruing vnder the enemy or in other places might reape more benifit by a Company of men then a Collonell vnder the Estates by ten companies but it was vncertaine And for that the vnited Prouinces did pay their men duely and truely there was very good discipline held among their soldiars so as wheresoeuer they past throughout the country they were well vsed and welcome in all places for that they found their necessaries alwaies redy for them the which was truely paied whensoeuer they dislodged to any other place and throughout all the Prouinces they did seuerely punish theeues and such as offred any violence They did not vsually entertaine any great forces but they had old valiant and well disciplined soldiars with the which they did many great exploits At that time they had about twenty thousand foote and two thousand horse besides the Bourgers whom in time of necessity they imployed and paied as soldiars They entertained about a hunderd shippes of warre at sea and within their riuers being all well appointed and whensoeuer they came from any seruice their men were presently to be paid Besides this ordinary charge of shippes saylers and soldiars they tooke order by a generall consent for a certaine prouision of money to be made for the entertayning of an army in the field for certaine monethes in the yeare with ordinance pioners and a supply of soldiars to make an offensiue warre to inlarge their fronters and also to aide the French King with money munition and men both by sea and land The Queene of England also paied to her souldiars in the garrisons of the Brill of Flushing and to those that aided the Estates within the country twelue thousand fiue hundred twenty six pounds starling euery moneth accounting 56. daies to the moneth according to the contract besides extraordinary charges for transportation of souldiars and the apparell both for horse and foote which was yearely to bee prouided By this prouident care and wise gouernment of the Estates and their assistants the vnited Prouinces were exceeding rich and mightie yea in the midest of their greatest warres which commonly makes any countrie poore and miserable and yet they robbed no man at sea but were rather robbed and at land they vsed but the ordinary course of warre and this is euident by their fare great and costly buildings in their townes their strong and great fortifications their aboundance of Ordinance and great numbers of rich and welthie inhabitants who for that their wanted houses for them to dwell in many were forced to dwell in shippes whereof they haue many in that country very sweete faire and necessary for that vse and some townes haue bene constrained to inlarge their walles for the building of more houses with such hauens walles bulwarkes gates and sumptuous workes as it were admirable to bee written the which may well bee seene by many townes from West-friseland along to Walchren in Zeeland In the beginning of this yeare a regiment of Spaniards
ought not to be worsethen the other desiring rather to die fighting then being prisoners after the towne was yeelded to be hanged as their sentence did import wherevpon the Prince caused his battery to be doubled with sixty peeces of Ordinance which did thunder into the towne besides three mines which played the fourth of Iuly and made such a murther of soldiars which were on the toppe and at the foote of the rampar as the could see nothing but men flying in the ayer and it made such a breach as they might goe on horsback to the assault Prince Maurice desiringe to vewe the operation of those mines approchinge somewhat neere he was shot into the cheeke from the towne but without daunger whereof he was soone cured The beseeged being amazed at this thundring despayring of all meanes to hold out long fearing to be taken by assault hauinge such great and large breaches they consented all with one accord to parle and to make a composition the which Prince Maurice yealded vnto and the next day being the fifth of Iuly it was concluded the beseeged departing without armes and swering not to carry armes against the Estates beyond the Rhine in halfe a yeare In this sort was Steenwic yeelded to Prince Maurice by composition vnder the obedience of the generall Estates after it had endured 29000. Cannon shot the Prince hauing lost about one thousand and fiue hundred men and many hurt among others Sir Francis Vere Generall of the Englishe and Sir Horatio his brother William van Dorp Collonel of the Regiment of West Friseland whereof he died and many others The towne being yeelded Captaine Beresteyn was put into it with foure companies the Estates armie remaining thereabouts vntill the rampars were repaired the ditches made cleane and raysed and the trenches made euen The Marchants of Gheertruydenberg not comprehended in the accord as many as could bee taken of them were hanged Captaine Coquielle who had commanded in the towne during the siege and all his men with those that were hurt and sicke with all their baggage were conuoyed vnto the Conty of Benthem in the frontiers of Westphalia About the middest of Iuly Collonell Mondragon Gouernor of the Cittadell of Antwerp was sent with three thousand men and fiue peeces of Ordinance into the countrie of Cempeine to besiege the Castle of Westerlloo the which yeelded the eighteenth of the moneth by composition Passing on he went before Tournhout which yeelded also the twentith and that of Berghey the one and twenty by which three places the Estates did alwaies afflict Brabant and the country about Prince Maurice pursuing his victory of Steenwick marcht with his armie before the towne and strong Castle of Couoerden in the country of Tuente and drawing forth of his campe some twelue hundred men and fiue peeces of Artillerie he went towards the towne of Otmarsen in the said country whereas at that time Alphonso Mendo a Spaniard commanded who seeing that hee could doe little or no seruice in the towne with his horse during the siege he retyred in good time with 60. horse promising them of the towne that hee would deale so with the Gouernor Verdugo as hee should bring them succors The Prince being camped before the towne he commanded the Seignior of Famas as generall of the Artillery to plant his battery the which being done the same night the Seignor of Famas being neere vnto the cannon he was shot into the head from the towne by the sound of his voyce with the which he was strooke dead and neuer spake word The Prince did much lament him hauing beene one of his cheefe councellors for the warres and sitter then any other man to gouerne the ordinance The beseeged hearing of his death would attend no more greater extremity but some cannon shot knowing well that if they continued obstinate the Prince would reuenge on them the death of that gentleman whome he had so much loued and therefore they yeelded They being gone forth and a garrison put into it for the free Estates the Prince came with his smale army to his campe before Couoerden The Drossart of Couoerden hearing of the comming of the Princes campe burnt the towne and beat downe all the gardins and hedges about it for that he would leaue noe coueâ—…t for the ennemy yet the Prince intrencht himselfe by little euen to the brinke of the castell dich the which is strong by scituation by nature and by art and held impregnable There was a raueling neere vnto the port which defended the bridg the which was presently battred downe yet the beseeged made furious sallies and one among the rest at noone daies in the which they cut in peeces a whole companie both Captaine Liuetenant and Ancient of the which there were onely eleuen soldiars saued To hinder these sallies it was thought good to plant certaine ordinance to breake the bridge the which was done This summer was in the beginning very dry so as they might with more ease beseege this place round about yea in the boggs and marish places And as the castell ditches were deepe and large after they had drawne forth as much of the water as they could they were by little and little filled rowling earth of ten or twelue foote broad only and as the ditch filled vp they couered it in the night with plankes set vpon proppes or prillers being like a gallery vnderneath the which they continued by little and little vntill it came to the foote of the rampar The plankes aboue were alwaies couerd with earth and flaggs that the beseeged could not set fire of it nor the ordinance could not hurt it Then by this gallery they came to the sappe of the rampar which nothing could hinder And as the said rampar was armed with great bodies of trees and armes of trees laid crosse and straight with earth and some bauines betwixt them this earth being taken away they resolued to set it on fire Whilest these things passe in this sort the Duke of Parma knowing of what importance this place of Covoerden is as being the kay of all the country of Freezland Drenthen and Groning hee sent about foure thousand foote and sixe hundred horse vnder the leading of Verdugo Gouernor of the country of Groning to passe through the Estats campe or to force Prince Maurice to retire Being come thether and finding the Prince well intrencht he went and campt at Enlichom to cut of the victualls which came vnto the Estates campe from towards Zwol But after he had stayed their some dayes Verdugo seeing that there came aboundance from other places he resolued to try his fortune and to set vpon the trenches The which was very successefull in the beginning for the Spaniards had past one and began to cry out victory But they were at the same instant entertayned in such sort by the Earle of Hohenlo who came running thether with all speed that as many as were entred
into his house and the towne of Emden which is verie famous of great trafficke and one of the Hans and Imperiall townes This quarrell had his beginning and first motiue in the life time of Cont Iohn Brother to this Earle Edsard a peaceable man zealous to the reformed religion and a great protector of the priuiledges of the towne of Emden and of the whole countrie VVhereas on the other side Edsard prouoked by his wife who was daughter to the King of Sueden and would gladly haue commanded like a Queene in that towne notwithstanding their Imperiall priuiledges sought to change the Estate of religion according vnto the confession of Ausbourg with the constitutions and customes of the said towne as well in matters of pollicy as Church gouernement euen vnto the distribution of the publike almes and other deedes of charitie the which the Earle would haue depend vppon his sole authority Against the which the Magistrates and Burgers opposed them-selues constantly and their heart-burning grew so great on either side as they fell to armes But as the Earle who had his Castle within the said towne demanteled feared some bad euent of this warre their controuersie was referred by a mutuall consent to the arbitrement of the generall Estates of the vnited Prouinces of the Netherlands who sent their Deputies to heare both parties in their fort of Delfziel lying vppon the Dollart and the Riuer of Ems two Leagues from Emden to reconcile them and decide their quarrels as they did by arbitrarie sentence the which was very well accepted both of the one and the other But afterwards it was reiected by the Earle so as they of the Towne were forced to haue some recourse vnto the Emperour and to the Imperiall Chamber where they obteyned a definitiue sentence according to their desires as you shal hereafter here The towne of Ham except the Castle in the country of Vermandois and that of La Fere were then hauing beene before deliuered vnto the Spaniards by the Leaguers in the King of Spaines power The French King had at that time his Armie lying before La Fere the which was a campe ill gouerned and tedious although the King were there him-selfe in person the Earle of Saint Pol and the Lord of Humieres hearing that the Seignior of Gomeron Gouernour of the Castle of Ham was at Brusselles and had agreed to deliuer the said Castle vnto the Spaniards for a certaine summe of money and that he had sent word vnto the Seignior of Deruillers his Brother in law and to his wife to yeeld it vp The said Deruillers refuzing to doe it made a contrary accord with the Earle of Saint Pol and Humieres to giue them passage by the castle to winne the towne vppon condition as the said Gomeron had ingaged him-selfe for the deliuerie of the sayd castle that hee should haue the chiefe prisoners of the Spaniards that were in the same towne deliuered him to redeeme his Brother in law The Duke of Bouillon and the aboue-named two Noblemen beeing entred with good troopes into the castle the twentith day of Iune they of the towne were presently aduertised thereof who intrencht them-selues against the castle so as they must needes attempt it by force The French Kings men hauing beene twise repulst dispayred in a manner to become maisters thereof if the Duke of Bouillon and the Lord of Humieres had not assured and incouraged them to continue so as after twelue houres fight and more they entred the towne with the losse of the Lord of Humieres who was slaine there of Captaine la Croix with some twenty Gentlemen and about sixe score soldiers where there were sâ—…aine aboue seauen hundred Spaniards Italiens French Leaguers and Germaines the rest were taken prisoners among the which were the Collonell of the Neapolitans the Collonel of the Germaines and Marcello Caracio for whome the Seignior of Gomeron was redeemed The King did much lament the death of the Lord of Humieres his Lieutenant in Picardie a braue and valiant Knight who had done him faithful seruice The Earle of Fuentes a Spaniard being then Gouernor by prouision of the Netherlands for the King of Spaine expecting the comming of the Cardinall Albert of Aus tria the Emperors Brother had then sent the Prince of Chymay now Duke of Arschot and of Croy to beseege the towne of Chastelet in the same countrie of Vermandois whilest that he himselfe was with the bodie of his Armie before Cambray Mons de la Grange was within Chastelet with 600. soldiars where he defended him-selfe valiantly but after that he had endured many assaults hee was forced to yeeld it vp hauing an honorable composition And by this meanes the Earle of Fuentes did presse Cambray the more Chastelet being thus wonne the Earle of Fuentes went to beseege the towne and Castle of Dourlans a small towne but well seated vpon the riuer of Anthy Valentine de par dieu Seignior of la Motte gouernor of graueling General of the Artillery for the King of Spaine being neere vnto the Artillery to prepare the battery was shot into the head from the towne whereof he dyed soone after and was carried to be buried at Saint Omer making an end of so many warres and so great seruices which he had done vnto the King of Spaine being now growne very old not long before he had purchased of a French Nobleman the Lordship of Eckelbeke a goodly thing in Flanders which the King of Spaine erected to an Earledome in recompence of his loyall seruices and so he died in the bed of honor and was buried with the title of an earle He was a French man borne a gentleman in the beginning of very smalle meanes both his father and he being young came to serue the Emperor at the Campe before Teroanne at the first hee was entertaynd by the Lord of Bignicourt a Knight the of order where hee had his first aduancement in quality of a Squier to the said Nobleman vntill he was captaine then in the beginning of the troubles besides his company he was Sargent Maior of the Earle of Reux his Regiment during which time he committed great cruelties in Flanders against them of the religion Then he went to be Lieutenant to the Siegnor of Croissoniere gouernor of Graueling after whose death being slaine before Harlem he succeded in the said gouernment and continued vntil his death and had afterwards great charges as well in the seruice of the generall Estates during their generall vnion as of the King of Spaine to whome he did neuer any bad seruice what shew soeuer he made as of Collonel generall of the Artillery Marshall of the campe cheefe and conductor of diuers honorable exployts and enterprises the which for the most part succeded happely with other titles and degrees of honor in the which he gathered together great welth He died without children although hee had one daughter by his first wife the which died being redie
and breaking open one of the Ports about fiue of the clocke in the morning hee drew in his horsemen and the rest of his foote Against whom Alonso de luna Gouernor of the towne made some resistance in the Market place and at the towne-house but finding him-selfe to weake he retired ouer one of the Ports with his men resoluing to make it good vntill hee had some succors from Antwerp whether he had sent with all speed the which arriued the same day by the same Port whilest that Herauguieres men who should haue laboured to dislodge them and pursued their victory were most buisie to rob and spoile and hee not able to rallie them in time being dispersed here and there he resolued to saue himselfe with as many of his men as he could Thus the spoilers were spoiled and defeated after that they had beene maisters of the towne aboue eight houres not caring to winne the said port and yet Herauguiere did cry out importune threaten and strike There were aboue 500. of them slaine besides prisoners and the losse of horses This should serue as an example for all other vndertakers Cardinall Albertus being vpon the way towards the Netherlands and bringing with him Phillip of Nassau Prince of Orange and Earle of Buren the Estates of the Vnited Prouinces being aduertised thereof they wrot a letter vnto the Prince bearing date the 22. of December 1595 as followeth My Lord it was no small ioy and contentment vnto vs all to heare of your deliuerie from so long and vndeserued imprisonment as well in remembrance of the great seruices which this Estate hath receiued from my Lord the Prince of Orange your father of famous memory as in regard of the murther which was committed vpon his person which considerations do continually bind vs to loue and affect all such as haue the honour to belong vnto him especially your Lordship who haue so pittifully spent not only your youth but euen the best time of your life in the tedious and melancholy prison the which you could not beare without great griefe for the death of your honourable father the which was procured as vniustly as your imprisonment yet your Lordship hath therein shewed great constancy as the necessity of the time cause required in regard wherof we thought fit to congratulate your liberty but my Lord as we are informed the enemie preteÌ„ds to effect great disseigns by this action of your honors deliuery to the great preiudice of this Estate for that it wil be no smal griefe discontent vnto vs to haue any cause to alter and withdraw that entire loue and affection which we beare vnto you although we do confidently beleeue that your Lordship wil neuer be made an Instrument for the Spaniards to vndermine and ouerthrow our freedome built vp with such great care dilligence and wisdome by your honourable Father the Prince of Orange who for the maintenance and defence thereof was so cruelly murthered and thereby to blemish that worthie memory which is euerlastingly to be had of him For which cause they haue thought good to intreat you that if your Lordship should haue any desire to come into these Prouinces that it would please you to stay your iourney for a while vntill a more fit and conuenient time whereof we will aduertise your honor send you to that end fit assurance according to the orders which we haue set downe all along our frontiers not suffering any one to enter into these our vnited Prouinces without our pasport And so assuring our selues that your Lordship will take this aduertisement in good part we will here-with end beseeching GOD to send your honor long life and happy daies This letter being deliuered to the Prince comming to Luxembourg he made answer there-vnto bearing date the first of February as followeth My good Lords I thanke you most hartily for the contentment you receiue by my libertie and for the good remembrance you haue of me as appeareth by your letters And although vntill this time I haue not beene allowed to make my loue knowne vnto you who haue alwaies so well deserued yet I hope by this good occasion of my deliuery to shew you such effects to your good likings and contents as you shall haue no cause to complaine or bee discontented there-with And when-soeuer any occasion shall be offered whereby I may let you know how much I desire to do you seruice as he that affecteth nothing more in this world then to see his poore oppressed countrie restored to her ancient florishing Estate I will not vndertake any thing but with your good likings and to your content And I hope that you for your parts will not refuse any dutie and seruice that may helpe to settle a peace make an end of so great troubles and miseries to the generall good of all these Prouinces which God graunt may succeed for this seruice and giue you my Lords the full fruition of all your good desires recommending my selfe most earnestly vnto you all From Luxembourg Signed Philippe William of Nassau The Executors of his fathers testament vppon the last day of December against his comming sent him ten thousand gilders in ready money as part of his owne goods and in October after at the said princes instance by meanes of intercessors it was concluded that there should bee a meeting in the Duchie of Cleues betweene him and his own sister by the mothers side now Countesse of Hohenlo where they did salute visit each other conferring about their patrimoniall goods where she had licence to send him tapistry hangings and other houshold stuffe making great shewes of loue friendship one vnto an other The generall Estates sent Mounsier Hessels one of the Councel vnto him to congratulate his comming and to let him vnderstand what order had bin taken about their reuenues in Breda least he should haue some false reports made concerning the same ALBERTVS CARDINALL OF AVStria Lieutenant and Captaine generall for the King of Spaine in the Netherlands ALBERTVS D. G. ARCHIDVX AVSTRIAE BELG PROVIN GVBERNATOR Fifth brother of the house Imperiall Of Austria was I borne and seeing fate Fail'd â—…ne in lands and meanes proportionate To my great birth became a Cardinall But my great Cousin hauing euermore From my greene yeares accepted my aduise In points of statisme by his Kingly choyce Grac'd me with place of chiefe Inquisitor And thinking none of all his linage bore Perfection fitting such a match of price As Isabel chose me but first of all Stil'd me these lands Lieuténant generall THE Cardinall Albertus of Austria long attended with great deuotion in the Netherlands by the King of Spaines subiects all beleeuing that hee would bring a good peace and an assured reconciliation with the vnited Prouinces arriued at Brusselles the eleauenth of February bringing with him Philip of Nassau Prince of Orange elder brother to Prince Maurice hauing beene kept
Earle of Swarlsenbourg thether at the which refusing to yeeld any thing in the Kings behalfe touching the reformed religion nor allow the generall Estates of all the Netherlands to assemble together to that end in like manner there came no good of it But during the time of the sayd conuocation the Spaniardes did so much by their practises and warlike attempts as in few monethes they got more vpon Holland and Zeeland then otherwise they had done in many yeares Afterwards as by the grace of God the which the King of Spaine hath sought by all meanes to breake the Prouinces subiect to the oppression of the Spaniards freed themselues beeing assembled and in the end confederated with the sayd Prince and the Estates of Holland and Zeeland and their associates in the towne of Gant Whereas they haue made the pacification which followed with an order corcerning relligion and the conuocation of the generall Estates of all the Netherlands As after the death of the great Commander Don Louis of Reguesence and before the conclusion of the sayed Pacification Don Iohn arriued in the country of Luxembourg whereas many of the said Prouinces treated with him and in the end agreed notwithstanding the said Pacification and vnion which followed to receiue him for their Gouernor except those of Holland and Zeeland and their Associats who opposed them-selues for that the King of Spaine would not consent vnto the said pacification nor the assembly of the generall Estates but conditionally that it should not derogat nor preiudice the Popish and Romish Relligion and that the said Estates should sweate to entertaine the same And Don Iohn being receiued into the said gouernment hee not onely sought to suppresse the Prouinces whereas hee commanded but would also force them to enter into warre against them of Holland Zeeland and their associats wherevnto they would not yeeld hee then tooke armes againe and called backe the Spaniards the which by the treaty of Gant were gone out of the country hauing secret practises with the Germaine and Wallon garrisons to be assured of the towne and Castle of Antwerp and of many other places seazing vpon that of Namur where-vpon the Estates of Holland and Zeeland being againe required to send their deputies vnto an assembly of other Prouinces being revnited together they were long in treating an other accord with the said Don Iohn But when they could not attaine vnto it vpon reasonable and iust conditions that were propounded vnto him they were forced againe to returne to an open warre and to goe to field of either side In the meane time the King of Spaine sent the Barron of Selles to the generall Estates assembled at Brusselles who in outward shew presented some means of peace but in secret he labored to corrupt the one and the other especially the heads of the army being then camped at Gemblours whereof hee gayned some which was the cause of the rout of the said army by the absence of those Noblemen that were retired at the same time when as the Estates to shew their good and sincere intention and desire to a peace called Mathias Archduke of Austria to their gouernment After which rout the said Archduke Prince of Orange and some others of the chiefe Noblemen with the generall Estates appointing to raise a new army there was an other conference of peace propounded and therevpon a conuocation was held at the request of the Barron of Selles in the towne of Macklin whether the Earle of Bossu and some other Noblemen of the Estates were sent but all that was done there was that the Barron of Selles corrupted the Siegnior of Bours gouernor of the towne of Macklin so as within few months after it was yeelded vp and lost from the Estates Afterwards there was an other conference of peace held in the towne of Louuaine whereas the Ambassadors of the Emperor of the French King and of the Queene of England assisted but for that they would not yeeld vnto the least point which was required touching reformation of relligion all proued but winde As in like manner they could not doe any thing in that great assembly at Cologne in the which the Emperor that now is was a mediator by his Ambassadors Electors and Princes of the Empire by reason that they would not prouide for the safety of the said Religion nor for the Estate of the country according to their ancient rights and preuiledges during which assembly the disunion of the Wallon Prouinces was practised and of some of the cheefe of the Nobilitie with the reduction of the towne of Boisleduc and others to the Spanish party some by practises some by force So as in the end the states seeing that neither by intercession nor by any other meanes they could attaine to a good and an assured peace the were forced to resolue to choose an other Prince where-vpon most part of the said Prouinces did choose and call in the Duke of Aniou and Alanson the onely Brother to the French King after they had by sufficient declarations and by Edicts publikely proclaymed the King of Spaine to bee fallen from all right of Seigneurie and command which hee was wont to haue ouer the Netherlands And although the reasons why this hath happened bee notorious to all the world yet it merits to bee succinctly related in this place which is that the ground of all the warres and miseries of the Netherlands is for that the King of Spaine hath sought to suppresse the preuiledges freedomes liberties pollicie forme of gouernment and other rights of the sayd countries whereas he pretends to make this his Rendezvous and seate of warre to the oppression of all neighbour Princes and especially of them that were fallen from the Romish religion The which the Princes chiefe Noblemen and Estates of the sayd countries being not able to endure the King of Spaine tooke occasion to send the Duke of Alua with a mightie armie into these parts to execute his sayd desseigne by whom hee caused the Earles of Egmont and Horne to bee apprehended with a great number of Noblemen Gentlemen and good Cittizens whom hee did publikely and shamefully execute banishing an infinite number of people and chasing them away to the great griefe and sorrow of the poore inhabitants which remained Yea the Marquis of Berghes and the Baron of Montigny sent a little before into Spaine by the Gouernesse to shew the iminent danger of the sayd Countries and to seeke for remedie the King against the dutie of a good Prince against his othe made both in generall and in particular and against all lawe of nations caused them to dye and did confiscate all their goods Making Cittadels in the chiefe Townes of the countrie bringing in a new forme of iustice establishing a supreme councell called a Councell of the troubles in Flemish Blout-raed that is a Councell of bloud all against the preuiledges And vnder coulour of a generall pardon abolishing generally all the right
had yet not contenting him-selfe with the Magistrate and people of the said towne which is one of the Hans Imperial townes held immediatly of the Empire and that they had freely and willingly receiued him for their protector and in respect thereof did giue him an annuell pension or gratuity he sought by all meanes to make them his Vassalls yea rather his slaues and to depriue them of all their Imperiall priuiledges granted by so many good Emperors taking violently from them their ancient liberties and freedomes But in the end he reaped little honor lesse profit of all his attempts surcharging his poore subiects of the champian country to maintaine his attempts against the said towne But let vs finish this busines Among the said papers there were some found making mention of this enterprise and how it should be managed whereby the Maigistrat knew plainely what the Earles practise and intent was which made them seeke to seze vpon the partisans of this conspiracy wherof some fled and left the towne wherevpon the Maigistrate was induced although that the towne were greatly charged to giue order to the captaine to leuy 300. men at their charge writing vnto Cont Willian Lewis of Nassau gouernor of the contries of Freezeland and Groning for the Estates that it would please him for their preseruation if neede required to assist them with some men to be redy at hand The said gouernor not onely granted them but he also caused some of the captaines of the neighbor garrisons to discharge some of their men who were presently entertained by them of Emden so long as this trouble continued which was to the end of May and was appeazed by the death of the Cofrer and of Iohn Groenen who were beheadded and by the banishment of some other prisoners whereof some were condemned in great fines Then the Earle tooke occasion to complaine of them of Emden to the Imperial chamber accusing them to haue broken the contract where-vpon he obtayned a commission of adiornement the which was signified vnto them to appeere in the said chamber the 16. of August the same yeare 1598. At which day he propounded for a complaint among other things that they of Emden had with the soldiars of the vnited Prouinces made an irruption vpon the lands and iurisdictions of Marienhoue Visquart Prostthumb and other places to haue taken many prisoners to haue put to death Iohn Groenen and Iohn Kemps after they had greeuously tortured them to haue vnworthely intreated his two sonnes the Earles Iohn and Christoper being at Emden with his instructions and by his commandement to haue vsed a notary ill to haue forced a new oth from the youth of the towne with other points where-vpon the Earle and they of Emden entred into new quarrells one against another and the ould were reuiued of the issue wherof we will treat in the yeare following We haue made mention of an Edict made by the King of Spaine at Pardo by the which he dispensed with him-selfe not to pay his debts retaynâ—…ng all his assiguations vpon his reuenues giuen by him in payment vnto Marchants which had furnished him with great summes But now meaning to discharge his conscience better and fealing him-selfe at the graues brinke hee made another contract of the 14 of February this yeare 1598. with Hector Pocamillo Ambrosio Somola Francisco de Maluenda and Iohn Iacomo Grimaldi hauing ample Procuration from all the other Marchants who dad negotiated with his Maiesty for the lending of mony By the which contract hauing first excused him-selfe for that which was giuen at Pardo he confirmes the assignations giuen by him vpon the said demaynes vpon condition that for an ouer plus and new Loane they should furnish him with the summe of seauen millions and two hundred thousand ducatspaiable euery moneth two hundred and fifty thousand ducats to the Archduke Cardinall Albert to defray the charges of the warre in the Netherlands and that for the space of 19 moneths whereof the first paiment should be expired the last of Ianuary the said yeare 98. making for the Netherlands foure millions and a halfe The rest to be payed in his realme of Spaine or else where at his good pleasure And by this meanes the King of Spaine being resolued to giue his daughter the Infanta vnto the Cardinall Albert would shew that he would not leaue him in need of mony for the continuance of the warre against the vnited Prouinces There is in Flanders a fort called Patience which a Wallon corporall in the yeare 1595. deliuered vnto the Estates of Zeeland there were this yeare some French men in garrison in this fort who dealing after the same manner with the Estates sold it and deliuered it vnto the Spaniards In the midest of Aprill the Duke of Writembergh Earle of Montbeliard sent an ambassador to the vnited Prouinces to demande that his subiects might trafficke freely vnder their safe conduct throughout the Netherlands by the riuer of Neckar which descends into the Rhine and that they would furnish him with some sufficient man for riuers and waters to make the said riuer of Neckar more nauigable His demand was granted touching the commerce and with the Ambassador there was sent on Iohn Bradley a man very expert in water works The 9. of Iuly the town of Calais was restored to the French King into the hands of the Earle of S. Pol and the Siegnor of Viques who was made Gouernor entring into it with 2000. men after that the artillery and munition had beene drawne forth according to the contract and sent to S. Omer The Spanish troupes within Ardes and Dourlans being mutined for their pay made some difficulty for a time but in the end they were pacefied and went out in August following the like did they of Monthulin Chastelet and la Capelle in Tyerash But Blauet was not so soone yeelded vntill that the Duke of Merceur was reconciled vnto the King treating the marriage of Caesar Monsieur the kings Bastard and Duke of Vendosme with this Dukes daughter wherevpon Blauet and all other places which had beene held in Brittane in the name of the Infanta of Spaine were yeelded The King of Spaine finding his strength and helth to decay daily being desirous to see an end of the resolution which hee had taken to giue the Lady Isabella his eldest daughter in marriage to the Archduke Albert his Nephew although he were aduanced to great Ecclesiasticall dignities and namely to the rich Archbishoprike of Toledo he called in his presence in the towne of Madril the 6. of May Prince Philip his only sonne being about 20. yeares old being accompanied by Don Gomes d' Auila Marquis of Vellada gouernor and Lord Stuard of Prince Phillips house Don Christophel de Mora Earle of Castel-Rodrigo great commander of Leon all three councellors of State and Nicholas Damant Knight councellor President and Chancellor of Brabant with the secretary for
things were readie to make two other batteries yet was it not battered after that time they made a shew also as if they would vndermine it but at the break of day the Spanish armie being fortified with new supplies shewed it selfe and campt neere vnto the fort of Clara without any let for that neither it nor the fort of Grottendorst were in any sort besieged from whence the commāders of the armie sent to refresh all those forts both with men and munition to the which they had free accesse by reason of the cutting of the ditches in the meadows the which are necessarie in that countrie of west Flanders Some said the prince should haue done better first to haue attempted the fort of Grottendorst which was not very well fortified by means whereof that of Clara had bin seperated from the fort of Isabella betwixt which two it is built And as these 2 armies of the Spaniards and Estates were in front one of another but could not annoy one another but by light skirmishes by reason of the forts and the scituation of the countrey the Spaniard hauing all the firme land at his commandement and the Estates hauing that onely hauen of the sea Oostend to furnish them with all their cōmodities whither they could not at all times go aboord nor get out seeing therfore that he should profit little in battering of the said fort where although he had made a desired breach yet could he hardly haue giuen an assault for that he must haue incountred with two enemies at once one in front at the breach and the other at his backe out of the enemies campe It was therefore resolued to make a retreat and to content themselues for that yeare with that goodly victorie which God had giuen them in that part of Flanders Whereupon on the 24 day of the moneth all the artillerie was taken away to be imbarked in the hauen of Oostend whereas the ships were entred except those foure peeces which were vpō the downs neer vnto the fort of Albert and the first two which they had planted in the princes quarter before Isabella fort Whilest this was doing on the 25 day colonel Barlotte being in the first trenches of the counterscarpe of Isabella fort or within the fort it selfe hauing shewed himselfe too much he was shot into the head with a musket whereof he died instantly being much lamented by the archduke but nothing by the Spaniards Italians nor any other commanders for that his fortunate successe hauing made him presumptuous a bold speaker it did procure him hatred among the great for that hee persuaded himselfe that nothing could be well executed without him And to speake the truth of a poore souldier of fortune a barber as he had been hauing past throgh all militarie degrees he had by his valor attained to a colonels place to other goodly charges hauing bin often imploied in dangerous exploits wherein hee did alwaies acquit himselfe happily for his masters seruice At his death he left great wealth to his children Prince Maurice and the deputies of the Estates hauing caused the fort of Albert to be ruined and beaten downe as much as they thought good he imbarkt his cannon and retired his garrisons out of all the forts which he had wonne from the enemie And the last day of Iulie after that he had left 51 companies of foot and 7 cornets of horse in Oostend hauing not ships sufficient to imbarke them all to haue the towne wel manned vntil they might see the Spaniards resolution whether hee would besiege it or no hauing set good order for all things the prince and the councell tooke their course for Zeeland Beeing at sea the gallies of Scluse came in a calme for otherwise they came not forth to affront some of their shippes thinking to get some straglers but the wind beeing somewhat risen they could not retire so speedily as they would but they were well battered and lost many of their men The prince beeing returned with his armie into the vnited prouinces and hauing diuided his men into their ordinarie garrisons to refresh them after so painefull a voyage the archduke in like manner retired the bodie of his armie out of Flanders except some companies which he left for the guard of those forts and of such as he found abandoned repairing that of Albert in a short time and leauing them all as they continued vnto the siege yeelding vp of Oostend which mooued the Estates also to retire their horsemen and 27 companies of foot the rest remaining there in garrison At that time the seignior of Wackene vice-admirall to the archduke remaining most cōmonly at Dunkerke to be reuenged for the death of the Spaniards and others which had beene slaine at the battell of Nieuport went in person to sea with seauen or eight shippes of warre and fell vpon a poore companie of fishermen of Holland and Zeeland which were fishing for herrings who although they had certaine shippes of conuoy dispersed here and there as they make their fishing in a great compasse of the sea the foremost beeing too farre off to helpe the hindermost at need so as the ships of warre appointed for their guard could not equally defend them al alike the vice-admirall a Flemming by nation yet with the furie of a Spaniard enters in among them and takes fifteene or sixteene of the said shippes which they call Buisses and hauing taken all that was good in them retaining the pylots masters of the ships he nailed all the mariners and fishermen vnder the hatches making holes in the keeles of the ships so as they sunke by degrees and yet those poore miserable wretches that were shut vp could not come forth to saue themselues or at the least to doe their best endeauours being drowned like mice in a trap A cruell act and most lamentable to see and heare the cries and sighes of those that were so miserably drowned Of this cruell and inhumane act the Seignior of Wackene went himselfe to carry newes to the court of Spaine for the which at the beginning he was commended honoured and recompenced by the king but all good men which loued their honours on either party did hate and detest him He died afterwards very miserably in that court The Estates being assembled at Brussels they acquainted the archdukes by what meanes they might attaine vnto a peace with the vnited Prouinces First they gaue them to vnderstand That the reasons why they of Holland and Zeeland would not subiect themselues vnder their highnesse obedience as it appeared by diuers of their letters and speeches were that notwithstanding their highnesse presence and the priuiledges of the countrey sworne and confirmed by them they saw the Spaniards and strange souldiers had still the guard and gouernment of the chiefe townes and forts of the countrey as the castles of Antuerpe and Gant c. the townes of Graue and Liere the forts of Flanders
at that time like vnto the Indians which go naked which nakednesse for the extreame cold of this climat was not easie to beare Your highnesse nor my lords the emperour nor the king of Spaine your brethren shall reape small profit by our clothes nor by our goods if they bee vnder their obedience And as for the defence which is made vnto our wiues and children not to come vnto vs vpon pain of death we hold it for a great fauour done vs by your highnesse being loth to bee troubled with the importunitie of our wiues in the estate wee are in It were a rediculous spectacle that after they had stript our wiues and children of all their clothes and made them forfeit to your highnesse they should afterward condemne them to depart out of your territories within three dayes The conduct of this naked troupe might be a good recompence for some one of your courtiers who by the shew of so strange a sight might easily get a good summe of money of the people who are curious of nouelties But doth your highnesse thinke to famish vs in forbidding them to bring vs any victuals doe you thinke that it is possible for your subiects to obey you in that respect seeing it is not in their power to warrant themselues against vs For if you desire that which is contained in your proscription causing vs to bee slaine by your subiects it shall bee alwayes lawfull for vs to reuenge our selues of this crueltie by reciprocall acts It is said in the sayd proscription That your highnesse desires it should be executed against our children and successors Wee do not thinke that your highnesse being an archbishop and reading the Bible hath found any such president hauing on the other side although we be souldiers often heard That God doth not punish the children for the fathers offence if they bee not also found culpable And admit wee had committed all the offences in the world the which wee haue not by what diuinitie doth your highnesse find that you should proceed in this maner against innocents What punishment will your highnesses reserue for your selues seeing you are the cause of all this All kings and princes shall haue cause to gaze vpon your highnesse proceedings and shall learne how it succeeds with them that seeke to make war without money which be the sinewes of war Those which in antient times haue won any honour and reputation by the warres haue followed contrarie courses Cyrus Alexander Scipio Iulius Caesar and many others did neuer impouerish their souldiers but did rather inrich them They vsed no proscriptions nor threats in case of discontentment but haue sought to pacifie them by mildnesse and courtesie and if there were question to suffer with them they did neuer forsake them at need What did Alexander when as in a drye and hot countrey one brought him a helmet full of water hee chose rather to powre it on the ground than to drinke considering there was but for himselfe alone and that his whole army was in extreame want shewing by this example that he would fare as they did Your highnesse hath ten an hundred yea fiue hundred crownes to buy our heads but you could not find ten an hundred nor fiue hundred farthings to maintaine our bodies and liues in your faithfull seruice You haue found the meanes to exceed many great princes yea the emperour Charles the fift of happie memorie the emperour Rodolphus now raigning and the king of Spaine in all sorts of pompe and magnificence and can you not find the meanes to pay your poore souldiers which are the onely supporters of your estate but with proscriptions and threats Alexander the Great seeing the Macedonians whom hee had mightily inricht little inclined to continue in their duties and in the pursuit of his victories hee sought to pacifie them by mildnesse and courtesie whereby he sped well Your highnesses on the other side after that you had rashly and miserably thrust headlong into danger the best part of your best souldiers and captaines and seeing your officers reduced to a lamentable extremitie haue sought with an Austrian sternnesse and a Spanish arrogancie their vtter ruine paying them with proscriptions and threats and promising recompence to them that should kill them Iulius Caesar his old souldiers being one day discontented and desiring to returne home refusing to goe into Affricke vpon a verie important expedition he did not forget any thing that might pacifie them by friendly and amiable meanes honouring them with the name of Quirites that is to say fellow citizens and by this meanes gaue them contentment Your highnesse might learne thereby how a prince should carrie himselfe to his souldiers who are miserable through his default Besides all these points contained in this goodly proscription they charge vs also That we haue beene the cause of the desolation of the countrey of Luxembourg for that wee did not preuent it It is well knowne that before that time they held vs for traitors and rebels your highnesse armes were turned against vs euerie man might lawfully kill vs and euerie one of our heads was set at ten crownes price how then can all this accord well together It had bin better your highnesse had imployed your forces to defend Luxembourg and not to haue suffered so goodly a prouince to be so miserably ruined Considering then the enormitie of your proceedings and the bad consequence which may be drawn by other princes in committing the like excesse to their souldiers The squadron Electo and councell intreat all princes and common weales to make vse of this example and to foresee that in abusing after this manner their good and faithfull souldiers which are the sinewes of their preseruation they draw not vpon them the like misfortunes the which doe daily more and more threaten to ruine their highnesses Some one hath said well Woe be to that countrey which hath a child for prince Who so shall duely consider of this answer and shall peize it with the truth in euery point will confesse that it had beene much better for the archdukes honour and reputation not to haue decreed this bitter proscription especially against Italians who are not easily drawne into mutinie without great occasion besides they haue subtil and actiue spirits among them although they be souldiers to answer pertinently to euery point as it appeares by their answere The archduke had at that time but small meanes to force them to obedience they beeing growne strong and in a manner protected by the vnited prouinces who had contracted with them that in time of need they might retire themselues vnder the walles ordnance of the townes of Breda Berghen vp Zoome and Seuenberghen and to furnish themselues with all necessaries for their money Matters standing vpon these tearmes Octauio Frangipanny the popes Nuntio was sent from the archdukes vnto the mutiners to be a mediator betwixt them Hee persuaded them vnto three things the first
disorder to Sâ—…luse yet carrying backe all their gallies beeing fauoured by the neerenesse of their retreat There died in this sea fight the generall Frederick Spinola with aboue eight hundred of his men and a great number of them hurt Of the Estates side there were sixe and thirtie slaine among the which was captaine Iacob Michelson and his lieutenant the viceadmirall Ioos de Moor and captaine Leger Peterson with some threescore others were hurt In the viceadmirall and in the gally of Zeeland there were some Englishmen of the garrison of Flessingue who did exceeding well of the which there were eight slaine and some fifteene hurt Ioos de Moor the viceadmirall commaunded at this fight in the absence of the seignior William van Haulstein who was admirall vnder prince Maurice he hearing the noyse of the ordnance parted presently from Flessingue with fiue ships of warre and one fregate to come and succour his companie before the ditch but the fight was ended and the enemie retired before he came In this battaile the saying of the royall prophet Dauid was verified That victories proceeded not from the force and strength of man but from the ayd and assistance of God Elizabeth Queene of England of famous memorie being dead vpon the foure and twentieth day of March and Iames king of Scotland called to the succession of the crowne vpon the 8 of Aprill the vnited prouinces did write a letter vnto the king of England as followeth Most high and mightie prince as we were with great reason grieued in our soules for the newes of the death of the most high great mightie and soueraigne princesse the queene of England of most worthy and famous memorie in regard of the great loue and affection shee did alwayes beare vnto our estate and for the ayd which we did still receiue from her princely bountie for our defence and preseruation against the king of Spaine and his adherents wherby the remembrance of her shall for euer remaine eternized in vs and our posteritie so were wee much comforted and reioyced in our hearts to vnderstand that your Maiestie with a generall applause of the Estates of the whole country was proclaimed the true and lawful heire successor and king of the kingdomes of England Fraunce and Ireland and the rather for that wee assure our selues that your Maiestie comming to the succession of the said kingdoms will not onely continue your princely grace and accustomed fauour but will also of your princely inclination inherit the same princely affection towards vs and our estate which the aforesayd noble queene of worthy memorie hath left vnto you thereby to continue your gratious ayd and bountifull assistance for our preseruation for the welfare of all Christendome and your owne good against the common enemie as we haue long hoped and expected the same And in effect to shew the resolution we haue alwayes had to please and serue your Maiestie so wee beseech almightie God for the first part of our dueties to blesse your Maiestie in this succession to his glorie and the propagation of his holy word to exalt your Maiesties gouernment with all state and happinesse and to giue your Maiestie health and long life not onely to the glorie and comfort of your owne kingdomes and subiects and of our estate but also to the good and peace of all Christendom against the insatiable ambition of the Spaniards and their adherents To which end we most humbly beseech your Maiestie seeing it pleased the aforesaid queene of famous memorie in her later dayes to grant vs leaue to take vp certaine souldiers in England for to fill vp and make compleat the English companies that serue vnder vs as wee likewise besought your Maiestie to suffer vs to doe the like in Scotland for the Scottish companies that it will now please your Maiestie to grant vs the effect thereof that wee may at this present take vp the said souldiers both in England and Scotland to be transported into the Netherlands there to be imployed in our seruice as the necessitie of our cause requireth and especially for the preseruation of the towne of Oostend wherein we refer our selues to your Maiesties consideration kissing your princely hands with all humilitie beseeching the almightie God to preserue your M. throne in al happinesse glory and your princely person in long life prosperitie Dated as aforesaid signed by the generall states of the vnited prouinces Presently after this letter they sent an honorable embassage into England the embassadors were Henry Frederic earle of Nassau yongest sonne to the late prince of Orange Walraue baron of Brederode monsieur Van Olden Barneuelt counsellor for Holland and Iacob Valck treasurer of Zeeland beeing accompanied with diuers gentlemen as the lords of Batenborgh Schagen Trelongh Herdenbrooke Borselle with many others These embassadors arriued in England the 14 of May eight daies after the kings entrie into London and vpon the seuen and twentieth of May they had audience where besides their congratulating of the kings comming to his new kingdomes they layed open vnto him the estate of their affaires and craued a supply of souldiers according to the contents of their letters the which was deliuered both by mouth and writing but for that it is but a repetition of that which hath gone before I forbeare to insert it The king made them a friendly answer in generall tearmes excusing himselfe that he was but newly entred into his kingdome and beeing ignorant of the estate and power thereof hee thought it requisite first to settle his owne affaires and to be fully informed of all particularities beeing most conuenient rather to seeke peace than warre and that with all friendly care and affection he would continue all loue and friendship with them as his predecessor had done with many other exceeding good wordes wherewith the embassadours tooke their leaues The archduke hearing also of the death of the Queene of England sent a gentleman called Nicholas de Schosy into Scotland to sound the kings mind how he stood affected whether to peace or warre and hearing that he had beene alwaies inclined to a good peace he sent to all the coasts of Flanders commaunding them not to touch nor molest any English man neither by water nor by land but to vse them with all loue and friendship and withall to set all their English prisoners at libertie And at the same time he sent an embassadour into England which was Charles earle of Aremberg knight of the golden fleece chancellor of estate and admirall generall for the archdukes beeing accompanied with his sonne the baron of Seuenberghen the earle of Bossu the baron of Robles the lord of Wakene the lord of Swevigem the earle of Phirtburg the baron of Neuele with many other gentlemen his embassage tending besides congratulation to mooue the king to a peace and to crosse certaine designes of the vnited prouinces and for that the plague was great in
of hope of all reliefe were amazed and did trye if they could free themselues of their vnnecessarie mouthes especially of their slaues whom they sent once more out the same way but they were beaten backe into the towne as before and yet some fortie of them escaped There was another letter surprised from the gouernour vnto the archduke whereby hee did aduertise him That he was straitly besieged without the towne but within he was incountred with two cruell enemies hunger and gally slaues The besieged and the besiegers entertained one another daily with their shot but they within the towne were better husbands reseruing their shot and powder at greater need for an assault There appeared dayly some of the archdukes troups to giue courage to the besieged and to trye some meanes to succour them Once among the rest there came 9 corners of horse towards cont Ernests quarter who seeing good guard kept retired through fauor of the night without any exploit The prince in the meane time as well to keepe the souldiers occupied as to be prepared for all euents caused diuers trenches platformes and bridges to bee made as well to passe ouer waters as to goe couered vnto the assault Sometimes a dike brake in the campe which filled all their trenches with water and made them worke for eight dayes to repaire it during the which the besieged seeing that the princes men shot not at them they cryed out Where is now your canon haue you layd it to pawne in the Lombard be gone ye beggers be gone To whom they answered You shall see it but too soone to your losse with the which wee will haue you shortly and then wee will goe and rayse the siege of Oostend with other such souldier like threats The besieged had set a float neere vnto their castle to plant some ordnance thereon the princes men went thither with boats but they were so entertained with musket shot as they were forced to retire The prince did often visit his whole campe and past into Cadsant to set al things in order causing his men to repaire and fortifie where hee saw it needfull His armie grew daily stronger in men and souldiers arriued howerly both Switsers and other nations by bands of twentie thirtie or more There came foure hundred Switsers at one time the which with others that came before had their quarter vnder cont Ernest. The lord of Termes arriued also with a good troupe of French horse who was verie kindly entertained by the prince and after they had walked about an hower with cont William of Nassau they supt together There was verie good martiall discipline and seuere iustice in the campe which made all things verie good cheape there comming great aboundance of victuals out of all parts of Holland and Zeeland The campe seemed a good towne and there was a storehouse well furnished with munition and all other things necessarie The besieged shot much at the princes ships which lay in the hauen to driue them out or to sinke them but the captaines hauing commaundement to continue there still they vanquished their importunat shooting by patience so as they were forced to cease and to spare their powder The princes men shot at the wind-mils within the towne and beat them downe By reason of the inundation of the countrey which was couered with water the towne could not bee so straitly besieged on all sides as the prince desired for there are certaine medowes and other places which the sea doth inuiron or couer at a high water and the tide being spent they are left drye there they incountred daily and still some were slaine or taken prisoners Wherefore the prince to spare his men that he might be the better able to resist the succours which the besieged attended made a defence that no souldier should go to the war without commaundement vpon paine of death causing a souldier to bee hanged who had beene saued from the gallowes twice in one day to giue example vnto the rest The vnited Estates commaunded publike prayers and fasting throughout all their prouinces to craue assistance at Gods hand in this important action The prince did also command the like throughout all his armie forbidding them to buy or sell any thing that day vpon paine of death If the prince did presse the towne without hunger did afflict them more within among other necessaries they had great want of wood to bake their bread so as they were constrained to pull downe houses to that end which made them to practise all meanes to write vnto the archduke and to acquaint him with the estate of the towne A Spaniard went out of the towne on horsebacke to trie if hee could finde a passage but being discouered by the guards he fled backe into the towne leauing his horse behinde the which was drowned The next day he returned againe with eighteene musketiers and hauing past the same way which hee viewed before hee had layed his companie in ambush at a certaine passage soone after there went eight Switsers whom they slue which they of the campe perceiuing they did inuest them and cut them all in pieces The besieged made also a sallie but the guards were so well placed as they were still forced to retire The fourth of Iuly Cont Henry Frederick the princes brother with Cont Ernest and Lewis with some soldiers being wearie to lye so long idle without any action went euen vnto the gates of Dam where as the sentinell gaue the alarme presently these yong noble men staying to braue it before the towne were soone charged with the garrison which was much stronger than themselues so as they were forced to retire with the losse of foure or fiue horse The mutinous soldiers of Hochstraten hauing made their peace and compounded with the Archduke being two thousand strong they went to serue him in Flanders at the reliefe of Sluse where they shewed themselues more forward than any and diuers of them were slaine but many of them hauing receiued their full pay ran away some home into their own country others fearing punishment went and serued prince Maurice among the which two of the chiefe being both horsemen left their fellowes being in Roemonde and went to the Graue their names were Thomas Viller and Papouken with a good troupe with them who vpon the 17 of August came before Sluse to the princes armie where they carried themselues verie valiantly so as Papouken being banished out of the vnited prouinces for that he had been one of them that had sold Geertruydenbergh in regard of his valour and experience was reconciled to prince Maurice The prince assuring himselfe to take Sluse by famine caused his batteries to cease for that he would spare his powder and shot And the Archduke weighing the necessitie of the besieged and the great importance of that place meaning not to deferre it after the taking of Oostend as he had hetherto done hee resolued to
so as he might retaine the soueraignty But being ready to enter into a treaty of peace and the prouinces vnder the archdukes gouernment in good hope thereof the bad gouernment in Hongarie and Transiluania bred an open rebellion so as Stephanus Botschkay tooke vpon him to be their leader and besides this disordered gouernment bad pay mutiny of the soldiers they sought by means of the Iesuits to force mens consciences and to alter their long reformed religion in so dangerous a time of ciuill and forraine wars and for that cause they grounded their rebellion vpon the same foundation which the Netherlanders had done as breach of priuiledges gouernment of strangers and constraint of conscience the which gaue cause of suspition vnto the Emperour and the king of Spaine In the meane time there were many things propounded how a peace might be made the which for that it is a matter of great importance I haue thought it fit to bee inserted One terming himselfe a Netherlander yet dwelling out of those countreys sets down his opinion in three speciall points and first concerning the bad gouernment of the vnited prouinces Secondly that they will not be still able to continue the wars and thirdly that they shal be forced to submit themselus vnder Spain France or England Of these 3 points he maketh a long discourse and also of the forces and qualities of each one in particular If any man would argue and maintain that it were the best course to yeeld the countreys ouer to prince Maurice in regard of his great seruices done for the same with perpetuall confederation and league with France and England thereby to defend and support the said prouinces hee was of opinion that it would be too difficult a matter for prince Maurice to vndertake so great a quarrell with the Estates of Holland and Zeeland and that they which are so well seated and at this present in the gouernment would not willingly giue their consents vnlesse they were forced therunto by the said kings Therfore he setteth downe a means how to settle the archdukes after another maner in the said Netherlands which if it were not found good conuenient then they should deuise how to further prince Maurice in this designe The meanes hee speaketh of are That seeing the king of Spain and the archdukes are so vnited as they are not to be trusted in regard of the maxime of pias fraudes holy deceits that therfore to bring the 17 prouinces into a perfect vnion they must procure the kings of France and England to bee mediatours to the king of Spain to yeeld vp al his right absolutely vnto the archdukes vpon pain of breaking the league with them the emperor also in regard of affinity France must likewise resigne al maner of pretences vpon condition that their heires males after the maner of the Salike law by this or any other mariage of them both and no other shall succeed and that after both their deaths without heires males that neither the king of Spain nor the emperor in regard of their great suspected powers shold inherit the Netherlands but it should descend to the rest of the heires males of the emperors Ferdinand Maximilian with the like conditions and if it so fell out that the said successor in the Netherlands were chosen to be emperor he should then likewise giue ouer his title to the Netherlands vnto the next heires males of the same house and that if the whole house of Austria should chance to die and be extinct only the emperor and the king of Spaine remaining in that case it should be lawfull for the said prouinces to choose themselues another prince where they pleased that all the Netherlands might continue vnder one Lord and Prince It should bee also necessary that the king of Spaine should giue security for the effecting thereof vnto one of the two kings aforesaid which if hee refused then the said kings of England France with the Netherlands shold force him therunto with the consent of the emperor which he affirmeth is easie to be done by many reasons by him alleaged for that cause men must take heede of the Iesuites maximes or subtile fetches He also maketh answere to many arguments obiected to the contrary by the Spaniards who would not endure to be cut off from their patrimoniall inheritance but Christian peace ought to persuade him thereunto that so he may employ all his power against the Turke therewith he setteth downe certein articles to be obserued in this peace which are 6 in number which if the king of Spaine will not agree vnto and that the said articles were not liked on either part then the kings of France and England shall seeke to put the said countreys if it were possible into the hands of prince Maurice of Nassau but the other contract with the archdukes he saith were better he sheweth moreouer what profit all Christendome may expect and attend by the said peace wherein we should neither feare pope nor Iesuite but call a generall councell whether it were with the good liking or otherwise of the pope and according to the decrees thereof to begin a war against the Turke in such order as monsieur la Noue describeth whereunto all other princes would willingly giue consent and by that meanes the golden world would begin againe Another being a catholike and vnder the archdukes gouernment setteth downe certaine reasons for a peace as followeth He sheweth the strength of the vnited prouinces which are compassed in with the seas and great riuers that are nauigable hauing great store of shipping therewith to prouide them of all things necessary and on the other side hee setteth downe the difficulties whereunto the prouinces vnder the archdukes commaund are subiect As that their soldiers can hardly liue or get any thing from such an enemy but would bee ouer chargeable to their owne countrey that the aid which they had out of Spaine was great in shew but in effect small and was most of it drawne from the vttermost parts of Italy and the deepest parts of Spaine and that many times it was intercepted by the way and being come it did melt like snow against the sunne that by protracting of the soldiers pay mutinies did arise That the vnited prouinces are alwaies first in the fields and that they could thereby giue the first onset that Spaine of it selfe is poore that the Hollanders tooke his gold siluer and traffique from him at the Indies that his mynes are drawne drie that the yong king is not so sparing as his father and so his charges are greater and by that meanes money grew scant and mutinies daily increased so as to pacific the soldiers and to giue them some contentment besides their robbing and spoyling of the countrey they are often paide twelue or fifteen stiuers a day for a footman and foure twenty stiuers a horsman not any other are full paid vnlesse they
yoke laid vpon you no man being so simple but that perceiueth that the archduke in few yeares for it is a poore host that cannot forbeare one reckoning much better princes and kings that haue long armes will bring the matter to such a passe and so well conforme the Estates to his appetite and will as they themselues will make petitions and intreat to bee released of the exercise of the religion in such sort as he shal be moued to breake his word and to alter the articles not of himselfe but at the earnest suit of the Estates of the country Thus much you are in this respect to expect touching religion and the libertie thereof being the first and weightiest point And touching the priuiledges of the countrey I can tell you that the archdukes heart and intent is far from these faire shewes and great commendations For proofe whereof I will not lead you far but by his own actions will shew you and say That if he were from his heart addicted to gouerne and rule so fatherly as it is giuen forth and to redresse the complaints of the prouinces in this respect he would at least begin to make some shew of this good resolution vnto the Estates of Brabant Flanders Arthois and Henault the which now for these 20 yeres together haue sued and longed to bee freed and discharged from all strange souldiers that the counsell might bee all of Netherlanders and the offices giuen to naturall borne subiects being verie apparant that although they haue neglected their common countries cause and like slaues submitted themselues vnto the Spaniards they are not trusted in any thing of weight but thrust out of the counsell and strangers preferred before them who command in their castles and forts vsing all disorders and threatning the Estates with forcible contributions and that so impudently as in Antuerpe they haue forced the bourgmasters to appoint certain strumpets to serue their turns making them their bawds And is not this a sufficient forewarning wherby you may conclude that the archduke for your sakes whom hee calleth heretikes rebels wil not shew any fauor when he sheweth so little vnto thē that like obedient subiects humbly fal vpon their knees he cannot do otherwise nor make any alteration In preiudice of the King of Spaine of whome he holdeth these countries as in fee and with other hard conditions according to the contents of the contract of marriage hath bound the same with vnspeakeable Infraction of the said Prouinces freedome vnto the Crowne of Spaine thereby to inioy the Kings aid and on the other side faithfully to aid him to the erecting of his pretended Monarchie It is well knowne vnto them that these countries beeing seperated from Spaine and inioying their liberties and freedomes such a Monarchie can neuer be raised and therefore they haue long since resolued whatsoeuer it cost to reforme the priuiledges of the Netherlands that without hinderance of the same all the power and meanes of the Prouinces whether it bee money ships hauens sorts and all other thinges may be vsed to the subiecting and conquering of the neighbour countries as Germany France England and all others as their actions not long since put in practise did sufficiently declare how neere they would haue attained to their pretence if they had had the Netherlands absolutely vnder their command whereby you may conceiue what pollicie is vsed when men make you beleeue that the Archduke in regard of his weakenesse is lesse to bee feared and that from henceforth you shall haue to doe with your owne Prince and not with the King of Spaine and other strangers and that therefore you ought to laye all distrust aside whereas now it shall bee worse for you then euer in steed of one you shall haue to doe with two and in steed of one that is far of from you to whome all thinges must bee written ouer Seas and his resolution to bee attended in matters of great importance you shall alwayes haue the Archduke readie to imorace all occasions to surprize you By meanes of the Kings absence and the staying for his resolutions wee haue often seene many disseignes made voyd and lye dead but the Arch-duke alwaies sitting still by you and looking vnto you will alwaies bee listning and prying into all occasions and will strike when he seeth his time to your miserable destruction and ouerthrow much lesse also ought you to suffer your selues to bee deceiued by vaine wordes that the Arch-duke is descended of Duch blood and is no Spaniard but I say that beeing borne of a Spanish mother so strictly bound vnto the King of Spaine so Catholikely giuen of him-selfe and perswaded and incensed by the Iesuits you haue cause to expect lesse grace fauour and courtesie to releeue your miserable Estates then of any naturall Spaniard But now you may aske me what will be the issue shall wee still bee distrustfull and shal we cast away al hope of euer obtaining a good peace Heere-vnto I make answer that subiects must indure and beare much wrong and iniury at their Princes hands before they rise vp in armes against them not onely for their conscience sake seeing that God hath made them subiects vnto them and also commandeth them to be obedient and subiect euen vnto Infidell and Heathen Princes and Magistrates and to pray for them but also in respect of other worldly considerations and for that ciuill armes borne by subiects against their Princes although their case be good and lawsull doe often times breed more mischiefe then the tyranies of Princes which men thereby hope to withstand and may well be likened to a Phisition who curing of one disease breedeth a worse and many times bringeth the sicke patient into danger of death Wherefore they ought to arme them-selues with patience so long as there is no other meanes or councell to be had but when the subiects with all their patience and long sufferance cannot preuaile and the wrongs offered them by the Prince are so great as all diuine and humaine lawes permit them to deny him obedience as you with all possible and earthly meanes humilitie patience prayers intreaties and humble petitions haue to the vtmost acquitted your selues and not till then forced through meere extremitie sorsaken your Prince when as he in steed of answering your petitions caused your Ambassadors to bee put to death filled your townes and Prouinces with Spanish executioners and brake the articles wherevnto he was sworne at his installment seeking to rule both ouer your soules and consciences then I say there is no other councell nor meanes for the subiect that hath forsaken his Prince but to be couragious in fighting to defend his freedome as before he was humble in induring wrongs arming himselfe with a constant and fitte distrust against the deuises and practises of his Prince for that the naturall enmitie that is betweene the Cat and the Mouse cannot bee more vnreconcileable then the ingrafted hatred and
together with his loyallty and loue to his country was wellknowne to all the world by his many good seruices Vpon the twenty fiue of March hauing all things redy hee sailed out of Texel with sixteene shippes of warre and one pinace with whome there ioyned the foure victuallers there came three also from Enchuysen and three from Horne making twenty two shippes of Warre vpon the twenty seauen day they came vnder the I le of Wight where they found three shippes more of Zeeland and fiue of Rotterdamme with an other pinace of Amsterdam There was a forth shippe of Zeland runne on ground so as they tooke the men and munition out of it and put them into other shippes On the twenty nine day they set saile from the I le of Wight and two daies after the Admirall Hemskerke hauing all his fleet together went on with an Easterly winde towards Portugall and Spaine so as on the tenth of Aprill they came vnto the height of thirty six degrees neere vnto the riuer of Lisbone There the Admirall called his captaines and councell aboard where they resolued to enter into that riuer with their whole fleet and to set vpon the carraques and gallions which they should finde there But the Admirall being certenly aduertised by his spies which hee had sent into Lisbon in an English shippe that the carraques were most of them gone forth and that there remained but eight or nine not halfe furnished and without artillery Moreouer hauing intelligence from certaine French shippes comming from Saint Lucars and from Cabiz that there were sixteene gallions gone towards the West Indies and ten others well appointed lying in the straight of Gibraltar with many other shippes appointed for warre attending there such of the vnited Prouinces shippes as should come out of Italy and the Leuant seas which they knew were many This made the Admirall to take a new resolution to goe and visit this fleet euen in the straights Then they bent their course towards Cape Saint Vincent where they turned on the left hand and lost sight of one of their company there they met with a shippe of Flushing which came through the straights on the twenty day telling him that he past through the Spanish army in the night and being out of the Straight they semed to him in the morning as if they would take their course towards Cadiz for that they could notly within the straight the wind being Easterly The Admirall hearing this continued his course and on the twenty foure of Aprill they past close by the riuer of Saint Lucars and the Baye of Cadiz but they could not learne that any shippes were entred where the Admirall had fully resolued to charge them were it in the riuer of S. Lucars or in the Bay The same day he had certaine intelligence of the Spanish fleet by a Frenchman which came out of the road of Gibraltar who duly informd him of the strength and Estate of the Spanish army At night for that the wind was westerly thy bent their course southward towards the coast of Barbary from whence in the morning they turned againe towards Spaine when the Admirall came into the narrowest part of the straight he called all his Captaines aboard etting them vnderstand what the French man had said vnto him where they did aduisedly consult of their affaiers and in the end resolued to set vpon the Spanish fleet appointing euery one his place how hee should fight The Admirall Hemskerke with Captaine Moye Lambert should charge the Admirall the Vice-admirall Alteras with captaine Bras should vndertake the Spanish Vice-admirall and so euery two shippes of warre should take'a galleoun to taske the two Pinaces and a barge were appointed to lie out at sea to charge any ship or gallioun that should offer to fly but the foure victualers should lie a loose The Admirall hauing set all things in good order hee incorraged the Captaines recommending vnto them the honor and profit which this victorie would bring vnto their country telling them that hee would bee the first and intreating them to lay aside all feare where-vpon they did all sweare ioyntly vnto him that they would follow him and obey him vnto the death where vpon euery one departed to his ship Then they sailed towards Gibraltar to seeke the enemy whome they descouered about noone being at anchor in the Baye of Gibraltar within cannon shot of the towne and Castle They were in all twenty one that is nine great galliouns and foure shippes of warre with a great shippe of Lubecke of foure hundred lasts who was come into the roade to stay for a winde to goe to Cadiz their were foure French shippes and three prizes two of Enchuysen and one of Rotterdam all which shippes they had manned with soldiars to attend the Estates army for the Duke of Medina Sidonia hearing that they had past before his riuer and before Cadiz he presently dispacht a post to Gibraltar to aduertise the Spanish fleete of the comming of the Estates men wishing them to stand vpon their gard They had the like aduertisment sent from Cadiz so as the same day they did â—…ortefie their army with three hundred men of the which there were a hundred caualiers which came voluntarily to serue the Admirall so as the Admirall had about seauen hundred men abord his shippe and the Viceadmirall some foure hundred and fifty as it was since vnderstood by prisoners The galliouns were well appointed with brasse ordinance and euery one had two hundred and fifty soldiars at the least besides marriners The Admirall was Don Iuan Aluares d' Auila borne at Esturges an ancient knight who had long serued the King of Spaine at sea euen all the time of Don Iohn of Austria his shippe was the Saint Augustine of eigh hundred tonne the Admiralls sonne bearing his owne name was Captaine of that galleoun the names of the other Galeouns Iomit for breuity sake the repetition being not greatly necessarie The Admirall Hemskerke hauing the Spanish fleete in sight hauing praied vnto God and set things in order hee bent his course directly towards them and caused his flag to be nayled fast to the toppe of his maine mast that it might not be dismounted promising a hundred rialls of eight to any one of his men that should bring the Spanish Admiralls flag exhorting his men to shew their valours and resolutions promising them they should freely enioy what-souer they should take from the enemy without any question the which together with their Admiralls resolution did so incourrage them as they thought the time long vntill they were ioyned with the ennemy The Spanish Admirall hauing in like manner descouered the States fleet he called for the Maister of a shippe of Rotterdam a prisoner whome he set at liberty and shewing him the Estates shippes he asked him if he thought they durst come vnto him where-vpon the other answered Sir with your good fauor I thinke they dare
do it The which the Admirall could not beleeue seeing he had so great aduantage lying vnder the fauor of the towne and Castle yet when hee perceiued that they came with full â—…ayles towards him hee caused his cable to be cut for he lay at the point and retired more into the Baye towards the towne so as he had the Vice-admirall and three other galleouns to couer him the which the Admirall Hemskerk perceiuing he went on his course leauing the Viceadmirall and the galleouns on his left hand causing an anchor to be set on the toppe of his prowe redy to let downe commanding they should not let it slippe before that hee was grappeled to the Spanish Admirall forbidding them also to shoot vntill they were very neere vnto the enemy and so hee sayled towards the Admirall being in the head of him the Spainard made the first shot but did no great harme the Admirall Hemskerke answered him with two peeces from before and presently grapled with the Spaniard letting slippe his anchor The Spaniard with the second shotte he made slue a young Gentleman and the boullet passing on by misfortune strooke of the Admirall Hemskerkes left thigh close to his body where-with hee fell and the same boullet carried away a gonners hand where-with he was ready to giue fier This valiant Admirall fealing death approching incouraged them that were about him all he could intreating them to proceed as they had well begon and to put an other in his place then recommending his soule to GOD hee gaue vp the ghost And thus this braue Captaine died like a right soldiar in his armes In the meane space they shotte so furiously of eyther side both with their Canon and Muskets as theâ—… could not see for smoake Captaine Lambert who had charge to second his Admirall whose death was not knowne vnto the rest vntill the victory was assured charged the Spanish Admirall first in poupe making a great spoile of his men then hee came in flanke behinde the Admirall Hemskerke annoying the Spaniard all hee could with his Ordinance It is a hard matter to describe how furiously they did fight on both sides For although the Estates shippes were not halfe so well manned as their enemies yet hoping of victorie they did fight like Lions and partly to bee reuenged of that which the Spaniards had made them suffer as well in prison as in their Galleys and other-wise When as the Admirall Hemskerke went on first to charge the Spanish Admirall all the other Shippes followed him according to their direction the Spanish Vize-Admirall was grappled with and after halfe an houres fight set on fire during this charge and as the fire begunne there was one of the Estates men fetcht downe the Vize-Admirals Flagge and carryed it into his shippe for which valiant act hee had fiftie ryals of eight giuen him as the Admirall had promised but the fire increased in such sort as the Estates shippes could hardly free themselues from fiering so as they burnt some part of their sailes but no man sought to quench the fire in the Spanish Vize-admirall burning downe to the Keele Such as escaped the fire cast themselues into the water and were most of them slaine the rest were all in a manner taken prisoners A Galleon which lay behinde the Spanish Vize-admirall was also in fight with three of the Estates shippes after some fight Lange Hendricke one of the Estates Captaines was slaine with a Musket shotte They of the Gallion seeing their Vize-admirals Flagge downe they presently planted one vpon their missen Mast but it was soone pulled away by a Hollander and the Galleon fired which burnt euen vnto the water an other Galleon was so plyed with the Canon as it was soone sunke The rest of the Spanish Fleete beeing retired more into the Baye with their Admirall seeing how the game went plyed the Hollanders with their Canon who answered them in like manner but yet they neuer came to handie blowes nor to graple but in the end one of the Spaniards with much shooting and inconsideratly set fire of his owne shippe which driuing downe fired an other that was before him the rest terrified with these fiers cutte their Cables and ranne on ground seeking nothing more then to saue their liues And among others the Lubeck shippe was set on fire All this time the Spanish Admirall was in fight with two shippes which did so plye him with their Ordinance as hee left shooting putting forth a white Flagge in signe of a parlee the which stayed not the batterie In the meane time another Galleon being in fight was set on fire the men thinking to flie in their boates to their Admirall who made no more resistance came vnto the Admirall of Holland One of the Estates Trumpeters went vp and pulled away the Spanish Admiralls Flagge for the which hee had a hundred ryalls of eight as the Admirall Hemskerke had promised The Spanish Admirall being thus vanquished hauing lost many men they threw themselues by ten or twelue at a time into the sea seeking their safety by swimming but the Hollanders being in their boates slue all they met withall in their furie so as the dead carcases did lye floating in the Baye as if it had beene in a champian field This battaile began about three of the clock in the after noone and ended foure houres after in the euening when as the Estates had a full and absolute victorie This hardie and dangerous battaile was attempted by the valour and great resolution of the Admirall Hemskerke and happily ended by ten or twelue shippes at the most The next day morning the Spanish Admirall being runne a ground vpon the Sandes they of the towne went forth cut downe her maine Mast then set fire on her easing the Hollanders of that paine It was an admirable and fearefull thing to see these Gallions and shippes burne especially when the fire came to the poulder then it was like vnto a horrible thunder The Sea and land were couered with smoake for a long time like thicke cloudes which mounted vp to heauen Besides the Admiralls Gallion there were fiue others burnt with an other great shippe of warre which the Spaniards had taken at Sea and that of Lubecke There was an other Gallion sunke the other two ranne a ground the which were so battered and torne as they were not fitte for any more seruice There was also run a shoare a French shippe that of Roterdam and one of Enchusen and al the rest of the Spaniards ships of war were run a ground here and there neere vnto the shoare There were not aboue fifty Spaniards prisoners who confest that there were 4000. men in their armie of the which there were 2000. lost at the battayle among the which was their Admirall and many other Captaines and Gentlemen whose names could not be recouered Among the prisoners was Don Iohn Aluarez D'Auila the Admirals sonne who
moneth returned againe and vpon the fifthteenth hauing audience giuen vnto him and to Verriken by the Estates they gaue them to vnderstand that they had commission to deliuer the said letters taking a note from the Estates for the receipte thereof declaring there-with that the Arch-dukes had there-by performed their promise and with a promise of re-deliuering the said letters if the treatie went not forward but the Estates found some difficultie therein for that they were of an opinion that the Arch-dukes had not performed their promise nor procured such letters without any restraint or appendix as were promised and that they were not to promise any restitution of an act which made it selfe voyd and of no effect if the treatie went not forward the which vppon the sixteenth of Nouember they made knowne vnto the Deputies who seemed to consent with them saying that they in like manner vnderstood it to be so and that they had written so much vnto the Arch-dukes but finding that the Estates persisted therein they once againe desired a further time for certaine daies that the Fryer might repaire once more to Brusselles for a full and absolute commission which was graunted them and so vpon the seauenteenth of Nouember he went to Brusselles and vpon the nine and twenty of the same moneth returned to the Hage with commission to deliuer the said letters as in the end they did absolutely without any exception or promise to bee made by the Estates and so vppon the twenty of December they returned backe againe to Brussels hauing made no speach vnto Fryer Iohn Nayen touching the aforesaid presents where-with he had busied him-selfe The generall Estates or their ordinary Deputies vppon the tenth of Nouember departed from the Hage euery man to make knowne in their seuerall Prouinces the said last agreation sent by the King of Spaine and to assemble the Estates of their particuler Prouinces and to vnderstand from them whether they were of opinion vpon the said letters and as they were made to enter into a treaty of peace or not against the tenth of December to meete againe euery man to shew his commission touching that point Before their departure vppon the tenth of October they had receiued a letter from the Emperour wherein he declared what charges and paines his father the Emperour Maximillian and him-selfe had beene at and taken to bring the affaires of the Netherlands to a good end and finall peace wherefore he did now wonder they would attempt to deale therein without his aduice or at the least without making him acquainted there-with as seeming to haue a pretence to make the Vnited Prouinces a free state whereas notwithstanding the Estates thereof knew well that the said Netherlands depended vpon him and the holy Empire as by the ancient records of the Empire and the first institutions he could proue and that therefore the Estates were to remember that in regard it was a respectiue member of the Empire they might not vndertake any thing touching the same without his consent as beeing the chiefe member of the said Empire and that if any thing were done or attempted to the contrary whereby the nature and propertie of the members of the Empire might bee altered and changed that it was of no effect according to the ordinances and statutes of the Empire Desiring therefore to vnderstand from them in what estate the matter stood and how they ment to proceed therein that hee and the Empire might vphold their rites and priuiledges requiring also that they would not proceede in any thing without his consent or to permit any thing to bee done that might tend to the preiudice of him and the Empire Which letter by some was thought to be written for an insinuation thereby in time to pretend some cause of nullitie and disabling of all that which the Estates should conclude with the King of Spaine and the Arch-dukes touching the peace and to make vse thereof when they shall thinke it most necessary and fitte for them The third of December Iacob Vlefelt Councellor of the Empire and Amptman of the Castle of Hagens-kow and Ionas Charasins Doctor of both the Lawes Ambassadours for the King of Denmarke arriued at the Hage with a good traine of Gentlemen who vppon the sixth of December had conferenee with the generall Estates shewing the affection which their King bare to the Vnited Prouinces and that their commission was to aid and assist the Estates with their Councell in their treatie of peace The Arch-dukes hauing made a reconing with the mutinous soldiers of Diest and there-vppon giuing them satisfaction according to the contract made hee deuided them into diuers companies and put them into seueral places after which hauing committed no newer offence he caused them al to be brought out of their seuerall quarters to haue a certaine decree of banishment made against them and openly published which was to depart out of the Arch-dukes countries within twenty houres after vpon paine of death The letter of banishment beeing as followeth It is manifestly knowne vnto euery man how long the last mutenie in Diest hath continued and the great and inestimable summes of money it hath cost vs besides the troubles and insupportable burthens and wrongs that our poore subiects haue sustained thereby Neuerthelesse wee haue indeauored so much as at the last wee haue made a full account and reckoning with all those that haue beene partakers in the said mutinie and payd euery one of them whatsoeuer hee could aske to their full contentments and withall forgiuen them and by these presents doe forgiue them all whatsoeuer they haue done against vs by meanes of the said mutenie Neuerthelesse wee with the King our brother beeing not bound to entertaine any man in our seruices longer then wee shall thinke good hauing a further care of our estates for diuers good cosiderations haue resolued that it will bee more aduancement to our seruice and quietnesse to our subiects to send them out of the country and to commaund them as by these presents wee doe expresly commaunde That within foure and twenty houres after the publication hereof they depart out of all our Countries and Territories and not to staie any longer time therein nor to enter or come into them againe vppon payne of hanging willing and commaunding as well all our louing subiectes as others seruing vnder vs the aforesayde time beeing expyred to sette vppon them and to vse all the rigour and hostilitie against them that they could as against such as are disobedient vnto vs and are banished persons withall And that if any of them shall bee so carelesse contrary vnto this our commaundement to remaine still in those our Countryes our will and pleasure is that such persons as can apprehend any of them and either liuing or dead deliuer them either to the handes of Ferdinando Boischot one of our Priuie Councell and Auditor generall of our armie or to the Iustices of any
in Holland taken by the Protestants 589 Creuecaeur yeelded to Prince Maurice 1230 Cruelty of the Spaniards against the French at Mons 490 Cruelties of the Spaniards in Neutrall countries of Germanie vnder the Admirall of Arragon 1174 Cruelties of the Liegeois 164 Confirmation of the Baron of Montignies accord with the Spaniard 689 Cloet Gouernor of Nuys cruelly executed 920. Conuoy of three thousand going to Cologne defeated by their owne party 952 Conditions whereby the Estates did yeeld vnto the tenth penny 467 Conuoy of the Spaniards defeated by the Lord Willobies troopes 952 Conuoy from Bruges to Ypre defeated 830 Castle of Gand besieged by the generall Estates 612 Castle of Huede treacherously deliuered to the Prince of Parma 660 Collenborch taken by the Estates 1047. Crapoll Castle surprised by the Estates 1261 Cracowe taken for the Estates 1262. Catris Generall of the Spaniards slaine before Ostend 1270 Cornets eight of the Archdukes horse defeated 1290 Crueltie of the Earle of Embden 1293 Crueltie of the Spaniards 1301 Cadsandt taken by Prince Maurice 1306 Coxie taken by Prince Maurice ibid. Conuoy going to victuall Sluys put to route 1311. Considerations concerning a peace in the Netherlands 1322 D. DAniel vanden Meulen sent for to Brussels and why 1171 Death of the Emperor Charles the fift his qualities 528 Death of the Princesse of Orange 803 Death of the Duke of Parma 1061 Defeate of the succors of Harlem and of the Prince of Oranges Armie 510. of the Princes shippes before Harlem 513. of the Protestants at Austerwele 422. of the Protestants of Amerongen 422. of the Estates at Gemblours 654. of the Estates men at Costeyns-dyke 879. of the Spaniards at Tournhout 1126. of the Marquis of Warembom by the Estates 1024 Deliuery monstrous of 365. children at one birthe 52 Deputies from the Queene of England to the Estates and from them to her 984. from Brusselles to the Estates of Aâ—…thois 695. from Antwerpe to the Gouernesse 423. from the Nobilitie to an Imperiall Dyet 372. from the Estates to the French King 868. from Groning to the Emperor 1055. from the Queene of England to treate with the King of Spaines deputies at Bourbrough in Flanders 995. from the Duke of Cleues to Prince Maurice 1185 Denremonde Nihouen and Audenarde surprized for the Archduke Philip 200 Denremonde redeemes it selfe from spoile 860. Dearth extraordinarie of corne in the Netherlands 931 Deâ—…cription of Groning 1087 Delf rebels besieged and yeelded to Cont Albert 106 Delfois doe great seruice in Friseland to Cont Albert. 112 Disunion among the Prouinces of the Netherlands 708 Description of the Duke of Aluas Image 461. Deuenter in Ouerissel besieged by the Estates 687. sold to the Spaniard by Stanley 942. beseeged and yeelded to Prince Maurice 1048. Deutecom taken by the Admirall 1186 Diuision in Holland during their Earles absence 72 Disgrace done to the Earle of Osteruant at the French Kings table 110 Discourse of Maister Francis Baldwins shewing the true meanes how to pacifie the troubles 356. Dissimulation of the Duchesse of Parma with the Nobles 421 Discourse of aduice to the Earle of Leicester 932. Diuision among the Nobilitie of the Netherlands 349 Dislike betwixt the Duke of Parma and Champigny 1019 Dinant beseeged by the Earle of Charalois taken and razed 157 Dinandois brake the peace with the Earle of Charolois ibid. Double practise at Bryele 730 Dousbourg yeelded to the Spaniard 874. besieged and yeelded to the Earle of Leicester 924. Dourlans in Picardie taken by assault by the Spaniard 1106. Dordrecht surprised by the yong Earle of Egmont 195. Dix Muyden taken from the Ganthois 210 Duke of Lorraine inuades Holland for the Bishop of Vtrecht and defeates Robert the Frison 24 Duke of Saxonie ruines the faction in Holland and Zeland 211 Duchesse of Parma writes to the King and delayes the Estates of Brabant vnder a proiect of moderation of the bloudie Edict 373. she entertaines them with pollicie 385. she playes her part 421 Duke of Alua sent Gouernor into the Netherlands 431. seekes a quarrell against the Queene of England 460. thinking to assure Flushing he looseth it 473. he spoiles Macklin 495 hee labours to bee called home 532. Duke of Medina Celi sent to gouerne the Netherlands 479 Duke Iohn Cassimire succors the Estates 673. hee comes to Gand. 676. he retires with his armie 686 Duke of Parma Gouernour of the Netherlands 681. hee passeth the Meuse 682. comes before Antwerpe 863. and takes it 884. hee goes to the Spawe 1019. his death 1061. Duke of Bouillon marries the Prince of Oranges daughter 1102 Dunkerke taken and burnt by the French 326. recouered by the Bourguignons basely yeelded vp by the French 827 Dyest yeelded to Don Iuan 654. is surprised by the Estates 746. beseeged and yeelded to the Spaniard 825 Deane of Emmerics speech vnto the Admirall of Arragon 1186 Duchesse of Parma departs out of the Netherlands 444 Disposition of Prince Maurice Campe before Sluys 1310 Death of Peter Ernest Earle of Mansfeldt his life 1319 Demands of the Councell of Estate of the vnited Prouinces touching the warre 1321. E. EDward Duke of Gelders takes his brother prisoner and defies the Earle of Holland 107. Earle of Benthen slaine 34 Earle of Loos defeates the Earle of Holland in Zeland 46 Earles of Holland and Geldres make warre against the Bishop of Vtrecht 42 Earle of Saint Pol made Reuward of Brabant 135. Earle of Enghien beheaded in Henault 106 Earle of Embden made Protector of Groning 230. buildes a Cittadell there ibid. Earle of Meghen at Vtrecht 421 Earle of Arembergh defeated and slaine in Friseland by Cont Lodowicke of Nassau 449. Earle Adolph of Nassau slaine in Friseland with Arembergh 449 Earle of Meurs leuies Reysters for the Estates which mutine 931. his death 1025 Earle of Hochstrate adiorned by the Duke of Alua iustifies himselfe by writing 445. hee hurts himselfe by chance whereof hee dyes 458 Earle of Bossu chased away from Bryel 472. Earle Lodowicke of Nassau brother to the Prince of Orange enters Friseland with an armie 449. beseegeth Groning 455. defeated through the mutinie of his Germaines 456. surprizeth Mons 477. comes to succour the Protestants of the Netherlands is defeated and slaine with his brother and Duke Christopher 545 Earle of Lodron taken prisoner by his soldiars 460. intreates them cruelly in Antwerpe 462. Earle of Ouerstein drowned at Antwerpe 597. Earle of Bossu intreates them of Rotterdam in Holland ill 473. hee is taken prisoner by the Hollanders and carryed to Horne 528. hee is Generall of the Estates Armie his death 687 Earle of Marke Lieutenant to the Prince of Orange surprizeth Bryele 472. he becomes maister of a great part of Holland for the Prince 488. accused to the Estates for his crueltie 515 Earle Uanden Berghe takes Zutphen and other townes in Gelderland for the Prince of Orange 488 Earle of Solms makes warre for the Estates in Flanders 1073. hee marries the daughter of the Earle of Egmont 1103 Earle
husband The Earle of S. Pol sent 〈◊〉 into Brabant An assembly of the states of Brabant Thâ—… Earle of S. Pol made Reuward of Brabant The Lord of Berghen slain in the Dukes chamber Many of the duke oâ—… 〈◊〉 seruants apprehended The Emperor anâ—…â—…ce Elector write into Bâ—…abant so the prisoners The prisoners set a libertie Whâ—…t the office of Reuwâ—…rd â—…s Many beheaded at Brussels The Contesse Iaqueline causeth the Dâ—…ke of Brabant her husband to be cited to Rome The Contesse Iaqueline made â—…re to the duke of Gloceâ—…r He comeâ—… with an Army into Henault 1423. Iohn van Vlyer beheadded at the Hage Iohn of Bauaria gouernor of Holland dies The Duke of Brabant acknowledgeâ—… Earle of Holland in the right of his wife Captaine Albert Beyllincâ—… buâ—…ied aliue 1425. Schoonhouen besieged A Truce made at Schoonhouen The duke of Brabant bebesiegeth the Contesse his wife in Mons A treatie made by the duke of Bourgongne to atteme vnto the Countesses countrey The Contesse laqâ—…e is deliuered into the Duke of Hourgongnes hands The Contesse of Holland led against her will vnto Gant The Contesse it freed out of the duke of Burgongnes hands The Contesse comes into Holland The battel of Alphen whereas the Coneesse was victor The English and Zeelanders defeated by the Duke of Bourgongne at Brouwershâ—… Anno 1424. The Cardinals sentencâ—… touching the duke of Brabants marriage with the Contesse of Holland The Duke of Glocester abandons the Contesse Iaqueline The Duke of Bourgongnes ambitious desugne Scuenberghe besieged And yeelded vp in despight of the Lord. 1426. Harlem besieged by the contesse A second battaile at Alphé where the Contesse is victorious The Contesse makes knights William Nagel Captaine of the Kennemers Captaine Na gel by the Kennemers defeated 1427. The death of Iohn Duke of Brabant A sâ—…a battaile fought neere to Wyeringhen The Lord of Brederode defeatâ—…d and taken prisoneâ—… An accord betwixt Duke Philip and the Contesse Iaqueline 1429. Philip of Bourgonge buyes the County of Namur 1430. Philip Duke of Brabant dyes Philip of Bourgongne makes his entrie as duke of Brabant The Lady Iaqueline Contâ—… of Holland 〈◊〉 thâ—… fourâ—…h tiâ—…e The Contesse denyed mony by her seruants Reasós which moued the Conâ—…esse Iaqueline to louâ—…â—…ranc of Borsselle â—…he marâ—…yes him secretly The Lord of Borsselle appâ—…ended by the Duke of Bourgongne The Contesse resignes aâ—…l heâ—… Coâ—…ntries to the Dukâ—… for her husbands liberty The Duke of Bouâ—…gongne takes possession of Holland c. 1436. The death of the Conâ—…esse Iaqueâ—…ine Noblâ—…men in the time of the Contesse Iaqueline The chiefe Nobility of Friseland 1437. Duke Philip right heire to Holland zeeland and Friseland His wiues and children Duke Philips â—…ards 1438. Warre betwixt the Esterlins the Hollanders zelanders 1444. The factions reuiued in Holland A tumult at Amsterdam by the factions The Dutchesse comes into Holland to pacifie the troubles She returnes without any effect The Duke sends for the heads of both factions Institution of the 〈◊〉 President in Holland A tumult at Leyden The Duke comes into Holland He reconciles the two factions War betwixt the Duke of Bourgongne and the Ganthois 1452. The cause of this warreâ—… 1453. The Ganthois submit themselues vnto the Duke and are reâ—…onciled 1455. The death of the Bishop of Vtrecht Great competitors for the bishoprick Sugiestions by the â—…oeckin faction against the bishop of Vtrecht The duke belâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…ports against them of Brederode The duke of Bourgongne meanes to make his bastard sonne bishop of Vtrecht by force Dauid the duke of Bourgongnes bastard made bishop of Vtrecht Levvis Daulphin of France comes to Brusseles to the Duke of Bourgongne 1460. Death of king Charles of France Levvis King of France falles in dislike vvith the Duke of Bourgongne 1461. Certaine signtories come to the Earle of Charolois 1462. What Iohn of Koesteine vvas Croy lanoy Koestein conspire against the Earle of Charolois They seeke to poison him The practise discouered vnto the earle Koestein committed to prison He is condemned to loose his head Iohn of Iuy â—…hat accused Koestein beheaded also Causes of dislike betwixt the king of France and the duke of Bourgongne The answer of the Lord of Chymay to the French King 1463. The Freâ—…ch King comes to 〈◊〉 to the Dukâ—… of Bourgongne The Earle of Charolois 〈◊〉 to come to the King which discontents his 〈◊〉 The duke of Bourgongne and his sonne reconciled The Earle comes to his fathâ—…r 〈◊〉 speech vnto the Duke his father The Duke of Bourgoâ—…gne reconciled to his sonne 1464. Which is 20000. pound starling Certaine demands made by the French King vnto the duke of Bourgongne The Dukes requests vnto the King The bastard of Rubempre sent into Holland to surprise the Earle of Charolois Rubempre his companions apprehended The Kings intention touching Rubempres acte The duke of Bourgongne reâ—…res in hast from Hesdin 1464. The â—…rench king sends Ambassadors to the duke of Bourgongne The French kings demands The Earle of Charolois answere The Earle of Charolois sends a message vnto the King The Duke of Bourgongne falles sicke The Earle of Charolois made Gouernor of his fathers contries Hiâ—… speech vnto his friends A new quarrel betwixt the Duke of Bourgongne and his Sonne The Earle of Charolois writs to all the Townes 1446. The towne castell of Lanoy taken taken Letters from the Earle of Charolois to them of Arras 1465. The Earle of Charolois reconciled to his father The duke of Bourgongne leauies an army to succor the duke of Berry The Earle of Charolois forces The dukes speech to his Sonne at his parting The French King makes a league with them of Liege The Liegeois in armes against the duke of Bourgongne The death of the Contesse of Charolois Peronne surprized for the Duke of Bourgongne The insolencie of them of Dynant The Earle prepaâ—…res an armie against the Liegeois The Liegeois sue for peace 1465. A peace concluded with the Liegeois The Liegeois offer an affront to the Earles men The Earle of Neuers reconciles himselfe to the Earle of Charolois 1466. The Dynandois 〈◊〉 the peace Dinant besieged Dinant taken and razed The Liegeoiâ—… reconcile themselues againe to the Earle of Charolâ—…is 1467. The Earle of Charolois marries Marguerite sister to the King of England The death of duke Philip of Bourgongne Duke Philips qualities Printing first â—…uented Duke Charles pourchaseth the County of Ferrette His wiues Duke Charles takes posseâ—…on of his coun tries The Ganthois mutine against their Duke The Duke yeelds to the Ganthois The Ganthois submit themselues vnto the Duke A tumult at Macklyn The Liegeois breake the peace The Duke goes with an armie against the Liegeois The Duke sends back the 300 hostages The Liege ois came to raise the â—…eege at Saintron A battaile betvvixt the duke and the Lâ—…geois The Liegeois defeated Saintron yeelded Tongres yeelded Liege yeelds vnto the duke The Liegeois in doubt to deliuer the town The duke enters
Maximilian made King of the Romains New knghits made by the King of the Romains 1485. The 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 deale 〈◊〉 factions The Ganthois and Brugeois mutine againe The Siegnio Lanchals beheaded The Emperor gâ—…es with an army â—…gainst 〈◊〉 Flemings The Flemings accorded with the King of the Romains The â—…mings are 〈◊〉 The Emperor â—…kes the aâ—…ord made with the â—…mings The Flemings alâ—…e thâ—…m selus with the Brabansones against the Duke of Saxony The King of the Romaines comes into Hollands Rotterdam yeelded to the King of Romaines A peace concluded betwixt the King of Romaines and the Flemings The Brugeois 〈◊〉 againe Montfort beâ—… by the Duke of Saxony 1490. An accord betwixt the duke oâ—… Saxony and 〈◊〉 Vicont of Montfort 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…umult 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The French King makes warre in Arthois The battile of Hinges The Ganthois reuolt Hulst surprized by the Ganthois Dixmuyden taken from the Ganthois Charles duke of Gelders deliuered out of prison 1492. The furie of the Pesants at Harlem The Duke of Saxony comes into Holland He punished Harlem and Alcmar The duke beseeged Scluse Gand submits to the duke The duke ruins the factions in Holland and zeeland The Duke of Saxonie seeks an occasion to oppresse the Fâ—…sons 1493. The Dukes troupes spoile Gelders The Emperor Frederic dies The Emperor sends to pacifie the troubles of Friseland The Groningeois sent to the Emperor The same Commissioner sent into Friseland by the Emperor Maximilian 1494. An Assembly of the States of Friseland A new Potestate chosen in Friseland An Assembly at Bolswaert They refuse to allow of the new Potestate 1494. Philip of Austrias titles Maximâ—…lians second marriage The Archduke Philip put in possession of the Netherlandâ—… A sentence giuen by 4. Electors against Charâ—…es duke of Geldâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the Archduke 〈◊〉 The fâ—…ctions oâ—… Fâ—…seland deâ—…d sucâ—… of the Duâ—…e of Saxony A crueâ—…l murther of a kiâ—…sman 1497. Baten-burch surpriâ—…d by Duke Albert. The Duke of Saxony made here ditarie gouernot of Fâ—…iseland Many 〈◊〉 ingaged to the Duke of Saxony for his entâ—…taynment The Frisons refuse Duke Albert for their gouernor The Duke will make vse of the â—…ctions 〈◊〉 â—…iseland The Vetcoopers dravve strange 〈◊〉 â—…to Friseland They câ—…l 〈◊〉 duke of Saxony into Fâ—…sland The duke makes an excessiue demand â—…nell 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Duke tyâ—…s ouer the Frisons The fruites of their 〈◊〉 He dies at Emden Duke Henry leaues Friseland to his yonger brother The Frisons complaine to the Archduke Philip. An answere to the Frisons The â—…chduke 〈◊〉 anâ—… his wâ—…e goâ—… into Spâ—…ne They are hoâ—… 〈◊〉 enter 〈◊〉 by the French King The Archduke 〈◊〉 into Germany 1503. Dâ—…h â—…o the Dâ—…e Douâ—…ger of Bourgongne Marguerite of Austria marred to the Duke of Sauoy 1504. The warre reuiued betwixt the Archduke Philip and the duke of Gelders The exploiâ—… of both armies Duke George of Saxony coâ—…s into Friseland He makes a composition with the Frisons 〈◊〉 Dâ—… of 〈…〉 1505. 〈…〉 of 〈◊〉 〈…〉 〈◊〉 bâ—…sieged by the Archduke 〈◊〉 takâ—…n in 〈◊〉 Diuision in the Duke of 〈◊〉 campe before 〈◊〉 The Grâ—…geois treate with the 〈◊〉 of â—…mden The Eâ—… of 〈◊〉 â—…de Prâ—… of 〈◊〉 The Earle of Emden Builds acittadel at Groninghen The Earle of Emden receiues entertainment from the duke of Saxony The Earle of Stâ—…lburche made the Dukes Lieutenant in Fâ—…eland The Duke of Gâ—…ldres reconcilâ—…d to the King of Castille The King and Queene of Castâ—… gâ—…e into Spaine An 〈◊〉 froÌ„ the â—…nch kinâ—… to the King of Caâ—…ille 1506. The King Queene of Castill in 〈◊〉 at Sea goâ—… into â—…aine They put to land in England The duke of Gelders begins waâ—…re A Comete A childe in Holland crying in the mothers beâ—…y Philip King oâ—… Câ—…stille dies sodenly The Earle of Nâ—…u brings some â—…vvels out of Spains 1507. The Duke of Gelders 〈◊〉 into Brabant Charles his Inheritance 1508. The duchesse of Sauoy gouerneâ—…e of the Netherlands The death of Aâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bourgongâ—… Puydroien tatakâ—… and razâ—…d 1509. The gouernor of Freâ—…eland dies The Duke of Gelders makes warre against them of Oueryâ—…sel War betwixt the Duke of Gelders and the Bishop of Vtrecht 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…n 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…f 〈…〉 1512. 1513. A 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉 thâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…or 〈…〉 〈◊〉 Dâ—… of 〈…〉 The duke of Saxony makâ—…s an vnreasonable dâ—…mand of thâ—… Fâ—…ons Henry duke of Bâ—… slâ—…ne at an assault Dam taken by assault The Groningâ—…ois 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to thâ—… Duke of Gâ—…ldres The duke of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 plexed for 〈◊〉 of money The Geldâ—…ois enter 〈◊〉 with an army 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 oâ—… 〈◊〉 1515. Prince Charles of Austria takes possession of the Netherlands The Death of the King of Arragon Duke George of Saxony resignes Freeseland to Prince Charles The Lord of Iselsteyn takes possession of Freeseland for prince Charles Tâ—…e gouernâ—…nt of 〈◊〉 committed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Châ—…les The bishop of Vtrecht 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 1527. The Duke of Geldeâ—…s besieged in 〈◊〉 A trucâ—… concluded Outrages done by the Geldrois to breake the truce The Duke writes vnto the Frisons Deputies of the â—…risons of the Bourgongne partie â—…ent â—…o Vtrecht Demands of the Duke of Gelders to the Frisons A notable 〈◊〉 Hoâ—…ne surprised by a Pitat and spoiled Prince Charles sent for to receiue the Crowne of Castile Arâ—…agon c. Prince Charles goes into Spaine Prince Charles arriues in Spaine 1518 The Coronation of the King of Spaâ—…ne The blacke troope defeated The Emperoâ—…s will for the bâ—…rying of his body The death of the Emperor Maximilian 1519. His course life An assembly at Frâ—…cfort for 〈◊〉 choosing of a newe Emperor A commendable thing in the Electors Ambassadors from Prince Charles to the Electors Ambassadors from the French King The electors answer to the Ambassadors The Elector of Mentz his speech The Elector of Treues speech The Elector of Saxonies speech Charles King of Spaine chosen Emperor Charles King of Spaine comes into England 1520. The Emperors entry into Aix Ships of Holland taken by the Danes The Earle of Maeurs sent gouernor into Frisland Nicuport by Schoonhouen taken The Frisons send to the Imperiall diet 1521. The first Edict against them of the religion The miserable estate of Friseland The first cause of the warre The Duke of Bouillon desies the Emperor The Emperors 〈◊〉 inuades the duke of Bouâ—…lons country The French kingâ—… 〈◊〉 Tournay besieged by the Emperors men Sloten besieged by the Bouâ—…gnons Lemmer yeelded â—…wicke taken without any resistance 1523. The emperors second voyage into Spaine The peasants warre in Germanie 1524. The Geldrois begin warre against the Emperor 1526. The duke of Gelders seeks to be reuenged of the Groningeois The suburbes of Groningen burnt The Groningeois giue themselues vnto the Emâ—…or Collonel Schenck reâ—… Groninghen for the Emperor The Duke of Holsteynes troupes defeated Dam yeelded by the Geldrois Wedden yeelded Coeuoerden yeelded A peace betwixt the house of Bourgongue and the Duke of Gelders The
besieged Letters from the state of West-FriselaÌ„d to the besieged Alcmar freed from the siege A Prouerbe The emperor seeketh the peace of the Netherlands Zeeland Geertrnydenberg surprised by the prince Maesland sluce yeelded 〈◊〉 Romerswael yeelded to the Zeelanders The prince of Oranges comming into Zeeland The duke of Alua's retreat What the duke of Alua's enemies write of him 〈◊〉 duke of 〈…〉 〈…〉 Those of Middelbourg in great extremity Don Lewis his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The towne of Leyden besieged Braue sallies made by the besieged of Leydâ—…n The small Barkes of the Spaniards giue an alarme to the Zelanders A victory of the Protestants The signior of Boysot hurt The Commander a spectator of his mens ouerthrow Iulien Romero sauâ—s himselfe and d' Auila flies with his troupes Captaine Strenchant taken Strenchant exchanged for â—…uert and Mâ—… Deputies of either part at Rammeken to makâ—… a composition fâ—…r Middelbourg A composition for Middelbourg The conditions Cont Lodouic comes to succor the Protestanâ—…s of the Netherlands The Spaniards leaue Leyden Sanchio d'Auila views the Protestants armie Mondragon ioynes with Auila The defeat death of Cont Lodouic of Nassau The spaniards come to Antwerp the 26. of Aprill Champigni would haue beaten the spaniards out of the towne The spaniards being by the castell enter Antwerp where they mutine A Iesuite preachâ—…ng in the market place they said they would haue money nâ—… preaching The 〈◊〉 spâ—…ch to the mutinous souldiars The towne of Antwerp was forced to pay 400000. gilders to appease that mutiny and so it was ended The Zeelanders takes the ships of warre of Antwerp The spaniards returne to Leyden The spaniards about Bomel Gorrichom The taking of Vandrichom Leerdam The Spaniards buâ—…d forts vpon the riuer of Mâ—…use Three diuerse desseignes of the Commander A vaine enterprise vpon Delfe A generall pardon giuen by the King in the Netherlands The spaniards seeme to desire peace Difficulties vpon the order of the treaties of peace 〈◊〉 letters tâ—… Saâ—… Aldeguâ—…de A petition of â—…e Stâ—…es of â—…lland 〈◊〉 This petition more dâ—…slikt then the first Doctor Iunius letter to 〈◊〉 The Princes aduice to the States A couragious resolution of the States of Holland The endeauor of captains Ruyckhauer at the Hage Some English defeated The English rewarded for thâ—…ir trechery by the Spaniard to whome they had yeelded The Spaniards meane not to batter Leyden A short and resolute answer of the besieged at Lâ—…yden A happy incounter vnex pected for them of Leyden Thierry of Bioâ—…chhorst Gouernor of Lâ—…yden A tâ—…xe vpon the victualls Money coined of paper at Leyden A sallie made by the besieged 1574. A surious sallie of the Burgers of Leyden The Prince of Orange ve ry sicke The great resolution of the besieged of Leyden The Admirall Boysot sent for by the Prince Separation of three Iurisdictions The spaniards come to skirmish The army aduanceth tosuccor Ley den 1574. Collonel la Garde informes the Prince The Protestants charge the Spaniards A fault is some times profitable Captaine Catteuille others drowned An other passage to succor Leyden A passage into Rhinlandt The Protestants intrenched at the passage The Spaniards quit their lodging to the Protestants The Protestants enter into the lake of Noorda The Protestants lodge aâ—… Soetermeer Those of Leyden distressed importunâ—…d A braue answer made by the beseeged of Leyden The Prince comes to visit the army 〈◊〉 Proâ—…s 〈◊〉 â—…uance 〈◊〉 succors all â—…y can The Protestâ—…nts in great 〈◊〉 Stompischwech attempted in vaine A tumult in the tâ—…wne agâ—…st â—…he Magiâ—…te The couragious answer of the Burgeumaster of Leyâ—…en A flying messenger Vnexpectâ—… succors which God sends by the winde The Spaniards amazed A passage opened The Protestants passe the dike The Spaniards â—…e Many Spaniards perished in this out The Spaniards loose aboue 100. boats A diuision in the towne of Leyden The extreme famine in Leyden 6000 persons dead at Leyden during the siege What the fort of Lemmen was The spaniardâ—… abandon the fort of Lemmen The deliuerance of Leyden the 3. of October A testimonie of Gods prouidence A peece of the towne wall falls The Admirall enteâ—…s Leyden with the army The Prince of Orange aduertised of the deliuery of Leyden A gallâ—…nt enterprise with 〈◊〉 The Prince comes to Leyden The Princes admonition to the Magistrates of Leyden A generall coâ—…lection of armes to releeue the poore commons of Leyden The courtesie of them of Leyden to the Admirall Boisot Worcum 〈◊〉 â—…y the Spaâ—…rds Leerdam won by the Spaniards The Spaniards mutine and take Francisco valdes prisoner The Spaniardâ—… leaue South Holland The Mutyned Spaniards faile to surprise Vtrecht 1575. The great Commander makes a shew to desire peacâ—… The emperor Maximilian seeketh to make a 〈◊〉 The deputies that were sent â—…o make peace Articles of the peace ofred by the King vnto them of Holland and Zeeland 1575. The States answer to the King proposition of peace offered to the Netherlands Wherefore the Spaniards are straingers to the Netherlandes The Kings deputies replication to the States declaration touching peace A monethes time dâ—…manded by the States to consâ—…r of the caâ—…e The Erale of 〈◊〉 taking his 〈◊〉 of the de 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…th 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 â—…use The Statâ—… declaratioâ—… in the second assembly at Breda The opinions oâ—… the comâ—…ers counâ—…â—…d others â—…ng the 〈◊〉 and moâ—… on oâ—…â—…on The Prince of Orang and the States answer to the assembly at Breda The Kings Deputies answer to the 〈◊〉 last 〈◊〉 at the breaking vp of the treaty of peace 1575 This treaty of peace made the Princes cause to be better thought on by all men The commander resolues to warie The towne câ—…stell of Buren yâ—…elded Leyden in 〈◊〉 â—…de an 〈◊〉 The Prince of Orange third marriage Ouâ—…water beâ—…ged The fort of the Scluse basely abandoned A gallant 〈◊〉 made by captaine Morcant Resolution of them of Oudwater 〈◊〉 proffit hurts the geneâ—…all Goâ—…d order in the towne 1575. Oudwater sommoned to yeeld and refuseth The beseeged prepare to defend the breach The deligenâ—… of the beseegâ—… Oudwater taken by Assault The cruelty of the Spaniard Schoonhouen 〈◊〉 by the Spaâ—… Schoonhouen yâ—…lded by an honest Composition The Spaniards deâ—… vpon Ziricxzee The Spanâ—…s 〈◊〉 â—…nto the 〈◊〉 Ziricxzee 1575 The siege of ziricxee A fleete from Spaine with new soldiars The Commander sends an agent into England The States resolue for thâ—… preseruatioâ—… 1576. The vnited states send to demand succors from England The CoÌ„manâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 The King of Spaines bâ—…bt The demand of Flanders to the commander The request of the comander The fort of Crimpen taken by the Protestants of Holland The death of the great Commander 1576. 〈…〉 The Admâ—…ll 〈◊〉 slame Ziriczee yeelded to the Kings councell of state A mutinâ—…e amâ—…ng the spaâ—…ards 〈…〉 The mutineâ—… proscribâ—…d All the contry in armâ—…s to chase away the spaniards The Kings councell of state seazed on and
A decree made by the states to entertaine the pacification of Gant Friars burnt â—…or Sodomie at Gant and Bruges What Cornellis a Franciâ—…an Friar of Bruges was 1578 Saint Aldegonds oration made at the assembly oâ—… the Princes of tâ—…e Empire holden at Worms in the yeare 1578. 1578. A small defeat of the Spaniards by the French The Spaniards beseege Lâ—…mbourg 1578 The Castle of Heude trea cherâ—…usly deliuered to the Prince of Parma Octauio Gonzague preuailes 〈◊〉 â—…le in Henault The death of the Countesse of Egmont The duke of Aniou comes to succor the states 1578. An vnworthy and cruel â—…act of captaine Pont and well reuenged Mary 〈◊〉 more worthy of commendation then Lucrece Don Iohn resolues to charge the states at Remenant 1578. The great skirmish by Rymenant 1578. A tumult at Valencienes The duke of Anicus capitulation with the States The duke of Anious 〈◊〉 1578 The states ar mie vnprâ—…table for want of pay The beginning of the male-contents A great skirmish neere vnto Louvain Three castles taken by the states at one instant Some companâ—… of mâ—…contents surprized at Gaure Menin surprized by the Male-contents 1578. Temples granted in diuers place to the Protestants Peace propounded to Don Iohn by forren Princes 1578 Don Iohn refuseth to make peace but desireth to haue a truce The causes that moued the Stats to tolerate them of the religion The Protestants request for a religious peace 1578. 1578. The states resolution touching a religious peace The preface of the religious peace 1578. The articles of the religious peace 1578 1578. 1578. The Gentlemen in Brussels present a request against 〈◊〉 religious â—…ce Champigni committed to â—…on 1578. Duke Cassimires armie The Prelates and Nobles prisoners in Friseland escape Secret practises in Arras Diuers committed to prison in Arraâ—… 1578. The names of fifteene Deputies in Arras 1578 The States of Arthois â—…eld extraordinarily The Magistrats of Arras seazâ—…d on The Magistratâ—… of Arraâ—… iâ—…larged reueng themselues 1578. The Seignior of Gosson beâ—…dded in Arras Duke Casimire comes to Gant 1578 The death of Don Iohn of Austria 1578. 1578. 1578. 1578 Bins taken by the Duke of Anicu The Ganthoiâ—… defeated 1578. Iames Hassel and visâ—…h hanged at Gaâ—…t The Duke of Parmâ—… pâ—…eth the Meuse The taking of Carpen. The States actiâ—…s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1579. Articles propounded to the Ganthois Deputies sent to tâ—…e Ganthois Offers made by the duke of Aniou to the Ganthois The Queene of Englands declaration to the Ganthois 1578. Deputies from Brusselles to Gant The Ganthois answer to the articles propounder vnto them Articles propounded to the Ganthois by the generall estâ—…ts 1578 The Princes reasons to perswade the Ganthois to Concord The Romish Religion established in Gant vpon certaine conditions All things reconcilâ—…d in Gant 1578 The Malecontents treated witâ—… but in vâ—…e The vicont of Gant and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in â—…ue the States The retreâ—…t of Duke Casiâ—… 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 army 1578. Deuenter yeelded to the States Cont Swartzenbergh purâ—…ues his legation The death of Cont Bossu The Duke of Anious retreat into France 1579. 1579. The English men take the Abbot of S. Michaell The coullord reasons of the Malecontents Diuers Knights and Gentlemen câ—…upted wâ—…th money by the Spaniaâ—…ds 1579. An accord made by the Baron of Montigni A confirmation of the Baron of Montignieâ—… accord 1579. Letters from them of Lille Douay and Orchies to the generall Estates 1579. The States answere to them of Lille 1579. 1579. Mastricht beseeged by the Prince of Parma The Prince of Espinoy tempted Instructions giuen to the signior of Charpesteau Hee meâ—…nes the Duke of Aniou whom the Earle of Lalain had called or the Prince of Orange or Duke Casimire iudge â—…ich 1579. 1579. They of Tournay and Tournesis refuse to Enter the reconciliauon Deputies sent from Brusselâ—…s to the States of Arthois La Noue makes vvarre in Flanders 1579 1579. 1579. 1579. 1579 Many enter into the vnion of Vâ—…echt The signior of Boxtel gouernor of Boisleduc 1579. Fears seizeth vpon the Protestants of Boisledue 1579 Groningen refusing the vnion is forced A tumult at Bruges for the vnion A Collonel made in hast and by force 1579. The States more quicke to succor Bruges Maestricht beseeged by the Prince of Parma 1579. An assault appointed A braue assault well defended A deere Assault without any fuite They of Antwerp â—…bot to releeue Maestricht 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this 〈◊〉 1579. A tumult in Antwerp at a generall procession 1579 The Priests Monks chased out of Antwerp by the people A shamefull enterprise made by the Earle of Egmont 1579. The Liegeois helpe the Spaniards at the campe before Maestricht The states negligent to succor Mastrient An other assault whereas the signior of Hierges was slaine 1579. An assault giuen to Mastricht during a part and the towne taken with fury Captaine Bastien taken prisoner A priuat reconciliation of Arthois Henault c. 1579. 1579 1579. 1579. 1579. Many tovvnes enter into this priuat reconciliation The treaty of Cologne vnprofitable 1579. The behauiour of Iohn d'Imbise in Gant The Prince accept the gouernment of Flanders The first 〈◊〉 of Couerden 1579. A conuoy of the Malecon tents defeated Macklyn summoned by the Estates will remaine Neuters La Noue makes the Germaines leaue Villebrouck The taking of Mortagne and S. Amand by the Parmois Niuelle surprised by the Estates 1579 An enterprise by the Malcontents against Cortrike but tooke no effect 1579. The Malcontents horse-men ouerthrowne by La Noue whereby they forsooke many places in Flanders 1579. The Prince of Oranges oration to the states of Holland Zeeland 1579 What sorces the prince of Paâ—…ma then had 1579 1579 The princes aduice for the establishâ—… of a counsell of State 1579 1579 1580 Another declaratioÌ„ made vnto the states by the prince of Orange 1580 1580 Consultation made by the deputies of the states assembled in Antuerpe touching the chaÌ„ge of their soueraigne lord 1580 1580 1580 1580 Courtray surprised by the Seignior of Alennes The earle of â—…ont taken in Nyenouen 1580 The castle of Leewerden taken by the states of Friseland and broken downe 1580 Harlingen castle taken by the states of Friseland and broken down The castle of Staueren takeÌ„ by the Estates and broken downe 1580 1580 Groning besieged by the states Images brokeÌ„ and throwne down in Frise land and Oueryssell 1580 The death of Bartel Entens with a briefe description of his life 1580 1580 Martin Schencks forces sent to releeue Groning Vprore in Swool 1580 A battaile between the earl of Hohenlo Mar Schenck The siege before Groning abandoned 1580 Delfziel yeelded vp to the prince of Parma 1580 Coeoorden taken by the earle of Hohenlo Oxlagh taken by the earle of Renenbergh and broken downe The earle of Hohenloes forces ouerthrowne by Weeden 1580 Coeuoorden taken againe by the earle 〈◊〉 Reuenbergh after that Oldenzeel 1580 The earle of â—…mont diâ—…ed Pouchain yeelded by composition Macklin taken by the Stâ—…tes
prince of Cleue 1585 Sterckenhof and Cantercrois yeelded The castle of Stralen yeelded 1585 Macklyn yeelded by composition 1585 La Noues speech to the prince of Parma 1585 The prince of Parma made knight of the Order 1585 1585 1585 1585 The Queene taketh counsell what to do touching the low countries 1585 What money Holland had contributed in 9-yeares 1585 Reasons why the Queene of England did not take vpon her the absolute gouernment of the Netherlands 1585 Aide of 5000 foot and 1000 horsemen The time of repaiment of the money disbursed Flessingue and the Bryel giueÌ„ to the Queene in caution The townes shall be left furnished with ordnance c. as they were found Receiuing in of English garrisons but still holding their owne ciuile gouernment 1585 They shall not haue any conference or con spiracie with the enemie c. The obseruing and keeping of priuiledges The English souldiers must paie impost excise Prouision for discipline and pay to be made by the Queene Deliuering of the townes againe when the money is paid An oath of fidelitie to bee made by the souldiers Prouision for the field Monethly paiment The souldiers shall haue free exercise of religion Order for victuals Entrance and permission to fit in the counsell of Estate 1585 The authoritie of the gouernour generall Reformation of the Mint Prouiso for publicke authority martiall discipline The gouernor shall haue ouersight of all things without altering religion or priuiledges No compact to be made with the enemie without consent of her Maiestie c. The Queene shall make no treatie but by consent Taking vp of new souldiers paying theÌ„ to be done by the gouernour c. To change or chuse new gouernors The authority of the admiral of England Free vse of the hauens on both parts 1585 To end all questions and controuersies Free passage for horses The Englishmen may passe ouer with the generals pasport alone The commanders oathes A declaration in print made by the Queen of England 1585 Graue Maurice letter to the Queene for consent of deliuering Flessingue into her hands 1585 1585 1585 1585 1585 1585 1585 1585 1585 1585 Isselloort yeelded to the Estates 1585 The Queene of Englands letters to the townes of the east countries 1585 1585 1586 1586 The earle of Leicester acknowledged gouernour generall 1586. The Earle of Leicester refuseth all instructions 1586 The Queene of England offended with the states for 〈◊〉 the Earle of Leicester the gouernment 1586. A proclamation made by the Earle of Lecester for marshall discipline and for the prohibiting of trafick with the enemy c. The Earle of Lecester sought to force the seafareing men to buy passeports and to contribute something to the warres 1586. The King of Spaine arested the Englishmen in Spaine The Englishmen of warre take the Neitherlanders at sea and make them prizes Certaine Protestants Frisons defeated 1586. 80. Spanish horse defeated An enterprise vpon Zybrich failed 1586 The Marshall of Westphalias men defeated The brauery of thirty soldiers 1586. Schenck ouer-runs the Diocesse of Collogne The Prince of Parma besiegeth Nuys 1586 Nuys sommoned The Prince of Parmas offer The answer of them of Nuys 1586. Nuys battered The gouernor Cloet shot in the legge They of Nuys offer to yeeld and are sent back The great spoile and slaughter at Nuys 1586. The cruell death of Cloet Gouernor of Nuys The Pope sends a halloued sword to the Prince of Parma 1586. The Earle of Leicester discontented Paul 〈◊〉 Prisoner at Vtrecht Some banished from Vtrecht 1586 Paul Buys escapes out of prison 1586. 1586. Râ—…inberg besieged by the Prince in vaine Dearth of corne in Bruges 1586 Peter de Bronsqualx Ioos van Peenen beheaded in Brugges The discripâ—… of Doesborch Doesborch wun by the Earle of Leicester the 13. of September 1586 The Earle of Leicester marcheth to Zutphen The Earle of Leicester entreth into Deuenter The Prince of Parma â—…aueth Berck 1586. Sir Philip Sidney shot before Zutphen whereof hee died The Earle of Leicester besieged the sconce at zutphen The Prince of Parma victualeth Zutphen The Earle of Leicester takes one of the sconces by zutphen forcibly Sir Edward Stanley for his valor made knight by the Baile of Leicester The greatest sconce by zutphen forsaken by the enemy 1586. Rouland yorke made gouernor of the sconce before Zutphen Sir William Stanley made gouernor of Deuenter The Earle of Leicester breakes vp his campe in Nouember The States request to the the Earle of Leicester 1586. The Earle of Leicester at his departure commandeth the gouernment of the Neitherlands to the Councell of Estate by act dated the 23 of Nouember 1586. An act of restraint made by the Earle of Leicester during his absence The Earle of Leicesters picture made in gold giuen to his friends in the Lowe-countries 1586 Death of the Cardinall Granuelle The Earle of Maeurs leuies Reistres and they mutine A great drought Deuouring Snayles An extraordinary dearth of corne 1586 Flanders punnished with three scourges this yeare Captaine Luth a prisoner and inlarged A prodigy of bloud Deputies of the Estates sent into England to attend on the Earle of Leicester A discours of aduise to the Earle of Leicester 1586. 1586. 1586. 1586 1586. 1586. 1586 1586 1586 The complaints of the States soldiars Aquaâ—…ll betwixt the earle of Hohenlo and Sir Edward Norris 1587. A vaine enterprise vpon Buâ—…ich Wouwe castle sold to the Spaniards by a French Captaine 1587 Roero ort surprized by Schenck The King of Denmarke seekes to make a peace betwixt the King of Spain and the states Caius Ranson being vnknowne is taken prisoner Ranson complaines vnto his King Stanley seekes to berray Deuenter to the Spaniard 1587. Stanley yeelds Deuenter to the Spaniard Stanley seekes to excuse him-selfe Rouland Yorkes life and treason 1587. Certaine speeches vsed in thâ—… councâ—…ll of State 1587 1587 1587. 1587 1587 1587. The towne of Graue besieged by the Prince of Parma The towne of Graue yeâ—…lded vp the 7. of Iuly 1587. The fort of Sgrâ—…uenweert built by Schinck called Schenks sconce The Lord of Hemerr beheaded in Vtrecht The Nobility of the Netherlands fall in dislike of the Earle Venloo besieged by the Prince of Parma and won the 28. of Iune 1587. Venloo yeelded to the Prince of Parma A conuoy of 3000. strong going to Colleâ—… cut off by their owne soldiars and many of them slaine 1587. Prince Maurice gouernes in the Earle of Leicesters absence The Barron of Buckhorst sâ—…nt into the Netherlands 1587. Rose nobles coynedat Amsterdam 1587 1587. Sâ—…phen Perret a prisoner 1587. General Norris called home into England The Queene discontented vvith the Estates letters The Duke of Parma prepares to besiege Scluse The Seignior Groenevelt gouernor of Scluse 1587. Sir William Russel Lord gouâ—…nor of Flussing sends corne to Sluce and men Supplies of men and munition sent to Scluse Patton a Scottish-man yeeâ—…ds Gelders to the Spaniards 1587. Prince Maurice mâ—…kes a roade into
himself went into Zeeland all which he reduced to his deuotion The Lords of Wassenare and Theylinghen prouided carefully for all things causing two block-houses or forts to be made the one within the towne of Leyden the defence whereof was committed to Floris of Holland Prouost Cathedrall of Vtrecht and the other at Zuvamerdam which Cont Otto of Benthem had in charge The Lords of ◅gmont and Bauiart came with their ships to Amstel where they cut through the ditch and drowned all the country of Amsterlandt the Kennemers boording the Amsterlanders barks drew out all the spoyle and then fired them The bishop of Vtrecht on the other side to bee reuenged went himselfe into Holland and passing by Mydrecht he chased the earle of Benthem out of his fort of Zuvamerdam burnt many villages in Holland the which hauing succeeded happily marching on he commanded his souldiers to take out of euery village the best hostages so went to besiege Leyden wheras the Prouost Floris was whom he forced with small losse for that they within protested that they would not defend it against the said bishop the Prouost was taken prisoner led to the castle of Horst The next day the bishop entred into Leyden whether the earle of Loos came also with such men as hee had brought out of South-Holland which is the countrey about Dordrecht they of Leyden did him homage and did acknowledge him for earle of Holland in the right of the contesse Ada his wife Among the chiefe of the nobility of North-Holland there ioined with him the Lord Iohn of Persin Iohn and Isbrand of Harlem Arnold and Henry of Ryswick and Vuouter van Rymen These sent vnto the Earle of Loos to come boldly vpon their faith to Harlem whether he went reduced all the villages therabouts vnder his obedience The Kennemers fearing this storme would fall vpon them went to armes to defend thēselues and to stop the Earle of Loos his passage no◅withstanding any faith giuen them by the said Noblemen who holding the Earls party knowing the forces of these Kennemers desired rather to win them by mild and gentle meanes than by arms wherein they wrought so effectually as in the end they were reconciled to the earle of Loos paying vnto him and to the bishop 500 pounds great for the damages which they had done in cutting the ditch burning in Amsterlandt and so euery one returned to his owne home This done the bishop earle feared not any other enemies but taking their way towards Egmont in passing they burnt the village of S. Agathe the which at this present is the town of Beuerswike the castle of Brederode And thus they reduced all Holland before diuided into South and North South-Holland holding for the earle of Loos and North-Holland or West-Friseland for Cont William but this sudden change continued not long Soone after the earle of Namur entred the Isle of Walchren in Zeeland pretending to subiect it vnder the earle of Flanders but seeing his attempts to proue vnfortunat he returned as he came Hugh of Voorn was then in Zeeland who reduced all those Islands vnder the earle of Loos and chased away Cont William who with great difficultie retired himselfe for hauing lien long hidden in the end he saued himselfe in a small boat causing himselfe to be couered with fishers nets The earle of Loos had made the said Hugh Van Voorn gouernor with great authoritie and power who caried himselfe so insupportably in all his actions that in the end the Zeelanders would no more endure nor obey him but against the will of the earle of Loos put him from his place sending to Cont William of Holland and entreating him to returne vnto them who willingly imbraced this occasion giuing notice thereof first to Gualter of Egmont Albert Bauiart William van Theylinghen and Philip of Wassenare intreating them to come vnto him with all the forces they could leuie in the towne of Leyden and that they should do no act of hostility against the earle of Loos vntill that he himselfe were present and then he went into Zeeland The earle of Loos hearing of the Zeelanders reuolt and that the Kennemers were in armes to fight with him hee entred with all his forces into the towne of Leyden to make head against them for that they made all the hast they could to seize thereon marching without order or any warlike discipline Hauing preuented them in the sayd towne he attended them and then went to charge them so as they were much disordered Some being in their shippes thinking to ioyne with the formost found the waies cut off by the Earles men as they would haue past at Catwick by a bridge ouer the Rhyn marching close together the bridge brake a great number were drowned Philip of Wassenare Gualter of Egmont and Albert Bauiart escaped but VVilliam of They linghen was taken prisoner The Earle of Loos hauing had this good successe went camped with all his army at Voorschoten to keepe his men together for that he doubted much the comming of Cont William lest hee should surprise him In the meane time Cont William arriued with his forces of Zeeland being come into Holland he planted his campe in the ditch of Ryswicke from thence he went to lodge neere the Wood of la Haye meaning to giue the Earle of Loos battaile the next day who knowing him to be so neere and that he had a desire to fight he sent Iohn duke of Lembourg speedily vnto him to intreat him to enter into some accord with him but cont William would giue no eare vnto it finding himselfe by the death of the Contesse Ada the true and onely heire of Holland and Zeeland The said duke hauing made his report tooke vp his tents and pauilions being loath to attend the danger of a doubtfull battaile The Earle of Loos much amazed seeing himselfe abandoned by the duke who was his chiefe support forsaking his camp and all his cariages he fled with all speed to Vtrecht yeelding vnto the bishop for his entertainment in that he had assisted him all the Hollanders that he had takē prisoners The disorder and confusion was so great in the flight of the Earle of Loos his men as the women chased them with their distaues and in flying did massacre them with staues Many cast away their armes for lightnesse that they might saue themselues by the ditches that were full of water whereas many were drowned and a great number taken prisoners All th◅ Earle of Loos pauilions tents mooueables plate iewels and munition was taken diuided among the Hollanders And thus the Earle of Loos was chased out of Holland and neuer returned more The South-Hollanders of Dordrecht hauing no more cause of reuolt through the death of the Contesse Ada Cont William remained absolute Prince of Holland Zeeland and Friseland WILLIAM THE FIRST OF THAT name the sixteenth Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of
Friseland 16 Guilielmus Primus This WILLIAM by great policie did breake the chaine Which crosse the Hauen of Damiet the Sarasins had layne Whereby the Harlemers great honour did obtaine Record whereof within their Towne as yet doth still remaine Two wiues he had whereof one out of Geldre came The second MARY called was a princely English dame Full nineteene yeares he rul'd and peaceably possest His countries and in Rhynsburgh died whereas his bones do rest WILLIAM the sixteenth Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland hauing as we haue said in the time of the Contesse Ada expelled the earle of Loos remained in quiet possession of the said prouinces He had by his wife Alix daughter to the earle of Gueldre Floris who succeeded him in the said Earledomes Otto bishop of Vtrecht and William who was lieutenant of Holland the which was father to the lady Alix married to Didier lord of Brederode and two daughters whereof the one was Abbesse at Rhynsbourg and the other at Delft This Cont William did homage to the Emperor Frederic the second for his Counties of Holland Zeeland and Friseland Afterwards vpon a priuate quarell he went and besieged the castle of Aspren hauing taken it he rased it to the ground Cont Gerard vander Are brother to Didier bishop of Vtrecht in reuenge therof went and besieged the town of Dordrecht into the which he cast wild fire which burnt almost halfe of it Soone after Cont William and the bishop were reconciled together and they made an accord by the which Cont William should pay vnto the bishop a thousand pounds and restore vnto Henry of Craen all that he had taken from him for that as wee haue said before he had once put him in prison by the cōmandement of Cont Thierry his master brother to the said Cont William Item that all the Earles subiects being in the bishoprick of Vtrecht should from that time forth be vassales to the bishop as well as all his vassales remaining in Holland Item that Cont William with a hundred knights attired onely in linnen cloth and bare-footed should present themselues before the Cathedrall church of Vtrecht and being there the Earle should aske him forgiuenesse for that he had before laid hands vpon him and taken him prisoner although he were rescued in the Abbey of Staueren All which articles the Earle did accomplish fearing his excommunication and from that time the Earle and the bishop continued good friends Behold the simplicitie of Princes and the pride of prelats in those daies brauing all the world with their thundering threats At that time died Henry king of Scotland vncle by the mothers side to cont William of Holland leauing no children There was a great nobleman in Scotland who with the helpe of the king of England got possession of the realm The Earle of Holland pretending a title to the Crowne as the neerest kinsman son to the deceased kings sister imployed all his friends for the obtaining thereof and to bring it to effect being imbarked with a goodly armie he landed in Scotland where at the first he tooke many townes and castles In the meane time Lewis earle of Loos knowing Cont William to be absent and that he could not easily come out of Scotland although he had wholly conquered it leuied men secretly to make a new conquest of the Earldome of Holland but Cont VVilliam being aduertised thereof desiring rather safely to enioy his owne inheritance which he had gotten with much paine than to striue to make a doubtfull conquest in a strange countrey and farre off he returned speedily into Holland The earle of Loos hearing of his returne proceeded no further for he feared him much hauing made so good triall of him who afterwards gouerned his countries peaceably during the remainder of his dayes In the yeare 1218 the lady Alix wife to Cont VVilliam died hauing left the children aboue named and was buried in the church of the Abbey of Rhynsbourg Afterwards the said earle maried with Mary daughter to Edmond of Lancaster son to Henry the third king of England by whom he had no children About that time the inhabitants of Ziricxee in the Island of Shouven in Zeeland began to build great shippes for marchandise to traffique throughout al seas as well North as South and to make their towne famous as it was for a time by reason of their nauigation hauing fit and conuenient hauens and rodes the which haue since beene much stopped with barres of sand so as of late the inhabitants of that towne haue made a new hauen going directly to the sea before Noortbeuelandt The Earles of Zeeland who were also Earles of Holland had a palace in the towne of Ziricxee the ruines whereof are to be seene at this day It is the second towne of Zeeland We haue in the life of Cont Thier◅ the seuenth and of his daughter Ada rela◅ed briefely the deeds of this Cont VVilliam the first of that name FLORIS THE FOVRTH OF THAT name the seuenteenth Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland Florentius Quartus My daughter in one day as many children bare As daies within a yeare complete by vs accounted are Twelue yeares I liued Earle Mars durst me not defie But iealous loue was cause that I was murthered cruelly My wife grieu'd at my death and her so hard fortune At her owne charge for women built the cloyster of Losdune VVithout the towne of Delft my sister edified Another which le champ royal she nam'd wherein she died FLORIS the fourth of that name by the death of Cont William was the seuenteenth Earle of Holland and Zeeland his brother Otto was made Earle of Friseland in his fathers life and William the youngest was hereditarie gouernour of Kennemerlandt this William had one daughter called Alix the which was married to Didier lord of Brederode who had by her Alfart father to William of Brederode who was General of the Horse to the king of the Romans the eighteenth Earle of Holland Cont Floris had to wife Mathilda daughter to Henry duke of Lothier and Brabant by whom he had the said king William his successor and Floris who was gouernour of Holland then Alix which was Contesse of Henault and Marguerite wife to Herman earle of Henneberg who had that great number of children whereof we shall speake by and by In the time of this Earle Floris there was neere vnto the towne of Arckel a little castle vpon the place of Wolfard belonging to Iohn lord of Arckel about the which there liued some poore fishermen at which place the riuer of Meruve began to ebbe and flow for that the riuers of Meuse and Wahal the which before the towne of Tyel in Gelderland was very narrow and could not enter into that of Linge fell into it These poore fishermen called themselues Gorreckens whereof the towne of Gorrekom now Gorrichom tooke the name This lord of Arckel caused all the houses of
with water but some hindred that resolution to spare the haie that was mowen and the pasture so the particular profit of some few ruines a generality for the which those priuate persones doe afterwards smart most Those of Oudewater seeing themselues thus beseeged both great and smale wiues and maids began to fortefie their towne continuing day and night euen vnto the end first they did mure vp with earth their ports towards Issell that towards Goude remayning open whilest that they brought in earth from a mill-mounte ioyning to the towne which might haue couered the enemy to rampar withal and hauing brought it all into the towne they did in like sort dam vp the same port making only a little posterne Then they rampared in all places where they thought was greatest need they beat downe al the tower trees and houses that might hurt or anoy and prepared al things that might serue for the defence of the towne with great dilligence And although they knew not well the Spaniards resolution whether he would batter or famish them least that the seege should continue too long they set down an order for the victuals And to the end the soldiars should not be drunke they did forbid the bruing of any strong beere reseruing what there was and the wine for their greatest necessity and in like sort they caused money to bee coyned In the meane time the Spaniard was not idle first meaning to batter the towne on the South side he caused a french to be cast vp that he might make his approches with lesse danger from the place of execution where hee planted his Cannon which came of the one side to the towne ditch right against the turn-pike at the corner towards the West and of the other about the middle port towards the East And for that the beseeged doubted that hee would fall to mine they presently made two countermines one vnder the said turn-pike and the other vnder the port But when they perceiued that they would batter the towne and take it by assault they filled vp those counter-mines with poulder to blowe them vp when they should giue an Assault The third of August the Spaniards began to batter with one onely peece which he had planted the night before the Church steeple standing at the foote of the rampare towards the west the which they continued all the day the first boullet fell into the Church waying forty and three pounds the night following hee added an other to it and with these two peeces he continued his battery against the said Steeple meaning as it seemed to fill vp the ditch with the ruine thereof and to passe ouer it going to the assault but for that the beseeged were in feare thereof they vndermined it on the towne side and vnderpropt it with great beames the which being burnt it must needs fall of their side if of necessity it were to be beaten downe but the Spaniard seing that he aduanced little he turned his peeces to batter in Flanke The sixt Day of the moneth in the morning the rest of the artillerie being planted the night before being in all fiue and twenty peeces The Signior of Hierges Generall of the Army caused the towne to bee somoned to yeeld vnto him in the name of the King of Spaine and of the great Commander his Lieutenant with promis of good vsage vsing withall great threats if they did it not speedely setting before their eyes the ordinary cruelty of the Spaniards which he should not be able to preuent although he would The answer of all the captaines was that they had receiued no such commission neither would they nor could they deliuer it vp with ther honors reputations but they were content to send a man to the Prince States if it pleased him to know their aduice and pleasure yet Captaine Morcants opinion was to say that the soldiars were not in good termes with the Bourguers to stay the battery for one day and in the meane time to arme them-selues the better against an assault This answer being deliuered to the Seignor of Hierges who staied neere vnto the ordinance hee presently caused all to be discharged and so continued the battery vntill night with such furie as the captaines had neuer seene nor heard the like hauing discharged that day a thousand foure hundred and fifty shot In the meane time the Beseeged rampared as fast as they could and prepared all things fit to defend the breach as hoopes couered with toe and pitch or rozen to cast them burning vpon the assaylants great cauldrons full of scaulding water neere vnto the breach burning lime lead molten boyling oyle with all other deuises to anoy them comming to the Assault They filled also many little sacks full of earth to couer the beseeged at the rampar when they should come to defend the breach finally before the port where the greatest battery was and which they most doubted they made a little halfe Moone the which was finished in one night within the which they layed planks full of nayles and a great Morter charged with the heads of cart nayles and other peeces of iron The breach which the Spaniards had made in the day was rampared vp in the night not sparing any thing noe not the hempe and flaxe that was ready drest whilst that the enemy was busiy to fill vp the ditch to mount vnto the Breach The seauenth day of the moneth as the beseeged thought to haue an assault giuen hauing preparde the day before to defend it courragiously they made their praiers and set all things ready vpon the rampar the cannon began to play againe and brake in a manner all so as they were forced to retier the rest the which they could not place againe The battery continued vntill Noone noe lesse furious then the day before and then they gaue two or three false assaults A little after noone began the great assault the which continued a good hower where as the soldiars Bourguers wiues maids and boyes did their vttermost endeauors to resist them with those instruments which they had prepared but the charge was so great and continued with such nombers as the cheefe defendants being slaine or hurt the rest were forced to abandon the Rampar to the victorious enemie Captaine Saint Mary who was also Sargent Maior was slaine there with the Lieutennant of the Scottish company captaine Muntre was wounded whereof he died soone after being prisoner Captaine Morcant was also hurt and a prisoner and afterwards deliuered in exchange of an Antient and a Sargeant Spaniards whome his wife bought else there had beene no mercy for him for that a little before he had come and yeelded him-selfe to that party obiecting vnto him that hee was the cause why the towne would not yeeld by Composition The Commander did also write two or three letters to the Gouernor of Viana to put him to death but the said Spaniards had such
good frends as he was deliuered for them In this assault there were very many Spaniards slaine hurt and burnt the slaugter was great in the towne the Spaniards sparing neither age nor sexe noe not women great with child tearing the infants euen out of their wombes The Preests and Monks shewed them-selues most bloudy of all few men escaped for ransome some women and children were ransomed of all the soldiars there escaped not twenty The towne was spoiled and afterwards quite b◅rnt nothing remaning but the Church one Cloister and some houses no man knew who fiered it nor how it came which was the cause of the sauing of many women and children for they that spoiled it being for the most part Spaniards and Italiens which entred first pardoned some to helpe to saue the mouables that were in the houses from the fier and during this fier their fury was some-what pacefied moreouer the Seignior of Hierges caused a proclamation to be made by the dromme that no women nor children should receiue any harme The Minister of the towne was taken and after they had slaine his son before his eyes they led him out of the towne where they hanged him vpon a gibet He had bin set at fiue hundred florins ransome but being knowne they put him in that manner to death Chrestine of Queillerie Minister of the Wallon Companies was not knowne and hauing remained fiue weeks a prisoner in the end he was deliuered for three hundred florins ransome In this sort the poore towne of Oudewater was taken and ruined After the taking of this towne which was the 7. of August the Seignior of Hierges went the 12. day to inuest the towne of Schoonhouen whether the Prince sent the Seignior of La Garde Collonell of the French a gentleman that was learned and had beene long practised in the excercise of Armes of whome we haue spoken in the seege and vitteling of Leyden who not only in warre but also in matters of State hath done great seruice to the Prince and States by his wi◅e and graue councel who although the towne was not to be held hauing no rampar of any strength and besides most of the Bourguers ill affected to the Prince after he had endured a battery of 26. cannons and the Spaniards hauing made a breach of 300. paces attending the assault a whole day and seeing that the Bourguers would rampare vp nothing in the night fearing to haue enemies both within and without the next day the Spaniards being redy to renew their battery by an honorable commposition hee saued the towne his men their armes and Bagage for hee could not haue defended it long with honor Whilest that the Seignior of Hierges with this Spanish army made warre in Holland the King of Spaines Viceadmirall borne in Middelbourge perswaded the great Commander to attempt an enterprise vpon the Iland of Ziricxzee the which he said was easie to be executed and thereby hee might subdue with more facility the I le of Walchren and so deuide the Zeelanders from them of Holland His reasons seemed probable and they came from one who in sea causes had good experience and was wel-acquainted with all the passages of the country and with that sea The Commander not-with-standing any difficulties that might contradict the vndertaking of this enterprise and knowing of what importance the happie successe thereof might be would haue it put in execution To this end he gathered together his army and imbarkt them sodenly going himselfe in person along the Iland of Tolen neere to the I le of Schauwe the which hee would surprize being deuided onely by a riuer there were in the I le of Tolen many forts vpon the dikes furnished with good artillery which kept the Protestants shippes from passing so as they could not hinder the Spaniards passage yet the Zeelanders had some forts right against them so as they shot often one at an other The 28. of September the Commander caused his men to passe at a lowe water into the Iland of Saint Anne not-with-out great paine and toyle whereas they planted their campe in Saint Annes Bourg along the dike Sanchio d'Auila who at that time was Admirall in the absence of Cont Bossu being prisoner at Horne came thether with his ships bringing a good troupe of footemen and so they entred at a low water into the Iland of Duyuelandt on Saint Michales day The next day hee went with his gallies towards the Iland of Schouen other-wise called Zirixzee where they entred also but with great toyle his men being so wet and tired as they had beene easely defeated if there had beene such order giuen as was fit Being past and hauing taken Brouwershauen and some other forts of the Iland and of other small Ilands without losse of any men they went to beseege a strong place called Bomened the which they did batter fower daies togither and then gaue an assault but it was so valiantly defended as at that time they were repulst with losse The next day they gaue an other assault the which continued 6. houres being 4. or 5. times renewed with fresh men wheras the Spaniards Wallons were so brauely repulst as they wold no more returne But in the end the Germains going to charge the beseeged being so tired with fighting as they could no longer stād they were forced and al slaine It is sayd that in al these assaults of Bomende the Spaniard lost about 1500. men the besieged being not aboue 300. of the which their were not aboue 3. or 4. saued who escaped strangely From thence the Spaniards went to the towne of Ziricxee the which they did inuest the first day thinking it would yeeld at their first approch but being wel furnished of all things necessary and the Burgers resolued to defend themselues being in hope of succors the Spaniard found himselfe deceiued of his expectation so as they were forced to vse more force then they intended And first to cut of all succors they tooke from them the entry of the hauen although the chanel be broad there yet they shut it vp with a great chaine frō one side to the other wheras they planted ordinance to defend it The Protestāts ships made sundry attempts and did much anoy the Spaniards yet they could not breake the chaine About this time there parted a fleet of ships from Spaine called Zabres which came anchored at the Ile-wight belonging to England where hauing receiued such refreshings as they needed then they came to Dunkerke where hauing landed their besognes or newe leauied soldiars the mony which they brought they were forced to winter and the ships to be in the hauen of Dunkerke during the which by reason of great tempests ill order in looking to them they were al spoiled so as they could serue to no vse for the war In the meane time Iohn du Bois attorney general in the Netherlands for the