friendly manner desired them that as themselves had declared and as he had newly concluded with the French Ambassador no Subscription of the Mediators unlesse in the way by him propounded might be admitted whereunto they all accorded and gave their word This difference about the subscription being removed the Commissioners of each side convened in the Mediatoriall Tent to the performance of the last act viz. the Signing of the Articles whom the Mediators followed to be present at the reviewing of the same least ought might be transacted wherein their Principalls might be concerned In the reading the preface was ommitted whereby no offence might be taken and that worke being ended the Mediators were in most respective manner desired to retire and leave them to signe alone which they did and upon their comming forth were by the Mediators congratulated for that happy conclusion Thus at length by the blessing of God upon the infatigable toile and industrie of the Mediators this great and difficult worke after so many desperate-seeming ruptures was brought to a happy issue in twenty and foure severall meetings accounting ab initio and couched in so many severall Articles which having been for the most part already touched are forborne to be here inserted and the curious referred to the printed Acts. The whole was read allowed signed and confirmed by the respective Commissioners of the interessed Parties the 2 12 of September An. 1635. and the joy thereof was conceived to be so great that publike acclamations were every where heard At Marienburg the whole Ordnance about the Town and Castle was discharged upon the returne of the Mediators with the Commissioners of Suethland Onely the French Ambassador remained in Stumbsdorff to refresh himselfe as pretended but indeed to send an account by expresse unto the King his Master The remainder of that day was by his Lordship and the Hollanders employed in giving to the Commissioners of Suethen the attestation desired by them concerning those of the Roman Profession in Leifland which had formerly been so hotly disputed and was by them given to this effect That wheras there had been long and great dispvte concerning the Roman Catholicks in Leifland at length the Queen and Crown of Suethland at the instant urgencies of the Commissioners of Poland had condescended so far as to permit to the Roman Catholicks in Leifland liberty of Conscience Religion and Devotion in private but least that from those words ought might be inferred contrary to their intention in that point over and above the meer liberty of conscience by them granted or least that there might be pretended any Priestly exercise either publike or private they the said Commissioners had many times in their presence excepted by protestation against all the formes including any word of exercise either tacitely or expressed and that the Lord Ambassadour of France who had most earnestly laboured therin had propounded the same and the Commissioners of Poland had assented therunto in which Forme or Draught no mention of exercise was made that so they might by some faire way explicate and free themselves from that contention This they the said Mediators did witnesse and confirme to all whom it might concern under their hands and Seals Upon the day following the Generall of the Suethish Forces Jacobus de la Garde with the Commissioners of that Crown did visite his Lordship in a way of thankfull acknowledgment for his great paines and endeavours employed in the Treaty and afterwards did the like to the Hollanders concluding with a courteous invitation of them into the Castle that evening where their entertainment was answerable to their Dignities The next day his Lordship went to the Polish Leager and was soon after followed by the Hollanders to take leave of that King of whom he had publike audience in his Tent the great Chancellour and the other fore-named Commissioners being present That Ceremoniall Complementive farewell lasted not half an houre wherin it was observed that the King did not shew the same cheerfull countenance to his Lordship that he had formerly done both at his first repair and during the Treaty and the Commissioners likewise expressed lesse courteous respects then at former times which his Lordship took notice of but knowing himself to be free from any desert therof was the lesse troubled therat His Lordship whilest in the Camp was visited by the Wayvod or Palatine of Belskie whom according to the Kings words at parting he believed to have been sent with something in Commission but found it to be only a private Complementall farewell In the interim the States Ambassadours as also the French Ambassadour who had repaired thither from Stumbsdorff took likewise severally their leave but had each a longer audience according to information and returned the next day to see the Army which then was to be reviewed and drawn up into Battalia His Lordship stayed that night in the Tent of Col. afterwards Generall Major Butler aswell to see the Army as also that he might there be ready to receive any further expressions which according to the delivery at parting he expected from the King In the manner fore-mentioned was transacted and concluded the Treaty for Truce for twenty six years commencing in September 1635 between the two Crownes of Suethland and Poland What passages did afterwards befall by reason of the French Ambassadours signing the Polanders Counterpane or Copy of those Articles at that Kings instance by whom contrary to former President fore-mentioned agreement and stipulation they were to that end tendred unto the said Ambassadour as himself afterward acknowledged as also great Brittaines Ambassadours expostulation with some of the Polish Ministers in reference therunto and the difference answering therupon between that King and his Lordship are couched in the few subsequent Pages wherin his Lordships life and death are commemorated which now follow for a conclusion to the whole matter A BRIEF COMMEMORATION Of the LIFE and DEATH OF SIR GEORGE DUGLAS KNIGHT LORD Ambassadour Extraordinary from the late KING of ENGLAND For concluding of PEACE or TRUCE BETWEEN SUETHLAND AND POLAND An. 1635. By J. F. LONDON Printed for Hen Twyford and Tho Dring 1656. A briefe COMMEMORATION OF SIR GEORGE DUGLAS Knight Ambassador Extraordinary from the late King of Great BRITTAIN in the year 1635. for the Treaty of Peace between the Crowns of POLAND AND SVETHEN HAVING deduced the passages of the preceding Treaty of Pacification between the two Crowns before mentioned it may be not improper to annex somthing concerning that late honourable Person by whose indefatigable endeavours that good work was in great part so happily effected And the rather in regard his name albeit both ancient and honourable denotes him to have been of a Neighbour Nation and that there are but few now living who can remember to have known I may say scarce seen his person appearing in any way Considerable in the Court of
thousand Foot and Horse to their recruit wherby those places being surrendred by the Enemy were by him as the rest had been delivered into the hands of the Electorall Administrator But to return from whence I have not unnecessarily digressed the Suethes and the Confederate Princes fell not long after into a decadence of fortune for the Cardinall Infanta with an Army of old tryed Souldiers though bent for Flanders taking Germany in his way and joyning with the Imperiallists neer the City of Norglingen the Associates by this Conjunction received a great defeat wherin most of their Ensigns were seised their Commanders either slain or taken of which latter Calamity their brave Generall Gustavus Horne was partaker The scattered relicks found no sure retreat untill they recovered the formerly wasted Palatinate under Duke Bernard of Weymar where deprived of Colours and Commanders they continued in a manner without Discipline so as that Country was in a most sad condition and England thereupon solicited as aforesaid the Counsell wherof judging it expedient to send an Agent thither the fore-named Lievtenant Colonel Duglass was made choice of as one who in his reports would not be over partiall and he being first dignified with the Honour of Knight-hood accordingly received Credentials and Instructions The fore-mentioned Ambassador Sir Robert Anstruther who after his departure from Saxony had been with the Elector of Brandenburg at Berlin and from thence with the Queen of Suethen at Wolgast to condole the death of the King her Husband whose body was then to be transported into Suethland and had likewise been with the Duke of Holstein and the Dutchesse Dowager his Mother as also with the King of Denmark Treating with sundry of that Kings Counsell who were thereunto appointed he intimated unto them omitting particulars not so necessary to be here inserted that their Masters Conjunction with the Protestant Princes of Germany would much conduce to the generall tranquility as without which the Emperour and his adherents would hardly be moved to a constant and universall Peace in the Empire but rather hope that the Divisions and Separations of those Princes and States would be apt to produce unto him new advantages They after much reasoning acknowledged it was most necessary but prayed him to consider the hazards their King their Country and themselves had in the last Wars been exposed unto so as had they not made a peace with the Emperour they might by that time have gone a begging with their Wives and Children And that having thus made their Peace they ought not in equity to be the breakers of it the rather for that their Master was now acting the Mediators part They wished that Saxony were really as Brandenburg was united in the Alliance of Heylbrun the better to Ballance the Affaires there whereby a good Peace which their Master was still ambitious to be an Instrument of might more probably be expected His Lordship urged no lesse to their King himself upon occasion of some discourse soon after of the then present state of Germany and the King expressing how much he longed to see a good Peace established He replied that his Majesties Authority and Power if interposed with the Duke of Saxony might be very usefull for obtaining of the wished end in that Conjuncture and that if the three Protestant Electors and their Houses were firmly linked together by a perfect friendship and sence of common Interest they would soon grow so Considerable as that other Princes would be glad of their Association And then Caesar himself would in all likelyhood the better hearken to reasonable Conditions of Peace besides many other good effects which he inferred might ensue so happy a Conjunction The King professed to concur with his Lordship in opinion yet not without objecting some impediments But I shall wave further insisting hereupon This as not material to the Subject mainly here intended being onely to shew how far England did then interess it self in the Protestant cause of Germany and the concernments of its Allies there His Lordship returning to Hamburg to expect further Orders was soon after re-manded back to Francfort on the Mayne to interpose his Masters Authority as cause should be offered Return We now to Sir George Duglass who there met with his Lordship and during his Agency in the Palatinate had given an account so satisfactory as well in order to that Electorall Principality and its condition with the whole state of Affaires relative to that concernment as of the Associated Princes and Cities and likewise of the Suethes as was well rellished at home and therby gained to himself the opinion of one capable of a greater and more weighty Negotiation And as if all things should conduce to his advancement it so fell out that the expiration of a six years Truce concluded as hath been said by the intervention of Sir Thomas Roe Ambassador from the late King An. 1629. between the Crownes and Kings of Poland and Suethen was then drawing neer and the late King was by the Polander again solicited to the same effect with intimation of a desire of neerer conjunction by Allyance This motion was plausible and the more credulous of Englands Court were thereby wrought to cry up that Kings Cause albeit the same his Turne once served proved but a Fucus and like an Apparition vanished into Aire For this employment of no mean moment Sir George Duglass then Agent in Germany as aforesaid was thought a fit Minister and the rather because haying formerly served the late King of Suethland in those parts he was not unacquainted with their interests in Prussia and Leifland and might accordingly make use of arguments to induce them to a moderate and equitable compliance it being conjectured that they would not easily be won to restore either much lesse both of those rich and fertile Provinces but as to any resignation of the Crown of Suethland which the Polander claimed as his Hereditary Right it was fore-seen that however the same might be brought upon the Carpet it could not be with any hope of condeseension Credentials and Instructions were then drawn up and sent enclosed within a dispatch to the fore-named Ambassadour Sir Robert Anstruther to beby him delivered as was forthwith done unto Sir George Duglass whereby the Title of Lord Ambassadour Extraordinary from the King of Great Brittaine to the Kings and Crownes of Poland and Suethland became due unto him In this new Condition his first work was to furnish himself with Necessaries and Attendants suitable to that high Employment into the number wherof he was pleased to desire the Relator from Sir Robert Anstruther of whose Secretaries he then was and in the same capacity entertained him for that Embassy which is only mentioned to shew the ground he had for the present and precedent Narrative Whilest some weeks of time were spent in such like preparations Letters of safe conduct and Convoyes were desired
Warsovia held in November 1635. his Lordship not thinking fit to repaire thither in Person untill the former misunderstandings were removed Yet would he not omit to write by him to the Lord Palatine of Belzkie as also to the forenamed Starrost de Libonza intimating to each the continuance of his Masters good affection toward their King as they would perceive by his answers to all their propositions sent by Mr. Gordon and that the same merited a better acknowledgment then was given at the conclusion of the late Treaty wherby he professed himself to be discouraged from undertaking a journey to the present Parliament notwithstanding the Orders he had received but was willing rather to refer the whole matter to Mr. Gordon untill the jealousies he had reason to conceive were cleered It hath been said that perswaded by the Lord Zavatzkie his Lordship had forborn to advertise home for three weekes Space and it is to be added that those letters being sent by Sea Subject to the inconstancy of winds and the movings of that other uncertain Element were above six weekes longer before they came to the hands they were directed unto Whereupon confused rumours of things coming to those who in England bore a chief sway in managing of the late Kings Privy Counsell Sir John Coke principall Secretary of State did by Letter taxe his Lordship of remisnesse in his dispatches shewing that from France they understood the Treaty was concluded and that he had received some disgust but the particulars they were not acquainted with Hereby he first perceived that in one and the same thing he had committed two not small Errours But in time all grudges being either buried or seemingly layed to sleep and the King of Poland coming to Dantzig his Lordship had severall Audiences and was once in company of the King with sundry of the Polish Nobility feasted by the fore-named Mr Gordon And from that King obtained albeit not without reluctancy of his Lords who complained that our Ambassadours Remonstrances were over-tart a Mandate Declaratory under the Royall hand and Signet dated the sixth of February 1635. 6. wherby our Merchants of the Eastland Company were promised relief against the molestation of the Stample or Seal upon their Cloath procured by the Dantzigers during the Wars and the Suspension therof untill it might be abrogated in the next ensuing Parliament the last having beene called for the ratification onely of the late Treaty as was affirmed by their Commissioners who publikely gave their Faith Stipulata manu for the disannulling thereof The King soon after departing from Dantzig his Lordship took leave not without seeming fairnesse of each side and the fore-named Lord Zavatzkie was designed Ambassadour for England pretentionally for proceeding upon the motions formerly albeit in a more private way by himself in the name and by warrant from the Polander propounded to the late King with whom Agent Gordon was associated and as himself vainly believed and spared not to give out with more Trust from that King then the other But notwithstanding all these specious shewes his Lordship was still doubtfull of their true meaning and advertised home accordingly yet could he not particularly conclude in whose breast the dissimulation lay For even they who professed the same Religion with us and were at first most earnest in the pursuance of those motions were now become as cold as oothers albeit they were intimate with that King and of his neerest Counsells so as it might seem that their Masters intention decreed especially in matters so neerly concerning himself should have been the point of the Compasse by which they were to steer Yet by the way it may be demanded whether our Ambassadours Suspitions were not causelesse or whether by his jealousies he did not injure that Prince and so provoke him justly wherunto is answered that the Ambassadour of Poland Zavatzkie when with Gordon he arrived in England did not give that full and particular satisfaction which was expected albeit the Professions out wardly and in generall were as high as ever so as doubtfull conjectures began upon his arrivall to be made at Englands Court and his dismission was visibly more cold then his reception had been And considering it was with him that his Lordship made the disrellishing fore-mentioned expostulation it may be and was then by sundry conceived that the maine part of his Errand was to have boulstered out the former complaint if he had not been prevented by his Lordships death The same appeared more fully afterwards when it was certainly known that the King of Poland had proceeded even to consummation of things directly contrary to his former propositions without previous advertisement of his reasons for declining them in excuse wherof Post factum he sent the fore-named Lord Andrea Rey Starrosta de Libonza as Ambassadour to the late King who understanding before his arrival what his Master had done in prejudice of his own proposalls would not admit him to his presence so that he returned without Audience not being permitted to come higher then Greenwich the Court being then at Winsor Our Agent was also soon after discharged from further Negotiating there neither hath England since that time had any person publikely impolyed to that Prince or State By all which circumstances it may be gathered that his Lordship did dive more deep into their intentions then self-interest and avarice two maine evills in whomsoever they infect but most pestilent in publike Ministers would permit the over credulity of others His Lordship having received Order for his return began his journey from Dantzig the first of March Old Stile and on the thirteenth therof came to Damin a Town in Pomerania of which Colonell Robert Cuningham his Kinsman was Governor for the Crown of Suethen who came forth about two English miles accompanied with his Officers to meet his Lordship and they alighting he did the like walking into the Town on foot where by the way his Lordship and the Governour discoursing together the Officers made relation to us of a certain accident which had hapned in their Garrison the preceding evening and for the time had caused some disturbance to their thoughts It was thus Upon the Eve before being Saturday the twelfth of March 1635 6 for the space of neer two houres between those of eight and ten at night an unwonted sound of Bells was heard in the Steeple of that Towns Church called Saint Bartholomew and the Governour sending to enquire the cause thereof at an undue houre received answer That the Church doors were shut Hereupon the Magistrates were sent for and Order given that some of the Garrison with others of the Town Officers with Torches lighted should search the Church and Steeple to see if there were not some persons concealed who by such meanes might attempt to give a privy Signall to any Enemy neer hand But return being made that no Person was to be
to a Treaty for Truce Conditions of Truce propounded by the Suethes New difficulty Obviated Conserence with the Generall de la Garde His reply The Poles retire discontented The Suethes more complying Their conditions for treaty of Truce Cessation of Armes prolonged Consentâ—h unto by the 〈◊〉 ders The Mediators consult with the King and â—enators of Poland upon fifteen heads Addition made by the Hollanders The result of the Suethes upon the former heads Cessation conditionall The Kings result The Suethes reply more mild then expected The Mediators return to the King Audience appointed in the Camp A view of the Polish Army It s constitution Discipline Habiliments Number The King inclining to War The Suethes not verse to Peace Cessation prorogued eigh 〈…〉 s A meeting consented unto Competition between the Hollanders and those of Brandenburg Articles of the whole treatie exhibited by the Suethes Referred to the King by the Poles Necessarie caution Former competition removed Parliaments ratification insisted upon by the Suethes Polishreply Sequestration of places propounded by the Mediators Sequestration of places propounded by the Mediators The Suethes persist Their reasons Impossibility alledged by the Poles Seasonable proposition Assented unto by the Suethes Waved by the Poles The King of Poland averse to the proposition The Suethes excuse their not appearing Complain of the Polanders The Suethes reply and Compliance Both parties stiff Mutuall concessions Cessation for foure daies Second interview of the Parties Exhibition of Articles by the Suethes Additions by the Polanders The Truce to be for 26. years Hopes of amicable conclusion A rub cast in French Ambassador stickling for the Romish Religion in Leifland Positively refused by the Suethes and why The Poles insist The other Mediators propounded a Medium Sueci hominibus Catholicis in Livonia toto induciarum tempore cultum ritum in privato permissuri nullamque in eos inquisitionem ut hactenus facturi neminique qui Religionem Catholicam professus fuerit id ipsi noxae futurum Arguments used by the French Ambassador Rejected by the Suethes Cultus Ritus Exemption from enquiry granted by the Suethes Referred by the Poles to their King French Amb. Solicitations Uneffectuall The former forme insisted on by the Poles Again by the Suethes rejected Bellum Bellum Sudden tumult Threatning danger Appeared The Suethes exasperated The Poles purge themselves A conference between his Lordship and the Poles Hostility began The former tumult excused Apology by the French Ambassador Digression Cessation of Armes for a day onely The second form rejected by the Suethes Rejected by the King The last forme propounded by the Poles Disrelished by the Suethes At length admitted Attestation desired Particulars insisted on Plausible answer Vneffectuall Cessation for three dayes His Lordship insists as befâ—â—e The Poles promise future satisfaction Transport of Forces And other points discussed New Scruple of the Suethes Demand thereon Answered by the Poles Judgement of the Mediators Referred to the King Other difficulties composed Cessation continued one day onely The Kings resolution Concerning remove of the Army Accepted by the Suethes Generall meeting of Mediators and parties in the Mediators Tent. Objection made by his Lordship Waved by the Poles Deserted by the Suethes Precedency of nomination challenged by his Lordship Declined by the Poles Contest for precedency of subscription Meeting of the Generals of each side And accord Attestation granted to the Polanders by his Lordship and the Hollanders Competitions renewed between the Mediators Mediatoriall subscription concluded unnecessary The French insists on subscription Afterwards declines it No subscription of Mediators promised The parties meet to conlude The Articles signed Publike rejoycements His Lordship and the Hollanders give to the Suethes an attestation concerning Catholicks in Leifland His Lordship invited by the Suethes He takes leave of the King of Poland in his Camp Coldnesse discovered French and Hollanders take leave The Armyreviewed Reference to what followes Preface concerning his Lordship His birth Education Entrie into Military employment Designed to be Governour of Creutznach Seldome subject to passion Refuseth the foresaid Government Takes shelter under Englands Ambassador Presents himself to the King at Noremberg Againe committed His release moved by the Ambassador Duglass released Returns for England Lutzen â—â—ild The King of Suethland staine The Suethes win the Feild Some months dead er'e so beleived King of Bohemia deceased soone after Protestant Dyet or assembly Countenanced by Englands Ambassador And by the French and Brandenburg Landt-grave of Darmestadt solicited in vaine Saxons Elector likewise waves the conjuncture Oxenstierne director of the Protestant Affaires in Germany The Palatinate exhausted Recovered and entirely restored to the Electoral Administrator Confederates defeated at Ratisbo 〈…〉 Their retreat into the Palatinate Duglass Knighted and sent Agent into Germany Digression concerning Sir Robert Anstruthar That Kings eldest Son had then lately married a Daughter of that Duke Duglass acquits himself satisfactorily And is designed Ambassador into Poland Credentials and Instructions sent ro Duglals Enters upon his commission by visiting the Chancellour of Suethen The Chancellors discourse His Lordships reply Their farewell His Lordship takes journey from Francfort Is entertained at Hanaw Entertained by the Elector of Brandenburg Comes to Stettin in Pomerania To Dantzig French Ambassador Signes the Articles of the Treatie His Lordship offended Expostulates sharply with Zavatzkie By him smoothed with promise of satisfaction not performed He returned to Dantzig Delayes advertising Receives notice by letter of Polands distast Englands Agent returnes to Dantzig Sent unto the Parliament at Warsaw Two Errours in â—ne Grudges covered the King and his Lordship meet A mandate obtained in behalfe of the Eastland Merchants Zavatzkie sent Ambassador for England and with him Gordon Their sinceritie distrusted by his Lordship Suspected in England Made visible soone after and Polands Ambassador not admitted to Audience His Lordship comes to Damin Portentuous accident His Lordships Comment theron His sickning Agony Death Embalming advertisement and Inventary and Mournings concluded on Orders for finall dispose required Convoy for security desired Inventary taken Remove commenced Due Thanks tendred to the Chancellour of Suethen His death condoled by the Chancellour The Chancellors desire The like formerly elsewhere intimated The Corps brought neere Hamburg The Senate advertised and Scruple about the entrie Yet consented unto as desired Manner of Entrie The Corps disposed of by Order Servants strangers rewarded dismissed Eis Character The portent aforesaid enquired into and asserted Attestation from the Senate of Damin Observations upon the whole Vide Exegesis Historica page 350. 1. Article 2. Article 3. Article 4. Article 5. Article 6. Article 7. Article This Act hath not come to my hands otherwise the Heads therof had been particularized Observations on the Treaty On the Ambassadour Great beginnings Have not alwaies equall endings Mutual Greatnesse glittering Misery Happy closure
then Duke of Sudermannia c. by them Parliamentarily Constituted Governour of Suethland is demonstrated The heads of the severall Letters which passed between that King and his said Uncle in that conjuncture and even when the Armies of both sides were in the Feild and in sight of each other are touched The Kings bad successe the accord ensuing between them with his Retreat into Poland contrary thereunto set forth Contents of their subsequent as well as preceding Acts of Parliament inserted Their renouncing of Fidelity and Subjection to him and his Heirs for ever with their exaltation of the forenamed Duke Charles unto his Nephews Throne manifested The Warrs thereupon between them with advantage to the Suethes and upon other intervenient occasions a Truce mediated and concluded for six years An. 1629. hinted That Truce neer expiring a second Treaty being set on foot An. 1634. for a finall Peace or longer Truce and the latter for six and twenty years assented unto by both Parties the year following the daily passages thereof are faithfully couched Lastly A breife Commemoration of the Ambassador who from England did Mediate that Truce A touch likewise of sundry as aforesayd Emergencies in Germany relating to Englands and the Protestant Interest there in those times not unnecessary for the better understanding of Passages referring as well to the sayd Treaty as to the Ambassadors Person and Death wherein sundry occurrences not usuall may be observed with a cursory mention of the now Raigning Princes of Suethland and Poland and the present posture of affiares in those Nations conclude the Triple Narrative SUETHLAND AND POLANDS TROVBLES Preceding Causing and Ensuing the Expulsion of King SIGISMUND the Third from the Crown of SUETHLAND The Rise of the WARS between Suethland and Poland THE Crown of Poland as also that of Suethland untill of latter Ages hath ever been and still is Elective and albeit not neer so ancient as the other in the Title of a King 〈…〉 yet at present not of consideration inferiour to most in Christendom the same being the only Bulwark in those parts against the incroaching power of the insulting Turk and his Blood-hound the numerous over-running Tartar Unto the time of Boleslaus sur-named Chrobrus that Country was governed somtimes by Dukes otherwhiles by Palatines But Otho the Third the Germane Emperour who in the year 997. first instituted the Colledge of Electors for the choice of future Successors to the Imperiall Crown after an expedition by him made into Italy undertaking a Journey into Poland to visite the Tomb of S. Adelbert and being there Magnificently received and entertained by the said Boleslaus in requitall therof and to tye him in the more strickt Bonds of Amity towards himself and the Roman Empire Of Duke stiled and Crowned him King of Poland about the year of Grace 1000. After whom the said Title continued by the space of 82. years unto the time of Vladislaus the first who abandoned the same using only that of Prince or Duke in which frame the Government remained for the term of 213. years at the end wherof Lescus Niger deceasing and the State distracted into divers Factions being for some time without a Prince the supream Rule was at last electively setled upon Primislaus surnam'd Posthumus who resumed the Title of King An. 1295. That Royall Title hath been ever since retained by his Successors yet not fully established untill the Raign of Casimir the second stiled the Great after whose death his Nephew Lewis King of Hungaria son to Charles King therof by Elizabeth Sister of the said Casimir succeeding electively to the Regall Chair of Poland deceased without Heirs Males and Mary eldest Daughter of the said Lewis being chosen Queen of Hungaria Heduigis the younger was elected to the Crown of Poland and married unto Jagello great Duke of Lithuania who in contemplation of the said Match and the Crown of Poland wherunto he was therby advanced became a Christian in the year 138â— by the name of Vladislaus the fifth and wrought so with his Subjects the Lithuanians as that they also embraced the Christian Profession and likewise united his said Dutchy of Lithuania with Samogitia and that part of Roxoâ—ania which was under his obedience unto the Crown of Poland for ever To which three conditions he was obliged by the Articles of his Marriage The first was forth with the second soon after effected albeit not without reluctancy as may be conceived where a People is rooted and therby become obstinate in Idolatrie The third point the Union was yet more hard to compasse and took more time of deliberation neither was it fully accomplished untill of latter years For the Princes of the Race of Jagello who after him succeeded to the Crown of Poland being unwilling to deprive their Posterity of their Hereditary Estates and to submit the same to the election of the Polanders least being pre-termitted therin they might remain deprived of their ancient Patrimonicall Rights and Dignities deferred the fulfilling therof from one time to another alleadging that the States and people of Lithuania would not consent therto as apprehending future prejudice by that Conjunction But at last seeing that of the one side their Princes Males began to fail as they did in the time of Sigismundus Augustus and on the other part apprehending the power of the Russians and the renewing of former pretensions the Lithuanians condescended to the Union in the Raign of the said Sigismundus who procured that the Lithuanian Bishops the Palatines and a certain number of Castellans should have Session and Vote in the Parliaments of Poland at the election of their Kins and all other Priviledges which the Native Polonians have wherby the Rights of the Lithuanian Princes to their Patrimoniall Estates might seem secured It may be generally observed that in those Elective Kingdoms regard is had to the next in right line unless known to be unfit and unworthy of so great a Power as is apparent in Hungaria Bohemia and Suethland before the same became Hereditary in Denmark also and in Russia most usually and at present is and hath been practised in Germany since the time of Charles the fifth By virtue of this regard to the Progeny of well deserving Princes the Jagellonian Posterity hath continued successively elected to the Crown of Poland ever since his death about 137. years under the Raign of six Kings Viz. Vladislans the sixth his Son Casimir Son to the said Vladislans John Albert second Son of Casimir the elder being pre-termitted by reason of his embracing the Crowns of Hungaria and Bohemia Alexander the third Brother and these two dying without Issue Sigismund fourth Son of the said Casimir succeeded and to him his Son Sigismundus the second sur-named Augustus the last Prince of the Issue Male of Jagello who deceased about the year 1573. After him was chosen Henry of Valois Duke of Anjow second Son to Henry the second King of
from the Generals of the opposite Armies through part of which we were necessitated to passe His Lordship in the interim made entry upon his Commission by visiting the great Chancellour of Suethen Axelius Oxenstierne at Mentz and by delivering to him the Letters he had from his Master directed to the said Chancellour and to his Son John Oxenstierne who sometime before had been employed as Ambassadour into England from himself as President and in the name of the fore-mentioned Directorium or great Counsell of the Protestant Associated Princes and Cities of Germany which Letters he received with great testimony of respect and thankfulnesse for the honour therby done unto him expressing the same at length and with great Eloquence And as concerning his Son he much rejoyced at his Majesties expressions of favour towards him both in this and at the time of his being in England albeit it were over long to tell the Condoleances he used for the frigidnesse as he termed it his Son then found in relation to his Employment but this having proceeded partly from things already glanced at I forheare to insist upon He further insinuated how glad he was of his Lordships being employed in a businesse that so much concerned their Prince and Country of whose integrity they had formerly received so good proof Yet it is not improbable and his Lordship did so conceive that they would not unwillingly have declined our intervention if it had been in their power knowing that Englands interest in the point of Trade and Commerce on which their Toll in the Balthick Sea lay so heavy would bring him in to crosse their designes and pull from them a Bit which they had found so sweet as they were loth to part with The Chancellor began then to discourse of the Treaty that was to ensue wherin he demonstrated at length the difficulties that would occur even at the first meetings touching Ceremonies and Titles as hath plentifully appeared in that Treaties Narration He afterwards insisted upon the trouble the main businesse would produce being no lesse then the question of a Kingdome and of the strangest nature that had been disputed in many Ages wherby those that were strangers and not vers't in the fundamentall Rights the ancient Priviledges and Jus Suecorum would he said come in a manner with prejudicate minds sympathizing with their own Governments which as they would not presume to judge of but leave every one to their own so he hoped that others would do the like to them and not expect that they should let fall a Controversie which had cost them so much treasure and blood for any arguments drawn from the opinions and example of others which concerned not them they being to take their own way and to follow their particular grounds to the last drop of blood What he set forth of the wrongs they had suffered under King Sigismundus which had constrained them to the extreamest courses may be ghessed by such as shall have read the first part of this Treatise and therfore needs here no repetition As to King Vladislaus then Raigning in Poland he having he said no right but from his Father had lost all in him and with what arguments he alleadged that his pretensions were lesse valid at that present then his Fathers in his life-time were over tedious here to relate His Lordship on the other side was not wanting in replyes but shewed that extreame Counsells have extreame Events that Obstinate Warrs were ever accompanied with troubles and Calamities and alwayes heavy even to the prevailing side that as their issues were uncertaine so their vicistitudes many whereof themselves had already received sufficient proofes That as the vertues of the present King Vladislaus were to be respected so his Forces and that great Successe which had but late before attended him against most potent Enemies was no lesse to be feared besides many other respects which might induce them to steere at least a midle course The restitution of such Territories as they had wone by their Armes was likewise touched upon in their discourse which his Lordship found to be by them taken for so good a Title as they were not like to give back for a Song They parted with great fairenesse the one professing much thankfulnesse affection and all other respects to the King of great Brittaine and his Allies the other assuring him of all reciprocall and respective offices to the young Queene and Crown of Suethen from his Master and every Minister of his Herewith his Lordship returned to Francfort His traine and equipage being in a readinesse his Lordship began his journey from Francfort in December 1634 having taken leave of the Ambassador Sir Robert Anstruther with all possible expresions of mutuall respect and affection and was met before he came to Hanaw a great and strong Citie about three Leagues distant by Sir James Ramsay before-named Governour thereof attended with foure Troopes of Horse the whole Garrison in Armes the great Ordnance upon the walls also going off from the Gate to the Governours Quarter where his Lordship was lodged during foure dayes of his aboad there to dispatch an Expresse for England The Governour howbeit but late before his Commander as hath been touched not disdayning to hold the Towell to his Lordship at washing before meales as to the Representer of his Prince which office he would perforce and did performe his Lordship in vaine opposing it Departing from Hanaw He made no Halt untill he arrived at Berlin the Electorall Court of Brandenburg where by that Prince he was lodged in the Palace and for eight dayes that that he stayed there was entertained with all the Magnificencie that might testify an entire respect to the King his Master Between his Electoral Highnesse and his Lordship there passed some Communication upon the points like to occur in the Prussian Treaty between the principall Parties as also what concerned his own Interest which suffered but overmuch every where After the Curialia by word of mouth the Elector returned a large Memoriall in writing in answer of some heads propounded by his Lordship by all which it was easie to perceive what the Chancellour had before intimated that there would not want difficulties to bring the businesse to an equall accord for they who had been hitherto on the losing hand would be loth to sit by it still nor the adverse party lesse unwilling as was conceived to quit ought already gotten but on termes not much to the others honour for which cause the King of Poland having a good Army in readinesse was then personally at Danizig to take order for all provisions necessary giving out that he would either have a perpetuall Peace or else declare the War And here his Lordship received information that he was by that King expected with much longing From Berlin his Lordship came to Stettin in Pomerania the old Duke wherof being sick he visited him not
might find acceptance with him and that he would prosecute the Friends of the deceased whom he had loved whilest living with all reciprocall friendly Offices and concluded with wishing to us an unmolested proceeding on our journey He vvas pleased afterwards to enquire hovv vve intended to dispose of the body wherunto answer was made that having advertised into England by expresse we would expect Orders at Hamburg Upon our taking leave his Excellency desired that at our arrivall in England his most submissive respects might be tendered to the King to whose many favours both to himselfe and his he acknowledged an exceeding engagement and withall desired that when admitted to the Regall presence we would make mention of the present low condition of the Protestant Affaires in Germany wherin the interest of his Nephews was so deeply concerned which their King had Patronized to the losse of his life and their Crown the like to the great exhausting both of their Treasure and Men That the necessities of those Parts now emplored his Majesty to rise up their Protector by a vigorous assistance wherby that which had with so much sweat and blood beene wrung out of the hands of the common Enemy might not again be lost The like discourse had been made to this Relator at Marienburg above eight months before by Baron D' Avaux the French Ambassadour who willed him to represent the same unto his Lordship and added that the King of Great Brittaine sate then as Umpire over the two maine Interests of the Christian World and held in his hand the beam of the Ballance so as the side he inclined unto must of force over-poise the other wherof he earnestly desired that his Lordship would advertise the King his Master Of all which a faithfull relation was then made to his Lordship From Wismar we returned Colonell Cuningham there leaving us to the place where the Corps remained and thence without disturbance We came within a mile or two of Hamburg where once more leaving the body under the same charge as before Colonell Duglass with the Dutch Secretary formerly named and this Relator went into the City to take order for the sad Solemnity of the Funerall Entry and to see what place had been by Mr. Joseph Avery the late Kings Resident there provided for the Bodies Repositary he having been formerly by Letters solicited therunto and had accordingly procured a Room in the English House there with Lodgings for the more neer related Servants By him it was also thought convenient to acquaint the Senate of that City therwith to prevent any mistake or opposition of the entry of those armed Horse as vve intended Notice therof being given a scruple vvas made as he had fore-seen of admitting the two Troops that conveyed the Body they affirming that it vvas a thing never used and inconsistent vvith their Cities Customes that any extraneous Forces should enter Armed vvithin their Gates and that it might prove of dangerous consequence Reply vvas made that such a handfull in so populous and vvell guarded a City could neither breed danger nor suspition of any That vvhat vvas desired vvas onely in honour to the memory of the deceased and to render the Solemnity more celebrious in a remote Country vvhere confluence of friends could not be made as also for the more satisfaction to those Troops that had attended the Corps so far vvho might think themselves slighted if not permitted to accompany the same unto the Repository prepared It was urged on the other side that whatsoever came within the limits of their jurisdiction needed no other guarde but was by them in point of honour to be protected neither could they admit of such a President Thereunto was rereplyed that their Entrie might be permitted under the name of his Meniall attendants for the more fullnesse of the Ceremonie which could be no way derogatorie to their Citie wherein for ought yet knowne to us the last obsequies might be performed That otherwise we would divert to Attenaw a village thereby neer the Sea but without their precinct and there retaine the same guard The Senate at last consented to what was desired conditionally that the Corps being once lodged the two Troops should immdiately retire without the Gates which also was our desire In Order to the Entrie direction was sent to those without to move toward the Citie next afternoon but to make halt within halfe an English mile thereof whither the Eastland Company of Merchant Adventures with their Deputy and the forenamed Resident all in long Mourning cloakes made their repair as also the honourable Lord Fleetwood forementioned with his said Lievtenant Colonel and sundry other Commanders of qualitie then in that Citie who being all come to the place where the Bodie remained the Advance began First the two Troopes moved next them his Lordships foure sadle Horses led covered to the ground with blacke after those the Body in a Chariot purposely made covered with mourning drawn with six Horses likewise so cloathed to the ground attended on each side by his Footmen and other inferiour Servants The Resident Master Joseph Avery forenamed followed the Hearse as chiefe mourner being a publike Minister from the same Prince on his right hand the Deputy of the English Company Colonell Duglass before named on his left his Lordships Nephew William Lockhart then aged about fifteen years son to Sir James Lockhart by the onely Sister of the deceased Ambassador since Colonell and a Member for his Native Countrey in the two late Parliaments in England and at present one of the Councell of State for Scotland came next to them Single He was followed by the Ambassadors Gentlemen two and two and next to them his other domesticks after whom the Merchants in mourning Cloaks one by one and each accompanyed by a Commander or other Officer his owne Coach covered as also the six Horses with black unto the ground next came his Callosh or Waggon which usually carryed his meaner Menie and last his Baggage or Rust Waggon both covered in like manner each drawne with foure Horses likewise cloathed with black closed up the Traine Thus was the Body by Torch-light brought through the City to the English House and there placed in the Room appointed The Horse immediately retyred and a Banket prepared for those Commanders and Gentlemen as well of the Civill as Military function ended the sad Ceremony About two dayes after for avoyding of trouble to his Servants as also to the house by the curiosity of people who hourely flocked to see the visage of the deceased there being in the Coffin a Casement through which his face might be discerned with part of his bodie lying in a close Gowne of black damaske on his head a cap of the same over one of plaine linnen silke stockings plaine band and cuffes with white gloves His Heart and Tongue well preserved within a damaske cover lying under his head which rested on
a damaske covered pillow the bodie was removed into a close Chappell of the great Church in that Citie where it remained untill Orders came from England whereupon it was imbarked for Scotland attended by his Steward the forenamed Master Ewin with one page and a Footeman all of that Nation All the Dutch Servants except the forementioned Secretary who came for England were dismissed with payment of arreares where any was due and a gratuity to each according to his place The Relator was commanded for England with the papers that concerned the late Negotiation which he delivered to Sir John Coke Principall Secretary of State The Body was as since informed received on Shoare at the Port of Leith notice over Land having been sent before by such Friends as there accidentally occurred and the rest being invited soone after to the last of civill humane dueties was by a great concourse of honourable company attended not long after to the Tombe of his Ancestors where we will leave him sleeping in his honourable Urne untill with the society of all Saints he arise to receive his Euge bone serve c. He was certainely a Man endowed with so worthy Parts as deservedly gained him a good esteeme from three great Kings In the acquisition thereof he was esteemed fortunate and the contrary in not being Courtier enough to preserve it for he dyed under some cloud of his Princes displeasure by reason of the Polish complaint fore-specified notwithstanding which had his life been of longer continuance he had probably risen up a fixed Starr in the firmament of his great Masters favour And yet from what hath been already sayd it may be confidently conjectured he would never have proved a perfect Courtier according to those times for his spirit free in reprehensions and sometimes over tart would have uneasily complyed with the wayes of flattery falsely styled Courtship over usually practised and consequently have been unacceptable to the Court Cringers of that time He was neither prodigall nor greedy of getting So that his generous mind void of self-seeking howbeit not alwaies free from Passion would never have admitted of the Soyl of avirice or adulation two Plagues over frequent in the Courts of Princes A Period should here be put to this relation but that it is thought not unmeet to touch once more the accident mentioned to have happened in Daman the night before his Lordships arrivall there which was related unto him by the Governour at Table and albeit that as then no farther notice was taken therof yet his death ensuing so unexpectedly and suddenly gave occasion of more serious animadvertion therinto afterwards and upon diligent enquiry the truth of the thing was asserted not by the Garrison Officers and the Governour onely but by the Inhabitants also In confirmation wherof the Relator received from the Magistrates and Senate of Damin an attestation in writing under the Seal of that Town the Tenour wherof was in English as followeth WE the Consuls and Senate of the Towne of Damin do testifie by this present Writing that on Saturday the twelfth of March the Eve of the Sabbath Reminiscere in which the most Illustrious Lord Ambassadour of Great Brittaine George Duglass of honourable memory arrived in our City the year under mentioned about the Even-tide from the houre of eight untill within a quarter of ten a certain pleasing unwonted continued and never before observed sound of the Bels was heard in the Parish Church of S. Bartholmew the night being calm Wherupon the Noble and Worthy Governour of our Town Colonel Robert Cuningham as also the generality of the Citizens and Inhabitants therin were wonderfully astonished and amazed and the fore-named Governour according to his care caused the three Consuls to be called unto him without delay to know of them whether any such sound had been formerly observed and commanded the Guards to be doubled Then that as into a new thing more accurate enquiry might be made it was ordered that the Steeple should be ascended and a Scrutiny made with Torches lighted to see if any one were there hidden who by such a Signall might privily intend some Treachery yet no man was found in the said Tower but the Bells hanging without motion the sound neverthelesse was still heard by the Citizens below in the City The interpretation wherof We leave to the Divine Power whom We beseech to avert all misfortune from us In the interim in confirmation hereof We have hereunto set the Seale of our Town Given at Damin in the Dukedome of Pomerania the ninth of March 1636. This Novelty vvas by Master John Baall fore-named vvho had been dispatched into England the day following the Ambassadours decease divulged both in Court and City so as at the return of his Servants into England enquiry concerning the truth thereof was made by many of greatest quality yea even the late King after an account rendred of the manner of his Ambassadors death as also of what had been desired as formerly couched by the Lord Chancellour Oxenstierne demanded whether that report of the Bells were certainely so and upon sight of the forespecified attestation commanded Mr. Secretary Coke that it should be by Master Weckerlin turned into English for his further satisfaction therein which was accordingly done It is now time to dravv tovvard a conclusion this discourse having enlarged it selfe further than vvas at first intended but could hardly have been more restrained amongst so many changes and relative circumstances as may be observed throughout the Triple Narrative In the first vve see Poland from a Dukedome or Principality erected into a Kingdome but soon after reverting unto the former Ducall Government and vveary thereof remounts unto a continued Elective Regality neither is at present of small consideration as being the Bulwark of Christendome on that side against the incroaching Turk and Tartar Suethland also for avoiding the many mischeifs and inconveniencies they had sustained by parties vvithin themselves differing about the Election of their Princes changed into a Hereditary Kingdome in the time of Magnus Smeeke and the right Channell failing remoter streames are either taken or violently thrust in and upon prejudices flowing thence are again as fast sluiced out By publike and generall consent and act of that State a more direct Succession in the person and Male Issue of Gustavus Erickson the Vindicator of their liberties from Danish bondage is then entred into yet that not of long perfect continuance in a descent immediatly consecutive of his three Sons all there Crowned Ericke the eldest succeeds but for misgovernment is not many years after dethroned and during life incarcerated by his next Brother John Duke of Finland who assumes the Scepter And here the profoundest Contemplatist may find a large field for his thoughts to expatiate in to consider and admire the instability of humane greatnesse the sandy bottom of the solidest seeming Acts of the most flourishing States the