Netherlands 217. goes with his wife into Spaine 226. is crowned King of Castille in the right of his wife 228. his death 232. Philip Earle of Hohenlo presseth the Spaniard in the Isle of Bommel 1024. marries the Prince of Oranges daughter 1012. comes to the battaile of Tournhout and giues the first charge 1126. his death 1355. Philip the second King of Spaine 317. his last departure out of the Netherlands 337. seekes peace with France 1141. hee giues his daughter the Infanta in marriage to the Arch-duke Albert 1160 Philip-ville yeelded to Dom Iohn 659 Philip of Montmorencie Earle of Horne imprisoned by the Duke of Alua 437. executed at Brussels 451 Philip Earle of Egmont makes an attempt vpon Brussels to his great dishonour 706. is taken prisoner in his towne of Nyenhouen 730. is deliuered for Monsieur la Noue 883 Philip of Marnix Signior of Saint Aldegond prisoner to the Spaniards 530. his speech to them of Antwerpe during the siege 868. his death 1205 Philip Earle of Nassau makes a road into Luxembourg for the Estates 1063. hee chargeth the Spaniards is wounded taken prisoner and dyes 1104 President appointed in the Prouinciall councell in Holland Zeeland and West-friseland 146 Preaching forborne in Antwerp 400 Prince of Spaines speech to the Duke of Alua 415. Princes of the Empire in Armes against the Admirall of Arragon 1209 Ponthus of Noielle Siegnior of Bours procures the Castle of Antwerpe to be deliuered to the Estates 645 Proclamation of the Estates for the obseruing of the pacification of Gand 604 Proclamation of the Duke of Parma against the towne of Aix 1027 Proclamation of the King of Spaine dispensing with the payment of his debts 1123 Protestants of Amsterdam propound fiue articles to their Magistrate 425 Pedro Dordoigno sent to kill the Prince of Orange executed 824 Protestants defeated at Austerweel 422 Protestants of the Netherlands make warre at Sea vnder the Prince of Orange 463. Proceeding vpon the petition of the Nobles in the Netherlands 390 Practises of Charles Duke of Bourgongne to ruine the house of Brederode 169 Protestants request for a religious peace 666. Proscription against the Prince of Orange 763. Preparation of the Spanish armie at Sea in the yeare 1588. 998 Preacher murthered at Deutecome 1200 Protestation of the Prince of Orange for his taking armes 491 Prince of Iuilliers and Cleues vnfortunately married 880 Practise to betraye Gheertruydenberg discouered 1259 Q. QVarrell betwixt them of Bruges and Antwerpe 200 Question among the Clergie of the Netherlands for incorporating of spirituall liuing to the new Bishopricks 347 Question in Spaine about the choosing of a Generall to subdue the Netherlands 415 Queene of England offers succors to the Estates 890. shee publisheth the reasons that mooues her therevnto 894 R. RAmeken a Forte in Zeland besieged and yeelded to the Protestants 518 Reconciliation of Arthois Henault c. to the Spaniard 708 Refusall to surpresse the new Bishops augments the troubles in the Netherlands 351. Remedie to stanche the bloud in the Prince of Oranges wound 801 Religious peace made 669 Resolution of the Estates of Holland 557 Renold Lord of Brederode and his brother imprisoned by the Bishop of Vtrecht 169. his processe beeing referred to the Knights of the Order he is absolued 170 Retreat of the Spaniards out of the Netherlands 625 Retreate of the ministers out of Antwerp 426. Retreat of many Protestants out of the Netherlands 410 Relation of the enterprise at Antwerp 812 Returne of the Spaniards into the Netherlands 809 Reâ—…er van Bron chuysen captaine for them of Vtrecht 196 Riuer cut from Vtrecht to Leck 107 Rhinberk besieged in vaine by the Spaniard 924. taken by Cont Charles of Mansfeldt 1025. besieged and wonne by Prince Maurice 1129. recouered againe by the Admirall of Arragon 1284. taken againe by Prince Maurice 1286. and last of all by the Marquis Spinola 1364. Richardot sent into Spaine by the Duke of Parma 1020 Robâ—…rt Dudley Earle of Leicester Generall for the Queene of England 910. discontented with the Estates 921. at his going into England hee appoints a Councell of Estate 930. prepares to raise the siege of Sluis 961. hee excuseth himselfe vnto the Estates for not doing it 964. hee failes to surprise Leyden 979. is called home into England and resignes his Gouernment vnto the Estates 982 Romerswall yeelded to the Spaniard 53 Rotterdam yeelded to the King of the Romaines ' 207 Rouard of Brabant what Office it is 1â—…6 Rowland Yorke made Gouernor of the Fort at Zutphen 928. sells it to the Spaniard 943. Ryperdas speech to them of Harlem 497 Roeroort surprised by Schenck 991 S SAint Quintin besieged and taken by the King of Spaine 323 Saint From in Liege yeelded to duke Chaâ—…ls of Bourgongne 162 Sarras Gouernor of Flussing vnfortunate 477. is charged by the Spaniards and repulseth them at Sooteland 478 Saint Guislaine a towne in Henault assured for the Estates 655 Saint Andrewes Fort besieged by Prince Maurice and yeelded 1230 Sanchio de Auila sent to succor Ter-goes and performes it happely 479 Scandall how interpreted 883 Sanchio de Auila sent to besiege Flussing 477 Sas by Gant seized on by the Spaniard 827 Sentence for the razing of Culembeurgs house 444 Schonhoven surprised by the Countesse Iaqueline 134. yeelded to the Spaniard by composition 586 Sentence of the Inquisition against the Netherlands 443 Separation of the confederate nobles of the Netherlands 410 Separation of the three iurisdictions of Holland cut to releeue Leyden 560 Sevenberghe taken and the Lord of it driuen away 139. taken by the Earle of Mansfeldt for the Spaniard 1035 Schulenbourg taken by the Spaniard 877. Seege of the Protestants of Zeeland before Ter-goes their army flies awaie amazed 478 Sichen in Brabant yeeldes to the Spaniard 654. recouered for the Estates and after yeelded to the Spaniard 826 Slyckembourg taken for the Estates 877 Sluis besieged by the Duke of Saxony â—…11 besieged and taken by the Spaniard 961 Shippes and men comming out of Spaine defeated by the Estates shippes 1347 Spinola marcheth with his army towardes Frisland 1347 Spaniards repulst at an enterprise vpon Berghen 1349 Spinola goes into Spaine 1353 Sentence pronounced against the Gouernor and Captaines which yeelded Linghen to Spinola 1354 Spinola seekes to enter into the Suider Sea 1359. Shippes of Holland taken by the Danes 251 Skyrmish at Rymenant Leguer 662 Spel a Prouost Marshall hanged at Brussells 462 Specification of the oppressions done by the Admirall of Arragons men in a neutrall Country 1190 Soubourg a Fort in Zeeland besieged by the Flussingers and yeelded 508 Spaniard beaten at the Bryele 472. they surprise Berghen vp Zome 474. they faile to surprise Camphere 475. they quit the siege of Leyden and flie 570. they mutine and faile to surprise Vtrecht 573. they surprise Alost in Flanders 590. they assemble in the Castle of Antwerp 596. they depart by accord 626. they are chased out of the I le of Bommel 1024. they mutine and
afterwards another garboile in South-Holland which was that Allant bayliffe of Dordrecht meaning to make some secret informations of some crimes committed in the towne he required the Sherifes to assist and to sit with him in iudgement Whereunto it was answered him That it was against the lawes and priuiledges of the towne if in any thing great or small they should appeare in iustice without their Escoutette yet without preiudice to their authoritie and rights that in fauour of iustice they would assist not as Iudges but as Commissaries and Informers The information being begun Cont Iohn arriued with Wolphard of la Vere who demaunded the names of the offendors to doe iustice as hee should thinke good The bourgesses answered that by their priuiledges all offences committed in the towne should be also punished there The Earle discontented at this answere departed suddenly to la Haye The magistrats of Dordrecht hearing of his discontent sent some of the chiefe of the towne vnto him with offer to yeeld him a reason of the answer they had made him whereupon the Earle appointed them a day in the towne of Delft where being assembled the lord of la Vere speaking for the Earle made a discourse of what was past The Sherifes of Dordrecht answered That it had bin decreed with the baylife that any thing which happened within the towne should be ended by the Sherifes and the Escoutette by no other Iudges Whereupon the baylife said That they had lyed and that if there were any one that would maintaine it he would fight with him At these words one of the magistrats of Delft stept vp and said That it was not fit to expose the rights and priuiledges of any town to the hazard of a single combat thereby to make them fruitlesse and of no force Whereunto the lord of la Vere replied You my masters of Delft trouble not your selues with my lord the Earles affaires he knowes best what he is to do and without any other conclusion euery one retired discontented Soone after the Earle proscribed the towne of Dordrecht which is as much as to declare them guiltie of high treason as Witten of Hamstede bastard of Holland was in the castle of Putten and Nicholas de Cats at Ablasserdam Allant baylife of Dordrecht went to Slydrecht with many men and built a fort vpon the ditch that nothing might passe They of Dordrecht made choice of foure men among them that were valiant wise and temperat whom they made their captaines to whom they committed all the charge and conduct of this apparent warre writing to all the townes of Holland and Zeeland intreating them not to make too much hast to oppresse them seeing that the like might one day happen vnto them through the great libertie of some who abusing the youth and bountie of their prince did attribute vnto themselues the whole gouernment Whilest that Wolphard of la Vere a violent and seuere man would haue surcharged the Hollanders with some new imposition and extraordinarie customes disposing moreouer of all things at his pleasure he became odious â—…o many Once among the rest the Earle being at 〈◊〉 Hayeâ—… as also the lord of la Vere was there happened a tumult betwixt the said lord â—…f la Verâ—… and soâ—… noblemen and gentlemen of Holland running vp and down the strcets and 〈◊〉 Where is our enemie How long shall we suffer our selues to be braued and ill â—…ted by him Let vs goe and spoyle him and let vs see what all those practises which he â—…ath made â—…oppresse vs will auaile him Lâ—… Vere hearing this rumour kept himselfe close and the 〈◊〉 morning by the breake of day departed from la Haye with Cont Iohn went to Sâ—…dam there to imbarkt and to passe by the riuer of Meuse into Zeeland but the Hollanders peâ—… it pursued him and forced him to returne the respect of the Princes presence restâ—…g them 〈◊〉 offering him any further violence then they led their Earle and the said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Delft oâ—… here fearing that they would 〈◊〉 â—…ther him he fled into a high house built of free stone at the corner of a stâ—…ect called Choorstroet before the which there presently gathered together a multitude of people crying confusedly that they should deliuer Wolphard els they would burne the house and all that were within it They that were within the house with him fearing their liues tooke Wolphard who was not armed and cast him out from the highest windowes into the street where he was presently murthered and cut in pieces the which afterwards bred great quarrels betwixt the Nobilitie of Holland and Zeeland At the same time the bayliffe Allant hauing feare of them of Dordrecht had fled into the castle of Crayensteyn and hauing lost the lord of la Vere who was his chiefe support the commons of the towne went to besiege them seeing no meanes to escape them he went willingly to yeeld himselfe into his enemies hands who after they had reuiled him they put him into a barke and caried him to Dordrecht but he had no sooner set foot on land but hee was murthered by the people and his brother with him In the yeare 1300 Cont Iohn of Holland being at Harlem fell sicke whereof hee died the fourth of the Calends of Nouember after that he had gouerned his Countries of Holland Zeeland and West-Friseland about foure yeares He was the first of all the Earles of Holland that died without children and had not receiued the order of Knighthood in whom failed the line of Earles issued from the masculine line of the dukes of Acquitaine the which from Thierry the first Earle had continued 437 yeares He was interred in the abbey of Rhinsburg and by his death those Countries fell to the Earles of Henault issued by the mothers side from the Earles of Holland The Lady Elizabeth his widow was caried backe into England and afterwards married to the Earle of Oxford After the death of Cont Iohn Ghisbrecht of Amstel returned into Holland and did againe possesse the village of Amsterdam which he began to fortifie and to build many bridges and towers about the wals those of Harlem and the Waterlanders went thither with an army chased away Ghisbrecht set fire on the town burnt all the bridges and towers of wood and then ruined the rest We haue said before that when as the lord of Brederode and the noblemen of Holland went to fetch Cont Iohn out of England they led with them the gyant Klaes van Knyten as a strange and monstrous thing You must vnderstand that this gyant was borne in a village called Sparenwonde neere to Harlem his father and mother were of an ordinarie stature yet no man might bee compared vnto him for the tallest men of all Holland might stand vnder his arme and not touch him and yet there are commonly seene euen at this day very tal men in that countrey he would couer foure ordinary soles of
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
increasing the Cabillautins sent their deputies to duke William of Bauaria Earle of Osteruant the Empresse eldest sonne being then resident in Henault intreating him to come into Holland to vnder-take the gouernment of the country hauing decreed among them no longer to indure the Mothers rule At the first he refused it but they did so importune him as in the end he came secretly to the towne of Gorrichom Those of Delf hearing of his comming went vnto him and carried him by force into their towne making him their head and Captaine generall with whom or by his commandement they issued often forth spoiling the Villages and country houses belonging to the Hoeketins In the end the Townes of North-Holland the Kennemers and the West-Frisons receiued him for their Lord and Prince doing the homage and taking the othe due vnto the Earles of Holland in despight of the Empresse their naturall Princesse his Mother The Hoeketins seeing themselues thus ill intreated by the Cabillautins had their recourse refuge vnto the Empresse whose party they held and began to furnish their townes Castels and Forts with men victualls munition of warre On the other side the Cabillautins went to befiege their places and to batter and beat downe their Castles whereof they did ruine seuenteene in lesse then a yeare The Empresse writte vnto her Sonne that she wondred at his presumption that he would intermedle with her authoritie and command seeming to bee very much incensed against the townes of Holland The Earle answered that the country did belong vnto him by right of donation which she had made vnto him And refusing to giue ouer his course begun the Empresse with the succours which the Queene of England her sister had sent her made a goodly armie with the which she imbarked and went and landed at La Vere in Zeeland Earle William landed with his troupes in the same Iland whereas both armies of the Mother and the Sonne being entred into fight one against an other the combate was furious and bloudie great numbers being slaine and drowned on either side In the end God gaue the victory to the Mother so as the Sonne escaped with great difficulty and fled into Holland This battaile was in the yeare 1351. William of Bauaria being safely returned into Holland made hast to leuie new forces and to raise a greater armie then the first the which consisted of Hollanders Kennemers and Frisons with the succours of many Lords and Knights of Iohn Lord of Arckel Iohn Lord of Calenbourg Iohn Lord of Egmont the Lady Mathilda van Voorne widow to the Lord of Walckenbourg Gerard of Heemskerke Gerard of Harler and many other Knights Gentlemen and good soldiers which came vnto him out of the countries of Cleues Geldres and Germanie with the which armie hee gaue a day and appointed a place vnto his mother to haue his reuenge in open battaile betwixt Bryele and Grauesand The Empresse had her armie composed of good soldiers English Henniuers Zelanders Walcharins accompanied with a great number of Barons Knights and Gentlemen She like a couragious and noble minded Princesse making no doubt of a second victory marched against her sonne and caused her men to begin the charge The two armies at the first incounter charged one another with such animositie and furie as there was nothing to be seene but glaiues broken lances a thicke shower of Arrowes in the ayre breaking of harnesse cutting in sunder of targets and bucklers and heads armes and legges falling to the ground there was nothing to bee heard but the cryes with the lamentable and fearefull groanes of men wounded and dying the bloud ranne ouer the field like a violent streame to conclude there was such murther and spoile on either part with such obstinacie and continuall furie as they could hardly iudge of the issue of the battaile vntill that the Empresse troopes opprest and tired with the great numbers of the Hollanders armie to saue themselues ranne into ditches and riuers where they were drowned so as all the Empresse armie was put to route and shee fled in a small Barke into England The Generall of the English troupes was slaine and lyes buried in the Church of Losdanen where as his tombels yet to be seene in blacke Marble Costin of Renesse Floris of Hamstede and many other Noblemen Knights and Gentlemen were also slaine there with an infinite number of good soldiers There was in this battaile which was in the same yeare 1351 so much bloud spilt as for three dayes after the old riuer of Meuse at a full sea was all redde in that place Finally after that so many valiant men had lost their liues there and whereas the Lord Didier of Brederode and many Knights on the Empresse part were taken prisoners there was an accord made betwixt the mother and the sonne By the which it was agreed that the Empresse should hold the Countie of Henault during her life and Duke William should haue the quiet possession of Holland Zeeland and Friseland After this battaile the Empresse liued yet fiue yeares and dyed at Valenciennes in her countrie of Henault where she was interred Notwithstanding this accord made betwixt the Mother and the Sonne yea after her death when as Duke William was sole and absolute Lord of the Counties of Henault Holland Zeeland and Friseland the factions of the Cabillaux and the Hoecks were not mortified but did continue their hatred aboue a hundred and fiftie yeares after vntill that time of Maximillian the first as we shall shew in its place WILLIAM OF BAVARIA THE 5. OF that name the 25 Earle of Holland and Zeeland Lord of Friseland and Earle of Henault called the madde 25. Guilielmus Quintus This William did obtaine in nuptiall state Mathilda of the house of Lancaster A husband Childlesse and vnfortunate Attempted Vtrecht and did factions stirre Vnder the names of Hamocons and Merlus Distracted in his flowre of youth he grew Since in his age he was vndutious To his graue Mother whom â—…e did pursue With many troubles though she had defects Yet children to their parents still must owe Remission of their faults and 〈◊〉 respects But death doth on his life his rest bestow AFter this cruell and bloudie battaile fought vpon the bankes of the old riuer of Meuse as we haue said William Duke of Bauaria Palatin of Rhine Earle of Holland and Zeeland and Lord of Friseland according to the accord whereof we haue made mention was absolute Prince of the said Prouinces Then after the decease of the Empresse his Mother did also inherite the county of Henault Hee had to wife the Lady Mathilda daughter to Henry Duke of Lancaster in England by whom hee had not any children In the yeare 1355. this Earle by the bad aduise of some of his councell thrust on by their priuate passions sent about S. Martins time in winter to defie the Bishop of Vtrecht
was the first sieigneor of Schagen Euerard of Holland bastard to Cont William father to the Contesse Iaqueline first lord of Hoochtwoode and his brother Lewis Iohn of Vianen siegneor of Noordeloos Didier vander Merwin Gerrard of Poelgeest siegneor of Homede gouernor of Schoonhouen Gerrard of Poelgeest his cousin Giles of Cralinghen Gerrard van Zyl Berthould of Assendelph almost all Knights Iohn vander Leck WilliaÌ„ of Egmond siegneor of Soetermeer Otto of Egmond lord of Merensteyn Gerrard of Hemsted Benthuseyn Iohn of Hodenpyl WilliaÌ„ of Langerack Iames vanden Woode Siegnior of Warment and Alcmada Adrien of Raphorst Gerrard van Vlyet Wouter of Mattenesse Herpert van Foreest Ghysbrecht van Swieten Iohn van Swieten Baliefe of Leyden Gerrard witten-Hage Frederick of Seuenter and Floris of Kishoek whereof some were Knights the rest Squiers and many Gentlemen which were too long to specifie here all valiant soldiers whereof many died in the seruice of their Prince as we shall see in the course of this Historie Among the chiefe families and nobles of Friseland were Otto of Broek Aurick and Emden Sicco Syaerda Wybrandt Hermana Sicco Liaucama Peter Campstra Aelko Campstra bretheren sonnes to Tako Douwe Tyessama Ieâ—…mer op Adeleen Sybrandt Tyaerda Wybet Walta Pibo Eelcxima Wopke In die Stedde Gerrit and Tyaert Iongama Herman Dowwema with an infinite number of other Gentlemen whom in their language they call Houelinghen which is as much to say as Courtiers An end of the 2. Booke 30 Philippus Burgund Cogn Bonus PHILIP DVKE OF BOVRGONGNE Earle of Holland and Zeeland lord of Friseland Duke of Brabant Lembourg and Luxemburg Earle of Flanders Arthois Henault and Namur Lord of Salins and Macklyn The first wife I espous'd was Lady Michell The second lady Bonne the third Isabell When the false Ganthois and the Brugeois â—…re Rebellious armes a peace with France I swore The golden Fleece I first of all deuisde Laide siege at Calais Luxembrough surprisde Subdued Liege In Holland I opprest The league of Hamecons foure and thirty yeares I raignd and Dijeon drunke my funerall teares The Argument of the third Booke PHILIP the first of that name called the good Duke of Bourgongne accompting Ihon of Bauaria Vncle to the Contesse Iaqueline was the 30. Earle of Holland c. the which he wrested 〈◊〉 the said Lady in her life time he takes reuenge of the Ganthois for abandoning him before Calais he was in great danger in Brugeâ—… who in the end were reconciled Warre betwixt the Hollanders Zelanders and the Esterlings The factions of Sceringers and Uetcoopers in Friseland Those of the Hoecks and Cabillaux reuiued in Holland warre betwixt the Duke and the Ganthois Hee disgraceth the two brothers of Brederode wrongfully to aduance Dauid his bastard to the Bishopricke of Utrecht Lewis Daulphin of France comes to the Duke for refuge who afterwards conducts him into France to bee crowned King A quarrell betwixt Arnold Duke of Geldres and Adolph his sonne who deales impiously with his father The Lord of Croy and Launoy hated of the Earle of Charolois Iohn of Koesteyn hauing vndertaken to poison the Earle of Charolois is conuicted and executed A diuision betwixt the Duke and the Earle of Charolois his sonne by reason of them of Croy but in the end reconciled King Lewis the 11. dissembles with the Duke of Bourgongne he sends Ambassadors to him which accuse the Earle of Charolois who answers them brauely A new dislike betwixt the Duke and the Earle for them of Croy. Ciuill warre in France called the warre of the Common-weale The French King and the Liegeois in league against the Duke of Bourgongne The Earle of Charolois goes with an armie against the Liegeois a peace is made Dissembling betwixt the French King and the Earle Those of Santroin and Dynant in the countrey of Liege breake the peace Dynant besieged by the Duke of Bourgongne taken and punished A second peace made betwixt the Duke and the Liegeois The Earle of Charolois marries the lady Marguerite sister to the King of England the death of Duke Philip. The arte of Printing inuented at Harlem in Holland and stolâ—…e away to Mentz PHILIP the first of that name the 30. Earle of Holland and Zeeland and Lord of Friseland sonne to Iohn Duke of Bourgongne slaine at Montereau faut-yonne was at the first Gouernor of those Prouinces as we haue said then by the death of the Lady Iaqueline Countesse of the said Prouinces he was right heire and lawfull successor both by father and mother And so was Duke of Bourgongne Brabant and Lembourg Earle of Flanders Artois Bourgongne Henault Holland Zeeland and Namur Marquis of the holy Empire and Lord of Friseland Salins and Macklyn He did afterwards purchase hauing conquered it by armes in the name of the widow of the deceased duke the duchie of Luxembourg other siegneories so as he was the mightiest Prince of all his Predecessors in the said countries Hee had to his first wife Michelle daughâ—…er to Charles the sixth king of France who dyed without children in the yeere 1422. and lyes buried at Gant Then he married Bonne or Olande daughter to the Earle of Eu by a dispensation from the Pope for that shee had beene formerly married to Philip Earle of Neuers his Vncle the which was a wonderfull faire lady and dyed also without children For his last wife he had Isabell daughter to Iohn King of Portugall Aunt to the lady Elenor who was wife to the Emperour Fredericke the third This Isabell was brought by sea into Flanders and landed at Scluse in the yeare 1430. by whom he had three sonnes the eldest at Brussels in the yeare 1431. called Anthonie who liued not long Then in the yeare 1433. an other sonne called Iosse who died also very yong The yeere following 1434 she was brought in bedde at Digeon in Bourgongne on S. Martins Eue of her third sonne called Charles Martin for that hee was borne the said day There was in this Princesse as some say some thing worthy of obseruation which was that when she tooke her leaue of her father to goe into Flanders to the Duke her spouse the father hauing giuen her his blessing said unto her that she should haue three sons whereof two which she should not nurse her selfe should be short liued as it happened to the two first and therefore shee her selfe gaue sucke vnto the last sonne Charles who after that hee was baptized was made Knight of the golden Fleece and his father gaue vnto him the Earledome of Charlois the siegneories of Bethune in Artois Chasteau-Bellam in Bourgongne and Arkell in Holland This Duke had some bastards among others Dauid bishop of Teroanâ—… and afterwards of Vtretch who did much mischiefe to them of Brederode Cornellis who died in his youth being slaine at the defeat of the Gantois before Ripelmond Anthonie Earle of Steenbergh Baldwin a Knight Philip his Admirall at sea and Iohn
of land of his Maiestie to take any other othe then Gentlemen were accustomed to take for that the King would haue forced some to sweare to serue him indifferently against all men The third was to accomplish all that remained to be accomplished of the treatie of Arras the which he had promised and sworne when as he redeemed the townes that were ingaged To which requests the King lent a deafe eare and parted the next day from Hesdin During the Kings stay at Hesdin the bastard of Rubempre had charge to enter into Crotoye with a great ship called the Balleuier and forty choise soldiers with him to goe into Holland whereas the Earle of Charolois then remained who comming into a Port of Holland the bastard went to the Hage whereas the Earle was as secretly as he could but being drinking at a Tauerne hee was knowne and discouered vnto the Earle who caused him and his companions to bee apprehended and put in prison Soone after his companions were deliuered and the bastard remained still in prison with one other They had sent to seaze vpon the Ship but hearing of the Captaines apprehension it put to Sea and returned to Crottoy The common fame was then that the French King had giuen charge by letters written and signed with his owne hand to this Bastard of Rubempre to take the Earle of Charolois aliue or dead After which done being ready with a great armie neere vnto Hesdin which they sayd was prepared for England to set vppon the Duke of Bourgongne who doubted nothing whom hee would haue taken prisoner and ledde with him as hee did the Duke of Sauoye his brother in lawe then to marry the Earle of Charolois daughter at his pleasure being then but eight yeares old and to haue deuided the Dukes countries the Duchie of Brabant to the Earle of Neuers and his other Prouinces to whom he had pleased But GOD disposed otherwise As soone as the bastard was taken and had confessed the matter vnto the Earle of Saint Pol who kept then in Holland the Earle of Charolois sent letters presently to the Duke his father being yet at Hesdin whether the King had appointed him to come and that hee should attend him there But at the same instant the Duke receiued letters about dinner time from his sonne acquainting him with the bastards attempt and aduertising him that hee was not safe at Hesdin Where-vpon hee went presently after dinner to horse-back and retired with a small traine to Saint Pol to his bed whether euery man followed presently leauing Adolph of Cleues his cousin and the Lord of Crequi to guard the towne inioyning them notwithstanding that if the King would come to open him the Towne and Castle As soone as the King was aduertised that the Duke was gone so sodenly from Hesdin hee went to Rouan and the Duke of Bourbon came to Lille to see the Duke of Bourgongne his Vncle and from thence to Gaunt to the Earle of Charolois his Cousin The fourth of Nouember the same yeare 1464. the Earle of Charolois came to Lille with about a hundred Knights and Gentlemen and some sixe hundreth horse in his traine All the people were very ioyfull at his comming being alighted from his horse hee went to doe his dutie to his father The next day there came into the same towne of Lille the Earle of Eu Moruillier Chancellor of France and the Archbishop of Narbone Ambassadors from the king the next day they had a publike audience in the presence of the Duke and Earle his sonne insisting vppon three pointes The first was that they demanded the Bastard of Rubempre who was detained prisoner in Holland The second was that reparation were made vnto the King for the imputations which had beene layed vppon him since the imprisonment of the said Bastard The third that the Duke should send vnto the King one of the Earle of Charolois houshold called Oliuer de la March a knight of Bourgongne who had first published those scandals to the Kings dishonour the which a Preacher had afterwardes preached in the Towne of Bruges requiring also to haue the said Preacher sent to doe iustice of them according to their merites Alledging for the Kings excuse that the said Bastard of Rubempre had beene sent into Holland to take the Vice-chancellor of Brittaine in his returne from England and therefore hee sayd that the Earle of Charolois had greatly offended the King too hauing hindred the Bastards charge in causing him to bee taken The Duke hauing giuen an attentiue eare vnto his speech and suffered him to speake what hee would hee himselfe answered to euery point Afterwardes the Chancellor beganne againe laying foule and dishonest charges vppon Francis Duke of Brittaine whereunto the Earle intreated his father to giue him leaue to answere But the Duke sayde vnto him I haue answered for thee as much in mine opinion as a father ought to doe for his sonne yet if thou hast so great desire thinke of it against to morrow The next day the Ambassadors were called againe before the Duke and there in the presence of the whole Assembly the Earle of Charolois answered from point to point to that wherewith hee or the Duke of Brittanie his friend had beene charged the which hee did couldly without any shewe of passion or chollor and that so eloquently as all men did admire him In the ende the father was very humble and wise in his conclusion beseeching the King that hee would not lightly beleeue any thing against him nor his sonne but to continue them still in his good grace and fauour After which wine and some confections beeing brought the Ambassadors tooke their leaue both of father and sonne When as the Earle of Eu and the Chancellour had taken their leaues of the Earle of Charolois who was a good way off from his father hee sayde vnto the Archbishop of Narborne who was the last Recommend mee most humbly vnto the Kings good fauour and tell him that hee hath disgraced mee heere by his Chauncellor but before that the yeare passe hee will repent it The Archbishoppe did not fayle to doe this message the which bred great hatred betwixt the King and the Earle Soone after the Duke fell grieuously sicke at Brusselles so as they did in a manner despaire of his health the Earle of Charolois was then with him who seeing that the Lord of Croy and his adherents had in a manner the whole gouernment of his fathers contries holding the best and strongest places knowing that aboue fifteene dayes before the said Lord of Croy was retyred to the French King he caused in his name all the Townes castles and forts in the countries of Luxemburg Lembourg Namur Henault Bollenois and other places to bee seazed on placing newe Captaines in them The Duke being recouered made his sonne Gouernour of all his countryes The Earle seeing himselfe in this authoritie called the chiefe
resolued without any further delay to fight with the Liegeois The Duke sent the Lorde of Saueuse vnto him with his Troupes commanding him not to fight vntill hee himselfe were there in person But being some dayes after ready to goe although he were but weake of his last sicknesse the Earle writ vnto him that those of Liege were come vnto him bringing the Treatie of peace such as he had set downe sealed with the great Seale of the cittie of Liege and that the Liegeois craued pardon which treatie hee had accepted with th◅ good liking of his Lord and father The which the Duke vnderstanding hee remayned still at Brussels The treatie was seen by the Earle and accepted vpon amendable profitable reparations the which being performed the Earle did pardon them The profitable reparatiō they should make was to pay vnto the Duke 600. thousand florins of the Rhine in 6. years by equall portions And that the Earle when he should be Duke of Brabant and all other Dukes after him should be Mombours that is to say Gardiens and Captaines of all the Countrie of Liege haue 2000. florins of the Rhine yeerly pension And that the Liegeois might not after that time attempt nor begin any thing of Importance either of warre or peace without the leaue and liking of the said Curator There were many other conditions in the said Treatie which for beuities sake I omit and the rather for that the Liegeois soone brake it and would not performe any thing The treatie being thus concluded the Earle caused the peace to bee proclaimed in his Campe and made a revewe of his armie in the presence of the Ambassadors of Liege he went from squadron to squadron to thanke his Capatines excusing himselfe for the small pay they had receiued and promising better satisfaction and so he departed from them and went to the towne of Saintron whereas the Liegeois did an affront to his men vnto their cost so as if the Eale had not arriued in time the towne had been spoiled and many inhabitants slaine Soone after the Earle went to Brusselles where he was ioyfully receiued by the duke his father hauing stayed there some dayes hee went te visite his townes of Picardie Passing by Bethune the Earle of Neuers came vnto him and asked him forgiuenesse for the wrong he had done him who pardoned him all and they liued for a time good friends The Earle of Charolois went from Bethune to Peronne where he was aduertised that the French King had leuied a mightie Armie and yet by his letters hee still entertained the Earle with kinde wordes and all shewes of loue yet hee gaue no great credit vnto them doubting still the Kings inconstancie and therefore hee made himselfe strong and stood vppon his gard knowing that the King did deale with the English by the Bastard of Bourbon the which hee sought to preuent by Anthonie of Bourgongne his bastard brother In the yeare 1466. Those of Dynant being wearie of the peace which they and the Liegeois had bought dearely of the Duke of Bourgongne and his sonne the Earle of Charolois began to make roads into Henault and Namur firing villages forcing Churches and doing all the mischiefe they could The Duke went thither in person with the Earle his son The Dinandois scorning them and their armie offered them many indignities Whereat the Princes father and sonne being iustly insenced besieged them straightly made great Bridges ouer the Meuse neere vnto Bouines battered it furiously and resolued to giue a generall assault The besieged seeing their towers and walles beaten downe sent eight of their principall men to sue for mercie but they preuailed not for the next day the Towne was taken by assault and all that were found armed put to the sword The Duke caused 800. prisoners to bee drowned before Bouines The towne being taken the Earle caused the gates and walles to be beaten downe then he sired the towne and razed it to the ground The same day that Dynant was taken the Liegeois came in great troupes to succor it Duke Philip for that hee was very old retyred himselfe but the Earle marched towards him with his Armie Then came the Deputies vnto him beseeching him to take pittie of that people The souldiers of Leige in a brauerie would not avowe the words of their Ambassadors yet after two or three messages it was agreed that they should pay a certaine sum of money presently promising for an assurance of the saide accord to deliuer 300. Hostages named in a Rowle by the bishop of Liege by 8. of the clocke the next day but it was Noone before the Hostages came the Earle his counsell disputed whether they should charge them as they retyred confusedly in disorder some sayd I others no. The conclusion was that they should send a Trumpet vnto them who going met with the Hostages so as all that difficultie was ended wherevppon they sent the Deputies presently to Liege to confirme this peace The skum of the people apt to speake ill reported vnto them that they durst not fight vsing other insolent speaches The accord beeing made and signed the Earle returned into Flanders In the yeare 1467. the Duke of Bourgongne beeing in his castle of Scluse in Flanders sent for all the Noblemen and Barrons of his Countries inuiting many of his kinsfolke friends and Allyes where as they treated of diuers matters the Duke labouring to reconcile them and to make them good friends before his death At the same time the marriage of the Earle of Charolois with the Lady Marguerite sister to Edward the fourth King of England was concluded and Anthonie Bastard of Bourgongne deputed with 400. gentlemen to fetch her who conducted her to Scluse to the Earle her husband and from thence to Bruges to the Duke of Bourgongne who receiued her very louingly as well for his sonnes sake as for the King of Englands her brother Soone after the Duke being aged and weake fell into a newe disease wherevnto in his latter daies he was much inclined The Noblemen that were about him hoping that he should recouer as he had formerly done did not presently aduertise the earle his son being then resident at Gaunt but the third day following seeing that he declyned more and more and that the Phisitions dispaired of his recouerie they aduertised the Earle of the Estate of his sicknes desiring him to come speedily to Bruges The Earle came in post where being arriued he found his father labouring for life who within a short time gaue vp the ghost the fifth of Iune 1467. being 73. years old after that he had gouerned the contries of Holland Zeeland Friseland and Henault as well with the title of Earle and Lord as Gouernor about fortie yeares Hee was a valiant Prince and of great courage feared generally of his enemies he was of a tall stature and of a good representation sweet in his
to bring him to the duke These two came to Wyke for the lord of Brederode and the Baylife Amerongen before they were deliuered the bishop would haue the lord of Brederode put againe to the Rack in the presence of Noblemen and that before hee was laied vpon it hee should take a sollemne oth to answere the truth to that which should bee demanded him wherevpon a Notarie and certaine witnesses were called this proceeding continued two whole daies hee was once stript and layed vpon the banke but seeing they could drawe nothing from him without greater torments nor from Amerongen they suffred them to goe with the sayd Comissioners who led them to Berghen vpon Some to the duke but they found him not there being gone to the seege of Amiens so as they conducted them to Ruppelmond in Flanders wheras they were detained almost a whole yeare At the dukes returne the processe beeing referred to the iudgements of the knights of the golden fleece to heare the sayd lord in his iustifications his Accusers were cited to bring proofe of their accusations seeing that by tortures hee did not confesse any of those crimes wherewith hee was charged But none of his Accusers appeering the duke sitting in his seate of iustice with the knights of the order among the which were Engelbert Earle of Nassau Barron of Breda the lordes of Crequy Lalain and others to the number of twelue Barrons the sayd lord of Brederode was adiudged free and absolued of all crimes imposed vpon him and was restored to all his Estates goods and honours to the great content of all these Noblemen and knights who complained much of the great wrong that had beene done him and he was honorably receiued of all men Hee liued not aboue two yeares after hee died in the yeare 1473. and was interred at Vianen let vs heereby consider of what force enuie is which spareth neither great not small Two yeares after Iohn of Amerongen was found innocent of the crimes that were obiected against him notwithstanding his confession vpon the Racke and in like sort absolued inlarged and restored to his Office of Baylife to the great content of the Bourgeses of Vtrecht As for Ghysbrecht Prouost Cathedrall brother to the lord of Brederode before hee could recouer his liberty hee was forced to resigne his Prouostship to an other and to sweare neuer to keepe his residence in Vtrecht the which hauing performed hee was set at liberty in the yeare 1470. and went to liue at Breda where hee died a yeare after and was buried at the Chartreux by Geertruydenbergh Duke Charles not satisfied with the annuall contribution or tribute which the Frisons payed him according to the last appointment writ vnto them that they should send their deputies to the towne of Enchuysen the seauenth of Aprill 1470. to heare what should bee propounded vnto them on his behalfe They sent their Deputies But the duke beeing troubled with the warres of France came not in person but sent Philip of Wassenare lord of Woerburch and others his commissioners There were many things ambiguously and doubtfully propounded and debated and so many cauillations found out to intrappe the Frisons as it did much displease the Noblemen of Friseland who retyred themselues and would not treate in that fashion desiryng to goe plainely and roundly to worke Yet the Clergie and Deputies of townes remayned who willing to haue a finall ende desired to knowe what the dukes demaunde was It was sayd vnto them that hee demaunded a siluer pennie of his coyne vpon euerie chimney for all the countrie of Friseland in generalll The Deputies demanding of what valour this penie should bee for that they had no charge from the Estates to yeelde to aboue three Liards or a soulz at the most the which the dukes commissionars would haue referred to the dukes discretion The Frisons in like sort demanded a day of aduise to make report thereof vnto the Estates The report made they would no waies yeeld vnto it but concluded that if the duke would force them they would defend themselues and hinder his entrie into the coūtry The duke at his returne into France came into Holland hauing heard by his Deputies the intention of the Frisons hee resolued to force them to his will by armes and therevpon caused a great fleete of shippes to be prepared to imbarke his men at armes and to land in Friseland But it fell out happely for the Frisons that Edward the forth King of England being expelled his realme came into Zeeland to the duke his brother in lawe to demande succors of him against the Earle of Warwike who had chased him out of his Kingdome The which the duke promised sending this fleete appointed for the ruine of the Frisons to succor the sayd King Edward the which carried him backe into England Afterwardes the duke had so great warres against the French Suisses and Lorrains in the which in the end hee was slaine as the Frisons remayned in peace without any further disturbance In the yeare 1470. Lewis the leauenth the French King had a great desire to bee reuenged of the brauary which the duke of Bourgongne had done him at Peronne practising vnder hand to haue the townes vpon the Riuer of Some reuolt the which being hard to effect by secret practise hee must attempt it by open warre true it is that hee had iust cause to apprehend the dukes affronts at Peronne who had forced him to make a peace and to go against the Liegeois that were before his friends yet hee beganne it some what fearefully although he had a great desire to it The Earle of Saint Pol Constable of France and the duke of Guiennes people desired warre rather then peace betwixt these two Princes for two considerations the first was for feare to loose their Estates the other was they perswaded the King that if hee had not some forraine warre he should haue ciuill dissention at home The Constable offred the towne of Saint Quentin pretending that hee had great intelligences in Flanders and Brabant where hee would cause many townes to rebell The duke of Guienne offred for his part to serue the King with fiue hundred men at armes The King meaning to beginne this warre with solemnity called a Parliament at Tours whereas many Iudges assisted there it was concluded according to the Kings intention that the duke should bee adiourned to appeere in the open Parliament at Paris The King assuring himselfe that hee would answere proudly or that hee would doe some-thing contrarie to the authority of the court hee should therefore haue more iust cause to make warre against him An Vssher of the Parliament went to Gand to adiorne him being vnder the souerainty of the crowne of France which he did at his comming from the masse whereat he was much amazed and discontented hauing caused the Vsher to be put in prison yet soone after he suffred him
his speech Frederic duke of Saxony spake next who hauing shewed that the French King was excluded by the lawe and that Charles was a Germaine Prince hauing liued in Germany and spake the language hee concluded that the common-weale had neede of a mightie Prince and that he knewe not any comparable to Charles Therefore it was most conuenient to choose him Emperour but with certaine lawes and conditions so as Germany might remaine at libertie and that they might anoyde those dangers which the two Archbships sayd were to be feared After that the rest had approued his speech the Archbishoppe of Treues sayd I fore-see the destinie of Germanie an alteration at hand yet seeing it pleaseth you I must yeeld vnto your willes And for that it was then late they retired themselues Pope Leo the tenth was much troubled and in a worde feared the election of one of these two Princes for both were alike suspect vnto him To the ende that hee might preuent both of them hee labored to haue a third man chosen Wherein hee sought to imbarke the French King putting him in dispaire euer to attaine vnto it himselfe But hee feared also this third seeing no man so apparent and likelie as Frederic duke of Saxony a fauorer of Martin Luther who was his mortall enemie yet all these deuises and practises turned to smoke and so did all the solicitings guiftes presents and promises made by the French King the election of Charles remayning firme and constant The next day after the sayd election the Princes Electors beeing assembled they beganne to treat of the conditions they should giue and prescribe vnto Charles the which was debated some daies togither and in the ende all beeing concluded they sent the lawes and conditions in writing to Charles his Ambassadors remayning at Mentz After they had receiued them they put in writing the voices of euery Elector according to the custome with his hand and seale The day before the sayd Election they had presented the Empire to Frederic duke of Saxony but hee refuzed it with a Noble resolution excusing himselfe vpon his age hauing as wee haue sayd alreadie giuen his voice vnto Charles This done the Noblemen were called and admitted in then the Bishop of Mentz going vp into the pulpit in Saint Bartlemewes Church declared that Charles the fift of that name Archduke of Austria duke of Bourgongue c. Earle of Flanders Holland Zeeland c. and King of Spaine was chosen King of Romains in the place of the Emperor Maximilian deceased Then the Ambassadors which were come within a league were sent for Beeing come a councell was held for the gouernment of the common-weale and the charge was giuen vnto Prince Casimir to leauie men and to put them in garrison for feare of some Innouation The Electors did write vnto Prince Charles and sent an Ambassage vnto him to certifie him of all that had beene done the chiefe of which Ambassage was the Pallatin Frederic who arriued in Spaine in the end of Nouember with Letters intreating him to accept of the Empire which they offred him and that hee would make hast to come into Germanie King Charles hauing setled his affaires in Spaine hee gathered together a great fleete of ships and gallyes and taking leaue of his Princes and Citties hee imbarked and landed in England where hee was ioyfully entertained with great state by King Henry the eight and by the Queene his Aunte and by the French Queene married to the Duke of Suffolke the Kings sister who had beene promised to him in marriage she gaue him a very kinde and louely welcome Hee was very honourably intreated there for some dayes then being imbarked againe with a prosperous winde he past soone ouer to Flessinghe and from thence into Brabant where he was ioyfully receiued by all his subiects The Princes Electors hearing that hee was arriued in Brabant they sent other Ambassadors vnto him to haue him prepare to receiue the Crowne of the Empire with the accustomed ceremonies MARGVERITE OF AVSTRIA PRINcesse widow of Castille Dowager of Sauoy Aunte to the Emperour Charles the 5. Gouernesse of the Netherlands MARGARITA AVSTRIACA DVCISSA SABAV GVB BELGICAE From Daughter to an Archduke I became An Emperors Daughter to King Lewis sonne I first was promised with pompe and Fame But my place in his bed another won The Prince of Arragon was my first Pheere But being left a widdow I did wed For second Duke of Sauoy he being dead I from my Nephew did the gouernment beare THe Lady Marguerite of Austria daughter to the Emperour Maximilian and to the Lady Mary of Bourgongne was first married to the Prince Don Fernando of Arragon the onely sonne of Don Fernando King of Arragon and of Isabella Queene of Castile which Prince died soone after leauing no children Afterwards the said Lady was married againe to the Duke of Sauoy with whom she liued not long before he dyed Returning into the Netherlands after the death of her brother Philip King of Castile in the yeare 1508. she was by prouision admitted by the Emperor her father during his absence in Germanie and the warres in Italy to the gouernment of the Netherlands with George Duke of Saxony So as this yeare 1520. King Charles her Nephew went into Germanie to receiue the Crowne of the Empire leauing the said Lady his Aunte Gouernesse in his absence The Emperor elect parted from Brussells with a great and honorable traine came the 20. of October to Cologne where the Princes Electors did attend him and from thence they came to Aix la Chapelle At his entry into the towne the Knights of the order of the Golden-fleece marched first euery one in his ranck according to his antiquitie in the said order After followed the Princes Electors first the King of Bohemias Ambassador the Archibishop of Ments either of them with 700. horse The Archbishops of Cologne and Treues either of them with 600. horse the Cont Pallatin of Rhine the Duke of Saxony and the Marquis of Brandebourg euery one of them with 600. horse There were besides other great Princes which followed to do him honour and homage for their Seigniories being accompanied with many Nobles and great traines As the Duke of Iulliers George Duke of Saxony the Marquis of Baden the Dukes Henry and Erick of Brunswick brethren euery one of them with 600. horse the Bishop of Leege the Duke of Lunebourg father to the Duchesse of Geldre the Earle of Emden and his sonne the Lord of East-Friseland the young Prince of Cleues who was alwaies with the Emperor the Earle of Saint Pol and many others with a stately traine Then the Ambassadors of the Kings of England Poland Hongarie and Denmarke of the Venetians the Dukes of Sauoy of the Knights of Rhodes and of the great Maister of Prussia The Lady Marguerit his Aunte was in the traine with a goodly company of Princesses Countesses Ladies and Gentlewomen euery
three monthes in Bolognia all things beeing prepared and made ready after many ceremonies hee was anointed and crowned King of Lombardy the Pope setting a crowne vpon his head which they call the crowne of steele The two and twenty day of the same month the Pope beeing in the Church the Emperor was conducted thether with great pompe and state First marched the pages and gentlemen of his household and of his chamber Earles Marquises Dukes and Princes euery one in his degree then the Officers of his house The Kings at armes and Heralds of the Emperor of France England and Sauoy Then the Stewards of his house with their staues The Marquis of Montferrat followed sumptously apparelled carrying the scepter The duke of Vrbin carried the sword in a sheath of pure gold inritched with pretious stones The Count Palatin carried the Globe and the Duke of Sauoy carried the Imperiall crowne The Emperour marched after carrying vpon his head the crowne of Lombardie beeing followed by all the Ambassadors of Kings and Princes After whome came the Councellors and Secretaries of State Before that the Emperor entred into the Church hee was receiued and led into a Chappell by the Deane and Chanoins of Saint Peeters Church at Rome beeing come expresly thether where the Emperor tooke the accustomed oth in the handes of a Cardinall Then after many other ceremonies and change of Ornements after that hee had beene anoynted hee was led before the Pope sitting in his pontificall seat doing a great obeysance vnto him wherevpon the Pope came downe in his coape and went towards the Alter to celebrate the masse Then was the Emperor set in a stately throne and all the markes which these Princes carried were set vpon the Altar vntill the Epistle of the masse was sung Then the Emperor was brought before the Pope where hee kneeled downe The Pope drawing forth the Imperiall sword sayd vnto him Accipe gladrum c. The deacon which did helpe to say masse hauing taken it out of the Emperors hands put it into the scabberd and deliuered it vnto the Pope who hunge it at the Emperors side who rising vp drew it forth three times and set the point vnto the ground and then put it vp againe Then the Pope deliuered into the Emperours hands the scepter and the globe vsing at eyther time many wordes and ceremonies In the end hee set the Imperiall crowne vpon his head giuing him the true titles of an Emperour The Emperor hauing beene thus adorned withall the Imperiall markes hee deliuered vnto these Princes the crowne the scepter and the globe with the Imperiall roabe and in his cassacke and bare headded hee went to offer at the Popes feete as many peeces of gold and siluer as he was yeares old All beeing ended he was attired with his Imperiall Ornaments and carryed backe to his throne And then the Pope and the Emperor returned both on hors backe vnder one canopie to the Pallace The Emperor Charles beeing thus crowned hauing setled the affaires of Italie parted two and twenty daies after his coronation to goe to an Imperiall diet appointed at Ausbourg the first of May whether came the Prince Electors and many other Princes of the Empire Earles Barons Bishoppes and Prelates Where the Emperor arriued with the King of Hungary his brother and the Cardinall Campege on the Popes behalfe the thirteenth of Iune And as it seemed that this diet was principally held for matters of relligion after that Cardinall Campege had made his oration and the Ambassadors of Austria layed open their greuances the Prince Elector of Saxony George of Brandenbourg the duke of Lunebourg and the Landgraue of Hessen as well in their owne names as of other Earles Noblemen and Imperiall townes besought the Emperor to heare the confession of their doctrine but hee on the other side commaunded them to deliuer it vp in writing and they still prest to haue audience the which beeing denied them they still insisted for that it toucht their honors liues and goods yea the helth of their soules wherein it may bee they had otherwise informed him then was true Wherevpon the Emperour commaunded them to come the next daie to his lodging but hee would needes haue the writing deliuered the which was donne the next day both in Lattin and Dutch offring to expound it if there were any thing either to obscurely or too breefly set downe and if the matter could not bee decided they refuzed not a councell The Empeperour gaue the Duke of Saxonies confession to the other Noble Princes to iudge thereof who deliuered them into the handes of their Doctors whereof Faber and Eckius were the chiefe who writ against and confuted the sayd confession Vpon this confession of their faith there were diuers disputations betwixt the doctors of the Protestant Princes and many townes which did adhere vnto them and the Popish deuines The Emperor in many things would interpose his authority and absolute power wherevnto the Protestant Princes did oppose Many conferences were held betwixt the doctors of both relligions the which did not passe without some bitternesse in the which the Princes themselues were actors so as the Protestants could not obtaine any thing Therefore their Ambassadors seeing that they could not preuaile in any thing but what pleased their Aduersaries did write vnto the States of the Empire wherein they did breefly lay open what had beene done intreating them that in the end of the decree they should not adde the names of their Princes with the rest for they had made a kinde of decree as if all had consented therevnto And for that they had gotten nothing by their solliciting for peace they declared that they could not possibly contribute any thing to the warres against the Turke Moreouer for that it is sayd by the decree that those onelie should haue place in the Parliament and Chamber of the Empire which had allowed and â—…signed it they intreated that this Article might be reformed or els they would not â—…ntribute any thing to the charges of the sayd Chamber Hauing made this protestation euery one retired to his owne home In the sayd yeare 1530. the first of Nouember there was so great a Tempest at sea with a North-west winde and the tide was so high at Noone-day as the water ouer-â—…lowed the bankes in many places although it were not the time of full sea by two houres with which tempest and spring-tide there were ouer-flowne and drowned in Holland Zeeland Friseland Brabant and Flanders as some haue obserued and left in writing foure hundred and foure Parishes yet Holland and Zeeland were most damnefied In the Island of Zuy-beuelandt the quarter on the East-side was all drowned within eighteene villages The Towne of Romerswaell the castell of Lodycke and the Scluse of Creâ—…ke was all carried away The quarter of the West-side which is diuided with a dike that runnes crosse the Island where the towne is scytuated with
Brussels with diuers horse and footmen hauing victualed Niuelle as they returned backe againe met with certaine cornets of Albanoys horsemen which are a kind of people that when the Turke won Grecia being driuen from thence entred into the kingdome of Naples where they won a peece of the countrey and there inhabited and dwelt still keeping their owne language whom they ouerthrew and brought thirtie of them into the towne of Brussels and yet the towne of Niuelle was not long after taken by the prince of Parmaes troupes where the earle of Mansfield vsed very great and barbarous crueltie In the moneth of August the duchesse of Parma and Plaisance the old regent mother to the prince of Parma came into the countries of the Netherlands being sent thither by the king of Spaine to accomplish the treatie made with the vnited prouinces or for that it was thought that her sonne was not sufficient ynough to take so great a charge vpon him and to gouerne so many young headed noblemen the mother was thought fitter for the place as beeing better acquainted with the affaires of state and the humours of the nobilitie and the people of the countrey than her sonne who departed out of the Netherlands to the great discontent of the people who would willingly haue had her staid Being come to Namur and there visited by her sonne there grew some iealousie betweene them touching the gouernement for that the prince of Parma hauing left his wildnesse which he had vsed in the Netherlands for the which hee had beene much spoken of being come to more staiednesse hee had so insinuated himselfe into the peoples fauours as they held him worthy of the gouernment himselfe and to rule alone for that the countrey had more need of a cheefe and a captaine generall than of a woman and therefore the Spaniards were of opinion as knowing well that nothing is more subiect to hatred than gouernement and what preiudice might thereby grow that the duchesse should returne backe againe with smooth and good excuses as shee did in the yeare following And by that meanes the prince of Parma kept the gouernment of the country alone with the great good liking of the Wallon prouinces where he behaued himselfe verie wisely and vnpartially betweene the Spaniards Italians and Netherlanders as also amongst other nations vsing all Italian manners in his dealings thereby to procure the good will both of friends and foes in such sort as hee did the king exceeding great seruice more than al the rest of the forepassed gouernors with their Spanish crueltie and pride euer did I said before That the generall Estates had resolued to chuse a new soueraigne prince to gouerne them and that they found none more fit for them than Francis of Valois duke of Aniou Alanzon c. the onely brother to the French king Whereupon the Estates sat in consultation all Summer and at the last in Iuly they concluded with full consent of the prouinces townes and members of the vnited prouinces to yeeld the countrey vnto him vpon certaine conditions Whereupon the deputies of the prouinces of Brabant Flanders Holland Zeeland Macklyn Friseland and the territories associat beeing assembled in Antuerpe vpon the twelfth of August they deputed and sent their commissioners with full instructions into France whose names were monsieur S. Aldegonde the seignior of Dohain doctor Hessels Francis seigniour of Lauenborgh Iaques Tayart pentioner of Gant Woel Caron seignior of Schoonewall bourgmaster of the Vrie or Franc of Bruges and Iasper van Vosberghen bailife of Campeuere to treat with the said duke which they effected vpon the 29 of September The articles were concluded vpon at Plesis le Towers the contents whereof beeing 27 in number were as followeth 1 First That the Estates of the vnited prouinces had chosen appointed the duke of Aniou for their prince and soueraigne lord with the names dignities and titles of Duke Earle Marques c. and with such soueraigntie as their forepassed princes in former times had with prouiso That all alliances made by the house of Burgondie and the Netherlands not onely with the empire but also with the kingdomes of Fraunce England Denmarke and all other alliances in no sort contrarie to that contract should continue in their entire and full force without any alteration 2 That his lawfull issue males should succeed him in the said countrey of the Netherlands and that if hee happened to haue more than one sonne the Estates of the Netherlands should bee at their libertie to chuse which of them they would haue to bee their soueraigne lord 3 That if his heire were vnder yeares the Estates should appoint him a gouernor and keep the administration of the said gouernment in their owne hands vntill hee should attaine vnto the age of twentie yeares or that it should be otherwise determined by aduice of the Estates and that if he and his heires should die that then it should be lawfull for the Estates to chuse another soueraigne lord 4 That he should possesse and enioy the demaines and reuenues therof vpon certaine conditions and without raysing of them vnlesse it were by consent of the Estates according to their priuiledges and that if they were too much ouer-burthened the Estates should find meanes to appoint a conuenient entertainment for him 5 That the said duke should hold and maintaine all their old priuiledges and customs and namely the vnion which was made at Vtrecht so as it were not preiudiciall to the said treatie 6 That he should ratifie and confirme all the decrees made by the arch duke Mathias and Estates as well in generall as particular 7 That the generall Estates should be suffered to assemble once in a yeare at the least and at all other times when they shall thinke good 8 That he should be resident in the Netherlands vnlesse it were vpon some great occasion and that if hee stayed long out of the countrey that hee should appoint one of the naturall borne Netherlanders to gouerne in his place such a one as should bee pleasing to the Estates and that with their consent 9 That he should haue a counsell of Netherlanders such as the prouinces thereof should appoint or haue appointed without aid or assistance of strangers French men or others vnlesse it were one or two with the consent and liking of the prouinces to whom alwayes the gouernment should be referred 10 That the principall officers in the Netherlands should bee naturall borne subiects and others of meaner offices as it should please him with condition that the gentlemen should be Netherlanders 11 When any officers were to be chosen for the gouernment of the prouinces and forts and in the chiefe offices of the Netherlands the said prouinces should nominat three persons vnto him whereof he should chuse one 12 That hee should promise to vphold and maintaine the reformed religion and the religious peace in the Netherlands in such sort as it
churches vnto danger And if this counsell which he giues them bee not allowable as hee hopes it is for the difficulties which they shall find in the putting it in execution yet he would tell them plainly and openly that hee sees no reason to enter into any conference of peace with the Spaniard And if they must of force make a new accord with the duke of Aniou let them prouide that no towne fall into danger and bee well assured of all the forces and that the captaines may be to the contentment of the Estates This was the prince of Oranges aduice vpon the three points of so great importance entreating them of Antuerpe to conforme themselues vnto the generalitie without doing any thing of themselues and to take this his aduise in good part protesting that he would expose all his meanes yea his life for Religion the generalitie and for the towne of Antuerpe in particular We haue said how that Monsieur de Bellieure was come vnto the Estates from the French king as an intercessor for the duke of Aniou his brother The Estates hauing heard his Oration and according vnto that which he propounded and required begun to treat with him in the dukes name deputing Elbert Leonin chancellor of Gueldre and Adolph of Meelkerke president of Flanders with some others on their behalfe and for the duke were deputed men of authoritie pleasing vnto the Estates among the which was the earle of Laual the Seignior of Espruneaux and others During all this trouble the Estates found small support in their neighbours of Germanie and England but from Fraunce they had many goodly promises which notwithstanding tasted of some threats They had small meanes of their owne to free themselues and they feared much that they should be exposed as a prey and deliuered to the Spaniards which made them to enter the more speedily into the said conference On the other side the duke feared least the townes which he had at his deuotion should want victuals being also desirous to free his nobilitie from prison out of Antuerp for S. Anthonies day which made him yeeld vnto vnreasonable conditions giuing hope that hereafter by his good carriage he would wipe away this blemish and disgrace So in the end they made a prouisionall treaty the 28 of March the which was concluded in Antuerpe as followeth His Highnesse should willingly content himselfe to chuse his abode at Macklyn yet considering that they will treat of new articles and that the ratification of the oath which his Highnesse demaunds hath not beene presently concluded 1 His Highnesse hath resolued according vnto the offer which hath been made vnto him by the Estates to chuse the towne of Dunkerke to reside there for some daies during which time he desires to treat of al things concerning the good of this estate and to determine all difficulties that are now offered 2 His Highnesse promising vpon the faith and word of a prince that being finished that he hath no other intention but is fully resolued to returne presently and stay in the towne of Macklyn according vnto the articles contained in the Estates instruction on the eleuenth of March last past to be assured of the passage of Flanders promising not to attempt any thing against the estate of the countrey the generall Estates nor their deputies who shall in like maner promise and sweare 3 Those of his guard nor of the garrison of Dunkerke shall not attempt any thing against the inhabitants of the said towne nor the reformed Religion and his Highnesse shall haue free exercise of the Catholicke Religion in any Church hee shall please to chuse within Dunkerke euen as he had in Antuerpe 4 His Highnesse shall cause his French garrison to retyre out of Villevoorde hauing a promise from the Estates to fulfill all things that shal be agreed vpon and three of the said deputies shall remaine with his Highnesse and the towne shal be manned with such as are borne in the countrey and pleasing to the Estates of Brabant 5 His Highnesse shall commaund his armie to goe and lodge in the quarter of Lempeloo where it shall be supplied with victuals And the next day the Estates assuring the summe of thirtie thousand crownes of gold to be put into the hands of a Commissarie sent to that end to deliuer them vnto the said armie it shall march to Villebroucke whereas the commaunders colonels captaines and leaders of the men of warre shall take an oath well and truely to serue his Highnesse and the generall Estates and not to attempt any thing against his Highnesse nor the Estates neither in generall nor in particular but shall employ themselues for the seruice of his Highnesse and the Estates against their common enemies Spaniards Italians and their adherents and to passe the riuer hauing receiued money the sayd oath being taken his Highnesse armie being payed and the sayd summe of thirtie thousand crownes furnished to be diuided among the souldiers according vnto a rate which shall be made 6 This done the armie shall passe into Hellegat where it shall in like sort bee furnished with victuals when as the English Scottish and other souldiers shall retire to Ruppelmonde and take the like oath vnto his Highnesse And at the same time when as the hostages shall arriue and the said payments be made his highnesse hauing receiued the hostages and the garrison of Dendermonde being with him the towne to be left and appointed to such as are borne in the countrey and pleasing to the Estates of Flanders and that he shall march towards Eckeloo 7 The armie hauing receiued these things in passing at Villebrouck at the same instant the English Scottish and other souldiers which shall be retyred out of the land of Waes shall passe the riuer of Escaut at Ruppelmonde to be employed where need shall require and from that time all shal be paied equally out of the money that shal be appointed to that end and be furnished with victuals without respecting one more than another The exercise of the catholicke religion shal be free to them of the armie and in the campe 8 Doing this aboue specified and yeelding vp Dendermonde hostages shall be presently giuen for the assurance of the deliuerie and libertie of all the prisoners that are in Antuerpe and other places detained since the 17 of Ianuarie last past together with the restitution of papers which were in a box in his Highnesse cabinet were taken in Quinsays lodging and the goods carried to the towne-house vnder the magistrates commaund without taking of any exception in regard thereof And as for the moueables which are in priuate houses and Frenchmens lodgings they shal be also restored as much as was found in being the tenth of this present moneth 9 His Highnesse shall also promise that the decrees made in France shall be reuoked and that the prisoners goods and ships arrested at Dunkerke belonging to any person inhabiting in these prouinces
and if occasion serued to bee a meanes that the sayd house of Nassau might continue in the auncient authoritie and honour that his auncestours the princes of Orange had alwayes held and maintained according to the contract of peace made in the castle of Cambresis Anno 1559 betweene Fraunce and Spaine And whereas the principall inheritance that belonged vnto him and his brother prince Fredericke Hendericke lay in the earledome of Burgundie and that there might bee some hope in time to recouer the same into their hands hee besought her Maiestie to ayde and assist them with her fauour and authoritie vnto the French king and the Switzers bordering thereupon and especially to the lords of Berne that some meanes might be wrought for the recouerie of the same as occasion should serue And further as it was manifestly knowne what great losse of lands and possessions the said house of Nassau had sustained and endured by the king of Spanies and his adherents meanes he besought her Maiestie to interpose her authoritie good occasion beeing offered that they might bee recompensed being now almost depriued of all their inheritance with some possessions and lands of the like nature vnto those which they had lost And if it should so fall out as the sayd prince Maurice and the princesse in heart desired that her Maiestie would be pleased to take the chiefe soueraignetie and gouernement of those countries vpon her he besought her to haue a regard vnto the articles as shee should find them conuenient presented vnto her by the Estates touching the house of Nassau inserted together with the articles offered vnto her Maiestie concerning the soueraignetie Also if it pleased her Maiestie to employ any men of honour and qualitie of the countrey of Germanie in her seruice he besought her to preferre Graue Iohn van Nassau as one well affected to doe her Maiestie any seruice whatsoeuer and one that alwayes had beene true and faithfull vnto those countries and whose zeale vnto religion wisedome and experience was knowne vnto all men Lastly he besought her Maiestie to be pleased to cause some act to be drawne and made in such order as shee should thinke good concerning the aforesaid humble petition made by the said princesse earles and children of the house of Nassau to no other end than only to serue for a sufficient testimoniall for those of the said house to shew and beare witnesse of their endeuours and good meanings for the welfare and vpholding of the sayd house of Nassau Written in the Hage the foureteenth of October 1585. Signed Loise de Coligni Maurice de Nassau And before the comming ouer of the earle of Leicester the generall Estates gaue vnto prince Maurice of Nassau a commission for the gouernment captaine generals and admirals place of Holland Zeeland and Friseland with due respect to be had vnto the gouernour generall which her Maiestie should send ouer They likewise ordayned and thought it expedient to set downe the title of the said prince Maurice which should be vsed in all commissions and executions of thinges that should passe out of the Courts of Holland Zeeland and Friseland in the same manner as followeth Maurice prince of Orange earle of Nassau Catzenellebourg Vianden Dietz c. marquesse of Campuere and Flessingue baron of S. Vijt Doesbourg of the towne of Graue and of the land of Guycke c. gouernour captaine generall and admirall of Holland Zeeland and Friseland and since that time there was added thereunto the earledome of Moeurs and others The nineteenth of December Robert lord Dudley baron of Denbigh and earle of Leicester sonne to Iohn lord Dudley duke of Northumberland appointed by the Queene of England to bee her gouernour generall ouer the English forces in the Netherlands and in all things to represent her person beeing followed with a goodly traine arriued in the prouince of Zeeland where he was honourably and courteously receiued of whom and what was done by him wee will speake hereafter and shew while these thinges passed and were agreed vpon in England what was done in the warres in the Low countries After the losse of Antuerpe the Seignior of Saint Aldegonde who had beene bourgomaster of the said towne and a chiefe actor in the treatie with the prince of Parma for the yeelding of the towne was fallen into disgrace with the Estates of the vnited prouinces of the Netherlands vpon the false suggestions as hee pretended of his enemies whereupon hee wrote a letter vnto the Seignior of Metkerke on the foure and twentieth day of October concerning the peace the which I haue thought good to insert here A Letter of aduice written by the Seignior of Saint Aldegonde to the Seignior of Metkerke president of Flaunders touching the peace MY good cousin I doubt not but you are informed of the particularities of the yeelding vp of the towne of Antuerpe and how that since mine enemies hauing sought by false and slaunderous suggestions to blame me and to wrong mine honour haue gotten so great credit with the Estates which gouerne there as they haue written plainely vnto me that they would not suffer me to remaine in the vnited prouinces I haue made many complaints to the Estates of Zeeland but it hath auailed me nothing so as I am resolued to leaue the countrie and to seeke my fortune applying my selfe to that wherunto God shall call me attending only the comming of my yong sonne to make him partaker of his fathers fortunes assuring you that aduersities shall neuer change me nor take from me the assurance that I haue in my God and Father by his sonne Iesus Christ. I am sorrie to see my selfe reduced to that extremitie to go wandring vp and down like a vagabond depriued of wife children and all domesticke commodities yea in my declining age which hath most need of rest But I must truely confesse that the miserable estate of our poore country doth afflict me much more than mine owne priuate fortune and the more for that I cannot assist it neither with counsell nor with action And on the other side I see in my example as in a cleere glasse that such as gouerne the helme in this horrible tempest suffer themselues to be carried away by the winds of reports and passions not giuing place to reason the which in the end must needs be the cause of all miseries for this manner of proceeding doth incense many against them hauing alreadie too many enemies and puts them in danger with their owne fall to drawe the whole countrie into ruine We haue seene the examples of times past when as trusting to some smiles of fortune we made no account to offend all the world and vpon light and vaine iealousies we did often laie the foundations of great quarrels For the present it seemes that our miserie is come to some Crisis the good or bad conduct whereof will be of great importance and may qualifie the last euent I would they would take
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
Flanders An admirable thing in the breaking of Images Breaking of Images in Antuerpe Throwing downe and breaking of Images in other places of the Netherlands The Regent in great feare The Regenâ—… being in â—…eare accuseth the lords vnto the king Letters of assurance from the gouernesse to the nobles In the moneth of Mâ—…y before the nobles had demanded any assurance An act of the promise of the contederats giuen vnto the Gouernesse An extract of the kings lâ—…tter to the duches after the peti A iustification of the Prote stant ministers at Antuerpe Those of Alcmar complain of thâ—… secret instructions The kings resolution in Spaine The emperour Maximilians answere to a letter sent him by the king of Spaine The kings letter to the prince of Orange Francisâ—…d All â—…as 〈◊〉 letters to 〈◊〉 duchesse of Parma * To turn the Netherlands into a royaltie Thinke of this both French English The nobles abouemeÌ„tioned * The marqui of Bergh 〈◊〉 baron of Mon tigny O'Alua and Rigomes * Of Lorraine The queene mother Another letter from the 〈◊〉 to the regent 〈◊〉 Egmoâ—…t and 〈◊〉 The prince of Spaines speech to the duke of Alua. The earle of EgmoÌ„ts speech The duchesse armes and forbids all exercise of the religion Valenciennes besieged 1567 Valenciennes yeelded Noircarmes breaks his faith with them of Valenciennes The people of the Nâ—…therlands complâ—…ine vnâ—…o the king of Spaine The confederated gentlemens requâ—…sts The Gouernesse answer A reply and distrust of the Protestants A new othe propounded by the duchesse The duchesse plais her part The Protestants defeated at Austerweel A tumult in Antuerpe The magistrat excuseth himselfe to the Gouernesse The secretarie Torre goes to the lord of Brederode The lord of Brederode complaines of the duchesse What the magistrat of Amsterdam granted to the Protestants A petition si oÌ„ them of Antâ—…erpe to the Gouâ—…e The ducasse answer The prince of OraÌ„ges speech to the earle of Egmont bidding him farwell Vianen abandoned An apologie made by the Protestants The duke of Alua sent Gouernour into the Netherlands The beginâ—… 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of Alua's 〈◊〉 â—…ment 〈◊〉 â—…nous The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 of the â—…bles The tyrannie of the duke of Alua and his bloudy couÌ„sell All authoritie taken from the generall states by the bloudy couÌ„sell The pitifull estate of the Netherlands The duke assuâ—…es himselfe of Gand. The earls of Egmont and Horne prisoners The castle of Antuerp built The duke of Aluaes proud image 1568 A commission to apprehend the prince of Orange The prince of Oranges answer to the commission Articles concluded by the Inquisition of Spaine agaiâ—…st the Netherlands The sentence of the Inquisition of Spaine against the Netherlands The kings con firmation of the sentence A sentence for the rasing of Culembourgs place in Brussels The regent ducâ—…sse of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 out of the Nethâ—…nds An enterprise to take â—…he duke of Alua Production of fiue â—…cles of the priuiledges of Brabant Art 1. Art 3. Art 5. Art 17. Art 10. of the second additioÌ„ The articles of king Phâ—…oious entry Art 1. Art 57 Art 5â—… The duke of Aluaes money staid in Germany The lord of Villers defeated Coqueuille defeated at S. Valery Cont Arembergh defeated and slaine Executions done by the duke of Alua. The earle of Egmonts letter â—…o the king of Spaine The death of the earleâ—… of Egmont and Horne The death of the marquesse oâ—… Berghen in Spaine The baron de Montigni poysoned in Spain CoÌ„t Lodowic besiegeth Groningen The siege of Groningen raised The duke of Alua pursues CoÌ„t Lodowic Cont Lodowic saues himself The duke of Alua campes by Maestricht Dom Frederic skirmisheth with the prince The death of the earle of Hoochstraten The duke of Alua bringeth in the new bishops and the Inquisition 1569 The duke of Alua pâ—…kes a quâ—…rell against the Queene of England 1569 A description of the duke of Aluaeâ—… image 1570 The earle of Lodron taken prisoner by hiâ—… own souldiers The great crueltie of the duke oâ—… Alua. A general pardon by tâ—…e duke oâ—… Aluâ—… wiâ—…h â—…any restrictions The king of Spaine maries his neece the emperours daughter Great flouds in the Netherlands The duke of Alua inuents now impositions 1571 A new stile in criminall causes erected by the duke The 10 20 100 peny demanded by the duke of Alua. The states answere The dukes replie The states duplication to the duke of Altâ—…aes reply Conditions how the states did consent vn to the 10 peny The duke com mandeth the 10 peny to be taxed all the land through The duke seeketh by force to constraine them of Brussels to pay the 10 penie The case that the 10 peny was not taxed The towne of Bryele taken The earle of Bossu dâ—…uen from the Bryel The duke of Alua seekes to assure himselfe of Flessingue The Spaniards being refused at Ter Goes surprise Berghen Arnemuyden taken by the Spaniards Mons in Henault surprised by Cont Lodowic Sâ—…ncho d' Aâ—…â—…nt to beâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Protestants of Zeeland besiege Ter-Goes The duke of Medina Coeli sent to gouern the Netherlands Enchuysen reuolâ—…th The earle of Marche as lieu tenant to the prince of Orange seâ—…seth vpon Holland Mons inuested by Dom Frederic Genlis and the French Protestants defeated The barbarous 〈◊〉 vsed 〈◊〉 the French The duke of Alua comes beâ—…ore Mons. The prince of Orange comes with an armie to succour Mons. The prince of Oranges protestation The bishop of Cologne comes to succour the duke of Alua. Mons yeelded to the duke of Alua. The duke causeth Macklyn to be sacked Zurphen sacked by the Spaniard The sacke of Naerden and thâ—… execrable murthers committed therein Dom Frederic before Harlem The words of captaine 〈◊〉 to the â—…ssembly of Harlem The fort of Sparendam taken by the Spaniards Harlem besieged the 11 of December The â—…corder 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 beâ—… at Delft 1573 A halfe moon made wâ—…n the towne Zâ—…land Zeeland Holland Zeeland Zeeland The siege before Soubourg Soubourg yeelded by accord burnt Zeeland A fight at sea Holland Zeeland Holland Zeeland Holland A sea fight Holland The princes ships defeated Zeeland Libertie giuen by the prince to traffique Holland Great famine 〈◊〉 Harlem Zeeland The seignior of Laten slâ—…ine Holland A conference betwixt them of Harlem and the campe The succours of Harlem and the princes armie defeated A composition to yeeld the Towne vpon vnsure conditions The yeelding vp of the town agreed vnto The mercie of of the duke of Aluâ—… and his son at Harlem The souldiers in the Fuyck sconce steâ—…ued to death This siege continued 31 Weekes The earle of Marke accused before the States of Holland for his cruelty against church-men The earle of 〈◊〉 seeketh to â—…ue the princâ—… of Orange betred The Spâ—… returne 〈◊〉 â—…uest Aâ—… Zeeland Ramekins besieged by the Zeelanders â—…e castle of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The first skirmish of the two fleets The Spanish viceadmiral taken Holland Letters from the Gouernor Sonoy which comfort the
Brabant to diuert the siege of Scluâ—…e The Earle of Leicester returnes into Zealand Haultepenne defeated and slaine D. Leonlnus spâ—…ech to the generall estates in his Excellencies name 1587. Sir Roger Willâ—ams words in his discours 1587. 1587. The Earle excuseth himself The generall estates held at Dordrecht where the Earle excuseth him-selfe 1587. The States declaration to the Earle of the Leicester For want of a natural Prince the gouernment returnes to the Noble gentry and townes 1578. The forme of the othe made by the men of warre The Earle of Leicesters answer to the declaration of the first of September 1587. The estates seeke to reconcile the Earles of Leicester and Hohenlo The Earle of Hohenlos answer to the estates 1587. Great consusion by mistaking betwixt the Earle of Leicester and Hohenlo 1587. The Earle of Leicesters declaration to the estates The Earle complaines of their letter to the Queene the forth of February If the estates meanes were not sufficient ther was bope of a peace 1587. The Earle desireth mâ—…re contribuâ—…ion The Queene desiteth to entertaine the ancient contracts The Estates answere to the Earle of Leicesters letters 1587. The â—…states complâ—…ine of the act of restraint They excuse tâ—…e bitternesse of their â—…etter of the 4 of February 1587. The Hollanders contribution in two yeares The Estates hoped that the Queene vvould make no peace without them 1587. Another declaration made by the Estates to the Earle of Leicestâ—…r 16. October That the Estates haue lausuâ—…l authority ouer the Prouinces The Estates desire an oth of the soldiars accordâ—…ng to the contract 1587. The Estates desire to haue the authority of particular Gouernors maintained A declaration of the Estates of Holland and Friseland touching their preuileges 1587. During the minority of the Emperor Charles the Estates had the soueraignty The contempt of the Estates cause of the troubles 1587. From whence the authority of the Estates is deriued How the towne of Holland Zealand are gouerned The Councell chose the Burguemaisters Schepen 1587. The forme of gouernment What the Estates be Whence the soueraignty of the Estateâ—… proceedeth 1587. The Duke of Parmas new disseigne The Ministers perswade the Estates to reconciliation with the Earle of Leicester The Estates answer The Magisstrates of Vtrect write vnto the Estates Their answer 1587. The Earle of Leicester seekes to seize vpon Leyden The Estates do wisely conceale the cause of the execution at Leyden Meppel surprized by the Estateâ—… 1587. The towne of Enchuysen desier the earle of Lâ—…icester to forbeate to enter into their towne being iealous of Sonoy Speeches in England touching the Netherlands 1587. The Earle of Leicester called home into England The Earle of Leicesters letter at his departure out of the Netherlands The estates write to the Earle of Leicester 87. The Earle of Leicester resigâ—… his gouernment of the Vni ted Prouinces Schencks enterprize 1588. Schenke surpâ—…seth Bonne Bonne spoiled and ransomed 1588 Ville â—…orde surprized by the estates Deputies from the Queene vnto the states Deruties sent from the estates into England The contributions of the Prouinces in two yeares 1588. 1588. A certaine coyne made by the Estates Commissioners sent out of England to treat with the Duke of Parina The reasons that mooued the Queene of England 〈◊〉 treat 1588. Hattem atempted by the Spaniards with great losse Verdugo armes sâ—…ps of war at Delfziel A mutiny at Medenblickâ—… 1588 Medenblicke besieged by the Estates The Queene refuseth to speake any more for them 〈◊〉 Medenbâ—…ke 1588. A mutinie inâ—… Geertruyden berg Bonne besieged by the Prince of Chymay Schinek goes to an imperial dyet An answer made to Schenck at the Imperiall dyet 1588. Bonne yeelded vp againe Sir William Russel entertaines them of Campuere in the Queenes obedience 1588. St. Williá Russel writes to the Councell of Estate The Councell of Estates answer They of Campuere Arnemuyden refuse to obey the Estates 1588. Prince Maurice retiers himselfe notwithout cause That he had not done any thing but by expresse â—…rant The Queenes letters to the Estates The Estates answer to the Queene Prince Maurice writs to the Queene 1588. partiallities begin to cease A petition by the Captaines discharged to the Queene for recompence 1588 Opinions on both sides touching the gouernment of the Nether lands 1588. The commissioners sent to treat with the duke of Parma The commissioners for the King of Spaine The Queenes demands The Spaniards answers The Queenes replication 1588. Cardinall Allens booke against her Maiesty The Queene sends to the Duke of Parma about the in vading of England and his ansvver 1588. The last answer of the Spanish comissioners The treatie of peace broke off 1588 The King of Spaine prepares to inuade England and the Netherlands The descriptioÌ„ of all the ships saylers and soldiers 1588. The description of the ordinance and munition A Kintall is a hundred waight Description of the victuals and other necessaries The Commanders of the armie Chiefe officers and gentlemen The Duke of Parmas preparation to ioyne with this armie 1588. His forces Great noble men came into Flanders The Popes helpe towards the conquest of England the Netherlands Preparation made by the Netherlands 1588. The army of Spaine puts to sea Disperst by a tempest They put to sea againe The Commission of the Spanish army was to ioyne vvith the duke of Parma Difficulties for the effecting of the Spanish commission 1588. Don Pedro de Valdez ship taken A fight before Portland 1588. The duke of Parma prepares himself His troupes are not ready shipt A notable stratagem vsed by the English to driue the Spanish fleet from their anchors 1588 A sight before Graueling the 10 of August The Spaniards losse in the last fight Two Gallions brought into Zeeland 1588. The Spanish army in despaire Many of the Spanish fleet cast away vpon the coast of Ireland The Duke of Medina excuseth himselfe Many Spanish Noblemen and Gentlemen died soone after their returne 1588. The Duke of Parma and la Motte being blamed excuse themselues The duke of Parmaes deseigne to besiege Berghen 1588. A declaration of the troubles in Vtrecht 1588. The Earle of Mâ—…urs reconciles Vtrecht with Holland The action at the â—…use of Berghen 1588. 1588 1588. The Duke of Parma raiseth his siâ—…ge from Berghen 1589. Prince Maurice installed Marquis of la Vere Wachtendonk besieged and taken The subiects of the Netherlands arrested out of the country for the States debts Iames King of Scotland sends to the vnited Prouinces for pay due to Collonel Stuart The Estates send Monsieur de Voocht to the King of Scotland 1589. The Queene writes vnto the King of Scotland in fauor of the vnited Prouinces The pollicy of the vnited Prouinces touching martiall affaires 48. daies to the month for the paiement of their soldiers Their care to pay the soldiars where they serue 1588 The vnited Prouinces haue done great exploits with small numbers of men Prince Maurice is
towne accompanied with the Earle of Moeurs and the Earle of Heynsbergh nad Iohn his sonne the lord of Bâ—…ren Prouost of Aiz and about 300. horse besides his ordinarie traine The Duke attended at the Port the Bourgeoises hearing thereof held a councell where it was agreed that the Duke should enter with his ordinarie traine of 120 horse and no more Seuen of the Bourgesses went vnto him who hauing opened the Port the first entred and the rest thrust forward in a prease the Duke entring with the last into the towne The Reuward went with him to the court the next day the Duke came vnto the Towne-house and let the councell vnderstanâ—… that his comming thither was to to entreat some good accord with his brother and the Barons But the Reuward was gone to Louvaine to the Assembly of the Nobles The Duke fearing that hee should returne with him into Brusselles and seaze vppon his person demaunded of the magistrates that if it should so happen wheâ—…her they would open him the gate or not They to assure him said that if hee had any doubt thereof they would deliuer vp the Keyes of the gates into his handes wherewith he remained satisfied But the inhabitants were not in quiet to see those strange soldiers bragging in Tauernes with their swords in their hands that they should be all rich before they went out of Brabant so as the night following they assembled in Armes vppon the market place being aduertised of some dissein of the Earle of Heynsberg and others who should seaze vpon the Market place that night at the sound of a bell and then of the whole towne some soldiers were also found armed vppon their beddes The inhabitants therefore sent in all haste for the Reuward who came posting from Louvaine with all the Nobilitie and Deputies of townes Entring into Brusselles he thanked the Bourgesses for that they had so constantly preserued the towne and day being come hee went to the Court to the Duke where hee caused most of his houshold seruants to be apprehended dismissing others that were not prisoners and soone after hee suffered them to depart that were come into the towne with the gentlemen strangers but the masters as the Earles of Moeure and Heynsbergh with other gentlemen to the number of 150. were deteyned prisoners The lord Reuward seazed vppon all the horse and armes of the Earle of Heynsberg and others and disposed of them to whom he pleased The Emperor Sigismond writ for these Noblemen that were prisoners to the states of Brabant for their libeâ—…ties threatning them with a proscription of the Empire The like letters were written by the Princes Electors to the Reuward to whom he made no other answer but that hee had caused them to be iustly stayed according to the custome of the Countrey as they themselues had required and therefore their cause remained doubtfull vntill they had wonne the fauour of Gerrard vand Zype chiefe counsellor and most familiar with the Reuward who by the perswasion of the saide Vande Zype freed them out of prison vpon certaine conditions All things being thus past and the troubles ended the Earle of S. Pol Lord Reuward resigned vp his office of Reuward which is a dignitie which the States of Brabant haue power according to their Priuiledges to giue vnto whom they please to reduce their Dukes vnto reason when they stray from their duties into the hands of duke Iohn his brother who was by the said Estates confirmed in the gouernment of his Countrie Before that the Earle of S. Pol went out of Brabant there were beheaded Euerard of Tserclaes knight Steward to the duke Adolph of Coudenbergh William of Pipenpois and some 14. of the cheife of Brusselles who had beene the cause or at the least had wincked at the dessigned treason and trouble of Brusseles and there were 600. Crowns promised to him that should bring in the signior of Asschen aliue or dead for that hee had beene the motiue of the unkindnesse and quarrell betwixt the Duke and his wife Then the Earle of S. Pol retyred into France the Contesse and her mother remaining still at Quesnoy discontented still with duke Iohn for some of the said Ladyes councell found not the Bull of her marriage lawfull hauing not been allowed but held it to bee fraudulent and of no force By reason whereof in the yeere 1423. she went into England from whence she sent to cyte duke Iohn to the court of Rome to heare his marriage declared voyde according to the Canons Pope Martin referred this businesse to two Cardinals to determine thereof who assigned a day for the Duke to appeare before them and he appointed certaine Proctors at Rome to defend his cause The Countesse Iaqueline hearing that the Processe would be teedious and long without attending a definitiue sentence allyed her selfe by a promise of mariage to the Duke of Glocester vncle to King Henry the sixth of England then raigning vppon condition that the marriage with the Duke Iohn being declared vnlawfull shee should obtaine a dispensation from the Pope to marry againe Soone after the duke of Glocester came with the Contesse Iaqueline his betrothed Spouse vnto Calais with a great Army marching toward Henault and therefore hee diuided his Armie into three battailions The Lady Marguerite of Bourgongne mother to the Countesse requested the Nobilitie of Henault to accompany her and to goe and meet them and so by assistance and fauour of the lord of Haures Lieutenant to Duke Iohn they entred into Henault The duke of Brabant demanded succors from the duke of Bourgongne and Iohn of Bauaria who promised him all assistance The Duke of Bourgongne sent him the lords of Croy Lisle-dam and Mailly with good troupes of souldiers In the yeare 1423. Iohn van Vlyet had his head cut off at the Hage in Holland being accused by some of the Cabillautin faction that he had poisoned Iohn of Bauaria whereof he had been sick and recouered for the which hee was quartered and his quarters hung at the entrance of foure of the chiefe townes in Holland Iohn of Bauaria hauing receiued letters from the duke of Brabant demanding succors sent him word that if his health would giue him leaue hee would come vnto him with good Troupes within three weekes But hauing his armie readie to march he fell suddenly sick it may be the poison had not been well purged and dyed at the Hage on Twelffe day and was buryed there in the Iacobins Cloister Hee being dead all the Noblemen that had been of his faction called in Iohn duke of Brabant and receiued him for their prince notwithstanding that Iaqueline their Contesse was married againe to the duke of Glocester who hearing how hee had beene receiued held a counsell with her friends by what meanes she might seaze vpon some townes and castles in Holland and to that end she sent Floris of Kifhoeck with men to surprize the
at her deuotion hee sent the Lord Fitzwater with good English troupes to goe vnto her who landed at Brouwer shauen in Zeeland with whom there ioyned certaine Noblemen of Zeeland whom the duke of Bourgongne defeated in bataile The 27. of Ianuary in the yeeare 1426. the Cardinalls of Venice and Vrsine Iudges delegated in the cause betwixt the Duke of Brabant and the Lady Iaqueline Contesse of Holland his wife hauing had the aduice of other Cardinalls therein pronounced their sentence by the which they declared that the said Lady had wrongfully seperated her se fe from the Duke her husband and although that she ought to bee ioynâ—…d againe to the said duke yet for some speciall reasons moouing them they did ordayne she should be safely kept vntill the definitiue sentence and at her owne charge with Amedee duke of Sauoy allyed vnto her and the duke her husband in the third degree and by affinitie in the second The duke of Glocester hearing of this sentence retyred himselfe and hauing abandoned the said ladie he married another in England Duke Iohn of Brabant hauing these newes was much quieted in conscience the said lady much discontented for that she would not by any meanes come into the hands of the duke of Sauoy but would rather haue gone to the duke of Brabant but he would none of her saying that he must obey the sentence so she remained at Schonhouen at Goude And yet notwithstanding the duke of Bourgongne held still the gouernment of Holland Zeeland Friseland This duke of Bourgongne seeing his affaires successefull to the end he might one day attain to that whervnto he did aspire which was to swallow vp the countrey of the said Lady who was his cousin Germane resolued to make violent war against her and to sub due all them that were opposite vnto him And for that the Lorde of Seuenberghe did then hold with the Contesse he went soone after the defeate of the English at Brouwershauen to besiege him in his towne both by Sea and Land in the the depth of winter where he lay fourteen weekes at the end whereof the friendes of the said lord did mediate a smale truce the which being expired the duke besieged it so straightly as no thing could enter in nor get out The inhabitants of the Towne considering on the one side the great charges and oppressions which they were forced to beare during the siege and on the other side the goodly offers that were made vnto their Lord and that through his wilfulnesse the ende of so many miseries which they endured would be but their vtter ruine for the auoyding wherof they resolued as they did to yeeld vp the towne to the duke of Bourgongue in despight of him who tooke possession thereof and in the ende the Lord of Seuenberghe was forced to yeeld him also his castle with all his land and Siegniorie liuing himselfe in exile as a Vagabonde where he dyed for want The 4. of April in the saide yeare 1426. the Contesse Iaqueline gathered together some troupes out of the countrey of Vtrecht and from the townes of Goude Schoonhouen and Ondewater and went by water to Hemestede neere vnto Harlem besieging the said Towne The lord of Brederode came thither to assist her with the Kennemers them of Alomar The magistrates of Harlem had had a little before some intelligence of this siege and therefore they sent for the Lord of Gaesbeeke Lieutenant of Holland for the Duke of Bourgongne and Rouland of Vtkerk to come to succour them The suburbs of the towne were burnt and all the wood about it cut downe They did often shoot fire into the towne but it was still quenched many assaults were giuen and they were valiently repulst The duke leauied men in all his territories to succor the besieged whereof hee made the siegneors of Litelltenveld and Vtkerke commanders hauing many braue captaines the which he sent into Holland Being come to Leyden they resolued the next day to assayle the Countesse and first of all they sent a spye clothed like a Lepar carrying in his wallet a white loafe in the which there was a letter sealed to carry into the towne when he should finde his best oppertunity This Spie being come to Hamstede begging in the Campe was suspected and apprehended examined searcht and the letter found By the which they did write that they were come neere vnto Alphen and that the next day they would stop the Sluse of Goude to cut off the Contesses returne with her Armie into the said town of Goude the which they thought to effect easily and hauing performed it they would goe and succour them The Contesse hauing heard this letter read caused the bearer to be hanged vpon a Tree and the night following raised her campe and imbarked her armie the which came at the breake of day to Alphen she being there in person The Seignior of Vtkerke finding her to bee so neere had no other leisure but to incourage his men to fight well where there was a furious charge and it continued long In the end the seignior of Vtkerke seeing the desaster falling vpon his side and so many men ouerthrowne retired himselfe out of the prease the Contesse remaining victoresse in which battaile all the Picards were slaine 500. other soldiers and 80. Bourgeses of Leyden After the victorie the Contesse created these Knights Iohn of Waessenare second sonne to Philip who was Vicont of Leyden Henry of Croenenburch Euerard of Hoochtwoude bastard to Cont William of Bauaria father to the Countesse Iohn of Langerack seignior of Aspren Didier vander-Merwen Gerard of Poelgeest seignior of Homade and Arnold of Gant a Geldrois After this defeat the Kennemers vnder the Contesse Iaquelins authoritie made William Nagel their Captaine and went to destroy the castell of Hemskerke to be reuenged for that they of Harlem had before ruined the castels of Brederode Heemstede and Assendolph At the same time they also destroyed the castels of Heiligersberge Cralingen and Spangen in Schicland This done the Kennemers went into Waterlandt where they tooke the townes of Monikendam Pumerende and Edam from thence they drew towards Medemblyk and Enchuysen then to Horne out of the which the inhabitants issued forth in armes to skirmish with them but at the first incounter their Bayliffe was slaine with many riche Bourgesses and the rest were beaten backe euen into their ports so as there were many prisoners and among them foure of the chiefe of the towne Captaine William Nagel causing his men to approache and to aduise how to force them those of the towne put all their women and maides in order of battaile with their white kerchers and white smockes vpon their garments to make them seeme a troope of men all in white armor the which succeeded happily for them for the Kennemers seeing them a farre off thought no otherwise but that they had beene the
B◅urgongne among the rest there was a condition that she might not marry againe without his liking and consent if she would remaine Ladie of all her countries of the which notwithstanding the duke should be Gouernor It happened in the yeare 1432. that the Lady Marguerite of Bourgongne her mother sent her by some Gentlemen goodly and riche Iewels and some horses The Contesse Iaqueline finding her selfe bare of money hauing no meanes to honour her Mothers seruants with presents or any gra◅uitie being destitute of money through the last warre to preserue her honour she sent secretly to the Vicont of Montfort hauing beene made Lieutenant of Holland by her before intreating him to assist her with a certaine summe of money to preserue her reputation with those gentlemen whom her mother had sent vnto her and to make them some honest presents according to their quallities The Vicont excused him selfe saying that he had spent all his meanes in her seruice during the warres The said Lady being much perplext and troubled sent vnto an other by whom she was denyed in like sort for the which shee was so greeued as weeping she retired her selfe into her chamber complaining of the ingratitude of her frie◅ds and seruants and of the dishonor which shee feared to purchase if she suffered her mothers seruants to returne emptie handed Where-vpon one of her houshould seruants called William of Bye seeing his Mistresse so desolate being carefull of her honour and pittying her said vnto her to◅ranc ◅ranc of Borsselle Lieutenant of Zeeland and acquaint him with your present necessitie I hope he will doe you some good The said Lady being full of teares answered him How he is one of our enemies and neuer receiued any good nor fauour from vs I feare he will refuse vs and then my disgrace will bee greater then before Notwithstanding if it please you Madam said William I will trie him by some meanes I feare said the Contesse wee shall not preuaile yet goe and let him vnderstand how the case stands and tell him that I will acknowledge it in time and place and will satisfie him soone William went into Zeeland and performed that which he had in charge Where-vpon the Lord of Brossele answered him Tell my Lady that not at this time onely but during my life she may dispose of me and all my meanes at her pleasure and hauing deliuered him the money which he demanded William re◅urned to his Mistresse who was wonderfully glad From that day after she euer held the Lord of Borsselle in great esteeme yea she did so affect him as shee desired to haue him to her husband the which was afterwards secretly performed in her chamber in the presence of her seruants The yeare following this secret marriage was diuulged and spred ouer all Holland and the newes came vnto duke Philip of Bourgongne being then at the warres in France with the King of England who left that businesse and recommended his armie to his Captaines and went into Holland seeming not to know any thing and yet much discontented in minde fearing that by this marriage he should be excluded from the Prouinces of Holland Henault Zeeland and Friseland and came to the Hage in Iuly where af◅er many conferences and treaties of diuers things he caused the Lord of Borsselle to bee apprehended in the presence of the Contesse Iaqueline his wife and to be presently imbarked and conuayed to Ruppelmonde in Flanders The Contesse following the Duke where-so-euer he went did presse him to haue her hu◅band againe the which hee refused vnlesse shee would resigne all her countries Some say that during the imprisonment of the lord of Borsselle they gaue him a refrigeratiue drinke others haue spoken of a more violent course to hinder the acte of generation In the end by the meanes of Frederic Earle of Maeurs hee was set at libertie vpon condition that the Contesse should resigne and transport vnto the sayd Duke her cousin all her countries of Henault Holland Zeeland and Friseland and so she should marry the said lord of Borsselle sollemnly and enioy him quietly for her husband prouided alwaies that if they had any children all the said Prouinces should returne vnto them Moreouer that the Duke should giue vnto the lord of Borsselle for him and his for euer the Earledom of Osteruant and to the said lady the siegneorie of Voorne with the Bryel the Iland of Zuy◅beuelant and the country of Tertolen with all the customes of Holland and Zeeland By this accord this marriage was confirmed and the siegnior of Borsselle made Earle of Osteruant Soone after the Duke with the Contesse and her husband went into the countreys of Holland Henault Zeeland and Friseland whereof shee gaue him reall possession in the chiefe townes thereof then the Duke held his Order of the golden Fleece whereof hee was founder at the Hage and among others hee made the Earle of Osteruant one of his Knights In the yeare 1436. on S. Denis Eue dyed this Princesse the Lady Iaqueline in the castle of Theilinghen for griefe to see herselfe thus spoiled of her estate through the ambition of the Duke of Burgongne and it may be for that she found not her husband as he had been before his imprisonment after that she had beene Lady and true heire of the Earldomes of Holland Zeeland Henault and Friseland in great troubles and continuall vexations for the space of 19. yeare She dyed at the age of 36. yeares and lyes at the Hage in the Chappell of the Court of Holland The most renowned in Holland Zeeland in the time of the Contesse Iaqueline were these noblemen that follow Franc of Borsselle Earle of Osteruant husband to the Contesse Hugh of Lanoy lord of Xaintes Lieutenant of Holland Zeeland and Freezland both Knights of the golden Fleece Reynold lord of Brederode of Vianen and Ameyden Baronies Ghysbrecht of Brederode Prouost Cathedrall and afterwardes elect bishop of Vtrect William of Brederode their vncle who was lieutenant to the Contesse Iaqueline in Holland Iames of Gaesbeeke lord of Abcoud Wyk Putten and Streyen Iohn lord of Egmond William of Egmond his Brother lord of Iselstein Who were restored by Iohn of Bauaria and afterwardes confirmed by Philip duke of Bourgongne Henry lord of Wassenare who without the resignation which he made vnto Iohn of Bauaria was vicont of Leyden Iohn of Wassenare siegneor of Woorburch his brother Henry of Borsselle lord of la Vere Arnold lord of Seuenberghe of Hemsted in Zeelād Iohn lord of Cruyninghen Henry vicont of Montfort Adrian of Borsselle lord of Brigdam Iames of Borsselle his brother William lord of Naeldwyk of Wateringhen Albert of Naeldwick his brother Phillip of Cortgeen Rutger lord of Boeaslaer of Aspren Didier lord of Henckelom Lewis of Treslon William of Holland bastard son to duke Albert to whom duke Philip gaue in Friseland the villages Schagen Baninghen Harinchuysen and
an armie The Duke had also his armie in field of the which the Earle of Estampes was generall who made sharpe warres against the Ganthois in the which they were some-times beaten and did some-times beate the Dukes troopes In the end after a great ruine of townes and destruction of the country of Flanders the Ganthois hauing receiued a great defeate by the succours which the Hollanders sent vnto the duke and afterwards an other where there were slaine 6000. of them vpon the place which was the 23. of Iuly 1453. They sent their deputies the 26. of the said moneth vnto the Duke to aske him forgiuenesse in the name of all the people and the 30. following by the prayers and intercessions of some Noblemen both cleargie and secular they were reconciled vnto the duke vpon certaine conditions who receiued them into grace the warre hauing continued fiue yeares The conditions of this reconciliation by the which the greatnesse of the Ganthois was much impaired and the duke assured for the remainder of his life from their mutinies and all the warres which the Ganthois had had at that time are written at large in the Chronicle of Flanders At that time Adrian of Borsselle Lord of Brigdam Duyuelant Galmeade Somersdyk and Zuyburch married Anne the bastard daughter of duke Philip of Bourgongne by whom hee had one sonne called Cornellis who dyed yong and two daughters Agnes and Anne The Lord of Brigdam was then great Chamberlaine to Duke Philip and afterwards to duke Charles his sonne The 4. of March 1455. died Rodoph of Diephont bishop of Vtrecht hauing gouernd his Bishoprick about 23. yeares After whose death duke Philip sent Cont Ihon of Nassau to the Chapter of Vtrecht intreating them to choose his bastard sonne the bishop of Teroane Arnold Duke of Geldres came in person to sue for Stephen of Bauaria Chanoine of Cologne The Chapter without any respect of the intreatie of two mighty Princes nor of these two competitors chose Ghysbrecht of Brederod their Prouost Cathedral a wise and a vertuous man This election was made ioyntly by them all except Gerard vanden Massche Iohn of Wittenhurst Chanoins who gaue their voice to Stephen of Bauaria yet seeing all the rest were of one minde they yeelded and consented to their election This election did not much please them of the Cabillautin faction in Holland for that those of Brederode were of the Hoekins seeking all meanes to hinder it and sending some of the chiefe among them to Brussels to the Duke of Bourgongne giuing him to vnderstand that if this election were of force and that Ghysbrecht of Brederode remained absolute bishop he was in danger to loose his Earldome of Holland if he did not preuent it by his wisedome For that said they Renowld Lord of Brederode his brother would with his ayde attempt to conquer it vnder a coulour that he vaunts himselfe to be issued from the ancient and first Earles of Holland hauing already purchased many friends in the diocesse of Vtrecht and in East Friseland by whose fauour he might easily seaze vpon the countrie The Duke giuing eare to these false reports beleeued them although that the lord of Brederode was well knowne to be a milde and quiet man who would neuer haue entertained such a thought hauing made it sufficiently knowne vnto his Prince with what loyaltie hee had serued him in his last warre against the Ganthois Vpon these aduertisements the Duke sent the Bishop of Arras to the Pope to presse him to haue the prouision of this Bishoprike of Vtrecht for Dauid his bastard for whom Alphonso King of Arrâ—…gon did also solicite Ghysbrecht the elect bishop had also sent his Ambassadors to desire confirmation thereof whom the Pope held in suspence yet receiuing his annuat or first fruits which was 4000. ducats but hee made them no other dispatch Whilest that these Ambassadors were at Rome the Duke and the Earle of Charolois his sonne came into Holland being resolued to install Dauid bastard of Bourgongne in the bishoprick of Vtrecht by force being at the Hage the Duke kept open court did solemnize the order of the Golden Fleece of the which hee created 26. Knights himselfe making the 27. The Lord of Brederode meant to come vnto this feast but hauing some other lets he went not the which was happy for him for his enemies had laid two ambushes in seuerall places to kill him but his stay disapointed them Another time being come vnexpected to the Dukes court at the Hage his aduersaries laide three ambuscadoes more for him with 500. men but hee departed sodenly and so well accompanied as they durst not attempt any thing returning safe to Vtrecht to his brother that was chosen bishop Those of Vtrecht hearing that the Duke ment to bring his base Sonne into the Bishoprik by force sent him word that their preuiledges and ecclesiasticall orders did not admit a bastard to that dignity The Duke to auoide and make frustrate that obiection obtained a dispensation from the Pope for his bastardise making him legitimate Those of Vtrecht being discontented fortified themselues with men and with all things necessary to resist any attempt Notwithstanding in despight of them and those of the house of Brederode hauing obtained from the Pope prouision of the sayd Bishoprick for Dauid his bastard hee forced Gysbrecht that was chosen Bishop to compound with him and to yeeld vp his bishoprik to Dauid Vpon condition that he should remaine Prouost Cathedrall and Prouost of Oudt Minster in Vtrecht and Prouost of Donas in Bruges and that yearely during his life hee should haue an Annuall pension of 4200. florins of gold out of the bishoprike of Vtrecht and for the charges hee had beene at by reason of his election 50000. Lyons of gold For the performance of all which conditions the duke of Cleues stood bound in the name of the duke of Burgongne who by reason of this accord entred with his base sonne Dauid into the towne of Vtrecht and put him in possession But those of Deuenter and other townes of the contry of Oueryssel which is the high diocesse of Vtrecht opposed themselues and would not acknowledge Dauid for their prince pastor vntil the duke besieging Deuenter forced them thervnto Whilest that the Duke held the said towne of Deuenter besieged Lewis Daulphin of France fell in disgrace with King Charles the 7. his Father beeing much perplexed and doubtfull for a time whether he should retier himselfe to the King of England or not But hee thought it best to goe vnto his couzin Duke Philippe of Bourgongne taking his waie towards Brusselles with a small trayne which made the duke yeelde to a composition sodenly with them of Deuenter that hee might go and receiue him This Prince was so honorably entertained feasted and treated as hee remained fiue yeares in the Dukes Court vntill the death of the King his Father hauing an
promise with him and payed him the somme as hee agreede vpon whether hee would then haue reuealed the fact the poore foole answered no and therefore hee presently caused his head to bee cut off About that time Lewis the leauenth King of France made a proclamation throughout the Earldomes of Flanders and Arthois that none should presume to inrowle him-selfe in the seruice of Edward King of England nor any way assist him He would also haue raised an impost vpon the sault in Bourgongne the which had neuer beene practised before But the duke would not admit of the one nor the other for hee was a friend and had made a truce with the King of England Wherevpon hee sent the lord of Chimay to the French King to shewe him the causes why hee could not allowe of such innouations in his countries and to intreate him to forbeare But the sayd lord was long at Court before hee could haue audience Seeing one daie that they fed him still with delaies hee attended so long before the Kings chamber as in the ende hee came forth When the King had seene him hee asked him what manner of man the duke of Bourgongne was Is hee of an other mettell then the rest of the Princesse of my Realme yea my Leege answered Chimay beeing a bold man and of great courage the Duke of Bourgongne my Maister is of an other stuffe then the Princes of France or of all the Countries about for hee hath kept you nourished and supported you against the will and liking of the King your father and all others whom it did displease the which no other Prince would nor durst doe At these words the King held his peace and returned into his chamber Afterwards the sayd Lord of Chymay returned making his report vnto the Duke The French King being resolued to pay vnto the duke of Bourgongne 450000. crownes and redeeme the townes which were ingaged vnto him in Picardie on this side the riuer of Some by the treatie of Arras he gathered together great store of treasure from all parts of his kingdome for there was no Abbay Chanonlerie nor riche Marchant that was esteemed to haue money throughout all France but did eyther giue or lend him And hauing recouered the sayd summe hee sent it to Abbeuille to the Duke of Bourgongne from whence the Duke caused it to bee brought to Hesdin where hee then kept his court Soone after in the yeare 1463. the king came thether in person the Duke went to meete him and receiued him with great honour and state and lodged him in his owne lodging in the Castell where hee promised to accomplish all that remained of the Treatie of Arras but hee fayled afterwards in some points During his aboad at Hesdin the duke sent diuers messengers to the Earle of Charolois his sonne being then in Holland to come and doe his dutie vnto the king But hee refused to come saying That so long as Ihon of Bourgongne Earle of Estampes and the Lords of Croy and Lanoy should be about the King hee would not come holding them for his mortall enemies for these Noblemen had left the Dukes Court and retired them to the kings seruice for hee knew well they were of his secret councell charging them with the practise of Ihon of Koesteyn and to haue councelled the Duke his father to accept of the money for the redeeming of the aboue named townes The Duke was wonderfully discontented at his sonnes refusall and would not for a long time after see him The King parting from Hesdin the Duke intreated him to confirme those seruants which hee had placed in the redeemed Townes in their offices Hee granted it but hee performed little changing all the Gouernours Captaines Prouosts and Magistrates thereof appointing and committing in their places such as hee thought were not greatly affected vnto the duke as the Lords of Lanoy Croy and Estampes The discontentment betwixt the Duke and the Earle of Charolois his sonne continued so long vntill the States of the Netherlands to whom the Earle had made his complaints especially of the lord of Croy had reconciled them together according to whose aduice the Earle accompanied with many Noblemen Knights Gentlemen and the chiefe Deputies of the sayd States came to Bruges where the Duke was All the chiefe Noblemen of the Court and the Magistrates of the Towne went to meete him conducting him to the Duke his fathers lodging where hee lighted and went vp vnto his chamber as soone as hee saw him hee kneeled downe three times and at the third time he sayd My most honored Lord and Father I haue vnderstood that you are offended against me for three things declaring the same three points which hee had made knowne vnto the deputies of the States whereof he excused himselfe Notwithstanding said he if I haue in any other thing moued you to anger I most humbly cry you mercy As for all your excuses answered the Duke I know the trueth speake no more of them but seeing you are come to aske forgiuenesse be you a good sonne and I will bee a good father to you then hee tooke him by the hand raised him vp and pardoned him all This done the Deputies tooke their leaue of the Father and the Sonne being glad to haue performed so good a worke The same day that this reconciliation was made the Lord of Croy parted early in the morning from Bruges and retired to Tournay to the French King who was there then In the moneth of Iune 1464. the French King came to Amiens and from thence to Saint Pol where hee found the Duke of Bourgongne The Earle of S. Pol feasted them with great state then they went together to Hesdin whereas the king required him to yeeld vnto him the gouernment of Lille Douay and Orchies satisfying him the sum of two hundred thousand Liuers and paying him 10000. Liuers of yearly pension for which summes of money hee said the sayd Gouernment had beene ingaged by a King of France long since to an Earle of Flanders Wherevnto the duke answered that when his Grand-father duke Philip called the Hardie sonne to Iohn King of France tooke to wife the Lady Marguerite daughter and onely heire to Lewis of Male Earle of Flanders the said Chastelenies were giuen to him and his heires males for euer by the King and in case he had not any then to returne vnto the Crowne for the sayd summe and yearely rent The King made certaine other demands vnto the duke but he would not hearken vnto them for that they were vnreasonable The duke for his part made three requests vnto the King the first was that he would receiue the Earle of Charolois his sonne into his grace and fauour for that he heard the King had beene displeased with him The second was that he would not force the Gentlemen his subiects and resident in his countries holding any fees
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 duke of Bourgongne beyond that of Collogne which was on the other side of the riuer of Rhine towardes Duisseldorp to cut of the Dukes vittells The Emperour beeing planted before Nuys hee presently sent to the French King to requier him to keepe his promise and to send the 20000. men But the King fearing the English would inuade France laboured to make a peace with the duke of Bourgongne brother in lawe to the King of England or at the least to prolong the truce The King of England on the other side did what he could to drawe the duke from Nuys and presse him to keepe his word and to make warre against the French King But the duke excused himselfe vpon his honour which hee sayd should bee interessed if hee should rise There was an Apostolike legate with the Emperour who went euery day from one campe vnto an other to mediate a peace The King of Denmarke came also himself in person and lodged at Greuenbrooke in the country of Iuilliers who labored what hee could But the duke would giue no eare to any contynuing still obstinate at this siege doing what he could to take it The Duke being thus obstinate there was warre attempted against him in two or three places One was by the duke of Lorraine who had sent to defie him at the siege of Nuse and did him much spoile in the Dutchie of Luxembourg but by the other side duke Sigismond of Austria with the helpe of the Swissee and those of Strausbourg tooke the contie of Ferret made warre in Bourgongne tooke Blaumont and besieged the castle of Hericourt belonging to the Marshall of Bourgongne of the house of Neufchastel The Bourgongnons went to succour it but they were defeated and the Swisses returned into their countrie laden with spoyles In the beginning of the year 1475. the Duke holding yet his siege before Nuise the truce ended betwixt him and the French King the which the King would willingly haue prolonged but seeing it could not be he made open warre in Picardie tooke the towne of Roye Montdidier Corbie the which after that he had spoiled he caused to be burnt as he did many other places betwixt Abbeuille Arras Those of the garrison of Arras made a Sallie vppon the French but they were repulst euen into their ports there were many slaine and of their chiefe men taken prisoners as Iames of S. Pol Brother to the Constable of France the siegnior of Contay heire to the old Lord of Contay the Lorde of Carenchy and other Gentlemen The French King had intreated the Emperour to make a mutuall promise not to make a peace with the Duke of Bourgongne one without another councelling him to seaze vppon all his landes which held of the Empire as Brabant Gelders Lembourg Luxembourg and that he would seaze vpon those that are held of the Crowne of France as Flanders Arthois Bourgongne and others Wherevppon the Emperor answered wisely to his Ambassadors telling a Tale of two companions which soulde the Beares skinne to their Hoste before the beast was taken as if he would say come as you haue promised wee will take the man and then diuide his goods The Constable was much grieued for the taking of Iames of S. Pol his brother but this mischance came not alone for at the same instant the Earle of Roussy his sonne Gouernour of Bourgongne for the Duke was taken and there withall dyed the Constables wife a vertuous lady and sister to the Queen of France who had been a great support to him After these three mischances he was neuer assured liuing in contynuall feare swimming betwixt two streames to entertaine himself equally in the King and Dukes fauor which these Princes could easily discouer The Duke hauing contynued his siege a whole yeare before Nuise 2. things prest him extreamely to rise the first was the warre which the French King made against him in Picardie the second was the goodly and great army the King of England made at his request hauing alwayes perswaded him to come into France and could neuer induce him vnto it vntill that time and now the King of England and his Nobles were much discontented for that the Duke stayed so long before Nuise and came not to ioyne with them vsing threates vnto them considering their great expenses and the approaching winter The Duke of Bourgongne held it for a great glory that this great armie of the Emperour and the Princes of Germanie which was the greatest that had been seene in the memorie of man or long before could not raise him from this siege The Legat past dayly from one Campe to another vntill in the ende he made a peace betwixt the Emperor the Duke of Bourgongne the Towne of Nuise was deliuered into the Legats hands to dispose thereof as the Court of Rome should decree the which had yeelded to his mercie through famine if hee had continued but tenne dayes longer but he was forced by the threatnings of the English to make composion and to raise his Campe. In the meane time the Constable of France was much perplexed thinking of the wrong he had done to the Duke of Bourgongne touching S. Quintin and hee was out of hope of the King who prest him to come vnto him which he would not do vnlesse the King would sweare vppon the crosse of S. Loup of Angiers for his safetie which he refused to doe which draue him into dispaire At this time the King of England past at Calais with his armie and the Duke of Bourgongne raised his siege from before Nuys and went to the English with a smale companie sending his Armie to refresh it selfe and to bee reuenged of the Duke of Lorraine in the countrey of Barrois what happened during the abode of the English armie in France vnto the conclusion of the peace of Piqueny and their returne into England I leaue to the Historie of France who relates it at large for it concernes not our subiect After the English beeing repast the Seas the French King retyred to Vervins vppon the fronters of Henault The Duke of Bourgongnes Chancellor and other his Ambassadors were at armes in Henault The King desired now to haue peace with the Duke and vppon some difficulties that were propounded would himselfe treat personally with the said Ambassadors in the ende a peace was concluded for nine yeeres But the Ambassadors beseeched the King that it might not bee so soone proclaimed to saue the Dukes oath and that it might not seeme that he had accepted the same Truce which the King of England had made This Truce beeing made the conclusions of Bouvines betwixt the French King and the Duke of Bourgongne against the Constable were reuiued where it was resolued that hee that could first lay holde on him should execute him within eight dayes or deliuer him to his companion Those which followed the Constable fearing these practises
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
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
Booke THE Emperor returnes into Germany and treates of religion Herman Archbishoppe of Collogn◅ seekes to reforme his diotese the Pope and Emperor oppose themselues The Protestants assemble at Francfort The Emperor giues them good words whilest that hee prepar◅ to armes A conference of Diuines at Ratisbone The Emperor and Pope make a league against the Protestants who arme also and make a league printing their Iustifications and go to field the Emperor banisheth the duke of Saxony and the Landtgraue of Hessen who defie him the Emperor in danger at Inghelstade whereas the Earle of Buren ioynes with him the Protestantes army disbandes Duke Maurice troubles the Duke of Saxonies state the Duke of Wirtemberg and the Imperiall townes reconciled to the Emperor who sends to succor Maurice A battaile betwixt the Emperor and the duke of Saxony whereas the Duke is taken prisoner Sute to the Emperor for the Landtgraue of Hessen who comes to make his peace is detayned prisoner Magdebourg a Protest◅nt towne holds onely against the Emperor Maurice made Elector Prince Philip the Emperors sonne comes out of Spaine into the Netherlands A bloudy Edict against the Protestants the Emperor affects the Empire for Prince Philip his Sonne which breeds a quarrell betwixt the Emperor and his brother Ferdinand King of Hungary the Protestants refuze to come to the councell of Trent The constancie of them of Magdebourg who are freed from siege the Landtgraues restraint is preiudiciall to the Emperors affaires in Germany Duke Maurice takes armes against the Emperor the French King comming with a great army to succor Maurice takes Metz ◅houl and Verduen Martin van Rossem makes warre in France the Emperor flies hastely from Inspruch through the mountaines An ass◅mbly at Passau to treat a peace Albert of Brandebourg makes warre a part the Emperors fruitlesse siege before Metz the taking and razing of the towne of Teroane A battaile betwixt duke Maurice and Albert of Brandebourg the siege and taking of Hesdin the battaile of Talma Philip King of Spaine marries Marie Queene of England the French besiegeth Renty the Emperor releeues it in person An Imperiall Diet at Ausbourg A defeate of the Arreer-ban of the French the Emperor resignes his countries to his sonne the resolution of the Imperiall Dyet at Ausbourg The Emperor resignes the Empire to his brother Ferdinand His departure out of the Netherlands with his two Sisters THE 3. of Aprill the Emperor parted out of the Netherlands to go to an Imperiall Diet which was to be held at Wormes where he arriued the 16. of May. Being there he writ to the King of Poland to incense him against the Protestants The Pope was wonderfully desirous to haue warre attempted against them and notwitstanding the councell which hee had published hee promised the Emperor 12000. foote and fiue hundred men at armes for that warre In Ianuary 1546. the Protestants assembled at Francfort where as they consulted what was to bee done touching the coūcel of Trent to continue the league for the charges of the warre against Henry of Brunswick a great persecutor of the Protestants Not to abandon the Archbishop of Cologne To sollicit the Emperor to giue peace vnto relligion and to rule the Imperiall chamber In this assembly the Ambassadors of Herman Elector of Collogne made their complaints of the wrongs his Clergy did him and of the commandements and Citations sent from the Emperour and Pope In the meane time Frederic Count Pallatin Prince Elector appointed Ministers and Preachers of the Gospell throughout all his countrie suffring them to receiue the Sacrament of the Lords Supper in both kindes and in the vulgar tongue and that Preests might marry The Emperor beeing arriued at Wormes the sixteene of May his councellors treated with the Protestants touching the generall councell and other things laboring to perswade them to yeeld to that which should be resolued on at Trent and to come thether to propound their causes of recusation to the which regard should bee had whervnto they replied as before so as after a long consultation the affaires were referred to Ianuary in the yeare 1546. And in the meane time the Emperour seeing that the Protestants were not willing to contribute to the warre against the Turke if he did not grant their demaunds touching a free councell and the reformation of the Parliament of the Empire he sent Gerard Veltwycke a learned man and who spake many languages to the Turke to make a truce desyring rather to make warre against Christians his owne subiects then against the Turke Some daies after it was bruted that the Emperor made secret preparation to warre and they could not coniecture that it was against any other then the Protestants for hee was at peace with the French King and was assured to haue a truce with the Turke Wherevpon the Landtgraue of Hessen did write vnto Granuelle to preuent it But Granuelle did what hee could to lull him a sleepe And in the meane time there were flatterers which informed the Emperour that the Protestants had conspired against him at Francfort so as matters began then to growe more bitter and in the meane time they sought to blinde the Protestants vntill the Emperour had his armie ready to worke what hee pretended Then began the councell of Trent where the Pope did preside by his legats the Emperor hauing vowed to make the decrees thereof to be receiued by the point of the sword Whereof the Landtgraue tould the Emperor openly in the towne of Spier and he sought to excuse himselfe saying that hee demaunded nothing more then the quiet of Germany In December during the diet of Ratisbone the conference which had beene appointed betwixt the diuine of both religions was begunne Where there were learned men and of great authority of eyther side for the Emperour were sent Peeter Maluenda a Spaniard Euerard Billic a Carmelite Iohn Hofmeister an Augustin Friar and Iohn Cocleus all foure diuines George Loxan Gaspar Caltental George Islinger Bartlemew Latome Auditors for the Protestants came Bueer Brencius George Maior Erard Schnepf diuins Volrad Earle of Walder Balthazar Gutling Laurence Zoch a lawier and George Woltmer Auditors Maurice Bishop of Eister and Frederic of Furstenberch were aboue them all There they disputed vpon the Articles of the confession of Ausbourg The Emperour would haue all kept secret and the Protestants would haue the contrary So as after some conference not able to agree the assembly was dissolued the which serued to no other end but to abuse the Protestants with a shew of that which was not intended The same yeare was published by the Emperor the sixt bloudie Edict against them of the religion in the Netherlands At that time Adrian of Croy Earle of Roeux Maximilian of Bourgongne Admirall of the sea and Cornellis Schepper Seignior of Eyken were appointed by Queene Mary Gouernesse of the Netherlands in the Emperors name to build a fort or castell in
in the yeare 1556 king Philip pretending many goodly reasons and colour but the chiefest was to free and satisfie those debts wherewith the emperour had left hiâ—… charged made an excessiue demaund for the first aid and subuention which he required froâ—… his subiects of the Netherlands but he could not obtaine a moitie of that which he preteâ—…ded neither would that be granted without a conuocation of the generall estates of the 17 Bâ—…gicke prouinces the which was wonderfully ill taken by the Spanish counsell and by thâ—… that inriched themselues with the treasure to the peoples ruine so as some noblemen and gâ—…uernors of prouinces and townes were not only in disgrace with the king and his counsel bâ—…t were also iudged guiltie of high treason and the noblemen which had in any sort contraâ—…cted this demand were marked vnto death vpon the first opportunitie that should be offered for that they would not instantly yeeld vnto the first demaund without any conuocatiâ—…n of the states Notwithstanding that which was granted him being called the Nouenalâ—…yde amounted in all to fortie millions of florins of Brabant money But this conuocation of the generall states was both to the king and his counsell as it hath been euer since most olious as we shall see by the beginning of the trobles which happened in the said Netherlands wherof grew the wars the which haue continued since the yeare 1566 vnto this day On S. Andrewes day the same yeare king Philip held the feast and chapter of the orde of the golden Fleece in the towne of Brussels where as these knights following were newly ceated William of Nassau prince of Orange Philip of Montmorency earle of Horne the earle of Lalaine the earle Amorall of Egmont the duke of Arschot the lord of Molembais the â—…ord of Glaison and the lord of Barlamont The 22 of December the lady Marguerite of Ausâ—…ia duchesse of Parma bastard sister to king Philip came to the court to Brussels with her son â—…lexander Farnese a goodly yong prince and of great expectation of whom wee shall haue suficient matter to speake hereafter the king went forth of the towne to receiue her This Winter was wonderfully sharpe and rigorous as well by reason of the extreame cold weather as through famine which ensued whereof died in the towne of Brussels I omit other great townes by the report of the masters of hospitals aboue 19000 poore creatures of 〈◊〉 sorts men women and children which repaired thither from all places for the great charitieâ—…â—…alms which the king and noblemen in court gaue There was a drought continued from Iuly 1556 vnto the same moneth the yeare following in which yere not only corne and all sorts of pulce was exceeding deere but all other things that were to be eaten for that the vehement cold of the Winter past had spoiled all so as the poore soules knew not wherewithall to fill their bellies and when they had gotten any store of almes through the deuotion of well disposed people they burst themselues with eating or the meat being stronger than their weake stomac would beare made them die EMANVEL PHILIBERT DVKE OF SAuoy Prince of Piemont Gouernor and Lieutenant generall of the Netherlands for King PHILIP EMANVEL PHILIBERT DVX SABAVDIAE GVBERNATOR BELGIâ—…Ae I am EMANVEL PHILIBERT Duke of Sauoy That for long time did not one foot within the same enioy Mine vncle th'emperour maintain'd me in estate And of his sonne the gouornment of Netherlands I gate Where hauing rul'd a while at last did peace obtaine Which beeing made my lands to me restored were againe Henry the French kings sister to my spouse I had And by that meanes assurance of the peace to me was made From thence I tooke my way to Piemont and Sauoy Whereas my subiects me receiu'd with great and extreame ioy KIng Philip hauing after the emperours retreat out of the Netherlands appointed the duke of Sauoy his cosin to be gouernour and his lieutenant generall of the said countries he returned the ninth of December the same yeare 1556 from England to Brussels The English hauing before taken a fort neere vnto Boulogne vpon the sea put all the French men they found in it to the sword they found in it about fiftie cart loads of corne the which they did imbarke and brought to Middlebourg in Zeeland The queene of England and cardinall Poole by much means and long solicitation brought the matter of controuersie betweene the kings of France and Spain to such effect that she got them to agree to a truce and abstinence of warre both by water and by land for the space of fiue yeares that in the meane time they might draw to a good and continuall peace and the better to procure the same certaine mariages were propounded And vpon the last of Ianuary 1556 the said truce on the king of Spaines behalfe was at Brussels sworne vnto monsieur Chastilion admirall of France and at Blois on the French kings behalfe vnto the earle of Lalaine This truce was made wholy against the kings mind but well knowne to the counsellor Simon Renart and to the earle of Lalaine whereby great hatred and enmitie ensued and was after chiefe cause of the controuersies and troubles that ensued in the Low countries This yeare in the moneth of August there happened a great conflict betweene diuers Holland and French ships betweene Douer and Calis the Hollanders being twentie two marchants ships that came out of Spaine and amongst them had appointed one ship to be their admiral as the manner is amongst ships of warre promising and swearing not to forsake one the other but valiantly to fight and defend themselues the French men intending to take them had assembled nineteene ships of warre and six or seuen pinnaces and meeting them before Calis they set vpon them and in the end boorded them making their ships fast one vnto the other with hookes and other meanes the Hollanders as much as they could kept close together and defended themselues valiantly and lay so close and thicke together that they might fight almost as well as if they had beene on land the Hollanders ships were higher and stronger than the French ships but the French ships were both better appointed and manned for the war at the last when they had fought six hours beginning at nine of the clocke in the morning and continuing till three of the clocke in the afternoone one of the ships was set on fire which by reason of the wind that began to rise was so spread abroad that the fire tooke in most of the ships before they could part asunder which made them to cease the fight euery man seeking to saue his life in the ships that were not on fire many of them leaping into the sea and swimming to the next ship they came at whether it were friend or foe were by that meanes taken prisoners whereby the French men perceiuing themselues to be stronger in
hauing assembled certaine gentlemen and others thereabouts set vpon foure companies of Netherlanders that were entred too farre within the countrey thinking to be seconded by the English men that were gone into their ships vpon the newes of the French mens comming and slew and tooke many of them prisoners whereupon they returned home againe with their ships without any further enterprise or that any man could certainely learne what their pretence was In the moneth of August both the kings of Spaine and France assembled their powers notwithstanding that the prince of Orange secretly parlyed with the constable of Fraunce and the marshall of Saint Andrewes as then prisoners concerning a peace And vpon the one and twentieth of August king Philip went vnto his armie as then being about Dorlens being thirtie thousand foot and foureteene thousand horse-men amongst the which were many high Dutch vnder the conduct of Ericke and Ernest dukes of Brunswicke the duke of Holst the earles of Wartstenborgh Mansfield Rennenbergh and others and besides Emanuel Philibert duke of Sauoy lieutenant generall for the king there was the duke of Parma and Plaisance the duke of Seminara the prince of Sulmona the duke of Arry the earles of Palicastro Bagin and Landi and the lord Ascanio de Cornia and of Spanish noble men there was the dukes of Alua Arcos Francauilla and Vilhermosa the marques of Balanga and Aquillar the earles of Fonsalida and Melito of Netherlanders there was William van Nassaue prince of Orange Lanioral earle of Egmont the duke of Arschot the marques of Bergen and Renti the earles of Horne Arenbergh Bossu Megen Ligni Teux and Hooghstrate the barons of Montigni Barlaymont Glayon and others The king of France also had assembled a mightie armie about Pierrepont most consisting of Dutch men Swissers and some Italians the Dutch men alone were 8000 horse-men to the which armie Henry king of France vpon the eight of August came thither in person accompanied with the king of Nauarre the duke de Montpensier the duke of Guise the kings lieutenant generall the duke of Lorraine Neuers Nemours Aumale and Boullion all French men The strangers were Hans William duke of Saxon second sonne to Hans Frederick the elector the duke of Lunenbourgh one of the Lantgraue of Hessens sonnes the princes of Ferrara and Salerne the duke of Somnia and diuers other marquesses earles and barons which would bee ouer long to rehearse and with this armie marched to Amyens and there past ouer the riuer of Some and incamped themselues not farre from the Burguignons that lay strongly incamped along by the riuer of Authie where many skirmishes were giuen betweene both those armies but the French men still remembring the two ouerthrowes that they had receiued not long before lay strongly intrenched and durst not venter to the hazard of a battaile for that the great power of those two kings on both sides that were there in person made them both lye still and to haue regard of their owne safeties and considering the great hurt that they might do each vnto the other if they had entred into battail and that on the other side their greatest powers consisted most of strange nations it made both the kings the rather to hearken vnto a peace and to that end by both their consents there was a place appointed for to meet in which was the abbey of Corcampe not farre from thence And to intreat of the said peace in October there appeared for the king of Spaine the duke of Alua the prince of Orange Rigomes de Silua Anthony Perrenot bishop of Arras and doctor Vigilius Swichem president and for the king of Fraunce the cardinall of Lorraine Annade Montmorancy constable of France Iaques de Albon marshall of Saint Andrewes that paying ransome were both released of their imprisonment Iohn de Moruilliers bishop of Orleans and Claude de Aubespine secretarie and with those deputies as allied on both sides there sat the duchesse of Lorraine with her sonne the young duke the meane time vpon hope of a peace both the kings began to lessen their armies and to seperate them one from the other and in the moneth of Nouember discharged diuers of their men And while the deputies were in treatie and had almost agreed vpon a mariage betweene the king of Fraunce his eldest daughter and Don Charles prince of Spaine and betweene the king of France his sister and the duke of Sauoy and thought verily to fall to an agreement nothing wanting but to content the queene of England who by her embassadours much pressed them to haue Calis restored vnto her againe without the which king Philip also would hearken to no peace It happened that queene Mary the kings wife died without issue vpon the seuenteenth of Nouember in the yeare 1558 after that shee had raigned fiue yeares and odde monethes whereby the said peace was prolonged off for the space of two moneths after This yeare vpon the first of Februarie queene Elenor Dowager of France and Portugal died in Spaine And vpon the 18 of October after died Mary queene of Hongary that had been regent in the Netherlands and one that greatly esteemed of that countrey who vnwillingly departed from thence but yet would not seeme to displease the emperour her brother that was in great care least she would haue taken too much vpon her in the Netherlands which might dislike the king his son wherunto such as were chiefe rulers vnder the king of Spaine were great soliciters least they should be troubled with any contradicters The emperour Charles the fifth likewise died the same yeare vpon the 21 of September being S. Mathews day in the couent of S. Iust of a hot burning feuer in the eight and fiftieth yere of his age after he had been thirtie six yeres emperour and fortie yeares king of Spaine Some write that when hee lay in his death bed by meanes of some admonition giuen him by the archbishop of Toledo or by that which he before had heard in Germany he acknowledged that hee hoped for his saluation onely by the death and passion of our Sauiour Iesus Christ and by no other meanes according to the opinion of the reformed Church This emperour Charles was a man of middle stature well proportioned of bodie and limmes faire faced high foreheaded friendly of countenance somewhat browne eyed high nosed his mouth somewhat gaping which he tooke from the Bourguignon princes and kings of France and a faire beard his haire browne both a good horse and foot-man familiar friendly speaking many languages in his youth sound of body of complexion sanguine which beeing mixed with melancholy bloud made him wise and politique but withall very suspitious and griple and in his aged daies salt flegmaticke humors falling into his pores caused him to be mild that so tempered his bloud and choler within him that he could master and ouercome his wrath and hastinesse He was in truth a religious deuout mightie
wise temperate stout and high minded prince of great experience and fortunate but somewhat selfe-willed Before his death he obtained the full power and gouernment of the dukedome of Guelderland the carldome of Zutphen the baronies of Vtrecht and Oueryssel the baronie of Groning the towne of Cambricke and the earledome of Linghen all in the Netherlands he had the earledome of Flanders and other prouinces that as yet were in a manner contributaries to the crowne of Fraunce but freed from the same for euer by contract the kingdome of Tunes the countries of America Naples Sicilia and Myllan which hee woon and assured vnto himselfe his souldiers woon Rome he tooke prisoners Pope Clement the seuenth the king of France the king of Nauarre and the elector of Saxon the duke of Cleue the Lantgraue of Hessen and others submitted themselues vnto him In his latter daies fortune was not so fauourable vnto him by reason of his obstinacie bad counsell and hard resolution Keeping the Lantgraue prisoner he was by Maurice elector of Saxon and other princes that had made a contract with the king of France compelled not onely to set the Landtgraue free but also to lose the fruits of his victorie in Germanie as many hystories sufficiently declare the same He left issue by lady Isabell of Portugall king Philip his onely sonne daughters Mary married to the Emperour Maximilian and Ioanna princesse of Portugall with more naturall children or bastards as Don Iohn de Austria and Marguerite dutchesse of Parma And so king Philip in one yeare lost his father his wife and his two aunts In December after he celebrated their funerals in Brussels but aboue all the rest he made a most triumphant funerall for the Emperour his father with a victorious ship armes standards and banners of all his honours which was most triumphantly borne throughout the streets In the same yeare and about that time there died two kings in Denmarke as Christian then king and Christierne that had laine two and twentie yeares prisoner because of the tyrannie that he had shewed vnto his subiects being neuerthelesse a mightie king of three kingdomes as Denmarke Swethland and Norway but he fell into such hatred of his people that they forsooke him and chose another king and in Anno 1532 when with a great armie and by the aid of the Emperor Charles he thought to win Denmarke againe he was by them ouerthrown and taken prisoner which was a wonderfull worke and punishment of God shewed vpon him for his vnmercifulnesse and tyrannie and an excellent example for princes in our time Not long before he died he was friendly visited by king Christian where they forgaue each other from their hearts This Christiern married Isabella sister to the Emperour Charles the fifth by whom he had issue a sonne that died in the Netherlands at the same time that his father was taken prisoner and two daughters the one Palsgraueni the other called Christiana that was dutchesse of Lorraine and in Anno 1558 was a mediator of the peace betweene Fraunce and Spaine whose sonne being duke of Lorraine maried Claude second daughter to the king of France vpon the last of Ianuarie 1559. As I said before the death of the queen of England prolonged the treatie of peace between the kings of Fraunce and Spaine but in Februarie after the Commissioners on both sides assembled againe in the castle of Cambryse where also there came the queene of Englands embassadours as the bishop of Ely the lord Howard baron of Effingham Doctor Wotton and the Deane of Canterburie and for the duke of Sauoy two deputies and with all those the aforesaid dutchesse as mediator with her sonne and after some delayes at last they proceeded so farre that there seemed nothing resting to be done but onely that the Englishmen desired to haue Callis restored againe vnto the queene wherein king Philip sought to haue her satisfied and contented or els he would accept of no peace because that during his warres and by his meanes it had beene lost but the Frenchmen boldly alleadging that queene Elizabeth was not lawfull queene of England but the Scottish queene as being right heire thereunto by discent from the grandmother king Henry the eights eldest sister that as then had maried the Dolphin of Fraunce they said and affirmed that she had nothing to do therewith Whereby the queen of England began to suspect that the peace which as then was entreating of might be made only to compell her to hold and obserue the Catholicke Romish Religion which as then she began to alter and change within her kingdomes to the dishonour of king Philip and therefore thought it best for her to make an assured peace with France wherein on both sides one Guido Caualcanti a gentleman of Florence was specially employed by whose meanes vpon the second of Aprill 1559 an agreement was made in the castle of Cambresis and after much debating of the cause it was agreed That Calis should be vnwalled and so deliuered ouer vnto the queene but in the end they concluded That Calis and the Earledome of Oyen should continue eight yeres in the French kings hands and then should be restored to the queene againe without any defacing with all things that belonged therunto only with sixteene brasse pieces of diuers greatnesse and for assurance thereof the French king should giue six or seuen sufficient marchants for sureties of the same which should be bound in the summe of fiue hundred thousand crownes and vntill such time that the peace might not be delayed as those marchants should be committed prisoners in Bruges there should be fiue French gentlemen put into the queenes hands for hostages which euery fiue months she might change but for that this contract concerned many matters touching Scotland the queene of Scots then taking on her the title and armes of England and Ireland for the which after that there grew some contention part of the said hostages got away and others by new contracts were set at liberty and discharged and so the Frenchmen still held Calis The queen of England thus contented satisfied the peace betweene the two kings of France Spaine was concluded at Cambresis vpon the third of Aprill 1559 and proclaimed in Brussels vpon the fifth of April after The old controuersies that had continued for the space of fiue twentie yeares were on both sides wholly excluded out of the same as the soueraignty that France pretended to haue ouer Flanders Artois Rissel Doway Dornick the kingdome of Naples and the dutchie of Millan c. and the king of Spaines pretence ouer Burgundie Prouence the townes vpon the riuer of Some and the earledome of Bolonois The principall articles of the said peace being as followeth for the rest I refer the Reader to diuers hystories wherethey may see them at large this seruing onely for a memoriall First That a good peace should be holden betweene the said kings their children and subiects
would not send it Wherefore they were forced to conduct the armie through Lorraine neere vnto Strausbourg where it was dispersed with small payment but what the prince could make selling his artillerie and equipage And thus this warre of the prince of Orange against the duke of Alua passed without any fruit with the losse of many good men and of qualitie which died in this voyage among the which the earle of Hoochstraten hauing hurt himselfe in the legge with his own pistoll died besides many gentlemen who hauing drunke together in a banquet of wine that was poysoned as it was thought dyed soone one after another few escaping The prince and Cont Lodowic hauing retained about twelue hundred horse of seruice ioyned with the duke of Deux Ponts with whom they entred into Fraunce And hauing exploited nothing in the Netherlands the duke of Alua bragging that he had chased him away stayed with all his armie at Cambresis where he diuided his troupes into the frontier garrisons cassiering a part which he held not necessarie most of them Germanes except the Regiment of the earle of Lodron who was put into Valenciennes and three hundred Spaniards into Breda the rest after that the frontiers were well fortified were sent into Holland Which done the duke returned to Brussels where he caused Te Deum to be sung and an Oration was made in his prayse by the deane of the church the which was commended by all the auditors From thence the duke retired to the pallace to take his ease The prince of Orange with his brethren Lodowic and Henry earles of Nassau retayning tenne or twelue hundred horse in their pay stayed and ioyned themselues with the duke of Swayeburg that gathered an armie in the behalfe of the prince of Conde and those of the religion with whom in Anno 1569 they went into Fraunce The duke of Alua hauing with small losse had the victorie ouer his enemies in all places and caused them to forsake the countrey vpon the twentieth of December came to Brussels with his sonne and placed his souldiers in diuers garrisons as his Spaniards vnder Alonzo de V◅oa in Mastrich Hertogenbush and Graue the regiment of Iulian Romero in Brussels and Mechelen the regiment of Dom Zantio de Londogno in Vtrecht and Bommel the regiment of Billi or Robles in Groninge the regiment of colonel Mondragon in Deuenter the regiment of high Dutches vnder the earle of Lodron in Valenciennes and Antuerpe discharging certaine Dutch horsemen and some regiments of Wallons And at Brussels he assembled the generall states after a certaine manner where he demaunded a reasonable summe of money for the king towards the great charges hee had beene at for the defence of the land the Christian faith and the Catholicke Romish Religion which they most willingly graunted vnto and withall gaue vnto the duke himselfe a present of one hundred and twenty thousand duckets for the good seruice that the Netherlands had receiued at his hands which at first he refused but after tooke it and from that time forth was in good hope of a peaceable gouernment intending to begin to effect his charge which was to reduce and bring the countrey vnder one absolute gouernment to which end hee brought in the new bishops and established the Inquisition in euery place for the which there was so much contention before in the countrey and from whence all the troubles first had their originall and proceeded with his bloudie counsell to persecute and execute all those that in any wise were found or knowne to be consenting vnto or partakers of the forepassed tumults or that had any bad opinion of the Romish Church and to that end vpon the two and twentieth of Ianuarie 1569 he sent forth a proclamation That no man should aid or assist the fugitiue people in any sort whatsoeuer and that no woman might depart out of the countrey to follow her husband nor that any man might visite those that were fled or banished for the troubles aforesaid and further caused many to be executed in euery place of the Netherlands Some he caused to be hanged and beheaded others to bee burnt which once againe caused great numbers of the people to flye out of the countrey hauing lost all hope of liuing quietly in their owne countries to get their liuings and with their households and families sought to liue in other places whereby they caried diuers kinds of handycrafts that were only knowne and vsed in the Netherlands into other countries as for example the Flemings went by so great numbers into England lying next vnto them that they there restored and peopled many townes not well inhabited and partly decayed as Norwich Sandwich Colchester Maydston Hampton and others where by the gracious fauour of the Queene they were permitted to vse the exercise of their Religion in the Dutch and French languages and there got their liuings by making of Bayes Sayes changeable Stuffes Moccadoes Fustian Grograine and all other Stuffes wherein any wooll is vsed and brought the trade thereof into England so that those kinds of Stuffes are now onely made there and much of the stuffe that serueth for the making thereof brought out of the Netherlands thither which wares the Englishmen themselues haue since learned to make and also about two hundred yeares passed by meanes of great inundations in Flaunders and the Netherlands the people being forced to leaue the countrey and to flye into England brought the trade of making Cloth into England which as then was a new and a strange thing with them they at that time getting their liuings by pasturing of sheepe tylling of the land and following the warres but before that time Flaunders and the Netherlands onely serued all the world with cloth as it appeareth by the priuate contracts made betweene England and the Netherlands And as the Flemings brought the making of Bayes Sayes c. into England and greatly peopled the said countrey so did the Hollanders Zeelanders Brabanders and others bring their cunning of fishing and other trades into England as also into Germany and other countries where they haue built townes and made them very populous and ful of great trades as need and pouerty constrained this industrious people to seek for their liuings as it is in many coūtries to be seen The number of the people that fled out of the Netherlands at that time was not lesse than an hundred thousand households which in strange countries wheresoeuer they became vsed still their language and manner of apparell as hoping once againe to returne into their natiue countries Whilest the prince of Orange was in Germanie there grew some question betwixt the Queene of England and the duke of Alua the duke complayning That the Queene had arrested a certaine shippe and stayed in her hands a great summe of money belonging to the king of Spaine his master with whom he said she should entertaine all brotherly loue and not commit such
acts of hostilitie Whereunto the Queene answered That shee was well informed by some gentlemen of Genoa that the said monâ—…y belonged vnto certaine priuate marchants and as she had then need for her priuate seruice she would retaine it paying reasonable interest for a time Whereupon the duke stayed the persons shippes and goods of all the English marchants in the Netherlands Whereat the Queene complayned by a publicke proclamation maintaining that the duke proceeded against her and her subiects against equitie anâ—… iustice The duke the better to discouer the Englishmens goods and to arrest them appointed one William Parker and Doctor Storie his substitute an auncient man and an Inquisitor in England in the time of Queene Mary to search the shippes and to arrest all that he found belonging to the English This doctor going one day to search the shippe of Cornellis van Eyck a mariner of Berghen vpon Soom whilest that he was busie searching vnder the hatches the master hoysed sayles and went directly for England where he deliuered this busie doctor who as traytor to his Queene and countrey was hanged and quartered The Queene hearing of the arrest and stay of her subiects as well in the Netherlands as in Spaine graunted the like arrest and letters of reprisall against the subiects and marchants of the Netherlands and Spaine to take them their ships and goods wheresoeuer they could whereby the English were well satisfied for their losses whereof great complaints were made at the court at Brussels The duke of Alua meaning to repaire the fault which he had committed sent Christopher d'Assonuille a counsellor of State into England to the Queene to reconcile this difference But her Maiestie being discontented seeing that he brought no letters of credit from the king of Spaine would not heare him nor acknowledge him as an embassadour seeing that he came but from the duke of Alua sending him to treat with her counsell the which d'Assonuille refused to doe for that he had no such commission and so depaâ—…ted without audience yet the Queene sent him word That although she found her selfe greatly interessed yet she would not begin the warre except the duke of Alua began first Shee did also write the like into Spaine complayning of the duke of Aluaes presumption who afterwards sent Chiapin Vitellâ—… marquesse of Cetone with the counsellor Frincket and the Secretarie Torre to demaund the money that was stayed and to free all arrests on either side After them were sent the Seigniors Francis of Halewin the Seignior of Swegem and Thoâ—…as Fiesco a marchant of Genoa but they preuailed no more than the rest Whereupon the duke of Alua caused all the marchants cloth which he had arrested to be sold So as the traffique betwixt England and the Netherlands ceased and the English marchants transported their cloth to Hambourg whereas they held their Staple The duke of Alua fearing least the Queene should attempt something vpon Zeeland sent Chiapin Vitelli and Gabriel Serbelloâ—… his enginour to fortifie such places as lay most open vpon the sea for that hee had vnderstood that the English had taken a Flemish shippe vpon the coast of Zeeland wherefore he made himselfe strong in men and shipping to resist all those that would hinder his designes fearing least the English should take him vnprouided The same yeare in May Pope Pius the fifth sent vnto the duke of Alua a sword and an hatte which hee had blessed with great solemnities They were brought and deliuered vnto him by his Nuncio with great ceremonies as to the true defendor of the Romish Church whereaâ—… all the Spaniards made great feasts of ioy and publicke Tourneyes in Brussels The emperor Maximiliaâ—… being daily importuned by the noblemen gentlemen that were fled out of the Netherlands to be an intercessor for them to the K. of Spain to auoid greater effusion of bloud which was verie apparent by a long and continual war being also intreated therunto by many princes of the empire that were louers of peace he sent Charles his brother into Spaine with ample instructions to the king to persuade him to pardon his exiâ—…d subiects and to giue them peace and quietnesse in his countries but all preuailed not the king answered him by writing and that was all the fruit of his legation The duke of Alua knowing that the prince of Orange and cont Lodowic his brother were ioyned with some troups of horse vnto the duke of Deux Ponts marching to succor the Protestants in France he also sent in the name of the king his master Peter Ernest earle of Mansfield with 25 companies of foot Spaniards and Wallons and 2000 horse of the bands of ordnance of the Netherlands to succour the French king who ioyned with his armie vnder the duke of Aniou The duke of Alua hauing made the prince of Oranges great armie vnprofitable as we haue said and by that meanes made the Netherlands reasonably quiet vnder his gouernment hee began to build many citadels as at Valenciennes Groningen Graue Vtrecht Flessingue and aboue all hee finished that of Antuerpe in the which for an eternal memorie of his prowesse he caused to be set vp a stately sumptuous and proud trophie in signe of victorie cast in brasse representing his person all armed but bare headed the right arme stretched out vnarmed holding in the left being armed the troncheon of a great commander treading vnder his feet a body with two heads and six arms one of them holding a paper the second a toarch the third a broken hammer the fouâ—…th a mace with pointed nailes the fifth a purse the sixt a hatchet betwixt his legs was a maske or false visage behind this monstrous bodie was seene a fowld from out of the which came serpents at the eares of one of these heads hung little dishes and gourds such as beggers carrie about All this worke being fifteene foot high was set with a plate of brasse on a great square stone of marble answerable to the greatnesse and proportion of the figure On the front before were grauen these letters F. A. A. T. A. D. P. H. 2. H. A. B. P. Q. E. S. R. R I. C. P. P. F. R. O M. F. P. The signification whereof in Latine you may read before in the yeare 1567 whereas mention is made of the building of the citadell of Antuerpe The sence of it in English is To Ferdinando Aluares of Toledo Gouernour of Belgia for Philip the second king of Spaine for that the sedition being pacified the rebels chased away religion restored iustice maintained hauing setled the Prouinces in peace as a most faithfull seruant to the King On the right side of this square stone was grauen the breake of day alluding to his name Alba at the comming whereof all the enemies of the night hide themselues and men begin their worke the which was signified by the shepheards leading forth their sheepe to feed the superscription was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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
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
Germany where-vnto the Archduke Mathias and the generall estates sent an honorable ambassage where the Seignior of Saint Aldegond made an eloquent oration before all the Princes of Germanie and the estates and deputies of diuers townes wherein he breefly shewed the miserable estate and condition of the Netherlands the desleigne and intent of the Spaniards and what tirany the Duke of Alua and others as also Don Iohn had vsed there and withall what danger the Empire was to expect thereby touching the Duke of Alua hee shewed perticularly that in a banket made before his departure hee had boasted and did glory therein that within the time of his gouernment in the Netherlands being about sixe yeares he had caused 18600 men to be put to death by the common minister of Iustice called the hang man besides an innumerable number that were consumed and murthered by the vprores tumults mutinies and cruelty of the soldiars in many places of the same not accounting them that were killed in the warres shewing further that by the common accounts of the land it was found that in fifteene Prouinces of the Netherlands the said Duke of Alua and his adherents had spent in making warres against the two Prouinces of Holland and Zeeland in building of castles and destroying of the country aboue thirty sixe milions of guilders besides the spoyle by the oppression and insolency of the soldiers in all places where they came and that they were generally in hope that the King would not so lightly haue forgotten that they were the same Netherlands by whose faithfull seruice ayd goods money and blood the hard and long continewed warre with France was with the Kings honor at the last brought to so honorable an end where-vnto the Netherlands besides all ordinary and vsuall taxes charges and customes in nine yeares freely gaue the King the summe of forty millions of guilders as also what the Netherlands in generall and the townes in particuler had endured vnder the great Commander vnder Rhoda and Don Iohn of Austria and by the mutinous Spaniards proclamed to be both the Kings and the countries enemies that had twise ransaked and spoyled the townes of Mastrciht and Antwerp and yet not once punished he shewed likewise how the Spaniards ment to make the Netherlands the seate of the warres and what danger the Empire and the Prouinces adiacent were thereby to expect putting them in remembrance of the enterprises that the duke of Alua and others had to incorporate and take the townes of the Empire as Collen Mounster Emden and others whereby the fire burning in the Netherlands would soone kindle in Germany That they sought to conquer the Kingdome of England vnder pretence of ayding the imprisoned Queene of Scotland and thereby to obtaine the dominion of the sea and there with the rule of the whole world onely watching time and opportunity Hee desired them to remember the Turkes victories and the ciuill discords of the Christians and that the Spaniards were as well accustomed to the warres as the Turkes seeking the same praise and glory by making great conquests hauing as great yea greater causes or contrariety of religion then the Turkes to further them both in the Netherlands and in Germany generally esteeming the Germanes as the Turkes esteeme the Christians whereof they were to bee aduised that the King of Spaine not long since had made a contract of peace and a league with the Turke and had agreed what tribute bee should haue for which cause he desired them that they would call to mind the ancient frendshippe and League bettweene them hauing trade of marchandise with speech and name common to them all and that many Prouinces in the Netherlands long before the Emperor Charles the fifts time were subiect vnto the lawes of the Empire and that namely by the trans-action made in the yeare of our Lord 1548. they were incorporated with the townes and Prouinces of the Empire at which time the sayd Princes and townes made promise that they would accept and receiue all the Prouinces of the Netherlands into their protection and that they should inioye all the priueledges and freedomes of Germanie in as ample manner as they did that liued in the midst of the Empire and so vnderstood and accounted themselues to bee bound if neede were to protect and defend them against all wrongs iniuries and powers whatsoeuer that should seeke to oppresse them and therefore he intreated that they would thinke feelingly vpon the miseries of the Netherlands and that assisting them they would according to the lawes and ordinances of the Empire commaund Don Iohn to depart out of the same and forbidall men to giue him any aide or assistance by men armes victualls and munition in any sort whatsoeuer and also to call home Ericke Duke of Brunswicke Poluiller and other Dutch Commanders and captaines vpon paine of the losse of all their goods euen this was the summe of his oration which for that it was in Latin I set it downe in shorter tearmes for beuities sake against the which there was an appoligie made and put in print at Luxemburg written by one Cornelis Calidius Christpolitanus The Duke of Aniou hauing caused some troupes to march they entred vpon the frontiers of Henault which was wonderfully opprest by the Spaniard Collonel Combelles with the consent of the whole Estates marched with his men into the countrie and lodged in a village called Balemont from whence the Spaniards thinking to dislodge him where well beaten the eighteenth day of May and forced to retire with losse and shame Don Iohn after the reduction of Niuelle sent part of his armie before Philip-Ville so called by King Philips name father to the King of Spaine that now is who caused it to bee built in the yeare of our Lord 1554. beeing seated vpon the frontiers of France the which hauing beene very longe beseeged battred and assaulted was in the end for want of victualls and munition forced to yeeld by composition the one and twentie day of Maie and amongst other Articles it was agreed vpon that the captaines and companies that would remaine in the Kings seruice should be well entertained haue three monethes paie the rest might retire freely where they pleased Of fiue companies that were in the towne three remained and tooke an oth to Don Iohn the other two returned to serue the States The signior of Florenne Gouernor of the towne continued there still This beeing done Don Iohn returned to Namur diuiding his armie into two whereof the one part was giuen to the Prince of Parma to goe in the countrie of Lembourg and the other to Octauio Gonzague to march towards Arthois The Prince of Parma foure daies after his departure from Philip-ville marched with his warlike troupes towardes the towne of Lembourg which hee thought to carrie vpon his first approch And although the Towne it selfe bee not verie stronge yet is it defended by a good castle built vpon
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
the good cloth is made there in the which there were two companies of the garrison of Ypre whom they charged and for a longe time found good resistance but the Flemings not able any longer to endure their force fled some to the Castle others where they could in which charge there died of either side about three hundred men Those in the castell yeelded the next day being the seauen-teene departing without armes the Bourrough after that it had beene spoyled was most of it bâ—…rnt from whence these Malcontents carried great booty to Menin and from thence they went to doe the like to the towne and mount of Cassel in Flanders where there is also a Castle Some of the cheefe of the towne of Gant among others the Seignior of Rihouen great Baylife moued at all these acts of Hostilitie of the Malcontents and to bee reuenged of their enemies drew forth of the towne the forth of October Maister Iames Hessel in former times councellor of the councell of troubles in the Duke of Aluas time and the baylife of Englemonere named Visch whom they caused to be hanged on a tree aquarter of a leage without the towne without any forme of Iustice therin obserued the said Hessel had a long gray beard the which was cut of and the said Bay life ware it in his hat for a triumphe entring in this manner into the towne the which afterward thinking he had done a great peece of seruice and that it would be an acceptable present he sent vnto the Prince of Orange who would haue beene gladder such an insolency had not beene committed although that Hessel was a great enemy vnto him hauing assisted the Attorny generall to make the Princes processe This act was much displeasing to many good men by reason of their manner of proceeding although that these two men were wicked peruerse cruell and odious to all the world some iudging that these executions were done vpon spleene others to be reuenged of the extraordinary executions that were done in Arras vpon the Seignior of Gosson Bertoul Crugiot and others The Prince of Parma hauing taken vpon him the Gouernment of the country and of the King of Spaines army past the riuer of Meuse neere vnto Ruremonde withall his troupes in the beginning of Nouember attending the returne of Duke Casimiers Army In passing Collonell Mondrágon with his Regiment of Wallons and Spaniards seazed vpon the strong Castle of Carpen in the terrytory of Cologne after that he had battered it a whole day he caused Captaine Byel to be hanged at the port and six and thirty soldiers vpon trees for that they would not yeeld when they were somoned but would attend the fury of the canon Then hauing taken Weert Helmont and Faulquemont he descended to goe to Eyndouen and in like sort tooke the Castle of Grobbendoncque where they slue all that were Netherlanders borne but they saued the strangers liues especiall the french at the intreaty of the Seignior of Serre a French captaine seruing the Spaniard who retired them-selues into Herental where at that time the Seignior of La Noue remayned The Arch-duke the Prince of Orang and the States considering that Duke Casimirs going to Gant had caused these bad impressions in the Wallon Prouinces of Arthois Henaut Lille c. as if by the alliances made with the Queene of England the Duke of Aniou and Duke Casimire whome it seemed the Flemings had sent for they would haue dismembred all the Netherlands and all vnder pretext of religion they sought all good meanes to purge them that weâ—…e infected with thee errors and to pacifie the Malcontents for that some nimble spirits among the which was Valentine de Pardieu Seignior of la Motte Gouernor of Grauelinges reconciled to Don Iohn before his death the Seignior of Capres some prelats and others interpreted sinisterly as tending to a dismembring and so they perswaded others that were not yet moued where-vpon the Arch duke and the States appointed the Prince to goe into Flanders who arriued at Deudermond the twenty of Nouember where hee entred to that end in conference with the Bourgue-maister Imbise Borlut and others as well Maisters of the companies as cheefe of the Bourguers to whome the States had the fourth of Nouember according vnto their resolution of the twenty of October sent an act conteyning in summe that they did admit the free exercise of the Romish Religion throughout all Flanders and the enioying of their possessions and reuenewes to all them of the clergie of the savd Religion vpon condition that for their parts they should liue peacebly and faithfully without attempting any thing against the State vpon paine of exemplary and rigorous punishment according to the which the Archduke Prince and States would labour to draw the other Prouinces to consent and to accept of like liberty of religion and that they should haue a care that the Nobility were not contemned nor held in any other esteeme or ranke then was fitting for gentle-men That no Prouinces were oppressed nor their iurisdictions broken that good iustice should bee administred to the gentlemen that were prisoners at Gant as soone as the strangers were retired out of the country And in the meane time they should send the said prisoners with a good gard into a neuter place to whome there should bee no violence nor outrage offered Which Articles if the said Ganthois would accept and entertaine they should bee receiued vnder the protection and common defence of the Archduke the Prince and generals estates against any force that should bee offred them And they would deale so as the Wallon soldiars and Malcontents should retire out of Flanders and should ioyne them-selues with the States army But if the Ganthois refused to do it they would seeke by all meanes to force and constraine them For the better perswading of them of Gant there came vnto them certaine deputies from the magistrats and Collonels of the towne of Antwerp who laid open before them the oth sworne by them and the fruits thereof how requisit and necessary it was to haue it obserued in all points to chase the enemy out of the country or at the least to make him retire beeyond the riuer of Meuse That without the contrybution of Flanders it was not possible to entertaine the army the which otherwise would breake and disperse to the ruine and desolation of Brabant Flanders it selfe and other prouinces That Brabant being in a manner all deuowred and eaten vp the army must of necessity come into Flanders which the Brabansons should not be able to ayd nor succor seeing that all their meanes were ingaged to the generality for the fower next moneths wherein also the Geldrois could not assist them seeing that for the payment of nine monethes they had alredy furnished sixteene thousand florins being in danger of the enemy frontering vpon them As for Friseland it was to farre from them who also for
their part had besides the said nine monethes contributed twenty three thousand florins They of Holland and Zeeland through their long precedent warres were quite exhaust and drawne dry with the great charges wherevnto they were subiect for the reparation and entertaining of their dikes so as at the most they could not entertaine aboue twenty fiue or thirty companies forseruise As for them of Arthois and Henault that they sought money from others to pay their garrisons and from whome they should rather feare a reuolt then any good wherefore they of Antwerp did intreat the Ganthois that to shew them-selues conformable to the intention of the Archduke Prince and States they would send some notable summe of mony to court to releeue their country in this extreame necessity besides the three or fore hundred thousand which they had furnished in nine months The tenth of Nouember the Duke of Aniou sent the Seignior of Boniuet to them of Gant intreating them to remedy and reconcile their diuisions for the pacefiing whereof they could not choose a more competent iudge them himselfe who sought nothing more then to accord them with the Wallons Malecontents as hee had formerly pacefied the troubles in France And as for the prisoners that they should put them into his hands with whome hee would deale as by the common aduice of all good countrymen and especially of the Queene of England should bee held iust and right The next day the comissioners of the Archduke Prince and States did exhibit their commission to them of Gant and propounded that which they had to saye vnto them with a deduction of many pregnant reasons and inconueniences that might growe if they did not yeeld vnto the Articles which had beene offred vnto them The same day the Queene of Englands Embassador according to her Maiesties letters of the twelth of October and the sixt of Nouember gaue them to vnderstand that by their courses and manner of proceeding they gaue occasion to all the world to thinke that they sought nothing more then to entertaine a mortall warre whereof all their neighbours did so much desire to see an end That it seemed they would not subiect themselues to any superiority or higher power but would make a world by themselues whereby some might bee easely moued to assist the States to force them to obedience That they should bee carefull that for the appetit of some quarrells and priuate intrerests the good and welfaire of the generality were not indangered to fortefie the enemy and to weaken their brethren and country-men and of friends that were strangers to make them enemies And although it was to bee presumed that Duke Casimir being come to succor the States by the meanes of the Queene of England had beene secretly called by them to ayde them yet said the Ambassador her Maiesty found it very strange The which made her thinke that all this trouble might be easely pacefied if the Ganthois would conforme them-selues to the councell of the Prince of Orange and the generall estates in three points That is in the restitution of Clergie goods that are yet in esse in the suffring of liberty of religion and to deliuer into her maiesties hands or of some other neuter Prince the prisoners where they should bee kept with as good gard as the Ganthois could desire wherefore her Maiestie sent them word that if therin they would not bee perswaded and yeeld they should giue her great cause not onely to bee a stranger vnto them but also to abandon them quite wherefore they said Ambassador intreated them that they would duly consider and resolue theron Finally he required at their hands in the Queenes name a bond for forty fiue thousand pounds sterling conformable to them of Brusselles Antwerp Bruges Middelbourg Dordrect Amsterdam Dunkerke and Nieuport The thirteene of Nouember they of Brusselles sent their deputies also to Gant to make the same complaints and propositions which they of Antwerp had formerly done with some other reasons tending to make them leaue of their partialities and factions producing many goodly examples at home of former times happened in the like occurrents Vnto all these propositions and aduises of the Ambassador of England and the Deputies of Antwerp and Brusselles the Ganthois answered the eighteene of the moneth That they found not them-selues in any sort bound vnto the Articles and conditions that were propounded vnto them vntill that their stipulations and promises had beene first propounded vnto the Archduke Prince and Generall estates and by them accepted That is that the Ganthois should not bee bound to receiue the Romish Relligion or to performe any of the Articles if first of all the Wallons and Malcontents did not desist from all acts of hosty lity and retire out of Flanders And when the other Prouinces had receued and admitted liberty of religion in effect withall the other points and Articles they said they would not sequester nor dismember themselues but that they would acknowledge the Arch-duke as Gouernor generall the Prince of Orange his Lieutenant and the generall estates in all humility as their superiors and obey them in all Christian and reasonable commandements And the rather for that they with the other members of Flanders had conceiued a singular inclination and affection in the administration of mylitary discipline with a naturall loue to their country and especially to the profession of the reformed religion from the which they protested they would neuer bee drawne neither for life nor death and to acknoledge for euer the good and sincere affections which the said Prince carried vnto his country whereof he had giuen sufficient testymony in the late warres This answer of the Ganthois being seene by the States did not greatly please them which was the cause of the Princes going as we haue said to Denremond and from thence after many conferences and contradictions he came the 4. of december to Gant where being arriued hee sent for the deputies of the Magistrats of the towne to heare his propositions and demands conteyned in sixe Articles First that they should accept the articles of the act which they had formerly sent vnto them touching the accord Secondly that they should not forsake the union of the generall estats but should ioyntly ayde to maintaine it Thirdly that in the affares of the country and of the Conty of Flanders touching the generality they should not resolue any thing without the aduice and consent of the 4. members of Flanders Forthly seeing that there was no order set for the time togather in the common mony nor for the prouiding thereof that there should bee a certaine rule set downe to take away all suspition as well for the receit as the distribution of the generall contributions Fiftly that the affayres concerning the gouernment of the towne and common-weale should bee managed by common voices without disorder or confusion according to their preuiledges Sixtly and lastly that
and other Church-men pretending that they had broken the last accord in suffring Monkes to preach in their Churchs whereas none but their Curats and Viccars should haue beene admitted And in truth a Monke preaching sediciously in Saint Michaels Church was the cause of the first muti◅e The like happened in march at Denremond and Oudenard so as those Townes sell into a greater Labirinth of troubles then before The States armie being as wee haue saide broken and dispersed of it selfe and Duke Casimiers troupes feeding vpon the poore countrymen all the winter about Tillemont and Arschot attending their pay The Prince of Parma marched into that quarter with his army and began to treat with them to make them retire so as in the end they had a pasport to depart out of the Netherlands within fifteene daies robbing spoyling and carrying away all they could lay hand on in the villages where they past hauing no entry giuen them into any towne Duke Casimire being at Flessinghes at his returne from England hearing of the retreat of his troupes followed them with all speed taking no leaue of the Archduke nor of the States being then assembled at Antwerp who hearing of the departure of his army they sent after them intreating the collonels that they might retaine still in their pay two or three thousand men horse and foote but being already vpon the way they would not returne the regiment of Lazarus Muller did also retire The Germains that were in Deuenter after that they had made as great resistance as they could vnder the gouernment of the Seignior of Hauercourt a Bourguignon and had held it from the end of Iuly to the twentith of Nouember making many skirmishes so as of 1200. men which they had they were reduced to fiue hundred after that the. Towne had beene battred three daies togither by the earle of Rheneberg Gouernor of Freezland seeing the assault readie to be giuen they yeelded vpon composition to haue their liues and goodes saued The first of December the Earle of Swaertzenbourgh of whome wee haue made mention before being Ambassador from the Emperor presented him-selfe againe vnto the States by aduise of the Emperor and of some Princes Electors vppon the last propositions and treatie of Peace demanding an answer thereof with the which for the desire he had to pacifie the warres and to settle the Netherlands in peace he transported him-selfe to the Prince of Parma but they could not agree so as it proued fruitlesse The one and twentith of the Moneth Maximillian of Henin Earle of Bossu generall of the Sates Armie Lord Steward to the Arch-duke Mathias Councellor of State being taken with a burning feuer died in Antwerp who was much lamented both of the Nobilitie soldiers and common people The fiue and twentith day the Duke of Aniou defender of the libertie of the Netherlands as he tearmed him-selfe gaue the States to vnderstād by Monsieur Domartin the causes which moued him to returne into France to leaue those countries Among other points he alledged the instāce which the king his brother made by reason of some tumults which had hapned in France and that in the Netherlāds they had giuen the people to vnderstand that his Presence did hurt the general Peace that was in hand that hee sought to seaze vpon the townes of the said countrie wherein he would disproue them in deliuering vp all thinges after his departure into the States hands He also made an offer that where-soeuer he were he would remaine alwaies well affected vnto them In the end taking his leaue of them he wisht them to remember the great charges he had bene at to succor thē leauing Monsieur D'Espruneaux for his Ambassador Leeger with the States The States being amazed at this sodaine and vnexpected departure they sent the Seignior of Fromont and Doctor Gilles Martini Secretarie of the towne of Antwerp to let him vnderstand how much they were greeued beseeching him so to accomodate his affaires as he might remaine in the Netherlands and acknowledging the benefits and fauors they had receiued from him they offred all seruice with a promise of full contentment and satisfaction fit for his greatnesse After his departure a good part of his troopes retired to the Malecontents of Menin especially of his footmen In Ianuarie 1579. Salentin Earle of Isenbrug Arch-bishop and Prince Elector of Cologne leauing his ecclesiasticall dignitie married with the daughter of the Earle of Arembergh The Chapter and the Diocesse could not at the first agree vppon the election of a new Prince yet in the end Trucses was chosen but being also married and seeking to reforme his Diocesse and to retaine the dignitie with his wife there followed great warres the Chapter hauing dispossest him At the last Ernest the victorious Prince of Bauaria hauing chased away Trucses and dispersed his troopes was acckowledged Arch-bishoppe of Cologne Bishoppe of Liege of Frissinghe Hilessem other Bishopprickes and great Benifices and the Popes Legat in the lower Germany The first of March the Prince of Parma caused his armie to aduance before Antwerp trusting it may be vpon some intelligences which he presumed to haue presenting him-selfe in the quarter of Deurne and Burgerhout suburbes of the towne The Burgers hauing drawne the chaines of their streetes set their rounds of euery side appointed euery man his quarter and shewed themselues very resolute and vnited to defend the towne saluting the Spaniards with their great ordinance who were in skirmish with certaine companies of English and Scottish in the trenches of those suburbes and of Berchem whome they charged vntil night but in the end they were forced to retier by the towne canon after they had lost aboue 500. men and 200. of the States The Spaniards retired presently towards Louvaine after that they had burnt some houses and milles of the Iurisdiction of Antwerp The Captaines and chiefe officers of the States side that were either flaine or hurt were brought into the towne the dead were buried and the rest were gratified by the Magistrates for their valour and good seruice those of Antwerp complaining of the bad paiment the States made vnto the soldiers considering the great summes of money which they had furnished to that end for their parts Wherevpon not long after the English companies suing for their pay from the generall Estates beeing assembled at Antwerp seeing they delaid them too much some forty of them attending the comming forth of the States from the Councell about noone day seazed vpon the Abbot of S. Michael a rich Abbay in the sayd towne carrying him in the midst of them through the towne vnto the hauen where they imbarkt him in a ship among their men threatning him that if they were not payd by his meanes to cast him into the water But the Prince of Orange and the Collonels of Antwerp did pacifie them and vppon promise that they should bee speeddily paid
very good sort both at the time of the massacre and in many other troubles hauing giuen good testimonie that he was displeased thereat not without the danger of his life yet at the last beeing mooued and prouoked he also bare armes against the Huguenots which was one of the causes of a peace which he sought to vphold and maintaine But howsoeuer it were such care and diligence might bee vsed and hee should haue such conditions prescribed vnto him as that if he would bee mooued or procured to follow any euill counsell he should not by any means be able to effect it and so much the rather for that he shall continually haue the kings followers and adherents opposite vnto him which will be a meanes to make him more desirous to win the peoples hearts and by that meanes he would also haue an especiall regard vnto those of the Religion in Fraunce and not seeke to molest them so that to speake after the maner of men there was no better nor conuenienter means in the world than that to cease the warres in the Netherlands for that the Spaniards hauing Fraunce their enemie would be wholly vnable to proceed with his warres as hauing their prouision munition and money most brought vnto them by the way of France as it appeared by their siege of Mastricht which by reason of their prouision gotten out of Fraunce was lost By that meanes likewise he should be barred from bringing of his Spanish and Italian souldiers and his money into the Netherlands especially if the king of France either secretly or openly would declare himselfe to be enemy vnto Spaine On the other side it were to be hoped that they of Arthois and Henault would seek to vnite themselues with the estates when they should see perceiue that it would be too chargeable for them to maintaine warre on both sides or that they could hardly let the states souldiers frō inuading them by which means they should get great store of forcible contribution from thē and so require the iniury done vnto those of Flanders The duke likewise should haue no cause to prefer the Wallons before other prouinces which vntill that time had most beene vsed and would be much more as it euidently appeared if the Spaniards once got the vpper hand and further it concerned the estates much carefully to take heed least the Wallons should procure the said duke to hold on their side And if any man should maintaine that the duke would not obserue the pacification of Gant or that the countrey might therby moue the Q. of England against them they said that it was very vnlikely that the duke would make any difficultie touching the pacification of Gant as being made most against the Spaniards Wherein the examples of the dukes of Burgundie might serue them for instruction which were likewise brethrē of France and with whom in times past the Netherlands made no difficultie to treat Touching the queene of England they knew she had rather haue the duke than the king of Spain to be her neighbor especially then whē as he had gotten the kingdome of Portugall whose power were to be feared being the onely lord both of the East and West Indies and so mightie a prince Besides the queene shewed her selfe not to haue any bad opinion of the duke in regard that she had proceeded so farre as to parle and did yet parle with him about a mariage to be made betweene them and although the same tooke no effect yet the English lords that were most addicted to the religion would not be displeased but rather desire to see some good proceedings in the affaires of the Netherlands Besides that it was to be thought that Spaine would prouide so much worke for Fraunce as England should not neede to feare Fraunce especially when as their intent was to include the queene of England in that contract And whereas some might perchance suspect That the said duke should haue secret intelligence with the king of Spain that was not likely but it was most true and without doubt that the king of Spaine would alwayes rather take the Netherlands againe into his owne hands vpon such conditions as thē were offered vnto him by the estates thā to stand to such hazard and after that be forced to receiue his country again at the king of France his brothers hands with many harder conditions than were then offered vnto him besides that all his dealings letters and actions shewed the contrary so that there was no cause why any such suspition should grow in any wise mans head Therefore the prouinces were requested once againe to resolue vpon that which they thought best to bee done that such meanes might be wrought as the Netherlands might once againe bee released and vnburthened of their continuall miseries feares troubles and warres These reasons and arguments being long debated and consulted vpon both by the townes and the generall estates at the last they resolued and agreed to accept the duke of Aniou for their soueraigne lord as hereafter shal be shewed In September past the captaine which commaunded for the estates in Bryel made a bargaine with the captaines male contents of Athois and Henault to deliuer vp vnto them the towne and Island of Bryel but it was with an intent to surprise thē the which they thinking to effect with some ships of Grauelinge appointed like vnto them of the Hollanders they approched neere vnto the Island but they were charged by them of Holland and all slaine or drowned The seignior of Alennes mad for the disgrace hee had receiued at Courtray which was redoubled by the losse of Menin dreamed of nothing but of reuenge for the effecting whereof he sent a captaine of Henault called Ieams Corbetiers who attyred like a pesant went to view the weakest parts of the towne the which he found to be betwixt the castle and the rampar of the towne D'Allennes meaning to make a tryall his enterprise succeeded so happily as for want of a greater garrison he became master thereof by force The 28 of Februarie the town was spoiled and the bourgers put to ransome A little before the foure members of Flanders had sent them four companies of Wallons thither but they excused themselues saying they had no need of them which was the cause of their ruine It happeneth so most commonly that to auoid a small discommoditie they fall into great miserie About the same time Monsieur de la Noue being generall of the Frenchmen and of all other souldiers that remained in Flanders hauing intelligence that the earle of Egmont with his wife mother and brother Charles with diuers other gentlemen were in Ninouen which is a small towne lying betwixt Alost and Geersbergh and not very strong nor very well manned th◅y tooke it in the night by scalado on the 28 of March with small losse on either side It was taken before the earle heard any alarme being in bed with his
the earle of Lalaine great bailife of Henault but soone after it was recouered againe by the prince of Parma where the said Turqueau was taken prisoner who was afterwards so tortured to make him confesse the secrets of the citie of Tournay and of the prince of Espinoy as he died thereof being in a maner torne in peeces against all law of armes The prince of Espinoy being called as we haue said before by the foure members of Flanders to commaund their armie going out of Tournay hee had carried with him the best part of the garrison of the said towne to march towards East-Flanders The prince of Parma by the aduice of the marquesse of Roubay brother to the said Espinoy taking hold of this occasion and considering how much the towne of Tournay did import him for the freeing of the countries of Arthois Henault and the Chasteleine of Lille in the middest whereof it is seated he made shew as if he would follow the prince of Espinoy and his troups to make frustrat a certaine enterprise which he had vpon Graueling but turning head sodainly hee went to besiege Tournay the which was vnfurnished both of gouernor and garrison except the castle where the princesse was remaining with the seignior of Estrailles the princes lieutenant and some few souldiers of the ordinarie garrison The siege being laid the campe intrencht and artillerie planted in great number and in diuers places both the town and the castle were battered together with six and thirtie peeces and many mines and counter-mines were made of either side after many sufficient breaches diuers furious assaults being giuen the which were valiantly repulst by the besieged in the which they slew a great number of the enemie the bourgers boyes wiues and maidens shewed themselues as hardie and as couragious as the old and well experienced souldiers In which assaults the seignior of Vaux newly made earle of Buguoy was slaine with the seignior of S. Florisse sonne to the lord of Glaison and brother to the earle of Herlies the seignior of Bours before gouernour of Macklyn who had yeelded vp the citadell of Antuerpe to the Estates with many other famous and good captains as wel Spaniards as others At the which the lord of Montigny chief of the male-coÌ„tents afterwards marques of Renty and Gaspar of Robles lord of Billy were hurt At these assaults among diuers remarkable things the Spaniards hauing blowne vp a mine there were certaine maidens labouring at the rampar buried in the ruines vp to the shoulders the lord of Montigny comming to the assaults and spying them taking pitie of them he commaunded they should be taken vp suffering them to returne safe into the towne During the siege in the end of Nouember there entred some three hundred horse into the towne vnder the command of colonell Preston a Scottish man who hauing forced the Germans quarter in the Spanish campe beat some horsemen among the which was the prince of Chimays band of ordnance of the which they carried away some thirtie But these succours did not so much fortifie the besieged as it did them harme in wasting of their prouision and to discourage the burgers among the which those of the reformed religion were the most resolute by the report which they made vnto them that they might not expect any succors from the duke of Aniou who was gone into England and his troups dispersed although that the princes of Orange and Espinoy did hope well that they would ioyne with their forces which they had in Flanders and so to go ioyntly and succour them as the duke had done before Cambray vpon which hope the besieged had alwayes done their best endeuors in all assaults The princesse of Espinoy incouraging the souldiers and bourgers vpon the rampar was shot in the arme In the end the Protestant citizens vpon whom alone depended the whole burthen of the defence of the towne the Catholikes being persuaded by frieâ—… Gery not to defend themselues against the kings men and withall Arthur bastard of Meleun seignior of Fresne lieutenant of the towne growing cold euery man did the like neither did the bourgers performe their accustomed endeuors The princesse and the seignior of Estraylles dispairing of all succours they resolued to capitulat with the prince of Parma after some conferences held betwixt her the marquesse of Roubay her brother in law and the marquesse of Renty called Emanuel of Lalaine lord of Montigny her owne brother whereunto the prince of Parma did willingly giue eare and the rather for that he began to haue want of many things in his campe especially of money and victuals Winter also growing on his men fell sicke and many died of fluxes and other diseases others grew weake and faint for want of good nourishment and for cold and other extremities which they endured which made him to make the more hast and to yeeld them a good composition The conditions were That the princesse might retire where she pleased with al her family and houshold seruants mouable goods and baggage That the garrison should depart with their colours flying armes bag and baggage whither they pleased That the townes men to redeeme themselues from spoyle should pay two hundred thousand florins That the Protestants that would retire themselues and go liue in any place that were neuter should enioy their goods causing it to be receiued by Catholike persons That all prisoners taken during the siege of either part should bee set at libertie without any ransome That king Philip should take the towne into his protection and pardon all that had carried armes against him That they of Tournay should be held faithfull subiects and acknowledge king Philip for their naturall prince who should not alter nor change any of their priuiledges That the artillerie and munition should bee deliuered vntouched to the said prince of Parma And thus the towne was yeelded the 29 of Nouember 1581. The princesse was much solicited by her brother and brother in law to remain stil in Tournay or at their house of Antoin and to persuade the prince her husband to leaue the Estates and reconcile himselfe vnto the king But she continued constant and retired with all her family goods mouables and iewels being accompanied by the seignior of Estrailles the souldiers that were in garrison in the castle and many good bourgers and rich merchants going towards Audenarde and so to Gant The seignior of Fresne bastard brother to the prince remained still in the towne following the kings partie yet liuing as a priuat man and without any credit The towne being yeelded on S. Andrewes day whom the Burguignons hold for their patron and all things set in good order Maximillian of Morillon vicar to the cardinall of Granuelle in his archbishopricke of Macklin was made bishop of Tournay in the place of thé seignior of Oyenbrugghe who retired also with the princesse for that hee had beene placed there by the sole authority of
weake resolutions they would fall the yeare following into greater inconuenience than before The which would happen said he for that not any one of them in particular did thinke that this warre did concerne his life goods wife children and posteritie seeking rather their priuat profit than the publike and withall euerie man refused to furnish money according as he is taxed without the which neither he nor any man liuing can make warrè Not that he demanded the mannaging of the money which they knew hee neuer had nor euer desired wherewith some calumnious persons whose knowledge is better would taxe him but he had thought it good to admonish them hereof that they might discerne and prouide for that which was common to them all seeing it hath beene hitherto obserued the which they could not preuent that not only euery prouince but euery towne hath his counsell of warre his troups and his treasure apart True it was they had appointed a generall and head counsell but without authoritie or power for where there is neither authoritie respect nor obedience how is it possible to settle any good order in militarie discipline in the reuenues treasure iustice or policie and in all other things concerning an estate Being impossible that such a counsell can haue any authoritie or respect when as they cannot dispose of a penie as neither he nor that high counsell neuer yet could To conclude said hee behold the fault and the inconuenience which had hitherto detained them and wherein they continued the which as he had formerly prophesied vnto them would be the cause of their ruine if God by his mercie did not preuent it He therefore intreated them to consider well of that point and to call them that vnderstood it to the end the blame might not be laid vpon him But if they would take a good course and foresee it in time they shold find by the effects as he is bound that he would not spare any thing that is in his power Wherein they should striue the more seeing that his gouernment extends but to the end of Ianuarie and that for the present there was no other to gouerne but himselfe and to order all things with all conuenient speed This speech of the prince although it were truly and sincerely deliuered yet wrought it small effect some prouinces being of opinion the warre should be referred to the prince and the counsell of State others said that they must stay their resolution vntil the comming of the duke of Aniou For the hastening whereof the seignior of S. Aldegonde and doctor Iunius bourgmaster of Antuerpe were sent into England The princes of Orange and Espinoy with the other chiefe noblemen of the countrey going to attend him at Middlebourg in Zeeland there to receiue him In the meane time the townes of Doccum Sloten Staueren with the Nyeuwe-zyel in the countrey of Friseland being fortified for the Estates the seigniour of Merode gouernour of that quarter thought it good to giue order for the seuen Forrests and to hold them better assured Whereupon hee commaunded monsieur Nienwenoort a knight to fortifie the Borough of Oldenborne and to lodge there with six companies of foot Colonell Verdugo gouernour of Groningue for the king of Spaine went therefore the 24 of Ianuarie thinking to dislodge him but seeing himselfe so roughly entertained by the sallies of them of the garrison hearing of the preparation which the Estates made to succour it he retired not without losse for the knight Nienwenoort fell vpon his rereward the which he defeated his men carrying away a great spoyle and many prisoners Some time after the places of Brouckhorst and Keppel yeelded to the Spaniard Colonell Norris who was then in Friseland besieged them but hee preuailed nothing The duke of Aniou as we haue said gone the first of Nouember into England beeing accompanied by the prince Daulphin sonne to the duke of Montpenser the earles of Laual son to the lord d' Andelot S. Aignan and Chasteauroux the seigniours d' Espruneaux Feruaques Bacqueuille Cheualier Breton Theligny and others whither also came the seignior of Inchy gouernor of Cambray He was entertained with great pompe and state by the Queen where hauing spent three moneths in great pleasure and delight hee departed from London the first of Februarie being accompanied by the Queene who conducted him towards Douer And the eight day following after leaue taken and that the Queene had recommended the affaires of the Netherlands vnto him counselling him to gouerne them mildly and aduising him aboue al to win the hearts of the people and of the nobilitie and to vse their counsel assuring him that in so doing his estate would haue a good foundation and be durable In the end he imbarked in the Queens ships which attended him being accompanied in his voiage by the earle of Leicester the lord Charles Howard admirall of England and the baron of Honsdon all three Knights of the Garter and of her Maiesties counsell To whom she gaue charge to say vnto the prince of Orange and other noblemen and the Estates of the Netherlands That the seruice they should do vnto the said Duke shee would hold it and repute it as done vnto her owne person There were also many other English noblemen in his companie as the lord Willoughby Sheffeld Windsore and many knights as Sir Philip Sidney Shurley Parrat Drury and the sonnes of the lord Howard with diuers other knights and gentlemen of account with a goodly traine of seruants richly appointed with the which the Duke arriued at Flessingue the tenth of Februarie whereas the princes of Orange and Espinoy and the chiefe nobilitie with the deputies of the Estates went to receiue him after that they had long attended his comming The said princes and noblemen put twice to sea in a small boat to goe and salute him but they could not get aboord his ship nor come neere it so as hee tooke his long boat to go to land whereas the prince of Orange imbracing his thigh said That hee held himselfe verie happie to see that desired day when as he might offer vnto him his most humble seruice all his meanes his person and his life hoping that he should be the only cause that the Netherlands after so long sufferance should in the end be freed Whereupon the Duke hauing imbraced him the prince of Espinoy and the other chiefe noblemen answered in few words and very modestly Thanking them verie heartily for the honor they did him I did obserue at his landing being then present an houshold seruant to the prince of Orange that the duke going out of the boat to step on land tript a little with the right foot and might haue fallen into the water if he had not beene held Some discoursed afterwards of this small mishap and tooke it for an ill presage Being entred into the towne of Flessingue when he could not in a maner see any thing for the
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
vnto them than the Spaniards or French seeing they know well that the said Wallons haue the chiefe charges and commands one beeing lieutenant of the armie another generall of the horse the third master of the ordnance and the fourth generall of the victuals and munition And whereas some imagine that treating with the male contents and the Spaniard retired they shall bee more assured to recouer their free traffique into Spaine and that the Spaniard being farre from them they shall be in lesse feare of surprise than of the French who are neerer neighbours Seeing it is so as they hold the French an enemie in the same degree with the Spaniard experience hath taught by this attempt newly happened that whensoeuer the French shall haue committed any errour or broken the accord what support they shall find But the condition of the Spaniard is otherwise for hauing not onely the countrey the townes and the dismembred States at his commandement beeing in warre against the vnited States hauing the chiefe members thereof professed Spaniards hee shall not need many Spaniards nor Italians to subiect them to his will those which are borne in the countrey imploying themselues with al violence vnder the kings authoritie which they haue in their hands whereby the inhabitants shal be easily supplanted depriued of their religion and consequently burthened with the yoke of the Inquisition and spoyled of their goods priuiledges and freedoms notwithstanding their treaties without all mercie Wherefore we must consider that the Spaniards are neerer than the French beeing seated in the middest of both for which consideration hee sees no reason to hearken to the Spaniard if you wil not see religion liberties yea and the country lost ruined for euer In regard of the duke of Aniou whom hee would not denie according to the treatie of Bourdeaux to be fallen from all his rights in these parts and that he hath no ground to challenge any benefit by the sayd treatie whereby it appeares what foolish and pernitious counsell hee hath followed considering also the feare in the which both hee and his haue beene since this attempt the which should make him more wise and circumspect to preserue himselfe and his nobilitie beeing not the part of a wife and circumspect man to stumble twice at one stone that it is common to all men to erre the which may happen vnto them if they doe not reconcile themselues with him whereby may grow so great a iealousie and distrust betwixt the two nations as afterwards there will bee small meanes to reconcile them Finally it were to bee feared that they which are about his person would counsell him or that they vnder his authoritie would attempt something against religion Hee said also That he knew well that some among them thought it not good to agree with one that was not of their religion for certaine considerations Whereupon they were to consider that the duke held many good townes in his hands the which in case they reiected him he might deliuer vp vnto their enemies seeing that of himselfe hee should haue no meanes to preserue them whereby many other good townes should fall into great danger especially the enemy being master of the field It was in like manner to bee feared that if they did incense the duke they should also haue the French king for their enemie who would bee more heauie vnto them than any other whereby they should bee in danger to loose their nauigation both into Spaine and France and also to bee sodainely inuaded by two mightie enemies As for the queene of England although he doubts not but shee will disauow the dukes fact yet will she be sorie for the great recommendation and good testimonie shee hath giuen of him to the Estates but when shee shall vnderstand that it is by their faults that these breaches are not repaired and that they would not reconcile themselues againe vnto him her Maiestie will take this refusall in verie ill part They must also consider how few friends they shall haue elsewhere and how euerie one will abandon them And it is to bee feared that if they agree not with the duke the French will presently lay all passages open to the Spaniard not onely for their victuals munition messengers embassadors gold and siluer but euen for whole armies both of horse and foot which shall quite ruine them so as they may iudge if it doth import them or not On the other side they should make a strict examination of their meanes if they be able to defend themselues and to raise the siege of Eindouen or of any other townes besieged as when they were supported by the dukes forces for the doing whereof they had want of good captaines and souldiers of their owne nation not onely for that the warre hath consumed many but also for that their countries were small and that the most part were retired or might retire to the Spaniard whom they had beene accustomed to serue Besides the greatest part of the people are more giuen to traffique and to handie trades than to armes wherefore it should be needfull to call in forreine souldiers which would cost much to leuie to bring hither and to entertaine so as hauing once resolued you must rather trust them of the religion than any other And as for money euerie one knew how troublesome it had bin hitherto to prouide it onely to pay their garrisons so as it is a wonder how for want of good paiment they could euer maintaine their souldiers so well without mutining seeing that money is the sinew of warre without the which all other prouisions are vnprofitable praying vnto God to send them meanes to recouer it The which hauing well resolued hee propounded vnto them an order which they should hold as well in the gouernement as in the mannaging of militarie and politike affaires euerie one maintaining himselfe in his ranke all which notwithstanding should bee without fruit if money fayles Whereupon he did exhibit vnto them a list of the charges of the warre monethly the which beeing not effectually followed and obserued their Estate could not subsist Of the three points aboue mentioned hee confest freely vnto them that hee had alwayes held the third to bee the best so farre forth as they had meanes to which end hee had laboured foure whole yeares to induce the prouinces thereunto vnder a good and firme vnion and yet had preuailed nothing But seeing they had made shew that they would not yeeld vnto it or that they had not the meanes to do it it was thought good by themselues to seeke the succours of some forreine prince And if any one thought to attaine vnto it by the proper meanes of the countrey without putting in practise the order prescribed and limited by him considering the slownesse of their resolutions hee should preuaile no more than he that thinkes to build a castle in the aire and in the meane time he should expose many townes and
with them which were ill affected and that the marshall of Bron with his armie preuayled little against the Spaniards and finding withall that the French nation was generally hated the which encreased dayly by their meanes that were affected to the contrarie partie he grew so distasted as during the time that the Estates should remaine disputing of their affaires hee resolued to goe see Fraunce And after that he had sent backe the deputies and the hostages which had beene giuen him for assurance of the deliuerie of his nobilitie and seruants that were prisoners in Antuerpe hee departed from Dunkerke the eighteenth of Iune being accompanied by the prince of Espinoy and the lord Lamoral of Egmont being freed from prison at Scluse at his request and the same day he landed at Calais The duke of Aniou was no sooner departed from Dunkerke but the prince of Parma hauing raysed his siege from Herental sent la Morte gouernour of Graueling to inuest and besiege it wheâ—… the duke had left the Seignior of Chamois to guard it with twelue hundred souldiers strong as he had made him beleeue and furnished with all other things necessarie but of twelue hundred he had not full fiue hundred men La Motte began his batterie aboue the hauen with foure peeces onely and two which played vpon the entrie of the hauen which was crossed ouer with two great cables to stoppe the passage into the towne The duke hauing appointed a hundred and fiftie men to reenforce it being in a tall shippe and hauing a strong Northwest winde which had beene able to breake six cables yet they were afraid and durst not enter but retyred to Calais Chamois seeing himselfe straightly besieged and that his supplies succeeded not began to faint and without any great importunity yeelded basely retyring himselfe with his troupes which he had made so great to the duke his master to Calais where both he his captaines receiued certaine taunting scoffes from Monsieur Gâ—…dan gouernour of that place Dunkerke being yeelded to the prince of Parma hee went and encamped with his armie before Nieuport the which was suddenly yeelded vp without any great toyle or charge Vpon these doubts the prince of Orange had caused Oostend to be very well fortified and furnished being also a sea towne vpon that coast the which the prince of Parma went to besiege but seeing himselfe so hotely receiued and finding it stronger and better furnished than he expected he retyred and went before Furnes and Dixmuyden lying in the champian countrey of West-Flanders the which hee tooke without any resistance yeelding at the first summons He thought to find the like at Wynocx-berghen beeing but a league from Dunkerke but the Seignior of Villeneufe who was within the towne with his French regiment made such resistance as he thought it best to retyre and to temporize hoping to haue it in the end From thence he went to besiege the towne of Ypre one of the foure members of Flanders which siege continued long wee will relate the yeelding thereof hereafter The vnited Prouinces beeing now without a head or protector ouer them the Spaniards embraced the opportunitie and occasion and made vse thereof For finding but small resistance they made themselues masters wheresoeuer they came yea some who vntill that day had carried a low sayle and swom as it were betwixt two streames began then to shew themselues openly on their partie In the end they wrought so as through the fauour of Seruaes van Steelandt great baylife of the land of Waes and of his confederats as of Rowland Yorke an Englishman married to the lady of Wolferdoucke and others they seized vpon the fort of Sas by Gant which is the entrie into the sea for the Ganthois whereas Iohn of Imbise had passed the day before returning out of Germanie to settle himselfe againe in Gant from whence he was expelled being bourgomaster in the yeare 1579. This fort of Sas beeing gotten by the Spaniards they presently went and seized vpon the townes of Hulst and Axelles and not long after seized vpon Gant it selfe The prince of Orange hearing that the people of Antuerpe at the instigation of some men vnder hand began to murmure against him and to taxe him openly for that which the duke of Aniou had attempted against them saying moreouer That he did countenance him it may be to haue done worle and to haue intended some greater miscâ—… To â—…uoid all disorder seeing that the magistrate durst not punish them that accused him so boldly and rashly he retyred himselfe out of Antuerpe the two and twentieth of Iuly and weâ—… with all his familie to Flessingue in Zeeland where hee kept his court for a time hauing left Philip of Marnix Seignior of Mont S. Aldegonde a gentleman of deepe iudgemeâ—… and very fit for such a gouernement for the chiefe bourgomaster of the towne of Antuerpe In the meane time the earle of Hohenlo spoiling the country of Campaigne to famish the prince of Parâ—…aes armie the seignior of Hautepenne was sent thither to hinder it if he might but they did no great exploits one against another Those of the garrison of Herental spoyled the towne of Weert in the County of Horne and the prince of Parma his troupes did the like vnto the towne of Steenbergh in Brabant which was of great importance not onely for the said countrey of Brabant but also for Holland and Zeeland ioyning to the sea of the said prouinces Whereupon the Estates were to be very watchfull of Berghen vpon Zoome which is but two leagues off into the which they put two thousand foot and foure cornets of horse for the payment whereof there was fiue and thirtie thousand florins appointed monethly whereof they of Holland and Zeeland should pay twentie thousand and they of Brabant the rest There was alreadie in Herental twelue hundred foot and two hundred horse as in like manner Brussels Macklyn were well manned and so the Estates resolued vpon a defensiue warre only garding their frontiers well The priuate Estates of Zeeland to restrayne and keepe in them of Dunkerke sent foorth certaine shippes of warre the which they caused to lye at the entrie or port of their hauen The duke of Aniou his men which had remayned in the vnited Prouinces whom the generall Estates had dismissed and would haue sent backe into Fraunce were stayed for a time by the prince of Orange vntill they had a more ample commission The duke of Aniou before his departure out of the Netherlands sent a gentleman with letters vnto the Queene of England to acquaint her with the reasons of his retreat out of the said countries but the Englishmen growing iealous of his proceedings they gaue no great credite vnto him The Seignior of Villeneufe who was colonel of a French regiment of foot beeing in garrison in the towne of S. Wynocx-bergh was fully resolued to defend it if they came to besiege him but la Motte
all the other equipage was not yet arriued seeing that he was well informed of the depth of the ditches and that it was but three hundred foot broad hauing also wonne the captaine of Dendermond and that the night following hee would put his designe in execution and that the king of Spaine would not faile to acknowledge it Captaine Rowland Yorke was also of this enterprise who beeing apprehended confessed it all The Seignior of Ryhouen gouernour of Dendermond sent to the baron of Mortagne his cousin commanding there in his absence willing him to seize vpon Walter Seton a Scottish man lieutenant of the horse that were there in garrison aduertising him of the treson that was practised by him with Imbise and Yorke to deliuer the towne vnto the Spaniard The said Seton beeing apprehended and hauing confessed the whole conspiracie was hanged and quartered the thirtieth daie of March Then were there sixe companies of supplies sent by the Seignior of Timpel gouernour of Brussels to Dendermond The Seignior Charles of Vtenhouen was appointed in the place of Imbise to supply the place and office of bourgmaster at Gant The fifteenth of Maie some deputies of Gant beeing returned from Tournay with the articles of their reconciliation propounded by the prince of Parma which the Flemish protestants did tearme to be an accord that was captious fraudulent deceitfull and full of dissimulation the catholikes and those which demaunded nothing but peace as well nobles as the chiefe and best bourgers in the towne beeing assembled vpon the place before the State-house with armes would haue forced the magistrate to accept of the said accord crying out openly Where are they that will haue no peace we will haue peace The protestants beeing also in armes and in battell drewe neere vnto the place the rest seeing them come grewe fearefull and fled here and there Yet by the aduice of the councell they that had spoken the wordes and beene the motiues and stirrers vp of this tumult were put in prison and they all resolued with a common consent to liue and die in the vnion of the generalitie and to persist therein vnto the last gaspe reiecting all articles and practises of peace with the Spaniard And they required succours to bee sent them from Antuerpe and from Brussels from whence about the twentieth of Maie they receiued sixe hundred foote and a hundred horse the which did afterward conduct captaine Yorke prisoner from Gant to Brussels to deliuer him to the guard of the Seignior Timpel Hee was happie to haue found such good friends else hee had beene in danger to haue runne the like fortune with Walter Seton But the prince hauing pardoned him he was after wards restored to his credit by the earle of Leicester which fell out vnhappily for the generall Estates of the vnited prouinces as we shall hereafter shew In the meane time they of Ypre beeing thus besieged or rather straitly blockt vp since the moneth of September hearing that they of Gant and Bruges tended to reconciliation with the king of Spaine which they did hope should bee generall seeing their vittailes and conuoies still defeated and taken so as nothing aduanced for to deliuer them and that the succours which they attended from the other three members of Flanders which are Gant Bruges and Franc appeared not that they neglected them and that they fell into extreame necessitie and want in the end they were forced forsaking their constancie and finne resolution which they had to the vnion of the generalitie to giue way to necessitie and by the consent of the Seignior of Marquette their gouernour to treat an accord with Anthonic Grenet Seignior of Werp gouernour of Courtray commaunding then in all the forts which had blockt vp the said towne The composition was made the twelfth of April by the which all strange souldiers should depart with their full armes and those that were borne in the countrie with their rapiers and daggers onely that the towne should paie fiftie thousand florins to redeeme it selfe from spoile that the prince of Parma should haue foure bourgers at his choice to dispose of them at his pleasure their liues reserued the which redeemed themselues afterwards for 20. thousand florins the bourgers should be maintained in their priuiledges all exercise of religion and that which depended thereon should be taken from them and they should receiue an Italian garrison into the towne During all the practises of Imbise and other alterations in Gant and else where the prince of Orange foreseeing by the inconstancie of mens humors and the falling away of townes from the generalitie a ruine in their affaires if they were not supported by some forraine potent prince he first had aduised the general Estates to send their commissioners to the French king and the duke of Aniou his brother for new succours and now in the moneth of March last past he procured Colonel Norris generall of the English to goe into England giuing him particular instructions from himselfe to impart vnto the Queenes Maiestie as followeth First the prince of Orange doth intreat monsieur Norris to let her Maiestie vnderstand on his behalfe that hee is fully persuaded and resolued to continue in the maintenance of true religion in these countries and the liberties thereof vnto the end of his life And to oppose himselfe according to the meanes which God hath giuen him against the attempts of the king of Spaine That the said prince hath not beene ignorant what great forces the king of Spaine hath had heretofore and what he hath at this present or may haue He is also well acquainted with his alliances and leagues and that by reason of his victories and yet more by his meanes and practises which hee hath in most of the kingdomes and common weales of Christendome he hath filled almost all Europe with the terrour of his name That the said prince is not also ignorant of the small power and meanes which God hath giuen him and hee knowes sufficiently by experience the inconstancie of humane things the varietie of mens hearts and the great errours which are daiely committed in these countries and in affaires of state and what the inconueniences bee which vsually followe such confusions But beeing one the other side assured that the king of Spaines heart will neuer bee mooued nor yeeld to a toleration of religion and will neuer endure that it should encrease no not to haue it entertained to admit that by the persuasions of some he might be drawn to dissemble his bad intent for a time yet he knoweth for certain that the true inuocation of Gods name should soone bee extinct in these countries and the libertie generally opprest The which the said prince foreseeing hee cannot in conscience desist from his enterprise with out condemning of himselfe before God and men The said prince hath long knowne the inward heart of the king of Spaine and the grounds of all his councels of
as well as any man liuing for that I haue had speciall and long imployment in the affaires of these countries as also hauing vndertaken so necessarie and honourable a warre I haue for these many yeares felt them tried them and endured them and whereof I assure my selfe that this countrie with the helpe of God had beene long since discharged if they whom it concerned and were of the religion at the least made profession had not beene drawne some by their owne ambition and desire to commaund and manage the affaires after their owne fantasies although they had no experience neither in matters of warre nor of gouernment some beeing induced and persuaded by others who tooke pleasure to follow priuate counsels farre dissenting from mine and them of the publike if those I say had not armed the proper members of this countrie one against another and against their owne bodie by means whereof they haue againe drawne in the Spanish forces and the griefe is that such as haue committed these errors beeing not yet amended they giue the Spaniards meanes still to haue as many victories ouer them as they please and vntill theybe otherwise resolued they will run headlong into greater ruine I speake this to shew that these great forces are not inuincible seeing that we haue seene them in a manner readie to be wholly defeated and chased shamefully out of the countrie And in like sort seeing God hath giuen me the grace to withstand them so long it is no wonder if I know them well so as all these admonitions can teach me no new thing And as for that which concerneth my weakenesse the which I hope with the helpe of God and their good resolution which are determined to obey me is not so little as it hath beene neither do I expect that fourescore thousand men shall fall vpon mee led by a duke of Alua as heretofore when I was much weaker I haue felt them and yet God did not abandon me neither I hope will he at this daie But as I haue discoursed at large in my instructions which I haue sent to the Queene of England whereof I send you a copie I take the soueraigne guard of the vniuersall God for my chiefe foundation who hath hitherto made my weakenesse strong and I hope hee will continue it vnto the end And when I come to examine all these difficulties by my selfe that is when I come to compare the king of Spaines forces with my small meanes and what we commonly see in the alteration of mens mindes and when as I also discourse of that which may happen after me I must confesse plainely that if I tooke counsell of the flesh and humane vnderstanding that I should find great cause and subiect of amazement But seeing the question is for the glorie of God and for our consciences for the libertie of the countrie and the preseruation of the liues of so many good men ouer whom the crueltie of the Spaniards should passe like a deluge of waters if wee should suffer them to recouer the power they sometimes had ouer these countries I can resolue no other thing but that hauing recommended my selfe vnto God I conclude that there remaines nothing but to oppose against such dangers with constancie vnto the end resoluing that for me and mine there are no dangers comparable to a miserable desertion which I should make of so good a cause if I should abandon so holy and so honourable a partie the which I haue followed vnto this present daie And whereas he obiects that some of the religion loue me lesse than they should admit it were so it were no new thing the which I haue long since foreseene for what man is he that hath had a chiefe charge be it in the church or common-weale that hath not had many enemies not onely of them abroad but euen of such as followed their partie and tearmed themselues of the same religion Such an one was Moses who could not auoide the slaunders and mutining of Corath and Dathan such a one was Dauid who had his Semes such an one was Ieremie who was buffeted in the temple and such an one was S. Paul who was persecuted by them that preached Christ by contention yet none of them haue left to continue constantly in their charges knowing well that God was their rewarder and not men In like maner when I vndertooke this great charge I had no other hope hauing seene the like happen to many great personages who vpon semblable occasions had sustained the like quarrels in our time But I hope that such men who it may be are not abandoned to so great ingratitude so much through their owne malice as by the induction of others will not continue in that error but will remember themselues as many haue alreadie done being warned by their owne follies and so many losses which they haue had following their priuate affections And if they should continue vnto the end the which I hope not yet considering the great nūber of such as resolue with me I shal haue no great cause of discontentment for any other thing than for the ruine of those men who haue drawne more vpon them by their owne rashnes than the enemie by his force But that which hath beene hitherto toucht in the discourse is not the authors chiefe designe but me thinkes all this beginning is like vnto some trialls of the disposition of the bodie which fencers vse before they plaie in earnest or like vnto a musitians preludium for all these preparatiues are made to fall in the end vpon the alliance of France which is the chiefe and maine point the author meanes to treat of and for the which hee hath taken so exceeding great paines But I obserue in this part among other things want of iudgement in the author of this writing for as no man can denie it but that all doth proceede from the councell of Spaine or their partisans what is he but will presently iudge by the viewing and reading of this discourse that the Spaniard doth doubt and aboue all things feare lest the French king should vndertake this quarrell knowing sufficiently by the situation of the countries by the said kings forces and by the reason of his friends and seruants what meanes hee hath not only to aide vs but also to confine the king of Spaine beyond the Alpes and the Pyrene mountaines And as I can take no better counsell than of mine enemie to choose that which hee feareth and reiect that which he desireth so I confesse that if I had neuer so much as thought on the alliance of France that hauing no other inducements or persuasions this discourse would make me to affect it much and should giue me occasion to beleeue that this counsell to treat with the French is very good seeing that it is so much feared and distrusted of the enemie The chiefe reasons are that there is no assurance with the French that we shall be
carried prisoner into Gant and afterwards hee was carried to the castle of Tournay where hee was detained sixe yeares The Seignior of Saint Aldegonde had insisted long before that the prince of Parma had built so many forts along the riuer to haue a fort built at the dike called den Cruydyck beneath Lillo in the mouth of the riuer and to cut the dike neere vnto the village of Coesteyn to preuent the prince of Parma that hee should not build one and hinder the opening of the said dike the which the Seignior of Coesteyn did aduise and vrge very earnestly as one that knew the importance of the place better than any other and the good that would redound thereby vnto the towne But this good counsel was ouerthrowne by a rabble of butchers which make a great companie in the towne of Antuerpe who had their pastures there for their fat cattell and some others which had arable land in that place who would not suffer it to be drowned seeking rather their owne priuate profit than the common good and who for this occasion grew into such hatred of the Seignior of Coesteyn as they forced him to forsake the towne and to retire himselfe to the prince of Parma vnto whom he reuealed the counsell which in that case he had giuen to them of Antuerpe and they so mechanikely reiected By reason whereof he was well entertained by the said prince who after the yeelding vp of the towne in requitall of this aduertisement he honoured him with the place of Markegraue which is the most honourable degree of a magistrate in Antuerpe In Gant after the yeelding vp of the towne all such as were suspected to be of the protestants religion were put from their offices and Romish catholikes substituted in their places and their armes were taken from the said protestants and giuen vnto the papists who were in their places of the which the prince of Parma made foure seuerall companies to guard the ports of the towne They of Brussels after that the nauigation of the riuer to Antuerpe had beene taken from them began to haue want of victuals and other necessarie prouision but yet they would not by any meanes giue eare to any accord The towne of Antuerpe did once relieue them and sent them a hundred wagons of victuals the which entred safely with a good conuoy whereby they of Brussels were greatly comforted and relieued but in their returne they were attended at the passage by the garrison of Villevoord who defeated them and took almost all the wagons The prince of Parma hauing finished all his forts along the riuer of Antuerpe the shippes of Holland and Zeeland could no more passe so freely as they had done before for that the cannon from those forts did shoot close by the water wherewith many were spoiled so as of a hundred or thereabouts which were sent in the feast of Christmas beeing laden with victuals and munition fiue were lost two sunke and three were taken The prince meaning to trie them of Antuerpe once more by his letters and admonitions sent them word among other points that according vnto their auntient priuiledges which they had sworne they ought not seeing they did build so much vpon their said priuiledges to giue a law vnto their prince and soueraigne lord and much lesse to take armes against him and whereas they did vaunt that the French king had taken them vnder his protection that he would presently let them see the contrarie and how much they were deceiued by the kings owne letters the which for the better proofe and manifestation he sent vnto them reproaching them sharpely for their rebellion and yet promising to doe his best with the king of Spaine to receiue them into grace and fauour if they would reconcile themselues and giue ouer those excessiue propositions and demaunds which they had before made The magistrates of the towne sent these letters vnto the Estates beeing assembled at Middlebourg in Zeeland intreating them to aduise thereon the which they said they did not finde conuenient to open for feare lest the people who then seemed to bee inclined vnto peace should mutine against them And in the meane time the French king sent another Embassadour to the prince of Parma to quench the brute which was generall that hee had taken the Netherlands vnder his protection declaring that he would not mingle the quiet of his realme with the troubles of those countries The Seignior of Hemert beeing gone with a good conuoie of horse and foote to carrie another victualling to Brussels hee found trees cut downe and laid in the high waies where he should passe and withall the Spaniards were in all places in guard seeing that it was impossible for him to passe with his wagons turning head againe hee was charged at the passage of a little riuer neere vnto the castle of Eyckhouen defeated and put to rout whereas many of his men were slaine After this badde encounter the Seignior of Merode laid before them of Brussels the small hope they had of any succours or reliefe from their confederates who hereafter should haue worke enough to defend themselues wherefore considering the great necessitie and want which began to presse them he did counsell them to agree with the king Whilest that the riuer and towne of Antuerpe were thus blockt vp with these forts and the riuer readie to be shut vp The Estates of Brabant Gueldre of that which remained of Flanders of Holland Zeeland Friseland Vtrecht and Oueryssel being in their generall assemblie they consulted seeing that by the death of the duke of Aniou they were without a lord and by the death of the prince of Orange without a gouernour to what prince they might best giue themselues The French and English were both in feare lest the vnited prouinces should returne vnto the king of Spaine who hauing recouered them at his pleasure would attempt warre against the one or the other The Queene of England would not willingly haue seene the French king growe so mightie by the adiunction of the said prouinces who by the meanes of their shippes might haue made himselfe master of the sea and take from the English their traffique and negoâ—…iation by sea In regard of the inclination of the Estates of the said prouinces it seemed by reason of the errour so lately committed by the duke of Aniou that they would rather affect the English than the French the which the Queene of England and her councell finding would not make them assurance of any thing vntill they had good townes and places of strength and importance deliuered them for their assurance whereby they might bee stronger within their owne countrie than the Estates themselues were which made them to bethinke themselues so as some said that the gouernment of the English would bee in that case more wayward and insupportable than the gouernment of the French or of any others whereupon some held opinion that the religion which the
beeing now in many places hardly beset and sore incumbred and oppressed and to deliuer the Netherlands and the inhabitants thereof out of miserable thraldome who not long before the wicked and dangerous inuasions of the Spaniards were so rich and flourishing in all kinds of wealth by reason of the great commodities of the sea hauens riuers traffique manuall trades and occupations whereunto they are much giuen and very apt by nature Shee should likewise preserue them from vtter destruction and perpetuall slauerie both of bodie and soule and so effect a right princely and most royall worke pleasing to God profitable for all Christendome worthie of eternall praise honour and glorie and fitting well the greatnesse and state of her princely Maiestie including therein the assured securitie prosperitie and welfare of her owne kingdomes and subiects Which done they presented their Articles vnto her Maiestie with all humilitie beseeching God who is the king of kings to defend protect and preserue her from all her enemies to the encrease of his honour and greatnesse and perpetually to hold and keepe her in his holy protection and safegard This humble petition tending so much to the honour and glory of the most magnificent and royall Queene and princesse in the world was with all thankefulnesse receiued at their hands Thereupon the Queene willed them for that time to depart and in the meane while she assembled her counsell to conferre with them what was to be done in this so vrgent a cause and to haue their aduice touching the same To conclude she found all her subiects generally addicted thereunto saying That shee might not by any meanes altogether abandon or forsake the vnited Prouinces of the Netherlands alledging the great hatred conceiued against her by the king of Spaine for the altering of his Religion in England which he not long before had planted therein which appeared by the treatie of peace made at Chasteau in Cambresis holden in Anno 1559 wherein he was verie slacke and carelesse for procuring the deliuerie of the towne of Calais vnto the English againe the which was lost by meanes of his warres and on the other side he caused the French to deliuer many townes ouer vnto the duke of Sauoy and left her in warre both against France and Scotland without any assistance They shewed likewise the vnkind refusall by him made of passage through the Netherland countreys with munition armes and powder which shee as then had caused to bee prouided and bought by her factor Sir Thomas Gresham vnto whome it was denyed Further That when her Maiestie by her embassadour the lord Vicont Montague desired the king of Spaine to renew and confirme the ancient contracts made betweene his father the emperour Charles the fifth and her predecessours hee would by no meanes bee drawne to yeeld thereunto That hee had suffered the Inquisitors in Spaine to persecute her poore subiects with all crueltie and extremitie and commaunded her embassadour out of Spaine because of his Religion That his gouernour the duke of Alua in the Netherlands had vsed all manner of hostilitie and violence against her subiects arresting both their bodies and goods contrary to the ancient contracts betweene England and the Netherlands That he had sent an armie into her Maiesties kingdome of Ireland and with colours flying inuaded the sayd kingdome vpon a supposed gift thereof made vnto him by the Pope of Rome which hee thereby excused intending also to enterprise the like against the Realme of England as it manifestly appeared by the Iesuite Sanders letters to that end dispersed abroad and by the Iesuite Creyghton who was then a prisoner and many other such like practises also were discouered by the dealings of his embassador Dom Bernardino de Mendosa in England Besides these many forepassed iniuries the Counsell layed before her Maiestie the danger that she was to expect if the Spaniard once obtained merum imperium that is full and absolute authoritie in the Prouinces of the Netherlands how he would alter their Religion breake their auncient priuiledges and subiect them wholly to his will and pleasure which done out of his malitious heart and intent he would easily inuade England with the aide of the multitude of shipping and sailers of those countries together with his Indian treasure first depriuing England of all trade of marchandize with the Netherlands and within the land procuring domesticall dissention and that therefore shee was not as then to let slip the present occasion nor yet to attend vntill the Netherlands were fully planted with Spaniards and Italians for that the warre was not vndertaken against the Netherlands but with a further intent and meaning to make a greater conquest On the other side there was laied before her Maiestie what difficulties and troubles might arise by entring into warre with the king of Spaine as first that thereby shee should breake the auncient contract betweene her and the king of Spaine and that it would not bee well thought on nor by forraine princes esteemed an honourable action to aide and assist the subiect against his lawfull soueraigne and that shee should hardly be able to contend against so mightie a monarch so strong of men money meanes and friendship which he should haue from the Pope domesticall English malecontents and many other his adherents whereby she should haue worke enough in hand to defend her selfe with many other obiections To these reasons aforesaid it was answered that therein shee should breake no contract nor league made with the house of Burgondie for that thereby shee was bound to aide and assist the Netherlands and to vphold them in their auncient lawes and priuiledges and not to permit or suffer strange nations to plant and settle themselues there and so intrude themselues into the gouernment and that if shee let slippe this faire occasion and did not assist them the French might set foot therein moreouer that shee intended not to aide any rebels against their king but to protect and defend her oppressed neighbours whereunto all princes were bound especially for religions cause as the Spaniards had done the like to her in her kingdom of Ireland with her rebels as also to keepe backe and preuent the warre with the miseries and troubles thereon depending if it be not foreseene and preuented and how dangerous and troublesome soeuer the warres be yet were the apparant danger much more and greater to be ouerrunne by forraine enemies and therefore it behoued her the more both in conscience and in honour to seeke to preuent all future danger for that the prouinces of the Netherlands could not be able any long time to withstand the enemies forces without some aide and assistance which beeing once brought vnder his subiection shee should bee assured to beare the burthen vpon her owne shoulders in England which would be much more preiudiciall insupportable and chargeable to her and that therefore it were better to haue and maintaine warre abroad than within the
Leyden In the beginning of Ianuarie 1587. the Estates men found meanes secretly to vndermine the wall of Buriche a towne lying vpon the Rhine right against Wezell and being held by the Spaniards where they had layd certaine barrills of pouder to blow it vp and so to surprize the towne and the Garrison within it but a miller hauing descouered it gaue notice thereof and so this enterprize succeded not according to their desseigne All this winter the Duke of Parma made great prouision both for men and mony hauing assembled the Estats of Arthois Henaut and other Prouinces of whome hee demanded some ayde of money and obteyned his desiers receiuing also new supplies of soldiers both from Spaine and Italy with the which he marched in Ianuary to the Castell of Wouwe a strong hold belonging to the Marquis of Bergnen lying a mile frow Berghen vp Zoome in Brabant There was in it a companie of French soldiars whose captaines name was Marchant who had beene before in garrison in Graue who whether it were in reuenge of a priuate quarrell which he had with captaine Firenine who had iustefied him-selfe at the Hage before the Estates of that wherewith Captaine Marchant had charged him or whether it were through ambition or couetousnesse hauing corrupted his soldiars with a promise to make them sharers of the booty hee sould the said Castle of Wouwe to the Duke of Parma for twenty thousand crownes And from thence these trecherous marchants retired some into France being loth to heare the name of traytor as they called them in Antwerp and Brusselles vntill that the Duke of Parma had forbidden by proclamation not to call them any more so and some went to serue the Spaniard About the same time Sir Martin Schenck seazed vpon a little Towne called Roeroort in the Elector Truchses name being so called for that it stands at the mouth of the riuer of Roer which comes out of the countrey of Marke and Westphalia where it enters into the Rhine which his men held vntill Aprill following that the Spaniards forced them to abandon it Frederick King of Denmarke a Prince desirous of peace sent Caius Ranson one of his priuie councell and a man of great knowledge and authoritie to Brussels to make an ouerture of some meanes of a peace betwixt the King of Spaine and his Netherland Prouinces remaining in the vnion generall of the pacification of Gant and the treaty of Vtrecht To whom answer was made that neither for the King of Denmarke nor for any Prince in the world the King of Spaine would neuer suffer any change of religion in the countries of his obedience wherevpon Ranson returned with letters vnto his King making onely mention of a peace betwixt Spaine and England Being on his way home-wards hee was incountred in the wood of Soigne three leagues from Brussels by some of the States soldiers of the garrison of Berghen vp Zoom who finding him in the enemies countrey tooke him prisoner and being at the first vnknowne vnto them rifled his baggage but vpon discouery of his person and qualitie they carried him to the Hage to the Estates who made it knowne sufficiently how much they were discontented for that which their men had vnaduisedly done vnto him excusing it as much as they could and causing all that had been taken from him to be restored againe as well his papers as his gold siluer iewels and other things or else the value of that which could not be recouered Whereby the Estates thought to haue giuen him such contentment as he should haue no cause to complaine vnto his King As in truth the fact was excusable hauing beene found in the enemies conntrey by them that did incounter him vnknowne what he was and who at the first put himselfe in defence refusing to make his qualitie knowne the which might mooue the soldiers the more And although hee had declared himselfe yet it had beene no new thing to qualifie himselfe for other then he was to escape the enemies hands Besides hee was ' demanded by the estares after restitution of all his goods If hee desired to haue any corporall punishment inflicted vpon them that had taken him he answered no and that they were good companions Yet being returned into Denmarke hee made great complaints vnto the King and did so incense him against the Estates especially against Holland Zeeland and Freezeland as he arrested aboue sixe hundred of their ships in the Sound vpon colour of the iniurie that had beene done vnto his Ambassador Ranson the which hee set at thirty thousand Florins ransome with the consent of the Estates themselues who had sent their deputies vnto his Maiestie to excuse the fact being loth to contest with him for so small a matter forbidding their ships to vse any force to free themselues from this arrest as they might well haue done if they had would and had beene licensed by their maisters and superiors Of these thirty thousand Florins Ranson had aboue a thousand for his share which paied all his interests The Earle of Leicester before his departure into England had made sir William Stanley Colloneil of a regiment of Irishmen gouernor of the towne of Deuenter and Rouland Yorke of the great Fort before Zutphen Stanley had in his garrison 1200. foote and about two hundred horse English and Irish the which was much displeasing vnto the estates for that he had serued the King of Spaine he had long desired to yeeld the towne vnto the King of Spaine and to that end had held correspondencie with Collonell Taxis gouernor of Zutphen Neither could hee not so modestly containe himselfe but it was descouered that he had some bad intent Yet the estates of Oueryssel knew not how to helpe it nor to preuent the danger which they feared hauing no meanes to get him out of the towne For the Earle of Leicester at his departure had charged him not to depart out of that place without his expresse commandement besides by reason of the Earle of Leicesters Act of restraint which he made at his departure the estates could not force him to obedience The estates finding no other meanes had intreated Generall Norris in whom they trusted more then in any other for the good seruices which he had done to them and to the Prince of Orange to goe with his regiment about Deuenter as if he would winter there and so to find some meanes wich the helpe of the Bourgers to get into the towne Stanley being suspitions of his approch or it may be hauing some aduertisment thereof made hast to agree with Taxis to deliuer the towne to the King of Spaine for a certaine summe of mony and other promises of great rewards which were afterwards ill performed for the effecting where of she went early in the morning before day to the Bourguemaistcr of the towne desiring him to open the port of Neurenbercke meaning said he
to go forth with his men to doe some exployt vpon the enemy whome hee had descouered Being gone forth he returned presently before day bringing with him Collonel Taxis with three Companies of foote and three of horse marching directly to the market place where they put them-selues in battayle after that Taxis had placed gardes in all parts of the towne the which was don so stilly and with so smale brute as the townes-men heard not any thing or if they did they thought it had beene their garrison so as at the breake of day they found they were Spaniards Some among the Protestants were so terrefied as fearing a massaker they cast themselues from the toppe of the walles to saue themselues Taxis hauing placed all his gards began to bee more assured for before hee was not without great distrust hauing with so few men trusted vnto Stanleys word and thrust him-selfe into a towne where there was a good garrsion and a number of braue Bourgers well armed where hee might haue beene taken like a mouse in a trappe Being thus assured hee presently caused it to bee proclaymed at the sound of the trompet that all men might remaine freely within the towne without any wrong done them either in bodie or goods lyuing in the Romish Religion and vnder the King of Spaines obedience Herevpon Stanley made his excuse both to the magistrats and the soldiars and sought to iustifie this trecherous fact saying that he neither was nor could be accoumpted atraitor in respect that hee had done no wrong vnlesse they would hold it treason to deliuer the towne to the King of Spaine to whome of right it did belong being long before moued therevnto as he said in conscience alledging many other such like reasons saying more-ouer that if any of his soldiars would serue there they should be well payed by a most bountifull king and the rest might freely depart where-vpon many but most of them Irish-men staid with him euery one hauing a monetâ—…es pay giuen him and presently the Bourgers were disarmed and likewise suffred to depart with Taxis pasport among the which there wore two Preachers The Bourgers houses were not spoyled that they might draw other townes to doe the like onely a few were ransackt among the which the preachers houses were not spared Stanleys regiment was disperst into sondry garrisons and hee himselfe was left still gouernor of Deuenter At the same time Rouland Yorke being made gouernor of the great Sconse before Zutphen by the earle of Leicester wholy against the liking of the Estates with eight hundred foote and a hundred horse did in like sort sel it to the Spaniard This Yorke had long before serued vnder the States although not with the best credit In Gant hee had beene Lieutenant Collonell to Iohn van Imbise with whome he had conspired to betray Gaunt and Dermond to the Prince of Parma for the which Imbise was beheaded and hee sent prisoner to Brusselles where at the last by the taking of the towne he was set at liberty and after that imployed by the Duke of Parma vppon the water in the riuer Scheld at the bridge before Antwerp at length by the meanes of friends he was reconciled and returned into England with credit and from thence came with the Earle of Leicester into Holland and there was so recommended by Sir Philip Sydney as the Earle of Leicester his vncle put him in great credit and gaue him this gouernment of the Sconse who the same day that Deuenter was battered told his soldiars that it would bee but lost labour for them to stay there wishing them rather to take pay of the King of Spaine where-vpon his soldiars tore their collours in peeces and two Duch companies with some others went away euery man where he pleased but Yorke went to Zutphen where he receiued a reward from the King and for a time kept company with Sir William Stanley but without any credit and there not long after dyed very miserablie and so Taxis like-wise got the sconce Thus the credulity and light beleefe of the Earle of Leicester was the cause of the losse of this goodly and strong towne of Deuenter which is one of the Hans townes and of that important fort of Zutphen the which the sommer before had cost so much to winne and fortefie It was not without cause if they began to murmure against the Earle of Leicester hauing at his very departure placed these two gallants in such important gouernments It was no maruell then if the Noblemen Collonels and gentlemen of the vnited Prouinces were discontented and complained vnto the Earle of Leicester to see them-selues reiected to aduance such traitors to the gouernment of such important places as Stanley Yorke and Patton were of whome wee will speake here-after After the losse of this towne of Deuenter and of the fort of Zutphen the Estates of the vnited Prouinces were much perplexed fearing that all the English garrisons which lay in any other townes and forts would doe the like and deale with them as the French in the time of the Duke of Aniou and Brabant had determined to doe all in one day On the Sonday morning being the first of February the councell of estate being assembled to prouide for their affaires and to preuent the alterations which the losse of Deuenter and the forts before Zutphen might cause thether came the generall estates and the aduocate Barnevelt for their part who declared in their names that considering the necessitie and in what termes the State then stood they held it more then necessary that the Gouerners of Prouincesshould go into their Gouernments there to command by vertue of their commissions And that to hasten the departure of the Earle of Maeurs they had resolued concerning the Ritmaisters as should be seene by the contents of the contract made with them and the means which they had set downe for their paie Secondly that maters concerning the Admiralty might be redrest and ordred for the Gouernment of sea causes as the seruice of the country should require the affaiers of estate being in very great disorder for want of good gouernment where-vpon words grew of either side tending to accusations and excuses Barnevelt saying Is this the way to serue the country where-vnto the Lord of Brederode answered that if they were not contented with the seruices and toyle which the Lords of the councell tooke but they must daily receyue bad words and reproches as if they were subiects and slaues they might seeke for others that would subiect them-selues to their slanders and continuall exclamations Hee was also demanded wherein it was so ill gouerned and ordered and what were the causes there of Barnevelt like a man full of passion and choller answered that it was the councell of the Cabinet where-as many things were done which none but they of the councell knew as of late appered by the Act of restraint which was made
beleeued for that Schenk was often accustomed to make vse of the garrison of that towne in that manner His men being thus in armes Patton insteed of Schenk drew in Haultepenne The Bourgers descouering this to soone put them-selues in defence but it was in vaine many flying into the castle which they were forced to yeeld paying their ransome By this treason Collonell Schenck lost his horses armes and all his moueables and treasor which Patton seazed on And as the Prouerbe saies From the Diuell it comes and to the Diuell it goes For al this wealth which Schenck had came by spoiles This Patton by the meanes of his great wealth gotten this waies married the poore widdow of Ponthus of Noyelle Lord of Bours who helpt to pull the Castell of Antwerp out of the Spaniards hands as wee haue said before This Ladye was of the house of Bieure whome the Lord of Champaigny thought to haue married but his gout and Pattons money hindred it the very same night that hee should haue beene made sure to her Prince Maurice of Nassau hauing as wee haue said the gouernment of the Vnited Prouinces committed vnto him in the absence of the Earle of Leicester beeing very desirous to draw the Duke of Parma from the siege of Scluce hee caused the Earle of Hohenlo his Lieutenant to make a roade into Brabant with a smal armie which his men did spoyle and burnt twenty two villages and two small Townes making a shew as if they would besiege Boisledu which hee then thought easie to bee done by reason of the high waters and the dearth of corne where-with the Townes were as then but badly furnished But the Duke of Parma hauing more men then hee needed before Scluce he sent Haultepenne Barlaymonts sonne with two and fortie companies offoote and twenty fiue troopes of horse who incamped at Bixtell not very farre from Boisleduc In the meane time the Estates protracting the succors for Scluce they began to feele the want of the Earle of Leicester and to desire him many saying that his authoritie and presence was very necessary The which the Earle vnderstanding supposing that this should recouer his honour which had beene interessed by their former Imputations and reproches Hauing obtained leaue from her Maiestie hee parted from England and returned into Zealand the sixth of Iuly with many soldiars which hee brought with him where hee was attended with great deuotion where hee made preparation to succor Scluce and to raise the Duke of Parma from the siege Prince Maurice hearing of his comming went vnto him accompanied by Generall Norris who was then to go into England Collonell Schenck and other Collonells with their troops as well of Netherlanders English as Scottish Leauing the Earle of Hohenloo with three thousand men horse and foote in the Iurisdiction of Boisleduc to keepe the Frontiers of Holland attending greater forces from Gelderland Freezeland Vtrecht and other places which came not Yet notwithstanding the Earle of Hohenloo left not to besiege the Fort of Engelen the which hee tooke by force and razed The Lord of Haultepenne being come to raize the siege was incountred by Hohenlos horse-men and defeated Hee was by mischance hurt with the bough of a tree which fell vppon his necke beeing broken downe with a peece of great Ordinaunce from the shippes whereof hee dyed the fourteenth of Iuly in the towne of Boisleduc The Earle of Leicester beeing returned into Zealand for the releeuing os Scluce the Generall Estates came vnto him vnto whome Doctor Leoninus made a speech in his Excellencies behalfe Giuing them to vnderstand that hee was very glad of their arriuall hoping that by his presence hee should bee assisted in the executions of some millitary exploits that were in hand and required expedition the which especially the reliefe of Scluce his excellencie did so much affect as neglecting his owne priuate affaires hee had made hast to returne into these parts for the preseruation of the generall VVhere-vnto his Excellencie hath brought so great an affection that although hee findes his honor interessed by reason of some scandalls which haue beene raized during his absence and certaine letters which were sent into England yet hee desires not by reason of those mistakings the said exploites of warre and other affaires concerning the publike good should be delayed intreating them to enter into conference concerning the Estate of the men of war their pay armes munition and necessary victualls to the end that Scluce might be releeued in conuoied to Bresque where they were receiued by the shippes of Zeeland and transported to Flussingue Thus was Scluce after that it had beene valiantly defended for the space of two monethes in the end giuen ouer for want of succors for the which it seemes they that defended it were but hardly censured by the Estates in giuing it vp so soone Wherevpon Sir Roger Williams in his booke called a discourse of warre makes a breefe relation of the seruice they did within the towne and to iustifie their proceedings the which I haue thought to insert here for the Readers better satisfaction of the particularities I protest sayth hee by the faith of a souldiar that what I write is true As neere as I can remember wee kept the towne of Scluce some three score daies diuers thinke it no time for that Harlem Mastricht and others were kept longer little doe they thinke how those two places were furnished with all things necessary when as the lesser of them both had in it sixe thousand hands to fight and worke Let vs bee rightly censured I will prooue that Bouvines was the most furious siege since the Duke of Aluas arriuall vnto this houre the which beganne and ended in lesse then twenty daies and yet there were more captaines and souldiars spoiled by the sword and bullet then at Harlem which continued ten monethes experimented captaines will confesse that they fury of all breaches are tried in fewe houres Wee were not in Scluce one thousand sixe hundred men to fight worke and all we had to keepe accounting the two forts aboue two miles and a halfe It is well knowne that before wee entred the towne had lost one fort If wee shewed any valour in our entrie let Sir Henry Palmer and his sea-men with them of Zeeland iudge the daunger was such as of the vesselles which carried vs in fiue were taken the next comming out The third tide Sir Charles Blunt afterwards Lord Montioy and Earle of Deuonshire offred fiftie pounds besides the commandement his maisters and marriners receiued at his imbarking to carrie vs in some necessary prouision from Sir William Russell then Lord Gouernor of Flussing who indeed was the causeof our entrie resolution and quick dispatch sending vnto vs a good quantitie of victualls and munition and to say the truth without his importunitie and diligence wee had not entred and then the world knowes the towne had beene lost without blowes as
would some secretly some openly forsake the religion and so stay within the country The King of Spaine being once receiued and acknowledged for Lord within three moneths he will haue most of the officers and magistrates of the townes and prouinces at his deuotion to doe what-soeuer he should command them The chiefe of the Estates of Holland shall be the Earle of Egmont the Earle of Aremberg as Baron of Naeldwike the Earle of Ligny as Baron of Wassenare and many such Lords of the enemies faction These and such like wil draw the other noble-men and gentle-men vnto them and the Magistrates of townes will depend vpon them as it hath beene alwayes seene time out of minde In the first three moneths there will be a hundred occasions offred to reuenge themselues for matters past as well vpon the inhabitants of these countries as vpon her Maiestie and her subiects to the apparent ruine of religion not only in these countries but also in England and in other nations And the warres continuing the affaires in France concerning religion may be the better secured The King of Spaine may dye and after his death a better peace may happily be obtained In maintaining this iust and vpright cause we ought aboue all things to relie vpon the grace and assistance of God maintaining his honor glory and holy word and the rather for that we haue so often felt his gratious helping hand during these troublesome warres Besides these reasons there was at the same time a booke set forth in Print intituled A necessary consideration upon the treatie of peace with this sentence as a most assured meanes to deale with the enemie to haue him in Iealousie Vna salus victis nullam sperare salutem In which booke the Author besides many ancient Histories produceth the examples of our time of the Protestants in Germanie the Duke of Saxonie and the Lansgraue of Hesse and of the Protestants in France all which were circumuented by their too much trust and confidence on the contrary side they which opposed themselues valiantly in armes trusting in the power of God and the equity of their cause as those of Magdebourg and of Rochell not onely held and maintained their religion but also were the causes of the restoring of religion both in Germanie and France He shewed likewise that kings and Princes do not easily forget nor forgiue such as haue borne armes against them and these Prouinces haue not only borne armes against their King but haue reiected and wholy forsaken him altered religion and haue dealt with other Princes against him with many other reasons which hee set downe to disswade them from all treaties the which for breuities sake I ommit councelling the Netherlanders in his conclusion to be true and vnited among themselues and not to trust any man but to pray constantly vnto God and so to hope for a good issue About the same time the Estate minted a certaine coyne for a perpetuall memorie vpon the which there was a Lion grauen tied to a piller whereon stood the image of the Duke of Alua with a coller termed the inquisition the which a Mouse gnawed in peeces with this inscription Rosis Leonem loris mus liberat that is the Mouse sets the Lion at liberty On the other side stood the Pope and the King of Spaine with signes of peace flattering him to stand still vntill he were tied againe but the Lion refuseth it with this Motto Liber vinciri Leo pernegat which is the Lion wil be no more bound the armes of the Netherlands being most Lions of diuers collours These declarations afore sayd notwithstanding the Queene of England prest the Estates very earnestly by Sir Henry Killegry to haue their resolute answere who desired them on the second of March to send their deputies to Ostend to meet with her Maiesties Ambassadors who were already gone thether to treat with the Duke of Parma he shewed them likewise that her Maiesty tooke their long delaies in euil part for that she could not with her honour protract it any longer nor excuse her selfe any more vnto the Duke of Parma as if shee had mocked him Shee gaue her Ambassadors expresse commandement to treat of a good peace for the sending away of forraine souldiars the permission of Religion and the continuance of the preuiledges and liberties of the countrie And this was her resolution and although the Estates sent not their deputies thether yet would shee discharge her conscience and honour therein both before GOD and the world The Lord Willoughbie also gaue them to vnderstand on the fifteenth of March that if the Estates would liue in vnitie among themselues and leaue to molest them of Medenblick and others well affected to her Maiestie who did but make shewe of their thankeful mindes if the King of Spaine would not yeeld to a good and an assured peace as well for those countries and the inhabitants thereof as for her selfe then would shee continue her aide and fauor to wards them as she had done from the beginning Thus was the Queene of England resolued to treat of a peace mooued therevnto by certaine perswasiue reasons and it may be doubting of the countries abilitie together with the dislike shee had of the diuision that was betwixt the Estates and their soldiars who peraduenture made their case more desperate then it was finding also that the charge would grow very great to continue her aide hauing beene in hope at the first by a good defensiue warre to make a speedie end of their troubles On the other side the peace which shee should make would bee profitable for the trade of marchandise and shipping in her countries But the chiefest reason that mooued her therevnto was the earnest motion made vnto her by the Duke of Parma with whome she had proceeded so farre as she could not with her honour refuse to giue him audience The Duke for his part like a good practitioner in the art of dissimulation sought to lull the Queene a sleepe and to make her secure land carelesse to prouide her forces to resist the King of Spaines great armie or els through the feare thereof to force her and her subiects to drawe the Netherlands to a peace against their wills hauing foure principall sea townes in his hands with the assistance of the Hauens vpon the coast of England which hee ment to vse for the releefe and harbour of that great fleet for the conquest of the vnited Prouinces but to treate of a particular peace with England alone it was no part of the Duke of Parmaes meaning as holding the conquest of England easie light and assured the which was contrarie to the Ambassadors deseigne who sought rather to make a priuate peace for England The English sought to sound the Duke of Parmas meaning so by a parle of peace to alter their deseigne for the sending of this great Armado or at least to stay the proceeding
her forces and aide into England and let them defend themselues as well as they could without troubling himselfe any more with their affaires These speeches beeing deliuered with some vehemency made the Estates to bethinke themselues But when as the generall Estates and Prince Maurice had written letters dated the first of March shewing the ground of that diuision The Queene vpon the 27. of March wrot her letters to the Lord Willoughby commanding him to reconcile Prince Maurice and Sonoy for that she could not expect any good by the accepting of such offers from diuers townes who sought to yeeld themselues into her hands whereby rumors might be spred abroad that shee sought cunningly and vnder-hand to get townes into her powre and so to deliuer them ouer vnto the enemie and thereby to seeke to make her owne peace or else to force the Estates to such an agreement as shee pleased and therefore shee willed the Lord Willoughby to perswade all such townes to bee obedient vnto the generall Estates and that he should not meddle with any of them neither yet countenance them Wherevpon the garrison of Medenblike beganne to faint seeing the Earle of Leicesters gouernment to bee resigned into the Estates hands for the which cause they had begunne their mutiny yet the siege continued vnto Aprill in the yeare of Lord 1588. and so by the meanes of the English all was pacefied the souldiars of the garrison going out of the towne with pasports and Prince Maurice his souldiars entring into their places Collonel Sonoy went to Alckmar to make his excuse To whom afterwardes they of Medenblike and others did great harme spoyling his house and goods and afterwards in the yeare 1590. he went into England to make his complaint vnto the Queene as you shallhere after heare In Westfriseland there arose great troubles for that diuers sought to perswade the Queene to take the soueraignty vpon her or else to haue an absolute protection vnder the Earle of Leicester with ful authority but the general Estates knowing the Queenes Maiesties minde and seeing the sinister practises of the Earle of Leicester they sought to bring them to obedience by compulsion and for that cause they tooke the President Doctor Ielger Aysma a worthy and a zealous but yet a very violent man and committed him with others to prison thereby to daunt the rest of that faction the which in the yeare 1589. was some-what pacified About this time in Marche the garrison of Geertruydenberg began to mutine vnder pretence of seruice for the Queene of England and would neither accept of the Estates Prince Maurice nor of any other gouernor neither would they treate with any man but with the Lord Willoughby generall of the English forces tearing their Cornets Ensignes and Banderolles in peeces carrying themselues in all sorts like traitors and sworne enemies of the country taking and ransacking the boates and ships which past along betwixt Holland and Zeeland but at the last by the mediation of the Lord Willoughby they had two hundred sixteene thousand Gilders payed them in ready money vpon certaine conditions the which were not well obserued by them as here-after you shall heare and so the mutinie for that time ceased Collonell Sehenck Marshall to the Prince Elector Truhcses hauing surprized Bonne as you haue heard Ernest Archbishop and Prince of Cologne and Liege hauing reiected all treaties of accord which the Duke of Cleues did labour he sent to the Duke of Parma for succors to besiege it who hauing charge to attend the great armie that was comming out of Spaine against England sent the Prince of Chymay the onely sonne of the Duke of Arschot with diuerse troupes both of horse and foote And for that most of the Commanders lay then in Flanders with the Duke of Parma being ready to passe ouer into England as they thought Verdugo Gouernor of Frizeland with Taxis his Lieutenant were appointed to ayde them Don Manriques de Lara was also sent thether to giue them instructions as being well acquainted with the scituation of the country but hee stayed not long there but returned into Flanders to doe some exployte against the English Schencke seeing this storme approache and that the Princes of Germany had refused to meddle in these Princes quarrell the one hauing sued for succours of the Protestants the other of the Romish Catholicks and of the Spaniards hee went as Marshall to Truchses to an Imperiall dyet held in Germany Where hee declared that by commandement of Prince Truchses he had seized vpon the Towne of Bonne hauing wrested it out of the Spaniards hands for that it is an Imperiall towne the which the King of Spaine did seeke to incorporate to himselfe as if it had beene his owne inheritance That hee could hardly defend it against so mighty an enemie offring to deliuer it vp to the Empire who might easily defend and maintaine it seeing that hee had taken it with so little labour admonishing the Princes and Estates of the Empire that it was high time to preuent the Spaniard least hee crept farther into their limits for whatsoeuer he got was hardly got from him againe and that which they might now preuent with small charge should not bee neglected seeing it would not bee recouered but with great difficultie Wherefore the Germaines should now make shew of their wisdomes and discretions before that the Spaniard by his dilligence as hee had lost it by negligence should recouer it who not satisfied with that seeing himselfe planted there would not faile to extend himselfe into their territories Shewing moreouer that if the Prince of Orange had with small meanes made warre and with-stood the attempts of so mighty a King with greater reason they should striue to resist him and to preuent his haughtie desseignes Preuenting not onely the recouerie of the Netherlands which hee had lost by his owne fault but also to conquer Germanie and all the kingdomes of Christendome to make him-selfe a sole and absolute Monarke The Marshall Schenck sought by these speeches and other reasons which hee propounded to stirre vp the drouzie spirits of the Germaines Where-vnto answere was made him That experience had made them sufficiently wise in the assistance which they had giuen vnto France and the Netherlands and that the present matters were so farre aduanced by the forces and succours which the Bishop of Cologne had procured from the Spaniards whome hee had caused to enter into the limits of the Empire as there would bee little good gotten although they should free the towne of Bonna That they had sufficiently knowne what aduancement the assistance of the French King brought vnto the affaiers of the Duke of Aniou his brother and of the Queene mother to Don Anthony King of Portugall against the King of Spaine at the conquest of the Iland of Asores and that the Queene of England had succored the said Don Anthony with men and shippes all without
of religion if the King would not heare of any tolleration of the exercise thereof then they of the said Prouinces should be forced to for sake the religion wherein they were borne and bred from their youths or bee constrained to liue in perpetuall exile out of their countries by which meanes all those that would not leaue their religion would for sake the country wherby it should become desolate Neither could the King with any reason refuse his subiects that which in times past was by his father the Emperor Charles permitted vnto the Germanes and by other Princes and namely by him-selfe in his perpetuall Edict and that by the aduise of the best and the most learned Doctors in diuinity and councellors of estate the breaking whereof had beene the cause of all the tumults and troubles in the Netherlands as also in France and other places and was likely to bring many more inconueniences to the King in his old age and like-wise to his sonne who was yet but very young To all the points of this replication the King of Spains commissioners made none but dilatorie answers to no effect In the meane time the Queene of England was aduertised of an English booke printed at Antwetp written by Doctor Allen who not long before had beene made Cardinall at Rome being an admonition to the Nobility of England and Ireland to execute the Popes sentence against her Maiesty which executions the King of Spaine had taken in hand as Allen said and the Duke of Parma was appointed by the King cheefe Commander in that action The Queene was also aduertised of a Bull sent forth by Pope Sixtus conteyning many false and scandalous points against her Maiesty wherein was also contayned that he had concluded with the Catholike King to imploy all his power and meanes to expell the Queene out of her Kingdome straightly commanding all her Maiesties subiects in a most fearefull and thundring manner to ayd and assist the great noble and invincible army prepared to that end vnder the command of the Duke of Parma The Queene being made aquainted with these things during this treaty of peace shee commanded Doctor Dale one of the commissioners to go and speake with the Duke of Parma in person and to charge him in good sort with the things contayned in these aduertisements and to know his direct answere whether he were not appointed to bee generall ouer the army that was then preparing in Spaine and of the enterprise thereby pretended and to tell him that if it were true as shee could heardly beleeue it shee ment no longer to contynue the treaty but to call home her Commissioners The Duke of Parma made answer to Doctor Dale that he knew of no such booke neither had he any knowledge of the fore-said Bull sent forth by the Pope neither had hee attempted any thing of him-selfe but honorably in regard of the dislike that was betwixt her and the King his maister and that as a good and faithfull seruant hee was to execute his maisters commandement with many such Court-like speeches But her Maiestie was not satisfied with that answer for that hee did not say directly whether hee had vnder-taken to inuade England or not with that armie wherefore shee resolued not to call home her commissioners yet commanding them to treat with the Spanish commissioners by word of mouth and try if by that meanes better then by writing they might finde more reason and better furtherance But to the contrary and beyond their expectations they found that the longer they continued in this treatie the lesse hope there was of any good conclusion The Kings Comissioners telling them that they were grieued they had spent so much time about the matter and that the King of Spaine had kept fifty thousand men in pay almost a whole yeare to lye still and doe nothing to his great charge by the meanes of that treatie and so they blamed one an other At the last the Kings Commissioners said plainly touching the religion that the King of Spaine were better to giue his one and onely Sonne vnto them of Holland then to allow them the excercise of their religion And that the Queene had no more to doe to trouble her selfe with the religion of his countries then hee had to meddle with the religion in her Dominions As for the pacification of Gant they would not heare of that for that it had beene broken by the makers thereof saying that the Prince of Orange had receiued a iust reward for the same The forraine soldiers might not bee sent away so long as there was any warre with Holland and feare of France To conclude they refused all the English demands But Sir Iames a Croft riding priuately to Bruges shewed secretly vnto the President Richardot and to Mounsier Champigni certaine articles concerning a peace but much to the preiudice of the vnited Prouinces which Champigni seemed to like well of beeing very desirous by that meanes to haue the vse of the English Hauens for the harboring of their Spanish fleete for the which after-wards there grew great dislike betwixt him and the duke of Parma Before the departure of the English Commissioners the Earle of Darbie to discouer the Spaniards intents asked them if they intended to haue the cautionary Townes deliuered ouer vnto them without any conclusion But the Spanish fleete approaching then in August brake off all further conference either side hearing the shotte at Sea and so all dissembling was laid aside and the Duke of Parma was found contrary in his word hauing protested to some of the English Commissioners vppon his Princely word and faith as the English reported that the armie came not for England if they could agree vppon the fore-said articles of peace propounded But the Queene obseruing the constant resolution of the vnited Prouinces and seeing the fleete of Spaine already before her dore she called home her Commissioners wherevpon they desired a conuoy to conduct them safely from thence being in some feare for that they had no hostages but after fifteene daies stay they got a passport with certaine wagons and a conuoy to guard them to the Frontiers whether the Kings commissioners did very honorably conduct them for the which they gaue them great thanks much commended the Duke of Parmaes honorable disposition hauing kept his word so iustly with them Now I come to that great Spanish fleete whereof although there haue beene some petty discourses written and published in our owne language yet for that it concerned the vnited Prouinces as well as England I haue thought good to make a briefe relation in this history for posterities sake both of the preparations and the successe The King of Spaine hauing long fore-cast and sought by what meanes hee might bring the Realme of England into subiection and so to re-establish the Catholike religion there hoping by that meanes to re-possesse his inheritance in the Netherlands for that beeing
owers had some aduantage to continue fight but the Englishmen shot chaine shot which did cut both their sailes tackling and owers in peeces but they grew to be verie scant of poulder so as they were forced to send to shoare for more On the fourth of August the Spanish army being before the I le of wight the English Admirall did valiantly assaile the Spanish Admirall beeing accompanied by some of his best shippes as the Lion wherein was the Lord Thomas Howard now Earle of Suffolke the Elizabeth Ionas commanded by Sir Robert Southwell the Beare by the Lord Sheffeld the victorie by Sir Iohn Haukins and the Gallion Leicester wherein was Captaine George Fenner the Spanish Admirall was then accompanied with the best of his shippes and in the midest of them where there was a dreadfull noise of Cannon-shot within three or foure hundred foote distance at the last the Spaniards sailed on before the winde On the sixt of August being Saterday the Spaniards cast anchor before Callais being resolued as it seemed to stay there and so to ioyne with the Duke of Parmaes forces and the next day the English fleet also cast anchor and lay close by them within shot one of an other and thether came the Lord Henry Seymor with his fleet of shippes the which had lien at the lands end in the mouth of the riuer of Thames The Duke of Medina aduertised the Duke of Parma of his beeing there and many Noblemen and Gentlemen went to land to refresh themselues and among the rest the Prince of Ascoly who was held to bee the King of Spaines Bastard sonne a gallant yong Gentleman who by good fortune was forced to stay on shoare for that hee could not get aboard whose shippe withall the men was afterwards drowned in Ireland The Duke of Parma hauing heard of the comming of the Spanish army vpon the coast of England made all the hast hee could to imploy his person in this exploite and to that end had giuen the gouernment of the country vnto the old Earle of Mansfield going himselfe in pilgrimage to our Ladie of Hall in Henault and from thence to Brugges where he arriued on the seauenth of August ryding the next day to Dunkerke where his shippes attended him where he heard the shooting of both the armies and at the euening as he entred into Dixmuyden he was aduertised of the successe thereof Vpon Twesday being the ninth of August he returned againe to Dunkerke euen as the army past by not one of his ships daring venter to put forth by reason of the fiue and thirty shippes of Holland and Zeeland commanded by Iustin of Nassau their Admirall which lay there to keepe the passage that none should come out of the hauen neither any of the smaler shippes of the Spanish armie aide and assist them for they had no cause to feare the great shippes by reason of the shallonesse of the water But the Duke of Parmaes men were neither shipt nor yet ready onely the runnagate souldiars of Sir William Stanleys regiment beeing seauen hundred strong were alreadie shipt thinking at the first entrance into England to be the leaders the rest of the soldiars seemed vnwilling to set forward finding their small number of sailers to bee verie backward and their prouision of bread beere and victualls not all ready and wholy vnshipt the sailers did feare the ships of Holland Zeeland which they found did both braue and threten them which made them hourely to run away fearing they should haue bin forced by the soldiars to put forth and to aduenture that which could not be done then they wanted the Spanish Galleies which were lost vpon the way with the which they might haue driuen the ships of Holland and Zeeland from the coast The Spanish fleet lying thus at anchor before Callais staying to heare from the Duke of Parma for the effecting of that which they had in commission from the King it was resolued amongst them as it was afterwards descouered that vpon the twelfth of August beeing a darke night to put that in execution which they had intended on either side wherevpon the Admirall of England and his councell resolued by the expresse commandement of the Queene her selfe as it was sayd either to force the Spanish fleet from their anchors or to burne them wherevpon they sodenly appointed some of their wast ships out of the which hauing taken all that was good and filled them with great store of wild-fire and other stuffe that would easily burne charging the Ordinance full of Poulder Iron and Stones vpon Sunday 7. of August two houres after mid-night the men hauing left them and they beginning to burne they sent them before the winde and tide right among the Spanish fleete which fire being in the night time strooke such a terror confusion and alarme among them fearing that these ships might bee laden with poulder and stones such as the Ingenier Frederik Innebell had vsed three yeares before against the duke of Parmaes bridge vpon the riuer of Scheld as they cried out the fire of Antwerp the fire of Antwerp so as euery man did presently cut his cables and setting saile put to sea confusedly In which fearefull cry the great Galliasse fell foule vpon the cable of an other ship and could make no way and by that means her rudder slipping out was lost so as for want of a helme to gouerne it it was driuen by the force of the sea vpon Callais sands the which was followed by their Pinaces in the end boarded by the English long boates Don Hugo de Moncado Generall of the foure Galliasses making some resistance but after some fight he was shot in the head and slaine with many other Spaniards some leapt into the sea to saue themselues whereof diuers were drowned Don Antonio Manriquez the countroller Generall with a few others escaped and were the first that carried the certaine newes of their successe into Spaine The great Galleasse hauing in it three hundred slaues and foure hundred souldiars being thus taken they were three howers vnlading the munition and other things that were found in her and there they also found fifty thousand ducats of the King of Spaines treasor the slaues being all loose and at liberty the English would haue burnt the ship but Mounsieur Gourdan gouernor of Callis would not suffer them finding it to be hurtfull both for the towne and hauen wherefore he shotte from the towne and draue the English from thence The same morning as the Spanish fleet after their great feare and disorder had againe put it selfe into Battayle the English army began to charge them valiantly before Graueling but they chose rather to passe a long with a forewind before Dunkerke then to open them-selues or to alter their ranks standing wholy vpon their defence The English had not aboue 22 or 23. ships fit to board the Spaniards who were ninety great ships at the least
prisoners ransomes taken to value the prises of all goods brought in by sea Captaines And to the end the saylers should doe their duties and fight willingly euery one is allowed his part of the prises which they haue taken according to his place and they are often times rewarded by the admiralty for their good seruices besides their monethly wages This yeare the States garrisons made diuers incursions into the enemies country they of Heusden and Geertruydenberg in Brabant went forth with eight hundred men horse and foote the horsemen taking vp the foote-men behind them and went to Tilborch by Boisleduke whereas some of the Duke of Parmas troupes lay whome they charged and defeated whereof diuers being slaine the rest fled into the church but they durst not stay to force them fearing that vpon the alarume the garrisons there about would issue forth and charge them and so they returned backe with good prize The like did they of Berghen vp Zoom being lesse then a hundred soldiers whereof fiue or six were horse-men of captaine Baxe his companie and led by a Sargent they went to doe an exployt vpon Botchloon whereof they fayled yet they past valiantly through a company of soldiars and came to Thienen where there lay fiue or sixe companies of Spaniards into the which they got by reason that the towne is great and draue out the Spaniards putting three companies of them to the sword and then spoyled the towne the enemie attended them at their comming forth being about foure hundred strong but they making head valiantly not onely forced through them but came safe to their garrison withall their booty which is a thing almost incredible The Zeelanders being about seauenty strong past ouer the water into Flanders and there cut of a conuoie going to Cortrick where besides the foote there were aboue two hundred horsemen and thirty Marchants which did ride the Zeelanders first charged the horse-men with their shot and tooke some of them and then defeated the rest carrying away as much booty as they could and so returned into Zeeland Sir Martin Schenck in like sort was not Idle but made road as farre as Momedi and in December he had secret intelligence with some of Nymeghen meaning to vndermine the wall whereas the ditch was not very deepe and so to blow it vp but by reason of some store of raine which fell about that time and stood in the diches he could not effect his desseigne There were many subtill enterprises attempted about this time of either side both in Brabant Gelderland and Freezland some-times with profit some-times with losse for that there were many good soldiars of either side who sought daily to winne honor and credit Sir Martin Schenck to recouer some of his losses in the beginning of Nouember made a sconse at Herwerden vpon the Rine without the consent of the Estates which was some impayring of their publicke authority but by the perswasion of Prince Maurice and the Lord Willoughby hee had a great charge giuen vnto him that hee should throw it downe againe The English garrison in the Brill began to mutine for their pay being some-what long ere it came that garrison lying in such sort as the soldiars had good meanes to helpe them-selues by incursions vpon the enemie but for that their pay according to the contract was to be brought out of England the Estates of Holland disbursed the mony for the Queene and so stayed the mutiny The enemies garrisons being also in great want and misery began to mutine for want of pay for that the Kings Indian treasor was not able to counteruaile the great cost and charges of his warres part of those wants were supplied by the King of Spaines name and authority and yet not so well but diuers of their souldiers put themselues vnder the Estates where they might haue surer pay and better meanes to helpe themselues by incursions In the beginning of this yeare the garrison of Geertruyden bergh beganne to mutine againe it is a towne belonging to Prince Maurice lying right against Dort vpon the Mecwe or Vlack which is a water made by the Rhine and the Mase this garrison suspecting that some-thing might bee attempted against them they presently disarmed the Bourgers and staied all the shippes and boates that past by taking contributions burning villages and committing all insolencies as enemies to the Estates Vpon the sixe and twentie of Nouember past the souldiars beeing perswaded to vnion they made answere by writing the which they sayd was signed by Sir Iohn Wingfield Gouernor of the towne the Englishmen and other captaines that they would all die before they would deliuer the Bourgers their armes againe and beeing sent for to serue in any place they made them this answere that they were all resolued to serue vnder the enemie rather then vnder Prince Maurice or the Estates who considering of this their resolution and finding that they entertained all fugitiue souldiers and sought to incite other garrisons to the like rebellion hauing receiued intelligence that from the second day of February this yeare they had beene in treatie with the Duke of Parma Prince Maurice with the aduise of the Estates resolued seeing that the Lord Willoughby Sir Iohn Norris nor Maister Bodley could not preuaile with them and that the Lord Willoughby was as then to goe for England to besiege the towne both by water and by land considering the daunger thereof and of the townes lying about it and so comming before it the fiue and twenty day of March hee sent a kinde letter to them of the towne by a drum giuing them to vnderstand that the Gouernor Sir Iohn Wingfield and other captaines had threatned to deliuer the towne into the enemies hands and what a dishonor and danger they should thereby purchase vnto themselues offring them all contentment wherevnto they made answere that they would rather seeke aide from the enemie then yeeld to Prince Maurice or the States threatning to hang vp his messenger The towne of Dort did likewise write vnto them but they tare their letters And when as the Lord Willoughby wrot his letters on the eighteenth of March to Sir Iohn Wingfiled his brother in law desiring him to finde meanes to come away rather then his presence should giue any cause of offence Sir Iohn Wingfield refused it saying that he had sworne to liue and die with the souldiers as long as they would hold that towne for her Maiestie and the good of the Netherlands who protested to deliuer it rather to the enemie then to Prince Maurice or the Estates with other words to the like effect In the meane time Prince Maurice did what he could to win the towne and beganne to batter it furiously they within defended themselues yet there was a reasonable breach made and being readie to giue an assault they within cunningly offred a composition by a minister and a deputie whom they had sent forth to treate
with the Prince and the States to whome the Articles were deliuered with the which they returned so as there was great hope of an agreement But the souldiers hauing repayred this breach in the night and the waters being growne so high by a tempest as they could not vse their Ordinance perceiuing both by signes of fire out of the towne and by letters sent to Breda what secret dealing they had with the enemie as also by letters from the Duke of Parma from Brusselles bearing date the 24. day of March and from Breda of the 29. of March from Odoardo Lansavechio which they within the towne had receiued hearing also that the Duke of Parma was within few miles of the towne Prince Maurice resolued to with-drawe the siege that they might haue no iust occasion to pretend they had beene forced to yeeld the towne vnto the enemie hoping by that meanes to mooue the best minded soldiers to consider thereof and to bee better aduised and to that end on the second of Aprill he offred them againe all fauour and contentment shewing them that they were deceiued by the vaine speeches giuen out concerning the Queenes authority sending them diuers acts and discharges made to that end by her Maiesty letting them vnderstand what a dishonor these disordred dealings might be vnto her And vpon the fourth of Aprill he wrot vnto them by maister Leuinus the minister saying that hee sought not the life neither of officer nor soldier but assured them that as many as would continue in pay should bee still entertained and such as would not might depart whether they pleased withall they had so as they would assure the towne vnto him To whom they made answere the same day that their full resolution was to stay there in garrison and to doe the like seruice they had done before and that they would make choise of their owne Gouernor On the fift of Aprill Prince Maurice did againe offer them all security and to performe whatsoeuer they would else demande by contract desiring them to send their deputies vnto him but all was in vaine for that vpon the ninth of Aprill they receiued the Duke of Parmaes deputies into the towne with whom they compounded to yeeld the towne for fifteene monthes pay and not any of them would yeeld vnto Prince Maurice but onelie two soldiers such powre hath greedinesse of money whereas prodigalitie beareth sway and the feare of GOD is reiected and yet they cloakt their treacherie with a pretence of the Queene of Englands seruice The townesmen were kindly delt withall they had a generall pardon and licence to depart when they would or els to stay for the space of two yeares without any molestation of Religion and all their preuiledges confirmed so as they tended not to the preiudice of the Kings authoritie The souldiers were pardoned whatsoeuer they had committed promising to procure them the like in Germanie Luyke-land and Collen and for that the Duke professed to loue and honour good souldiers such as they were hee was content to accept and receiue them all into the Kings seruice with restitution of all their goods consiscate and such as desired not to serue should haue the like freedome and might staie sixe monethes within the towne and cause themselues to bee payd by lawfull meanes out of the assignation of contribution giuen them before by them of Brabant Holland and Zeeland And in recompence of the good seruice which they had done vnto the King therein hee gaue them ten monthes pay which the States ought them and for a rewarde fiue monthes pay more all in readie money that they might goe out with credit All such as had fled from the Kings seruice and were then there with them were pardoned for their sakes all prisoners should bee ransomed and vpon payment thereof made let goe except they were spirituall persons who should pay no ransome and that Sir Iohn Wingfield and Charles Honings should depart when they would with all their housholds goods and mouables and that they should haue pasports giuen them to that end This was concluded at Breda vpon the tenth of April 1589. The garrison being in this sort payd rewarded and gone out the same daie Charles Earle of Mansfieldt entred the towne The Estates of the vnited Prouinces proclayming both the Gouernor Captaines Officers and all the Souldiars Traytors and Rebells condemning them to be hanged where-soeuer they should bee found with promise of fiue poundes in rewarde for euerie priuate souldier and ten poundes for euerie Officer to them that could bring any of them to the Estates and their goods confiscate all their names beeing set downe in the proclamation beeing to the number of sixe hundred and fiftie persons These souldiars lyuing in the Duke of Parmaes armie were for a long time despised and skorned by the name of Marchants manie of them were afterwardes taken in the vnited Prouinces and presently hanged for example to others Sir Iohn Wingfield with Captaine Honnings retired themselues into England Hee is much taxed in this action by the Estate but it seemes hee had but the bare title of a Gouernor and no commanding powre ouer the garrison who compelled him to doe what they pleased the which seemes to bee true for that they set a gard ouer him during all the time of the seege as I haue heard himselfe affirme neither was it in his powre to yeeld the towne vnto Prince Maurice During the seeke of this towne there were slaine of the States side these captaines Wolffart van Brederod vander Aa Landas captaine of Prince Maurice his foote gard and Cornellis Adrianz Schaeps and aboue fiftie more there were hurt Peter vander Doës viceadmirall of Holland and captaine Sydenborch the marshall of Villiers was also shotte whereof he died not long after a good soldiar and one that had beene alwaies faithfull vnto the vnited Prouinces This losse of Gheertruydenberg did much preiudice the vnited Prouinces wherefore they presently stopt vp the riuer with shippes of warre both to hinder their fishing and passage out of the towne by water The thirteene of Aprill Cont Charles of Mansfeldt went with a small army from Gheertruydenberg into the quarter of Boisleduke by the Duke of Parmas commandement where he tooke the Castell of Lobben the which he was forced to leaue three daies after On the seauenteene of May hee also tooke the Castell of Daetoren neere vnto Heusden on the twenty one day passing out of Boisleduc his men tooke three ships of war of Holland lying at anchor in the riuer of Meuse aboue Buchouen and the next day he went before the castle of Hemert which he tooke The castle of Blenbeeke which collonel Schenck had held so long as his owne patrimoney being scituated in the vpper quarter of Gelderland was also yeelded vnto him the twenty fiue of Iune after that it had beene a while beseeged and the sixteenth of Iuly the castels of Puydroyen and
Brakel the which was afterwards abandoned and burnt with the whole village But going to campe before Heusden the same moneth hee was forced to rise with shame and losse The same moneth three companies of the Estates horse were surprised nere vnto Boisleduc by the new garison of Gheertruydenbergh and defeated the one was of Prince Maurice his garde whereof Rysoyer was Captaine the second the Seignior of Kynschys and the third the deceased Marshall of Villers whereas Rysoyer and Kynschy with diuers horse-men were taken the rest were put to rout Whilest that the Earle of Mansfeldt with the duke of Pastrana and the prince of Ascholy with many shippes and boats beseeged the house or castle of Hele in the I le of Bomel Prince Maurice the Earle of Hohenlo and the Earle of Solms drew the garrisons about Heusden together in the moneth of August and by force victualed the towne in the face of the enemy who laie not far from it The Castle of Hele had bin sore battered with nine hundred shot at the least whervpon Sidenborch the gouernor yeelded the twenty foure of August by meanes of a dissention fallen among the soldiers who were most slaine whereof afterwards he excused him selfe From thence the Dukes army marched to Louesteyn lying at the end of the I le of Bomel and they made a sconse meaning to take Louesteyn but the waters being very much risen by reason of great store of rayne which had fallen they were forced to leaue it In September the Duke of Parma supposed by the inclosing in of Heusden and the taking of Hemert Hele and other sconses there abouts that the country was sufficiently garded on the one side Hemert to passe ouer the Meuse into Tielsche-Weert and so to go to Buren or Vtrecht but the Spaniards who had the fore-ward vnder Collonell Lieua hauing some quarrell with the Italiens and being set on by the Duke of Pastrana the Prince of Ascoly who were no great friends to the duke of Parma would not passe ouer the riuer but cryed out viue el Re fuora il mal gouerno and when the Earle of Mansfeldt would haue forced them to passe they shot at him and draue him away so went to their garrison in the Graue And for that Prince Maurice had gathered together great forces stopping their passage and beseeged the castle of Hele round about with sconses being the winter time the Dukes army was forced to leaue the field fortifieng the Castles of Hemert Hele and the Sconses at the mouth of the Deymse by Boscher This yeare the Duke of Parma was very sickly which some thought to proceed for that on the 10. of Nouember before cōming from Berghen vp Zoom riding to Mechline he fell into the water where vnto other misfortunes were added as the Melancholike humor which did possesse him for the vnfortunate successe of the Spanish army and his dishonorable retreat from Berghen for the which by the meanes of the Dukes of Pastrana and the Prince of Ascoly he was reprocht and flouted at It might also be furthered by an other occasion for that hauing taken vp certaine hundred thousand of Ducats by exchange to bee paid in Spaine by the practises of such as loued him not they were not discharged so as hee was forced to giue the Italien Marchants in Antwerp contentment out of his owne cofers Moreouer at the same time his vncle the great Cardinall Farnese dyed in Rome the three and twentith of March a man on whome hee much depended All these crosses made him sickly and very melancholy So as in Maie hee went to the Spawe in Sweborn and lodged at Mentfort or thereabouts drinking dayly of those waters for the recouery of his health Before his departure hee called togither the Estates of Brabant Flanders Arthois and Henault to ayd the League of France both with money and men and to take it out of the rents wherewith the reuenues were charged They were content to yeeld to his desire in many things although they were much impouerished by reason of the great taxations which were imposed vpon them the which were raysed with harder conditions then vppon them in the vnited Prouinces who had free and open trafficke in all places where as they that liued vnder the Kings commaund did flye dayly out of the Country by reason of their small trafficke dearth of all thinges bad protection so as the Duke of Parma grew daily to bee more dispised and hated not onely of the Country people but also of the Spaniards who imputed the bad successe of the Spanish flcete onely to him for that hee was not ready nor prouided of Saylers neither had forecast the dangers that might insue so as his enemies the Duke of Pastrana and the Prince of Ascoly knew well how to blemish his credit in Spaine as we haue said before About the same time hee had sent certaine Mules laden with rich Tapistries and cloth of Arras with other costly thinges out of the Netherlands to bee transpo◅ed into Italie passing through Lorraine or the Franch Conty they were sette vppon and taken away the which afterwards was openly reported and did manifestly appeare that it was done by aduise from Spaine whether it were by the Kings owne command or his Councels or by the practises of such as loued him not I know not but it was a great hindrance vnto him and bred a great dislike in him against Spaine Moreouer there fell a controuersie with great reproches betwixt the Lord of Champigny and the President Richardot the Duke of Parmas fauorite and afterwards with the Duke himselfe concerning the treaty of peace at Bourbrough betwixt the Deputies of the Queene of England and those of the King of Spaine of which number Champigni and Richardot were but both of diuers opinions Champigni sought to deale roundly and sincerely in the said treaty of peace the which being obtained hee perswaded him-selfe it should much aduance the Kings affaires hauing libertie to enter into the Ports and Hauens of England for the safegard of the great Armado which was the way to conquer Holland and Zealand and to subdue the Estates But Richardot had contrary instructions from the Duke of Parma to breake of the treaty holding the conquest of England easie according to the aduise and proiect which Don Iohn had left in writing at his death for the which Mounsier Champigni was much offended in regard that hee had past his word to the Queene of England that there was no other intent but to deale sincerely and vprightly so hee was thereby disgraced and proued a lyar where-vpon after the bad successe of the said armie Champigni complained thereof in many places and writte diuers letters vnto the King shewing that the onely cause thereof proceeded from the negligence and indiscretion of the Duke of Parma wherevpon hee grew into such hatred of Champigni as hauing written vnto the
with expectation to the great amazement and griefe of many good men which did hope to haue seen an end of these long ruinous and bloodie warres and the conclusion of a good firme and honourable peace or long truce But seeing the hearts of kings are in the hands of God who directs all their actions and resolutions as he thinketh best let vs Netherlanders hauing compassion one of anothers miseries pray incessantly vnto him to inspire these princes and Estates with mild and peacefull spirits for the finishing of this good worke if it may be for his glorie and the good of the countrie whereby there may ensue a Christian peace quietnesse and vnitie in the Netherlands on either side and loue each to other refraining to shed blood and lastly that the Netherlands may thereby attaine vnto their ancient and flourishing estate and gouernment God well serued and euery man to enioy his owne freely and without feare the which the Lord God of his mercie graunt FINIS A Table of all the memorable things conteined in this Historie of the Netherlands A. ABot of Saint Vaast of Arras what he was 798. Accord of the Lord of Montigny cheefe of the mutines with the Spaniards 689. Accord betwixt Iohn of Bauaria and the Duke of Brabant 133 Abbay of Ouwerghem spoiled and diuersly censured 391 Adâ—… Countesse of Holland 45. marries with the Earle of Loos ibid. Adolph Prince of Gelders prisoner 174 Accord made by the Spaniard with the towne of Gand 862 Act of great resolution done by a Sea Captaine 661. Act of promise of the confederate Noblemen to the Gouernesse 407 Act like a Romaine done by Captaine Bordet 514. Act vnworthy and cruell of Captaine Pont well reuenged 661 Admirall of Arragon sent Ambassador to the Emperor 1148. hee passeth the riuer of Meuze and takes Orson 1174. ransomes Wezel 1182. takes many neutrall places 1191. and comes neere vnto Bomel 1210. is taken prisoner 1248 Aduice of the Prince of Orange for the making of a councell of Estate 712 Aduocates in Arras executed wrongfully 675 Albert of Bauaria 16. Earle of Holland 105 subdues the Frisons 111. his death 116 Albert Duke of Saxonie Gouernor of the Netherlands 207 hee gets the hereditarie gouernment of Friseland 219. tyranizeth ouer the Frisons 222. slaine before Groning 294. Allyance betwixt them of Ostergoe and Groning 213 Alcmar in trouble 210. besieged by the Duke of Alua 519. endures three assaults 524 the Duke forced to raise his Campe 527 Alexander Farnese Duke of Parma succeeds Don Iohn 981. makes a Bridge to shutte vp the riuer of Antwerpe 865 Alost solde by the English to the Spaniard 833. Alpen taken by Prince Maurice 1129 Agent from the great Commander into England and to what end 887 Albert Cardinall of Austria succeds his brother Ernestus 1114. hee takes Calais and Ardres 1115. excuseth himselfe and layes the fault vpon the Admirall 1202 Albert prepares his army to goe against Prince Maurice in Flanders ibid. Alliance betwixt the Flemings and Brabansons against the Duke of Saxonie 207 Allennes thinking to surprize Courtray hee looseth Menin 716. afterwards hee surpriseth Courtray 730 Allen a Cardinall writes against the Queene of England 996 Ambassadors from the Emperor to the vnited Prouinces touching a peace 1051. from the King of Poland to them 1128. from the King of Denmarke vnto them 1134. from the Duke of Wirtemberg vnto them 1158 Ambrose le Duke Sargent Maior in Arras how he behaued himselfe 673 Andrien van Assendolf pentioner of Harlem beheaded 500 Amsterdam against Harlem their skirmish at Sea 503. in the end it yeelds to the Estates 655. Amiens surprized and spoiled by the Spaniard 1126 recouered by the French King 1128. Aâ—…ne of Poelgeest mignion to the Earle of Holland murthered 109 Anthony Perrenot Cardinall of Granuelle called into Spaine 349. hee crosseth the petition of the Estates of Brabant 381. a legend of his life 344 Antwerpe perplexed for the new Bishops 347. sends their Deputies into Spaine 348 they intrenche them-selues against the Castell 595. are spoyled by the Spaniards 596. a tumult at a generall Procession 705. Priests and Monkes chased away 706. are blockt vp by the Prince of Parma 863. they compound and yeeld 884 Answer from the generall Estates to them of Lille Douay c. 691 Appologie made by the Prince of Orange in answer of his proscription 764 Armie of the Germaines to succour Nuys 174. of Duke Cassimire to succor the States 673. at Sea sent by the Spaniards in the yeare 1588. 998. of King Philip in Piccardie 323. of the Duke of Parmaes to succour the League 1043. of the States vpon the coast of Spaine and at the Ilands 1213 Arnold Earle of Holland slaine by the Frisons 9. Arnold Duke of Gelders offers the combate to Adolph his sonne 174 Arnold of Groue-velt Gouernour of Sluys 957. Arnold resignes the Duchie of Geldres to the Duke of Bourgongne 174 Arnhem assured for the Estates 875 Articles of the priuiledges of Brabant 1371 Articles set downe by the Inquisition of Spaine against the Netherlands 442. confirmed by the King of Spaine 443 Assemblie of the Estates of Friseland 213 Assembly at Bolswaert 214 Assembly of the chiefe of the Nobilitie at Dendermond 415. an other assemblye of the Nobles 368 Articles of peace betwixt France and Spaine 144. Audenarde abandoned by the Protestants who had surprized it 496. besieged and yeelded to the Duke of Parma 8â—…2 Arras the chiefe towne in Arthois in great troubles 673 Arschot in Brabant yeelded to Dom Iohn 654. Audience of the Deputies of the Estates with the French King 860 Axel in Flanders taken by the Estates 920 Attempts of them of Amsterdam against them of Harlem 504 Ambassadors from England and France to the Estates 818 Appologie made by the Protestants for their taking of armes 428 Admirall of Arragon set at libertie 1259 Adolph Earle of Berghen taken prisoner 1264. Ambassadors from the vnited Prouinces to the King of England 1297 Ardenbourg abandoned to Prince Maurice 1307. Archduke Alberts men comming to relieue Sluys put to rout 1309 Archduke Albert hinders the assembling of the generall Estates 1320. hee prepares for warre 1321 Admonition to the vnited Prouinces against a peace 1328 Admirall of Dunkerke taken at sea 1351 Archduke Albert iealous of the Duke of Bouillon 1354 Accorde made betwixt the Earle of East-Frise-land and the Towne of Embden 1365. B. BAerle taken and recouered 772 Baltazar Gerard killes the Prince of Orange 832. is executed ibid. Baron of Enghien beheaded in Henault 107. Baron of Battembourgh Lieutenant to the Prince of Orange at the reliefe of Harlem 513. Baron of Montigny prisoner in Spaine and poisoned 454 Baron of Selles sent from the King to the Estates 653 Barons of Batenbourg executed by the Duke of Alua 449 Baron of Anholt slaine at the siege of Lochum 808. Bastard putatiue of the Emperor beheaded in Holland 824 Baron of Boxtell Gouernour of Boisleduc 700. Backerzeell offers violence to
them of the religion in the Netherlands 410 Bartel Entens makes a vaine enterprise vpon Tergoes 479 Bastard of Rubempre prisoner in Holland 152. Batenbourg surprized by Duke Albert 219. Battaile of Verona 75. of Marendyke 93. betwixt the Liegeois and the Earle of Holland 121. of Gorrichom 130. Of Alphen 138. at Sea 141. betwixt Charles of Bourgongne and the Liegeois 162. betwixt the Lords of Amster and Woerden against the Bishop of Vtrecht 65. of Esquine-gate 193. of Hinges 209. of Saquelets 271. betwixt the Cleuois and Imperialists 276. of Saint Quintine 322. of Grauelin 326. betwixt the Earle of Hohenlo and Shenck 738. betwixt the English and Spaniards at sea 1002. of Tournhoult 1126. of Nieuport 1247 Battenbourg taken by the Prince of Parma 951. Balfour a Scottish Collonell defeated slaine by the Spaniard 769 Berghen Saint Wynox taken and burnt by the French 326. besieged by the Spaniard 827. yeelded with honor and profit 828 Bellieure treates with the Estates for the Duke of Aniou 818 Berghen vp Zoom besieged in vaine by the Duke of Parma 1006 Berghen surprized by the Spaniards 474 Blyenbeeke besieged 716 Bernardin of Mendosa treates with the French King touching the Netherlands 870 Berlandt Gouernor of Flussing poysoned 511 Bins a towne in Henault taken by the Duke of Anious men 681 Bishoppe of Vtrecht defeated and taken prisoner by the Hollanders 12. slaine in battaile 80 Bishoppes of Cologne and Liege defeated by the Earle of Holland 18 Bishoppe of Liege complaines to the Estates for the taking of Huy 1003 Borselle a house in Zeeland their beginn ing 5. Blommart a Captaine of the Protestants slaine going out of Audenarde 496. Bommel besieged by Philip Archduke of Austria 229. assured by Prince Maurice 1213 Boisot made Gouernor of Flushing 512 Bommened a Forte in Zeland taken by assault 586. Bonne in the Diocesse of Cologne yeelded to the Spaniard 990 Boisot Admirall to the Prince prepares to succour Leyden 560. slaine 590 Boisleduc surprised by the Protestants and then abandoned 417. after yeelds to the Estates 646. vnwilling to enter into the vnion of Vtrecht 700. is besieged in vaine by Prince Maurice 1273 Borentange a Forte in Friseland 1068 Bishops newly created refused in the Netherlands a great cause of the troubles 350 Bishops of Ypre and Bruges prisoners at Gant 649. Boncham in Henault besieged and yeelded to the Male-contents 742 Bouines a Towne in Namur yeelded to the Estates 650 Bourse at Antwerpe burnt 824 Brederode the noblest house in Holland and their beginning 9. hee presents the petition for the Nobilitie to the Dutches of Parma 383. what hee did at Amsterdam 425 he retires out of the Netherlands and what he was 427 Breda in Brabant yeelded to the Estates 648. deliuered to the Spaniard by the meanes of the Siegnior of Fresin 772. surprized by Heranguere for the Estates 1031 Brefort besieged and taken by assault by Prince Maurice 1132 Briaute enters combate vnaduisedly 1239 Bronkhorst yeelded to the Estates 808 Brussels opposeth against the imposition of the tenth pennie 465. they accorde with the King of Spaine 875 Bruges in trouble 702. the Estates men succor it before the male-contents 703 Bruges and Gand reconciled to the Archduke Maximilian 200 Bryele a towne in the Isle of Voorn surprized by the Earle of Marcke for the Prince of Orange 472 Brauery of 30. souldiers 916 Buren Towne and Castell yeelded to the Spaniard 583 Bruges refuzed from the Hollanders 845. yeelded to the Spaniard 846 Bishop of Cologne comes to succour the Duke of Alua 492 Beckaff by Sluys taken by Prince Maurice 1309. Bossompiere slaine before Ostend 1310 Baron of Termes a French man comes with a troupe of horse to Prince Maurice before Sluys 1312 Berghen in danger to bee surprised 1349. attempted againe by the Spaniard 1350 Brefort surprized by the Spaniard and abandoned againe 1354 C. CAmbray victualed 778 Cabillautins a faction in Holland restored in Horne 98. take armes againe 134 Caius Ransou a Dane taken prisoner by the Estates men and what followed 942 Castels in Frisland razed 731 Castels ruined in the Netherlands 647 Castle of Antwerpe built by the Duke of Alua 457. That of Gant besieged and yeelded to the Estates 612. That of Vtrecht besieged and yeelded to the Estates 624 Callais besieged and yeelded vnto the French 324. Castle of Staueren yeelded to the Estates 775. Castle floating at Antwerpe what it was 877. Cambray surprised by the Earle of Rhomont 193. besieged and yeelded to the Spaniard 1110. Carlo slaine 513 Cassimire burnes the Duke of Aluaes poulder 525. Carpen taken by the Spaniard 682 Campen a towne in Oueryssell yeelded to the Estates 660 Charles of Bourgongne Earle of Charalois inherits the moytie of Aspren and Henkelom 149. in disgrace with his Father 150. is reconciled 151. succeeds his Father 160. defeates the Liegeois 162. forceth the French King to goe with him to the siege of Liege 166. seekes to rule absolutely ouer the Frisons 171. hee besieged Nuys 174. is defeated twise by the Suisses 172. besiegeth Nancy is defeated and slaine 179 Castle Cambresis yeelded to the Spaniard 809 Charles Duke of Geldres freed from prison in France 210. sentence giuen against him 217. is reconciled to the Archduke Philip 231. Charles the fift Emperor succeeds in the Netherlands 236. his departure out of the Netherlands 315. his death 328 Champignies regiment defeated by the Spaniard 650. imprisoned at Brussels 677. he is forced by the Duke of Parma to forsake the Netherlands 1019 Change of Magistrates in the Netherlands 656 Charles of Croy Prince of Chymay his carriage in Flanders 845 Charles Earle of Mansfeldt enters into the Iland of Bommel 1024. hee takes Seuenberghen 1035. Charles of Lieuin Siegnior of Famas slaine at Otmarsum 942 Christopher Fabri a Minister put to death at Antwerpe for religion 350 Cittadel of Cambray surprized for the generall Estates of the Countrie 595 Commons in Holland rise against the Nobilitie 62. Coaes van Kniten a Giant 75 Compromise of the Nobilitie of the Netherlands 368 Complaint of the Netherlanders to the King of Spaine 418 Commission from the Queene of England to treate with the Duke of Parma 986 Countesse of Flanders layes claime to the Isle of Walchren 56 Conuocation of the Nobilitie at Duffel 389 Conde a towne in Henault surprised 752 Confederation of the French King the Queene of England and the Estates against the Spaniards 1124 Conference at Gheertruydenberg betwixt the Deputies of Don Iohn and the Estates of the Netherlands 627. Consultation of the Estates touching the change of their Prince 726 Conuoy of Brussels defeated 867 Cocqueville defeated and ouer-come at Saint Valery 448 Coeuarden taken by the Spaniard 74. besieged and yeelded vp vnto Prince Maurice 1060. Courtray in Flanders surprised by the Spaniard 730 Councell of the troubles erected in the Netherlands with absolute authoritie 435 Councell of Estate at Brussels committed to prison 591 Councellors displaced in Frisland 656 Crimpen a Forte
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
went towards Leyden 210. they sue for mercy ibid. Koppel yeelded to the Estates 808 Koestein seeking to poison the Earle of Charolois is beheaded 150 Knotsenbourg a fort right against Nymegen 1036. besieged by the Duke of Parma in vaine 1049 L LAmoral Earle of Egmont sent into Spaine and to what end 351 hee seekes to pacefie the troubles in Flanders 400. his blindnesse 434. hee is put in prison by the Duke of Alua. 437. and executed 451 Laten Gouernor of Middelborge slaine 512 Leerdam taken by the Spaniard 573 Leyden besieged by the Spaniard 541. the resolution of the besieged 560. a braue answere of the besieged 565 a courragious speech of a Bourguemaster 567. succors frō God not expected their full deliuery 570. a generall collection for the poore of the towne 572 Leyden surprised by the Hoekins 195. besieged by the Lord of Montigny the Gouernor ibid. Lembourg besieged and yeelded to Don Iohn 659 Lens in Arthois surprised and spoyled by the Duke of Anious men 801 Letters from the Nobilitie of the Netherlands to the King of Spaine touching the troubles the Kings answere and their reply 348. from the King to the Netherlands otherwise then they expected 351. from the Prince of Orange to the Dutchesse of Parma 353. her answere 354. from the Dutchesse of Parma to the townes of the Netherlands 398. from her to the confederate Noblemen 405. from the King of Spaine to the P. of Orange 412. from Francisco De Alana to the Dutchesse of Parma 413. From the Earle of Horne to the King of Spaine 346. From the Prince of Orange to the generall Estates 601. From the Estates of Brabant to the other Prouinces against the Spaniard 561 from the Estates of Lille Douay and Orchies to the generall Estates 690. from the Prince of Orange to Cont Iohn his brother 840 from Saint Aldegonde to the signeurie of Metkerke touching a peace 897. from the Queene of England to the Duke of Parma and to the Estates 923 from Waremond Stochelen touching the betraying of Deuenter 945 from the Estates to the Queene of England 952. of Donation of the Netherlands to the Infanta of Spaine 1160 of the King of Spaines intercepted 1172. from Prince Maurice to the Circles 1184. From the Emperour to Cardinall Andrew of Austria 1193. and to the vnited Estates ibid. Letters from the Duke of Aniou to them of Antwerp 816 Leoninus speech to the generall Estates for the Earle of Leicester 959 Liegeois chase way their bishoppe brother to the Earle of Holland and are defeated in battaile 121. they take armes against the Duke of Bourgongne 156. they sue for peace and obtaine it 157. they helpe the Spaniards at the siege of Mastricht 707 Liege taken and miserably burnt by Charles Duke of Bourgongne 167 Leire in Brabant assured for the Estates 645 deliuered by treason to the Spaniard 805. taken by the Estates and presently lost againe 1111 Lillo besieged by the Spaniard raiseth his siege with shame 850 Liefkens Hoeck and Doel taken by the Estates 876 Linghen besieged and taken by Prince Maurice 1134 besieged and taken againe by the Marquis Spinola 1348 Lochum besieged by the Spaniard 808. the Campe riseth ibid. Lord of Berghen slaine in the Duke of Brabants chamber 135 Lord of Brederode defeated and taken prisoner 141 Lord of Arckel taken prisoner 123 Louvaine yeelded to Don Iohn 654 Lewis Duke of Bauaria husband to Marguerite of Holland Emperor 97 Lewis de Requesens great Commander of Castille succeedes the Duke of Alua in the gouernment of the Netherlands 539. his armie at sea defeated 544. three seuerall designes at one instant 551. hauing propounded vnreasonable conditions of peace hee resolues to warre 583 his death ibid. Lord of Froment forsakes don Ihon. 646 Lembourg besieged and taken by the Prince of Parma 660 Loopers of Ostend 1299 Lewis de Valasco beaten from his fort by Dam with losse of men 1309 Losse in the Archdukes armie before Ostend 1318 Lodowicke Earle of Nassau dies in Sluis 1318 M MAgistrates and Bourge◅s in Harlem agree togither 498 Marguerite Empresse Countesse of Holland 97. in warre against her sonne and ouercomes him 99. is defeated by her sonne 100. her death ibid. Mary Dutchesse of Bourgongne Countesse of Holland 181 restrained by the Ganthois 187. their insolencies towards her shee marries with Maximilian of Austria 191. her death and her Children 197 Maximilian of Austria marries the Princesse of Bourgongne 191 hee comes into Holland to pacefie the factions 194 he carries himselfe as tutor of his wiues Children after her death 197. is created King of Romaines 201 comes into Holland 207. succeedes in the Empire 212 Macklin surprised by the Estates 742. yeelded to the Spaniard 882 Malcontents and their beginning in the Netherlands 664. their coloured reasons to fall from the Estates 688 Marriage of Cont William of Nassau 980 Mathias Archduke of Austria called to the Gouernment of the Netherlands 657. resignes his Gouernment 749. his departure out of the Netherlands 789 Mastricht besieged 703. the Estates make a shew to releeue it 704. the Spaniard takes it by assault 708 Martin Schenck a Collonel followes the States partie 878. hee makes a road into the Diocese of Cologne 917. builds the Fort of Sgrauen-weert 951. surpriseth Bonne 983. goes to an Imperiall Dyet 990. victualeth Berke 1020. his vnfortunate enterprise vpon Nymeghen and his death 1021 Marguerite of Austria bastard to the Emperors Charles the fift Gouernesse of the Netherlands 335 Marshall Biron disswades the Duke of Aniou from the enterprise of Antwerp 812. hee retires with the Dukes troupes into France 829 Mary Millet reuengeth her selfe of captaine Pont who had forst her she kills him and is murthered 661 Macklin summoned by the Estates will stand neuter 715 Marquis of Warenbon prisoner to the French 1123. defeated by the Estates 1024 Marquis Spinola comes to releeue Sluis 1313. his men ranne from him 1314. hee offers to force the Princes trenches ibid. hee retiers not able to releeue it ibid. hee seekes to enter into Cadsandt and is repulst 1315. Marquis of Roubay slaine at the Stocadoe before Antwerp 875 Maurice of Nassau borne Prince of Orange Marquis of Camphere succeeds his father in the Gouernment of Holland 859. makes a roade into Brabant to drawe the Spaniard from Sluis 959. comes into Zeeland and writes to the Queene of England 992. enters into the Gouernment after the Earle of Liecester 1026. pursues Uerdugoes troupes 1061. his care to succor Hulst 1117. attends to fight with the Admirall of Arragon 1187. intrencheth himselfe at Harwarden 1213. prepares for the warres in Flanders 1240. Landes with his armie at Philippine 1241. besieged Nieuport 1243 Maurice intrencheth himselfe at Watervlyet 1346. Maurice of Nassau prepares to besiege Sluis 1305. hee camped before it 1309 Menin a towne in Flanders taken by the Malcontents 664. recouered by the Estates 716. abandoned to the Spaniard by them of Bruges 831 Megen surprised by them of Bommel 503. wonne by
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
1580 1580 * Iohn Petit. Inglemunster besieged by la Noue 1580 Monsieur la Noue taken prisoner before Inglemunster The lord of Hesse belieaded 1580 Diest won by the States with Sichem and Arschot Niuelle victualed by the States but not long after taken by the prince of Parma 1580 The duke of Aniou receiued for soueraigne lord of the Netherlands Articles between the Netherlands and the duke of Aniou 1580 1580 1580 The archduke Mathias takes his leaue of the Estates Orders made by the Estates for martiall discipline and other things 1580 1580 Conde surprised Steenwick besieged by the earle of Renenbergh 1580 1580 A resolute exploit of a souldier The exploit of the earle of Renenberghs men 1580 1580 Steenwicke â—…red with shot 1580 The Estates resolution foâ—… Steenwicke 1580 1581 A challenge sent to Sir Iohn Norris answered by captain Williams 1581 An Aâ—…gure at Steenwicke 1581 Bullets shot with letters in them Steenwick victualed by Sir Iohn Norris 1581 Steenwick releeued and the siege broken vp 1581 The king of Spaines resâ—…lution to hâ—… the prâ—… of Oranâ—… 〈◊〉 therâ—… The edict of the prince of Oranges proscription 1581 The prince of Oranges Apologie to the proscription His answer for the point of ingratitude 1581 The seruices done by the house of Nassau to the house of Austria Touching the order of the golden fleece Of the coâ—…sel of state Touching his mariage 1581 The inconstancie of the commanders of the Male-contents 1581 The States answer to the prince of Orangâ—…s Apologie made to the king of Spaine 1581 The exercise of the Romish religion restrained in Brussels 1581 1581 Baerle taken and recouered The castle of Breda surprised 1581 Eindouen recouered by the Spaniard Orders made in Antuerpe 1581 An enterprise against Flessingue pretended â—…y the prince of Parma but not effectâ—…d 1581 The castle of Staueren won by Sonoy 1581 The death of the earle of Renenbergh 1581 1581 Cambray victualled 1581 Castle Cambresis taken by the duke 1581 1581 1581 The Edict â—…f the general Estates declaring the king of Spain to be fallen froÌ„ the seigniorie of the Netherlands 1581 1581 1581 1581 1581 1581 1581 The forme of the othe of abiuration of the king of Spain The departure of the archduke Mathias out of the Netherlands S. Guislain surprised by the prince of Espynoy 1581 Tournay besieged by the prince of Parma Tournay yeelded by composition 1581 1581 The prince of Oranges desire to be discharged of his place The States answer to the princes demaÌ„d 1582 The duke of Aniou comes out of England into Zeeland 1582 * Iohn Petit. 1582 1582 The Duke of Aniou created Duke of Brabant 1582 The dukes entrie into Antuerpe The dukes oth to the towne of Antuerpe 1582 1582 A plot laid to kill the prince of Orange 1582 The murtherer shoots the prince The murtherer slaine * Iohn Petit. 1582 A vaine enterprise vpon the castle of Namur Lens surprised and lost again 1582 Audenarde besieged by the prince of Parma Audenarde yeelded to the Spaniard by composition Alost surprised by the Estates 1582 The castle of Gaesbeke surprised by the Spaniard Arschot attempted in â—…aine 1582 An attempt against the duke of Anious and the prince of Oranges persons discouered FraÌ„cisco Baza kils himselfe â—…edo 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 with 〈◊〉 The duke of Aniou inuested earle of Flanders 1582 Liere betrayed to the Spaniard 1582 1582 Lochum besieged by the Spaniard 1582 The siege of Lochú raised The castles of Keppel and Bronchurst yeelded to the Estates Gaesbeke yeelded to the duke of Aniou Enchouen yeelded also 1582 Castle Cambresis yeelded to the Spaniard 1583 Steenwick surprised by the Spaniard Meghen taken by the Estates Eindouen surprised for the duke of Aniou The French king refuseth succors to the duke his brother some aduice concerning it 1583 Dunkerke assured for the duke 1583 Three sorts of humors in the dukes counsell The relation of the enterprise of Antuerpe 1583 The foolish cruell enterprise of the duke of Aniou vpon Antuerp 1583 The number of them that were slaine The noblemen that were slaine 1583 Montpensier blames the duke for the attempt at Antuerpe The duke seeks to excuâ—… himselfe and to accuse them of Antuerpe 1583 The Dukes letters to them oâ—… Antuerpe 1583 The dukes letters to moniâ—…ur Timpel Seuerall opinions of the dukes enterprise 1583 Embassadors sent to the States from England and France The prince of Oranges aduice vpon the reconciliation with the duke of Aniou 158â—… 1583 1583 Monsieur de Bellieure treateth with the Estates for the duke of Aniou 1583 1583 The duke goes to Dunkerke yeelding the towns he held to the Estates 1583 The Bourse at Antuerpe burnt Eindouen yeelded to the Spaniard 1583 Woude castle yeelded to the Estates Diest besieged 1583 Westerloo yeelded to the Spaniard Zichem yeelded to the Spaniard 1583 W Dunkerke besieged Nieuport yielded Furnes and Dixmuyden yeelded to the Spaniard The Sas seized on by the Spaniard 1583 Weert spoiled by the estates 1583 1583 1583. Zutphen surprised by the Spaniard 1583 1583 Steelandt â—…eelds the land of Waes to the Spaniard Alost deliuered by the English to the Spaniard 1584 A tumult in Gant A new tumult in Gant 1584 Ypre yeelded by composition 1584 1584 1583 1584 1584 1584 1584 1584 1584 1584 1584 Chimay yields Bruges to the Spaniard 1584 1584 1584 Iohn Petit. 1584 1584 The colonels of Antuerpe abandon Herental 1584 The prince of Orange traiterously murthered 1584 The prince slaine His last words 1584 The murtherer seekes to escape The murtherers coÌ„fession 1584 The murtherers second confession 1584 1584 A sentence against Baltazar Gerard the murtherer of the prince of Orange 1584 The execution of the murtherer The prince of Oranges funerall pompe 1584 The prince of Oranges age and disposition His wiues and children Graue Maurice chosen gouernour Iohn d'Imbise beheaded 1584 Dendermond besieged by the Spaniard Dendermond yeelded 1585 1585 An accord made with the towne of Gant 1585 The shippes enter into Antuerpt not withstanding the cannon 1585 A speech in Antuerpe tending to an accord 1585 The prince of Parma builds a bridge vpon the riuer of Autuerpe 1585 Teligni taken prisoner by the Spaniard 1585 The Estates consult to whom they shall giue themselues 1585 Iohn Petit. 1585 1585 The bourgers of Antuerpe take a new oath Bernardin de Mendosa his speech to the French king 1585 The kings answere to the deputies of the Estates 1585 1585 1585 How Nyme ghen came into the Spaniards hands The castles of Nienbeek and Hackfort taken by the Spaniards Doesbourg yeelds to the Spaniard 1585 Arnham assured for the Estates party Brussels makes an accord with the king of Spaine 1585 The forts of Lyefkenshoek and Doel takeÌ„ by the Estates An enterprise vpon Oostend wel begun but ill followed 1585 Schuyléburch taken by the Spaniard Sclickenbourg taken for the Estates Nuis surprised and spoyled 1585 Another designe to cut Coesteyns dike 1585 1585 The vnfortunat mariage of the
â—…dmirall and chiefe of aâ—… the rest Conuoy money imployed for the wars by sea 1588. Courses made by the States garrisons into the enemies Countries Mutinie vnder the enemy for pay 1589. The second mutiny at Gheertruydenberg Prince Maurice besiegeth Geertruydenbergh the 25. of March 1589. 1589. Offers made by Prince Maurice to the garrison of Gheertruydenberg Gheertruydenberg sold to the Duke of Parma by the garrison The garrison of Gheertruydenberg condemned for traytors 1589 Many castles yeelded to the Spaniard The Cornets of the estates horse defeated The Castle of Hele taken by the Duke of Parma A mutyne among the Spaniards 1589. The Duke of Parma goes to the â—…paw An assemblie of the Estates vnder the Duke of Parma The Duke of Parmas goods taken in Lorraine Dislike between the Duke of Parma Champigni Champigniâ—… forced to leaue the Netherlands 1590. Richardot 〈◊〉 by the duk of Parma â—…to Spaine Baâ—… Councell giuen to the â—…ke of Parma Prâ—…paration to aide the league â—…n France Schenck releâ—…ues Bercke 1589 Schenck defeats some of the 〈◊〉 of Parmas troupes Schencks vnfortunate enterpise vpon Nymeghen Schenck drowned 1589. 〈◊〉 boâ—… 〈◊〉 by thâ—…m of Nymeghen His boâ—…y hoâ—…bly â—…ed The life and comâ—…ndation of Schâ—…k A mutiâ—…y in the â—…ort of Grauenwâ—…erd Wars in Friseland 1589. Graue in Westphalia spoyled A resolute act of one of the estates captaines at sea 1584. The â—…paniards chased out of the Island of Bomel The Marquis of Varambon defeated by the â—…states 1589. A deere brauado of 35. soldiers The vnforâ—…nate death of the Earle of Meurs Berke yeelded to the Earle of Mansfeldt 1589. Mondragon forbids conâ—…tions A Conuâ—…e defeated by the Estates men They of Groning discontented with their Gouernor 1589 The discription of Aix la Chapelâ—… The King of Spaines at tâ—…pts against Aix and other townes The King of Spaines proclamation against them of Aix 1589. 1590. The Vnited Prouinces haue some by reaâ—… oâ—… the waâ—…e of â—…rance The pollicie of the vnited â—…states concerâ—…ng râ—…gion 1590 The vnited Prouinces ruled by a councell of Estate Prince Maurice made Lieutenant generall The meanes how the Estates leauy money for their warres 1590. The Estâ—…es good husbandrie for the imployment of their mony What number of mâ—…n the vâ—…ted Prouinces entertayned What the Queene of England paied euery monthe to releeue the Estates The vnited Prouinces rich by their wars The Spaniards murine and surprize Cortrey 1590 The duke of Maine comes to the â—…uke of Parma Breda surprized for Prince Mauricâ—… 1590 1590 1590 Prince Manâ—… tâ—… 1590 The Italien garison Hyes out of Breda The Duke of Parma cut of the captains heads that Red Herauguiere made gouerner of Breda Coat Charles of Mâ—…dt takes Seuenberghen 1590. Knodsenborgh sconse built by the states Groning craues protection from the Queene of England 1590 The fort of Immentil in Frizeland taken by Verdugo An assembly of the Princes of the Rhine at Cologne Ambassadors sent from the Princes into the Netherlands 1590 The Estates answer to 〈◊〉 â—…lecots 〈◊〉 1590. 1590. 1590. 1590. 1590. The replication of the Germaine Ambassâ—…ors to the Estates answer 1590. The Duke of Parmas forces that went to releeue Paris Who went vvith the duke into France 1590. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wâ—…y their garrison The Fort of Houy yeelded to the Estates 1590 An enterprize vpon Dunkerke in vaine An enterprize of the Spaâ—…ds vpon â—…hem but in vaine The countrie ruined by both parties Courses of the Estates freeboters Sir Edward Norrys takes blanckenberg 1591. Collâ—…ch taken by the Estates Great preparation made by the Estates A polliticke surprize of the great Fort before Zutphen 1591 Zutphen besieged by the Estates Zutphen yeelded to Prince Maurice Deuenter besieged by the Estates 1591. The brauery of the Engliâ—…h A combate before Deuenter Knoâ—…senborg beseeged by the Duke 1591 The Dukes horsemen defeated The Dukes army being amazed leaues the seege They of Cologne send Deputies to the Estates The Estates answer to the complaints of them of Liege 159â—… Hulst besieged and taken by Prince Maurice Ambassadors sent from the Emperor about a peace 1591. They of Bruges perplexed Sir Edward Norris seeks to bring Flanders vnder contribution Nymighen besieged by Prince Maurice 1591. Nymâ—…gen yeelded Schencke honorably buried by Princâ—… Maurice The end of Prouost Danckert The Duke of Parma goes into France to releeue 〈◊〉 1591. Orders for Frebuters 1592. Spanish Frebuters at sea The death of the Duke of Cleues The Groningeois send deputies to cont Mansfldt Cont Mansfeldt writs to them of Groning 1593 A smal supply oâ—… small proffit sent by the Spaniard iâ—…to Freezland A frutlesse enterprize vpon Maestricht Berieyck taken by the Estates 1592. The â—…states men defeated Two 〈◊〉 in religion at Vtrecht An enterprize vpon Enchuysen 1592. The Prince Elector 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Louyse of Nassau 1592. Prince Mourice shotte Steenwyc yeelded by composition and other townes besieged by the Estates 1592. Famas Generall oâ—… thâ—… ordinance 〈◊〉 thâ—… 〈◊〉 slaine Verdugo comming to releeue Couoerden is repuâ—…st Couoerden yeelded by composition 1592. Prince of Parma dies His commendations 1592. 1592. Cont Phillip of Nassau goes into Luxembourg 1593. The Spaniards breake quarter with the Estates men The Estates proclamation to diâ—…anul that of the Spani ards touching breaking of quarter Gheertruydenberg beseeged by Prince Maurice 1593. The forme of the trenches in the campe before Gheertruydenberg Iohn Petit. The Spaniards mutine against Cont Charles The Italiens and Wallons mutine in Henault 1593 Gheertruydenberg shut vp by water Cont Mansfeldt dares not force the Princes Campe. The Seignior of Gisant Gouernor of the â—…ne slaine 1593. Gheertruydenberg yeelded by composition Sixteene ensignes deâ—…red to the Prince Cont Mansfeld forced to leaue the fort of Creuecaeur Why Creuecaeur was to called 1593. Warre in Frisland Gramberghe yeelded to Cont William 1593. 1593. The French King councelled to become Catholike 1593. A decrâ—… made by the court of parliament against the league and Spaniards The King changeth his religion The league crosseth the King at Rome 1593. The league practâ—…th to haue the King murthâ—…red The league commends the King of Spaine Complaints made by them of the religion The Kings sâ—…erch to them of the religion 1593. The Earle of Solms makes warre for the Estates in Flanders The Earle of Solms returne without any incounter Otmarsum wonne by the Spaniard 1593. Many Forts in Friseland wone by the Spaniard Verdugo attempts the Earle of Nassaus trenches in vaine 1594. 1594. A braue enterprize of the Groningers vpon Delfziel The Estates increase their armie with new troopes The Arch-duke Ernest makes two armies 1594. An Edict made by the Estates concerninge printing Michel Renichon comes to murther Prince Maurice The sentence of Michel Renichon 1594. 1594. The Archduke sends to purge himselfe to the generall Estates 1594. Doctor Hartius speech to the Estates 1594. 1594. 1594. 1594 1594. 1594. An extract of the king of Spaines letters 1594. Capelle taken by Mansfeldt Prince
1598 1598 1598 The Infantaes procuration to the archduke 1598 Embassadors from the elector of Cologne to the Estates for Rhineberek A sentence against the magistrat of Aix 1590 The lamentable estate of Aix The duke of Cleues recouers his sences 1598 1598 1598 A summe of the articles propounded to the cardinal at Brussels The archduke Albert leaues off his cardinals weed 1598 The Queene of England sendâ—… vnto the Estates Goodly offers made by the archduke vnto the vnited Estates 1598 1598 The oppression of the Admirals souldiers 1598 Letters intercepted from the Spanish campe 1598 The end and death of the king of Spaine 1598 The kings speech vnto his sonne 1598 The king of Spaines instruction to the prince his son 1598 A hardie attempt of certaine mariners of the Spaniard 1598 The archdukes letters to the princesse of Cleues 1598 The admirall summoÌ„s Berck They of Wezel write to the admirall 〈◊〉 his answer 1598 The earle of Broek besieged in his castle and yeelds The earle of Broek murthered The admirall doth ransome the towne of Wezel 1598 The admirall besieges Rhineberck The powder in the towne set on fire 1598 Rhineberck yeelded Prince Maurice writes to the deputies of the circles 1598 Deputies from the duke of Cleues to prince Maurice 1598 The deane of Emmeric's speech to the admirall 1598 The deputieâ—… of the circles letters from Dortmont 1598 The princes electors letters to the emperour 1598 1598 The emperors commissioner writes vnto the admiral A discourse of the insolencies committed by the Spaniards 1598 1598 1589 The emperours proclamation against the admirall 1598 1598 The emperours commandement to the general Estates 1598 1599 A proclamâ—…tion in the 〈◊〉 name forbidding all traffique into Spaine A proclamation made by the vnited Estates to forbid traffique with Spainâ—… 1599 A proclamation made in Friseland forbidding contribution to the enemie 1599 Orders made by the Estates for their horse and foot 1599 A preacher murthered at Deuenter 1599 The death of the old countésse of Aremberghe 1599 The substance of the admirals letters to the deputies at Cologne 1599 1599 1599 Aldegonde Longolius die 〈◊〉 The elector of Mentz answer to cardinall Andrew 1599 Letters from the vnited prouinces to the princes of Germany o 1599 Letters from the Estates to the deputies of the circles 1599 The deputies write againe to the Estates * It is a minerall matter which they vse about copper The Estates answer 1599 1599 Letters from the deputies of the circles to the Estates The German deputies send to the Estates for a pasport 1599 The estates send commissioners to the deputies Counsell propounded to ioyne both the armies against the Spaniard 1599 Letters from the imperiall commissioners to the chiefe of the Spaniards like to them of the Estates 1599. The Spaniards retire from Bomel The successe of the Estates armie at the Canaries 1599 The armie lands The castle of Gâ—…atiosa yeelded to the generals mercie The towne castle of Alegoenâ—… abandoned 1599 The Estates men slaine in the mountainâ—… The armie retires and burnâ—… Alegoenâ—… 1599 1599 The progresse of the Estates armie at sea 1599 Deutecom taken by William of Nassau S. Andrews fort built by the Spaniard 1599 The end of the Germans enterprises against the Spaniards 1599 Prince Mauâ—…ice breaks vp his armie 1599 The admirall breaks vp his campe and payes not his souldiers who mutine The Estates letter to the emperors embassadors concerning a peace 1599 1599 The embassadours answer to the Estatâ—… letter 1599 1599 The instalmeÌ„t of the archdukes 1599 Knights of the golden fleece made The archdukes installâ—…ent at Loâ—…aine 1599 The archdukes installing in Antuerpe The forme of the archdukes oath in Antuerpe The oth of the magistrat of Antuerpe 1600 WachtendoÌ„ck in Gueldres taken by prince Maurice 1600 The souldiers of Carpen mutine Mutineisin the Spanish campe The garrisonâ—… in S. Andreweâ—… foâ—…t and in that of Creuecâ—…ur mutine 1600 The fort of Creuecoeuâ—… besieged and yeelded to the prince The prince builds many forts 1600 S. Andreweâ—… fort yeelded 1600 The articles of the accord 1600 Iohn Petit. The Estates force them of Groningue to pay their contribution They of Zeeland complain of their charge 1600 Henry prince of Orange made one of the counsell of Estate in the vnited prouinces Propositions made by the archdukes to the prouinces vnder their command 1600 The Estates de mand an exposition of the propositions 1600 The archdukes demand The Estates desire to know what the staâ—…e of the wars would be The death of the countesse oâ—… Moeurs 1600 Embassadors sent from the emperoâ—… to the Hage The Estates answer to the emperors embassadors 1600 1600 Emmeric yeelded by the Estates to the duke of Cleues The archduke refuseth to deliuer Rhineberck to the Elector of Cologne Briaute fights a combat is slaine treacherously 1600 The Estates resolution to make war in the countrey of Flanders The deputies of the â—…es go to assist the prince 1600 The fort of Philippine in Flanderâ—… ye elded to the prince 1600 Alberts fort before Oostend besieged and yeelded to the Estates 1600 Nieuport besieged 1600 Cont Ernest and Scottish men defeated Iohn Petit. 1600 The archdukes armie The order of the princes armie 1600 1600 The charge begins The archduke flies and the prince had his armes and his horse of combate 1600 The losse on the archdukes side The lâ—…sse on the princes side The dead men The prisoners The bootie 1600 The prince returneth again to besiege Nieuport 1600 The crueltie of the viceadmirall of Dunkerke 1600 The Estates shew the archdukes meanes how to make a peace with the vnited 1600 A gallant exploit done by the blacke galley 1600 A treatie betwixt the prouinces vnder the archduke and the vnited prouinces The contents of the Estates oâ—… Brussels letters to the vnited Estates Barneuelts answer to the general Estates The answer of the deputies of Brussels Barneuelts reply 1600 The Estates of Brussels answer The conference breaks vp at Berghen 32000 pounds â—…ing 1600 A taxe imposed vpon victuals 1600 The whole charge of the archdukes demands Demands and complaints made by them of Brabant 1600 The generall Estaâ—…es complain vnto the archdukes The archdukes answer to the general estates An order for the execution of the taxation A rate set downe by the archdukes 1600 Letters of com for t money sent out of Spaine to the archdukes * To our Estates 1601 The admirall set at libertie 1601 1601 The castle of Crapoll surprised 1601 The castle of Crâ—…cowe taken for prince Maurice An enterprise vpoÌ„ Flessingue 1601 Commissionâ—…rs beâ—…wixt the French 〈◊〉 and the archduke Mutinies among the archdukeâ—… soldiers 1601 An enterprise to sacke Antuerpe Adolph earle of Bergh taken prisoner and his troups deâ—…ated Rhiâ—…berck â—…siged 1601 The archduke resolues to besiege Oostend The description of Oostend 1601 Oostend walled fortified 1601 Sir Francis Veer sent to Oostend 1601 The estate of Berck Berck yeelded vpon honourable cearmes
the Archdukes Commissioners touching peace 1607. Iohn Neyen â—…vinciall of the Fryers sent into Holland to treat of a peaâ—…e in the Arch dukes â—…ehalfe The Arch-dukes declaration touching the freedomes of the vnited Prouinces and their desire to enter into a treaty of peace 1607 1607. The French King sent Ambassadors into thâ—… vnited prouinces 1607. The States of the vnited Prouinces sent ambasadors into England The King of Spaines agreation sent vnto the vnited Prouinces 1607. 1607. The opinions of the Netâ—…s touching the â—…ty of peace Considerations of the Netherlanders touching a peace 1607 Greatâ—… preparation of ships of warre in Spaine The ships of Emden arested in Spaine 1607. 1607. Presents offred vnto Artsens by Fryar Iohn Nayen 1607. Frier Nayenâ—… perswations vsed to Artesens Artesens answere to the Frier and his excuses 1607. Artesens report made to Prince Maurice and his opinion therin Presentâ—… giuen by Iohn Nayen deliuered backe againe 1607. Mounsier Sidlensâ—…e gouernor of Graue taken prisoner Mounsieur du Bois slaine by the enemy The mutinus souldiers of Diest in Brabant The Archduke Albertus seâ—…kes to bee King of Romaines 1607. The second agreation made by the king of Spain touching the peace Friar Iohn Nayens speech vpon the deliuery of this apro bation 1607. Auditor Verrikens dâ—…la ration touching the dukes proceedings The states resolution vpon the agreeation The States answer vqon the approbation 1607. The Arch-dukes Committies makes a difficultie to deliuer the agreation iâ—… 〈◊〉 A letter sent by the Emperor to the States â—…ouching a peace 1697. The King of Denmarke sent Ambassadors into Holland to be of Councell with the Estates about a peace A letter of banishment made by the Archduke against the mutinous soldiers of Diest 1607. The Ambassadors of Brandenbourgh come to Hage to and the States in the treaty of peace The generall Estates consultationâ—… and resolutions about the treaty of peace The Palsgraues Ambassadors come to the Hage to aide the States in â—…heir treaty 1607. The state of the Netherlands and the cause that moued theâ—… to the treaty of peace The Estates answer to the Emperors letters 1608. 1608. The Archdukes answere sent to the Estates touching the peace The deputies names that were to treate of peace for the Archdukes 1608. A generall fast in the vnited Prouinces to desire God tâ—… 〈◊〉 their action of 〈◊〉 peace c. Pasports sent to the deputies of the Archduke to come into Holland The entrie of the Archdukes deputies into Holland their entertainment in euery place 1608. The names titles of the Arch dukes Deputies Discourse touching their comming to the Hage 1608. A league made by the generall Estates with the French king Seuerall congratulations welcomes giuen vnto the Deputies of the Archdukes and the liked me by them to others Spinolaes great magnificence during his abode in the Hage 1608. The Estates sent to Marquis Sâ—…pinola to know wheÌ„ he would eâ—…ter into treaty with them The names of the Deputies nominated appointed by the States to sit vpon the treaty of peace 1608. The 1. assemblie The 2. assemblie 1608. The 3. assemblie The 4. assemblie The 5. assemblie 1608. Reasons aledged by the Indian Marchants of the vnited Prouinces why they should not leaue off their trade 1608. 1608 Diuers mens opinions concerning the Indian trade 1608 1608 The articles of peace deliuered by the Estates 1608 1608 The archdukes articles 1608 1608 1608 The substance of the â—…ct for 〈◊〉 into India whereon they stood most 1608 Touching the article of truce in the Netherlands which also was so much debated 1608 The States deputies inuited to dine wâ—…h the marquesse Spinola 1608 1608 An admonitioÌ„ giuen by all the embassadors resident in the Hage vnto the generall Estates touching a truce for many yeares 1608 1608 1608