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
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
as the humors of the councell of Spaine cannot be in any sort changed to the good of these countries as also there is no likelehood they finding them-selues wronged in the heighest degree would be more bening and yeeld more vnto them now then before the said offences or els that they can intreat these contries ouer whome they pretended a right more mildly then the Kings and kingdomes of France England and Scotland which are equall vnto them in dignity and authority Wherevpon the said generall Estates by reason of their duty and oth are so much the more bound to keepe them-selues from the false and cautelous practises of the said councell Especially for that the said murthers in these vnited Prouinces and against the French King and the Queene of England together with the open warre against the crowne of France haue beene manifest and continued sence his heighnes comming into the Netherlands And although that all these pretexts did cease which they with reason insist vpon yet their alliances leagues and communication of affaiers do require And admit we may well beleeue that his heighnes is displeased at such murthers yet we ought not to haue so great a regard there-vnto as to the desseignes and intentions of the King and his councell of Spaine from whence his heighnes receiued his commission and authority and that in this quality they may at all times reuoke him and appoint an other in his place against which change they cannot in any sort assure them-selues And withall the said generall Estates cannot comprehend that within these Prouinces nor without allied with one firme bond of confederation with the Queene of England the French King and other Princes Potentats and common weales as well friends to these countries as to all the comonalty of Christendome they may bring any fruite by the ouerture of a treaty of peace which is offred but they are resolued to rely vpon the hope which they haue in GOD and attend from his all-powerfull bounty and clemency although they haue alwaies and do daily obserue that worldly things are subiect to change a happy and commendable end of their iust cause not onely in regard of the vnited Prouinces but also for all the others of these Netherlands to the aduancement of his glory and holy word and the prosperity of all the Belgicke Prouinces Thus done and resolued in the assembly of the generall Estates at the Hage the 17. of May. 1594. This answere was giuen to Doctor Hartius and Coemans with an Autenticall coppy of the Kings letters whereof mention is made in this answere the which hauing bin intercepted and brought vnto the Estates two were found dated from S. Laurent which is the Escuriall of the 14. and an other of the 15. of October and of the fourth and seauenth of December 1593. signed with the Kings owne hand directed to Don William of Saint Clement his ambassador in Germanie By the first of the 14. among other clauses and whereof the Estates answere maketh mention there was that which followeth Touching the pacification of the Estates rebelled seeing you are so fully informed of that matter you can tell how to manage it in case there bee any means or likelehood to conclude it And you shall let all the world know that he seekes the publike good and to requite me for the good esteeme I haue of him that hee may effect this busines as the importance thereof did require Finally you shall giue collour by all possible meanes to this businesse to the end it may bee effected seeing it wil be so great a good for Christendome All this is breefly toucht vnto you hereafter you shal be aduertised of all occurrents and you for your part shall aduertise vs both before and after your departure towards Flanders particularly what your aduise is vpon euery point and what you thinke fit Moreouer vpon the way you shal be carefull to aduertise my cousin of such of my Estates as shall come to him and of those that shal write vnto him to the end that without any shew of distrust he may be wary and vigilant and not suffer himselfe to bee carried away by vncertaine aduertisements but that hee may know the humors and intentions of euery one And after his arriual he must haue this consideration to discerne the persons whom he must trust To which end you shall take particular informations from the Earle of Fuentes and Stephano d' Ybarra who will also dicipher the Estate vnto you and the humors of men which are in gouernment vpon whose discipline as also vpon the distribution of their pay it shal be needfull there be a great change for which there are in those parts particular dispatches of ours c. And by that of the seauenth day of December he sayth speaking of the Emperor the Arch-duke Ernestus the Turke and the Princes of Italy As also you shal represent vnto them that for that which concerns the Turke it shal be no preiudice as heretofore you haue let them know more particularly and you shall aduertise mee of all that shall passe Without doubt hee hath reason to apprehend the losses which hee hath made of Vesperin and Palotte and to complaine that they take no order to preuent a greater losse It were expedient if it might be to accommodate matters by an ordinary course of truce and of a greater present and that you seeke to win the good wills of the Bashaws by guifts for it is the ordinary and only remedy for difficulty concerning them I thinke you haue already condoled with the Emperor in my name as touching his troublesome trauell and that you know how to gouerne your self therein that I be no further ingaged but he rest satisfied with my good will You shall doe well to pursue that which you haue already propounded which is that to attaine vnto the pacification of Holland and Zeeland the point is there may be forces readie that afterwards they may giue the better assistance against the Turke Touching the Diet which you say they treate of order shal be giuen for that which shal be fit and you shal be aduertised as you shall doe the like of that which you shall vnderstand concerning that businesse for they write from Rome that if it may bee without calling of a diet they will giue the Emperor some contribution and meanes It is necessary you should aduertise me particularly of what passeth betwixt you and Cardinall Mandrucio in matter of leagues And in the meane time that wee shal be besied to giue you answere that you seeke to practise with him but yet in generall termes letting him vnderstand that to make this designe easie it shal be requisite aboue all things to make the Princes of Italie resolute in taking away all difficulties seeing they haue so great an interest in it And in regard of the title of a King which the Duke of Florence affects you shall hinder it whereof be carefull but as
to marry He had to his second wife the daughter of the Lord of Croix of the house of Noyelle of Arthois He was one of the most pollitike although hee were vnlearned and subtill Captaines of his time Mounsier de Villars gouernor of Rouen and Newe-hauen being come with certaine troupes of horse and foote to releeue the beseeged within Dourlans was incountred and charged by the Earle of Fuentes men and put to rout many of his men were slaine he himselfe being ouerthrowne from his horse was taken prisoner hauing his leg broken afterwards the Spaniards stabd him with their daggers in cold bloud for that hee had forsaken the league and reconciled him-selfe to the King Dourlans being in this sort beseeged by the Spaniards and the Castell furiously battered the forts betwixt the towne and the Castell wonne and by the blowing vp of a mine a small breach made the beseeged who thought of nothing lesse then an assault holding the breach not assaltable yet the Earle of Fuentes caused a furious assault to bee giuen with such a multitude as the soldiars thrust one another forward with their shoulders to make them enter the breach such as it was the which they hauing forced at a confused cry of victoria victoria the beseeged grew amazed and abandoned this breach euery one beginning to fly and to saue himselfe as he could And so the towne was taken at this assault the last day of Iune whereas the slaughter was very great but their insolency against wiues and virgins exceeded all measure It is a strange thing that a thousand fiue hundred men which were within it among the which there were so many bragging Gentlemen and of the Nobility could not repell such an assault at so insufficient a breach but it seemed that GOD would purge France of these Lees of the league who had but for faction sake reconciled them-selues vnto the King About that time the Earle of Fuentes vnder coullor to punish a certaine mutinie made of purpose by the Germaines who were in garrison in the towne of Brusselles thought to draw two thousand Spaniards into the towne the which the Burgers discouering preuented So as for spight beeing in like manner kept out of Macklyn and Vittevorde they fell vppon the Champian country of Brabant who by this meanes were more afflicted by their owne men then by their enemies besides the dearth was generally very great which made the poore commons to weepe and to lament their miseries yet knew they not to whome to flie for remedie to relieue their wants For which consideration the Estates both of the Clergie and the Secular of those Prouinces which remained vnder the King of Spaines obedience but especially the Nobilitie were moued of them-selues to seeke some meanes of peace and after diuers conferences togither hauing receiued pasport from the Estates of the vnited Prouinces to send their Deputies into Zealand to the said Estates and to Prince Maurice They deputed the Seignior of Lyesvell sometimes Chancellor of Brabant in the Duke of Anious time with Hartius and Maes Lawiers with a Secretarie of the Duke of Arschot The which on the fourteenth of Aprill came into Zealand where they conferred with Prince Maurice being accompanied by Iames Valck Tresorer general and Christopher Roels Pentioner of the Countie of Zealand requiring that they might bee admitted to propound some way of an Accord betwixt the King of Spaine and his reconciled Estates with the sayd Prince and the confederate Estates of the vnited Prouinces Where-vppon the Prince made answer that the generall Estates confederate had no intent to treat but with the said Estates of the reconciled Prouinces and not with the King of Spaine against whome as their mortall enemie they were allied with other neighbour Princes who were also his enemies and that they had long since abiured him Wherefore they held him so irreconcilably offended as they knew well hee could neuer forget the wrong which hee holds hath beene therein done him But that vppon the first opportunitie hee would be reuenged building vpon the Canon of the Councel of Constance Cum hereticis non est seruanda fides But if the Estates vnder the King would faithfully and sincerely enter into any conference of peace that the sayd confederate Estates of the vnited Prouinces were content to conuert their wars into peace and friendship therewith sending their resolution in writing conteyning foure Articles which they must resolue vpon before they would begin to enter into treaty with them which were 1 First that they should cause all strangers and soldiers to depart out of the countrie and to reduce them-selues into an absolute freedome whereby they might treat of a peace without the King and that the Deputies and Estates of the said Prouinces which should treat of a peace should be appointed by them without the King with whome the generall Estates of the vnited Prouinces would then treat as desiring nothing more then to see those long and bloudy wars conuerted into an assured and firme peace vpon good and tollerable conditions 2 Secondly that nothing should be altered nor changed in religion but it should be referred to the discretion of the Estates of each Prouince and that no man else should deale therein 3 That the Prouinces which were willing to treat of a peace with the vnited Prouinces among other conditions must be content to enter into treaty with the French King and the Queene of England and to vndergoe all the charges of the whole body of the generall Estates all the debts where-into the vnited Prouinces are falne for the defence of their liberties against the Spaniards and other strangers 4 Lastly that peace beeing made vppon those and other conditions the said vnited Prouinces offered all their power and meanes to helpe to maintaine the other Prouinces in their liberties and freedomes and to oppose them-selues against all that should seeke to molest wrong or dismember them In this case the sayd Ambassadours had no other commission but to moue a treaty of peace betwixt the King and his Estates on the one part and the vnited prouinces on the other so as the question betweene them now was whether the king should be comprehended therein or not where-vpon the Ambassadors returned againe speedely and made report what had beene propounded the which was sent into Spaine with the opinion of the said Ambassadors The Articles of the confederate Estates were by some which held the King of Spaines party very ill taken and by others which desired a peace in some sort tollerated saying that they were not altogether voyd of reason and that by a good conference they might be easely moderated And therefore considering the quality of the time which prest them and the pouerty and lamentations of the people they should not let slippe so good occasions without treating and if they did absolutly reiect the said conference of peace it was to be feared that
the vnited Prouinces would make stronger and firmer alliances with their neighbours whereby they should be frustrate of all hope euer to attaine vnto it Seeing that the Estates of the said vnited Prouinces by reason of their waters and riuers together with their infinite number of shippes with the which they did sayle into all the partes of the world had better meanes to maintaine them-selues then they had who haue no hauens nor shippes to compare beeing also enuironed by three mighty enemies the French King the Queene of England and the said confederat Estates who had no more to doe but to defend their fronters with small garrisons Moreouer they said that the King of Spaine needed not to doubt that his Estates and Nobility which were so much bound and affected vnto him would by the said conference conclude or yeeld to anything that should bee contrary to his honor greatnes and authority And if it should be so that the King for the good of his people and preseruation of his countries should make no difficulty to yeeld a little And the rather for that by the said Articles the confederats did not demand that the reconciled Prouinces should change their Princes Estate Gouernment or relligion And that of all which should bee concluded by the said conference the confederate Estates should more trust the reconcyled then the King by reason of their distrust and feare of his power and desire of reuenge the which they needed not to feare in them Besides that by this treaty of peace they should much weaken their enemies there being some hope that the French King and the Queene of England would consequently become their friends who demand nothing more then the retreat of the Spaniards and of all strange soldiars their naturall enemies the which being retired they shall no more haue any such great occasion of warre for assurance of whose retreat they might giue good hostage where-vnto the Earle of Fuentes did willingly offer himselfe retaining the kings authority Where-vpon such as were Spaniards in heart and who preferred the Kings affaiers before al other things would in like manner haue his honor greatnesse authority reputation and generally his rights and prerogatiues preferred and be first obserued and that they should rather force the confederats to reconcile them-selues vnto his maiesty their naturall Prince who notwithstanding so many wrongs and indignities which he had receiued from the said confederats was yet ready to treat mildely and sincerely with them for the which they should intreat and sue vnto his Maiesty wherefore it was more then necessary that his Authority should be interposed as a principall party whome it did cheefely concerne Otherwise that in excluding the king from the said conference and treaty they giue him occasion to make warre against themselues being not qualified nor authorized from his Maiestie And that the confederate rebells nor all their actions nor doings had not deserued so great honor nor hee so small respect Besides it did not belong to them to prescribe conditions to their Soueraigne that by treating onely with the Estates to exclude him vnder collour of their doubts and distrusts and that their heresies and rebellions were the true causes and grounds for the which they would not acknowledg the King their naturall Prince neither will they euer acknowledge him with a good heart whatsoeuer is done to them Wherefore if they would not comprehend the King in their treaty that it could not passe without to great preiudice to his greatnesse and to their dutie of obedience and fidelitie by the which they are bound vnto him The which ought not to bee tollerated that his authoritie should depend vpon his vassalls and subiects which were rebells and heretikes Thus spake they which from the beginning of the troubles in the yeare of our Lord 1566. would neuer heare the other partie and who inricht themselues by the ciuill warres at the charge and with the sweat and bloud of the poore commons speaking in this sort directly against the opinion of all good and well affected countriemen to whome these violent courses for thirtie yeares past could not bee pleasing All these allegations of either side betwixt the reconciled Estates the good countriemen and them that were Spanish were not to aduance any great matter in the treatie of peace so much desired by the Commons the Nobilitie and the Clergie as indeed it tooke no effect But to entertaine the people and to keepe them in obedience they made them beleeue that great Princes should deale in it hauing once receiued the Kings answere vpon the sayd Articles And on the other side the generall Estates of the vnited Prouinces made a manifest declaration that it was not their fault they entred not into conference of an accord but the Spaniardes and of their councell who did sticke more vpon that which they sayd depended of the Kings authoritie then of the preseruation of the common-weale and the good of neighbour Princes which they regard least hauing no other sound in their mouthes but that Our King is mightie c. About this time there was a letter dispersed abroad and in many mens hands some said it was written by that learned Scholler Iustus Lipsius who beeing desired by certaine councellors to deliuer his opinion whether it were better to haue warre then peace made answere bearing date the third of Ianuary in the yeare of our Lord 1595. Saying that the King had three seuerall enemies the French the English and the vnited Prouinces two of them were forraine and the third a domesticall enemie rather to bee tearmed a rebell then a right enemie for the first two if the house of Austria stood not in feare of the inhumaine and barbarous Turkes the King might easily bridle them proceeding in his warre with good discipline imploying his treasure well and aduancing men of merrit to places of commaund but in regard that the Turke threatned Christendome it was to bee considered whether it were better to make a peace with these two forraine enemies or with either of them seeing that the Hollanders were in a manner out of heart hauing both the French and English to their aide what then were to bee expected from them if wee made peace with one of these forraine enemies as namelie with the Queene of England who hath in her handes the two strong entries of Zeeland and Holland beeing of an opinion that shee would not stand verie much against a peace both in regard that shee was a woman as also for that her treasure was well spent and exhausted hauing but a small meanes and for that the warres were maintayned against the common peoples mindes who desired nothing but trafficke and freedome The cause why shee entertained these warres was more for feare then for any great hatred the greatnesse and power of the King and the valour and dexteritie of the Spaniards for these three-score yeares had beene fearefull to all neighbour Princes Wherefore to
and priuiledges of the countrie to gouerne at his pleasure forgetting not in the meane time his chiefe desseignes vpon the neighbor kingdomes seeking occasions of quarrell to inuade them by armes The which GOD preuented stirring vp the Prince of Orange who entred into the sayd countries with two mightie armies vntill that hee was setled in his gouernments of Holland and Zeeland This was not yet sufficient for the King of Spaine that in those countries there are aboue a hundred thousand persons dead for the religion and that by his charge the Duke of Alua hath caused aboue twentie thousand to bee executed by the hangman but hee must withall quite ruine whole townes and murther most part of the people as the Townes of Macklyn Zutphen Naerden Oudewaeter and others which may serue for presidents And besides that hee was cause of the Prince of Oranges murther by a publike proclamation who had alwayes carried himselfe as a Father of the countrie the which giues the Estates the more occasion to perseuere in their iust conceptions Whereby it is apparent that these vnited Prouinces haue good reason not to submit them-selues vnder the subiection and rule of the King of Spaine nor to enter into any Treatie with him of a perpetuall peace And the rather for that they haue found by experience that all the conferences of peace how sincerely so-euer they haue beene made by the Mediators and Intercessors haue beene a wayes held by the Spaniards tending to some practises or enterprises that hauing made some diuision or breach betweene them then sodenly to ouer-runne and disperce them Besides in their particular Treaties with the Townes of Gand and Bruges the King of Spaines ministers propounded in the beginning goodly conditions yea for matter of religion but when they came to resolue they would not once suffer them to open their mouthes vpon the least point The fraudulent treaties of the enemies and the wayes of hostilitie which the Spaniards haue vsed against the State and Crowne of France for so many yeares doe sufficiently shew that all they doe is but to suppresse religion And the like happened in the yeare 1588. when during the Treatie of the English with the Spaniards at Bourbourg in Flanders that great Sea-armie thought to inuade England And withall the Estates cannot enter into any treatie with the King of Spaine for that since the murther of the Prince of Orange they haue chosen Prince Maurice his sonne for the cheefe whome God hath endowed with so many graces and heroicall vertues as he not onely defends and preserues these vnited Prouinces but doth also augment and dilate their limits and iurisdictions with the ayde and fauor of the Queene of England who like a most Christian Princesse considering the power and ambition of the Spaniards and their manner of proceeding hath alwaies for the good of all Christendome fauored the said Estates with whom they are in league vpon promise not to make any peace with the said enemies without her priuity and consent That since the King of Spaine hath continued warre against all Kings Princes and Potentats vnder collour to maintaine the Pope and his relligion but the true cause is to domineere ouer all Christendome the which he hath shewed plainely against the French King by reason whereof the saide French king hath also made a league with the Queene of England into the which these vnited Prouinces haue beene receiued being bound not to treat any peace with the Spaniard without both their consents whereof the Estates hope that the kings maiesty of Denmarke will consider of the ambitious desseignes of the king of Spaine and of his councell against all kings and Potentates and especially against them that haue forsaken Popery euen so all Christendome should desire to ioyne in the same league asuring themselues also that his Maiestie by his great wisdome will not onely iudge how vnfit it were for these countries to returne vnder the yoake of the Spaniard to the totall suppression of relligion and their vtter ruine but also how preiudiciall it would be to neighbour kings and Princes if the said Prouinces were brought againe vnder the King of Spaines subiection and that he should command ouer their soldiars shippes and marrines hauing the meanes in his power by the mony which the said Prouinces haue by reason of the warres beene forced to leuie for their defence and preseruation the which being at his deuotion would giue him meanes to entertayne twenty thousand men continually with the which hee would doe greater exployts against all other neighbour Kings and Princes then hee could doe with the reuenues and demaines of his other realmes and Prouinces yea of his Indies That the King of Spaine hath beene alwaies a persecuter of the relligion the gouernment of Spaine and Portugall and the great councell of the Inquisition do sufficiently shew it with that goodly title which hee giues him-selfe of Defender of the Popes authority who attributes vnto him-selfe and vsurpes the power to transferre kingdomes from one King or Prince vnto an other Moreouer the said Estates do most humbly beseech his Maiesty to beleeue that the beginning of a conference of peace with the King of Spaine is full of difficulties and secret desseignes which cannot be preuented For as with other Kings Princes and commonweales conferences of peace doe coole mens affections to warre or at the least doth hinder the meanes the same reason hath greater efficacy with these Prouinces and townes for that many would imagine that the reasons which had moued the said Estates to enter into conference were so sollide and built vpon a foundation of such assured conditions as they could not faile to attayne vnto a firme peace the which would cause many inconueniences for to thinke that the vnited Prouinces could make any peace with the King of Spaine without the extirpation of the reformed relligion in the said contries and without bringing the inhabitants thereof vnder the absolute obedience of Spaine it hath bin deliuered at large by word of mouth vnto the Ambassadors that it cannot possible bee performed The said Estates do also beseege his Maiesty to beleeue that they are very sencible of the great miseries and calamities which these countries haue suffered and do suffer during these present warres and of the effusion of humaine bloud And in like manner they doe duly weigh and consider of the commodities which a good peace should bring by the cessation of armes But seeing that besides the enterest of all Christendome and of Kings Princes and neighbour common weales this conference of a peace with the Spaniards would be so preiudiciall and hurtfull to the Estate of these Countries as the ruine thereof and all the inhabitants might thereby ensue For these considerations their Estate cannot endure to haue any other ouerture made but it behoues them to attend an other issue from the hand of GOD whereon they haue grounded all their hope by a good reunion of the
place of their assembly at Veruine where they continued long before they could resolue The Queene of England and the generall Estates sent their Ambassadors into France concerning this treatie as nothing pleased with this conformitie of the French King with the Spaniards but they returned with-out any effect The Estates Embassadors by reason of the contrary windes came too late the Treatie of peace being concluded with the Spaniard Yet going to the king to Nantes they were welcomed much made of and had priuate audience whereas the king assured them of his loue and good affection to the sayd Prouinces so as they returned reasonablie well satisfied from his Maiestie Yet the Estates sent other ambassadours to the Queene of England to conferre of that which was to be done or not done concerning this peace the said ambassadors were Iohn Duyvenvorae knight Siegnior of Warmont Admirall and great forrester of Holland Maister Iohn Vanderwerck Councellor of the Estates of Zeeland and Iohn Hottinga a Squire both Deputies of the generall Estates And although it seemed according to the league made in the yeare 1596. betwixt France and England in the which the vnited Prouinces were comprehended that the King should not haue proceeded in this treatie of peace with the Spaniard without the consent of his allyes yet the French King thought himselfe sufficiently discharged in that behalfe to haue inuited and summoned the Queene and the said Estates who by their refusall or delayes could not bridle his will hauing giuen the Ambassadors both of the one and the other sufficiently to vnderstand how necessary peace was for his kingdome to restore and put his poore subiects in breath his condition being contrary to the Queenes and the Estates who preserued and maintained them-selues by warre and hee on the other side did but ruine his realme thereby In the end hee concluded the sayd peace with the Cardinalls Deputies in the name of the King of Spaine their Maister the articles whereof I haue set downe briefly and succinctly as followeth 1. First it is agreed that the Treatie of peace concluded and resolued betwixt the said Kings Henry the fourth and Philip the second in confirmation of the articles conteined in the treatie of peace made at Chasteau Cambresis 1559. betwixt the sayd Catholicke King and Henry the second the French king deceased of high and worthy memorie which treatie the sayd Deputies haue a new confirmed in all points without innouating any thing but all shall remaine firme except that which shall bee expresly derogated by this present Treatie 2. According to the which from the day of the date of this present treatie betwixt the said Kings their children borne or to be borne heires and successors realmes countries and subiects there shall be a good firme sure and stable peace confederation perpetuall league and amitie they shall loue one another as bretheren procuring by all meanes the good honor and reputation one of another and shall auoyde as much as they may the hurt one of another They shall not fauor nor maintaine any person to the preiudice one of another and from this day they shall cease all acts of hostilitie forgetting all things past the which shall remaine abolished without any future mention thereof Renouncing by this present treatie all practises leagues and intelligences which may tend to the preiudice of the one or the other either of them promising neuer to doe any thing nor to procure to bee done that may tend to the hurt and preiudice of the other nor to suffer their vassailes or subiects to doe it directly or indirectly And if here-after any of what qualitie or condition soeuer they bee shall goe against it and serue by land or sea or in any other sort to ayde and assist to the preiudice of eyther of the sayd Kings the other shall bee bound to oppose him-selfe and to punish them seuerely as breakers of this Treatie and troublers of the publick quiet 3. And by meanes of the sayd peace and strict amitie the subiects of either side whatsoeuer may in keeping the lawes and customes of the countrie goe come remaine frequent conuerse and returne in peace from one vnto the other in trade of Marchandise or conuersing and treating together as they shall thinke good by land sea or riuers And their subiects shall bee defended and maintained paying the duties in all accustomed places which shall bee appointed by their Maiesties and their successors 4. All letters of Marke aââ¦d reprisall which haue been giuen for what cause so-euer shall be suspended and here-after none shall be giuen by either of them to the preiudice of the others subiects but against the chiefe offenders their goods and adherents and that in case of manifest deniall of Iustice whereof and of the letters of sommation and requisition thereof those that pursue the said letters of Marke and reprisall shall make proofe as it is required by law 5. The townes subiects and inhabitants of the Counties of Flanders Arthois and other Prouinces of the Netherlands together with the realmes of Spaine shall enioy the preuiledges freedomes and liberties which haue beene granted by the Kings of France predecessors to the most Christian King and in like maner the townes subiects and inhabitants of the realme of France shall also enioy the preuiledges freedomes liberties which they haue in the said Netherlands and in the realme of Spaine as euerie one hath hereââ¦ofore inioyed and vsed them and as they did enioy them by vertue of the Treatie made in the yeare 1559. and other former Treaties 6 It is also agreed in case the catholick King should giue or transferre by testament donation or resignation or by any other title whatsoeuer to the noble Infanta the lady Isabella his eldest daughter or to any other all his Prouinces of the Netherlands with the counties of Bourgongue and Charolois that all the said Prouinces and Counties are meant to be comprehended in this present treatie as they were in the yeare 1559. together with the sayd Lady Infanta or hee in whose fauour the sayd King hath disposed it neither shall it bee needfull to make a new treatie to that effect 7. The subiects of eyther Prince as well cleargie as secular men shall returne although they haue serued the contrary party into their benefices and offices to the which they were preferred before the end of December 1588. except Curates others being cannonically called and to the enioying of their immoueable goods rents and annuities seazed on and held by reason of the warre begun in the sayd yeare 1588. to enioye them from the publication of this peace and in like manner of those which are since fallen vnto them by succession or otherwise with-out making any question or demanding of any of the fruites before time receiued since the seazure and holding of the sayd immoueable goods vnto the publication of this present Treatie nor of the debts which haue beene consumed before the
of the vnited Prouinces into his hands which the vnited Prouinces would not yeeld vnto only they thought it good to put certayne townes into his hands for his securitie thereby to procure further ayd from him For this cause the French King sent the President Ianin Mounsier de Roussy and Mounsier Buzenuall as Ambassadours into the vnited Prouinces who arriued there vpon the foure and twenty day of May and vpon the eight and twenty of the same month had audience where first they showed what aide their King had giuen vnto the vnited Prouinces and then they complained that the Estates had delt so secretly with their enemy concerning a truce without their Kings aduice offering withall their Kings fauor and further aide vnto them with a presentation of an ordinary prouision to aide them as long as they continued warre or if they made a peace that hee might deliuer his aduise therein and giue consent to the effecting thereof To which end they desired them to appoint certaine deputies on their behalfes that might treate with them touching all causes not onely concerning the Estate of the countrie and the meanes thereof but also touching the reasons and considerations that might bee most necessary and conuenient to be propounded in the treaty of peace and best to preserue their Estate in freedome Wherevnto there were certaine committies appointed out of euery Prouince as for Holland Mounsieur Barneuelt for Zeland Mounsieur de Maeldere so of other Prouinces who vpon the 29. of May with Mounsieur de Beye the treasorer hauing full instruction they began to conferre with the French ambassadors and concluded that they should stay there in the Kings behalfe to aide them in the treaty of peace and to further the same The like aide and assistance they desired of the King of England who willed them first to send certaine deputies vnto him to giue him full instructions of their Estate and meanes to which end in Iuly they sent Iohn Berck counselor and pentionar of the towne of Dort for Holland and for Zeland Sir Iacob van Maldere knight into England accompanied with their ordinary ambasador Sir Noel Caron who vpon the 16. day of Iuly had priuat audience of the King and after that seuerall times of his councell beeing well and honorably entertained and feasted in euery place especially in London with the King and the Prince at Marchant-taylors hall where they were honored with certaine freedomes belonging vnto the sayd company of Marchant-taylors whereby did appeere the old mutuall affection and inward contracts of friendship made betweene the Netherlands and the Realme of England at last they tooke their leaues of the King and the Prince with satisfaction according to their desires and promise from the King to aide the vnited prouinces both with counsell and otherwise especially in their proceeding with the treatie of peace promising to send Sir Richard Spencer and Sir Raphe Winwood ambassadors into the vnited Prouinces and so the ambassadors hauing either of them a chaine of gold giuen them one of them being also made knight tooke shipping and vpon the tenth day of August ariued in Zeeland I showed before that within three monethes the King of Spaines agreation of the truce made for eight monthes was to bee brought vnto the Estates out of Spaine and to that end the Archdukes vsed all the dilligence they could to procure the same which at the last was obtained and vpon the sixteene day of Iuly Spinola wrot vnto the Estates of the vnited Prouinces to certifie them that his Secretary Birago had brought the said agreation out of Spaine desiring a pasport for Mounsieur Vereycken to come into Holland to deliuer the sayd agreations and withall to proceed to some pointes touching the treatie in hand which letter vpon the eight day of Iulie was by Spinolaes trumpet brought to the Hage and the next day a pasport was made accordingly whereby the sayd Vereycken vpon the foure and twenty day of Iulie came to the Hage and that daie had audience of the generall Estates where hee shewed them the King of Spaines agreation placed vnder the acts made the foure and twenty day of Aprill and the first of Iune written in Spanish bearing date the last of Iune the contents thereof being that his Maiesty hauing seene the contents of those acts sent him by his deare brother and sister the Archdukes Albertus and the Infanta Clara Eugenia Princes and soueraigne Lords of the Netherlands touching the truce and abstinance from armes for the space of eight monthes with ceasing from surprising of all townes and sorts inuading of countries and making of new forts during the said time as also of an intent on both sides to cause certaine deputies to assemble together about the concluding of a generall peace or long truce as the same at large declarethâ⦠hauing well and duelie considered thereof declareth that not to restraine withhold nor any wayes to hinder the good that is to be expected thereby hee not onely hath commended approued and ratified the aforesaid abstinance from armes and by these presents doth commend approue ratifie and confirme in all points the said abstinance from armes as much as it concerneth him promising vpon his Princely word and faith to hold and maintaine the same in euery point as well as if he had consented therevnto at the first and that the matter had beene begun and treated by his consent and authoritie without any contradiction of the same In witnesse whereof he had signed the same sealed it with his seale dated in Valiodolid the first of Iune That which stood vnder the act of the first of Iune was of the same substance and almost verbatim as neere as might bee but both the acts vnder the which those agreations stood were written in French wherein especially in the acte of the foure and twenty of Aprill in the chiefest and most substanciall clause there was forgotten or left out these words Vniââ¦s en qualite et comme les tenans pour pais prouinces c. The aforesaid agreation being also written in paper sealed with the small seale and signed Io el Rey and to auoide all further difficulties a motion was made that the Estates would countermaund and call home all their shippes of warre from the coast of Spaine The Estates for their partes dislââ¦ked much that by the said agreation the Arch-dukes should bee termed Soueraigne Lordes of all the Netherlands and withall they found out the aforesayd error not knowing whether ignorantly or of purpose it had beene so omitted and there-vpon they showed him with what abuse such a fault had beene committed in the principall acte which hee confessed to haue beene perceiued and found out also in Brussels saying that it was but the writers fault who in coppying the same negligently omitted a whole line and for that the agreation was generall the Arch-dukes thought good to send it onely to let them know
effect concerning the matters in controuersie betweene both parts as well touching religion as otherwise that then his aforesayd declaration and agreeation should bee of no force but remaine as if it had neuer beene made and that by vertue thereof it should not bee vnderstood nor interpreted that hee had or would loose any of his right or title nor the Estates thereby to haue any aduantage but that all things should remaine in the same state they were and euery man to haue his due and that from thence-forth it should be lawfull for each party to doe as they thought good With this agreation hauing deliuered a copie thereof in Spanish French and Dutch Frier Iohn Nayen made a long discourse of the sinceritie and vprightnesse of the King of Spaine in that respect and that hee had caused the same to passe through the hands of his councell that it might bee the freer and more assured to take effect although hee should dye wherein hee sayd hee was much to bee commended in that hee expressed the true and vpright intent and meaning of his direct dealing therein promising no more nor binding himselfe no further then hee meant to performe and cause to bee effected whereas other-wise if hee had meant to deale deceitfully hee would not haue done so but rather haue made the agreation with-out any explication whereas now to make knowne his iust proceeding hee had declared his full pleasure and intent there-by to shunne and auoyde that which here-after might seeme to bee brought in question Mounsieure Verreyken also made a very long speach touching the sinceritie and direct dealing of the Arch-dukes concerning that poynte and of the greate inclination and desire they had vnto peace which was plainely to bee seene by their proceedings therein and how earnestly they had endeuoured themselues to doe all thinges which the Estates had by any meanes desired or could in any sort pretend The general Estates hauing receiued the copie of the said agreation and perused the same they found it to be very badly and negligently written by leauing out of many wordes and some defects to be in the writing of many wordes which were not placed as they ought to bee and also in the forme not being signed with the Kings name nor written in French And after they had imparted the same vnto the Ambassadors of France and England vppon the seauenteenth day they had further conference with the sayd Fryer Iohn Nayen and Verreyken to acquaint them with the sayd defects and to knowe if there were no other agreation to bee expected who letting them vnderstand that there was no other agreation to bee had from Spaigne but that in the proceedings with the principall pointes of the treatie all doubtes and difficulties might bee better seene into and preuented vpon good deliberation and after diuers consultations had with his Excellencie and the Ambassadors aforesaid Vpon the second of Nouember they resolued to giue the Deputies an answer which was that the said letters of agreation according to the declaration of the Deputies not only in the wordes and stile but also in the sealing insertion and omission of many words were not conformable to the promises made and that by the last clause therof besides the propositions of Fryer Iohn Nayen there might be pretended a disanulling of the sollemne promises thereby made it being not to be contradicted That the sayd King and the Arch-dukes with their Councels know well that the general Estates of the vnited Prouinces as being Estates of free countries and Prouinces where-vnto the aforesaid King and Arch-dukes pretend no soueraignty by the grace of God almighty and the said assistance of such Princes as are allyed vnto them can finde good meanes to maintaine and vphold the welfare estate and gouernement of the sayd countries and the Inhabitants of the same without making any mention thereof in the principal treaty concerning peace or truce notwithstanding any thing which might bee pretended or propounded by the King or Arch-dukes to the contrary vnlesse they would crosse or seeke to disanull the aforesayd sollemne and formall promises And although there might some question be made whether vppon the said letters and propositions they might proceed to a treatie Neuerthelesse to the end this worke begun for the freeing of those countries from these long continuall and bloody wars and the setling of a godly honourable and an assured peace may not be hindred they would shew the said letters as much as concerneth the approbation of the promises made by the Arch-dukes and the like declaration of the said King whereby he declareth that he is content that in his name and in his behalfe a treatie shal be made touching peace or truce with the generall Estates in qualitie and as holding and acounting them for free countries Prouinces and Estates where-vnto he made no claime besides all generall and particular obligations which are requisite and necessary vnto the Prouinces townes and members of the same respectiuely and within sixe weekes next enfuing giue intelligence vnto the said Deputies whether they intended the e-vpon to enter into any treatie or not with expresse protestation from thence-forth neuer to make any question to any poynt of the aforesaid letters which might bee vnderstood to be directly or indirectly against the said agreation and declaration togither with the promises of the said Arch-dukes And if it were founde fitte and conuenient vppon the sayd agreation and declaration or vppon any other that within the sayd time acording to the promises made might bee sent out of Spaine and deliuered vnto the said Estates to enter into a treatie the Estates were of opinion that neyther in the said Kings behalfe nor the Arch-dukes there should be any thing propounded or pretended that might bee preiudiciall to the state welfare and gouernement of the vnited Prouinces or the Inhabitants thereof contrary to the sayd promises And that the Arch-dukes will take order within tenne daies after the receipt of the saide aduertisment to send their committies with instructions according to the originall offers to the Hage fully instructed and authorised and also to vnderstand the Estates intent to deliuer their meanings plainely and effectually And there-vppon to make a short and briefe resolution and that the Estates in that respect would appoint certaine Committies with the like authoritie to treat with them This answer being made it was giuen to the said Frier Iohn Nayen and to Vereyken vpon the third of Nouember and there-withall they were demaunded whether they would deliuer the Originall letters of agreation whereat they made some doubt whether they might leaue them with the Estates or carry them backe againe to Brusselles and therefore they desired respite for certaine daies wherein Fryer Iohn Nayen might go to Brusselles to fetch a further commission concerning that point which being graunted them the Fryer went from the Hage vpon the fifth of Nouember the fourteenth of the same
The Emperors letter to the princes ââ¦lectors The Emââ¦erors departure out of the Netherlands 1556 King Philips age King Philips proceeding after the emperors departure King Philip makes an excessiue demaÌd of the Netherlanders A great famin in the Netherlands The king coââ¦es out of ââ¦ngland to ââ¦is A fight at sea betweene the Hollanders the FrenchmeÌ Mary queen of England ââ¦roclaimeth open war against France S. Quintains besieged by king Philip. The battaile of ãâã Quintines The names of the noblemen of France thââ¦t were sââ¦e taken prisoners S. Quintine won the admiral of France with monsieur Daudelot his brother taken prisoners Peace made with the pope Calis taken by ãâã French meÌ * E. Demetrius 1558 Guynes woon by the French men Mary queen of Scots maried to the Dolphin of France Theonuille woon by the French men Duynkââ¦rke woââ¦n by the ââ¦nch men The battaileoâ⦠Graueling in Flanders Mary queen of England died The death of queen ââ¦enor and queen Mary sistââ¦rs to ââ¦he emperour Charles the 5. The death of the emperour Charles the 5. Treatie of peace between France and Spaine Articles of the peace made at Cambresis Heââ¦ry king of France slââ¦ine aâ⦠a running at ãâã The death of Pope Paule the fourth The lady Marguerite aduanced to the gouernment by the Cardinals meanes A petition mââ¦de by the states to king Philip to send the Spaniards out of the Netherlands King Philip ãâã from Vlishââ¦g into Spaine The Bible called Complutensis printed in Antuerpe at the costs and charges of K. Philip. A briefe declaration of the priuiledges of Brabant The libââ¦ralitie of thâ⦠NetherlaÌdââ¦s to their lords and princes The emperour Charls thoght to haue reduced the Netherlands all into one kingdome Vnder pretence of religion othermeans were sought to take the priuiledges of the Netherlands from them The Inquââ¦tion nââ¦t suffered to proceed in the NetherlaÌds oy means of Mary queen of Hungarie Inquisitors of the Faith made Thâ⦠liâ⦠of cardââ¦l ãâã His ââ¦randfather Hââ¦s father ââ¦is ãâã to hââ¦ue thâ⦠king ãâã ãâã of ââ¦s couââ¦sel How he preuented the enuy of the couâ⦠The cardinalâ⦠priuat life His adultery luxury The Cardinals codpisse Hath made the king Golette misse His inchantments and witchcrââ¦t His contempt of the word of God The clergie at debate for the new bishops Deputies sent from Antuââ¦rpe to the king of Spââ¦ne touching the bishops The lord of Monâ⦠sent ââ¦to Spain 1563 Letters of complââ¦int vntâ⦠ãâã ââ¦g agâ⦠the cardinall The kings answer The noblemens reply The cardinal called back into Spaine The pââ¦ution oâ⦠ãâã ãâã ââ¦ster 1564 Difference betwixt England and the Netherlands The abbey of Ouwergââ¦m ââ¦obd The earle of Egmont sent into Spaine 1565 The kings letters other than were expected Execution of the edicts Introduction of the Inquisition To put tââ¦e couââ¦ll of Treââ¦t in praââ¦e The Gouernesse sââ¦ters to the ãâã ãâã The prince of Oranges letter to the dutches Touching the execution of edicts The prince excuseââ¦h himself fââ¦oÌ this chââ¦rge The Gouernesse sends for the prince of Orange to come to Brussels The magistrat of Antuerpe sendeth to the Gouernesse A bloudie resolution A dââ¦scourse of Fââ¦s Baudwins teaching the meanes to ââ¦uent the trouââ¦s Definition of this word Reââ¦on The minds of men cannot be commanded by force Couetousnes and ambition doe more than torments They must giue audience to them of the religion Mahumet forbids to dispute of his religion They of the reliââ¦on neuer heard with patience The holy Scripture as powerful now as euer to confute heresies Counsels reiââ¦cted by some bishops The word of God must determine of controuersies If it were fit to hinder the exercise of Religion Abuse in the Church the cause of great ãâã The christians in old timââ¦s assembled in the deserts He that is disloyââ¦ll vnto God wil be also vnto the king Fuseââ¦ius in the life of Constantine Emperor A good consideration touching the ãâã of the Netherlands No sorts maintaine kings so much as the loue of their subiects The cause of the troubles in France Great numbers haue forsaken the Netherlands for Religion Thââ¦t those of the ãâã are ãâã ââ¦ll of base condââ¦on Most oâ⦠the ãâã ãâã and best wââ¦ts ââ¦re of the ãâã In the end they shall be forced to grant liberââ¦e of religion Obiections against ââ¦ee excrââ¦se of ââ¦ligion Answer to the first obiection It is no new ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ââ¦row ãâ¦ã ãâã the diuersitie oââ¦ââ¦ons ãâ¦ã pââ¦ons Note this counsell An assembly of the nobles at the mariage of the prince of Parma The noblemen assemble at S. Trudon touching the troubles A compromise of the nobles of the Netherlands Diuers opinions of the confederation of the Netherlands The verie words of the Inquisitors commission The vaunts and threats of priests and preachers incenseth the people Prouinces of the Netherlands confederats with the empire Six chiefe articles in the priuiledges of Brabant Deputies of the nobles with a petition at an imperiall Diet. The gouernors ââ¦nd knights of the order sent for to court The Gouernesse writes to the king all the ââ¦res of the Netherlands The Gouernâ⦠pââ¦th thââ¦ââ¦es oââ¦ââ¦bant A proiect to moderat the edicts A petition sent by them of Brabant to the king of Spaine They would hââ¦ue Brabant ââ¦or an enemy by reason of their priuiledges ãâ¦ã An ambiguous and rigoróus apostile to the petition of them of Flanders A second petition made by them of Flanders against the Inquisition The beginning of the Gueux by the which the protestants in the Netherlands were called The lord of Brederode his speech presenting the petition The petition of the nobles against the Inquisition c. The petition of the nobles interpreted to rebellion The Gouernesse answere to the petition of the nobles The Gouernesse policie The ãâã ãâã the ãâã The contents of the moderation of the proclââ¦tion for Religion The commission of the embassadors of the Netherlands declared vnto the king An answer of the ââ¦obles to the duââ¦sse excuse 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 The earle of Megen and others The duchesse perplexed for the answer of the nobles Two factions in Antuerpe ãâã ãâã A petition made by the reformed churches to the magistrat of Antuerpe The prince of Orange seekes to order things ãâã Antuerpe Dist ust the cause of troubles in Antuerpe The prince requires a leuie of 1200 men in Antuerpe The answer of the great counsell and the members of Antuerpe to the princes proposition Another occasion of trouble in Antuerpe It seemes the duchesse deâ⦠to ââ¦at the people for small matters An explanation oââ¦ââ¦o blâ⦠answer to the duchesse The noblemen insist vpon their assurance The prince of Orange and the earles of Egmont and Horne The ãâã ãâã The Goueâ⦠nââ¦se ââ¦s to the townes of the Netherlands Troubles in Antuerpe Foure reasons why they kept their preaching in Antuerp Iust ââ¦tion of the commons sent vnto the prince touching the preaching The breaking of images begââ¦n iââ¦
the Archdukes Commissioners touching peace 1607. Iohn Neyen ââ¦vinciall of the Fryers sent into Holland to treat of a peaââ¦e in the Arch dukes ââ¦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 Netââ¦s touching the ââ¦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 Sidlensââ¦e gouernor of Graue taken prisoner Mounsieur du Bois slaine by the enemy The mutinus souldiers of Diest in Brabant The Archduke Albertus seââ¦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 dââ¦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⦠ãâã A letter sent by the Emperor to the States ââ¦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 ââ¦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⦠ãâã their action of ãâã 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 Sââ¦pinola to know wheÌ he would eââ¦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 ââ¦ct for ãâã 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 wââ¦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
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 Ieââ¦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 ââ¦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 ãâã 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 stolââ¦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 daughââ¦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
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 Bishop of Vtrechts forces vnder Nicholas of Wilderstorffe against the Geldrois and Frison Geldrois vnder the command of the Earle of Maeurs of Collonell Martin van Rossen and Captaine Grand Pierre for the Duke of Geldres vnto the yeare 1526. During the which there were many townes and castels taken and recouered againe on eyther side diuers incounters skirmishes and sieges raised where-with the whole country was miserably afflicted and ruined for if the poore country-men of eyther side would keepe any thing they must of necessitie carrie it into the townes from whence they might not retire it when they would Some writers speake diuersly of the causes and motiues of the warre betwixt the Emperour and the French King But all concurre that the election of Charles reuiued the old quarrels and bred new The French King had alwayes an eye to the realme of Naples hauing treated with Pope Leo for the recouerie thereof Hee desired also to restore the King of Nauarre to his kingdome seeing that the Emperour made no accoumpt to leaue it On the other side the Emperor was not well pleased to pay the 100000. crownes pension to the French king according to the accord made with the Lord of Cheures his Gouernour ratified by the Emperour Maximilian his grand-father for the rights pretended by the French king vpon Naples Hee did also beare the losse of the Duchie of Bourgongne impatiently seazed vpon by king Lewis the eleuenth after the death of Duke Charles his great Grand-father by the Mother side slaine before Nancy There wanted no quarrell also touching the Duchie of Milan As they were about to seeke occasions to assaile one another there was one offered small in shew at the beginning but it was the fire-brand to kindle this flame the which afterwards did thrust the greatest part of Europe into combustion and made these two Princes their successors and subiects so to afflict one another as all the miseries that might be imagined haue followed and this was the occasion There was a sute betwixt the Lord of Aymerie and the Prince of Chimay of the house of Croy for a Towne in the forrest of Ardennes called Hierges and a sentence giuen in fauour of Chimay by the Peers of the Dutchie of Bouillon who doe iudge soueraignely without any appeale from their sentences yet the Lord of Aimery who had great credit with the Emperor Charles and the chiefe in Court preuailed so as he obtained letters from the Chancerie of Brabant to call in the heyres of the Prince of Chimay to appeare at a certaine day and to heare the reasons of Aimery if need were and to see the sentence giuen in their fauour disanulled They seeing the wrong that was offered them repaired to Robert of Marcke Duke of Bouillon as to their Lord and Protector that he might defend the liberties and priuiledges of his Duchie being withall Tutor vnto Chimays children hauing married their Aunte Wherevpon the Duke did what he could possible to maintaine his rights but seeing that they meant to depriue him he addressed himselfe to the French king with whom he found meanes to make his peace being before in some disgrace with him putting into his hands both his person and his places crauing fauour and support that he might haue Iustice of the wrong done vnto his soueraigntie Hauing thus prouided for his affaires hee sent to defie the Emperor the which was a great presumption for him and he bought it full deerely at the diet at Wormes and soone after the Lord of Florenges his eldest sonne leuied 3000. foote and 500. horse in France against the kings Proclamation and went to besiege Vireton a small towne in the country of Luxembourg Heerevpon the King of England hauing perswaded the French King not to enter into quarrell for so small a subiect as that of Bouillon with the Emperour matters were past ouer and the Duke of Bouillon dismissed his Armie But in the meane time the Emperour raised one whereof the Earle of Nassau had the command with the which he tooke Longues Meusancourt Fleuranges Sanchy and Bouillon wherevpon the Duke finding himselfe too weake obtained a truce of the Emperor for sixe weekes onely The French King considering that the granting of this truce was a secret declaration of warre against him for that if the Emperor had had no other desseigne but against the Duke of Bouillon there had beene no need of any truce hauing meanes to ruine him within sixe weekes hee began in like sort to raise an Armie solliciting the King of England to ioyne with him The Emperour on the other side hauing this ouerture began to looke to himselfe and both Armies went to field attempting nothing yet one against the other for the King of England hauing offered to be an arbitrator of their quarrells a parle was appointed at Calais whether the Commissioners of both parties came But for that they did not yeeld vnto the Emperor the restitution of the Duchie of Bourgongue and the abolition of the homage of Flanders and Arthois which hold of the Crowne of France there was nothing concluded In the meane time the Lord of Liques a Wallon made an enterprise vpon the Abbay of Saint Amant in Tournesis belonging to the Cardinall of Bourbon and vpon a small Towne called Mortaigne not farre from thence of the county of Holland This Gentleman pretended these places to belong vnto him and made himselfe Maister thereof At the same instant the Lord of Fiennes Gouernor of Flanders did besiege Tournay of all which exploits the Emperour excused himselfe saying that they were priuate quarrels But the King seeing that the Imperiall Armie vnder colour that the truce with the Duke of Bouillon grew to an end approched neere Mouson hee sent some troupes thether and so the warre began betwixt these two great Princes both in Champaigne Picardie and else-where all which I will forbeare to write of in this worke both for that they do not properly concerne this subiect as also being set downe at large in the Historie of France George Schenck Gouernor of Friseland with the Lords of Wastenare and Castre hauing taken the fort of Warckom and Mackom the Townes of Dockom and Bolswaert with some other forts holding the Geldrois party they went to besiege the Towne of Sloten the which they did batter furiously and the besieged defended themselues as couragiously so as in a sally which they made in the night the Lord of Wassenare was shot in the arme and the Gouernor Schenck in the bottome of his belly yet they remoued not out of the Campe. Those of the Towne seeing there was no hope of succours were forced to yeeld The Earle of Maeurs being at Steenwyke and hearing that the Bourguignons had taken Sloten retired from thence vnder coulour that he went into Geldres as he sayd to the Duke to seeke for succours From Sloten the Gouernor Schenck went to besiege Lemmer those within it
the Protestants armie being deuided the Prince Elector went with his troopes against Maurice and recouered all that he had taken from him The Emperour seeing the Protestants army thus dispearsed vppon no occasion and that the Landtgraue was retyred to his owne home he writte letters full of threates to the duke of Wirtembourg who sent to sue for pardon by his Ambassadors and so in a manner did all the Protestant townes whome he did ransom for money and many peeces of Artillery The warre beeing thus inflamed betwixt the two Noble couzins of Saxony and the Emperor hearing in what estate duke Maurice was hee sent Albert of Brandebourg vnto him with some troupes who was taken at Rochlick and brought vnto the Prince Elector and soone after the towne was also taken Ferdinand the Emperors brother King of Hungary Bohemia by the Lady Anne his wife would haue forced the Bohemians to serue against the Prince Elector of Saxony the which they refuzed to do by reason of the old leagues betwixt the Saxons and Bohemians and seeking to force them they rise in armes against him The Protestants had sent their Ambassadors to the French King and to the King of England to shewe the equitie of their cause and that they had taken armes against the Emperor for the defence of their liues goods religion and the liberty of Germany who hauing had audience of the French King past into England whereas they found King Henry the eight verie sicke so as hee died in the end of Ianuarie 1547. The French King had sent by these Ambassadors two hundred thousand crownes in lone to the Protestant Princes to ayde them in this warre And as the King of England died whilest the Ambassadors were there so at their returne into France they found King Francis extreamely sick who died at Rambouillet It was a happy chance for the Emperour among many other good fortunes that two so great and mighty Princes which had the meanes and as manie thought a desire to crosse the Emperor in his enterprises and high disseignes died both in a manner at one time In the same yeare 1547. Adolph of Bourgongne Seignior of Chappelle and Wackene Ierosme Sandelin Seignior of Herentont Receiuor of Bewesterscheldt in Zeeland and some priuate gentlemen did recouer and wall in about Sheerenskerke and Heinkensandt in the country of Zuydbeuelandt otherwise called the I le of Ter-Goes the old inclosure or Polder which is a land wonne from the sea the which before the Inundation was vsually called Zeeshuys so as it remayned a long time vnprofitable but since that it was recouered they call it Cray at this present a most fertill country whereby those that haue thus defended it from the Sea with their bankes haue made great profit The Emperor hauing an intent to ruine Iohn Frederick Prince Elector past the riuer of Elbe with all speed to fight with him on the other side which done the Prince hauing not all his armie in one bodie as the Emperor had was there forced to make head against him and to giue him battaile in the which the duke beeing verie greatly wounded in the cheeke was ledde by the duke of Alua Lieutenant of the armie to the Emperor The duke Ernest of Brunswyck was taken with him The Emperor and King Ferdinand vsed the Prince Elector very roughlie in wordes giuing sentence of death against him the which hee bare verie patiently but the Emperour durst not proceede to the execution thereof yet hee propounded heauie and rigorous conditions vnto him taking from him the greatest part of his Seigneuries the which hee gaue to Maurice his couzine with the dignity of the Electorship As for the Landtgraue of Hessen vpon the assurances which the duke Maurice and the Marquis Albert of Brandenbourg his sonnes in lawe gaue him he presented himselfe vpon his knees vnto the Emperor crauing pardon for all that was past wherevnto answere was made him in obscure tearmes which did not shew an absolute pardon Yet this Nobleman thinking that all went well with him thanked the Emperor and for that he suffred him to kneele too long he rose of himself He was led to supper with the duke of Alua when after supper thinking to retire with the two Noblemen his sons in lawe he was stayed prisoner the which ministred great matter of discontent who not-with-standing all the Protestation which duke Maurice and Brandebourg could make was detained and put into the gard of Spaniardes The two Noblemen charged the Emperour with his promise that hee would not keepe him in pryson his aunswere was that hee had promised not to keepe him there in perpetuall pryson wherevpon the Duke of Alua sayd vnto them that if in steede of foureteene daies the Emperor should restraine him 14. yeares he should not breake his word So the Landtgraue remained a prisoner being carried from place to place alwayes garded by the Spaniards of whom he receued a thousand indignities and he was not freed but by constraint no more then the Duke of Saxony which was the cause that the Emperor was chased out of Germany as we shall here-after shew The 23. of December in the said yeare 1548. died that valiant Captaine Maximilian of Egmont Earle of Buren after that he had arriued so happely to serue the Emperor in his warre of Germany of an extraordinary death for being fower daies before his death abandoned by all his Phisitions who had foretold him the day of his death hauing called all his houshold seruants and made them goodly exhortations giuing to euery one some thing by his testament he died speaking and appareled in his chaier Maximilian of Austria eldest sonne to Ferdinand hauing married the Lady Mary eldest daughter to the Emperor Prince Phillip 21. years old being sent for by his father began his iorney to come into the Netherlands leauing his cosin and Brother in law Maximilian to be Gouernor of Spaine in his absence and hauing set saile the 25. of Nouember with a goodly fleet of shippes and Galleis commanded by Andrew Doria he landed at Genoa accompanied with many Princes of Spaine among others by the Duke of Alua and the Cardinall of Trent from thence hee came to Milan and passing by Mantoua and Trent hee came to Ausbourg and Spyer so crossing the Country of Luxembourg hee arriued at the Emperor his fathers court at Bruslelles Duke Maurice went to meet him intreating him to moue the Emperor for the Landtgraue of Hessen his Father in law who was Prisoner the which he did It were tedious to make particular relation of his stately entery into Brusselles whereas the Lady Elenor the French Queene and the Lady Mary Queene of Hongary his Aunt 's receiued him and conducted him to the Emperor his father The fourth of Iuly the Emperor with his two sisters and the Prince his sonne went to Louuaine the most ancient and cheefe towne of the Duchy of Brabant to
king Philip his sonne and giuing him his last blessing hee imbraced him and bad him farewell as hee did all the princes and noblemen then he imbarked with the two queenes his sisters and sayled towards Spain where they arriued in a short time hauing a prosperous wind Hauing rested some dayes in the citie of Valladolit he made choice for his retreat of a Monasterie of S. Ierosme the Hermit situated in Estremadura not farre from Placence an vnfrequented place and fit to meditate on heauenly things being retired from all wordly cogitations whither he caused himselfe to be conducted to passe the rest of his daies there which were not aboue two yeares spending his time in holy and godly workes and giuing himselfe wholly to a contemplatiue life And for that he would bee the better able to spend his time in prayers and the seruice of God hee would haue his sisters liue from him at Valladolit that they might not trouble him he reserued but 100000 crownes a yeare to himselfe whereof he imployed only 4000 for his diet and entertainment the rest he appointed to marry yong maids to relieue widowes and orphanes and for other workes of charitie as befits a good and Christian prince D. GShilippus Rex Catholicus PHILIP OF AVSTRIA THE SIX AND thirtieth Earle of Holland Zeeland c. the second of that name duke of Brabant c. Earle of Flanders c. By true and right discent of Holland I am Lord And of the wealthie Netherlands vnited by accord But cruell counsell of th' Inquisition Was cause that did procure their woe and great destruction Loue burning in my brest did me his subiect make And moued me foure seuerall wiues one after other take My cousin last of them a sonne onely did leaue Of tender yeares when cruell death did her of life bereaue THE EIGHT BOOKE The Argument THe birth of Philip the second of that name king of Spaine Pope Paul the fourth seeks occasions to make war against him who sends the duke of Alua for his generall King Philip giues the order of the Golden Fleece at Brussels A great famine in the Netherlands in the yere 1536 1537. S. Quintines besieged by the Bourguignons the French thinking to releeue it are defeated The ââ¦onstable of France and many noble men are prisoners and in the end the towne is taken by assault Ham and ââ¦hastelet yeelded Calais besieged by the French and yeelded by the English to the duke of Guise with Guines ââ¦hich was taken by assault and the castle of Hames abandoned Theonuille yeelded to the French Aaclon taken and burnt by them with the townes of Winox-Berghe and Dunkerke The same French men vnder the marshall ãâã Termes are defeated in battaile neere vnto Grauelingue The death of the emperour Charles the fifth to when his brother Ferdinand king of Romanes and Hungarie succeeded About the same time died the queens Dowaers of France and of Hungarie the emperours sisters with Marie queene of England to whom her sister Elizaââ¦eth succeeded A peace betwixt France and Spaine by mariages The king of Spaines mariage turned into teres by the death of Henry the second the French king ¶ Marguerite of Austria bestââ¦d to the emperour Charles the fifth duchesse of Parma succeeds the duke of Sauoy in the gouernment of the Netherlands The kig of Spaines last departure out of the said countries The death of George of Egmont bishop of Vtrecht to whoâ⦠succeeded Frederic Schenck of Taulenburch who was the last bishop A subtill bringing in of the Spanish Inââ¦isition into the Netherlands by the creation of new bishops An abstract of the life of cardinall Granuellet A diuision betwixt the chiefe noblemen of the countrey The earle of Egmont sent into Spaine touching the trobles that were like to grow and what answer he brought Letters from the Gouernesse to the counsellors of the pouinces touching the edicts and the Inquisition The prince of Oranges answere to the Gouernesse The first beââ¦inning proceeding and effects of the Inquisition An enterview of the noblemen of the countrey A discourse ââ¦ewing the meanes to redresse the troubles An assembly of the nobilitie at the mariage of the prince of Parmain Brussels and afterwards at Saint Truden to preuent the troubles their compromise and confederation A petition made by them of Brabant to the king of Spaine to preuent the troubles A petition made by the nobilitâ⦠against the bloudie edicts and the Inquisition The Duchesse answere thereunto and all her practises to circumââ¦nt them and disioine them as she did The first defeat of the Protestants in the Netherlands Tournay made sââ¦biect by practise Valenciennes besieged battered and yeelded The defeat of Austruel The negotiation of the lord of Brederode in Amsterdam who retires into Germanie and so dothe the prince of Orange The death of the Marques of Berghen in Spaine An apologie made by the Protestants of the Netherlands touching the cause and beginning of the troubles PHILIP of Austria the thirtie sixth Earle of Holland and Zeeland the second of that name Lord of Vtrecht Friseland Ouerissell and Groningen the onely sonne of Charles the fifth Emperor of Romanes and of the lady Isabella daughter to king Dom Emanuel of Portugall He was borne the 21 day of May in the yere 1527 at Valiodolit in Spain where he was nourished and bred vp for the space of twentie two yeares vntil that in the yeare 1549 the emperour his father sent for him to come into the Netherlands to haue made him aswel his successor in the empire if it had been possible as of all his other kingdoms and Belgicke prouinces whereof the emperour as we haue said in the former booke disrobed himselfe and put him in full possession thereof in his life-time The emperour beeing retired into Spaine to a solitarie and a contemplatiue life king Philip his sonne began to order and settle the gouernment of the Netherlands making Eââ¦nuel Philibert duke of Sauoy lieutenant-generall of his armie And hauing sent thomaâ⦠ques of Pesquaire before to take possession of the realme of Naples in his naine hee ãâã ââ¦oice of Dom Fernando Aluares of Toledo duke of Alua to be his viccroy there And foââ¦ch aâ⦠at that time the war against the French began to grow more violent he commanded the dukââ¦ââ¦o depart presently out of the Netherlands and to go into Italie giuing him charge to stay soââ¦e time at Milan and to dispose of matters concerning the warre In the which the duâ⦠of Alâ⦠as generall for the Spanyard and Francis of Lorraine duke of Guise for the French king wâ⦠small honor and reputation This war of Italie was attempted by king Philip against the popâ⦠in whose succour Henry the 2 the French king sent the duke of Guise with an armie whiâ⦠war for that it doth not concerne our hystorie of the Netherlands we will omit and refer tâ⦠curious reader to them that treat of that subiect This Summer
thousand foot aboue 2000 hors-men besides many country men that fled from the places where they dwelt with this army marched towards the enemie who fearing his comming was already marching away and lay incamped in a strong place about halfe a mile from Graueling where the earle of Egmont found him The lord of Termes perceiuing himselfe to bee too weak dââ¦termined to march out of Flanders towards Calis which he did the next day passing along by the sea side when it was low water willing his men to set fire on Duynkerk and so to depart And in that sort passed he the small riuer of Ha beneath the towne of Graueling which the earle of Egmont the barons of Bingincourt the marques de Renti the earle of Reux the barons of Moerbeke Monichousen Fontaines Mewerkeet others perceiuing determined to intercept him and first to set vpon his carriage that they should not any more seeke to enter into Flanders cleane contrary to the prouerb which is That a man should make a golden bridge to an enemy that is going away and to that end passed ouer the riuer of Ha somewhat aboue Graueling without any ordnance Monsier de Termes perceiuing that they meant to set vpon him ordained his battaile in as good order and with as much aduantage as he could which was in this sort on the South side where the sandy downes lay he placed his wagons baggage and pillage on the North side he had the sea and at his back the riuer of Ha whereby they could not assaile him on no part but before and there he placed eight great culuerins and three falcons his horse-men standing between them and him and on each side of them certaine numbers of Gascoin harquebusiers behind them he planted the pikes both of French and Dutch men The earle of Egmont on his side against them set fiue troups of horsmen whereof three companies were light horse which were to giue the onset the troupes on the right side being led by the earl of Pontenels those on the left hand by Don Henrico Henriques and he himself in the middle the fourth troup were the Dutch swart Ruyters and the fiââ¦th the Netherlanders each vnder their owne leaders after them followed the foot-men being Netherlanders high Dutche and Spaniards led by their colonels Bingincourt Manichuysen Don Lewis de Carauagial and others and in this order the earle of Egmont vpon the thirteenth of Iuly brauely set vpon the French men first incouraging his souldiers to make them the willinger to fight The Frenchmen that stood resolutely ready to defend themselues receiued them with great courage and at the first onset discharged their ordnance therewith doing verie great hurt amongst them and at that time the earle of Egmonts horse was slaine vnder him and yet notwithstanding hee set most couragiously vpon them and for that the place was broad and euen vpon the sand brauely fought hand to hand man to man horse to horse and wing against wing which for a long time before had not beene seene in which fight the Bourguygnons had an vnexpected furtherance by meanes of certaine ships of England that lay at sea and kept along the coast before the townes of Douer and Graueling to free the same as also to hinder the French men from carrying the bootie that they had gotten from the towne of Duynkerke when they ransackt it by water which were most small ships beeing led by the viceadmirall master Malin who perceiuing the said battaile from out the sea went with his smallest ships as neere the strand as hee could and shot many bullets at the French men but because they were farre from the land they could doe them no great hurt and so by that meanes oftentimes failed and sometimes by chance shot amongst the Bourguygnons but that neuerthelesse as much discouraged the French men as it incouraged the Bourguygnons The meane time the earle of Egmont had sent certaine troupes of Dutch ruyters sidewayes which went closely by the downes and entred on the South side of the French horse-men assailing them valiantly whereby at the last the French horse-men beeing for the most part gentlemen and well mounted perceiuing the danger they were in began to giue backe which caused the Bourguignons to set the more boldly vpon them and thereby put the French men to flight first the horse-men and then the footmen to the great honour and commendation of the Bourguignons specially of the light horse-men and most of the earle of Egmont who at that time shewed himselfe both to bee wise and circumspect and also stout and valiant The like did the rest of the commaunders as Burgincourt the marques de Renti the earle of Reux Don Henrico Henricques the earle of Pontenels the baron de Fontains Don Lewis de Caravagââ¦al with his Spaniards and Manichââ¦ysen with the Dutch men The French men much blamed the marshall de Termes because hee marched not away the night before but it appeared that hee had charge to stay at Duynkerke there to strengthen himselfe and to stay for more aid as also for that hee stood vpon his aduantage and was well prepared to make resistance being scarce three Dutch miles from Calis with a number of good souldiers whereby hee was of opinion that no man could hinder his intent It was thought that there were about fifteene hundred men slaine in the field besides those that were drowned and such as were slaine in the flight by the pesants many were taken prisoners as the marshall de Termes gouernour of Calis beeing fore hurt the barons of Senerpont Annibault Villebon Morvilliers Chaulis and others The ordnance ensignes and the bootie was all taken Of the Bourguignons there was about three or foure hundred men slaine and amongst the rest the baron de Pelu This victorie greatly increased the honour of king Philip and the Bourguignons shewing by experience that they were too good for the French men in the field And at that time Duynkerke and Winoxbergh were both taken againe from the French men About this time Mary queene of England sent a great nauy of ships of warre to sea conducted by the lord Clinton admirall of England and by reason of the contracts made betweene England and the Netherlands as also for that the queene of England at that time held a regiment of Dutch men in the Netherlands in her pay vnder the conduct of an English gentleman called sir William Pickerin they of the Netherlands sent twentie or twentie two great ships of warre well appointed and furnished of all things whereof the admirall was monsieur van Wackene and Capelle viceadmirall to the earle of Horne and with him the lord of Cruningen and other Netherlanders with many souldiers to ioyne with them which two fleets sailed together vnto the coast of Britaigne and vpon the nineteenth of Iuly at Conquet landed their men burning and wasting the countrey all about and did them great hurt but monsieur de Kersimont
offers towards them as shee hath begun thereby onely to defend them from forraine tyranny to keepe them in the Kings obedience from allyening them-selues to any other Potentates and to defend herselfe and her dominions from the dangers which thereby shee seeth manifestly will insue The thirtith of the said moneth as Captaine Mathew Wibisma had made a leuie of new souldiers and more then were necessarie to supply his company with an intent to seaze vpon some of the Magistrates of Leeuwarden these new souldiers being lead by Captaine Wibo van Gontom would commaund ouer the old souldiers that were in the Castle of the said Towne so as they were in armes one against another The Bourguers fearing that vnder coulour of this tumult they would force the towne and spoile it came and besieged the Castell the which was yeelded vnto them the second of September vpon promise that the towne should pay the garrison The Cittizens hauing receiued the Castell by this composition put a garrison into it of the inhabitants vntill the comming of the Earle of Rheneberg Gouernor of the countrie of Friseland Don Iohn seeing the great forces of the States approch neere vnto Namur beeing commanded by the Earle of Lalain Generall of the Armie Robert of Melun Vicont of of Gant Generall of the horse the signior of Goignies Marshall of the campe La Motte-par-dieu Maister of the Ordinance and others and the small numbers hee had with him making a shewe againe as if hee would treat with the States whilest that hee sent for all his forces out of Bourgongne and Italie hee required to haue some Commissioners sent vnto him to treat with them Wherevpon there were deputed Mathew Moukart Abbot of Saint Guislain the signiors of Willerual Grobbendoncq and others who after some conferences tending all to delaies they returned without any fruite The Inhabitantes of Antwerp beeing still in feare by reason of their castle so long as the warre was thus wauering fearing they should bee at sometime againe surprized terming it a denne of theeues an Inuention of men full of crueltie a neast of Tyranie a receptacle of all filthy villanie abomination and wickednesse obtained leaue of the States to demantle it towardes the towne The which the Bourguers beganne the eight and twentie of August with such spleene as there was neither great nor small wiues children gentlewomen and Burgers and all in generall but would pull downe a peece of it men women and seruants going thither with their Enseignes displayed hauing manie Victuallers vpon the plaine before the castle so as it seemed a campe And although the Masons worke were great stronge and thicke yet were they not long in beating it downe on that side Soone after in imitation of that of Antwerp followed the demanteling of the eastles of Gant Vtrecht Valenciennes Bethune Lisle Aire and others and the Cittie of Arras was laid open towards the towne The Tournesiens were in like sort verie importunate to haue theirs demantled but the Seneshal of Henault who was afterwards Prince of Espinoy would not yeeld vnto it saying that if the sayd castle were ruined beeing a towne scituated in the maine land and that the enemie should come to beseege it and become maister thereof they should bee forced to build it againe at their owne cost and charges the which had so happened for foure yeares after the duke of Parma beseeged and tooke it by composition as wee shall see The states seeing the Landtskneghts of Cont Ouerstein who was drowned at the Massaker of Antwerp growne resolute to hold Boislelduke a faire great towne lying in Brabant they sent the Earle of Hohenloo with an armie to beseege it so as they were forced to yeeld the place by composition the one and twenty day of September The sayd States had the ninth daie of same month published their Iustifications for their taking of armes against Don Iohn the which was printed at Antwerp by William Siluius the Kings Printer whereof the title was Abreefe discours of the iust causes and reasons which haue constrained the generall Estates of the Netherlands to prouide for their defence against Don Iohn of Austria In the end of which iustifications they did adde the letters that were intercepted beeing written in Spanish and translated into French to which Booke I will referre the Reader that is desirous to know the particularities of their iustifications But as the States who sought nothing more then to free themselues from the Spanish Tyranie were to defend themselues against Don Iohns attempts who prepared all the meanes hee could to make sharpe and violent warre against them and had great neede to seeke succors from all parts first they sent to manie Princes and Potentates of Germanie to make their excuse and iustifie the taking of armes to take from them all sinister Impressions which Don Iohn might giue them by his letters as hee had done vnto the Empresse Then they sent vnto the French King to his mother and to his brother who made them manie goodly and large promises But as they desired to relie and depend chiefely vpon the Queene of England they sent the Marquis of Haurec vnto her who was gratiously receiued by her Maiestie the two and twenty of September with whome hoe treated and in the end made a contract touching the succors her Maiestie should send vnto the generall Estates and the league and vnion which should bee from that time betwixt the Realme of England and the Netherlands the which was set downe in an Autenticall Instrument And therevpon her Maiestie published vpon the obiections and reproches which the King of Spaine made vnto her that shee was a mother fauorer and supporter of Rebells her iustifications of the sayd vnion and the assistance which shee gaue vnto the generall Estates of the Netherlands the which was put in print Then the States writ vnto the Prince of Orange beeing in Holland who was wonderfully greeued and discontented at the Actions and strange carriage of Don Iohn intreating him to come and assist them with his person Councell and meanes The which the Prince would not refuse to shewe the dutie wherevnto hee thought him selfe bound to the common cause Comming vnto Antwerp where hee had not beene in ten yeares before on the eighteenth day of September hee was receiued and entertained with great ioye and contentment of all the people The Abbots of Villers and Marolles with the Barons of Fresin and Capres were sent thether from the states to wellcome him and to conduct him to Brussels whether hee came the three and twenty daie The seauenth of October the Landtskneghts of Collonel Fransberg who after his flight from Antwerp had led them to Breda seeing themselues beseeged by the States armie and the small meanes they had to maintaine themselues deliuered vp the towne of Breda and their Collonel also into the states hands as those of Berghen vpon Zoom had done before by
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 leaââ¦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
from the Seigniorie therof by a solemne Edict hauing abiured him broken his seals absolued the subiects of their oath and made them take a new ãâã for the preseruation of their countrey and obedience to the said Estates The prince of Parma besiegeth Tournay which in the end yeeldeth The prince of Orange desireth to quit the place of Lieutenant generall after the departure of the archduke Mathias and is intreated to continue it whereupon he giues some admonitions to the Estates but to small purpose The duke of Aniou commeth into the Netherlands is created duke of Brabant A bargaine made by the king of Spaine to kill the prince of Orange who was shot and in great danger of his life and the murtherer slaine The siege of Oudenarde yeelded to the Spaniard Alost taken by scalado for the duke of Aniou Death of the princesse of Orange The duke created earle of Flanders An attempt against the duke and the prince of Orange at Bruges for the which one was executed at Paris The dukes armie charged neere vnto Gant by the prince of Parma but it retires safe neere vnto Antuerpe Lochen besieged by the Spaniard relieued by the earle of Hohenlo in the Estates name The strangers called backe into the Netherlands by the disunited forces The French king refuseth to succour the duke his brother who assureth himselfe of Dunkerke Being ill aduised he seekes to seize vpon the towne of Antuerpe where his chiefe nobilitie was slaine the like was attempted in diuers other townes whereof the prince of Parma seekes to make his profit and the duke growes odious and yet the prince of Orange laboureth to reconcile all the which he did by the meanes of the Seignior of Bellieure sent by the king of Fraunce The duke yeelding vnto the Estates the townes which he had seized on returneth into Fraunce Another proiect to murther the prince of Orange by ââ¦e Pedro Dordogne and another at Flessingue by Hans Hanson The marshall of Biron retireth with the duke of Aââ¦u his troupes The prince leauing Antuerpe commeth into Holland where there is some speech to ãâã ãâã erle of Holland but without effect Imbise called home by them of Gant he plotteth his owne ruin and is beheaded at Gant as a traytar after that hee had sought to yeeld it with Denremonde to the Spaniard Ypre yeelded by necessitie to the Spaniard and Bruges by the prince of Chymay his practises Lillo besieged in vaine by the Spaniard The prince of Orange murthered at Delft Prince Maurice succeeds his father in the gouernment the towne of Antuerpe blocked vp the riuer stopped Gant and Denremonde yeelded The endeuors of them of Antuerpe the resolution of the Estates vpon the demaund of a new prince they send deputies to the French king who excuseth himselfe vpon the ciuile warres Nymmeghen Doesbourg Brussels Macklyn and other places yeelded to the Spaniard The Estates men defeated at Coestein and neere to Amerongen in the end Antuerpe is yeelded During this siege the Estates sent their deputies to the queene of England who accepteth their protection and sends her lieutenant for their preseruation IN the alterations which happen sometimes in an Estate betwixt the Soueraigne prince and a people that is free and priuiledged there are ordinarily two points which make them to ayme at two diuers ends The one is when as the prince seekes to haue a full subiection and obedience of the people and the people contrariwise require that the prince shold maintaine them in their freedoms and liberties which he hath promised and sworn solemnly vnto them before his reception to the principalitie Therupon quarrels grow the prince will hold a hard hand and will seeke by force to be obeied and the subiects rising against the prince oftentimes with dangerous tumults reiecting his authority seeke to imbrace their full liberty In these first motions there happeneth sometimes communications and conferences at the instance of neighbours who may haue interest therein to quench this fire of diuision betwixt the prince and his people And then if any one of the parties groweth obstinate and will not yeeld although he seeme to be most in fault it followeth of necessitie that they must come to more violent remedies that is to say to armes The power of the prince is great when he is supported by other princes which ioyne with him for the consequence of the example else it is but small but that of the people which is the body whereof the prince was the head stirred vp by conscience especially if the question of Religion bee touched the members ordained for their function doing ioyntly their dueties is farre greater Thereupon they wound they kill they burne they ruine and grow desperately mad but what is the euent God who is an enemie of all tyrannie and disobedience iudgeth of their quarrels weigheth them in his ballance of iustice helping the rightfull cause and eyther causeth the prince for his rigour and tyrannie to be chased away and depriued of his estate and principalitie or the people for their contempt and rebellion are punished reduced vnto reason which causeth the alterations to cease and procureth a peace whereof we could produce many examples both ancient and moderne if the relation of this historie did not furnish vs sufficiently So the generall Estates of the vnited prouinces seeing that king Philip would not in any sort through his wilfulnesse yeeld vnto their humble suite and petitions and notwithstanding all the offers they could make to purchase a good firme and an assured peace notwithstanding all the intercessions both of the Emperour the French king the Queene of England and other great princes and potentates of Christendome yet would hee not glue eare to any other reason but what himselfe did propound the which the said Estates did not onely find vniust and vnreasonable directly repugnant to the liberties constitutions and freedomes of the countrey but also contrarie to their consciences and as it were so many snares layed to catch them which were in no sort to bee allowed of nor receiued considering the qualitie of their affayres and his according to the time that was then In the end reiecting all feare of his power and threats seeing that they were forced to enter into all courses of extremitie against a prince which held himselfe so heynously offended as no reconciliation could be expected relying vpon the iustice and equitie of their cause and sinceritie of their consciences which are two brasen bulwarkes they were fully resolued without dissembling to take the matter thus aduaunced in hand and opposing force against force meanes against meanes and practises against practises to declare him quite fallen from the Seigniorie preheminence and authoritie which before the troubles the breach of their priuiledges rights freedomes and immunities so often and so solemnely swome by him and dispensation of his othes hee had or was wont to haue in the said prouinces respectiuely whereof they made open declaration by a
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
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
Prouinces it was propounded Whether they should continue the customes imposed for the maintenance of the warre vpon all marchandize that came in or went out or take them quite away Some said that seeing the countries and sea townes depend vpon the profite which commeth vnto them by the traffique and free negotiation of all marchandise that therefore this imposition was necessarie for the maintenance of the warre That the countrey of it selfe could not spend and consume the great abundance of commodities which it yeeldeth as butter cheese and fish drie or salt wherewith most of the people get their liuings That if they prohibite the inhabitants of the countrey to send them vnto the enemie that other neighbours which haue the nauigation free would not fayle to furnish them at their owne wils reaping the gaine and profite which they of the countrey from whence such commodities come should haue themselues as of their owne growing and in so doing it were to cut off the chiefe meanes they had to make money to support the charges of the warre Others were of a contrarie opinion saying That it was a great shame and dishonour to feed their enemies the which if they did forbeare they should see them perish for want hauing no meanes to put an armie to field nor to besiege any townes and that thereby should follow the discouragement and mutinie of the enemies souldiers To them it was answered That it was impossible to famish them being so neere vnto Germanie and Fraunce from whence they might supply their wants Yet in the end to auoid all murmure and discontent of the common people vpon the two and twentieth of Iune it was forbidden by publicke proclamation not to transport any thing into the enemies countrey nor to receiue from thence into the vnited Prouinces vpon paine of confiscation of all such wares and marchandizes It was also forbidden to carrie any thing into Fraunce lower than Rouan nor into England nor into the riuers of Ems and Meuse neerer than the places which were limitted by the proclamation And that those that would sayle towards the West should be bound to lanch into the maine sea and if they were found and taken along by the coast of Flaunders all should be good prize and confiscated The like was required of the French king and of the Queene of England for otherwise all this defence had beene vnprofitable And there were certaine shippes of warre sent to that end by the Estates into the riuers of Ems and Meuse Although this defence was in force for a while yet soone after the Frenchmen by Callais and the Englishmen by Dunkerke furnished the Spanish armie of what they wanted which otherwise had beene forced to retyre from Antuerpe whereupon it followed that the marchants of the vnited Prouinces did the like and that these defences were no more obserued In May the prince of Orange and the Estates sent the earle of Hohenlo againe with greater forces to besiege the towne and fort of Zutphen being then well furnished with all things necessarie ioyning vnto him the troupes which the Elector Truchses and the noble Henry of Brunswicke had brought out of Germanie with all which forces the earle of Hohenlo besieged the towne in the which colonel Taxis was in person with two thousand men The earle of Hohenlo tooke from him at the first the vse of the riuer both aboue and beneath Verdugo seeing that the siege could not be raysed without great force and fighting durst not attempt nor hazard any thing and the rather for that hee knew there was much due vnto his souldiers for their pay fearing that they would not fight without mony wherfore he sent vnto the prince of Parma to haue directions from him and that if he would haue him to raise the Estates campe he should send him greater prouision both of men and mony Whereupon the Parmois writ vnto him That he should do his best to force the Estates campe and to raise them sending him money for his men and the regiments of Dom Iohn Mauriques de Lara of the earle of Aremberg and of some others with good store of horse who being ioined with Verdugo had the honor to raise this siege without striking stroke for that the earle of Hohenlo would not attend their comming nor hazard any thing vpon a doubtfull battaile but raysed his campe in time and retyred part to Deuenter and part to Arnham in Guelderland and to other townes along the riuers of Yssel and of Rhin not without many reproches and scoffes of the common people of those townes saying that they durst not fight and that they had fled before they had seene the enemie The horsemen layed the fault vpon the footmen who they said would not make head against the enemie vntill they were payed as it is the Germanes vse when they must fight whereof there was a good troupe belonging to the Elector and to noble Henry So the next day after their rising and departure the king of Spaine his men entred into Zutphen without any resistance where they rested one night meaning the next day to pursue their victorie but hearing that the Estates armie had passed the riuer they dislodged not The tenth of Iune Francis of Valois onely brother to the French king duke of Aniou and Brabant Earle of Flanders c. before he was fully reconciled to the Estates of the vnited prouinces dyed at Chasteau-Thierry not without suspition of poyson At his death he much lamented for that which had beene done the yeare before through the aduice of some pernicious counsellors in Antuerpe and would willingly haue repaired it if hee had escaped death I haue heard him grieue nine or tenne daies before his death beeing vpon his bed whither he commaunded I should be called that hauing beene duke of Brabant he had neuer beene in Brussels where the pallace is of the dukes of Brabant He commanded me to recommend him to the Seignior of Timpel gouernour of that towne besides the letters which he writ vnto him and to tell him that as soone as he should be able to trauell on horsebacke or in carosse hee would goe to Brussels so well accompanied as the towne should haue no cause to feare any enemie By his last Will hee did seriously recommend vnto the king his brother the affaires of the vnited Prouinces bequeathing vnto him all such right as hee had by election title of donation or otherwise in the dutchie of Brabant earledome of Flanders and elsewhere in the said Netherlands To the queene mother he gaue the Dutchie towne and citadell of Cambray and Cambresis There were diuers opinions of his death and of the manner of the poyson which had beene giuen him During his sicknesse he did nothing but bleed at diuers passages or vents vntill that hee gaue vp the ghost All the time that he lay sicke nor in his extremitie hee would not haue any priest to confesse him declaring publickely that he
where the tydes ebbing and flowing are so strong yet since experience hath taught that the prince of Parma his diligence and industrie hath made it feasible This opinion of men that hee should not preuaile any thing was the cause of their slackenesse and negligence to hinder him in the beginning when as they had good meanes to doe it he therefore caused a mightie fort to bee built at Calloo in Flanders vpon the riuers side and another right against it at Oordam on Brabant side which they of Antuerpe and the Estates did see made at leasure euen before their noses hee also caused a channell to be digged with great charge wherein hee continually imployed sixe hundred pyoners which came from Steeken vnto Calloo beeing foure leagues distant one from another to bring what victuals and munition should bee needfull vnto all those forts which he had built vpon the riuers side As for his person and his chiefe campe he lodged at Beueren two leagues from Antuerpe he had also a pettie campe on Brabant side in the village of Strabrouke vnder the commaund of Cont Mansfeldt where as Colonel Mondragon caused a fort to be built not faire from the castle of Coesteyn and foure others betwixt the said campe of Strabrouke and the riuer On the other side they of Zeeland cut the bankes on Flanders side neere vnto Saftige the which did drowne all the countrie from Hulst vnto Beueren and Burcht except the Doel and some high grounds neere vnto Calloo the which was afterwards of great aduantage for the Parmois for by meanes of the said inundation the dike beeing also broken at Burcht hee caused his shippes to enter comming to Dendermond which came to Calloo by the drowned land without any danger of passing before Antuerpe for otherwise they had had no passage to come And to tier them of Gant and Dendermond on the other side he caused a palisado to bee made in the said riuer at Bassecode a league from Dendermond Then he went and planted his campe at Lobec ioyning to the said towne and sent a herauld to summon it to yeeld The baron of Montagne Colonel who commanded in the absence of the Seignior of Ryhouen their gouernour beeing then absent in Holland beeing resolute at the first with the rest of the captaines answered that hee would keepe the towne for the generall Estates of the countrie The prince of Parma finding that they would not easily yeeld caused the sluces to be taken vp and the water to be drawne out of the ditch and then battered a certaine bulwarke without the towne where hauing made a very bare breach hee caused his Spaniards to giue an assault who tooke it with the losse of tenne men onely and of thirtie that were hurt The besieged who were but three hundred souldiers seeing their ditches drie and that they should soone haue a breach in the rampar and besides that the bulwarke which the Spaniards had taken did commaund into the towne moreouer if they had held three moneths longer that there was no hope of any succours they began to parle and in the end though to their great griefes agreed to depart the seauenteenth day of August without any armour but their rapiers and daggers onely and that they should be safely conducted vnto the fort of Villebrouk The bourgers were free from spoile and were receiued into grace and fauour paying sixtie thousand florins within three moneths next following and if there were any that would depart with the souldiers they might doe it freely no man should hinder them There went not aboue a hundred and fiftie souldiers out of the towne but many women strumpets and children the two ministers were kept backe against the promised faith whereof the one was drowned and the other hanged the which made many to wonder that the prince of Parma should so much forget himselfe as to suffer it Soone after on the sixt day of September Villeuoord did also yeeld being a little towne vpon the riuer which goes from Brussels to Antuerpe where one must passe iust by the port By this meanes Brussels lost her nauigation and the prince of Parma began to blocke it vp with some forts The generall estates of the vnited prouinces considering with themselues that they had to doe with a mightie enemie such an one as the king of Spaine that his warre would bee long and in the end might consume them distrusting of their meanes and abilities to subsist and to maintaine themselues in their warre they propounded to seeke succour from the French king or the Queene of England The French king answered them that hee would by no meanes enter into warre with the king of Spaine his brother in law yet hee sent monsieur d'Espruneaux who had beene Embassadour with the Estates for the duke of Aniou his brother into Holland to vnderstand their demaunds more particularly which were That it would please his maiestie to declare himselfe an enemie to the king of Spaine and to make warre against him that by the frontiers of Picardie nor any other parts vnder his obedience he would not suffer any graine nor victuals to bee brought vnto the enemie offering him for assurance the townes of Oostend and Scluse to put in what garrison his maiestie pleased Thereupon the Seignior of Espruneaux made a long oration in the open assemblie of the Estates extolling the bountie and power of his king with the good affection hee bare vnto them disgracing as much as hee could the king of Spaine In the end yet without any certaine assurance at all hee promised them in the French king his masters behalfe all aide and fauour The Estates sent also M. Paul Buys aduocate of the particular Estates of Holland and some other deputies vnto the Queene of England to make the same request to the end that if they could not persuade both to succour them yet at the least that neither of them might bee opposite vnto them yet it seemed they were more inclined to the English by reason of the neighbourhood and the ancient alliances betwixt both countries and also for that they were stronger at sea than the French The prince of Parma hauing by the taking of Dendermond no obstacle and withall hauing blockt vp the Ganthois on euery side knowing well that the Estates had no meanes to put an armie to field which might hinder the fortification of Calloo vpon the riuer of Escaut on Flanders side beeing lodged at Beueren hee sent Colonel Mondragon to aduance the shutting vp of the riuer of Antuerpe as well with long heads as palisadoes on either side planting many peeces of artillerie there so as nothing could goe or passe from Antuerpe into Holland and Zeeland without imminent danger of the cannon shot seeking to cut off the passage quite as hee had done a little before to the riuer of Brussels by the taking of Villevoord They of Antuerpe for their part wanted nothing that seemed necessarie for their
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 negoââ¦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
of the foure chiefe townes of Brabant and approched as secretly as he could with some companies of foot and two hundred horse close vnto the towne Captaine Cleerhaghen a gentleman of Brussels hauing married a wife in Boisleduc of the house of Erp was conductor of this enterprise who knowing all the passages went vpon the tenth of Ianuarie with fiftie good men who clyming ouer the port seized vpon two corps de guard whereas no man remayned in the night time the which they did so quietly and without disturbance as they were not heard nor discouered The next day in the morning about eight of the clocke the port beeing open those of the guard which were sent to discouer were presently slaine by Cleerhaghen and his men who at the same instant enforcing the rest of the guard the which were at the port made themselues masters and commaunders thereof and the said captaine sent certaine souldiers vnto the toppe of the gate to be assured of the port-cullis whereas they found none but an old man whom they vsed in such sort as they left him in the place for dead This being done the earle entred with his two hundred horse and such footmen as he had neere vnto the port who began to runne vp and downe the streets crying Victorie At this crie the souldiers which were appointed to guard and keepe the port-cullis went downe fearing least they should come too late vnto the spoyle according to that which the earle had promised them to abandon the towne if hee might become master thereof The day before there was come into the towne about fortie launciers Bourguignons and Italians and some three or foure squadrons of foot hauing conueyed certaine marchandize thither else there was no garrison These horsemen were readie to goe to horsebacke to returne when the alarum was giuen not knowing any thing but hearing of the noyse they made hast to horsebacke and went to encounter the earles horsemen who ran dispersed through the towne whereof they charged part and slew as many as they encountred thus disbanded At the beginning they did fight a little but when they saw these squadrons of footmen come to charge them they thought they had beene betrayed for they had assured them there was no garrison and fled towards the port to saue themselues some which could not get out at the port cast themselues from the toppe of the rampar The earle seeing that there was some resistance and that his horsemen did fight he posted with all speed to cause the rest of his troupes to aduaunce In the meane time the old man whom the souldiers had left for dead ouer the port hearing the noyse and that they did fight hard and some fled seeing no man neere him to hinder him being fore wounded he laboured to let downe the port-cullis The earle returning with colonel Iselstein was much amazed seeing the port-cullis downe and his men to cast themselues ouer the rampar into the ditch among the which was the Seignior Iustin of Nassau bastard to the prince of Orange at this present Admirall of Zeeland who saued himselfe by that meanes but many were drowned and cast away and there dyed in this ill conducted enterprise foure hundred men through the fault of those spoylers which were set at the port-cullis for else all had succeeded well ynough The earle cursing the fault retyred to Gheertruydenbergh They of Brussels hearing of these newes the famine encreasing more and more among them and being without all hope of succours they sent their deputies to the prince of Parma to mediate an accord but for that they propounded no articles that were pleasing or to be accepted hee sent them backe more like spyes than deputies The pouertie began to be so great there as many dyed of hunger Some to auoid this miserie sought meanes to flye away and to escape if they could possible but beeing taken vpon the way the Spaniards chased them backe againe into the towne or caused them to bee hanged They of Antuerpe were at that time nothing enclined vnto peace and caused a newe Edict to be made prohibiting to giue eare to any accord vpon greater penalties than before causing the bourgers to renue the oath in the forme that followeth I sweare that with all my power I will maintaine the ordinances of the generall Estates and will helpe to maintaine and defend them according vnto the sentence which they haue giuen against the king of Spaine and his adherents enemies to the countrey and that I will neuer depart from the sayd ordinances nor make any accord nor agreement with the said enemies nor will vse any speech openly nor couertly nor meddle in any sort whatsoeuer but will hinder as much as in me lyeth all motion of accord vnlesse I be first allowed by the generall Estates And if I may vnderstand that any thing hath beene done or attempted or is done or attempted against this present oath I sweare to reueale it to the bourgomasters and counsell or else to the quarter masters of this towne In the meane time the prince of Parma aduanced the worke of his bridge and stocado and they of Antuerpe went slowly to worke to hinder it presuming that hee should neuer effect it and that whilest a sayle might passe they should not haue any need neither would he trouble the Estates in any other place so long as they should keepe him occupied there The prince sent a herauld vnto them againe with letters and a copie of the precedent being of opinion that they had not beene imparted vnto the people the which he sayd had happened through some turbulent spirits who sought more their priuate profit by this warre than the publicke good aduising them that through the infidelitie of such men they should not suffer themselues to be carried away to their vtter ruine but rather embrace a peace which was offered them and no longer ingage themselues with these turbulent spirits for whereas they persuaded themselues that the French king would take vpon him the protection and gouernment of the Netherlands and come to succour them that they were but deuices wherewith they did abuse themselues And that the French king would not breake the league and friendship he had with the king of Spaine to please his rebels nor vndertake a new warre to the preiudice of his owne Realme And indeed Dom Bernardin of Mendosa embassadour for the king of Spaine in Fraunce after that he had beene chased out of England sayd openly vnto the king That the Generall Estates and all the Netherlands reuolted from their king had beene long since conuicted and declared guiltie of high treason both against God and man the which according to the sentence of condemnation pronounced against them by the counsell of the Inquisition of Spaine must be quite rooted out And therefore that hee should remember the league alliances and consanguinitie that was betwixt him and his master and not giue eare thereunto but
rather chase out of his presence and out of his kingdome such reuolted rebels The which should not onely redound vnto the good of Fraunce being so neere a neighbour vnto Spaine but also to all Christendome which was put all into combustion by such reprobate people That therein they did manifest wrong vnto all kings and princes to whome such examples goe neere and are very preiudiciall if they will giue credit fauour and support vnto their rebels The French king answered him That he would giue audience vnto the deputies of the generall Estates not as vnto rebels reuolted from their lord but as afflicted people who complayned of the oppressions that were done them That in all ages Christian kings and princes did neuer refuse to ayde the afflicted neyther ought they refuse them especially such as desire nothing but to be reconciled to their prince for that the deputies of the Estates had giuen the king to vnderstand That they had made diuers and sundrie petitions and supplications vnto the king of Spaine and could neuer obtaine any answere thereunto wherefore and that according vnto the lawes hee thought it to bee lawfull and allowable for euery man when right and iustice is denyed vnto him to seeke support where hee can find it and therefore he was not once to be blamed at all if at the least he did heare them The Queene Mother told the said deputies making a shew of loue which she bare them and to feed them with hope that as heire to the duke of Aniou her sonne she would come in person and take possession of the town of Cambray to be the neerer to the generall Estates of the vnited Prouinces Many in the Netherlands were of diuers opinions concerning this legation of the deputies of the Estates to the French king Those that were best affected to the king of Spaine could not persuade themselues that the French king would embrace the cause of the Netherlanders and that he sought nothing but the quiet of his owne Realme Others made themselues beleeue considering the good and honourable reception which hee had giuen them at their comming into Fraunce that the king would take them into his protection to the which they had charge to submit and yeeld themselues and all the vnited Prouinces both to him and to his successors for euer hereafter At their comming vnto the court the king sent them first vnto his mother who hauing conferred and consulted with them about two whole houres together gaue them good hope and comfort But those of the Parliament of Paris told the French king plainely That hee neyther could nor ought to assist the Estates beeing rebels to their king beeing a matter of too bad example and contrarie vnto the law of Nations yet the king heard them halfe an houre and then he entreated them to haue patience for a little while vntill the comming of the earle of Darby who was embassadour for the Queene of England whom he expected with whom hee must first conferre withall before he could giue them any answere The said earle of Darbie arriued soone after being honourably attended He brought vnto the French king the order of the Garter which the Queene of England sent him as a testimonie of her loue the which was very pleasing and acceptable vnto his Maiestie The said embassadour did recommend vnto the king in the name of the Queene his mistresse the cause of the Netherlands to the end the king of Spaine might not grow so mightie as hauing ouercome and subdued them hee should fall vpon one of those two Realmes But to the end that we may not passe ouer slightly the successe of this legation of the deputies of the Estates wee will discourse somewhat more at large thereof wherein the same did chiefely consist when they had their audience and what their answere was They had audience giuen them vpon the twelfth of Februarie in the which they besought his Maiestie the prince of Espinoy speaking for them all That it would please him to take them their prouinces and communalties into his safegard and protection as his owne proper subiects and vassales and vnder his iurisdiction as they desired to be vnder such honourable and reasonable agreements and conditions as it should best please his Maiestie to graunt vnto them the which they would faithfully promise and bind themselues to obey by vertue of the Commission and authoritie which they had receiued to that end and purpose from all the Estates of the said vnited Prouinces of the Netherlands Whereunto the king answered them with a great affection and good grace That their comming was very pleasing vnto him thanking them much for the honour which they did him by so goodly an offer and presentation together with the loue which they bare him saying That before hee held himselfe bound vnto the sayd countries for the great honour which they had done vnto the late deceased duke of Aniou his brother of worthie memorie and now he confessed himselfe to be more tyed vnto them by this great and honourable offer which they made him whereof hee made very great esteeme and for the which hee wished them all prosperitie and happinesse promising to shew himselfe hereafter on their behalfes a good iust mild and gracious prince And seeing that they entreated him in what sort he should best please and how he might with most conueniencie to assist and helpe them and to haue a future care both of them and of the sayd countries like vnto a good and carefull father as hee hath of his owne naturall subiects and that they were readie to bind themselues vnto him vnder some good and reasonable conditions for the which hee gaue them great thankes But seeing that a matter of so great importance deserued to be duly considered and aduised of he thought it very fitting that their intention were set downe in writing to the end that it might be imparted vnto his mother his Parliaments and his other counsellors and then to resolue c. The Queene Mother hauing heard their reasons and what they demaunded after that shee had conferred with the Seignior of Bellieure the Secretaries of Estate and other of the king his priuie counsell he gaue them a full answere thereof as we shall hereafter see On the other side the counsell of Spaine hauing a due consideration and regard of all those things which concerned the people of the Netherlands did see plainely that the French king might easily and with small toyle get the possession of the said countries vnder his gouernment whereunto the subiects hearts were much enclined and that hee should want no meanes for the effecting and compassing thereof The which did much perplexe and trouble both the counsell of Spaine and the prince of Parma for which consideration he did greatly sollicite them of the towne of Antuerpe by his letters to a reconciliation with the king of Spaine fearing that being in so faire a way to conquer it
the French king should crosse his victorie if hee should embrace the affaires of the vnited Prouinces He had in December before sent one Augustino Graffino an Italian into England but being a subiect of the Popes hee was charged to haue beene acquainted with the prince of Orange his murther so as he had no audience at all And the Spaniards seeing that their practises preuayled nothing in the vnited Prouinces nor in England they bethought themselues of another course to kindle a new ciuile warre in Fraunce by the meanes of them of the house of Guise as you may read thereof more at large in the Hystorie of Fraunce The French king seeing himselfe suddenly assayled by the Guisian league in the which many of the nobilitie of Fraunce gentlemen and good townes were ingaged and carried away vnder a colour of Religion and the publicke weale he had no other helpe or meanes but to flye vnto his Edicts forbidding by publicke proclamation all his subiects and vassales that were vnder his iurisdiction to leuie any men or to serue them without his leaue declaring that this league and confederacie was ill grounded and against all reason But all this auayled him little or nothing being forced for this time to strike sayle and to forbeare to accept the offers that were made vnto him by the deputies of the Estates of the vnited Prouinces of the Netherlands And finding himselfe suddenly oppressed by the league being without any forces and the aduerse partie growne to bee so strong as they might easily haue deliuered halfe the countrey of Fraunce into the king of Spaine his hands he gaue the embassadours and deputies to vnderstand with whom he had begun to treat of the conditions That to his great griefe he could not receiue them vnder his protection or gouernment nor at that time assist them in any sort saying That his shirt was neerer vnto him than his doublet complayning much of the violence which the king of Spaine and they of the house of Guise and the league did offer him entreating them to maintaine and defend themselues as well as they could vntill that he had setled his Realme in peace promising to ayde and helpe them willingly with his fauour and counsell in any thing he could And as the Queene of England had recommended the vnited Prouinces vnto him in like sort hee entreated the earle of Darbie the Queenes embassadour to recommend them vnto her Maiestie that it would please her to succour them and to take their defence in hand making the like request vnto the Queene by his owne embassadours and also to the king of Nauarre the which hee promised by the faith of a king and hath beene euer since well affected vnto the sayd vnited prouinces The prince of Parma to finish his worke and to stoppe vp the passage of the riuer of Antuerpe from them of Holland and Zeeland he sent for all the masters of shippes mariners and shipwrights of Flaunders and Brabant whom hee caused to come to Calloo So as vpon the fiue and twentieth day of Februarie the bridge was fully finished whereby they might passe out of Flanders into Brabant and the passage to Antuerpe quite stopped vp the which was a singular worke and of great admiration to all the world being built after the manner which followeth On eyther side of the riuer hee had caused a mightie fort to be built one at Calloo vpon Flanders side and the other at Oordam on the bankes of Brabant in eyther of the which hee had planted twelue double cannons which shot euen with the water and the workes were aduaunced as farre into the riuer as the foundation would suffer it besides the heads which were made of bridges set vpon pyles of fiftie foot deepe rammed into the ground and well bound together And whereas the depth or the swiftnesse of the streame would not suffer it the rest of the bridge from one side vnto the other was made of one and thirtie flat bottomed boats euery one beeing made fast with two ankers one before and the other behind tyed together with strong chaynes and cables vpon the which were great beames layed crosse and vpon them certaine plankes which finished the bridge so as they might passe on horsebacke or with waggons and carts to eyther side About a thousand foote from this bridge both aboue and beneath there was a floate made of mastes of shippes that were bound together and vpon them other mastes crossed and pointed sticking forth some twentie foote long like vnto stakes and therefore they were called Stocadoes all being made fast in the bottome of the water with ankers like vnto the bridge and on eyther side of the riuer bound with chaynes and cables vnto the heads so as the bridge and the Stocadoes did rise and fall with the tide the sayd bridge beeing two thousand foot long lacking but two from one head vnto another And on eyther side thereof there lay fiue shippes of warre well appointed with men and artillerie to withstand the first assault before they should approach neere vnto the Stocadoes Moreouer there were planted on eyther side of the riuer betwixt the two Stocadoes aboue a hundred peeces of artillerie both great and small the which in truth was a royall worke for the making whereof vnprofitable they must vse other meanes than force or else they should haue foreseene it in time and not suffered them so much to haue aduaunced it for if they had done their endeauours to breake it as they began the worke the which they might well haue done he had not so easily finished it But beeing done and ended they sought to breake it with the force and violence of shippes of warre as well of Holland and Zeeland as of Antuerpe yet before they could get this preparation readie and a faire wind withall as they desired for the which there was aboue a hundred shippes laden with men and munition attending with great deuotion and during all these delayes and expectations the prince of Parma finished this great worke and the riuer was shut vp by this bridge and Stocadoes The which bred a great discontentment and murmuring amongst the common people as well of Brabant as of Zeeland and for the which the Zeelanders did partly blame their admirall Treslon and others which had had the chiefe charge but euery man excused himselfe of this negligence in the preuention thereof in the which there was also some priuate commoditie or aduantage as it is the vsuall custome in matters which passe by many heads and hands yea they did greatly taxe the Hollanders therewith some saying that the prince of Parma could not haue finished this worke without them and it was generally spoken that they had deliuered him cables and ankers wherewith hee had made his worke firme The towne of Nymeghen in the countrey of Gueldres situated vpon the riuer of Wahal which is one of the hornes of Rhin was at that time wauering and it was
Friseland Colonel Schencke ouerrunnes the countrie of Westphalia Graue besieged and yeelded to the Spaniard Iarre betwixt the Estates the earle of Leicester who is discontented and they discontented with him Nuys besieged by the Spaniard and taken by assault whilest they are in parle The earle of Leicester recouers certaine places Iealousie betwixt the noble men of the countrie and the English by reason of gouernments that were giuen vnto the English and they reiected whereof the Estates complained vnto him going into England A great dearth of corne in the yeare 1587. Deuenter sold vnto the Spaniard with the great fort of Zutphen Factions increase betwixt the Estates and the English Scluse besieged and in the end yeelded to the Spaniard The towne of Guelder sold. The Estates labour to reconcile the earles of Leicester and Hohenlo Apologies on either side Leicester failes to seize vpon the towne of Leyden Hee is called backe into England and resignes his gouernment into the Estates hands Bonne surprised by Schencke The king of Spaine makes a counterfeit shewe to desire peace with England Deputies on either side at Bourbroue who doe nothing whilest the Spanish fleete aduanced Prince Maurice takes his place in the gouernment after the earle of Leicester retreat The Spanish fleet thinke to inuade England and is dispersed Geertruydenbergh sold to the Spaniards by the souldiers that were mutined without cause The death of Colonel Schencke at an enterprise vpon Nymeghen The death of Moeurs Rhinberck yeelded to the Spaniards The Estates send succours of men and money vnto the French king Breda happily surprised The prince of Parma releeues Paris Prince Maurice recouers many townes and places for the Estates Groning straitly prest ACcording to the accord made betwixt the high mighty princesse Elizabeth Queene of England and the Estates of the vnited prouinces of the Netherlands her Maiestie seâ⦠certaine troopes of horse and foot into the countries of Holland and Zeeland vnder the command of sir Iohn Norris knight a gallant souldier who had long done seruice to the said Estates and to the prince of Orange who came to the rendez vous which was giuen them in Vtrecht where hauing past musters they were presently imployed and led by the earle of Moeurs before the fort of Isselloort neere vnto the towne of Arnham vpon the Veluwe where the riuer of Issel comes out of the Rhin which fort had beene taken by Verdugo for the Spaniard long before the earle of Moeurs hearing that Colonel Taxis was gone forth the day before made haste to besiege it and to batter it so as the besieged seeing no hope of succours and fearing to be taken by assault they yeelded vp the fort by composition to depart with their liues and goods Although this siege was not without the losse of some few men yet the earle of Moeurs and the English were so incouraged as passing the riuer of Rhin they went to besiââ¦ge the fort of Berchschooft in the higher Betuwe in the which captaine Turc commanded for the prince of Parma who notwithstanding the weakenes of the place which was shewed him by his owne men would needs endure the cannon but the souldiers mutined against him and deliuered him with the fort into the earle of Moeurs hands for the Estates Colonel Schencke had at that time an enterprise vpon the town of Nymeghen by an intelligence which he had with a bourger of the said towne who dwelt in one of the towers of the rampar This man had in time digged a hollow passage vnder the rampar which went from the foot of the said tower vnto the street and had so vndermined the wall of the said tower within hauing set vp the stones againe one vpon another without cyment or morter as with a blowe with ones foot they might thrust it downe and thereby haue a free passage into the towne for to finish this enterprise Schencke drew forth certaine companies out of the garrisons of Venloo Guelder Wachtendonc Graue and Blyenbeek with the which hee marched secretly the eight and twentieth of September in the night but the night before this bourger hauing let slippe certaine wordes was apprehended with his sonne who vpon the circumstances of the said speeches and his answer vnto the interrogatories was put to the racke with his boy and there confessed the fact whereupon they of the towne put themselues secretly into armes Schencke beeing neere with his troopes hauing no signe from his man and beeing ignorant what place to goe to fearing the matter was discouered he retired The earle of Moeurs seeing that this enterprise had failed resolued to haue the towne by force and planted his campe in the village of Bendt right against it vpon the other banke of the riuer of Wahal where hee did build a mightie fort the which since was called Knodsenborch and placing certaine shippes of warre in the riuer betwixt the towne and the fort to stoppe the passage from this fort where he had planted fiue or sixe peeces of ordnance he battred the towne at random and shot fierie bullets into it to burne the houses but they were suddainely quenched so as there was not aboue two houses burnt In the meane time the garrison of Nuys did nothing but hunt after bootie and spoile running euen vnto the gates of Cologne carrying from thence oxen kyne and other cattell the which did so incense the duke of Cleues vpon whose countrie beeing a neuter they were daily running for that they could not goe into the diocesse of Cologne but they must needs passe through the dutchie of Iuilliers of Berghe or the countie of Marck which are his as he made a proclamation throughout all his territories giuing all them of his countries free libertie to set vpon and spoile the garrison of Nuys wheresoeuer they should encounter them in his countries the which did somewhat restraine the courses of the said garrison The Hans townes of the east countrie fearing that by this alliance betwixt the Queene of England and the Estates of the vnited prouinces of the Netherlands their nauigation into Spaine would be cut off they wrote vnto her Maiestie intreating her to satisfie them of that doubt To the which shee answered the fift of Nouember beeing at Richmond after this manner I beleeue you are not ignorant of the dislike and breach betwixt vs and the king of Spaine what will ensue we cannot yet iudge if matters tend to a peace we will not reiect you as our auncient allies but if it grows to a warre you shall vnderstand as men of iudgement may wel conceiue that we ought not to suffer our enemies to be releeued with victuals nor fortified with munition of warre wherefore you may consider that you ought not to require any thing of vs that may turne to our preiudice and disaââ¦uantage But touching all other sorts of marchandize whereby they of Spaine or Portugall may not be aided with victuals and
no small preiudice to their common enemy without seeking of any doubtful and suspitious peace or to dispaire of their countries cause Lastly the Estates humbly thanked her Maiesty for letting the countries and townes vnderstand her gratious pleasure concerning the continuance of the ancient contracts and treaties which haue passed and haue beene alwaies maintained betweene the Kings of England and the Princes of those countries as also with certaine particular townes in those Prouinces and that for their parts they would take such order as her Maiesty his Excelency and the English Nation should find their zeale and desire to maintaine al loue and good Neighbourhood desiring his Excelency that he would fauorably recommend their answer vnto her Maiesty Besides this answere the generall Estates gaue him an other answere for the better cleering of some points propounded vnto him at Dordrecht the 16. of October Shewing that the Estates desired to continue his Exelency in the same authority which by the contract made with her Maiesty and the act of the generall Estates was giuen him desiring him that for the ceasing of al controuersies it would please his Exelency to keepe the oth which he had made vnto the Estates at his first entry into the same and that by certaine acts and namely by some letters written by him to his secretary Iunius bearing date the 10. of Iuly the authority of the Estates was brought in question they thought it conuenient to make a more plaine declaration thereof conteyning the force of their authority the which they sayd they were bound by oth to iustifie and maintaine for if they were not lawfully authorized in the soueraignty by the Prouinces then had they no powre nor authority to put the King of Spaine from his Inheritance nor to make warre against him nor yet to deale in any sort by contract or otherwise with the French King and the Queene of England neither yet to confer the gouernment to his Excelency which they neuerthelesse had done vpon a good ground and foundation and by the Estates in all things held and obserued And therefore they desired redresse of that which had bin done on his Excelencies behalfe more then to his authority belongs his authority being all one with the Gouernors of those Prouinces vnder the Emperor Charles the fift who although they were great personages and Princes of his owne bloud yet hee alwaies reserued vnto himselfe to make peace or truce to beginne a new warre to make leagues and alliances with forraine Princes and countries the making of proclamations and decrees concerning the Estate of the land The altring and changing of the minte and standard the restraint of traficke and dealing with neutrall and forraine countries proclamations whereby neighbour Kings Potentates and common-weales should bee offended The bringing in of new rights and customes The augmenting of contributions and charges for the warres aboue that which was formerly granted by the consent of the country and many other such like But those things which belonged to the disposition of the Gouernors generall the Estates ment should be at his appointment to dispose and order the same by the aduise of the Councell of Estate chosen both out of them of the countrie and of her Maiesties subiects and that such things should passe vnder his Exclencies name as had vsually past vnder the gouernors name in the time of the Emperor Charles the 5. And that in the Estates name which did vsually passe vnder the name of the Emperor Charles the fift which would in no sort bee contrary to the contract made with her Maiesty neither yet against the act of declaration of the commission of the gouernment and authority of the Estates vnto his Excelency The second point of controuersie was the oth of fidelity to bee made by the soldiars and the authority of the particular Gouernor of Prouinces and for that they found some mistaking of the oth to bee made they desired that according to the contrââ¦ct the soldiars should sweare fidelity and obedience to the Prouinces in generall and to his Excelencie as Gouernor generall of the same as also to those Prouinces townes and members thereof where they shal be imployed or placed in garrison And that they shall obey his Excelencie as Gouernor generall and that the chiefe Collonels Captaines Officers and Soldiars shall in like manner sweare to bee obedient to the particular Gouernors of Prouinces and to their Lieutenants wherso euer they shal be imployed and this for the maintenance of the rights of Prouinciall Gouernors saying that the change of garrisons and distribution of soldiars ought to bee done by them for if they had had that authority and the forme of oth afore recited had beene obserued they had not lost the towne of Deuenter nor the fort by Zutphen but beeing discouered long before it had beene preuented by the Gouernor and for that cause the Estates were mooued the more to maintaine the rights of the Prouinciall Gouernors as well to see the oth of obedience performed and kept as for the alteration of garrisons and yet no new matter neither yet any dyminishing of his authority hauing a powre ouer the said Prouinciall Gouernors as being sworne vnto him wherby he might execute all things with good order for that the Estate of those Prouinces and townes were best knowne vnto them But contrariewise not long since a priuat person had charge to place certaine English companies in Vtrecht and to arme them and then to take others forth without the priuity or the consent of the particular gouernor which they could not yeeld vnto for that both their oth and the contract were against it as being a breach of the chiefe rights and customes of the country for the which they had beene in continuall warres for so many yeares Moreouer they neither ought nor could abridge the house of Nassau nor Prince Maurice in regard of the honorable seruices done by the Prince of Orange of famous memory who neither spared life nor lyuing for the defence of their preuiledges of the authority which of right belongeth vnto him and by oth and promise was giuen him before his Excelencie came into those countries They were likewise compelled to see that the soldiars pay and all martiall causes were so gouerned as the charge might be borne out of the contribution of the Prouinces and out of the particular contribution of euery Prouince the charge of the same Prouince for the which they stood bouÌd should be paied for otherwise great confusion might grow They sayd that they were summoned by the second member of the Estates of Vtrecht according to their oth and promise made to a stricter vnion for that some men not only English but natural borne countrie men ignorant of the Estate of these Prouinces or rather seeking their owne priuat profit attributed the whole gouernment of the country absolutly vnto him wherein they absued his Excelencie And so they concluded
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 any profit wherefore it seemed expedient to the Princes of Germany not to oppose themselues against so mighty a King who
is also one of the Empire being more fit to entertaine his loue and friendship Being very well knowne that some Princes of Germany had beene forward inough to succor the Prince of Orange against the said King whome they would no more incense nor bandy them-selues against him seeing that he pretended not to wrong them but onely to succor a Prince and Archbishoppe elector And the rather for that the French King sought his frendship and the Queene of England had sent her Ambassadors to Bourbourgh in Flanders to treat a peace with him and therefore it was not fit for the Germaines for Truchses pleasure to oppose them-selues against him knowing how their army had sped which they had sent vnto the King of Nauarre Whilest that Schenck was at this diet in Germany the Prince of Chymay was at the seege of Bonne where in the beginning Iohn Baptista Taxis an old soldiar was shot whereof he died and was honorably interred at Cologne they within the towne defended themselues valiantly there commanders being Otto Baron of Potlits Christopher Wolfe and others at the last hauing beene halfe a yeare beseeged and finding that there was no meanes to bee releeued and that more forces came against them vnder the command of the Earle of Mansteldt being sent out of Flanders as soone as euer the Spanish fleet was past vpon the twenty nine of September they yeelded vp the towne the garrison departing with their armes bagge and bagage The beginning of this yeare after the Earle of Leicesters retreat was full of troubles as well in Zeeland as in Holland and Vtrecht for as the said Earle vpon his last returne into England had beene at Campuere whereas he had fortefied the captaines of his party against the Estates as he had don in like manner at Arnemeuyen so as both these townes opposed them-selues against the Prince and the councell of estate refusing to acknowledge any other superiors then the Queene of England and the Earle of Leicester as her Lieutenant wherein Sir William Russell Lord gouernor of Flusshing and of Ramekins for the Queene after the Earles departure entertayned them daily as well by his owne words as by letters hauing commission from her Maiesty to keepe the Captaines and soldiars of those two townes of Campuere and Arnemuyden at her deuotion and the Bourgers them-selues desiring to be vnder her Maiesties command as Flushng was to the end that they might enioy the same priueledges in England that the Flushingers did But such as vnder-stood not the reasons of this negotiation did impute it to some dislike which Sir William Russel now Lord Russell had conceiued against the estates for that presently after the death of Sir Philip Sydney before he was chosen gouernor they had giuen away the Regiment of Zeeland to the Earle of Solms the which said they he expected for that Sir Philip his predecsseor had beene collonel thereof wherevpon they coniectured that hee grew in ielousie of the estates seeking to make himselfe maister of the Iland of Walchren the which was but a coniecture and is disauowed by him-selfe protesting that hee affected the Estates and the good of the generall cause and that hee honored Prince Maurice and the house of Nassau as much as any man And whereas at that time there was some doubt that the Duke of Parma would come into the Iland of Walchren with a great number of smal boats and Pinaces which he caused to bee built in Flanders the Estates thought it fit to send a cornet of horsemen into the Iland Wherevpon the said Sir William Russel required the Estates of Zeeland and after that the councell of estate being at the Hage that his compaine of horse which hee had in garrison at Berghen vp Zoom might be sent thether promising to keepe it in good disciplyne But in the meane time and whilest that hee expected an answer the marshall of Villiers company was sent thether The which did so discontent Sir William Russel as hee sent to Scotland and ouer all the Iland putting it to their owne choyce whether they would haue his companie or that of the Marshall of Villiers who was newly come out of prison from the enemie might be corrupted so as they freely make choyce of his company where-vppon hee writte letters vnto the councell of Estate by the which hee complained much of the wrong was done him in preserring an other company before his which gaue him iust occasion of distrust and to beleeue confidently that they practised some-thing against him For which consideration hee would not suffer that any garrison should enter into Walchren so neere the places of his gouernment saying that they had no reason to wonder if in so turbulent a time hee stood vppon his gard seeing that both his gouernment his honour and his life depended thereon To the which letters the councell of Estate made answer that they were sorry that the sending of the Marshall of Villiers company had giuen him any cause of distrust seeing that according to the Estate of the country and the concurrence of time nothing could happen more preiudiciall vnto them then mutuall iealosies for the which they thought they had giuen him no subiect For as for the said troope of horse it had beene sent by Prince Maurice and not by them hauing proceeded therein according to the order of his pattent and the authority which hee hath as Gouernor of Holland and Zealand onely for the conducting of the Peasants and them of the champian country to the gard of the Sea-coast fearing least the enemie should attempt something For the which seruice three score horses were sufficicient which small number could not attempt any thing against the places of his Gouernment Moreouer they held those horsemen to bee of no seruice there doing more harme then good wherefore they were resolued at prince Maurice returne to speake vnto him to call them backe Intreating him therefore not to importune them any further to haue his company there They said also that the protestation hee made by his letters not to indure any soldiers in Walchren nor about Flushing and Ramekens had much troubled them Hauing also forbidden at Sooetelandt not to receiue any of the Estates soldiers Wherein they would aduertise him that he opposed him-selfe directly to the Contract which they had made with his mistresse the Queene of England extending his authority and command ouer the Champian country of Walchren the which belongs onely to the Gouernor generall or to the particular of the Countrie Wherefore they intreated him in any case to forbeare to attempt any thing to the preiudice of the said contract for the inconueniences that might happen vnto him Intreating him also to lay aside all iealousies and bad impressions which hee might haue conceiued of them the which they neuer
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 coÌming 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 transpoââ¦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
vpon their marche with some Artillerie they set vpon a fort which was called the Roynettes of Cologne the which they tooke and manned with a good garrison from thence passing the water neere vnto the castle of Loo hauing now past Teckenhof the Marquis thinking to charge them in the reere he found that contrary to his expectation he was valiantly with-stood by Sir Francis Vere with foure Companies of English and by Christopher Wolfs Cornet of Reyetrs being on the wing of the reereward so as this charge turned into a Battaile whereas Varambon lost aboue 600. men vpon the place with ten Enseignes and three Cornets besides the prisoners and aboue 200. horse whereof the English had sixe score for their part and amongst them there was one which the Marquis did vse to ride on who had now saued himselfe by flight Among all the prisoners there was not any one of reckoning but a pettie Italien Count Cousin to the Cardynall Caraffa who was wounded and one Lieutenant There were not aboue foureââ¦eene Knights Captaines and Officers slaine whereof one was the Marquis of Cico Nephew to Spinelli Maister of the Campe Iohn Antonio Caraffa and Alonzo Palagano both captaines and seauen Antients most Neapolitaines Whilest they were in fight Count Charles of Mansfeldt came posting thether with threescore and ten companies of horse and foote but the Earle of Ouersteyn the Barron of Poetlys Sir Francis Vere hauing won this victorie made hast to recouer Berck with their conuoy and victualls The Earle of Mansfeldt thought to haue met with them in their returne but they took an other course passing the Rhine nere vnto the fort of Rees This incounter was the 15. of October The same month the Earle of Mansfeldt hauing made prouision at Nymeghen of al things needfull to beseige a town hauing marched away with his horsemen from Boisleduc towards Graue passing by a little wood hee was saluted with a Volley of small shotte which wounded some horses wherefore hauing caused the wood to be compast round about and searcht they found 35 soldiers there whereof 30. were slaine vpon the place and the other were hanged Whilest that the Earle of Mansfedlt made preparation to go and besiege Berke the Earle of Meurs to succor it as hee had done twice or thrice before gathered togither all the men hee could beeing at Arnhem the chiefe towne of Gelderland in the Dukes Pallace where meaning to make a tryall of some fire workes the powlder was vnfortunately sette on fire where-with a part of the Chamber was blowne away and hee burnt and drawne from vnder the ruines of the house whereof he died within few daies after full of paine whereby the succoring of Berke was broken of and yet it held out three monthes longer The Earle of Mansfeldt had resolued to besiege Berke after an other manner hauing prepared all things necessary hee came out of Bommels-Weert where ãâã had battered the sconse of Vorne tenne daies togither in vaine and in Nouember hee ââ¦oke the Sconse of Reez aforesaid the which by reason of the dry wether and the lownesse of the water they did yeeld by composition whereby the besieged could not bee now well releeued who hauing great want of victuals and finding that their succors failed them the Estates considering also that this towne being so farre from them would bee ouer chargeable to victuall so often they did consent that the besieged should make the best composition they could with the Spaniard so as in the end of Ianuary 1590. the towne of Berke was yeelded to Charles Earle of Mansfeldt for the King of Spaine the Captaines Officers and all the soldiers going forth with their ful armes and baggage the Drumme sounding Coullors flying matches light and bullets in their mouthes and to carry them away they should haue fifty shippes and Scutes with conuenient Conuoy and a Captaine called Dauid Soper a prisoner should be discharged without ransome The Burgers likewise had good conditions and so Berke other-wise called Rhynebercke was giuen ouer It is thought that there were certaine secret promises made which caused the garrison to yeeld more willingly as that the Countesse of Meurs then a widdow should quietly inioy her landes by circumscription as beeing a member of the Empire and Neutrall Thus the Duke of Parma tooke in the townes and places in the Territories of Cologne to the vse as hee said of Ernestus Bishoppe of Cologne but hee kept the chiefe places with good garrisons as Rhynebercke Bonna Nuys Keysersweert and after the taking of Bercke hee had some disseignes vppon the Townes of Cleues Goch Reez and Emric belonging to the Duke of Cleues but all was in vaine his enterprise beeing discouered There was not much more done this yeare neither by the Duke of Parma nor yet by the vnited Prouinces the Duke beeing busie to send men and money into France stayed at Bins in Henault where the Duke of Maine and other commanders of the League came to speake with him on the other side the vnited Prouinces sent vnto the French King tenne thousand poundes starling with victualls and munition of warre by the Lord of Brederode issued from the Earles of Holland and Zealand Iustine of Nassau Admirall of Zealand and the Seignior of Pree Agent there for the Estates And the Queene of England sent him first twenty thousand pounds starling by Sir Edward Stafford then her Maiesties Ambassador with some poulder munition for war and ships to serue him within 15. daies after being besieged in Deepe by the League the Queene sent the Lord Willoughby ouer with 4000. men to his succor The generall Estates had long before reduced all the enemies Frontier Countries to certaine ceasments and contributions of money payable monethly as well vppon the landes as vppon the Countrie houses Villages and vnwalled townes which had no Forts to supplie the payment of their frontering Garrisons By which contributions the Peasants and Inhabitants of the sayde frontering places were freed from the courses spoyles and ransoming of their Soldiers The which without all doubt was a very great ease for the poore people and laborers and other good people who might freely doe their worke and follow their trafficke and marchandise with all safety going and comming freely into the townes and Fortes of either party This was against all right in the warres of fore-passed ages who would not yeeld any thing vnto their enemies as the Duke of Alua caused a poore peasant to be hangged for that he had bene forced to carry a bottle of hay to the Prince of Oranges Camp before Maestricht and it was also dangerous But the profit which did rise thereby did counteruayle the paine to prouide for the dangers which they feared The which the Spaniard might in like manner doe for his part who might reape farre greater comodities thereby then the Estates But no man smarted so much as the Lord of the soyle and proprietary who by
this inscription vnder the foundation called religion Hac nitimur and ouer the hat of libertie Hanc tuemur as if they would say By the force of truth and vnity grounded vpon religion with the helpe of God we enioye and maintaine our libertie For the generall gouernment of the Prouinces they had a counsell of Estate consisting of gentlemen and lawiers where the Queene of England was to haue two councellers but at that time there was but one which was Maister Thomas Bodley now a Knight and Maister Gilpin Secretarie of the sayd counsell this councell had the ordring of all causes in euery Prouince the generall Estates being not alwaies assembled who commanded ouer this councell of Estate and besides this euerie particular Prouince had their priuate councell After the death of the Prince of Orange they did chuse Prince Maurice Earle of Nassau Gouernor of Holland and Zeeland Admirall of the sea and Lieutenant generall of their forces and Philip Earle of Hohenlo an old souldiar and of great experience his Lieutenant Vtrecht Oueryssel and Gelderland did likewise at that time chuse Prince Maurice for their gouernor William Lodowike Earle of Nassau eldest sonne to Iohn Earle of Nassau was gouernor in Friseland a souldiar of good experience and polliticke Prince Maurice was from his youth trained vp by his father in the warres and in affaires of Estate and was his second sonne his eldest brother Philip William who is now Prince of Orange and Earle of Buren beeing yet kept prisoner in Spaine and for that cause beeing verie fit to supplie the place hee was chosen chiefe Generall and Commander ouer all their forces both by sea and land In matters concerning the land hee was to bee ruled by the aduise of the councell of Estate and touching the sea by the admiralitie and certaine Comities were appointed vnder him when any thing was to bee done concerning the countrie and the limmits of their liberties by whose aduice all causes touching the state were directed in the armie and the particular affaires concerning Gouernment and Pollicie by the Councell of warre chosen out of euerie Regiment and Nation seruing therein And for that Holland was the greatest strongest and mightiest of all the vnited Prouinces therefore many causes which were handled in the councell of Estate were done by the aduise and councell of Iohn van Ouden Barnevelt Lord of Crimpel Aduocate of Holland in regarde of his great wisdome and experience The Netherlanders haue as great meanes to bring in money for the mayntenance of their warres as euer was heard or seene in any Countrie the which is done willingly with a generall consent and with little hurt and preiudice to the Inhabitants and by that meanes the countrie grewe rich mighty and strong for they suffred any thing to bee carried vnto the enemie paying lycense for the same especially such things whereof they had aboundance and superfluitie and that there subiects by making working and carrying it thether may get any thing arysing or abating the rate of the license as they found the enemy to haue neede of their commodities moderating it in such sort as the enemy could not buy it better cheape in any place then of them They suffred the enemy to bring any thing vnto them that they had neede of especially such things as they could not well haue but from thence paying but small custome or lycense mony and contrarywise making them to pay great custome for things which they brought whereof they had no neede hauing still a great regard vnto their trade of marchandise and especially vnto their sea-faring and fishing Besides this they could so well husband their mony and imploy it to the best profit as all Potentates common weales and commanders in the warres might take example by them capitulating with their Collonels Captaines and soldiars as strictly as they could yet alwaies paying them wel which made the captaines to complaine oftentimes for that a captaine seruing vnder the enemy or in other places might reape more benifit by a Company of men then a Collonell vnder the Estates by ten companies but it was vncertaine And for that the vnited Prouinces did pay their men duely and truely there was very good discipline held among their soldiars so as wheresoeuer they past throughout the country they were well vsed and welcome in all places for that they found their necessaries alwaies redy for them the which was truely paied whensoeuer they dislodged to any other place and throughout all the Prouinces they did seuerely punish theeues and such as offred any violence They did not vsually entertaine any great forces but they had old valiant and well disciplined soldiars with the which they did many great exploits At that time they had about twenty thousand foote and two thousand horse besides the Bourgers whom in time of necessity they imployed and paied as soldiars They entertained about a hunderd shippes of warre at sea and within their riuers being all well appointed and whensoeuer they came from any seruice their men were presently to be paid Besides this ordinary charge of shippes saylers and soldiars they tooke order by a generall consent for a certaine prouision of money to be made for the entertayning of an army in the field for certaine monethes in the yeare with ordinance pioners and a supply of soldiars to make an offensiue warre to inlarge their fronters and also to aide the French King with money munition and men both by sea and land The Queene of England also paied to her souldiars in the garrisons of the Brill of Flushing and to those that aided the Estates within the country twelue thousand fiue hundred twenty six pounds starling euery moneth accounting 56. daies to the moneth according to the contract besides extraordinary charges for transportation of souldiars and the apparell both for horse and foote which was yearely to bee prouided By this prouident care and wise gouernment of the Estates and their assistants the vnited Prouinces were exceeding rich and mightie yea in the midest of their greatest warres which commonly makes any countrie poore and miserable and yet they robbed no man at sea but were rather robbed and at land they vsed but the ordinary course of warre and this is euident by their fare great and costly buildings in their townes their strong and great fortifications their aboundance of Ordinance and great numbers of rich and welthie inhabitants who for that their wanted houses for them to dwell in many were forced to dwell in shippes whereof they haue many in that country very sweete faire and necessary for that vse and some townes haue bene constrained to inlarge their walles for the building of more houses with such hauens walles bulwarkes gates and sumptuous workes as it were admirable to bee written the which may well bee seene by many townes from West-friseland along to Walchren in Zeeland In the beginning of this yeare a regiment of Spaniards
Prince and the Estates who appointed Cont Phillip of Nassau cousin germaine to the Prince to bee gouernor thereof This was the conclusion and end of their victories and happy successe that yeare 1591. In the which a remarkable thing they wone the townes of Zutphen Deuenter Hulst Nymegen all townes of great importance with so many forts whereof we haue made mention as well in the country of Groning as other places defeated the Spaniards in field and forced the Duke of Parma to rayse his seege from before the sort of Knotsenbourg and all with such celerity as it is scarse credible they could haue intrencht them-selues and planted their cannon in so small a time as they were before either of the said townes so great and spatious are the townes of Zutphen Deuenter and Nymegen standing vpon great and broad riuers as the Yssel and the Wahal both armes of the riuer of Rhine We haue shewed before how that Collonel Martin Schenck hauing fayled of his enterprize vpon the towne of Nymegen was there drowned and through the fury of the Bourgers his dead body cut in foure quarters the which hung long vpon the rampars and his head on a Lances point in the toppe of a tower but the Marquis of Varenbon Gouernor of Gelderland comming to the towne whilst it held for the Spaniard knowing him to haue beene a braue caualier caused them to take downe that spectacle and that the body thus cut in peeces should be put in a coffin the which was done and layd in a tower where hauing beene found at the yeelding of the towne Prince Maurice caused him to bee honorably interred with a goodly military pompe where hee assisted in person being followed by all the Commanders Collonells captaines magestrats of the towne being renewed a great number of soldiars and the common people vnto the great temple where hee was buried in the monument of the Dukes of Geldres There was a Prouost Marshall in Brabant called Danckart who before had serued the Estates in the same office but hauing beene taken in the castle of Eckeren neere vnto Antwerp by the Spaniards to free him-selfe hee promised to doe the King great seruice And hauing obtayned a new commission he pursued the Estates Frebooters with all violence yea some braue soldiars both of horse and foote when hee could catch them going to the warres or to the picory or seeking any aduantage vpon the enemy whome without any respect of their pasports or putting them to ransome like soldiars seeing there was no quarter broken hee caused to bee hanged some hee burnt and roasted with a slow fire wherevpon he grew so odious and detested of all the Estates soldiars as they sware if they could once get him to shew him the like measure without any mercy And it fell out that they tooke him the leauenth of December in an Ambush which they had laid without the towne of Liere in Brabant with thirty horse which they tooke and put the men to the sword as for him they did cut of his nose and both his eares and hauing dragged him a long time at a horses tayle in the end they roasted him aliue with a slow fire of straw The like happened in Flanders to an other Prouost whome they call Rooderoede that is to say Red Rod who was slaine in fighting his Lieutenant being taken was burnt in a hollow tree with a fire of straw The French King hauing resolued in the end of this yeare to beseege Rouan the leegue sent presently to sue for ayd of the Duke of Parma who being retired confusedly from Nymegen and returned to Brussels to attend the comming of the Emperors Ambassadors He who would not fayle them according to the expresse charge which hee had often receiued from the King of Spaine his maister which was to lay all other affayers aside for the aduancement of his dessigne vpon France he caused his army to march by the country of Henault whereof meaning to take a view neere vnto valenciennes newes came vnto him of the arriuall of the Ambassadors to treat of a peace wherefore the Duke of Parma commanded his army to march by small iornies towards Picardy hee went post againe to Brusseles to giue them audience where hauing conferred with them and appointed Peter Ernest Earle of Mansfeldt his Lieutennant in the gouernment of the Netherlands vnder the obedience of the King of Spaine during his absence hee returned speedely to his army They reason why he marcht thus slouly was to make him-selfe the more necessary to the league and vnder the shew of armes to manage another desseigne which was to procure the Estates of the league to giue the crowne of France to the Infanta of Spaine whome they should promise to one of the heads of that party What he did in this his second voiage into France you may read at large in the French Inuentary The French King hauing resolued to beseege Rouen the Queene of England at the instant request of his Ambassador sent him ouer to his aide 4000. foote and 200. horse vnder the command of the earle of Essex with some ordinance And the general states of the vnited Prouinces did also send him ouer Phillip Earle of Nassau who brought about 3000. foote and among them the company of Prince Maurice his gards being 200. pikes and musketiers vnder van Noot their captaine with eight cannons and some culerins with all necessary munition In the end of this yeare prince Maurice had an enterprize vpon the towne of Gheertruydenberge going from the Hage with 1600. men thinking to giue it a secret scaladoe the ladders were let vp but being descouered they of the garrison defended them-selues so valiantly as he was forced to retire without doing any thing with the losse of two of his Captaines All the winter this yeare 1591. there were of either side betwixt the Spaniards and the Estates many enterprizes and surprizes amongest the which the Estates garrison within Nymegen surprized the towne of Alpen belonging to the countesse of Meurs The Prouinces that were vnder the Kings subiection lay more open to the spoyle then the vnited Prouinces which were well defended with great riuers and forts the number of such as ranne vp and downe the contry to spoyle all passengers increased daily most of them putting them-selues vnder the Estates and were called freebuters being of no companies not vnder any command To preuent these insolencies and spoyles they of Brabant sent forth their Read Roeden or prouost commanding the country people vpon the sound of a bell to aide and assist their Officers or else of them-selues to set vpon those Freebuters And for the redresse of these disorders the Estates of Brabant on the fift of Nouember this yeare agreed to giue thirty fiue thousand gilders a month for the space of halfe a yeare to be raised vpon such wares and marchandise as were sold in Brabant at a certaine rate as for a hogshed
army led by Peter Ernest Earle of Mansfeldt who beseegeth Crevecââ¦ur in vaine warre made in Freezeland by Cont William of Nassau for the Estates The Earle of Solms makes warre in Flanders Otmarson in Oueryssel and many other forts in Freezelond recouered by the Spaniard The Archduke Ernest comes to be Gouernor of the Netherlands for the King of Spaine Michell Reuichors a Preest vndertakes to kill Prince Maurice for the which he is executed whereof the Archduke Ernest being taxed he seekes to excuse him-selfe by his letters to the Estates where-vnto they make answer The sayed Archduke makes warre against the King of France Prince Maurice deliuers Cowarden beseegeth Groning and takes it Peter de Four pretends to kill Prince Maurice for the which he is executed Cont Phillip of Nassau ioynes with the Duke of Bouillions troupes The marriages of the Earle of Hohenlo and the Duke of Bouillon Huyville and the Castle surprized by the Estates in the country of Liege and soone recouered by the Spaniard The death of the Archduke Ernest Collonel Mondragon a Spaniard comes neere vnto the Estates campe he is pursued by Prince Maurice The Earles Phillip of Nassau and Ernest of Solms are hurt taken prisoners and die Cont Frederic of Nassau remayning prisoner The Earle of Fuentes makes sharpe war against the French King The Spaniards offer a peace in the Netherlands Liege in Brabant surprized for the states but recouered the same day Cardinall Albert made gouernor for the King of Spaine he takes Callis from the French King who recouers La-fere from the Spaniard The Cardinal beseegeth Hulst in Flanders the which in the end yeeldeth The king of Spaine dispenseth with him-selfe for the paiment of his debts The English and Estates shippes takes Cadiz in Spaine The Mareshall of Biron makes warre in Arthois he takes the Marquis of Varââ¦nbon gouernor of the country A league betwixt the French King the Queene of England and the Estates against the Spaniard Prince Maurice defeats the Earle of Varax by Tournhout who is slaine there Amiens surprised by the Spaniard beseeged and taken by the King the which Cardinall Albert offers to succor in vaine Prince Maurice beseegeth and takes the Townes of Alpen Meurs Rhinberg Grol Brefort Enscheyde Oldââ¦nzeel Otmarsom Goor and Lingen all in three months The King of Denmarkes Ambassador to the Estates and to whââ¦t end The King of Spaine makes a peace with the French King The Admirall of Arragon sent Ambassador to the Emperor and to what end Peter Panne vnder takes to kill Prince Maurice and is executed The Estates subiects sayle to the East Indies Atumult at Emden the King of Spaine giues his eldest daughter to Cardinall Albert. AFter the Death of Alexander Farnezâ⦠Duke of Parma Peter Ernest Earle of Mansfeldt his Lieutenant during his absence in France was by prouision appointed to the gouernment by the King of Spaine of all that which remained vnder his obedience in the Netherlands attending the comming of Ernest Archduke of Austria the Emperor Rodolphus Brother being chosen for Gouernor lieutenant and Captaine generall To which Earle of Mansfeldt as the Spaniards haue neuer fully trusted the Noblemen of the Netherlands there were ioyned in all affayers the Earle of Fuentes a Spaniard Brother in law to the Duke of Alua and one Stephano Ybarra Superintendent of the Kings treasure a Spaniard also without the aduice of which two hee could not doe any thing neither yet treat nor dispose of a denier About the end of this yeare 1592. as Cont Charles of Mansfeldt was sent vnto the fronters of Picardy to prouide worke for the roialists to the aduancement of the league and to beseege Noyon the which he did and tooke it the King being otherwaies imployed the vnited Estates on the other side sent Phillip Earle of Nassau with some 4000. horse foote into Luxemburg to make some enterprize as well vpon the towne of Saint Vyt belonging to Prince Maurice by inheritance as else where and also to force them to their contributions The Earle of Mansfeldt father to Count Charles to make head against him sent the Earle of Barlaymont thether with the garrison of Liere Macklin and others places both Spaniards and Italiens But Count Philip seeing his men laden with bootie which they had gotten as well in Luxembourg as in Cempeine hee retired quietly without any losse The gouernment of the Kings countrie beeing as wee haue sayd put into the hands of the Earle of Mansfeldt the father an old and pollitike captaine with the assistance of the sayd Earle of Fuentes Stephano d'Ybarra and other Spaniards and of the Spanish faction they were of opinion to breake quarter and as they were wont to say to make foule warres not suffring any souldiars of what qualitie so euer captaines or other Officers to bee ransomed nor exchanged for other prisoners thinking thereby to make their men more resolute to fight and to vanquish or die for if they escaped and were noâ⦠slaine in the fight being prysoners there were no ransome exchange nor mercie for them And by this meanes they should also coole the heate of the Estates souldiââ¦rs from the doing of such violent executions by the right of warre for the leauy and payment of their contributions for they made a generall defence vpon all the fronters ioyning to the confederate Prouinces with other accustomed places dated the fift day of Ianuary in the yeare 1593. not to pay any such easments and taxes to the Estates collectors and Receiuors But Mansfeldt and his associates were much abused by this manner of proceding for their souldiars who commonly seeke more for profit then honour had rather draw a ransome from their prisoners then deliuer them into the hangmans hands or by this willfull breaking of quarter to suffer themselues to bee hanged Moreouer the gentlemen the Clergie and such as receiued rents were more willing to pay a light contribution to the Estates to saue the rest then to receiue nothing at all and moreouer to haue their castles houses and farmes burnt at the first roade they should make The vnited Estates made a publication to the contrary of the 27. day of Februarie by the which they declared that the Spaniard sought nothing else by the breaking of quarter and for biding to pay the contributions but vtterly to ruine all the Netherlands and the inhabitants thereof And therefore they signified vnto them of the Champian country that were of the aduerse partie that if they did not aduise otherwise for there safââ¦ties after the 10. of Aprill next ensuing that there would be no quarter for any person place Bourrough or village as now many did reside there and were free with any safegard of the sayd Estates lying vnder the command of their enemies This countermande of the Estates was the cause that all the world ranne to Brusselles to complaine of the first proclamation so as nothing was put in execution but all things remained
them-selues for great summes of mony and being accompanied with fiue Cornets of horse hee charged the Marquis of Warembon Gouernor of Arthois who thought to defeat the marshall he hauing fiue or six hundred horse but he him selfe was put to rout and taken prisoner which gaue a terrible alarume to all the country of Arthois then hee ouer-runne the country of Saint Paul tooke the towne and some other places Some peasants defended them-selues out of their steeples and quarries of stoane as in such accidents they haue no other retreats but they were roughly intreated in regard of such as remayning in their houses did stay the violence of their enemies by contribution of mony and victualls All this was donne in eight daies Cardinall Albert vnderstanding of the taking of the Marquis of Warembon hee sent the Duke of Arschot in his place who whilest he entred into Arras had the French of an other side seting fire of one of the suburbes within hargubuse shot of the towne And for that they were laden with booty the Marshall being loth they should loose it rââ¦red safely with them vnto the frontiers of Picardie Beeing discharged the one and twenty day of the month they entred againe into Arthois about Bapaulme spoyling Hebuterne Beruiller Courselles and other places sacking the Peasants that made any head against them The duke of Arschot camped with his forces close vnder Arras and intrencht himselfe carefully beeing resolued not to hazard any thing knowing well with whom hee had to deale The French set all places on fire carried away more bootie then before and returned quietly making a course towards Bethune Aire and Teroanne from whence they carried much cattell and many prisoners then they retired and camped in the plaine of Agincourt and yet no man made head against them in this second voiage for the space of ten daies The duke of Arschot beeing renforced with eight hundred foote ioyned to the Regiment of La Borlotte hee parted from Arras the fift of October and went and camped at Saint Pol whereas the Marshall of Biron leauing him hee entred seauen daies after with his horsemen againe into Arthois and beeing followed by his footemen hee staied at the Abbay of Mont Saint Eloy three leagues from Arras and on the thirteenth day hee did runne euen vnto the portes of Douay then hauing spoiled all hee returned into Picardie about some foure or fiue daies after the Duke of Arschot hauing recouered Imbercourt dismist his little army putting his companies into garrison In the beginning of Ianuary in the yeare of our Lord 1597. Prince Maurice beeing aduertised from diuers partes that Cardinall Albertus was resolued either by secret practises or by open force to attempt some great exploit that winter to the disaduantage of the vnited Prouinces The Cardinall hauing to that end lodged his army in December past at Tournhout in Brabant consisting of foure Regiments of foote that of the Marquis of Trevico a Neapolitaine in the which there were fiue hundred appointed Officers of many companies that of the Earle of Sults re-enforced with an other Regiment of Germaines Collonel La Borlottes Regiment and that of the signior of Hauchicourt vnder captaine Cocquielle his Lieutenant these two Regiments of Wallons beeing supplied with new men in their places that were slaine and dead since the siege of Hulst and of fiue cornets of horse of Nicholas Basta Don Iohn of Cordua Alonso Dragon Grobbendonc and Gousman hauing for Commander and chiefe of the whole army the Earle of Varax Barron of Balanson Brother to the Marquis of Warembon Gouernor of Arthois at that time a prisoner in France the Cardinall hauing commanded many companies of horse and foote as well Spaniardes as other Nations to march towards that campe with necessarie munition for some great action Prince Maurice to preuent him studied how hee might by some notable peece of seruice giue a good beginning to the new alliance and confederation which they had lately made with the French King and the Queene of England And although there seemed to bee many difficulties in this resolution of so great importance not onelie in regard of the discommoditie of the season beeing in the verie heart of winter and the time very variable and inconstant sometimes disposed to freeze somtimes to thaw but also for the great distance of the garrisons some beeing aboue twenty leagues from others from whence they must draw their souldiars with that which was necessarie for the execution of his enterprize a hard matter to mannage secretly and to drawe them to a fit and commodious place but the Spaniard should discouer it Yet the Prince laying aside all difficulties drewe together in lesse then eight daies and as secretly as hee could into the towne of Gheertruydenberghe about sixe thousand men foote and horse with all that was needfull for his enterprize The Estates according to their custome hauing appointed one day of publicke praier to craue his diuine helpe the two and twenty of Ianuary in the towne of Gheertruydenbergh to part the next day with his horse and foote two cannons and some field peeces and to march with all speede daie and night towards the Spaniard to force him in his lodging at Tournhout by the breake of day the Prince being accompanied by the Earle of Solms and Sir Francis Veere generall of the English The same day the Prince arriued at Gheertruydenberghe there arriued almost in two houres space aboue 150. boates full of men furniture and munition of warre whether also came the same day Sir Robert Sidney Knight now Vicont Lisle Gouernor of Flussing with three hundred of the choisest soldiers of his gouernment and the Lieutenant Gouernor of the Bryel with two hundred English more The Earle of Hohenloo Lieutenant generall to the Prince hauing a little before prepared himselfe with the consent of the generall Estates and of the sayd Prince for a voyage into Germanie for his owne priuate affaires being stayed some dayes by reason of the inconstancie of the weather and lying vpon the frontiers of the vnited Prouinces had newes that the Prince had sent for with all speed a good number of horse and foote towards Gorrichon for the 21. of Ianuary whereby the Earle did gather that this sending for men in the middest of winter was not done but for some matter of great importance wherefore laying his voyage aside hee resolued to bee an actor at it The Earle of Varax Generall of the Spanish armie being aduertised of the Princes approche with his forces and artillerie whereas hee should haue fortified his lodging or gone to incounter the Prince in good order and chose a place of aduantage with his lustie men to fight with them that were wette wearie and tyred with the length and discomoditie of the wayes the which seemed the most safe and honorable for him who had the reputation among the greatest Commanders beeing in a manner as strong as the Prince
where they gaue a very furious charge with about three hundred men led by Captaine Zanthen The sentinell hauing discouered them gaue the alarum wherevpon the Bourgers and soldiars being in the nerest Corpes de gard and those which dwelt in that quarter of the towne being awaked some halfe naked ranne to the rampar and the number increasing in an instant they made a braue defence and repulst the first charge they being chased behinde the rampar an other troupe of three hundred men led by captaine Malagambo approched to second and assist the first then soone after came the third troupe of three hundred men vnder the leading of Captaine Harman ven Ens who also gaue a charge the which continued almost an hower with such a vehement force and fury as they hard it to Blocxyel and to Cuinderl Those of the towne defended them-selues valiantly both with shot stones and all kind of other defensiue armes The assailants thinking to diuide them-selues into two troupes at thâ⦠foote of the rampar to charge in two places seing it preuayled nothing for the great resistance they found in the end they made a more quiet retreat then their approch was carrying away through the fauor of the night as many of their dead men and wounded as they could so as there were but two of there dead men remayning in the ditches whereof the one was some Lieutenant and at the foote of the rampar eight or nine hurt and halfe dead the which were dispatcht except two that were carried inââ¦o the towne whereof the one was Lieutenant to Malagambo who declared the proiect and successe of this enterprze Of them within the towne there was but one Bourger called Cornellis Been slaine and one Martin Iacobs a gunner hurt whereof hee died afterwardes with some nine or ten other Bourgers and foure and fiue soldiars lightly hurt and soone cured These vndertakers at their retreat least in the towne diches all the instruments which they had brought for that exployt from whence with the seauenteene Wagons full of dead men and hurt they carried little honor yet the towne made a fayre escape for it was in danger to haue beene sodenly surprized In May Prince Maurice had an enterprize well laied but succeeded ill vpon the towne of Venloo in the country of Geldres at the which hee was in person with some horse and foote The exploite should be done with two shippes at the opening of the towne-gate which was towards the riuer of Meuse The first and least shippe wherein were the leaders of this enterprize with Captaine Mathis Helt and his Lieutenant did their endeuors well about fifty men that were in it seasing at the appointed houre both vpon the Kaye and the port but as the second shippe being the greater could not so easely mount by reason of the violence of the streame and for that the ships lay so before the towne as he could not come neere to land his men which were more in number the Bourgers had time whilest that the others kept the port to put them-seles into armes and to charge captanie Mathis and withall the mariners of Liege which were in their shippes shot at him and his men behind so as being vnseconded the Bourgers recouered the port where as the said Mathis and Schalck Captaine of the shippe were slaine and Mathis Lieutenant being wounded was carried away vpon pikes by certaine English soldiars And so this enterprize fayled to the great ioy of the Bourgers At that time Sigismond King of Poland and Sueden at the request of the King of Spaine sent an Agent of his vnto the generall Estates of the vnited Prouinces who tooke vpon him the title of an Ambassador called Paul Dziali a gentleman of his househould and one of his Secretaries who arriued at the Hage in Iuly and was very honorable receiued by the Estates and Prince Maurice His chefe charge was to moue the states and the Prouinces in his Masters behalfe being a mediator for the King of Spaine to giue eare vnto a peace This Ambassador extolling the King of Spaine and his power vnto heauen and lighty esteeming the Estates seemed to threaten them in his maisters behalfe if they did not yeeld vnto the proposition of his legation yet the Estates gaue him the reception and did him the honor which his qualitie and person required making him but a short answere as the Queene of England did in like manner vnto whom he also went The Emperor also sent in the beginning of August to perswade them to a peace at the instance of the King of Spaine the Agent which hee sent to the generall Estates and to Prince Maurice was Charles Nutzel of Honderpuihel his councellor in the kingdome of Hongarie who had audience the tenth daie of the said moneth His legation was that the Estates would admit and heare certaine Ambassadors in the behalfe of the said Emperor and other Princes of the Empire to propound some meanes for a peace betwixt them and the King To whom a short answere was made that they could not change their first resolution wherefore that it would please his Maiestie not to take their refusall in bad part the which they did not by contempt but rather to auoide his indignation which they might incurre if such Ambassadors of so great state should not returne from them with something pleasing to his Maiestie being most certaine that if they desired to propound any thing of a reconciliation with the Spaniard the which was not lawfull for the Estates once to thinke of it would bee but labour lost else they would not refuse the sayd Ambassadors as they neuer yet had refused any especially from his Imperiall Maiestie besides the Estates beeing in league with the French King and the Queene of England they could not without their priuitie and consent beginne any thing especially in a matter of so great waight which concernes their gouernment wherefore they besought his Maiesty that he would hold them excused The French King presently after the surprize of Amiens by the Spaniards sent certaine troupes of horse and foote about the towne especially to those places where there are bridges vpon the riuer of Some as at Pont Remy Picqueni Corbie and other places attending vntill his army were readie to besiege it nere Cardinall Albertus whom it did much import to preserue this towne for the King his Maister as beeing the chiefe keye of France towardes Arthois sent all his Spanish forces to the fronters besides the garrisons which hee had in Cambraie Chastelet Dourlans Calais Ardres Monthulin and diuers other places in those quarters taken from the French that hee might at neede breake the French Kings siege and raise it by force if it were by any meanes possible But hee could not bee so soone readie for want of money or otherwise so as before hee could bring his army to field the King had so well intrencht his campe as the
Earle of Swarlsenbourg thether at the which refusing to yeeld any thing in the Kings behalfe touching the reformed religion nor allow the generall Estates of all the Netherlands to assemble together to that end in like manner there came no good of it But during the time of the sayd conuocation the Spaniardes did so much by their practises and warlike attempts as in few monethes they got more vpon Holland and Zeeland then otherwise they had done in many yeares Afterwards as by the grace of God the which the King of Spaine hath sought by all meanes to breake the Prouinces subiect to the oppression of the Spaniards freed themselues beeing assembled and in the end confederated with the sayd Prince and the Estates of Holland and Zeeland and their associates in the towne of Gant Whereas they haue made the pacification which followed with an order corcerning relligion and the conuocation of the generall Estates of all the Netherlands As after the death of the great Commander Don Louis of Reguesence and before the conclusion of the sayed Pacification Don Iohn arriued in the country of Luxembourg whereas many of the said Prouinces treated with him and in the end agreed notwithstanding the said Pacification and vnion which followed to receiue him for their Gouernor except those of Holland and Zeeland and their Associats who opposed them-selues for that the King of Spaine would not consent vnto the said pacification nor the assembly of the generall Estates but conditionally that it should not derogat nor preiudice the Popish and Romish Relligion and that the said Estates should sweate to entertaine the same And Don Iohn being receiued into the said gouernment hee not onely sought to suppresse the Prouinces whereas hee commanded but would also force them to enter into warre against them of Holland Zeeland and their associats wherevnto they would not yeeld hee then tooke armes againe and called backe the Spaniards the which by the treaty of Gant were gone out of the country hauing secret practises with the Germaine and Wallon garrisons to be assured of the towne and Castle of Antwerp and of many other places seazing vpon that of Namur where-vpon the Estates of Holland and Zeeland being againe required to send their deputies vnto an assembly of other Prouinces being revnited together they were long in treating an other accord with the said Don Iohn But when they could not attaine vnto it vpon reasonable and iust conditions that were propounded vnto him they were forced againe to returne to an open warre and to goe to field of either side In the meane time the King of Spaine sent the Barron of Selles to the generall Estates assembled at Brusselles who in outward shew presented some means of peace but in secret he labored to corrupt the one and the other especially the heads of the army being then camped at Gemblours whereof hee gayned some which was the cause of the rout of the said army by the absence of those Noblemen that were retired at the same time when as the Estates to shew their good and sincere intention and desire to a peace called Mathias Archduke of Austria to their gouernment After which rout the said Archduke Prince of Orange and some others of the chiefe Noblemen with the generall Estates appointing to raise a new army there was an other conference of peace propounded and therevpon a conuocation was held at the request of the Barron of Selles in the towne of Macklin whether the Earle of Bossu and some other Noblemen of the Estates were sent but all that was done there was that the Barron of Selles corrupted the Siegnior of Bours gouernor of the towne of Macklin so as within few months after it was yeelded vp and lost from the Estates Afterwards there was an other conference of peace held in the towne of Louuaine whereas the Ambassadors of the Emperor of the French King and of the Queene of England assisted but for that they would not yeeld vnto the least point which was required touching reformation of relligion all proued but winde As in like manner they could not doe any thing in that great assembly at Cologne in the which the Emperor that now is was a mediator by his Ambassadors Electors and Princes of the Empire by reason that they would not prouide for the safety of the said Religion nor for the Estate of the country according to their ancient rights and preuiledges during which assembly the disunion of the Wallon Prouinces was practised and of some of the cheefe of the Nobilitie with the reduction of the towne of Boisleduc and others to the Spanish party some by practises some by force So as in the end the states seeing that neither by intercession nor by any other meanes they could attaine to a good and an assured peace the were forced to resolue to choose an other Prince where-vpon most part of the said Prouinces did choose and call in the Duke of Aniou and Alanson the onely Brother to the French King after they had by sufficient declarations and by Edicts publikely proclaymed the King of Spaine to bee fallen from all right of Seigneurie and command which hee was wont to haue ouer the Netherlands And although the reasons why this hath happened bee notorious to all the world yet it merits to bee succinctly related in this place which is that the ground of all the warres and miseries of the Netherlands is for that the King of Spaine hath sought to suppresse the preuiledges freedomes liberties pollicie forme of gouernment and other rights of the sayd countries whereas he pretends to make this his Rendezvous and seate of warre to the oppression of all neighbour Princes and especially of them that were fallen from the Romish religion The which the Princes chiefe Noblemen and Estates of the sayd countries being not able to endure the King of Spaine tooke occasion to send the Duke of Alua with a mightie armie into these parts to execute his sayd desseigne by whom hee caused the Earles of Egmont and Horne to bee apprehended with a great number of Noblemen Gentlemen and good Cittizens whom hee did publikely and shamefully execute banishing an infinite number of people and chasing them away to the great griefe and sorrow of the poore inhabitants which remained Yea the Marquis of Berghes and the Baron of Montigny sent a little before into Spaine by the Gouernesse to shew the iminent danger of the sayd Countries and to seeke for remedie the King against the dutie of a good Prince against his othe made both in generall and in particular and against all lawe of nations caused them to dye and did confiscate all their goods Making Cittadels in the chiefe Townes of the countrie bringing in a new forme of iustice establishing a supreme councell called a Councell of the troubles in Flemish Blout-raed that is a Councell of bloud all against the preuiledges And vnder coulour of a generall pardon abolishing generally all the right
other Belgicke Prouinces or otherwise And therefore the said Estates doe humbly beseech that it would please his Maiesty to receiue their resolution in good part and in respect therof not to carry lesse affection to them then subiects and inhabitants As for that which the sayed Ambassadors haue charge from his Maiesty to insist vnto the Estates that all neutrall persons which haue nothing common with this warre might freely sayle and trafficke into all places so as they carry no munition of warre to the enemy and especially his Maiesties subiects in consideration of their her editary contract and good neighbourhood The said Estates declare that they confesse most willingly and will alwaies confesse that they are greatly bound vnto his Maiesty by reason of the said hereditary contract neighbourhood and good correspondency and in like manner for the security and fauor which the inhabitants of the vnited Prouinces receiue throughout all his dominions in regard whereof sence the beginning of these wars vnto that day they haue endeauored to shew vnto al Kings Princes and neighbour common-weales and especially in respect of the said King of Denmarke for matters of nauiyation and trafficke all good neighbourhood correspondency and friendshippe And that in this consideration they would not hinder the subiects and inhabitants of the realmes and countries of the said King nor any other neutrall persons from the nauigation into Spaine Portugall or any other westerne parts vnder the King of Spaines dominions or obedience or any other neutrall countries what soeuer no more then their owne subiects and inhabitants of the vnited Prouinces Touching Steyn Maltesen Collonell to his Maiesty and Amptman of Bahuysen of whome mention is made in the said proposition The saide Estates declare that it is not long sence that hauing taking information vpon his pretensions in quality of Lieutenant to the most famous William Lewis Earle of Nassau gouernor of Freezland they haue giuen him all satisfaction and ouer and aboue at his departure a gratuity of a chaine of gold so as in regard of his seruices done vnto the said Prouinces he cannot pretend any thing And as for the seruice which the said Collonel pretends to haue done as Captaine of the company which was raysed by the deceased Captaine Schagen since the twenty one of October 1580. vnto the first of February 1586. that the Seignor Nicholas Malte his Brother succeeded in his place he was in like sort paied as other Captaines which were in the same seruice had beene and are daily according to the order and vse of the country with the which al soldiars content themselues without any contradiction leauing the rest of their pay vnto the end of this warre And in the meane time if it happen that at the great sute and instance of any Captaines which leaue their seruice for some good considerations be it for their poore estate or otherwise they come to accord with them it is done with such a small composition abating that which ought to be abated according to the order that in that case there would bee little comming vnto the Collonell vpon the accoumpt of his seruices wherefore the Estates assure them-selues that the said Collonell being better informed thereof by their letters will the more willingly haue patience with the rest and attend the end of this warre rather then to accept of so meane a Composition as hath beene told him by mouth Finally the said Estates do humbly thanke his Maiestie for his good affection towards them beseeching God withall their hearts that it will please him to preserue his person his realmes Estates countries and subiects in a happy and prosperous gouernment good and long life to the good and quiet of all Christendome As for them that they would neuer faile of their duties and seruice in all good affections towards his maiesty the which they not onely desire to continue but also will striue more and more and at all times will bee ready to doe their best indeuor to increase it Thanking likewise the sayd Ambassadors of their great paines which they had taken in this legation Intreating them earnestly that they would bee pleased to make a good and fauourable report vnto his Maiestie of the good affection and humble inclination which they haue vnto him with their humble recommendations c. Made at the Hage the 24. of October 1597. The sayd Ambassadors hauing receiued this answer departed after they had beene stately entertained by the Seignior of Pipenpoix a Gentleman appointed to that end by the Estates as Steward assisting at euery meale to beare them companie two of the Deputies of the Estates and beeing richly and honorably gratified with goodly presents they went as wee haue sayd to see Prince Maurice in his Campe before Linghen where they were likewise well intreated and defrayed as long as they remained in the Estates territories taking their way from thence towards Denmarke According to so many Ambassages and pursutes tending to a peace at the great instance of the King of Spaine Cardinall Albert his Lieutenant sent in the beginning of the yeare 1598. his Commissioners vnto the French King the which were the President Richardot Ioan Baptista Taxis and Lewis Verreyken Audiencier to seeke some good course for a peace betwixt him and the king his Maister who should bee his father in lawe the Infanta of Spaine being promised him in marriage wherevnto the Queene of England and the generall Estates of the vnited prouinces did also inuite him For hee knew well that so long as those three great and mighty countries of France England and the Netherlands should bee vnited together in such a league as they had sworne that his affaires could not succeed well his power although it were very great not being sufficient to incounter all their three forces together fearing that hee should not onely bee forced to cast vp that which hee had deuoured in Picardie and else-where but also to loose the rest of his Netherlands and by their ioynt forces to bee assailed in Spaine On the other side the French King much incensed at the indignities which hee had receiued of his owne subiects leaguers and others knowing the desolation of his country and that his subiects by this warre were so impouerished as they could indure no more And to recouer that by the way of armes which the Spaniard had taken from him in two or three yeares before hee must imploy much time loose many men and spend his treasor which hee found to bee greatly exhausted And that Picardie was so ruinated as it was nothing but a desart so as there was no meanes to feede an armie there for the recouerie of Calais Dourlans and other places wherefore hee was aduised by his Councell to send his Deputies thether which were the Lords of Bellieure and Sillery both of his councell and the Generall of the Friars as a mediator to enter into conference with the Cardinalls Commissioners making the
contained therein All this time they talked of nothing but of peace in England many and diuers discourses were made thereon the Queene finding her selfe prest the French king beeing disbanded from the vnion and the vnited prouinces not to be persuaded to submit themselues vnder the obedience of Spaine holding the transport of the Netherlands made vnto the Infanta in suspition sent sir Francis Vere vnto the generall Estates of the said prouinces beeing generall of all their English forces to vnderstand plainely what their resolution was either to peace or warre if not to peace then what meanes they had ioyntly with her to beare the burthen of the warre whereof shee demanded a speedie and absolute resolution whereof she desired to be duely informed by men well qualified hauing full charge and commission to deliuer their resolutions Whereupon the Estates meaning to aduice and resolue in their generall assemblie all difficulties and discommodities on either side beeing propounded debated and well ballanced seeming rather inclined and resolued to warre than to a doubtfull peace were it neuer so beneficiall they had at that instant newes brought them that the seignior Daniel vander Meulen of Antuerpe remaining at Leyden in Holland had suddainly beene sent for with a pasport from the archduke the which came from his brother in law who fained himselfe to be extreamely sicke to conferre with him before his death that he should come to Antuerpe where being arriued he was sent for to Brussels as he was a very sufficient man and well acquainted with affaires of Estate before the counsellors Richardot and Assonuille the abbot of Marolles and the marquesse of Haurec one after another who demaunded of him if there were no meanes to make a generall peace among all the prouinces of the Netherlands this was only to heare his opinion whereunto he answered That concerning that matter he had not any charge Then they declared vnto him to the end he might tell it againe That the king of Spaine and the archduke Albert were intended to make a peace in what sort soeuer and thereof to giue such assurance as should well content them they would leaue vnto the vnited prouinces their Religion their forme of gouernment and they should haue contentment giuen them from the least point vnto the greatest They said moreouer That the king was wonderfully affected to prince Maurice held him in great esteeme and desired not to impaire his estate but rather to confirme and make it greater yea he would gladly see him Generall of the armie against the Turke so much he was esteemed of all men for his vertues and valour That they would suffer all them that were in the gouernment of the vnited Prouinces to continue still in their offices estates and dignities and would promise to continue their children in them being capable if they would onely giue eare vnto a peace and acknowledge the said archduke Albert for their lord and prince These and such like speeches were vsed vnto him being carried before the archduke he sayd as much to him in Latine entreating him that he would make a good report thereof when it should be fitting All this being vnderstood by the Estates they presently conceiued that these baits tended to no other end but to breed some diuision in the countrey and to mooue the commons as if they desired to continue the warres without cause or reason whilest that they might according to their saying enter into an assured way of peace They did easily beleeue that both the king and the cardinall would gladly haue seene prince Maurice in Hongarie and that to him and the vnited Prouinces there should be made what promises they could desire if they could onely get but that point of them as to acknowledge the said archduke for their prince supposing if that were done that hee should easily become master first of them that had charge of the gouernment and managing of affaires who would presently seeke to creepe into his fauour and then generally of the gouernment of the Prouinces Some thought these speeches were but a common bruit to draw the Estates to giue eare to a parle and to enter into conference as some yeares before they had in the like manner circumuented them of Bruges and Gant which they caused to be bruited abroad onely to make a triall and then goe backe from it when they thought good such speeches seruing to no other end Thither were also brought vnto the Estates certaine letters intercepted both in Fraunce and in England by the which the king of Spaine gaue contrary instructions vnto the cardinall archduke which were That in the treatie of peace with France his Rebels for so he called the vnited Estates should not bee comprehended but vpon condition that the Romish Catholicke religion should bee receiued and established in all places the kings soueraignetie and dignitie maintained the old officers which had been displaced and chased away restored and that those which remained being capable and fit might be admitted if they were Catholickes and not heretickes and besides they might promise them a generall pardon that the French king ought not to procure any thing else if he were as he should be that is a Catholicke This instruction conferred with the former speech with many other aduertisements the Estates seeing how they sought with faire words to abuse circumuent them conceiued that there could nothing grow of such a peace but a change of religion and a translation of the gouernment out of their hands vnto banished men and Spaniolized more couetous of reuenge than the Spaniards theÌselues And therfore not any one hauing serued or had any office in the said Prouinces might remaine knowing that with such conditions no other they should be yeelded to the Infanta who would bridle theÌ in the same manner that the Spaniard had done Wherupon the Estates nobilitie and towns in generall resolued not to giue eare to any peace or truce but to support the burthen of the warre to the extremitie and to attend such an issue as it should please God to send them rather than to abandon their countrey and to receiue their enemies into the gouernment thereof but rather to procure and aduance what they should find needfull for them especially to giue contentment to the Queene of England Hereupon they appointed a greater number of deputies in their colledges and in the generall Estates sending into England as her Maiestie had required certaine notable embassadors to induce her to continue the warre with them against the Spaniards the which were Iohn van Duyuen Woorde knight seigniour of Warmont of Woud c. Iohn van Oldenbarneuelt seigniour of Tempel first councellor and aduocate for the Estates and keeper of the seale of Holland and west Friseland Iohn van den Werke councellor and orator of Middlebourg Iohn van Hotting a esquier councellor and deputie for the generall Estates Andrew Hessels chiefe councellor of the councell
take or atribute vnto them-selues yea although it were the title of a Kingdome Wherevnto the Estates Deputies replying asked them why the Archdukes then bare the armes of those Prouinces in his coate armor whervnto they made answere that it was no strange nor new matter for that in the same manner the King of Spaine wrot himself King of Ierusalem the French King named himselfe King of Nauar and the King of England bare both the name and armes of King of France and diuers others in like sort neuerthelesse they desired the deputies for the Estates that what title soeuer they would atribute vnto themselues they would haue such respect as it might bee done without any disgrace or blemish to their King and Princes reputations The leauenth day of February they assembled together againe wherein the Estates deputies propounded the first article concerning the freedome of their Prouinces and that the King of Spaine and the Archdukes should from thence-forth leaue off and wholy desist from all their pretences to the soueraignty of the vnited Prouinces as also of Drente Linghen and other places vnder their commaund and which the sayd Estates as now hold and enioye not onely for themselues but for their heires and successors together with the title and armes thereof which article the Archdukes deputies desired to peruse and to take aduise therein and so for that time they departed sending presently a coppie thereof with all speed vnto Brussells wherevnto vpon the thirteene day of February they receiued an answere and in the meane time they made their complaint vnto the Ambasadors of France England and others touching the strictnesse of the sayd article The thirteene day of February after dinner they met againe in the Councell Chamber where they declared their consent and approbation as it was set downe with this exception so as all the rest of the pointes and articles that should bee propounded were concluded wherein they sayd that they hoped the Estates also would doe some thing for the King of Spaine and the Archdukes touching the traficke into the Indies seeing that from that time forth they should bee friends in respect thereof and that the sayd Prouinces should haue their free trade and traficke into Spaine and amongst other things spoken of betweene them concerning the same at the last they sayd that the trade into the Indies was the chiefest cause that mooued the King of Spaine to make such large offers vnto them and to enter into that treatie of peace The sixteene day of February the deputies on both sides met in counsell againe where the Estates deputies propounded two articles more the one concerning the forgiuing and forgetting of al forepassed iniuries and that no reprisales nor arrests should bee made nor suffered to bee made but onelie for perticuler debts that might bee made on either side the second for free trade and traficke in all the Kingdomes Hauens Townes and Countries of both parties with protection and no more nor further molestation to bee vsed as if they were naturall borne subiects But presently the Archdukes deputies made answere that they neither ment nor vnderstood that vnder the title of free traficke the trade into the Indies nor any part thereof was to bee comprehended but that to the contrary the subiects of the vnited Prouinces should presently desist from the same which the Estates deputies would not yeeld vnto thinking it should bee a great preiudice vnto the freedome of the vnited Prouinces and their free trafick by sea as also that their Estates would not by any meanes consent to leaue the same and for that the Archdukes deputies did verie earnestly vrge the contrary they brake off for that time without doing any other thing that day and so they disagreed in that point which afterwards was with great vehemency debated betweene them on both sides the Archdukes deputies saying that the King and the Archdukes would not sell the aforesayd title of free countries and Estates for nothing but rather determined to make them pay well for that title hoping by that meanes to abate and deminish a great part of the Estates power and much to aduance their Princes welth and traficke Whereby euery man iudged that in time the subiection of their Estate would ensue which as then seemed to bee so much aduanced and honoured with that title of freedome and for that cause many men beganne to murmur thereat especially the Marchants which trade into the East Indies who perceiued thereby that the Archdukes deputies sought to take their trafficke from them and so to impouerish the sayd vnited Prouinces and therfore they assembled together in the Hage and made many publicke and particuler declarations vnto the states townes and prouinces concerning the same as also vnto the Ambassadors of forreine Princes shewing the great preiudice and hinderance which might growe by that point and how hurtfull it should bee vnto the whole Estate of the vnited Prouinces as also what great trafficke and riches came vnto those countries by the sayd trade what great returnes they had from thence how by that meanes they dââ¦ew vnto those countries all their neighbour Princes subiects money and meanes and that without any charge to the countrie they entertained a great number of mightie shipps furnished with ordinance munition Saylers and other things necessarie such as were not to bee found in many other kingdomes besides and in regarde whereof they were much respected and esteemed by many Princes and great Potentates which peraduenture would not much care for their friendship when they should once perceiue these Prouinces to bee reduced vnto such tearmes as they could neither much hurt nor pleasure them and to that end they deliuered diuerse and seuerall aduertisements some as Merchants concerning their trade alone others somewhat tending to the Estate of the countrie amongst the which one principally was worthy the noting in regarde of many good considerations therein set downe whereof some perticularities were viz. That friendshippe commerce and trafficke are necessarie consequences of peace according to the lawes of Nature of all Nations and of all times commerce and trafficke beeing euident signes of peace and friendship which are neuer refused nor denied but vnto an enemy So as neuer any example was found where any peace was concluded and agreed vppon with exception of commerce and trafficke the which should bee no peace but a kinde of banishment which is neuer vsed but against enemies and malefactors Furthermore that wee who must liue by the Seas and are the greatest Merchants and best Sea-faring men in the world should bee forced to leaue the vse of the greatest part of the Sea and of the richest part of the whole trafficke of the world were one of the greatest disgraces that could bee giuen vs and especially to seeke to rââ¦straine vs from other kingdomes and countries where-vnto hee hath no pretence of Soueraigntie nor ouer the Sea whereon no man hath command
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. Aââ¦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 8ââ¦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 Aââ¦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 Deââ¦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
the Estates 810. abandoned to the Spaniard 951 Meppel surprised for the Estates 979 Messenger flying at Leyden 567 Maeurs towne and Castle yeelded to the Estates 1130 Maeurs fired by treason 1347 Meanes wrought to breake the Stocadoe before Antwerp 875 Medenblicke besieged by the Estates 988 Mary of Austria Queene Douager of Hungarie Gouernesse of the Netherlandes 267 Michel Renichon a Priest attempts to kill Prince Maurice 1077 Middelbourg besieged and yeelded to the protestants 544 Montgomery the younger comes to serue the Prince of Orange 512 Monkes in the Abbaies in Frisland turne to the factions 203 Montfort besieged by the Duke of Saxony 220 Money made of paper at Leyden during the seege 559 Money of the Duke of Aluas intercepted in Germany 447 Montigny brother to the Earle of Horne sent into Spaine 340. poysoned there 454 Mons in Henault surprised by Cont Lodowike of Nassau 475. is besieged 489. the great endeauors of the besieged 490. yeelded 495 Montdagon Gouernor of Middelbourg yeeldes the towne to the Prince of Orange 544. forbid the contribution 1026. seekes in vaine to recouer Hulst 1051 Montpensier blameth the duke of Aniou for the enterprise of Antwerp 815 Mortaigne and Saint Amand taken by the Spaniard 715 La Motte of Graueling laies a plot to surprise the English 920. he is slaine before Dourlans his life and qualities 1106 Murther of a kinsman most cruell 218 Murry Collonel of the Scottishmen slaine at Bommel 1210 Murmuring in the Netherlands for the bringing in of new Bishops 346 Mutynie of the Spaniards in Antwerp called Fuora Veillacos 547. at Xiricxee 573. at Mastricht pacefied and punished by the Estates 657. at Bruges 208. at Gant 272. at Medemblick 987. in Gheertruydenbergh 990. An other mutynie there 1016. At Sgrauen-weerd 1022. of the Spaniards a Courtray 1030. At Saint Paul 1065. of Wallons and Italiens in Henault ibid. of Italiens at Sichem 1097. At Hochstrate 1281. at Dyest 1229. in Isabellas fort 1263. Maeurs taken by Prince Maurice 1268. Mutiners at Hochstraten protected by the vnited Prouinces 1289 Mutiners of Hochstraten reconciled to the Archduke 1310. they serue the Archduke at the releefe of Sluis 1313 N NAerden a towne in Holland sackt and burnt by the Spaniard 406. Neutralitie in Religion propounded 356. Nienhoven a towne in Flanders surprised 200 Nithard Fockes a Germaine Collonel in Frislland 218 Nicholas Salcedo attempts to kill the Duke of Aniou and the Prince of Orange 804. Nieuport yeelded to the Spaniard 827. besieged by Prince Maurice 1243 Nymeghen yeelded to the Spaniard 874. Schenck failes to surprize it 1021. besieged and yeelded to Prince Maurice 1052 Niuelââ¦e in Brabant besieged and yeelded to Don Iohn 656. surprised by the Estates 715 Nieuvenort seizeth vpon Otterdam 868 Nobilitie of the Netherlands beeing confederate send the Duchesse of Parma an act of their promise 407 Noircames besieged Valenciennes which being yeelded hee breakes his faith 417 Nuys in the Diocese of Cologne surprised spoiled and put to ransome 877. besieged by the Spaniard 917. taken by force 919. La Noue in Mons during the siege 490. hee makes the warre in Flanders for the generall Estates of the vnion 695. makes the Spaniards to abandon the Fort of Villebrooke 715. is taken prisoner by the Spaniards 745 Nobility of the Netherlands assemble at Trudon 368 O OLdenziel besieged and yeelded to Prince Maurice 1133 Oliuer the French Kings Barber sent to Gant and what he did 182 Otto van Langen Comissarie for the Emperor in Frisland and what he did 220 Otmarsom besieged and yeelded to Prince Maurice 1133. taken againe by the Spaniard 1073 Oudwater besieged by the Spaniard 583. brauelie defended 584. taken by assault 585. Order of the Golden Fleece giuen at Gant 336 the new Knights ibid. Othe propounded by the Duchesse of Parma to the Nobilitie of the Netherlands 421 Othe commanded by the Estates at the abiuration of the King of Spaine 789 Othe propounded by the Estates vnto their Catholikes 801 Orders made by the Estates for martiall discipline 751 Oxlagh taken by the Spaniard 740 Opinions of the enterprise of Antwerp 817 Orders made by the Estates for their horse and foote 1199 Ostend besieged by the Spaniard 1262. in danger to bee taken 1275. they offer to parle 1276. a generall assault giuen and repulst 1277. they yeeld vpon composition 1317. Oldenziell yeelded to Spinola 1348 P PAcification of Gant and the declaration thereof 604. misconstred by Don Iohn of Austria 636 Paul Buys Aduocate for the Estates of Holland prisoner at Vtrecht 921. escapes 922. Pardon generall offred by the Duke of Alua with many restraints 462 Pardon offred by Don Lewis of Requesens 552 Pardon generall offred by Don Iohn of Austria 656 Passage free to the sea not going by Antwerp ibid. Patton a Scottishman sells the towne of Geldre to the Spaniard 958 Peace Betwixt the French and the Bourguignons 198. Betwixt the King of Romaines and the Flemings 207. betwixt the houses of Bourgougne and Geldres 207. betwixt the Emperor and the protestants of Germanie 268. betwixt the Emperor and the French King 279. betwixt France and Spaine 330. betwixt France and Spaine 1141. betwixt England and Spaine 1318 Peter of Melun Prince of Espinoy Gouernor of Tournay tempted by the Malcontents to forsake the generall vnion but continues constant 695 Peter Lanchals Thresorer to the King of Romaines beheaded at Bruges 203 Peter Panne sent to kill Prince Maurice executed 1153 Peter de Four sent to kill Prince Maurice executed 1095 Peter Ernest Earle of Mansfeldt made Lieutenant by prouision after the Duke of Parma 1063 Pedro Derdego pretending to kill the Prince of Orange is executed at Antwerp 799 People of the Netherlands complaine to the King of Spaine and make him great offers 418. they protest against the Nobilitie ibid. Persecution in Antwerp of Christopher Fabri 350. Petition made by the Netherlanders vnto the King for the retyring of the Spaniards 336. made by the Estates of Brabant to the King of Spaine 373. made by the Nobilitie of the Netherlands to the Dutchesse of Parma 383 made by the protestants of the Netherlands to the Confederate Noblemen 389. made by the reformed Churches to the Magistrate of Antwerp 392. by them of Antwerp to the Duchesse of Parma 426. by the Estates of Holland to the King of Spaine 554. by them of Flanders against the Inquisition 382. by the confederate Gentlemen 419. against the religious peace 672 Peace propounded to Dom Iohn by diuerse Princes 665 Philip Duke of Bourgongne his first practises to seaze vpon Holland Zeland and Henault 138. hee defeates the English and Zelanders at Brouwers-hauen 139. makes warreaginst them of Vtrecht 140. buyes the County of Namur 141. succeeds to the Duchie of Brabant 142. and to the Earledomes of Holland Zeland and Henault 143. hee brings his bastard Dauid Bishop of Teroane into the Bishoprick of Vtrecht by force 148 Philip of Austria sonne to the Emperor Maximilian 193. takes possession of the
Maximilian made King of the Romains New knghits made by the King of the Romains 1485. The ãâã in ãâã deale ãâã factions The Ganthois and Brugeois mutine againe The Siegnio Lanchals beheaded The Emperor gââ¦es with an army ââ¦gainst ãâã Flemings The Flemings accorded with the King of the Romains The ââ¦mings are ãâã The Emperor ââ¦kes the aââ¦ord made with the ââ¦mings The Flemings alââ¦e thââ¦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 ãâã againe Montfort beâ⦠by the Duke of Saxony 1490. An accord betwixt the duke oâ⦠Saxony and ãâã Vicont of Montfort ãâã ãâã ââ¦umult ãâã ãâã 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 Fââ¦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 Maximââ¦lians second marriage The Archduke Philip put in possession of the Netherlandâ⦠A sentence giuen by 4. Electors against Charââ¦es duke of Geldâ⦠ãâã ãâã by the Archduke ãâã The fââ¦ctions oâ⦠Fââ¦seland deââ¦d sucâ⦠of the Duââ¦e of Saxony A crueââ¦l murther of a kiââ¦sman 1497. Baten-burch surpriââ¦d by Duke Albert. The Duke of Saxony made here ditarie gouernot of Fââ¦iseland Many ãâã ingaged to the Duke of Saxony for his entââ¦taynment The Frisons refuse Duke Albert for their gouernor The Duke will make vse of the ââ¦ctions ãâã ââ¦iseland The Vetcoopers dravve strange ãâã ââ¦to Friseland They cââ¦l ãâã duke of Saxony into Fââ¦sland The duke makes an excessiue demand ââ¦nell ãâã ãâã by the ãâã ãâã The Duke tyââ¦s ouer the Frisons The fruites of their ãâã 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 ââ¦chduke ãâã anâ⦠his wââ¦e goâ⦠into Spââ¦ne They are hoâ⦠ãâã enter ãâã by the French King The Archduke ãâã into Germany 1503. Dââ¦h ââ¦o the Dââ¦e Douââ¦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 coââ¦s into Friseland He makes a composition with the Frisons ãâã Dâ⦠of ãâ¦ã 1505. ãâ¦ã of ãâã ãâ¦ã ãâã bââ¦sieged by the Archduke ãâã takââ¦n in ãâã Diuision in the Duke of ãâã campe before ãâã The Grââ¦geois treate with the ãâã of ââ¦mden The Eâ⦠of ãâã ââ¦de Prâ⦠of ãâã The Earle of Emden Builds acittadel at Groninghen The Earle of Emden receiues entertainment from the duke of Saxony The Earle of Stââ¦lburche made the Dukes Lieutenant in Fââ¦eland The Duke of Gââ¦ldres reconcilââ¦d to the King of Castille The King and Queene of Castâ⦠gââ¦e into Spaine An ãâã froÌ the ââ¦nch kinâ⦠to the King of Caââ¦ille 1506. The King Queene of Castill in ãâã at Sea goâ⦠into ââ¦aine They put to land in England The duke of Gelders begins waââ¦re A Comete A childe in Holland crying in the mothers beââ¦y Philip King oâ⦠Cââ¦stille dies sodenly The Earle of Nââ¦u brings some ââ¦vvels out of Spains 1507. The Duke of Gelders ãâã into Brabant Charles his Inheritance 1508. The duchesse of Sauoy gouerneââ¦e of the Netherlands The death of Aâ⦠ãâã ãâã Bourgongâ⦠Puydroien tatakâ⦠and razââ¦d 1509. The gouernor of Freââ¦eland dies The Duke of Gelders makes warre against them of Oueryââ¦sel War betwixt the Duke of Gelders and the Bishop of Vtrecht ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ââ¦n ãâã ãâã ââ¦f ãâ¦ã 1512. 1513. A ãâã ãâã ãâ¦ã thâ⦠ãâã ãâã ââ¦or ãâ¦ã ãâã Dâ⦠of ãâ¦ã The duke of Saxony makââ¦s an vnreasonable dââ¦mand of thâ⦠Fââ¦ons Henry duke of Bâ⦠slââ¦ne at an assault Dam taken by assault The Groningââ¦ois ãâã ãâã ãâã to thâ⦠Duke of Gââ¦ldres The duke of ãâã ãâã plexed for ãâã of money The Geldââ¦ois enter ãâã with an army ãâã ãâã ãâã oâ⦠ãâã 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 Tââ¦e gouernââ¦nt of ãâã committed ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâ¦ã Chââ¦les The bishop of Vtrecht ãâã his ãâã 1527. The Duke of Geldeââ¦s besieged in ãâã A trucâ⦠concluded Outrages done by the Geldrois to breake the truce The Duke writes vnto the Frisons Deputies of the ââ¦risons of the Bourgongne partie ââ¦ent ââ¦o Vtrecht Demands of the Duke of Gelders to the Frisons A notable ãâã Hoââ¦ne surprised by a Pitat and spoiled Prince Charles sent for to receiue the Crowne of Castile Arââ¦agon c. Prince Charles goes into Spaine Prince Charles arriues in Spaine 1518 The Coronation of the King of Spaââ¦ne The blacke troope defeated The Emperoââ¦s will for the bââ¦rying of his body The death of the Emperor Maximilian 1519. His course life An assembly at Frââ¦cfort for ãâã 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 ãâã inuades the duke of Bouââ¦lons country The French kingâ⦠ãâã Tournay besieged by the Emperors men Sloten besieged by the Bouââ¦gnons Lemmer yeelded ââ¦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 Emââ¦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
Brabant to diuert the siege of Scluââ¦e The Earle of Leicester returnes into Zealand Haultepenne defeated and slaine D. Leonlnus spââ¦ech to the generall estates in his Excellencies name 1587. Sir Roger Willâams 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 mââ¦re contribuââ¦ion The Queene desiteth to entertaine the ancient contracts The Estates answere to the Earle of Leicesters letters 1587. The ââ¦states complââ¦ine of the act of restraint They excuse tââ¦e bitternesse of their ââ¦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 Leicestââ¦r 16. October That the Estates haue lausuââ¦l authority ouer the Prouinces The Estates desire an oth of the soldiars accordââ¦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 Lââ¦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 surpââ¦seth Bonne Bonne spoiled and ransomed 1588 Ville ââ¦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 ãâã treat 1588. Hattem atempted by the Spaniards with great losse Verdugo armes sââ¦ps of war at Delfziel A mutiny at Medenblickâ⦠1588 Medenblicke besieged by the Estates The Queene refuseth to speake any more for them ãâã Medenbââ¦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 ââ¦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 Mââ¦urs reconciles Vtrecht with Holland The action at the ââ¦use of Berghen 1588. 1588 1588. The Duke of Parma raiseth his siââ¦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
Maurice frees Coverden The Estates go to besiege Groning A breefe description of Gronning 1594. 1594. 1594. A braue sally of the Groningers Deputies sent to treat Lankama enters the towne with fiue companies A mine which wrought great effect A Rauelin won by assault 1594. The Groningers offer to yeeld Deputies froÌ Groning Articles of the treatie of Groning 1595. 1594. Acââ¦ord ãâã the ãâã within Groning 1594. Prince Maurice return ââ¦s victorious to the Hage An assembly of the Princes of the ââ¦mpire in Germany Fredericke ãâã of the Rhine makes consessioâ⦠of hââ¦s faith 1594. A new desseinge to murther Prince Maurice The sentence pronounced against Peter du Fouâ⦠1594. 1594. 1594. The mutinous Italiens and Spaniards fight The mutined Italiens offer their seruice to the French King 1595. A composition made with the mutiners Cont Philip returns by Sea The French King writes to the townes of Arthois Henault 1595. The Archdukes proposition in the Assââ¦mblie of the Estates at Brusselles The duke oâ⦠Arschots speech in the Assemblie 1595. 1595. The French King proclaimes war agââ¦nst the King of Spaine The King of Spaine proclaimes warre against the French 1595. The Earle of Hohenloo marries the Lady Mary of Nassau The duke of Bouillââ¦ns marriage A rich booââ¦y taken by the Estates men The deaââ¦h of the Archduke of Ausâ⦠1595 The Bishop of Liege com plainââ¦s to the Estates for the taking of Huy Huy taken againe by assault by the Spaniard Prince Maurice enterpriââ¦e vpon Bruges 1595. Prince Maurice pursues Mondragon in his retreat Philip Earle of Nassau and Ernestus Earle of Solms hurt taken prisoners and die A controuersie betwixt Edsard Earle of East-Friseland and Emden 1595 The towne castle of Ham recouered for the French King 1595. Dou lans beseeged by the Spaniard La Motte slaine before Dourlans His disposition Villars and his troupes defeated neere vnto Dourlans Dourlans taken by assault by the Spaniards 1595. The Estates vnder the King of Spain seeke peace of the vnited Prouinces Prince Maurice his answer to the Deputies of the reconciled Estates Articles propounded by the vnited Estates 1595. Diuers opinions vpon the Articles propounded by the conââ¦ederat Estates 1595. The opinion of a learned man touching the peace 1595. Shippes of Holland and Zeeland discharged in Spaine Cambrââ¦y beseeged by the Spaniard 1595 Cambray yeelded by the Burgers â Lire surprized lost againe The vnited Estates write to the Prince of Orange 1595. â The prince of Oranges answer to ââ¦he Estates The Prince of Orange meets with his sister in the Duchie of Cleues 1595. 1596 The Cardinal of Austrââ¦a comes to go ââ¦rne the Ne therlands oâ⦠thâ⦠wing of ââ¦ne Calais besieged ââ¦y ââ¦he Cardinall Richbanc and Courguet wonne The towne of Calais basely yeelded 1596 The castle of Caââ¦ais taken by assault Ardres besieged and baseââ¦y ââ¦lded to the Cardinal I. Petit. An honorablâ⦠composition at La Fere. 1596. Prince Maurice returnes ãâã ãâã ãâã Rape ãâã ãâã ââ¦lotte ãâã the ãâã ãâã ãâã 1596 The Spaniard ãâã his Canon and plants it The Estates horsemen defeate some Spaniards The Spaniards vvinne the great trenche The Forte of Moeruaert yeelded to the Spaniard Hulst besieged neere 1596. Cont Solms hurt A braue salââ¦ie made by the besieged Collonel Piron hurt A halfe Moââ¦ne made within the towne 1596 Tââ¦o furious aslaults at Hulst Custome confirms and assuers the courragious An other assault at the port of Beguines 1596. Collonel Dorp in the place of Collonel Piron A braue sally from the fort of Nassau 1596 The poore estate of Hu'st The besieged begin to parle A Capitulation made by them of Hulst The articles of the accord 1596. The towne of Hulst a deere conquest to Cardinall Albert The Earle of Solms taxed for the yeelding of Hulst purgeth himselfe 1596. The King of Spaine proclamation whereby he dispenceth with himselfe for the paiement of his debts Many banquerouts by reason of this Edict The Marshall of Biron maks warre in Arthois 1596. ãâã ââ¦nch ãâã againe ãâã Arthois The French enter the third ãâã into Arthoâ⦠1597. The Cardinals army at Tournhout The Earle of Varax chiefe of the Spanish army Prince Maurice resolues ãâã set vpon the Cardinals army 1597 The Earle of Hohenloo comes to the battaile The Earle of Varax retires from Tournhout The Prince pursues the Spaniard The Earles of Hohenlo and Solms charge first 1597. The Earââ¦e of Vââ¦rax slaine and his army defeated Amiens surprized by the Spaniard The Spaniard failes to surprize Steenwyc 1597. Prince Maurice maks an enterprise vpon Veuloo which succeeds ill Ambassadors from the king of Poland to the Estates 1597 An Agent from the Emperor to the Estates The French King prepares to besiege Amiens Cardinal Albert resolues to succor Amiens Prince Maurice goes to field with his Army 1597 Alpen yeelded to the Estates Rhinbercken vested Rhinberck easily yeelded to the Estates 1597 The Archbishoppe of Cologne deââ¦nds Rhinââ¦ck as naturall The fort of Camillo aââ¦doned Mââ¦urs beseeââ¦y the ââ¦es Mures yeelded Prince Mauâ⦠ãâã ãâã 1597 Grolle beseeged Grolle somoned And yeelded Brefort beseeged by the Prince 1597. Brefort Sommoned and refuseth to yeeld The beseeged desier to parle but to late The towne wonne by the breach they retirâ⦠to the Castle The Castle yeelded Enschede yeelds to the Prince 1597. Oldenziel besieged by the Prince And yeelded Otmaââ¦sum yeelded to the Estates Goor abandoned to the Estates The townes and castle of Lighen ââ¦emune in that qââ¦rter Cont Frederic in Linghen 1597. The Prince doth inââ¦t Linghen Linghen yeelded by composition The King of Denmarkes Ambassadors in the campe before Linghen 1597. 1597. The Estates answere to the Ambassadors 1597. 1597. 1597. 1597. 1597. 1598. The king of Spaine seekes sor peace The French King giues care to a peace Ambassadors sent from England and ãâã Estates into France The Estates send Ambassadors to the Queene of England 1598. Articles of peace betwizt the French king the king of Spaine 1598. 1598. 1598. 1598 1598. 1598 The Admiral of Arragon sent Ambassador to the Emperor The first of the six points demanded of the Emperor 15981 The Admiralâ⦠second demand The third demand 1598. 1598. The fift demand The sixt demand 1598. The death of Iohn Bou vier the maister of the fire workes 1598. An other treason against Princâ⦠Maurice His sentence 1598 1598. Foure thousand Spaniards sent to the Cardinal The vnited Prouinces saile to the Indes 1598 1598. New troubles in Emdââ¦n ââ¦8 1598. The Earle complains of them of Emden to the Imperiall chamber The King of Spaine makes a new contract for the payment of his debts The fort of Patience sold by the French vnto the Spaniards Calais and the other townes restored to the French King 1598. The King of Spaine giues his eldest daughter to Cardinall Albert with the Netherlands and Bourgogne A coppy of the letters of transaction of the Netherlands to the Inââ¦anta 1598. 1598. The oth of the Prince ââ¦f the Netherlands
put his sonne according to the ancient customes and preuiledges of that towne in possession of the saide Duchy and to take the oth required in that case the which he did in the Emperors hands as the like was done afterwards in the towne of Brusselles The thirteene of the saide moneth it was done in Gand for the Country of Flanders then in the citty of Arras for the Earledome of Arthois and after that at Mons for the Conty of Henault from thence they went to Bins in the same country whereas the Queene of Hongary did vsualy keepe her Court where were great feasts maskes torneys and other sports the which continued from the third of August 1549. Vntill September and then hee departed to goe to Antwerp to take possession of the ââ¦owne and of the Marquisate of the Holie Empire whereas there wanted no pompe at his reception The last of May 1550. the Emperor parted from Bruselles with the Prince his sonne to returne into Germany to an Imperiall Diet which should be held at Ausbourg leading the duke of Saxony prisoner with him leauing the Landtgraue in prison at Macklin The cheefe intent of his going was to labour to make his son Emperor after him as you shall heare The 29. of Aprill this yeare there was a most rigorous Edict published by the Emperor throughout al the Netherlands in the Dutch and French toungs tending to bring in the Inquisition of Spaine and other extraordinary matters After the publicatioÌ of this Edict many were much amazed especially the marchants of Germany England which did traficke ordinarily in those Prouinces especially at Antwerp whose resolution was that either they must moderate the said Edict or else they would seeke some other abode and many to auoyd the danger had resolued to shut vp their shoppes and to departe The Senat of Antwerp and especialy the Bourgeses seeing the losse and preiudice that would come vnto them were in great perplexity And therefore when the Inquisitors were ariued they opposed them-selues with all their power and going to the Queene of Hongary their Gouernesse they layed open vnto her the losse and preiudice that not onely they but the whole countrie should receiue if it were put in practise for the tenor of the Inquisition conteined an ample power ouer all Iudges and Magistrates what-soeuer Where-vppon she caused the execution thereof to be surceased in the said Towne the which was done in consideration of forraine nations which were strong and mighty there The Queene went vppon this occasion to the Emperor her Brother into Germany to moue him to moderate this Edict that otherwise Andtwerp which was a Towne of the greatest trade in the world and most frequented would loose her trafficke and credit Besides there would bee a generall sedition if this Edict were put in execution The Emperor in the end yeelded but with great difficulty and changing that which concerned marchants strangers hee razed out the word Inquisition so odious to all men commanding that the rest should be obserued and entertained In the meane time the Emperor did much afflict them of Magdebourg by reason of their relligion causing Duke Maurice of Saxony to besiege them And for that the Princes of the Empire sought to make their peace he prescribed them such hard conditions as they would by no meanes yeeld vnto them but maintained this siege valiantly euen vnto the end being forced by a composition to suffer them in peace The Arch-duke Maximillian of Austria sonne to King Ferdinand and sonne in law to the Emperour being chosen in his absence King of Bohemia came at that time out of Spaine to Ausbourg being called by his father who had then a great controuersie with the Emperor touching the succession of the Empire for the deciding whereof they said the Emperor had caused his sister the Queene of Hongary to come for the Emperor knowing that the vniting of Germany was necessary for the augmentation of his estate desired to settle his sonne who after him should rule and command ouer so great and diuers nations and countries vppon so mighty and firme a support Ferdinand who tended to the same end was resolued not to suffer himselfe to bee frustrate of this goodly expectation as well for him-selfe as for his children Prince Maximillian who was of a good disposition well seene in diuers languages but especially indued with a singular grace in his behauiour was very pleasing vnto the people The Princes and States on the other side considered well that this great aduancement of the King of Spaine would not bee very profitable for them and although they shewed them-selues somewhat inclyning vnto the Emperor yet all was but for feare obseruing well his actions past and the end wherevnto hee had alwaies tended vnder a coullor of the Romish relligion which hee would so amplie maintaine finally after that hee should haue wonne and supplanted by the meanes of the Ciuill warre which hee nourished and entertained there all the Princes and States of the one and the other relligion the which hee had continnued more and more by his sonne hee would make him-selfe and his successors absolute Monarcks and all Germany slaues to his house These considerations made the Princes and States to incline more touching the succession of the Empire to Ferdinand and to his sonne Maximillian who had their portions and all their successions in Germany then to the Emperor or to the Prince his sonne And the rather for that they had obserued part of the humors of this Prince beeing borne nourished and brought vp in Spaine and wholy possest by the Spaniards and by the Bishoppe of Arras sonne to Granuelle whose carriage beeing a high Bourguignon did nothing please the Germaines Beesides this Prince beeing ill instructed vnderstood no language but his naturall Spanish What was concluded wee shall hereafter see The Towne of Magdebourg freed from siege by a friendly composition with Duke Maurice hee beeing now receiued into the Towne spake it openly that it should cost him his life or hee would set the Landtgraue his father in law at liberty Hee had before sent his Ambassadors with the King of Denmarke and many Princes of Germany to the Emperor for his deliuerance beeing resolued vppon his deniall to attempt it by force hee hauing already entred into some treaty with the French King The seauenth of Iuly William of Nassau Prince of Orange married the daughter and onely heire of Maximillian of Egmont Earle of Buren the onely heire of the house of Launoy the marriage which was the first which the said Prince had of foure was celebrated in the Castell of Buren by whome hee had Phillip of Nassau now Prince of Orange and the Lady Mary widow to Philip Earle of Hohenlo brother and sister by fathers side to Count Maurice of Nassau commanding at this day in Holland Zeeland c. This yeare the Emperor set a taxe of fiue florins
the furious battery of the ennemy There were siue companies in the place the Emperor made the fiue Captaines Kinghts giuing vnto the soldiars as hee had promised them three monethes pay extraordinary and all they that were banished or charged with murthers or other crymes had their pardons The Emperor hauing the yeare before razed the Towne and Castell of Hesdin hauing obserued a place fitte to bee fortified a League from thence more towards France hee resolued to build a new fort and a Towne there and for that he would not be hindred in the xecution of this enterprise he entertained his armie the the which in Nouember burnt all the country about Amiens so as all the burthen of the warre fell vppon the poore Country-men After that hee retayned but two regiments dismissing the rest of his Armie and so he parted from Arras to come to Brusselles And in the end of October hee caused King Philip his Sonne to bee put in possession of the duchie of Milan by deputies the accustomed ceremonies therein obserued This yeare in August was a furious fight at sea betwixt two and twenty Merchants ships of Holland Zeeland and Westfriseland which came out of Spaine laden with sundry sorts of Merchandise and nineteene French ships of warre and sixe carauells appointed with Artillery souldiars and marriners for the purpose which attended for them and seeing them come vpon the coast of England neere Douer they began to assaile them and the others to defend themselues The French who were better manned made hast to boord them to auoide the furie of the Hollanders Ordinance and in the ende they grapeled fifteene French shippes to fifteene others thinking to vanquish them by force and the numbers of their men but those Hollanders shippes that were free shot continually at the French There was a fearefull fight for though the Dutch had fewer men yet their shippes were greater and higher and they knewe better howe to handle their Ordinance The fight continued so long that the French growing weary demaunded a truce but the noyse cryes and thunder of the Oââ¦dinance and small shot was so great as they could not bee heard and therefore they aduised for their surest remedie thinking that the Hollanders would let them goe to set fire of their owne sayles but the euent was not so as they looked for or expected But as these shippes could not so easilie vngraple themselues and the winde dryuing the fire from the sayles to the ships they fell all on fire so as they were forced to leaue the fight to quench the fire But some were fiered in such sort as there was no meanes to saue them the men casting them selues into the sea to auoyde the flames without respect to what shippes they went were they friendes or enemies seeking onelie to saue themselues in the first shippe they could get into which proued a strange victory vnto the French for there were so manie Frenchmen got into the Hollanders shippes before they perceiued it as after some small fight they mastred them and tooke both men and shippes The end of this furious battaile which had lasted sixe houres was there were sixe French shippes burnt and one sunke and of the Hollanders and others sixe were burnt and fiue were taken by the French with manie prisoners The number of the dead was different for the French lost aboue a thousand men and the others about three thousand men The seauenth of May Anthony Perronet Bishop of Arras was sent by the the Emperor to Graueling to conferre about a treatie of peace with the French King They met on both sides in a great plaine betwixt Ardres Calais and Graueling vnder pauilions where there was a great circuit compassed in with cloath in the which they assembled The deputies had about it euery one his quarter apart and the English Cardinall assisted as mediator or vmpier betwixt them The demandes of either side were so excessiue as they could not agree and so the assemblie proued fruitelesse The ninth of the same month newes came to the Emperor of the death of the Lady Iane Queene of Castille his mother at whose funeralls which should bee made at Brusselles King Philip would bee present and therefore they were deferred vntill his comming On Whitsonday died that great captaine Martin van Rossen Seignior of Puydroyen who in his life time had serued many maisters the duke Charles of Geldres William duke of Cleues the French King and the Emperor The fifteene of Iuly the French passing the fronters came to victuall Mariembourg without any cartes but with horses laden onelie and at their returne thinking to surprize all the souldiars that were in the new fort whereof William of Nassau Prince of Orange was Generall beeing discouered there was a very hot skirmish the which continued from noone vntill night wherein there died many on eyther side A while after the Seignior of Aussimont Gouernor of Bapaulmes the terror of the French hearing that some garrisons of Picardie ioyned with fifteene hundred horse of the Arrierban of France which they call the companies of the Nobles and foure hundred foote did roade vp and downe the countrie of Arthois hauing spoyled the suburbes of Lilliers and the burrow of Saint Venant he went and charged them in their returne being Laden with spoyles and hauing defeated them in an instant made them abandon their pray la Iaille their leader was hurt and a boue fiue hundred taken prisoners with him some escaped and the rest were slaine vpon the place where of the Arthesiens made a Iest saying That the Bourguognons tooke the Nobles of France without waying them where-vpon it was called the Incounter of the Nobles The eight of September King Phillip came after his marriage with Queene Mary out of England to Brusselles accompanied with Emanuell Philibert Duke of Sauoy and fower or fiue English Noblemen Knights of the garter and the sixteen of the said moneth the funeralles of the Emperors Mother were celebrated with great pompe and state In October there was order giuen by the Emperor and Gouernesse vpon the complaint of the Bourgéses of Brusselles to the Alcaide Captain of the Court to the steuard of the houshould to the Amptman and to the Magistrate of Brusselles to deuise some meanes to discharge the great and excessiue debts which the Spaniards as well Courtiars as soldiars did owe throughout all the towne of Brusselles as well to Inkeepers as to Marchants to the end their might bee no tumult at their retreat seeing that the Bourgeses stood in some feare that they would goe away without paying them whereby some should bee much impourished and others vtterly ruined and therefore they must preuent an imminent danger before it falles About the end of October the Emperor sent his letters to the States and townes of the Netherlands to assemble in the towne of Brusselles and there to heare matters that should bee propounded vnto them in his behalfe to which
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 preteââ¦ded neither would that be granted without a conuocation of the generall estates of the 17 Bââ¦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 gââ¦uernors of prouinces and townes were not only in disgrace with the king and his counsel bââ¦t were also iudged guiltie of high treason and the noblemen which had in any sort contraââ¦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 conuocatiââ¦n of the states Notwithstanding that which was granted him being called the Nouenalââ¦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 ââ¦ord of Glaison and the lord of Barlamont The 22 of December the lady Marguerite of Ausââ¦ia duchesse of Parma bastard sister to king Philip came to the court to Brussels with her son ââ¦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 ãâã sorts men women and children which repaired thither from all places for the great charitieââ¦ââ¦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 BELGIââ¦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
which aduice the aforesaid cardinal the bishops who then were the chief of the queenes counsell had little regarded making answer They would keepe the towne with their white slaues and that iâ⦠hee were afraid hee might come home into England ageine with such like answers and so the towne of Calis for want of foresight was soone woon and by composition made by them within when wanting succours they could no otherwise chuse vpon the eight day of Ianuarie deliuered vnto the French men vpon condition of sauing their liues and no huâ⦠to bee done vnto them to carrie their money and goods out of the towne at the discretion of the vanquishers the inhabitants to leaue the towne and good where they would whereof fiftie such as they liked should remaine prisoners The souldiers should depart for England without spoyling hiding or burning the houses victuals munition or canon shot but should leaue it all behind them which was likewise done From thence the French men went to Guynes wherein lay as gouernour my lord Gray an old souldier with twelue or fourteene hundred English men Walons and Spaniards and Montdragon a valiant captaine sent thither by king Philip where they planted fiue and thirtie canon shot wherwith in short time they had giuen ten thousand shot whereby they so battered the bulwarkes and other places that they were easie to bee assaulted which vpon the twentieth of Ianuarie with great slaughter of men on both sides was done at which time there was slaine at the least foure or fiue hundred men whereby the bulwarkes being woon the lord Gray with the rest of the souldiers got into the castle where they began to parlie and agreed That the souldiers should depart with bag and baggage leauing their ensignes victuals munition and ordnance behind them and the lord Gray with the rest of the captaines and gentlemen to remaine prisoners which beeing performed the French men finding the place to bee vnprofitable for them rased the castle at which time also the strong castle of Hans was forsaken by the English men And by that meanes the English men in few dayes lost that little which rested in their powers of their forefathers conquests and all that they as then held in firme land of Fraunce and for the space of two hundred and eleuen yeares before had peaceably enioyed the lord of Termes beeing made gouernour thereof by the French men that affirme to haue found therein two or three hundred great peeces besides the victuals munition for the warres and the ransome that they had of those that were prisoners At the first newes thereof brought into England there was great preparation of men and ships made for to releeue it but by meanes of the great tempest at sea they could not get ouer before they heard of the losse thereof which grieued queene Mary much at the heart that it was after a great part of the cause of her death which happened vpon the 17 of Nouember after The French men also at the same time by force took the castle of Herbimont in Ardennes And vpon the foure and twentieth of Aprill the Dolphin of France married Mary Steward queene of Scotland the onely daughter of Iames the fifth king of Scotland at which time the duchesse of Lorraine first began to motion a peace between both the kings This duchesse of Lorraine was the daughter of Christian king of Denmarke and of one of the emperour Charles sisters This yeare died duke Maximilian of Burgonie baron of Beueren of le Vere lieutenant of Holland Zeeland Friseland and Vtrecht after whom succeeded William van Nassau prince of Orange This yeare in Summer the king of France tooke vp foure or fiue thousand horse and foureteene thousand foot-men vnder the conduct of the duke of Lunenbourgh the colonell of the horse-men being Grombacke Risebergh and one of the Lantgraue of Hessens brethren the foot-men being commaunded by the earle of Rocquedolf Reycrogh and others who being mustered in Lorraine ioyned with the dukes of Guise and Neuers with their French men and so besieged Theonuille otherwise called Diettenhold in Lutsenbergh lying vpon the riuer of Moselle wherein Peter Quarebbe a gentleman of Louen was gouernour with about eighteene hundred men and vpon the fift of Iune began to batter it with 35 pecces of canons the earle of Horne seeking by all the meanes hee could to get into it with a hundred men but they were repulst The mean time the French men continued their shooting and mining vntill they saw conuenient time to giue an assault whereby they within being much weakened and hauing no assurance of releefe to be sent them were forced to enter into a parlie and vpon the two and twentieth of Iune deliuered vp the towne vpon condition That the souldiers should depart with their rapiers and poniards the horse-men with their armes and the townes men with as much of their goods as they could carrie At this siege there were many French men slaine and amongst other great commanders the marshal Pidue Strossy that was shot in his brest with a musket as hee stood speaking with the duke of Guise that leaned with his hand vpon his shoulder And so the strong town of Theonuille was lost which most men ascribed to the small authoritie that the gouernour bare ouer the souldiers as being but a meane gentleman of Brabant While this was done in Lutsenburgh the marshall de Termes gouernor of Calis had assembled certaine souldiers out of diuers garrisons and elswhere to the number of 8000 foot and 1500 horse-men with certaine ordnance and therewith marching into Flanders passed ouer the riuer of Ha where a number of countrey-men were slaine that thought to haue intercepted his passage so went along by Graueling Borborgh and from thence to Duynkerke a towne lying vpon the sea where he planted his ordnance vpon the downes and so battered the same and while the burgesses were in parly about deliuering ouer of the towne hauing no garrison within it they were by the French men assailed and the towne woon who hauing ransackt the same at the last burnt it which done they went to Berghen S. Winox which they also ransackt burnt and all the countrey as far as Newport King Philip being in Brussââ¦ls and hearing of the spoile that the French men made in Flanders and in Lutsenburgh assembled his souldiers from al parts and sent the duke of Sauoy generall of his armie into the earldome of Namure there to resist the duke of Guise and into Flanders the earle of Egmont with full power to take order for the safetie of the countrey before more forces could ioyne with the lord of Termes With which charge the earle of Egmont drew al the garrisons out of the places thereabouts and with him had the lord of Bingincourt marshal of the field and hauing other forces sent vnto him out of the duke of Sauoyes campe hee had in all eight or ten
magistrats and officers were inioyned to giue all aid assistance and fauour vnto the said Inquisitors in the execution of their charge whensoeuer they should berequired vpon the same paines c. Besides many other things directly repugnant to all right and the antient priuiledges and customes of the countrey Moreouer the most apparent as wel among the nobles as marchants and artisans and especially the richest were alreadie inrolled in these Inquisitors bookes to proceed against them as against men subiect to confiscation both of body goods at the least in case of repentance to great pecuniarie fines Thereupon was heard of all sides the brags and threats of Inquisitors priests and monks daring to desââ¦ribe yea to name in their sermons the most apparent Whereof not onely the people of Antuerpe which heard it and the magistrats which had been daily informed bare witnesse but also the townes of Lille Tournay Valenciennes and others of the countries of Flanders Brabant Holland and Arthois whereas these threats haue beene publikely heard from the mouthes of the priests and preachers Besides it was generally spoken of a leuie of ââ¦orse and foot made by duke Erick of Brunswick to plant the Inquisition as it was giuen out by force in the Netherlands as they had before designed yet could not effect it and that all this did tend to put it in execution that is to make a conquest of these Netherlands and by that meanes hauing abolished the priuiledges to conuert them to a realme as I haue said This leuie of men was confirmed by the entertaining of captaines to whom duke Erick had giuen in prest This did so amaze the people that many merchants yea of the most apparent had alreadie packt vp all to free themselues from such violence and oppression by a voluntarie exile many were alreadie retired and the trades were transported from all parts namely from Flanders Tournay Valenciennes and other neighbor places in such great troups as it was not onely apparent to the eye and they felt it in the decay of their imposts and customes but also it did plainly appeare that many good borough townes and villages were almost left desolat so as there was no good man that seeing this calamitie and decay of the countrey which had been so flourishing but was wonderfully grieued yea there were some officers and magistrats of great qualitie who considering of the one side the rigor of the commandement by the which it was expresly said That if any one of them should refuse to his dutie and assist the Inquisitors in the execution of their charges that they should be discharged and others put in their places and on the other side laying before their eyes the furie of an incensed multitude the which being moued by such extremities doe oftentimes fall into such rages as they neither spare officers nor magistrats or els it may be not able in conscience to become prouosts and executioners to the Inquisition in a cause so ill grounded spake openly of leauing off their charges and to resigne them into the kings hands in case he continued in this resolution rather than to pursue the said executions with such rigour On the other side the French neighbours to these countries who had long affected this estate as if the better part had proceeded from them were loth to let slip this occasion seeking by all meanes to sound the hearts of the inhabitants of the countrey giuing them to vnderstand by men suborned how insupportable this seruitude should bee vnto them by the which they should take from them their priuiledges immunities and liberties and bring in other lawes ordinances and customes after the Spanish manner that the Spaniards would come and seize vpon their lands houses wiues and children yea of all that was theirs and subiect the king of Spaines owne person vnto their Inquisition They did not forget to describe vnto them the great desolation which would bee in the countrey by reason of the retreat of the chiefe marchants who would carrie away with them the workemen artisans and their arts And as it is true that traffique is the nursing mother of these countries that being retired the workemen must needs retire or dye for hunger besides the subiection of consciences whereunto they would bring them comparing with all these discommodities and feruitudes the wealth goodly commodities and aboue all the libertie of other realmes and neighbour countries as Fraunce is the priuiledges of the French church beeing such as they doe not acknowledge the Pope for their superiour but as they please themselues England Scotland Denmarke the greatest part of Germanie with Bohemia And therefore it were an vnworthie thing that these good countries of the Netherlands lying in the middest of such neighbours so free should be made slaues vnder the yoke of a strange and farre-fet barbarous nation Whereunto did also serue diuers and sundrie brutes spred abroad here and there as in the neighbour countries of Germanie Gueldres Oueryssell Friseland yea in Holland and Zeeland where they said that they were confederats with the empire and therfore should enioy the priuiledges of the pacification made and past in Germanie at Passau and not endure the yoke of the Inquisition of Spaine repugnant to all antient lawes customs and priuiledges In Brabant and Flanders they obiected an accord made by the deceased emperour Charles the fifth with the princes electors of the empire making one circle the which in the Germane tongue they call Creyts by it selfe contributable as much as two princes electros Wherupon and to shew that it was true they pretended that they of Flanders had giuen a gratuitie vnto his imperiall Maiestie as an acknowledgement of the good which they pretended to haue receiued by the meanes of the said accord the which his Maiestie had taken in good part and that thereby hee was bound to the obseruation of the said treatie Moreouer for the Brabansons they did alledge their contract of Ioyous entrie the which they said was mutuall and reciprocall and could not be broken by the one but presently the other were freed and discharged from their othe Whereunto they added that the duchie of Brabant was fallen to the king of Spaines predecessors by right of election the which depended vpon conditions sworne of either side all which conditions they said were broken if they brought the Inquisition of Spaine into that countrey Those of Brabant did also produce six principall articles among others of their priuiledges whereof the first was 1 That the duke of Brabant might not augment the state of the clergie more than it had beene in old time and so placed by the dukes vnlesse the two other estates of the nobilitie and commons should consent thereunto 2 That the duke might not pursue ciuilely or criminally any of his naturall subiects or strangers dwelling there but by the ordinarie course of the iustice of the countrey whereas the accused may defend and iustifie himselfe
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 Vââ¦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 couÌtries 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
againe by the duke of Alua. For hauing sent Dom Iohn de Mendoza with some horsemen ãâã the castle in the which there were Spaniards being vnfurnished of victuals and powder he that had made this surprise in Cont Lodowics name fearing to be besieged and to be forced for want of munition to yeeld vp the place with little honour he made choice rather to abandon it and to ââ¦etire himself without attending the enemie who did not hope to enter so good cheape nor without a siege The duke of Alua knowing well of what importance the towne of Flessingue was as being the entrance into the sea and the riuer of Escaut where their victuals came from all parts to feed the Isle of Walchren and that it was easie to fortifie it he sent Sancho d' Auila with men artillerie and munition to besiege it and by the same meanes to prouide for the townes of Middlebourg and Ter-Goes The Protestants did no lesse for their parts doing their vttermost endeuors to fortifie the places which they held but aboue all Flessingue where after they had chased away captaine Threlon and his men by reason of their insolencies they receiued some 6ââ¦0 souldiers English Wallons and Flemings come from London and about 140 French which came from Diepe to their succours The prince of Orange on the other side hauing an intent to second Cont Lodowic his brother being in Mons in Henault leuied what men he could both in Germââ¦ny England Scotland and France The duke of Alua to frustrate his designes sent for duke Erick oâ⦠Brunswick and other commanders and colonels of horse and foot Germanes to ioine with his army and to attend the prince if he aduanced to enter into the countrey These troupes of strangers being entred into Flessingue the inhabitants began to take courage and to make great designes they issued forth of their towne to goe and burne the ports of Middlebourg they shot off their Ordnance at randon through the towne and prepared to force it They within resisted them valiantly so as the Flessinguââ¦s being aduertised of Doâ⦠Sancho d' Auila's army comming to succour Middlebourg who being forced through tempest to lanâ⦠seized vpon the castle of Rameken they retyred home Yet after they had consulted in what manner they might most annoy the enemie where they should haue meanes to defray the charges of the warre and to entertaine their souldiers and to supply all other necessities they resolued to goe to field to attempt some places and to arme a good number of shippes to keepe Middlebourg not onely from victuals and munition of warre but also to cut off the passage for the succours which the king of Spaine might send them by sea so as in a short time they had ââ¦igged out a hundred and fiftie sayle and put to field some three thousand men Yet could they not doe it so speedily but the duke of Alua had furnished Middlebourg by Sancho d' Auila After this resolution the fourth of Iune tenne shippes of Zeeland sayling towards Antuerpe being come to Boom Creeke tooke there thirtie boates of diuers places some going to Antuerpe others returning The garrison of Middlebourg meaning to be reuenged for their losses vpon them of Flessingue layed an ambush for them at the castle of West-Soubourg distant but halfe a league from Flessingue where there were two hundred Wallons in garrison the Spaniards being lodged couertly in the houses of the village neere vnto the castle attending day light that some might issue forth to surprise it Those of the castle knowing them to be so neere sallied forth vpon them but they were sharpely repulsed and forced to retyre to their fort The Spaniards had brought some Ordnance with them wherewith they made some shot against the castle The Flessinguers sent them a supply of three hundred men but they were so receiued as without the helpe of an English captaine and a hundred and fiftie souldiors captaine Barnard had beene in danger to haue miscarried and although it was well fought on eyther side yet the Flessinguers finding themselues too weake to vanquish such great Spanish forces hauing Canon they retyred to their towne with the losse of twentie men The Wallons of the castle hauing seene these skirmishes and that their men could not succour them going forth at a backe gate abandoned the place to the enemies and retyred to Flessingue where they excused themselues for the want of powder Afterwards the Zeelanders meaning to goe to field as they had resolued and to succour Cont Lodowic thinking themselues strong ynough to fight with all the Spaniards entred into Flaunders and marched directly to Oudenbourg Eââ¦kloo and Ardenbourg three great boroughes where they found some of the chiefe bourgesses of Bruges who were sent to declare vnto captaine Saras gouernour of Flââ¦ssingue and chiefe of those troupes the good affection which they of Bruges bare vnto the prince of Orange and the desire they had to be of their allies After that hee had heard them they were sent backe to confirme the rest of the bourgesses in this deuotion and that causing the gate to be opened in the night and entring hee with his troupes would follow them but they preuailed nothing for the duke of Alua had too many friends there among the marchant strangers of Spaine and Genoa which make their ordinarie abode there They also made a tryall vpon the towne of Gand but it was in vaine so as Sarâ⦠seeing it impossible to get to Cont Lodowic without putting himselfe in danger to haue all passââ¦ges stopped and to be compassed in on all sides without any meanes to retyre changed his resolution and retyred to Flessingue the same way hee came thinking to doe better vpon the towne of Ter-Goes where he framed to himselfe assured designes by the intelligences which he presumed to haue but it was all in vaine beeing no more fortunate there than elsewhere which made him to be suspected of cowardise or treason so as at his returne to Flessingue they refused him the entrie into the towne Yet a while after the Zeelanders hoping to find some of their partie in Ter-Goes sent the same captaine Saras agââ¦ine Comming vnto the Island of Zuytbeuelandt he found at his lanââ¦ing place a sort manned with two hundred souldiers the which hee tooke by force with his Englishmen such as could saue themselues fled vnto the towne and gaue warning that the Zeelanders had entred the Island Saras pursuing them aduanced with his troupes towards the towne the which he summoned to yeeld and to haue their liues and goods saued but his hardie demaund had a bardie deniall for those of the towne entertained them so courteously with Canon and Musket shot as some being hurt they retyred a little backe yet afterwards hee caused them to aduance againe euen vnto the ditch to see if there were not any of their partie that would shew themselues whereby hee might get some aduantage But seeing that no man
among others that all the ships should be restored of either side that the English marchants should lend vnto the states of Holland and Zeeland a good sum of money This accord made and the English ships restored those of Zeeland being quite spoiled hauing bin so long abandoned by their men the English marchaÌts hauing what they desired would not furnish what they had promised by the accord saying it had bin extorted by force and moreouer arrested the persons and goods of ten or twelue of the chiefe merchants of Holland and Zeeland suing vnto the Queene to haue some ships of war to wafâ⦠their cloath wooll and other merchandise ouer to Dunkerke But the Queene desired to haue all quarrells reconciled and ended to which end Philip of Villiers Minister of the French Church was sent by the merchants of the low-countries remayning in England to the Prince of Orange whilst that these matters were in question and that the English ships of war made their conuoies vnto Dunkerke the English tooke fiue or six Zelanders ships the which they spoiled keeping the captaines prisoners These alterations and discontents did much please the Spaniards who hoped to make good vse therof but the Prince sent captaine Barkley an Englishman with so good instructions as the Queene was wel satisfied whose pleasure was that al quarells should be ended the ships prisoners deliuered to the losse of the English merchants who had bin the motiues After the seazing of the lords of the councel of State some noblemen of authority whereof the Earle of Lalain gouernour of Henault was one of the chiefe sent in the name of the States of Brabant to beseech Frantis of Vallois Duke of Aniou Alanson the French kings only brother to imbrace their quarrell against the Spaniards and to receiue them into his protection For his better satisfaction he came in post with fifteene or sixteene horse to Mons in Henault hauing past by Lens in Henault where he was knowne by some priuate persons and saluted by the Lord of Capres afterwards Earle of Henin Hauing conferred with the Earle of Lalain some others he returned sodenly as he came promising to succor them as soone as the peace should bee concluded in France In the meane time the States of Brabant sollicit the other prouinces of the country and intreat them to ioyne with them to chase away the strangers as well Spaniards Italians Bourguignons as any other that were in league with the mutines The countrie of Henault at the perswasion of the Earle of Lalain the Earle of Reneberg and the Baron of Fresin ioyne first by reason of their proximity and neighbour-hood Flanders Arthois Lille Douay Orchies Tournay Tournesis other Prouinces followed them except Luxembourg Namur wherof Mansfeldt Barlamont that were prisoners were gouernors and they make a league perpetuall vnion betwixt them to aide one an other with all their meanes against the tiranie of strangers The Earle of Roch gouernor of Arthois although hee were brother in lawe to Cardinall Granuelle whether it were to plaie the good fellow or that hee durst not oppose himselfe against the States hearing that some Italiens of these mutines were entred into his gouernment hee sent to all the townes to put themselues in armes against them and euery one to chase them out of his iurisdiction Grenââ¦t brother to the signior of Werp and my selfe went out of Bethune with about fifteene hundred men to incounter them to ioyne with them of Arras Hesdin Aire Saint Omer and other townes so as in all we might haue made fiue thousand men But the onely brute hereof made the Italiens retire towards Cambresis and from thence into Henaut from whence the Earle of Lalain did in like sort chase them The Kings councell was much troubled and perplexed at this mutiny the which turned into a generall alteration which they terme Alborotto and they feared some greater inconuenience if the French should chance to deale in it wherefore they send some speciall persons among them to require the mutined Spaniards to rest satisfied with such money as they had in hand being impossible to furnish any more But it was labor lost for on the other-side Don Fernando of Toledo caused those men which he had in Holland to come into Brabant and so did Don Alonso de Vergas generall of the horse who retired themselues with their men into the castell of Antwerp as into a place of safe retreate Sanchio d' Auila castellan of the said castell sent for the Spanish Merchants that were in the towne intreating them to furnish vpon his word and promise to be paied at a certaine daie as much vââ¦ctualls and munition of warre as hee should demand the which they did so as the castell was well supplied of all things to endure a long seege Iulien Romero did the like in the towne of Liere and captaine Montisââ¦oqua at Mastricht The States on the other side were not negligent to leauy men euery where doing what they could to keepe the Spanish forces as well mutiners as others from ioyning togither or to haue intelligence one with an other suffering nothing to passe to those townes and places which they held There were then betwixt Louvain and Tillemont fiue companies of these mutined Spaniards Italiens and Bourguignons lodged in the Village of Wessenaken The States sent the signior of Glimes to dislodge them from thence hauing with him the garrisons of Brussells and of Louvaine with some men at armes being in all about three thousand men with whom there ioyned some Burgers of Brussells some schollers of Louvaine some to the fight others to get some spoile so as it seemed that he that would not go did not loue his country The Spaniards being aduertised by their spies the Generall Alonso de Vergas beeing ioyned with them with his horse lay in ambush in a little wood neere vnto this village commanding the foote to goe forth and skirmish with the states-men when they should see them approch the which thââ¦y did and were sharply charged by the states-men so as the Spaniards retyring in good order still skyrmishing vnto the ambush being hotly pursued the horsemen breaking forth charged these fooââ¦e-men that pursued for their bands of Ordinance were not yet aduanced who breaking their rankes were put to rout and all defeated so as fewe escaped the which happened in the end of September The last of the same month commandement beeing giuen to all the townes of the Netherlands that were confederated togiââ¦her against the mutined Spaniards to arme among others they of Brussells made a muster of their Burguers from the age of twenty yeares vnto three sââ¦ore whereaâ⦠they found fifteene thousand men well armed And knowing that the Spaniards were incensed against them they began to fortefie their towne causing both men women boyes and maides to labour at the rampar The States were nothing amazed for the route of Wissenaken but
the Kings brother who as then had secret intelligence with the King his brother and the King of Spaine and such like speeches after further conference and dealing betweene them the Baron de Sweuenghen procceeded so farre with the Queene and hir counsell that she caused the valew of forty thousand Angels in bullion or vnminted siluer to bee deliuered vnto him and his Commissioners Iohn Mattens and Iohn Narrot in part of payment of a hundred thousand pound starling and vpon the thirty of December sent a gentleman called Maister Wineybank to deliuer the money vnto Secretary Wilson her Ambassador in Brussels that he might receaue the states obligations for the same which was done accordingly where likewise the townes of Brussels Gant Bruges Dunkerck Nieuport and Middleburg in Zeland gaue there seuerall obligations It was then also agreed and concluded that the states of the Netherlands should make no peace nor agreement with the King without they included the Queene of England and her Kingdomes therein and that the treaties and entercourses touching the trade of merchandise should bee maintained and kept that all Rebells that were gon out of England should leaue the Netherlands and that all Englishmen should bee free at sea as they were before the ciuill warres This was that which was done with the Queene of England in regard that the States being compelled by necessity should not seeke vnto any other Prince nor vnto the King of France but remaine vnder their owne Prince vpon hope of getting the Spaniards out of the country which were suspitious for her to remaine there The countries of Brabant and Flanders hauing by the taking of Antwerp lost the nauigation of the sea by the Riuer of Escaut they cut the dikes vpon Flanders side aboue Antwerp neere vnto Burcht and beneath right against Austreweel that the water of the riuer and of the sea by the rysing of the tides might enter into the country which lies betwixt both beeing a lowe and marish ground as it did aboundantly so as they of Brusselles of Macklin Tenremonde and other places without beeing in danger of them of Antwerp nor of the fort at the head of Flanders right against the Towne had free passage to saile into Holland Zeeland and ouer all the sea to the great hindrance of the towne of Antwerp for that it brake of their trafficke and nauigation These breaches were after the departure of the Spaniards stopt vp and the dikes repaired Whilest they were busied about the treatie of Pacification the generall Estates had their armie camped before the castell of Gant and round about it as well within the towne as abroade whereas the Earle of Roeux commanded in chiefe as Gouernor of Flanders beeing assisted both with souldiars and munition which the States of Holland and Zeeland did lend them vpon promise of restitution In the beginning the castle was but weakely and slackly battered they also gaue a ââ¦aladoe but their ladders proued verie short so as vntill the succors from the Prince and from the Hollanders and Zeelanders were arriued the Earle of Roeux aduanced little In the ende the Earle of Lalain Generall of all the armie in the absence of the duke of Arschot and the Marquis of Haurec being come vnto the campe and the castle beeing battered in breach and an assault readie to bee giuen the Spaniards within it beeing about a hundred and fiftie demanded to parle The signior of La Gard Collonel of the Princes French went thether but at the first they could not agree vpon the leauing of their armes In the ende Valentin de Pardien signior of La Motte gouernor of Graueling promised to cause them to be payed for their armes wherevpon they yeelded the place the eleauenth of Nouember to haue their liues and goods saued The Germaines in the meane time beganne to mutine in Valenciennes and to make secret practises with the Spaniards that were in the castle for the preuenting whereof the generall Estates sent George of Lalain Earle of Reneberg Baron of Ville Gouernor of Henault in the absence of the Earle of Lalain thether who although he had but eight companies of Wallons of his Regiment managed this businesse so discreetly as the Germaines went out of the towne by agreement euery one receiuing but a Doller The Earle of Reneberg beeing entred the twelfth of Nouember with his Wallons with the assistance of the Inhabitants presently besieged the Castell the which was kept by a hundred and forty Wallons whom hee forced to yeeld and to leaue the place by composition The Wallons that were in Frisland and especially at Groninghen had some feeling of this pacification of Gant so as they would declare themselues for the generall Estates vnited to whom they gaue an oth by the meanes which followeth The States had sent Francis Martini-stella of Brussells into Friseland and the countrie of Groningen with charge and ample commission to reduce the said countries vnder their obeence by all good meanes and perswasions Gaspar of Robles Seignior of Billy a Gentleman of Portugall hauing marryed the Lady of Germigni in Arthois being gouernor of the sayd countries knowing that he was come to Groninghen and doubting of his practises he caused him to be presently taken prisoner whom he examined and tortured cruelly vpon the Rack where-vnto he himselfe put his hand besides the torturer to force a confession from his owne mouth to what end he was come whereof hauing some conceit and that the Spaniards intent was to dismember the vnited Prouinces and the better to hinder the States from reducing them into one body that they had sent euery one backe to his garrison after this exploit of Antwerp to Alost Liere and Mastricht meaning to doe no lesse in his gouernement hee called the Captaines vnto him which were Fernando Lopez Campi Moncheaux and others with their chiefe officers requiring an othe of obedience of them for three moneths in all things that hee should command them during the which he promised them to write vnto the King of Spaine and to know if it were with his Maiesties good liking that the Prouinces of the Netherlands had vnited them-selues vnto the Prince of Orange and that as soone as he should be aduertised hee would not faile to do as the rest but his intent was in the meane time to make himselfe maister of Groningen and of all Friseland The three and twentith of Nouember hee required the like othe of Captaine Lossi that hee might haue the more at his deuotion but hee made some difficultie saying That hee would first conferre with his Sergeants and Officers Billy hearing this answer sent for two of the Captaines Sergeants to whom hauing presented the same othe they answered That nine yeares past they had taken an othe vnto the King the which they would maintaine vntill that his Maiestie had dispenst with them And as the sayde Gouernour put a Penne into one of the Sergeants hands to signe the
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
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
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
new house makes accoumpte to spend as much more as hee had set downe for his worke with greater reason it ought to bee done by them that vndertake a warre bee it offensiue or defensiue For that a Generall cannot fore-cast all exploits which it shall behoue him to make in one yeare neither can he diuine of his enemies disseignes who will happely prouide worke for him which he neuer dreamt of Besides the losses and accidents which happen daylie in matters of warre The which may serue for an aduertisment and instruction for such as are deputed to make Treaties and to resolue vppon the forme of succors Yet it had beene a great wisdome and discretion not to haue leuied and past more men out of England or Scotland then they had meanes to pay within that yeares contribution The which may also serue for an instruction heereafter The banishment of many Papists out of Vtrecht hath beene found very strange of many both without and within the country For that most of them are old Chanoins and Clergie men whereof some haue neither the spirit nor the meanes to hurt and that this banishment is contrary to the pacification of Gant and to the Vnion of Vtrecht and as they thinke against all reason and forme of iustice seeing that they had all in former time consented to expell the Spaniard and haue since voluntarily contributed to make warre against him and that without accusation or hearing they haue banished them out of the towne and Prouince For seeing this warre is not made so much for Religion as for the Estate as it appeareth by the Treaties and among others by the said Vnion the one haue as great an interest in the preseruation of this Estate as the other And it is vniust to intreat the one worse then the other But the banishment of fiue men of quallitie hath bene iustly found of bad example and of all men held most vniust as well in the matter as in the forme and proceeding for it is well knowne that these men haue beene alwaies sworne enemies to the Spaniards That they haue bene the first authors of the establishment of their libertie and of the reformed religion They neuer since make any profession of the Romish religion although some suspect them to be Papists They haue alwaies beene imployed in all affaires of importance for their Prouince and for the State and they were neuer before taxed to haue committed any remarkeable fault in the Estate Nay it is most certaine that they were open enemies to the French partie and that they haue allwaies laboured to haue the succors of England And when his Excellencie came into these parts two or three of the chiefe of them haue imployed their paines and done their best indeauours they could that his Excellencie might haue the generall gouernment and all the authoritie yea more then some other Prouinces would haue had Wherevppon it is said that thereis manifest iniustice in this fact and a great ingratitude Iniustice for that they were neuer accused heard nor examined of any thing although they haue required it with great instance Ingratitude in that hauing fauoured serued and aduanced the English party they haue receiued this cold recompence by the English for allthough that they pretend the publike good and to auoid a greater inconuenience through diuisions and factions in Vtrecht whereof these were heads of one of the parties they haue beene forced to vse this rigor yet they are much deceiued in thinking to preserue an Estate rather by Iniustice then by iustice Quia Ius et aequitas vincula et fundamenta sunt ciuitatum For that Iustice and equitie are the bonds and foundation of Citties as Tully faith in his Paradoxes if they haue committed a fault let them bee accused heard conuicted and condemned If they will not once heare them in their iustifications what can wee thinke but that there is passion and violence in this action Besides conscience and the rules of Christianitie will admit no reply Do wee ill that good may come of it If you do otherwise and thinke by this Iniustice to preserue your Estate you are Macheuells Disciples who teacheth it and not our Sauiour IESVS CHRIST and his Apostles who forbid it If you will now say the fault is past but if wee restore such men as are now incensed wee shall commit an other soule and grosse error in the Estate for they are heads of a partie they are of the chiefe of the Towne They would returne into their places and offices and would trouble our whole Estate And by the communication which they haue had with them of Holland they will happily fauor the Hollanders disseignes which they practise secretly vppon the Towne of Vtrecht And what know wee whether through desire of reuenge they will do as Salinator did vnto the Romaines who had wrong'd him or as many others in the like case and for the like occasion Heere-vppon intruth I am much troubled to answer you yet would I not heape one error vppon another but rather follow the example of Aristides who preferred that which was iust and honnest before the vtilitie and profit of the common weale Then of Themââ¦stocles who had aduised them to make their best profit of that which was dishonest vniust As for the imprisonment of Paule Buys all men haue seene the proceeding The which good men haue found so farre from Iustice as those which before held Paule Buys to be worthy of punishment for his misdemeanors past and aboue all for the crosses which hee had giuen to the good and commendable disseignes of the deceased Prince of Orange and began now to do the like to the Earle of Leceister to whome hee had shewed him-selfe light inconstant and vnthankfull Besides other crymes wherewith hee might haue beene charged accused and conuicted Euen these men and his greatest enemies in hatred of the vniust and extraordinary proceeding which was held against him began to pitty his fortune and by little and little to change this hatred which they bare him into a desire to assist and fauor him and to draw him out of prison For as Tacitus said of the Emperor Galba Dignissimus imperandi nisiimperasset Most worthy of ruling if hee had not ruled So wee may say of this man Dignissimus Carcere nisi eo Carcere fuisset inclusus Most worthy of prison if hee had not beene shutte vp in that prison For besides the fault which they haue committed in Iustice suffering some Captaines and factious persons to vse this authoritie to ââ¦eaze vppon the person and papers of a Councellor of Estate the which doth belong onely to the Prince and to the Gouernor generall and then to suffer him to languish sixe moneths in a filthy and loathsome prison without hearing him or arraigning him notwith-standing that both hee and all his ââ¦inse-men had fought it with great importunitie Besides this error I say there is by the same meanes an other committed in
the Estate which is that such a man as Paule Buys is reputed to be the head of a partie turbulent passionate reuengefull and ambitious should not haue beene put in prison but his processe should presently haue bene made or at the least he should haue beene better guarded then he hath beene heretofore Euery one fore-seeing that if hee once gotte out hee would bee reuenged on those who hee thought had wrong'd him as we haue seene what broiles he hath made since his escape to the great blame and dishonor of the Gouernor generall and to the great preiudice of this Estate Besides the discontentment of all the other Councellors of Estate and other cheife men of this countrie who haue rightly iudged that if they did open a dore to such Iniustice and did abandon men of honor to the rage and passion of priuate men and of a multitude the like hanged ouer their heads for as Seneca sayth Minatur multis vni qui facit iniuriam Hee threatens many that doth wronge but to one And the fact cannot bee honestly excused that the captaines had not giuen aduertisment but an houre before for all their othes and execrations shall neuer satisfie them who knowe how the sayd Captaines the Sheriffe Pottere and Maister Webbe one of his Excelencies houshold were then in credit with his Excelencie who at the same instant was in Vtrecht Moreouer the sayd Pottere sayd to many before his death that neither hee nor any of his companions durst euer haue attempted such a thing without the silent consent of his Excellencie and that they found themselues to bee well grounded If then the sayd imprisonment were done without the knowledge and against his Excellencies authoritie why haue they not yet done iustice Hee that allowes and ratefies a fact is like vnto him that is the author This indirect proceeding against Paul Buys hath beene the cause that hee who before was held a wicked man is now reputed an innocent and that they haue done him wrong Iniustice and indignity Finally wee must remember the wise aduise of Tacitus Non vtendum esse imperio vbi legibus agipossit Wee may not vse violence where as the lawes are in force The establishing of a Councell of the treasor without the consent and contrary to the admonitions and expresse will of the Estates hath beene the more odious for that his Excellency hath appointed for chiefe thereof a man that is generally hated of all the Hollanders and not very well lik'd of the other Prouinces a man who was knowne to bee of a sodaine and violent spirit an enemy to the Estates and fit to breed diuision and iealousie betwixt a Gouernor generall and the Estates A matter as it hath well appeered since of most dangerous consequence and if hee had no other qualitie but the name of a Brabanson which all men knowe is odious to the Prouince For the ancient iealousies and quarrells which haue beene betwixt these two Prouinces And for that the Brabansons in their Prouince exclude all their neighbours from all charges honours and offices and hold them for strangers so it is that for this consideration hee should haue had respect not to discontent so many men and whole Prouinces to aduance one onely man to a charge of so great importance and so much suspected by them who feared that by his meanes they would serch into their administration past For although the sayd Councell was for many causes and reasons held most necessarie yet seeing it was so fearefull to manie they could doe no lesse then to put in pleasing Officers or at the least such as should not bee odious to all men But that which hath most offended the Estates is that besides the ordinarie and lawfull meanes which were graunted they haue consented that Ringault should practise his owne inuentions The which hath made his Excelencie vnpleasing vnto the sayd Estates and to all the marchants generally throughout all Holland and Zeeland who were reduced to that Estate as many talked of going out of the countrie rather then to liue subiect to such a tyranie as was that which Ringault would bring in vpon all the marchants For although that the breach of Edicts and proclamations doe much preiudice the State yet the course they would haue held was so odious as in the iudgement of the wise it was sufficient to make whole townes reuolt as Amsterdam Enchuysen and the greatest townes of traficke in the countrie Besides the terror which Ringaults promise strooke into them by the which hee should binde himselfe by that onelie meanes in fewe monthes to finde many millions of gold The Chancellor Leoninus was wont to say that such inuentions did neuer profit but to him and his like when as the Duke of Alua or the Gouernors haue demaunded their aduise by way of consultation Out of the which they were commonly well payd for their fees and attendance And yet such inuentions were held by them not to bee executed You may not then aduance to such charges men that are suspected and odious to all the world wee drawe out money by indirect or vnusuall meanes for the example of Ringault and of all that ensued may giue a good instruction what collour soeuer they will set vppon it for the publicke good and the execution of the lawes It hath beene formerly sayd that one of the Articles of the vnion made betwixt the Prouinces is that all shall defend and maintaine them-selues togither that they shal bee intreated a like both of the one and the other Religion and shall ioyntlie furnish meanes to make warre against their enemies And although there bee no exercise but of one Religion yet no man shal bee molested nor troubled for his conscience for that Religion is not the onelie cause of this warre but their libertie and preuiledges whereof they are so iealous as for the preseruation thereof the Chanoins Priests and other Clergie men and all the Gentlemen that were Papists in these countries haue made no difficultie to forsake the Pope and the exercise of their owne Religion and to giue place to the reformed knowing well that it was the true and onelie meanes to deliuer them from the oppression of the Spaniard And this Estate consisting thus of diuers humors and opinions especially for matter of Religion and conscience beeing accustomed to line with libertie of conscience without any molestation or disturbance hauing by the sayd contract and vnion reserued vnto themselues this libertie the which hath not hetherto beene any preiudice to the warres nor hindred the course of the reformed Religion or their deseignes and resolutions tending to the preseruation of this Noble Estate that all with one accord and a generall consent haue demaunded succors from the Queenes Maiestie of England and giuen the gouernment generall to his Excelencie And finally that it is not specefied in the treaties nor in the Commission giuen vnto his Excelencie that hee shall charge or Innouate any
there by some priuate persones without the knowledge of the councell whereby the authority of the councell of estate in the absence of his excellency was quite cut of And so the councell remayned here and the authority in England the which the estates did not hold fit nor conuenient Moreouer that in this Gouernment it seemed they did not remember how the deceased Prince of Orange of famous memory had gouerned who neuer in a frontier place made a garrison all of one nation neither was it conteyned in the treaty made with her maiesty that Englishmen should command in all the frontier townes The which was of bad consequence and not tollerable hauing beene so ill intreated and deceiued by the English Nation where-vnto the conncellor Loozen answered that they ought not to blame and condemne a whole nation for the offences and misdeeds of some priuate persons seeing that other difficulties and greater misfortunes had happened vnto the Prince of Orange especially in the time of the French who comitted other kinds of disorders his Excelence deceased hauing beene much deceiued To the which Barnevelt replyed crying out that they had beene neuer so deceiued by the french as by the English their gouernment being incompatible The which Loozen said could not be inferred hauing receiued so great fauors and benefits from her Maiesty and that he knew not wherein the said pretended deceit might consist At which words the Secretary Gilpin also said that it did not become Barnevelt to exclaime so against the nation and that he did wrong both her Maiestie and his Excelency in vsing such words the which he at the first began to denie and then began to speake of the fact againe as if that had beene the cause which moued him seeking to excuse his vndecent words But Gilpin replyed that it was not the act hee made question of but at his vndiscreet words calling if need were the Seignior of Loozen and all the Noblemen there present to bee witnesses Maister wilkes hearing these speeches which past betwixt Gilpin and Barnevelt being in French began to say that he was sorry to heare that all the fauors and benifits receiued from her Maiesty were in a manner forgotten considering the smale respect which it seemed they bare vnto her Maiesty and consequently vnto his Excelency as her Leiutenant that for a fault committed by one or two wicked persons they would blame all the Nation the which was no fit course and would breed but spleene and great inconueniences where-of hee wisht them to bee carefull and not giue her Maiesty any cause of discontentment the which would redound to their owne harme and by this course they should giue her occasion if they continued to take it in ill part and to tell them plainely of their errors And so that conference ended During this generall murmuring against the English there grew dayly factions and partialities some inclining to the Estates and to the generality of the vnited Prouinces and others to the Earle of Leicester and the English either party hauing many at their deuotion so as it seemed to tend to a diuision and a dismembring of the Prouinces or rather to a whose confusion of the generall Estate where-vpon there was a letter written by a gentleman of Germany to a friend of his to iustifie the English Nation who had beene much taxed for this trechery of Stanley and Yorke The tenor whereof followes A letter written by VVarmond of Stochelen a Gentleman of Germany to a friend of his touching the betraying of Deuenter and the fort before Zutphen SIR comming from Franckfort I arriued in these parts at the same time when as the towne of Deuenter and the fort before Zutphen were betrayed and yeelded vp vnto the enimy I assure you I found a strange alteration generally by reason of this losse and there was nothing more feared then a reuolt like vnto that which was made against the French after the enterprize of Antwerp yet such as are ill affected haue hetherto conteyned them-selues and beene content to reuenge them-selues with their tongs blaming generally all the English Nation and taxing his Excelency with a thousand reproches yea they haue beene so impudent as they haue not spared the Queene of England as if her Maiesty his Excelency and all those that are come into the Netherlands had had no other desseigne from the beginning but to ruine the country and to bring it vnder the power and oppression of the King of Spaine And it seemes these euill spirits haue layd hold of this occasion to vomit out their poyson against them who had neuer before giuen them any subiect of reproch Without doubt Sir I beleeue that such as are wise iuditious and well affected to the preseruation of Religion and of their liberties are not the authors of this scandalous brute but there bee the papists and such as are spaniolized and the spies and pentioners of the King of Spaine who by this meanes would distaste the people from seeking any more assistance from her Maiestie and reduce them to that poynt wheere-vnto they were once brought at his Excelencies comming into these Countries which is to make an accord with the King of Spaine But that which hath seemed most strange vnto mee is that all men in generall are so amazed as if this Estate were ruined and that the losse of these places whereof the one hath not bââ¦ene ours foure monthes and the other was well assured should draw after it the ruine of all the rest and as if neuer heretofore any place of importance had beene lost and finally as if there were no hope left to recouer this losse vpon the enemie To conclude in an instant all that were affected to the English partie were so terrefied and grewe so cold as they would willingly haue giuen eare to any practises or new inuentions to preserue themselues without England or at the least without Englishmen but not without their Angells the which they knew well they could not want but aboue all to free themselues of his Excelencie as of him who had beene the cause of the losse of these two places and might in time procure the ruine of all the rest Yea some haue beene so audatious as to say in open Councell of State that the Netherlands had neuer beene so much deceiued by the French as they were at this present by the English writing letters vnto her Maiestie and to his Excelencie full of reproch and discontentment seeking to bring his Excelencie into disgrace with her Maiestie Doubtlesse Sir wee must confesse that the losse of these two places is not small for that the countrie of the Veluwe is in danger to bee spoyled by the enemie but who can denie that it hath not beene in the like Estate of late years euen vnto September last that the fort before Zutphen was taken by the English forces and the towne of Deuenter assured Who will say that the Veluwe is much indomaged
of Rine The Duke of Cleues and Iuliers aduised Ernest of Bauaria Bishoppe of Cologne and Leige to make a friendly accord with Schenck or at the least to gette more time to make preparation to beseege it that he should make a truce with him As touching an accord which was propounded by the Duke of Cleaues commissioners Schenck would willingly haue giuen eare vnto it except some poynts concerning the contribution But it seemed vnto Bishop Ernest that this accord would bee some blemish to his reputation authority and greatnesse and that there-by hee should incense the King of Spaine so as nothing was done desiring rather to call the Duke of Parma to his succors to his great charge and his subiects ruine who afterwards sent the Prince of Chymay to beseege it as we shall here The second of December some of the Estates men surprized Ville-woord two Leagues from Brussells the which they spoyled but being scituated in the champian country and not able to keepe it they abandoned it in their retreat some lewd persons seâ⦠fire of it so as many houses were burnt The Queene of England being importuned by the king of Spaine to make a peace who vnder this pretext sought to lul her a sleepe vntill that his sea army were all redy was resolued to giue eare therevnto and to enter into some conference with his Deputies the place of their assembly being appointed at Bourbroue in Flanders and to that end she sent in October past vnto the generall estates of the vnited Prouinces Doctor Herbert one of her Maisters of request and Ioachim Ortels agent in England for the said estates to vnderstand their disposition and resolution toward a peace giuing them charge to protest openly that either they must send their Deputies with hers to treat of a peace or else she would call backe her troups into England The Estates hauing assembled all the Nobility gentlemen and townes not-with-standing all forraigne and home-bred troubles the mutinies of their soldiars ciuill factions and the threats of the great Spanish Armado which they were well informed was comming with so great a power waighing all circomstances with a constant and firme resolution they absolutly reiected all treaties of peace with the enemy And although they had giuen the Queenes Ambassadors a very resolute answer yet this yeare 1588. they sent Sebastian Loze and Leonard Cazembroot two councellors of estate vnto her Maiesty to disswade her from all treaty of peace for the which these were partly their reasons That in respect of her Maiesties honor they were to conforme themselues to any thing that should be pleasing vnto her yet they thought it fit to aduertise and fore-warne her that she could not expect any firme and assured peace from the king of Spaine being the head of the holy league which all former acts contracts doe plainely testefie for there is no disposition in the King of Spaine to yeeld to the free excercise of the reformed relligion wherfore they besought her Maiesty to surcease al treaties of peace for a while saying that time would soone teach them more experience desiring to know what conditions the Duke of Parma propounded and what her Maiesty pourposed to demaund on their behalfes and how shee ment to proceed touching the ancient alliances betwixt her Kingdome and the Netherlands Moreouer it was to be considered that the Estates of the vnited Prouinces were not to be held so poore nor desperate in regard of their power and willingnes to raise necessary contributions for the common defence of the country seeing that in the said Prouinces during the espace of two yeares whilest the Earle of Liecester was gouernor they had leuied foure score hundred thousand gilders which amounts to eight hundred thousand pounds starling onely for the extraordinary charges of casuall warre by sea and by land and that the Prounices being well and orderly gouerned were able not only to contribute the like summes but to rayse more so as they had no reason to despaire of the successe of their affaires In regard of the scituation and strength of the Prouinces which are vnited that there is no country in the world stronger then it hauing yet aboue sixty townes and forts able to resist the enemies forces where by they were not afraide of the enemies approch neither yet doubted to make head against him wherefore their countries cause was not to be held desperate As for the diuisions and factions that were within the said Prouinces they would presently cease the treaty of peace being broken of and that her Maiesties resolution might be openly deliuered that for the mayntayning and preseruing of those countries in vnity and concord she would appoint some Nobleman of quality according to the contract which they had made with her to gouerne the same and obseruing all good order to yeeld vnto euery one his due according to his office and authority which hetherto had not beene done and was the fountayne of all mistaking The treatie of peace would bring with it a despaire both in the maintaining of religion and pollicie and an abandoning of the country by the best Inhabitants and among such as are not yet well grounded and setled in religion a kinde of suspition and falling from the Church of God And they of the Romish religion should bee thereby the more imboldned and dayly fortified Many of the reformed religion and good common-weales men would presently make difficultie to contribute their money as thinking ready money their best marchandise to take with them when they shall bee forced to forsake the country And they of the Romish religion would refuse and hinder the contribution there-by to presse them to a peace The chiefe Collonels Captaines and Soldiers both by sea and land would bee the worse paide and would feare that a peace being concluded they would be little esteemed and for that cause they would practise priuate mutinies and treasons to purchase the enemies fauour and to get what money they could to the apparent losse of many frontier townes and fortes The prouinces and townes that are most diuided and in contention one with the other and haue alwaies beene so would now by procurement of the enemie in case it happened seeke their priuate reconciliations not-with-standing all promises what-so-euer made by them to the contrary Through the apparent disorder of men of warre the ceasing of contribution with many other inconueniences which might happen the common people would bee drawne into disobedience and the affaires of the countrie brought in question the which although she would cease all speech of peace her Maiestie should not be able to preuent neither by her owne nor by the Estates authority so as the enemy should haue meanes to prescribe what conditions he pleased A peace being once concluded yea with the fairest and best conditions the one halfe of those that are best resolued in religion would go out of the country and the rest
inscription Frangimur si collidimur If we strike one against another we breake Thus the disorders and diuisions began some-what to decrease the Lord Willoughby being a good well minded Noble-man had at that time appeased the controuersie in Naerden and labored to do the like in Vtrecht which the Estates seemed desirous to requite preparing their shippes of warre for the common seruice of her Maiestie and the country against the comming of the Spanish fleete and more-ouer the which was more then the Queene her selfe desired they agreed to take vp a thousand saylers in the Netherlands for her Maiesties seruice We haue before made mention how that the Queene of England had very earnnestly prest the vnited Prouinces not onely by the Earle of Leicester but also by her Ambassadors to ioyne with her in the treatie of a peace and what reasons had moued her notwithstanding their resolute deniall to proceed therein and to attempt it whilest that the comming of this great armie of Spaine was bruted ouer all Europe To which end shee sent her Commissioners on the foure and twenty of February 1588. to Ostend which was then kept by an English garrison vnder the gouernment of sir Iohn Conway The Commissioners names were Henry Earle of Darby the Baron of Cobham Lord warden of the cinq Ports both Knights of the garter Sir Iames a Croft Knight Comptroller of the Queenes house and all three of her Maiesties priuie councell Doctor Dale and Maister Iohn Rogers both Maisters of Requests For the Duke of Parma and in the Kings name were sent Maximilian Earle of Aremberg Knight of the treasury and gouernor of Antwerpe Monsieur Richardot President of Arthois councellor for the State and of the priuie councell Iohn Mace Doctor of the lawe Councellor and Aduocate fiscall in the councell of Brabant and Blaminius Greiner Secretary of the councell of Estate these came to Bruges in March after where by messengers sent from one to another there was a long disputation about the precedence and where they should meete and whether hostages should bee giuen of eyther side for their securities after which they mette in certaine Tents set vp vnder Ostend where the Spaniards gaue the English the precedence After three moneths question the English yeelded to goe to Bourbrough in Flanders without any hostages where vpon the sixt of Iuly they began to enter into treaty Among many propositions and disputations on both sides touching the Spanish Commission and other things the Queene of Englands demands were To haue a present truce or surceasing of armes being thought necessary for both sides thereby to stay and diuert the comming of the Spanish fleete which the Spanish Comissioners seemed to incline vnto seeking to perswade them that it was not intended for England More-ouer they demanded the renuing of old contracts and intercourses the sending away of forraine gouernors and soldiers out of the Netherlands for the Queenes owne safety and the restitution of such summes of money as the Queene had lent vnto the Estates of those Prouinces the which the King had promised in his perpetuall Edict made at Brussells For the Netherlanders they demanded that they might enioy their ancient liberties and priuiledges bee gouerned by their naturall borne country-men and not by Strangers that there might be a tolleration of religion for two yeares at the least and in the meane time the religion to be ordred and established by the Estates and that the articles of the pacification of Gant and of other treaties might be obserued And as concerning the townes that were in her Maiesties hands they said that the foresaid articles being concluded her Maiestie would yeeld vnto any reasonable conditions that all the world might know she had not taken those townes into her possession for her owne vse and commodity nor for increase of her dominions but onely for her necessary defence and assurance c. The King of Spaines Commissioners made answer to these propositions that they were content to revew the contracts but it would aske a long time and therefore they desired to proceed to the concluding of a peace Touching the sending away of strange soldiers the King could not resolue thereon vntill that the Hollanders and their associates did submit them and so long as the Frenchmen were in armes Concerning the money lent they said the King was not informed thereof and that hee must first see the accoumpt Touching the priuiledges of the Netherlands the Queene had not to doe there-with and that there was no reason to prescribe the King a lawe how he should gouerne his subiects Concerning religion and the exercise thereof the King would not heare of it but was content to grant a tolleration such as he had allowed vnto the townes that had submitted them-selues vnder his obedience As for the pacification of Gant they would not heare it named for that the Prince of Orange and the Estates by whom it was made were the first that brake it as they sayd Wherevnto the English commissioners replied that the contracts might be renued by prouiso and afterwards reformed or made better by Commissioners appointed by both parties for the sending away of forraine souldiers it was the onely cause that had mooued her Maiestie to enter into the treatie fore-seeing the dangers incident there-vnto if strangers should continue still in the Netherlands the which remayning in that estate the Queene for her owne safety and assurance could not leaue armes nor the Netherland Prouinces be assured of any peace as long as the forraine soldiars were within the country Touching the money which the Queene had lent and that she then demanded from the Estates the King him-selfe was bownd for it by his Edict made at Brusselles as well for that which was lent vnto them before the said edict as for that which was sence or that should be lent yet the Queene sought not that mony from the King but onely that the Estates might haue liberty from him to collect mony for the paiment thereof concerning the priuiledges of the contry her Maiesty said she had a speciall interest therein first in regard of Neighborhood Secondly for that she was especially nominated in seuerall pacifications and thirdly for that it was not possible for her subiects and Merchants to enioy their preuiledges in the Netherlands vnlesse the Prouinces them-selues were allowed the same so as her Maiesty should haue iust cause to complaine if those preueledges were denied them which had beene agreed vnto by the pacification of Gant the perpetuall Edict made at the reconciliation of Arthois and Henault and generally consented vnto at the treaty of peace made in Collogne by the Duke of Terranoua at the intercession of the Emperor and the Duke of Cleaues and if the Netherland Prouinces might not be gouerned by such as were borne in the country there was no hope to bring them to any good and firme peace And for the point
King that all would go to ruine in the Netherlands if speedy remedie were not had especially then when as he was ready to go to ayd the League in France therfore he thought it not fit to leaue such backe-biters comptrollers behinde him in the Countrie so as he obtained leaue to send Champigni out of the Netherlands the which he put in practise with no small rigour commaunding him to dislodge out of the Netherlands and to retyre into Burgongne within a very short time Champigni asking him the reasons why the duke answered to teach your tongue to keepe silence your pen to write better so as no intreaty nor intercession of his friendes could preuaile nor the indisposition of his body beeing scarse able to trauaile desiring that hee might rather continue in some Cloyster of Capuchins or Iesuits but all was in vaine and so hee was forced to liue a banished man in Bourgongne so long as the Duke of Parma liued The Duke seeing him-selfe maligned and slandered by them that were and ought to be neere his person to iustefie all his actions as they of Arthois and Henault were more affected vnto him then vnto any other Spaniard that might aspier vnto the gouerment he sent the said Richardot presideÌt of Arthois into Spaine vnto the king to answer in his name to al obections and slanders wherwith they had filled the Kings eares and to bring back a continuation of the dukes coÌmission in his gouernment of the Netherlands in despite of his enemies Whilest that Richardot was in Spaine the duke went the eight of May toward the Spawe as we haue said for his indisposition his seruants and other Italiens complayning openly at the Spawe that the Spaniards had drest their maister in that manner hauing his belly and legges sowlne The Duke of Parma being much distasted both of Spaine and Spaniards he wanted no remembranceââ¦s to put him in minde of the Kings displeasure being charged to haue beene the cause of the bad successe of the Kings Army and that great Princes doe not easely forgiue nor forget conceyued displeasures and that it were better for him to looke to himselfe and following Machauells councell rather make him-selfe Lord of the country wherevnto hee had good reason to aspire in regard of the Spaniards hatred towards him and the wrong which was done to his sonne Raynutius touching the crowne of Portugal whervnto he had better title as they said then the king himself And that if he would attempt any thing in the Netherlands whether it were with the title of Soueraigne or as Protector or Lieutennant thereof he should want no friends within the contry nor wel-willers without it as France England and the vnited Prouinces themselues with whome secret treaties might be made whereby the Netherlands on the other side might obtaine a good and free enter course of trafficke for the good of the whole country for as then hee had to many ouerseers both before behind and round about him it being well fore-seene long before by the councell of Spaine hauing therein taken example by the procedings of Don Iohn of Austria Others thought hee would defer the execution of his desseigns till after the death of the King of Spaine being very old and that the house of Farnese was wont to be subtill and couetous inough yet alwaies warie and very circomspect But the King granting his desire and at the last sending for the Duke of Pastrana into Spaine he was well satisfied And for that the King was fully resolued to ayde the Leaguers in France at Richardots returne out of Spaine hee recommended that busines vnto him as the fittest man for that action and he for his part resolued to vndergo the charge being a fit meanes to purchase more honor and for that cause hee made all the hast he could sending both men and money to the frontire townes and gathering an army together in Arthois wherein La mot had the cheefest charge who not long before in April thought to haue surprized Ostend by the secret intelligence with some of the soldiars but hee fayled of his purpose where-vpon the garison of Berghen vp Zoome with that of Ostend and others spoyled Gramont or Geecsbergh On the twenty of September the duke of Parma went from Spawe to Aken or Aix la Chapelle three leagues of hauing three companies of horse with him there he was honorably entertained and presented with diuers guifts In that towne hee did visit the cheefe relicks which are Iosephs breeches the virgine Maries smocke the sheete wherein Iohn Baptist was buried Charlemagnes chaire and some other petty ones and from thence he went to Bins to bee neerer vnto the frontiers of France This sommer Berke was beseeged by the Duke of Parmas forces Collonel Schencke came in the end of Iuly with many shippes to releeue it with victualls mounting vp the riuer within a league of the towne from whence hee carried such store of victualls and munition as they had neede of by land and entred safely there-with into the towne Cont William Lewis of Nassau Gouernor of Freezland for the Estates was daily at warres with Verdugo Gouernor of Groning for the King of Spaine to whose aide the Duke of Parma sent seauen Companies of foote and three of horse the which marched through the Country of Westphalia and the Conty Vander-Lippe and so to enter into East Friseland and then into the countrie of Groning Colonel Schenck being aduerised of the course they held hauing gathered together all the men he could out of the garrisons of Gelderland he went attended these troupes vpon the heath or plaines which they call Lipper-heyde where hee defeated them and put them to rout taking from them all the money which they had brought to pay the garrison of Groning and other neere places which the King held in those parts of Friseland Schenck victualled Berck and defeated these troupes in lesse then eight daies about the beginning of August The third day after his victory beeing fortefied with all the forces hee could get carrying a splene to them of Nymeghen he went from his sconcse called the Bril or Vossenhole lying by Tolhuys and sailed along the riuer of Wahal that hee might come to Nymeghen by night hauing sent his horsemen by land It was a very still night and the tyde very high so as they could not aduance much with their ships being vnfit to rowe and they came on so slowly as day began to breake The Punts or smaler vessells for that they went with owers came on first and gaue an alarum to the towne so as the Bourgers and some souldiars went to armes wherevpon Schenck not staying for the rest resolued to giue an attempt before it was day and landed by the Maie-gate then presently taking two Rammes which he had brought he went to Saint Anthonies gate the which although it were very strong hee brake open
violence by murthering spoyling burning and other execrable actions against the territories and subiects of the empire as also in changing and altering of lawes policies and religion which proceedings should be displeasing vnto the archduke yet they keepe still the townes of the empire in their possession and bragge that they haue gotten a great victorie against the forces of the empire as it may be sufficiently prooued hauing no intent to yeeld vp the said townes so vsurped but to hold them for their owne vse and commoditie Moreouer it was neuer more apparant than at this present that the Spaniards and their adherents designe is perpetually to disturbe and subuert the Estates rights and priuiledges of the Netherlands and vtterly to ruine them to the vnspeakable preiudice of all neighbour kings princes and common weals but especially of the Estates of the empire whom they seeke to ouerrule to keep the archduke with the Infanta their heires in perpetuall subiection not allowing them authoritie to yeeld any thing vnto the petitions of the Netherlands and the inhabitants thereof concerning the Catholike religion and other principall points belonging to the wel fare of the same We shal not need to speake of the letters by the which it is agreed that alwaies foure or more of the chiefe townes or forts in the Netherlands shall haue Spanish garrisons in them nor yet of the secret aduice giuen by the late deceased king of Spaine vnto the king that now is shewing by what meanes hee may alwaies take occasion to regaine the Netherlands but it shall suffice to produce the said pretended donation whereby the archduke the Infanta and their successors haue for euer promised and bound themselues by oath to follow the wills and appetites of the Spaniards not onely in regard of the freedomes rights and priuiledges of these countries but also for the disposition of the succession of the Netherlands the protection and bringing vp of their heires by the Spaniards and the power and prerogatiue which the kings of Spaine will haue to dispose of them and their childrens mariages or to giue in mariage to whom they please to hold the Netherlands of them in chiefe and to restraine them from their free nauigation and trading by sea and all and euery of these points vpon forfeiture of the same adding hereunto that they and their heires shall be bound to hold and maintaine the catholike Romish religion vpon the like penaltie as doth plainely appeare by the articles of the said donation hereunto annexed so as there is small reason for the emperours Maiestie the empire or these prouinces if they will maintaine their respectiue freedomes priuiledges and religion to enter into any treatie of peace with the archduke considering the late rigorous proceedings both in the Netherlands and vpon the frontiers of the empire And it is manifest that the treatie not long since made betweene the Queene of England the Spaniards and the archduke was according to their old manner vnder colour of a treatie to effect some further designe as the armie sent of late yeares out of Spaine to inuade England doth sufficiently witnesse as also in August last the like should haue beene done if almightie God by his grace had not diuerted that pretence forcing them to employ that fleet to follow our ships of warre which were then sent out vpon the coast of Spaine Besides the archduke and the Infanta haue such great spirits as notwithstanding they cannot pretend any right to the vnited prouinces by the said gift or by any other title yet by their proclamations they publish hold them for rebels actions vnworthie of so great princes the which can neuer bee forgotten Touching the second point wee hope not onely by presentation but actually to haue made manifest our iust and true intents vnto the emperours maiestie the princes electors and the Estates of the empire so as it seemeth strange to vs wee should be further molested and troubled for that wee seeke to bring our common enemie to reason and to abate his pride By these and many other reasons it may be thought vnnecessarie that for the preseruation of the honor of the emperors maiestie and of the whole empire your lordships should come hither to treat of the said points which wee also thinke not fit wherefore wee haue not sent you any pasport to that end hoping that the emperour and the Estates of the empire hauing seene these our letters will conceiue our meanings herein which is that wee hereby desire to ease your lordships of the paines and trouble which you may indure in this iourney humbly beseeching the emperours maiestie and your honours to haue a good conceit of vs and to aduance the cause of the Netherlands wherein the welfare of the emperour the seruice of the empire and our good consisteth and we will not faile alwaies to acknowledge and requite the same vnto the honours c. Dated in the Hage the seauenth of December 1599. This letter beeing deliuered to the emperours embassadours they returned an answer on the 8 of December as followeth Right honourable wee haue receiued your letters and vnderstand by the contents therof that you are informed ex relatione aliorum of our comming and of the effect of our embassage wee must confesse that touching the restitution of places belonging vnto the holy empire and the dammages receiued thereby we haue especiall charge to sollicite both parties in all friendly manner but concerning the other point it is not intended that we by the emperours commandement should enter into any new treaty of peace with you but onely for the furtherance of a treatie which was begun at Regsensborgh in the yeare 1594 the which the princes electors and the electors of the Estates of the empire referred to some other conuenient time And concerning the other points contained in your letters and copies touching the doubts risen betweene the kings Maiestie of Spaine and the Netherlands to the great dishonour and preiudice of all Christendome experience hath taught vs to iudge thereof as time and occasion shall serue And although wee haue commission from the emperours maiestie our gratious lord and soueraigne prince to treat with either partie yet you may assure your selues the emperours maiestie the princes electors and other Estates of the empire know how to remedie the wrongs done both by the Spaniards for their parts and by you of the vnited prouinces not to free the empire but also the oppressed members thereof from all vnneighbourly force and inuasion yet his Maiestie at the earnest request of the princes electors and Estates of the empire hath thought good to impose this commission vpon vs as your honours at our comming shall vnderstand more at large And although according to these our instructions gratiously giuen vs by the emperour we may not as it seemes by your letters be heard at this time nor allowed to shew theÌ vnto the general Estates yet we
the generall Estates assembled at Brussels the which the archduke would not allow for that the vnited prouinces had written vnto the chiefe townes in Brabant and Flanders aduertising them of certaine designes of the archdukes which letters were discouered by some of them vnto the archduke whereupon he did forbid the receiuing of any such letters commanding they should bee brought sealed vnto him which bred certaine iealousies and distrusts for that many had giuen him aduice not to suffer the generall Estates to assemble who without doubt would propound such matters vnto him as he should be forced to yeeld vnto them the which might be some blemish to his honour and reputation whereof they of Holland had intelligence by certaine letters which had beene intercepted whereof they did aduertise the rest so as the assembly of the generall Estates would not be tollerated yet euerie prouince assembled apart in their owne iurisdictions Out of Brabant they sought to haue three hundred thousand gulderns which at the first the bishops and prelats in the name of the whole clergie flatly denied vntill they did see better order in the gouernment and better discipline among the soldiers They of Brussels refused to pay chimny mony and so did they of Flanders but there was some hope of a peace and to that end certein articles of peace were dispersed abroad as if they had come from the king of Spain and at that time there were both letters and embassadours sent to the Hage in Holland It was also reported that the marquesse Spinola at his comming into Spain had 300 thousand gulderns a moneth promised him by the king with other summes of money to pay the mutynous soldiers and for the entertainment of the archdukes court wherewith the Estates and the common people were put in good comfort so contented themselues for a time The archduke with the helpe he had from the prouinces that were vnder his command and by means of certaine bils of exchange that were come vnto him he began to make preparation for the warre for the yeare following the which was very great making new leuies of soldiers both in Spain Naples Milain Germany the Wallon prouinces as also in England Scotland Ireland which according to the treaty of peace made with England might not be denied him The vnited prouinces began also to thinke vpon their preparations for that vpon the 16 of October past the councell of estate had informed the generall Estates what was to be done concerning the wars desiring that an armie might bee sent to field in the beginning of the nextspring wherby they might fortifie such places as they had gotten in Flanders as also that some course might be taken for the payment of all their arrerages of debts the which could not be discharged the yeare before for that their receits were lesse than their disbursements and therefore they were growne indebted the which must necessarily be paied and although their great charge for the defence of Oostend then ceased yet they must fortifie their places in Flanders and pursue their victorie keeping the enemy occupied with an army in field who gaue out that they would inuade the vnited prouinces with two armies together wherefore they desired that the ordinary taxation of the 7 prouinces might bee collected in the which three parts of Gelderland with Buren and Zutphen were accounted for one prouince They also required 600 thousand gulderns extraordinary for wagons and horses to draw them and other charges of the armie for six months with three hundred thousand gulderns for the fortifications That Ardenbourg was to be fortified with nine sconces lying about Coxie Cathalyne Oostbourg and one by the house of Weelde and a halfe-moone consisting of three bulwarks before Sluce with diuers other small sconces for the which they demaunded three hundred thousand gulderns and for warehouses and other necessaries for them other three hundred thousand gulderns They required also three hundred thousand gulderns for the payment of the interest wherewith the Receiuer generall stood charged There was a demand of 4 stiuers vpon euery barrel of beere to be paied by them that drew it and twenty stiuers vpon euery barrell of salt towards the payment of the money due to the king of England as also to haue consideration of the general interest and that they would continue the conuoyââ¦s licences To aid the admiralty with 400 thousand gulderns which they were in arrerages notwithstanding all booties and prizes That they would consent vnto 8000 gulderns for Drenthe and 1300 gulderns a moneth for Linghen all reparations to be therein contained That the impost for salt should be paied by the panman with the pasports and conuoyes and the money comming thereof to be collected into one purse That the contributions of Holland and Zeeland shold be collected and the mony brought in before December and that the prouinces might not be brought into any arrerages To this end vpon the first of Nouember the Estates sent vnto the prouinces to gather the monthly contribution as followeth viz. of Gelderland Zutphen monthly 28286 gulderns 2 stiuers 7 deniers of Holland 337646 gulderns 4 stiuers 8 deniers Zeeland 83029 gulderns 4 stiuers 5 deniers Vtrecht 35131 gulderns 18 stiuers 7 deniers Frizeland 69721 gulderns 16 stiuers 11 deniers Oueryssel 16770 gulderns 1 stiuer 8 den Groningue 39271 gulderns 16 stiuers 2 deniers Drenthe 5368 gulderns 4 stiuers Linghen 2792 gulderns 6 stiuers 8 deniers Wedde 350 gulderns All which amounts not accounting Drenthe nor Linghen vnto 609877 gulderns 7 stiuers and 2 deniers which is the ordinary contribution of the vnited Estates monthly not accounting the admiralty nor other forcible impositions vpon extraordinary causes so as it seemed the vnited prouinces had resolued to make an offensiue warre the next yeare and to that end they raised 100 new companies of foot more than they had in pay before with 36 cornets of horse besides they had contracted with the marquesse of Auspach for 1000 Dutch reisters to bee newly leuied They did also expect great aide from the French king they of France aduising them to go early to field with 170 or 200 companies of foot and 36 or 40 cornets of horse that they might attempt something before the marquesse Spinola were ready And this was their designe for the yeare following This winter and the precedent there were great means made to procure a peace in the Netherlands especially by the emperour and the house of Austria who did affect it the more in regard of the diuision of the empire and the rather for that France and England had now abandoned the vnited prouinces but especially for that the empire was much troubled with the Turkish warres the which might be aided by the soldiers of both parties if they could be once reconciled the let whereof was imputed to the vnited prouinces for the archduke seemed tractable and willing to yeeld to any reasonable conditions
learne the scituation and humors of diuers particuler places and persons and to bee instructed therein the which as some men thought shoulde alwayes bee a very greate aduantage for them whether this Treatie of peace tooke any effect or not Many men here-vppon made diuers strange discourses thinking it to bee contrary to the Estates former gouernement to suffer an enemie yea and a chiefe Commaunder of the enemies sorces and Armies to enter in that sort into the heart of the countrey there to discouer both the vnitie and dissention strength and weakenesse the consent of the people to the gouernement and their detraction from the same and that thereby they had meanes giuen them to incite diuers euill affected persons to reuolt from them Others were of opinion that it was a great ouersight committed by the Estates to enter into a treatie concerning so great and weighty a matter with such Deputies as were bound vnto such instructions from the which they might by no meanes varie and that they ought not knowing it before hand in any wise to deale with them But the Estates of the vnited Prouinces being better acquainted with their owne affaires then other men thought it their best course thinking that the curiositie of the common people was not so great as in regarde thereof they should neglect their duties for the defence of the countrie And to the end that the vnited Prouinces might make the better vse and reape the more benefit by the said treatie and thereby preserue their estate long before the comming of the sayd Deputies they made diuerse motions vnto the Ambassadors of France and England to the end that their maisters might enter into an assured and firme defensiue vnion tending to the vpholding and maintenance of peace if it should so fall out that it were concluded and agreed vpon and the freedome of the countries and on the other side to ayde and assist one another if the said peace should not bee obserued or that it were broken by the Spaniards or the Archdukes meanes which the sayd Ambassadors certified vnto their Princes and to that end vpon the three and twentith of Ianuary there was a league made betweene the French and the aforesaid generall Estates containing diuerse meanes and conditions whereby they might ayde one the other if the said peace were made and after that broken either by the King of Spaine or the Archdukes The second of February Prince Maurice with diuerse Lords and Gentlemen went to salute and welcome Marquis Spinola and the rest of the Deputies with many complements after that the generall Estates of the vnited Prouinces went also to congratulate their comming at which time they onely vsed a ceremoniall kinde of welcomming them and so departed presently againe After that the French Ambassadors went to salute Marquis Spinola in his Chamber at whose comming to the sayd Chamber the rest of the Deputies went to the Chamber doore to meete them who hauing saluted the sayd Marquis and the rest and taking their leaue each of other the Marquis himselfe accompanied them to the Chamber doore and so left them causing the rest of the Deputies to bring them to the streete doore of his lodging where their Coaches attended them which the French Ambassadors disliked thinking that the Marquis did it as if hee thought him-selfe of greater state then they in regarde of his place The same day also the Ambassadors of England went to visite and welcome him whome hee in like manner receiued intertained and suffered to depart which they also disliked The next daye after hee was saluted by the Ambassadors of Denmarke of the Palsgraue of the Marquis of Brandenburgh and other The third of February the Archdukes Deputies inuited Earnest and Iohn Earle of Nassaw the young Earle of Hohenloe the Lord of Chastillion Iustinus of Nassaw Captaine Bax and diuerse others to dine with them where they were honorably intertained and feasted and the same day after dinner they went to the Court to salute Prince Maurice and his brother with William Earle of Nassaw where there past many congratulations and complements betweene hem from thence they went to see the French Ambassadors in the President Ianins lodging who receiued them at the doore of their Chamber and at their departure conducted them to the doore againe and from thence caused them to bee accompanied by Monsieur de Russy to the streete doore where their Coaches attended them They also went to salute the Ambassadors of England at Sir Richard Spencers lodging who also in like manner receiued them at the entery of his Chamber and when they departed brought them no further as the French Ambassadors had done before each shewing thereby that their Princes were of no lesse Maiestie then the King of Spaine to whose Deputies they were not to yeelde in any point of preheminence The fourth of February Iohn van Burgh Landt-Vooght of Hessen Ambassador for the Lantgraue of Hessen came to the Hage to assist the Estates in their sayde Treatie with the rest of the Ambassadors who with in few dayes after had audience of the generall Estates to whome hee deliuered the great loue and affection which his maister bare vnto the sayd Estates Marquis Spinola during the time of his aboade in the Hage was most sumptouously serued and attended on in his house In his dining chamber there stoode two stately great Candlesticks of siluer the which standing vppon the flower before the table which reached much higher then any mans head in the which at night they sette great waxe candles that gaue light ouer all the table At his meales hee was serued with a rich cupboord of plate his Chamber was richly hanged with cloth of Arras and the like Carpets on his boord and in his Chamber there was a cloth of Estate by the Table but hee satt not vnder it and alwayes when hee went to dinner or supper all his Plate with other siluer ornaments were brought forth as if it had beene a Goldsmiths shoppe At noone at night hee suffered euery man that would to come into his house that they might see him as hee satte at his meate and euery day there was Masse saide openly in his house wherevnto euery man that woulde might resort vsing as greate state as if hee had beene a mighty Prince And although many men were of opinion that it was dangerous example to suffer so great a resort of people to flocke about his house yet the States would not in any sort seeme to hinder or lette the same whether it were for that they would minister no occasion of dislike or offence vnto him therein or for that they esteemed not thereof thinking it a matter of small importance to preiudice them or their Estate The generall Estates of the vnited prouinces thinking it time to enter into the treatie of peace or truce which was intended vppon the fourth of February they sent to Marquis Spinola and the rest
and the archdukes perceiuing that they could not bring that poynt touching the trade to the Indies to any end or good conclusion at the last they declared That they would conclude vpon a truce to bee made for certaine yeares and that to the same end and purpose they were content to proceed to some other articles and in the meane time to bee doing therewith or with any of the other poynts Whereupon the deputies for the Estates of the vnited prouinces made a motion to haue all the points and articles set downe at one time which on both sides might be propounded concerning that treatie But they made answer That it was both inconuenient and vnreasonable to be done as also that they were neither warranted willing nor prepared thereunto and that some of them commended the making of peace with Fraunce and England which was not any part of their charge but that they were readie to deale with other poynts and to treat of them one after another as it is vsually done in all such treaties and that following that order and common rule they were content to deale with the points of limitation of their borders on either side touching free commerce and traffique in the prouinces of the Netherlands and for the restitution of goods and lands seized vpon on either side and those beeing determined and dispatched to proceed vnto other points Whereunto answer was made them by the Estates deputies That on the Estates behalfes there was nothing offered nor propounded that was vnreasonable or inconuenient concerning the deliuering vp of all the articles which were to bee propounded on both sides so that the Estates for their parts to fulfill them were readie and to deliuer all the articles that might bee demaunded yet not intending thereby to exclude or debarre each other from propounding any more articles that might bee or were necessarie to bee intreated of touching the peace which they vnderstood should bee free and at either of their choyces but onely that they might vnderstand what would be propounded and demaunded on either side Whereupon the king and the archdukes deputies tooke time to consider thereof and for that day departed seeking thereby as it seemed on both sides to get some aduantage one of the other that the most politike might giue better instructions therein vnto their fellow deputies for that some of them were of opinion That it would bee a great furtherance vnto them to know before hand what their aduerse partie meant to propound touching the said treatie The seuenth of March the deputies met in counsell againe where after many protestations that it should bee no preiudice vnto either partie touching any thing that should bee produced or found necessarie to bee propounded and conferred of betweene them but that either of them might notwithstanding remaine in the same estate they were at the last the Estates deputies for their parts deliuered eight and twentie points or articles which they as then propounded and the deputies for the king of Spaine and the archdukes seuen The articles propounded by the Estates were set downe as plainely as they might bee done thereby declaring their intent with vpright and true Netherlanders hearts that their aduerse parties might plainely and manifestly vnderstand their meanings But the seuen articles deliuered vp by marquesse Spinola and his fellow deputies who peraduenture dealt more warily than the deputies for the Estates of the vnited prouinces were obscure generall short and briefely set downe so as they could hardly conceiue what they meant thereby or what they would seuerally and particularly include treat of or desire of the Estates in or by the same possibly esteeming it to bee a point much tending vnto their honours that they exceeded the Estates deputies in iudgement concerning that treatie the said Estates deputies hauing giuen them all their meanings in seuerall and playne articles and they to the contrarie paying them with a number of obscure tearmes from whence few or no particularities might bee gathered And for that the reader may see what the articles on both sides were and giue his iudgement I will insert them verbatim as they were giuen foorth and the rather for that I coniecture this treatie cannot bee ended in any short time as men in the beginning did hope and expect And for that this booke cannot bee finished and concluded with the desired good and honourable peace that hath beene so long attended I will shew what each partie vnder the pretence and colour of the sayd articles produced and set downe in the sayd treatie and in what manner and how farre foorth they haue disputed and proceeded therein The articles deliuered by the deputies of the Estates of the vnited prouinces were these hereafter following 1 First for traffique and trade of merchandise to bee made on both sides in the Netherlands indifferently 2 Touching the assurance of trade and nauigation and the dependances thereof in the countries belonging vnto the king of Spaine the archdukes and the Estates 3 Renunciation of reprisals with the dependances and also for that which shal be made reprisals hereafter 4 Touching the limitation of the borders and frontiers of either side with that which dependeth thereon 5 Whether it shall presently be agreed vpon about the exchanging or demanteling and rasing of certaine forts 6 Touching the abandoning or ruining of the forts of Rodeort and Homburch and of the towne of Berck with the Weert and the forts thereabouts lying vpon the borders of the Rhine 7 The disannulling of al sentences decrees proscriptions and other acts made against the lords and others of all quarters whatsoeuer in regard of any confederations vnions religion wars and other matters thereunto belonging 8 Restitution of lordships and other lands and tenements belonging to the prince of Orange of famous memorie deceased for the contentment and satisfaction of the said princes heires not onely for that which hath beene done by the Estates of Brabant and Flanders with the towns and members of the same but also for that which is further demanded by certaine articles which prince Maurice hath giuen vnto the Estates in writing 9 Restitution of all lordships lands and tenements belonging vnto other noblemen gentlemen and all manner of men of meaner qualitie taken from them by confiscation for the causes aforesaid not onely in the Netherlands but in the dukedome of Luxembourg and the earledomes of Burgondie and Charolois with the dependances And likewise of ships that were sent out for trade of merchandise and were arrested or taken by the king of Spaine the archdukes or the Estates since the 24 of May 1607. 10 Touching order to be taken for the restitution of goods arrested either by creditors or debtors in regard of the causes aforesaid and sold to the preiudice of the said parties 11 Touching the arrerages of the rents of the lands confiscated and kept from the right owners during the wars 12 Touching the disannulling of all gifts testaments and
other such like things which in regard of confederation religion and warrs with the dependances thereof haue beene found to be made to the preiudice of any man 13 Concerning order to be taken for the paiment of debts and other charges made by the treatie of the old vnion 14 The retyring of all foreine souldiers being in seruice vnder the king of Spaine and the archdukes out of all the said archdukes countries for that without their departure out of the countrey the differences which then were to bee determined and debated could not bee ended 15 That the lawes of the Inquisition and burthening of mens consciences shall not bee vsed against saylers and merchants that goe into Spaine and other the kings and the archdukes dominions nor against any other of the inhabitants of the vnited prouinces that trauell thither and that in their ships they shall bee free to vse their owne religion and that for religion no shippes merchandises nor goods shall bee subiect to confiscation 16 That the inheritances of such as are dead intestat and such as hereafter shall die in the countries belonging to the king of Spaine the archdukes and the Estates shall come and discend vnto the right heires whether they haue continued or shall continue on the one or the other side and that euerie one shall bee held and accounted for legitimat heire according to the customes of the prouinces where the actions that shall fall in question to bee decided shall be tried 17 The antient priuiledges of townes vsed therein before the warres shall on both sides remaine firme in the same maner that they then were without any exception 18 That if any new controuersie should arise which God forbid the saylers merchants and their factors seruants and other inhabitants shal on both sides haue six moneths time freely to withdraw themselues with their ships goods and satisfaction of their debts due vnto them the time of the six monethes to begin presently after there should bee warning thereof giuen 19 That if any thing on both sides bee done or attempted against this treatie it shall be duely and fully satisfied and recompenced and yet the sayd treatie shall remaine inuiolable 20 That all prisoners on both sides shall bee set at libertie without paying any ransome 21 All ciuile actions not publikely decided shall remaine in full force and no prescription to be alledged nor allowed notwithstanding the warres 22 Assurance to bee giuen for the particular treaties made concerning the generall treatie 23 A generall and speciall renouncing derogation and assurance to be made for the keeping and holding of all and euerie point of the treatie 24 A request to bee made to the emperour and the princes of Germanie the kings of Fraunce England and Denmarke to maintaine that which shall bee agreed vpon in this treatie 25 The acknowledging of the potentates princes commonweals and townes to bee friends and allies and to be included in the treatie 26 Order to be taken about the prince of Portugals cause 27 Approbation publication and registring to be made of the treatie 28 That all such things as may be propounded for the cleere exposition of the articles on both sides shall and may be produced and allowed of The articles propounded in the behalfe of the king of Spain and the archdukes were seuen which were written in French the contents being as followeth 1 Concerning limits 2 The restitution of lands and goods 3 For traffique out of the countries 4 For vniformitie in the moneyes 5 To keepe a generall course on both sides for priuiledges and freedoms giuen to the English merchants touching traffique and trade of merchandise as otherwise 6 Concerning religion 7 Concerning the affaires of neighbour princes As soone as these articles were deliuered on both sides the king of Spaine and the archdukes deputies marking the number of the articles that were presented vnto them by the Estates deputies sayd That it would bee so tedious a worke as it could not bee finished in a short time and Richardot reading the point concerning the paiment of the debts of the vnion said Wee haue no money to pay debts for all our money is consumed in the warres The Estates deputies for their parts also finding that their aduerse partie made an expresse article touching religion and thereby remembring that the same point concerning religion was particularly specified in the Spanish procuration and all the rest mentioned in generall termes they desired the kings and the archdukes deputies to make an explication of their intent and meanings that they might know their minds therein and whether by that article they intended to compell the Estates to leaue their religion the which as beeing free Estates and countries they had or should haue and whether they thought that as yet they had any right of soueraigntie ouer those countries whereby they might prescribe them lawes or whether their meaning was vnder that article to set downe onely how the subiects on either side should behaue themselues when they should come in any place vnder their aduerse parties commaund where any other religion than that which they professe shall bee vsed But they could get no explication thereof from the sayd deputies saying That it beeing one of the last articles they would make them an exposition thereof when they came vnto it And being much vrged thereunto they sayd That they had sent a messenger into Spaine for that purpose and that they could make no explication neither of the one nor the other vntill such time as they should receiue an aunswere thereof againe or some larger commission from thence and so for that time they brake vp the counsell The Spanish and the archdukes deputies hauing in this manner gotten all the Estates articles as they were particularly set downe into their hands sought to respite and prolong the time for a while that so they might fully aduertise their princes not onely what the Estates desire and intent was touching the treatie but also of the humors of the prouinces gouernments and inhabitants therereof or as much as they had learned and vnderstood of such persons of diuers places quarters and qualities as came vnto them by meanes of the free accesse that was permitted which their intent was first discouered by certaine words and speeches cast forth by their followers and seruants and after that plainely vnderstood at their meeting made vpon the eleuenth and twelfth of March wherin much was spoken protested argued and debated touching the matter of truce the traffique into the Indies and the manner order and freedome of the traffiques to be made into the kingdomes and countries of the king of Spaine and the archdukes in Europe and after much disputation had between them Spinola and the rest of the deputies on their side desired the Estates deputies to make an article apart concerning trade and traffique into Europe and what assurance should bee giuen therein and another article concerning traffique into the Indies
English had common with the said countries might easily moderate that and therefore they should not reiect the alliance of England But there fell out another great difficultie which was the doubt of the succession to the crowne of England after the Queenes death the which might fall into the hands of the Queene of Scotland although shee were then a prisoner and that shee beeing of the Romish religion and wonderfully affected to the king of Spaine might deliuer vp the said countries into his hands and withall they could not ground any firme assurance vpon the king of Scotland Whereas on the other side the succession of the crowne of France was more assured vnto them seeing that after the kings death it fell to the king of Nauarre a prince making profession of the reformed religion besides France had more means power to defend these countries against the Spaniard And that by this confederation they should be in perpetuall friendship with all their neighbors And althogh the king were not of the protestants religion yet would he giue offices to protestants and other good countrimen whereby the countrie the churches and their religion should remaine in peace and rest All this beeing well debated by the generall Estates and the councell of estate they resolued to offer themselues absolutely to the French king with the best conditions they could deuise and agree vpon without any restriction or reseruation that Holland and Zeeland had beene formerly giuen to the prince of Orange and his heires as it had beene concluded with the duke of Aniou the which had bred iealousie as some said betwixt him and the prince and had beene the cause of the error which was committed by the said duke in Antuerpe the seauenteenth day of Ianuarie two yeares before Finally after long deliberations and consultations there were deputed by the generall Estates and the chiefe noble men of the said prouinces the third of Ianuarie 1585 twelue men of account for the dutchie of Brabant doctor Iunius bourgmaster of Antuerpe and Quentin Taffin Seignior of la Pree for the dutchie of Gueldte the Seignior of Oyen and doctor Elbert Leonin called Longolius chancellor of Gueldres for the countie of Holland Arnold van Dorp Seignior of Maesdam for Zeeland Ieams Valck for the Seigniorie of Vtrecht N. de Menin and for that which remained yet in the countie of Flanders Noel Caron Seignior of Schoonwall for them of Brussels who were then distressed Arssees keeper of the seale of Brabant to the which there was adioyned in the behalfe of the Estates the Seignior of Lamouillene and for the chiefe of the embassage the prince of Espinoy to offer absolutely vnto the king all the said countries with the propertie Seigniorie and soueraigntie for him and his successors beeing French kings vpon conditions limited and to bee limited All which deputies except the prince of Espinoy who was a long time before retired backe into France with the duke of Aniou hauing a good conuoy of eight shippes of warre parting from the Brill thinking to land at Diep were through the extremitie of fowle weather forced to goe on shoare at Bologne from whence they tooke their iourney to Abbeuille in the moneth of Ianuarie attending the kings pleasure hauing giuen him notice of their arriuall who commaunded them to come vnto him to Senlis whither they went with a goodly traine and were there honourably receiued and their expences were defraied by the king in al places where they past from thence the king returning vnto Paris to haue the aduice and counsell of his court of Parliament concerning their affaires whereof the deputies attended an answer the said deputies followed him the successe of which legation you shall heare hereafter I was sent vnto them from the Seignior of Saint Aldegonde and the magistrates of Antuerpe to let them vnderstand and consequently the king and queene mother of the estate of the said towne which was then besieged and of the great neede they had together with the townes of Brussels and Macklyn to be releeued The fourth of Ianuarie the Seignior of S. Aldegonde made a long oration to them of Antuerpe in the open assemblie of their great councell exhorting them with many liuely and pregnant reasons to preserue and defend themselues feeding them with a continuall hope of succours and of the good successe of the affaires of the said deputies And then the better to prouide for the defence of the towne he created foure new Colonels men of action and capable of such a charge And moreouer he decreed that such as had absented themselues out of the towne as abandoning it in her greatest neede and want should be called backe by a certaine daie prefixed vpon paine of confiscation of such goods as they had left there but few or none at all would returne for the great danger there was in the passage The countries of Arthois and Henault beeing continually tormented and troubled by the garrison of Cambray made a truce for the space of one whole yeare with the Seignior of Balaigni gouernour of the said towne the which they could not obtaine without bribing him hauing since continued it for many yeares so as this truce brought him in a good reuenue The Seignior of Nyeuwenoort being in the field in Friseland for the Estates he cunningly seized vpon the village of Otterdom in the countrie of Groningue vpon the riuer of Ems preuenting his enemy who thought to lodge there where in view of the Spaniards he intrenched him and fortified with all diligence though they were stronger than he But hauing a good number of ships both great and small to cary his men in and the Spaniards being ignorant at the first which way he would turne head hauing meanes to land them betwixt Maeren and right against Embden they could not ouertake him nor yet march so fast with their horse and foot by land as hee did by water so as they could not hinder his landing nor his fortifying Verdugo knowing how much this place did import meant in the Winter time to besiege it on both sides vpon the dike and for the effecting thereof hee sent colonel Rhyneuelt of Vtrecht to winne it by famine whilest that the shippes of Holland should bee retyred by reason of the yce But the Seignior of Nyeuwenoort had set so good an order for all things as during that Winter they wanted not any thing so as the Spring being come the Hollanders shippes returned which in despight of all the resistance which Rhyneuelt could make did succour the fort and forced him to retyre hauing yet before his retreat taken three of the Hollanders shippes laden both with victuals and munition Whilest that the towne of Antuerpe was distressed as we haue formerly related the earle of Hohenlo lieutenant to Graue Maurice after that he had conferred with the Estates gathered together some foure thousand men the which hee lodged couertly not farre from the towne of Boisleduc one
renowne At the same time the prince of Parma wrote many letters to the other townes of the prouinces of the Netherlands to perswade them to a submission and reconciliation with the king of Spaine their soueraigne lord and king after this manner ensuing Wee haue heretofore and of late written vnto you and earnestly intreated you in the behalfe of the king your natural prince to consider of the miserable estate whereunto you are now reduced to embrace the meanes to returne vnto the true obedience which you owe vnto your prince before you fall into greater calamities and miseries than those which hang ouer your heads beeing enuironed on all sides with the oppressions and ruines of warre which you draw vp-vpon your selues into the which many townes haue fallen and doe now but too late lament their misfortune seeing that wee are forced to proceede by the way of armes Notwithstanding wee haue alwaies conceiued a good hope of you expecting a good answer from you and that you will shew your selues as it befitteth good and faithfull subiects if our letters may bee deliuered vnto you for wee haue beene duely informed that God be thanked your hearts are not so much alienated from his Maiestie as many others bee which persist obstinately in their errours But for that hitherto wee haue receiued no answer wee finde that our letters haue beene supprest by some who for their priuate respects and profit labour by all the meanes they possibly can to nourish and maintaine aperpetuall warre among you to keepe you in subiection and to inrich themselues with the sweat of you and your children Wherefore beeing mooued with compassion we would not for our parts spare neither labour nor cost to discharge our selues as it beloÌgs to a faithfull seruant to his Maiestie and as we haue now written vnto you That once opening your eies you should not reiect the good meanes that are offered vnto you to free your selues of these miseries matters beeing not so desperate but they are yet in your owne hands considering on the one side the kings great forces which no towne can resist and on the other side his naturall bountie which he shewes you to drawe you to your obedience And if you will giue eare and yeeld to our persuasions we promise you in his Maiesties name such good and courteous vsage as you cannot expect better of so milde a prince whose desires and thoughts tend to no other end but to deliuer his good countrie of the Netherlands from such bloodie warres and of his owne bountie to restore them to their freedomes and auncient liberties wherein they haue heretofore liued happily the which we would rather seeke to augment than any way goe about to diminish if the publike good required it to the which we carrie a singular affection and would by all meanes seeke the aduancement thereof Whereof wee haue hitherto giuen sufficient proofes and testimonies referring our selues to all the world to iudge thereon hauing alwaies sought doneour best endeauours to conforme our selues to his Maiesties will and intention who cannot but with a heauie and sorrowfull countenance behold these countries which haue alwaies and aboue all others beene so deere and so much recommended vnto him so much to forget themselues as hee hath beene forced to take armes against them notwithstanding that his Maiestie in the beginning of the troubles had sought by all meanes to redresse it and to pacific them Wherefore we doe exhort you againe by these our letters that you will consider of that which is fittest for you and that you will giue eare vnto it and not carelesly to let it passe without regard and then you shall finde vs very readie to assist you in all that shall tend to your good knowing well that by the instigations and persuasions of some wicked persons you haue beene drawne into this warre which doth now so much importune you although it hath not beene so much through the violent attempts of the peruerse who beeing but fewe in number gouerne you as we heare as through the timerousnesse and want of courage in the good But bee it as it may the way is open vnto you whereby you may returne to your first quiet and tranquilitie vnder the peacefull gouernment and protection of his Maiestie your naturall prince and soueraigne and of vs as his Lieutenant Wherefore embrace this opportunitie before that warre oppresse you and that you feele in effect that which we haue long delaied before we would seeke to reduce you by force If you will hearken thereunto you shall find vs the readier and the more inclined to yeeld you that on his Maiesties behalfe which you can desire with reason for your publike good Hereupon wee will with patience attend your answer and full resolution and as our good friends recommend you to the protection and preseruation of the goodnes of the Almightie The Fââ¦ench king beeing forced this yeare in March by the warres which were very like in a short time to growe within the bowels of his owne kingdome through the practises of the league to refuse the soueraigntie of the Netherlands which was offered vnto him by the embassadours of the vnited prouinces and to denie them succours as they demanded he aduised them to recommend their cause vnto the Queene of England and to the king of Nauarre The Queene beeing duely informed of the estate of their affaires lest they should be forced to make some desperate agreement with their enemies had sent them many comfortable wordes as well by the Lord of Grise as by master Dauison her Maiesties Embassadour Whereof the generall Estates beeing aduertised during the siege of Antuerpe they resolued to giue the soueraigntie of the Netherlands absolutely vnto the Queene of England vpon lawfull and reasonable conditions or else to treat with her to take the protection and defence thereof vpon her or otherwise to craue her aide and assistance by some forces to succour and releeue them And to that end vpon the sixt of Iune their deputies arriued in England which were these for Brabant although by reason of the besieging of Antuerpe not fully authorized was sent Iacques de Grise chiefe bailife of Bruges for Guelderland Rutgert van Harsolt bourgmaster of Harderwicke for Flaunders although likewise not fully authorized Noel of Caron Seignior of Schoonewall bourgmaster of Franc for Holland and Friseland Iohn vanden Does lord of Noortwicke Ioos of Menin counsellor of the towne of Dort Iohn van Oldenbarnevelt counsellour of the towne of Rotterdam doctor Francis Maelson counsellour of the towne of Enckhuysen for Zeeland Iacob Valck a ciuile lawyer and one of the counsell of estate for Vtrecht Paul Buys doctor for Friseland Ielgher van Feytzma counsellor of estate Hessell Aysma president and Laest Iongama all which had full power and authoritie by procuration from their seuerall places and prouinces to treat either for the deliuering ouer of the absolute soueraigntie to the Queene of England
or els to make a treatie for protection and defence or for aide and assistance by some English forces the Hollanders for their parts were resolued and content to deliuer ouer some of their townes vnto the Queene for her securitie Their deputies procuration and authoritie was made from the nobilitie gentlemen and townes as Dort Harlem Delft Leyden Amsterdam Gant Rotterdam Gorcum Schiedam Briel Alcmar Hoorn Enckhuysen Schoonhouen Eedam Monickedam Medenblick Woerden Oudewater Heusden Gertruydenberghe Weesp Naerden Muyden and Purmerend answering for the rest of the small townes lordships and villages of Holland and West-Friseland in generall These embassadours beeing arriued in England they were well and courteously receiued and while they abode there honourably feasted and entertained at the Queenes charges and vpon the ninth of Iune were admitted to her Maiesties presence beeing then at Greenwich where with all honourable and submissiue dutie in humble wise they presented their request by word of mouth deliuered by Ioos de Menin the effect whereof was as here followeth That the Estates of the vnited Netherland prouinces greatly thanked her Maiestie for the honourable and many fauours which it had pleased her to shewe and vouchsafe vnto them in their necessities hauing not long since renewed and confirmed her princely clemencie when after the cruell murther of the prince of Orange it pleased her Maiestie by her Embassadour M. Dauison to signifie vnto them the great care shee had for their defence and preseruation and after that againe by the lord of Grise by whom shee let them vnderstand how much shee was discontented to see them frustrated of their expectations reposed vpon the hope they had in the treatie of France and that neuerthelesse the care shee had for their prosperitie and welfares was not in any thing diminished but rather increased in that shee saw greater reason to mooue her thereunto for the which the whole Netherlands in generall and euery of them in particular should rest bound vnto her Maiestie for euer to deserue and requite the same with all fidelitie and submission And therefore the Estates aforesaid obseruing that since the death of the prince of Orange they had lost many of their forts and good townes and that for the vpholding and defending of the said vnited Netherlands they had great need of a soueraigne prince and chiefe commander to gouerne the same who by his power and authoritie might protect and preserue them from the insolencies and oppressions of the Spaniards and their adherents who sought daiely more and more all the means they could with their vnreasonable arms other sinister means to spoile and vtterly roote vp the foundation of the aforesaid Netherlands and thereby to bring the poore afflicted people of the same into perpetuall bondage worse than the Indian slauerie vnder the vnsupportable and accursed inquisition of Spaine Finding likewise that the inhabitants of the said Netherlands were persuaded and had an assured confidence that her Maiestie out of her princely minde would not suffer nor endure to see them vtterly ouerthrowne as their enemies expected and desired by molesting them with such long and tedious warres the which the Estates according to their duties and in respect of their places in the behalfe of their fellowes and brethren were forced to withstand and as much as in them lay oppose themselues against the manifest slauerie which they thought to impose vpon the poore common people and by their best indeauours to defend and maintaine their auncient freedomes lawes and priuiledges with the exercise of the true christian religion whereof her Maiestie truely and by good right bare the title of defendresse against the which the enemie and all their adherents had made so many leagues attempted so many fearefull and deceitfull enterprises and treasons and yet cease not daiely to seeke inuent practise and deuise the destruction of her Maiesties royall person together with her estate and kingdomes which the almightie God vnder the protection of his euerlasting goodnesse hitherto had preserued and kept from all dangers for the good and vpholding of the church of Christ here vpon earth For these reasons and many other right good considerations the Estates aforesaid with one full and free consent had altogether determined and fully resolued to flie vnto her Maiestie in regard it is an vsuall thing for all oppressed and distressed people and nations in their great need and necessitie to seeke iust aide and assistance against their enemies from the kings and princes their neighbours and especially from those that were indued with courage feare of God vprightnesse of heart and other princely ornaments and to that end the Estates aforesaid had sent them and giuen them charge to desire and beseech her Maiestie to accept of the soueraigntie and lawfull gouernment of the said vnited prouinces vpon good and reasonable conditions especially tending to the vpholding maintaining and furtherance of Gods true religion and the auncient priuiledges and freedomes to them due and belonging together with the gouernment and managing of the warres policie and iustice of the said vnited prouinces of the Netherlands And although the said Netherlands had indured diuers wrongs and that many of their townes and forts had beene wonne from them by the enemie during those warres neuerthelesse in Brabant Guelderland Flaunders Macklyn and Ouerissel there were yet many good townes and places that held against the enemie and the prouinces of Holland Zeeland Vtrecht and Friseland were by Gods grace and wonderfull prouidence still kept and preserued in their whole and entire possessions wherein they had many great and strong townes and places faire riuers deepes and hauens whereby her Maiestie and her successors might haue good commodities seruices and profits whereof it were needlesse to make any longer discourse and one in speciall that by the vniting the countries of Holland Zeeland Friseland and the townes of Oostend and Scluse vnto her Maiesties kingdomes and dominions shee might haue the absolute commaund gouernment power and authoritie ouer the great ocean and consequently shee might haue a perpetuall assured and happie traffique for the subiects and inhabitants of her Maiesties kingdomes and dominions Most humbly and submissiuely beseeching her royall Maiestie to vouchsafe of her royall fauour and princely bountie to agree and consent to the foresaid points of their request and so to accept for her and her lawfull heires or successors in the crowne of England defendors of the true Christian religion the soueraigne principalitie and chiefe gouernment of the said Netherlands and in regard thereof to receiue the inhabitants of the same countries as her Maiesties most humble and obedient subiects into her perpetuall safegard and protection a people as true faithfull and louing to their princes and commaunders without vaine boasting bee it spoken as any other in christendome And so doing shee should preserue and protect many faire churches which it had pleased almightie God in those latter daies to gather together in seuerall countries
second bloudie Edict against the Protestants A great Tumult in Vtrecht They of Vtrecht call the duke of Geââ¦dres to bee their protector Harderwyck taken by the Geldrois The Hage spoiled by the Geldrois Hattem in Gelders yeelded Many townes and castells yeelded to the Emperor 1528. 2000. soldiarâ⦠come out of Spaine Megen taken and abandoned againe by the Geldââ¦ois The Geldrois of Vtrecht defeated Vtrecht surprized by the Bishops men Executions at Vtrecht A peace betwixt the duke of Gelders the Bishop and the Emperor 1529 The Emperor comes unto Italie His stately entry into Bolognala grasta The Emperor Charles kisseth the Popes feete 1530. The Emperors coronation by the Pope An Imperiall diet at Ausbourg The protestant Princes desire to haue their confession heard Conferences betwixt the Protestants and Papists ãâã ãâã deâ⦠ãâã ãâã The death of Lady Marguerite of Austria 1531. Ferdinand the ââ¦mperors brotheâ⦠made King of Romaines The beginning of the chanell which goes from Brusselles to Antwerp Anabaptists in Holland The ãâã blouââ¦y Edict against the Protestants War betwixt them of Lubeck and Hollanders ãâã ãâã maââ¦e ãâã ââ¦ror ãâã Hollandeâ⦠with the King of Denmâ⦠A Dyet at Ratisbone touching relligioâ⦠Articles propounded to the Pââ¦otestants A forme of the conditions of peace in Germany 1532 A ãâã betwââ¦xt the Emperor and the ãâã A new Hauen at Middlebouââ¦g 1536. Two French ships cunââ¦ngly taken by them of Dordrecht The duke of Gââ¦dres enteââ¦prise vpon Amersââ¦ort Hesdin taken by the french Sââ¦int Pol taken by the Imperialâ⦠The duke of Geldres entââ¦ise vpon ââ¦uchuysen 1537. ãâã duke exâ⦠ãâã ãâã this ââ¦rise The French defeated at the battaile of Sagueletâ⦠The town ãâã of Geldres mutine against thâ⦠dââ¦ke and ãâã ãâã their casteâ⦠The Empresse brought in bed oâ⦠2. son 1538 The death of the Duke of Gelders The death of the Eââ¦rle of Nââ¦u 1539 The death of thâ⦠Duke of ââ¦ues ãâã of the ââ¦ois The Emperor passeââ¦h through France to comâ⦠to Gant 1540. The death of George Schenck The death of the 1. Earle of Hoochstratâ⦠The Emperor doââ¦h punish the rebellion of the Ganthois The 4. bloudy Edict against the Protestants A dââ¦ââ¦t Hagââ¦u The conclusiââ¦n of Hag uenau An Imperiall dââ¦t ââ¦t Wormes An Imperiall diet at Raââ¦sbone The Duke of Cleues allies ââ¦m selfe to ââ¦he French King The Duke of Cleues ãâã thâ⦠King ãâã Naââ¦es daughter The French ãâã ââ¦nto Bra ãâã The Prince of Orange defeated 1542 Mââ¦in van Rossem repulâ⦠by ââ¦e ãâã of ãâã Yuois taken by the Geldrois A tumult at Brussels The Emperors armic enters into Iuilliers Amersfort yeelded to Martin van Rollem 1543. The Cleuois ãâã the ãâã ãâã The Hollanders zeelanders make war at sea aginst the Freuch The Emperor arriues at Geuoa Presents giuen to the Emperor by the Netherlanders The Emperors Armie Duren beseeged by the Emperor Duren taken by aââ¦ult The Duke of ãâã ãâã himselââ¦e vââ¦o the Empââ¦ror Landrââ¦cy besieged A Cittadell built at Cambray 1544. A peace bââ¦twixt the Emperor and French King Queene Elenor of France comes to the Emperor her brother 1545. A Diet held at Wormes 1546. The Protestants assemble at Francfort The Emperor arriues at Wormes The Emperor seekes to abuse the Protestants whilst that he prepares to armes A conference of diuinââ¦s at Ratisbone The castell of Ramekens built A ãâã betwââ¦t the Emperor and the Poââ¦e agââ¦st relligion The Duke of Saxony and Landtgraue write vnto the Emperor The Emperor writes to the Protestant townes The answer of thââ¦m of Strausbourg to the Emperors letter The Duke of Wittemberg and the towne army A booke of the Protestants Iustifications The Emperor banisheth the Duke of Saxony ââ¦d the Landtgraue ãâã and ãâã taken by the Protestants Maââ¦klin burnâ⦠by lightning The Protestant Princes defie the Emperor The Emperor rââ¦useth to receiue a letter The two armâ⦠neere one to an other The ââ¦aile of ãâã enjoynes with thâ⦠Emperor ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã A bert of ãâã Brandebourg taken prisoner by the Prince Elector 1547. Countrââ¦s recouered from the sea in zeeland The Landtgraue submits himselfe vnto the Emperor 1548. The Lanââ¦graue put in prison contrary to promise The death of the Earle of Buren Prince phillip comes out of Spaine into the Netherlands He arriued the 1. of Aprill 1549. at Brusselles The Prince takes possession of the Duchie of Brabant The Emperor returnes into Germanyto ââ¦ke the Empier for his Sonne A bloody Edict against them of the relligion They murmuâ⦠at Antwerp against it Magdebourg valiantly defended A controuersie betwixt the two bretheren for the Empire Why the Princes of the Empire preferred Ferdinand before Prince Phillip 1551 The Prince of Orange first marriage The Ministers chased away by the ââ¦mpe ror 1552. An assembly of the states of oâ⦠the Nelââ¦nds Many Princes ãâã for the Landt graues liberty Ausbourg vvon by Duâ⦠Maurice The French takes Metz. Toule and Vââ¦rdun Duke Mauricâ⦠confeââ¦rs with King Ferdinand touching a Peace The French King retiers into Germany The French King in Luxembourg Count Mansfield prisoner The Princes vvinne the straights of the Alpes The Emperor flies from Inspruch in hast The duke of Saxony set at liberty Duke Maurice his complaint Albert of Brandenbourg makes warâ⦠apart Nuremberg compounâ⦠vvith him Francfort besieged by the Princes The bishops Prelats and Pââ¦ests ââ¦he before Albert. A pââ¦ace concluded betwixt the Emperor the Princes The Empââ¦or comes to Ausbourg The Landtgraue deliuered and staââ¦ed againe The Duke of Saxony tââ¦kes his ãâã of of the Emperor The Emperor ãâã ââ¦o Strasbouââ¦g Shee was daughter to Christierne King of Denmarke 1552 Metz besieged Albert of Brandebourg reconciled to the Emperor A furioâ⦠batââ¦y at Mâ⦠Mâ⦠valiantly dââ¦nded The Emperor ãâã his siege froâ⦠Mâ⦠1553. The Emperor ãâã to Bââ¦ssels A ââ¦umult at Brusselles against the Spaniards Teroan takeâ⦠and razed Duke Maurice defies Albert of Brandebourg Hesdin taken by the Emperor and ãâã The Incoun ter of ãâã ãâã the Prince of Espynoy was slaine The Duke of Arschot a prisoner ãâã ââ¦h 1554. Thâ⦠French arââ¦es against the Emperor Defeâ⦠of somâ⦠Bourguignons by the French The Kings reuenge ââ¦or the ãâã ââ¦cardy Renty besieged by the French King Renty releeued by the Emperor A furious fight at sââ¦a betwixt the Frââ¦nch Hollanders and ãâã ââ¦landers 1555 An assembly to treateat of a pââ¦ace The death of the Emperors mother The Emperor makes an Assembly of the stats to resigne the Netherlands The Emperor leaues the collor of his order to his sonne The Emperors exhortaââ¦ion to his sonne An exception of them of Louuaine vpon thier preuiledges A soââ¦lemne act of thâ⦠Em perors resignation An Oration to the states in thâ⦠Emperors name The emperors ââ¦ch vnto the Stââ¦tes The answer of tââ¦ââ¦s of the Netherlands to the Emperor King Philip takes the oath as duke of Brabant A resolution of the imperiall Diet held at Ausbourg 1556 A truce betwixt the French the Bourguignons of small continuance